OPINION

Rishi Sunak is trying to hide from accountability

— The Government is trying to block the COVID Inquiry from accessing unredacted WhatsApp messages that could reveal how Rishi Sunak ignored scientific advice and launched the “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme in 2020, which caused a surge in infections.

COVID-19 Inquiry

Cabinet Office accused of covering up Rishi Sunak’s involvement in “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme

— Good Law Project challenged the Cabinet Office’s refusal to disclose Rishi Sunak’s WhatsApps on the “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme, which caused COVID surge in cases and deaths.

Brexit

How did ‘taking back control’ of borders become record-high net migration?

— After Brexit, the UK has had fewer migrants from the EU, but they have been far outstripped by people coming from elsewhere.

UK Politics

Behind the mess: A tragicomedy of power struggles in Downing Street

— A new book provides a behind-the-scenes look at the chaos and downfall of Boris Johnson’s premiership, including how the former PM’s indecisiveness and knack for pointing fingers led to his downfall, and how Dominic Cummings and Carrie Johnson influenced decision-making in Downing Street.

UK Politics

Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Theresa May (and soon Nicola Sturgeon): the strange backbench lives of former national leaders

— Former national leaders Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Theresa May have all stepped back from power, but remain active in their respective backbenches.

PartyGate

Boris Johnson’s evidence to MPs’ partygate investigation: The key points of disagreement explained

— Before the Committee of Privileges, Boris Johnson argued the Downing Street events were needed to boost morale and that the rules were too hard to maintain, insisting that the gatherings with wine were essential work meetings.

PartyGate

Will Boris Johnson be grounded? The Privileges Committee decides

— The Privileges Committee will rule on whether former PM Boris Johnson misled Parliament in May. If guilty, it can impose punishments from written apologies to salary deduction and suspension, triggering a recall petition and a by-election.

PartyGate

Boris Johnson to face MPs over partygate – but what is ‘misleading parliament’ and why is it so serious?

— Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing questions from MPs about allegations of misleading Parliament. Misleading Parliament is an offence that could carry serious consequences.

UK Politics

The real cancel culture is Tory cancel culture

— The Tories are using cancel culture as a tool to silence dissenting voices and stifle democracy. They are placing laws, curbing free press and cancelling initiatives & services to further their own interests.

UK Politics

Boris Johnson no longer has the political capital to get away with giving his dad a knighthood

— Boris Johnson holds a different view to many on what constitutes acceptable and appropriate standards in public life. He repeatedly calculates that voters don’t care about his rule-breaking. But that is not necessarily true.

PartyGate

Good Law Project cannot appeal “Partygate” injustice

— Good Law Project can’t appeal in the case of Partygate discrepancies involving the Metropolitan Police and Boris Johnson, highlighting the need for equality under the law.

UK Politics

Northern Ireland protocol: Why Tory backbenchers are rebelling over Rishi Sunak’s revised Brexit deal

— Members of Rishi Sunak’s own party could disrupt his biggest policy move yet.

COVID-19 Government Contracts

Government commits to publishing £248m missing COVID contracts after breaching transparency guidelines

— After breaching transparency guidelines, the UK government commits to publishing £248 million worth of missing COVID-19 contracts.

Long-Read

Three years of failure

— Professor Chris Grey’s latest Brexit analysis. Three years on, with public support declining, there were no celebrations last week – only lies, excuses, and the usual cries of ‘betrayal’. Nothing new, but as time passes, the failure of the Brexit project is simply inescapable.

Corruption

UK slides in corruption perception index after series of political scandals

— The UK is perceived to be more corrupt than it was following the 2009 expenses scandal that rocked parliament to its core. Hostile states are happy to watch the UK move away from core liberal democratic principles.

COMMENT

So Boris Johnson’s comeback trail, like that of Liz Truss, runs through Washington, DC?

— There is a section of the Tories that doesn’t view bipartisanship as important in the relationship with America. There lies a perilous path.