Katy Balls

Katy Balls

Katy Balls is The Spectator’s former political editor.

The never-ending deficit – Tories put off balancing the books until 2026

At today’s Tory manifesto launch, Theresa May put some clear blue water between herself and the Cameroons as she ditched many of the 2015 manifesto pledges. But there is one area of continuity. May managed to continue George Osborne’s longstanding tradition of putting off balancing the books. On the subject of the UK deficit, the manifesto acknowledges

Katy Balls

Five things we’ve learnt from the Conservative manifesto

Today Theresa May unveiled the 2017 Conservative and Unionist Party manifesto at an event in West Yorkshire. Parking her tanks on Labour’s lawn, the Prime Minister tried to appeal to working class voters as she revealed her vision for ‘a stronger Britain and a prosperous future’. Here’s what can be gleaned from the slimline document:

The Lib Dems want what remains of the Remain vote

Tim Farron is in Bethnal Green tonight launching the Liberal Democrats 2017 manifesto. As the party try to keep hopes for a ‘Lib Dem fightback’ alive, the policies on offer appear to be aimed at winning the youth vote. They include introducing an NHS tax, raising £1bn in tax from proposals to legalise cannabis, help

Katy Balls

Conservatives’ pointless press conference backfires

Although Theresa May insists that she is not complacent about the election result, the Conservatives do feel confident enough to hold press conferences even when they have nothing much to say. Today the lobby trooped 20 minutes east on the Jubilee line to Canary Wharf to hear Theresa May and Philip Hammond repeat yesterday’s Conservative attack lines

Five things we’ve learnt from the Labour manifesto

Today Jeremy Corbyn launched Labour’s 2017 manifesto in Bradford. Given that the draft version of the document leaked last week, a lot of the contents haven’t come as a surprise. However, there are still a few significant things to note from the 124-page document: Labour have not factored in the cost of nationalisation into their

Labour’s shadow cabinet – not coming to a town near you

Usually in a general election campaign, MPs in marginal seats invite high profile party figures to their constituencies in a bid to generate interest from the local media and win over swing voters. This is certainly what’s happening when it comes to the Tory campaign — from Theresa May downwards, Conservative ministers have been busy touring

Who benefits from the Labour manifesto leak?

Today’s front pages are emblazoned with details of the policies in Labour’s manifesto. Usually, this level of policy coverage would be good news for a party in the midst of a general election campaign. However, the manifesto isn’t due for a week. Instead, someone has leaked the draft version. It certainly makes for an intriguing read.

It will take more than a defeat to shift Jeremy Corbyn

Last night, Jeremy Corbyn confirmed many Labour moderates’ worst fears when he declared that he would not quit as leader — even if the party loses come June. Now it’s not uncommon for politicians to say this on the election campaign trail and then act differently in the light of defeat — Gordon Brown did exactly this. But

What’s gone wrong for the Liberal Democrats?

The results from the local elections are in — and we’re beginning work out what it means for the parties with regards to next month’s general election. While the Conservatives have much cause for (cautious) celebration, Ukip looks on the brink of extinction, Labour has had a dismal showing – and the Liberal Democrats are having a ‘neutral‘

The Spectator guide to the local elections

Today voters go to the polls to vote in the local elections — with the results beginning to emerge in the early hours of Friday morning. The event has been somewhat overshadowed by Theresa May’s decision to go for an early general election. However, the results will give us some indication of what to expect

Theresa May makes the most of being a bloody difficult woman

Over the weekend, Theresa May fell prey to a rather brutal Brussels briefing when details of the Prime Minister’s ‘disastrous’ Brexit dinner with Jean-Claude Juncker found their way into a German newspaper. With the Prime Minister accused of ‘living in another galaxy’ and lacking a clue when it comes to the Brexit negotiations, one could be

Tim Farron sacks David Ward – but the damage is already done

When the snap election was called last week, it looked like plain-sailing for the Liberal Democrats. Tim Farron’s party appeared on course for significant gains by simply appealing to the 48pc and talking about Brexit from a Remain perspective. However, a week on and it’s questions of religion that are proving a headache for the

What will be in May’s manifesto?

On Tuesday, Theresa May stood outside Downing Street and said that she was calling an early election so that she could get the ‘job done’ and take Britain out of the European Union. The Prime Minister claimed that without a snap vote, opposition parties would try to change Britain’s course because ‘the Government’s majority is

Corbyn makes his pitch to be Prime Minister – it’s Us vs Them

With a new poll out today giving the Conservatives a 24 point lead over Labour, the June election already looks like a done deal to many. But today Jeremy Corbyn tried to put his party’s woes to one side as he launched Labour’s campaign with his first speech of the election. As hacks were heckled for asking about