Cameron and Biden stand firm on Iranian-backed fighters attacking Red Sea shipping
“Britain and the United States have warned that they will attack Houthi targets again if the Iranian-backed militants keep disrupting commercial and military ships in the Red Sea. The US has delivered a private message to Iran about the militants it backs in Yemen. Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, the foreign secretary, said Britain would “always defend the freedom of navigation” and was ready to “back words with actions”. It came after a second night of American strikes against the rebels who have been attacking vessels in the Red Sea. Cameron said Britain had issued “warning after warning”, including to Iran, before taking action.” – Sunday Times
- Sunak says UK acted in ‘self-defence’ with Yemen airstrikes – The Observer
- The inside story of how he made final calls – Mail on Sunday
- Foreign Secretary issues warning as London protesters chant ‘Yemen, make us proud’ – Sunday Telegraph
- The tactics behind US and UK strikes on Houthis – Sunday Times
- Strained relations between Scholz and Macron threaten to derail EU action against Houthis – Sunday Telegraph
- Armed Forces put on standby for ‘dangerous’ year ahead, warns Shapps – Sun on Sunday
- US and UK intent on turning Red Sea into a bloodbath, says Turkey – The Observer
>Today: ToryDiary: Can Sunak be hopeful of an economic recovery?
David Cameron: It was right that the UK acted to keep a vital sea lane open
“The freedom of navigation really matters. Since November 19, there have been 26 attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. Not acting would be accepting that illegal and unacceptable Houthi attacks could virtually shut a vital sea lane with relative impunity. We have to recognise the connection between events overseas and our lives at home. Experience in recent years makes it absolutely clear: the actions of malign actors abroad matter to us at home. The Red Sea is one of the major arteries of international trade: some 15 per cent of the world’s shipping passes through the narrow strait dividing Africa from Asia. If the Houthis deny this passage to ships, vital supply chains are threatened and prices will go up in Britain and across the globe.” – Sunday Telegraph
- Sunak stops dithering to become Biden’s man of action – Tim Shipman, Sunday Times
- We must stop Iran meddling in the Middle East – Bob Seely MP, Sun on Sunday
- Airstrikes on the Houthis were for the world’s benefit, shame the French couldn’t make it – Robert Colvile, Sunday Times
- Strikes on the Houthis were completely justified, but one key player could escalate – Richard Dannatt, Sunday Express
Editorial:
Sunak pledges £2.5bn in military aid to Ukraine during Kyiv visit
“Rishi Sunak made a £2.5bn commitment to Ukraine’s defence on Friday during a visit to Kyiv, and pledged that the UK would not falter at a time when military aid from the US has stalled. Sunak met the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, embracing him warmly, and addressed Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada. The two leaders held talks and signed a new UK-Ukrainian security treaty. It guarantees that the UK will give “swift and sustained” help should Russia attack Ukraine again. Zelenskiy described the pact, which will remain in force until Ukraine joins Nato, as unprecedented. “Today is the day when the history of Europe changed,” he said, describing the UK, one of Ukraine’s staunchest allies, as a prominent global power involved in a joint task to stop Russian aggression.” – The Observer
- British volunteers send almost 50 aid-filled ambulances to Ukraine – Mail on Sunday
- Brits still overwhelmingly back Ukraine to defeat Russia – Sun on Sunday
Comment:
- With British help we can ensure freedom defeats aggression – Volodymyr Zelensky, Sunday Times
Editorial:
- Zelensky’s words should stiffen the free world’s resolve – Sunday Times
New law could force Fujitsu to pay back every single postmaster who lost cash
“Fujitsu will be forced to pay back every single postmaster who lost money in the Horizon scandal, under a proposed new law. The government is bringing forward a Bill to clear all 700 Brits convicted in the Post Office fiasco. But Lord John Mann said there are 4,000 more “hidden victims” who borrowed or spent their savings paying cash back which they never actually owed. He is tabling an amendment to the Bill demanding the IT giant Fujitsu repay every single penny of this cash back. The bill is expected to stretch into many millions of pounds… It comes after Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said Fujitsu should cough up cash for the post office compensation scheme as “polluters should pay”.” – Sun on Sunday
- Post Office minister demands jail for those to blame for the Horizon scandal – Mail on Sunday
- Plans to reform private prosecutions after Post Office Horizon scandal – The Observer
- Blair had close links with Fujitsu before he became prime minister – Mail on Sunday
More:
- May government pushed through CBE despite Horizon concerns – Sunday Times
- Post Office lawyers say leaving no stone unturned is unrealistic, inquiry hears – The Observer
Comment:
- This is how we’ll stop taxpayers having to pay for Post Office scandal compensation – Kevin Hollinrake MP, Sunday Express
- Parliament deciding Post Office guilt is dangerous – Ken Macdonald, Sunday Times
Davey’s approval rating takes a big hit from the Post Office scandal
“Lib Dem leader Ed Davey has seen his personal popularity take a significant hit in the wake of the Post Office scandal, according to the latest Opinium poll for the Observer. Davey was one of a series of ministers responsible for the Post Office during the crisis, holding the role between 2010 and 2012. He has received criticism after a letter emerged in which he refused to meet Alan Bates, the former postmaster and campaigner fighting for justice, telling him: “I do not believe a meeting would serve any useful purpose.” Several Tory MPs in seats where they are being challenged by the Lib Dems have already been highlighting Davey’s role on social media, in the wake of huge public interest in the scandal that saw the Post Office prosecute hundreds of subpostmasters based on evidence from a faulty computer system.” – The Observer
- Mrs Tracey vs Ed Davey: the postmistress coming for his seat – The Times
Comment:
