Katy Balls is The Spectator’s political editor.
Unionists hoping Nicola Sturgeon would use her statement today to call off her plans for IndyRef2 have been left disappointed. Instead, the First Minister simply said she would ‘re-set’ her proposal in light of her party’s disastrous election result, which saw the SNP lose 21 seats and half a million votes. Sturgeon’s concession is simply
After Theresa May received a hostile response in Brussels, perhaps she was hoping for a more amiable reception today in the Chamber when she revealed more details of her pitch to EU nationals living in the UK. In a statement, the Prime Minister told MPs that hers was a fair and serious offer (confirming she remains opposed
Today’s Queen’s Speech is notable not for what’s in it, but for what’s been left out. With no Tory majority and no agreement with the DUP, Theresa May has had to gut her 2017 Conservative Manifesto. The fact that the legislation ‘trailed’ on the eve of the speech included plans to tackle nuisance whiplash compensation
Although the snap election result was disappointing for the Conservative party as a whole, there was reason for celebration north of the border. Ruth Davidson led the Scottish Conservatives to unprecedented success, with 13 MPs elected in total. Now that David Mundell is no longer the Tories’ only MP in Scotland, the Secretary of State for
To kick the Brexit negotiations off, David Davis and Michel Barnier exchanged mountain-themed gifts, of a hiking book and walking stick. Given that the EU’s chief negotiator previously warned Brexit would be a ‘steep and a rocky’ path, the choice seemed apt. Although the Brexit secretary said he had been encouraged by the constructive approach both
Although Philip Hammond has cancelled his Mansion House speech tonight as a result of the Grenfell Tower fire, government business will continue as normal. With the Queen’s Speech scheduled for Wednesday, it’s been confirmed that formal EU negotiations will commence on Monday: ‘David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, and Michel Barnier, the
The state opening of Parliament will take place on Wednesday. It had been due to take place on Monday, but was delayed by Theresa May’s efforts to strike a deal with the DUP to back her minority government. Given that no deal has been made, May appears to be calling Arlene Foster’s bluff: vote with
Theresa May’s deal with the DUP has been delayed as the government deals with the Grenfell Tower blaze. Even without the tragic events of last night, there’s reason to suggest that May’s deal with the DUP would not have been signed this week. Although the two parties are said to be finalising the ‘terms and conditions’
It tends to be the case that if you hear cheers from outside a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party, it’s safe to bet it’s not Jeremy Corbyn doing the talking. However, tonight that all changed. The Labour leader received a 45-second standing ovation from his colleagues in what was a positive and productive meeting. After
Theresa May has just appointed Steve Baker as a junior minister to the Department for Exiting the EU. A lead Brexiteer, Baker’s appointment will help to calm nerves among Leave-backing MPs that May is now heading for a ‘soft’ Brexit. The Eurosceptic MP replaces David Jones, who has been sacked as a Brexit minister. Jones was also a hardcore
After Theresa May’s week got off to a shaky start with the news that the Queen’s Speech may be delayed while the Conservatives attempt to come to a ‘confidence and supply’ agreement with the DUP, she will be hoping that her appearance at tonight’s meeting of the backbench 1922 committee is enough to regain her party’s
The Queen’s Speech – in which the government sets out its legislative programme – has been delayed indefinitely. Originally due to take place next week, it’s now on hold until the Conservatives manage to come to a satisfactory ‘confidence and supply’ agreement with the DUP. This is an un-precedented move – and not a good sign. Even
With Theresa May currently AWOL, Jeremy Corbyn has been making the most of her absence this morning. As Tory ministers attempt a damage limitation exercise, the buoyant Labour leader appeared on the Andrew Marr show to say his party is ‘ready and able to form’ a government. Corbyn was in good spirits as he declared his party’s
The Sunday papers make grim reading for Theresa May. There’s talk of a leadership challenge from Boris Johnson and – embarrassingly – some include mention of No 10 making a ‘confidence and supply’ arrangement with the DUP. Given that the DUP have since denied that this is the case (instead, talks are ongoing), it does not bode
Theresa May’s election gamble has backfired spectacularly. As things stand, the result of the General Election is a hung Parliament. The Conservatives are predicted to be the largest party but will fall short of a majority. Jeremy Corbyn’s position as Labour leader looks safer than ever. In May’s count speech in Maidenhead, she appeared to
Senior Conservatives insist that they don’t recognise the exit poll, which predicts a hung Parliament. But privately they appear to concede a hung Parliament is a possibility – and they are trying to get on the front foot. In a briefing to Conservative candidates, the party has issued lines to take on the exit poll.
Last night, Diane Abbott appeared — perhaps for the first time — to have something in common with Philip Hammond. Weeks after Theresa May refused to confirm her Chancellor’s job security post-election, Jeremy Corbyn declined to say Comrade Abbott would be Home Secretary in a Labour government. Given that his comments followed Abbott’s disastrous interview on Sky
After both Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn received a rough ride on Friday in the Question Time leaders election special, tonight it was the turn of Nicola Sturgeon and Tim Farron. The pair faced questions from a live studio audience in Edinburgh. The location proved problematic for the Liberal Democrat leader who had to fend off
Theresa May has said ‘enough is enough’ in a robust statement following last night’s terror attack, which left seven people dead and 48 injured. Acknowledging that this is the third terror attack Britain has experienced in three months, the Prime Minister said that while the three attacks were not connected in their planning, they are bound together
Seven people were killed and at least 48 injured after a van and knife attack in the London Bridge area. The police have declared the incidents as terrorist attacks. The Conservatives, Labour and the SNP have suspended their national election campaigns for the day. Officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command have arrested 12 people in