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From a conference we could only peek through our fingers at, to Labour shunning a so-called "stunt" by the SNP, here's what we have for you this week...
National Conservatism conference
This three-day event was packed full of some of the most controversial speeches ever made by Tory politicians and supporters. It left many very concerned about the minds of some who walk the corridors of powers at Westminster.
The principles of the National Conservatism movement include “anti-woke policies”, ending mass migration and supporting “those who need help, not those who don’t”. Apparently, they will also help “deliver the opportunities of Brexit”.
A number of senior Tories shared the stage with the likes of a Trump-supporting US politician and a historian who claimed that left-wing activists are “jealous” of the Holocaust and want to replace it with slavery.
One of the most eye-opening speeches came from Home Secretary Suella Braverman who took a break from taking aim at “illegal migration” and instead said we “must not lose sight of the importance of controlling legal migration as well”.
She told conference attendees: “It’s not racist for anyone, ethnic minority or otherwise, to want to control our borders.
“I reject the left’s argument that it’s hypocritical for someone from an ethnic minority, like mine, to know these facts or to speak these truths.”
She also said there wasn’t any reason that “we can’t train up enough HGV drivers, butchers or fruit pickers. Brexit enables us to build a high-skilled, high wage economy that is less dependent on low-skilled foreign labour”.
Jacob-Rees Mogg, meanwhile, admitted the Tory policy of bringing in voter ID for elections was an attempt at “gerrymandering” which backfired on them.
Labour refuse to back SNP
The SNP held an opposition day debate in Westminster calling on the UK Government to repeal its Public Order Act that gives police in England sweeping powers to crack down on peaceful protest.
MPs rejected the effort but the SNP seemed most annoyed with Labour’s refusal to back their motion when the party’s MPs had opposed the legislation through its Commons journey.
Alison Thewliss, the SNP’s home affairs spokesperson, accused Labour of “simply looking like gormless Tory sidekicks”. Labour claimed it was a “stunt” by the SNP.
Labour’s David Lammy had said they wouldn’t repeal the bill if they were to form a government as it would take up too much parliamentary time, but even handed some time on a plate by the SNP, it would seem Labour were still not up for ditching the legislation.
Arrested volunteers had Met Police vests
And issues with protesters being arrested under the new powers are still continuing to be unearthed by MPs.
This week it emerged police had arrested volunteers ahead of the coronation despite the fact there was a direct partnership between the Met and their organisation.
Suzie Melvin, one of the volunteers from Westminster City Council’s Night Stars safety initiative, said she and colleagues showed police emails and leaflets proving who they were representing and pointed to the high-visibility vests they were wearing which displayed the Met Police logo, but they were arrested anyway.
The detail emerged during a session of the Commons Home Affairs Committee which is probing the Met Police’s actions. Chairwoman Dame Diana Johnson said she was “a bit speechless” after hearing Melvin’s account.
Tories remove housing protections
UK Government ministers are set to remove basic housing protections from asylum seekers in England and Wales under new rules designed to move thousands out of hotels and into the private rented sector.
As reported in the Guardian, new changes would exempt landlords of asylum seekers from regulations governing everything from electrical safety to minimum room sizes. They would also no longer have to register with councils.
This means they could house asylum seekers for two years without obtaining a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence - a standard requirement for any landlord wishing to rent to more than one household in a single property.
The move has led campaigners to warn the government is preparing to cram people into smaller spaces in a bid to alleviate the crisis in asylum seeker accommodation.
AOB
- During PMQs, Mhairi Black tore into the Tories over Brexit after Vauxhall’s parent company Stellantis said the terms of Britain’s deal with the EU meant it would not be able to keep commitments on building electric vehicles in the UK. She asked them to admit Brexit had failed, but deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden instead just attacked the SNP’s record in Scotland describing it as a “mess”.
- In doing so, he dropped a bit of a clanger. He claimed the SNP had been in power for 13 years, sparking laughter from the opposition benches. Of course, the SNP have been in power for 16 years, while it is the Tories who have been running the Government for 13. Scottish Secretary Alister Jack looked slightly baffled but failed to give him a nudge to correct the error.
- Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said “not for EU” labelling on British food products sold across the UK would be phased in from this autumn. The labelling requirement is part of the Government’s deal with the EU to reduce checks on British products entering Northern Ireland.