- Davey is a toxic liability even to the feckless Lib Dems – Simon Heffer, Sunday Telegraph
- Why I pray Alan Bates rejects a knighthood – Matthew Syed, Sunday Times
Tory rebels threaten all-out assault on Rwanda plan in showdown votes
“Tory rebels are threatening an all-out assault on the Rwanda plan this week unless Rishi Sunak agrees to toughen up the legislation. Leaders of three right-wing Conservative blocs have made clear they are ready to defy the PM in crunch Commons votes on Tuesday and Wednesday. Mark Francois, Sir John Hayes and Danny Kruger urged colleagues to join them in ‘standing firm’ saying the new law is ‘simply not good enough’. Mr Sunak insists the Bill is essential for keeping his vow to ‘stop the boats’, but it is threatening to tear the Tories to shreds. More than 50 MPs on the right of the party have backed amendments seeking to ignore international law and curtail asylum seekers’ rights to appeal against flights to Kigali.” – Daily Mail
- Every Channel boat crossing costs taxpayers around £30m, Jenrick warns – Sun on Sunday
- Tory rebels warned ‘back Rishi over Rwanda’ as fears of election wipeout mount – Sunday Express
- Rwanda treaty ‘unlikely to satisfy supreme court’, say legal experts – The Observer
- Home Secretary berates plane mutiny ‘do-gooders’ – Mail on Sunday
Comment:
- Labour are attempting a huge con on the public with their ‘policy’ to tackle illegal migration – James Cleverly MP, Sun on Sunday
- Don’t pass a Rwanda Bill that will just fail – Robert Jenrick MP, Sun on Sunday
Editorial:
Maynard found to have submitted invoices containing false information to the expenses regulator
“Paul Maynard was referred for investigation last week after The Sunday Times revealed he had systematically breached expenses rules by using taxpayer funds for political purposes. The breaches include using public money to print political leaflets and allowing the Conservative Party to use his office as its campaign headquarters in his marginal seat. A cornerstone of the rules set up after the expenses scandal of 2009 is that MPs must not use public funds for party political purposes. The Blackpool North & Cleveleys MP has charged the taxpayer £106,000 for printing, more than any other Conservative… The evidence suggests the association uses the office full-time, for instance as a postal address, as a storeroom for political leaflets and material and as a venue for regular board and candidate meetings.” – Sunday Times
Sunak ‘dodging scrutiny’ by failing to appoint chair of Climate Change Committee
“Rishi Sunak has been accused of trying to avoid scrutiny of his green policies after details surfaced about his government’s failure, over more than 18 months, to appoint a new chair of the independent climate change committee. Senior environmentalists said they believed Sunak may be deliberately trying to avoid appointing a successor to Lord Deben – who first announced that he was stepping down in July 2022 – until after a general election, so he does not face criticism for his U-turns on green issues. The Observer can reveal that peer and former Tory minister David Willetts, who had been seen as the clear favourite, was interviewed for the post last summer but has since had no further contact at all from the government about the job and no indication as to whether he is still being considered.” – The Observer
Labour considers non-dom tax plan that would raise £1bn less than initial pledge
“Labour plans to scrap non-dom tax breaks would raise about a billion pounds less than the £3.2bn previously claimed, under an option being considered to allow a four-year grace period for those with the status. Research suggesting that scrapping the breaks could raise £3.2bn a year was cited by Labour when it announced the plans in 2022 to scrap rules allowing some wealthy people to avoid tax on foreign earnings if they have lived in the UK for less than 14 years. The shadow chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has said abolishing the tax break in full would raise that amount each year and that Labour would use the money to expand the NHS workforce. However, the party is also considering new regimes for temporary residents.” – The Observer
- Key Miliband adviser wants to tax your foreign holidays and ban domestic flights – Sun on Sunday
- Lammy: There will be differences, but Labour can work with Trump – Sunday Times
The poll that could push Farage back into politics
“Nigel Farage has given his strongest indication yet that he could stand again for parliament after a poll suggested he would comfortably win a seat previously held by Ukip. The survey, commissioned by Arron Banks, the former Ukip donor, suggested that Farage would win 37 per cent of the vote in Clacton in Essex, beating the Tory incumbent by ten percentage points… The poll of 509 people was conducted by Survation between Tuesday and Friday It put Labour third on 23 per cent and the Lib Dems fourth on 6 per cent, with 8 per cent intending to vote for other candidates. The seat has been held by Giles Watling since the 2017 election but was previously held by Douglas Carswell, who defected from the Tories to Ukip in 2014 under Farage’s leadership.” – Sunday Times
- Tice: ‘Multiculturalism doesn’t work but most aren’t brave enough to say it’ – Sunday Telegraph
Yousaf nightmare as devastating new poll shows SNP faces losing 24 MPs
“The SNP could lose more than half its MPs at the next general election, new polling suggests. The survey by Redfield & Wilton Strategies puts the nationalist party on 35 per cent, down 10 points from the 2019 ballot. The research puts Labour neck-and-neck with the SNP on 35 per cent north of the border. A pollster said if the survey was replicated at a general election it could see the SNP down to just 19 seats, down from its current 43… The poll of 1,040 Scots carried out last week puts the Conservatives on 17 per cent. The Lib Dems are on nine per cent, while the Greens and Reform UK are both on two per cent. It comes after SNP leader and Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf on Friday officially launched his party’s campaign for the general election almost certain to take place at some point this year.” – Sunday Express
- Devastating new poll blow for first minister days after his ‘desperate’ early plea to voters – Mail on Sunday
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