Journal Live - Blog Central

Labour confirms all-women shortlist for Redcar battle

Fri, 25 May 2012 17:42:22 +0000

Labour chiefs have decided that an all-women shortlist will be used to select the candidate tasked with winning the Redcar seat from Liberal Democrat MP Ian Swales.

The party's candidate in Carlisle will also be drawn from an all women shortlist - but it may disappoint some activists.

MPs: Rename Tube line in honour of Queen

Fri, 25 May 2012 09:29:49 +0000

Amid the celebration of the Queen's long reign, a group of MPs have suggested that one of London's underground lines should be renamed.

English: Jubilee Line, Underground train at Stratford Station Deutsch: Jubilee Line, U-Bahn-Zug in der Station Stratford Magyar: 1996 Tube Stock Stratford állomáson (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

They have signed a Parliamentary motion urging the Jubilee line - named after the Queen's 1977 silver jubilee - to now be called the Elizabeth Jubilee line to mark her diamond jubilee.

The looming in-out EU referendum?

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:32:36 +0000

Is the time fast approaching when Britons will be voting in a referendum on whether they want to remain part of the European Union (EU)?

Well, of course politics is a fast moving game. Labour has already floated the prospect. But now it seems like senior Tories think it could happen in the next few years.

Why does the Greek crisis matter?

Tue, 22 May 2012 16:47:09 +0000

IT may seem like a long way away, and for many Brits is a tourist destination. But make no mistake, what happens in Greece matters to the UK. It really matters.

A senior businessman put it simply - exports could come to a "grinding halt" if the eurozone crisis continues.

On top of that, the European banking system could be thrown into turmoil - gumming up the flow of credit to such an extent that there is a credit crunch mark II, expect far worse.

Lib Dems sink to 4% support in poll of Northern voters

Tue, 22 May 2012 11:19:38 +0000

Some Liberal Democrats might be wondering what they have done to find themselves with such terrible poll ratings.

Of course, Labour would claim they have blown up their own progressive politics by joining the Tories in Government - although Nick Clegg would insist Lib Dem policies have been implemented and that coalition was necessary to save the Government from a Greek-style financial meltdown.

But the latest findings of the YouGov survey for The Sun will not make happy reading for activists on the ground - unlike UKIP, which has climbed above them in terms of levels of support in the North.

Tory MP: Reform "bonkers" House of Lords

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 09:44:08 +0000

AN unelected House of Lords is "bonkers", says Tory MP Guy Opperman.

The Hexham MP spoke out ahead of peers debating potential reforms this week.

Bring the House of Lords to Newcastle

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:51:36 +0000

What a

View of the House of Lords Chamber in the Palace of Westminster, London, looking from the galleries towards the Throne (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

n idea. Nick Forbes, leader of Newcastle City Council, has backed in principle the idea of a reformed House of Lords moving to Tyneside.

Meanwhile, Parliament should move to the North, says the leader of Durham County Council. Simon Henig called for a radical shift of power out of London, declaring the Government's plans to overhaul the House of Lords were insufficient.

Ed Miliband says Jeremy Hunt should quit

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:48:32 +0000

Labour leader Ed Miliband said: "Jeremy Hunt should have been standing up for the interests of the British people. In fact, it now turns out he was standing up for the interests of the Murdochs.

"He should resign.

"He himself said that his duty was to be transparent, impartial and fair in the BSkyB takeover. But now we know that he was providing advice, guidance and privileged access to News Corporation. He was acting as a backchannel for the Murdochs.

"He cannot stay in his post. And if he refuses to resign, the Prime Minister must show some leadership and fire him."

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What Jeremy Hunt said on BSkyB last year...

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:26:12 +0000

This is an exchange in the House of Commons from January 20 last year:

Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): When he expects to reach a decision on whether to refer to the Competition Commission the News Corporation bid for BSkyB.

The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Jeremy Hunt): I will take as much time as necessary to come to a considered decision on this very important issue.

Who will win battle over Newcastle mayor?

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 19:53:47 +0000

Could this give hope to supporters of those who want an elected mayor running Newcastle. That includes senior members of the Government.

Brian Moore, chairman of the yes campaign, said: "What we are seeing here is desperate politics by the no campaign trying to grab on to any lifeboat in a storm when they know the mandate that the leader of Newcastle City Council should have is through a ballot box.

"And it should be open to anyone in Newcastle and they should be elected by their peers, not by a group of self-interested councillors."

He told me that polling by the Newcastle First campaign group had found the no campaign was winning by 4%.

"We are behind. But there are 24% undecided still," said Mr Moore. "We still believe that we can win."

Follow me on twitter: @politicseditor

Tory defection to UKIP

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 18:20:37 +0000

DAVID Cameron has been warned he faces a "flood" of defections to UKIP after a former Tory Parliamentary candidate switched parties.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage made the prediction as John Gough, who fought the Barrow and Furness seat in 2010, announced his decision to join UKIP.

He tried to win the seat after being narrowly beaten to be the candidate for the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency.

Pressure for referendum on Lords reform rises

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 09:42:54 +0000

A former deputy of the Tories has added his voice to calls for a referendum on changes to the House of Lords.

Michael Bates, also a former minister, has joined Conservative MPS and Labour leader Ed Miliband in demanding a referendum on reform of the House of Lords.Labour peers also want Government proposals to overhaul the upper chamber to the people.

Killer blow for elected mayor of Newcastle?

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:10:21 +0000

TEN thousand letters will be landing on the doormats of union members in Newcastle urging them to vote against plans for an elected mayor.

Public sector union Unison is sending out the letters as it joins forces with other unions to campaign against a Boris Johnson-style mayor for the city.

Voters will have their say in a referendum on May 3 - with supporters saying an elected mayor would provide real leadership for the city, transforming its future.

Ed Balls on pasty tax vote & "flaky" chancellor

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:58:19 +0000

Ahead of a Commons vote on the pasty tax, Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls said: "These botched changes show how out of touch George Osborne is with ordinary families and businesses. We will be voting to force the Government to think again."

"The Government is putting a tax on pasties and other hot food without thinking through the consequences for businesses.

Will there be any Lib Dem MPs left in the North East?

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:23:47 +0000

There is a "real possibility" that the Liberal Democrats could lose all their MPs in the North East.

That's what Lib Dem Gateshead councillor Ron Beadle told me in the wake of a recent opinion poll raising the prospect of a near wipeout of the party at the next general election.

The party could lose all but seven of its 57 MPs at the 2015 general election, according to an opinion poll conducted in Lib Dem strongholds - based on redrawn boundaries.