Evacuation of British citizens from Sudan begins
“Britain has begun an evacuation of UK citizens from Sudan after a 72-hour ceasefire was agreed. Military flights will depart from an airfield outside the capital, Khartoum, to help British passport-holders flee fierce fighting. James Cleverly, the foreign secretary, tweeted: “The UK government is co-ordinating an evacuation of British nationals from Sudan. We have started contacting nationals directly and providing routes for departure out of the country.” Families with children or elderly relatives, or individuals with medical conditions, will be prioritised for the flights. Ministers have been under pressure to help British citizens escape. Yesterday they said only limited assistance could be given to 400 British citizens and 4,000 people with dual citizenship who remain trapped in Sudan, where the main airport has been the scene of some of the most intense fighting.” – The Times
- Britain starts civilian evacuation from Khartoum – Daily Mail
- Race against time to save 4,000 trapped in Sudan – The Times
- Terrified NHS doctors stranded while diplomats saved – The Times
- Ambassador to Sudan was on holiday when Sudan crisis erupted – Daily Mail
Comment
Top civil servants ‘plotted to oust bully Raab’
“Officials who worked for Dominic Raab raised concerns that senior managers were plotting to remove him from office, The Times has been told. Raab resigned as justice secretary and deputy prime minister last week after an inquiry into bullying upheld two allegations against him and found that he had behaved in an aggressive and intimidating manner with officials. Evidence submitted to the inquiry, however, also included claims by officials that senior managers were attempting to undermine him. Raab, 49, said in his resignation letter that in October last year some officials were “coercively” removed from his private office by a director when he returned to the Ministry of Justice after a reshuffle.” – The Times
Comment
>Today:
Sunak ‘may have wrongly disclosed details of active inquiry’
“Parliament’s ethics watchdog has widened its investigation into whether Rishi Sunak broke rules on declaring a financial interest. The prime minister is now also being investigated over whether he wrongly disclosed details of the active inquiry, which is looking into claims that he should have told MPs his wife might benefit from childcare subsidies announced in the budget. Akshata Murty is a shareholder in Koru Kids, a childcare agency that is likely to benefit from more generous support for the sector. Sunak did not mention his wife’s shares when questioned about the policy by the Commons liaison committee last month. Sunak later wrote to the committee to insist that the shareholding had been “rightly declared to the Cabinet Office” under rules which allow some of ministers’ declarations to stay private.” – The Times
- PM pledges to protect women’s rights – Daily Express
- I know what a woman is and I’ll protect women’s rights, says Sunak – Daily Express
- Covid inquiry demands all WhatsApp texts by ministers – Daily Telegraph
Standards watchdog opens investigation into MP
“The parliamentary standards commissioner has opened a formal investigation into Scott Benton after the MP was filmed offering to lobby ministers and leak confidential information on behalf of gambling industry investors. Benton had the Conservative whip suspended this month after undercover Times journalists filmed him admitting that he was willing to leak a confidential policy paper and table parliamentary questions for a fake investment fund which proposed paying him up to £4,000 a month. He also told the reporters that MPs were able to work around transparency rules on corporate hospitality, suggesting that they allow companies to put a falsely low value on tickets to avoid having to declare them.” – The Times
Hunt disowns CBI as it admits it failed staff
“Britain’s largest lobby group has admitted that it failed to protect its staff from sexual harassment after it was accused of multiple allegations of rape. The CBI acknowledged a litany of failings that had led to “terrible consequences” for its employees, prompting some of its largest members to cut ties with the group, threatening its future. Brian McBride, president of the CBI, sent a letter to members outlining the “collective sense of shame” felt by the lobby group’s senior leaders and board. The chancellor said that there was “no point” engaging with the CBI after it had been deserted “in droves” by members. In an interview with Sky News, Jeremy Hunt said the government was speaking to businesses through other channels.” – The Times
- CBI president admits business lobby group may never regain trust – FT
Comment
Yousaf makes indyref2 demand in first Sunak meeting
“Humza Yousaf has used his first meeting with the Prime Minister to demand the power to hold an independence referendum, despite the police investigation into the SNP. The new First Minister told Rishi Sunak he expected him to “respect the democratic wishes” of the Scottish Parliament by transferring the powers to allow a separation vote. But the Prime Minister gave him short shrift, telling Mr Yousaf to instead work with the UK Government on tackling the cost of living crisis with a “relentless and focused approach”. Mr Yousaf also used his first face-to-face meeting as First Minister with Mr Sunak to protest the Foreign Secretary’s crackdown on SNP ministers using meetings with overseas governments to promote independence and attack Brexit.” – Daily Telegraph
- Sunak tells Yousaf there will be no independence referendum – Daily Express
Foreign secretary calls for constructive ties with China
“James Cleverly, UK foreign secretary, will face down China hawks in his governing Conservative party with a set-piece policy speech calling for a “robust and constructive” new bilateral relationship with Beijing. In the address at the City of London’s Mansion House, Cleverly will say on Tuesday: “It would be clear and easy — perhaps even satisfying — for me to declare a new cold war and say that our goal is to isolate China. “Clear, easy, satisfying and wrong. Because it would be a betrayal of our national interest and a wilful misunderstanding of the modern world.” Allies of Cleverly say hardline Conservative critics of China, such as former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, are likely to be unhappy with the foreign secretary’s speech.” – FT
Elections 1) Ex-Johnson adviser becomes Tory frontrunner for London mayor
“Boris Johnson’s former No 10 adviser Samuel Kasumu has emerged as the Tory frontrunner to fight Labour’s Sadiq Khan at next year’s London Mayoral election after receiving the backing of two senior government ministers, the Telegraph can disclose. Mr Kasumu has received the backing of Grant Shapps, the Energy Security and Net Zero secretary; Steve Baker, a senior Northern Ireland Office minister, and Priti Patel, the former home secretary. The high-profile endorsements mean that Mr Kasumu can now credibly be described as the frontrunner to be the Tory candidate for the election, in May next year. Iain Dale, the LBC presenter, turned down the opportunity six months ago. Other names in the frame include TV personality Rob Rinder and former Tory Cabinet minister Justine Greening.” – Daily Telegraph
Elections 2) Hague: Too much localism gives us second-rate MPs
“In a classic Yes, Minister episode, Sir Humphrey Appleby explained the constraints on a prime minister when appointing ministers: “A party with just over 300 MPs forms a government — and of those 300, 100 are too old and too silly to be ministers and 100 too young and too callow. Therefore, there are about 100 MPs to fill 100 government posts. Effectively no choice at all.” Like many observations made in that wonderful series, this was an exaggeration that was close to the truth. A governing party rarely has more than 100 members who will be highly capable ministers, able to run things well, not just comment and campaign. And the number who have the intellect, decisiveness, resilience and drive actually to run the country at the very top is much smaller. Where would the Conservatives be now, for instance, if Rishi Sunak hadn’t come along? What would have happened in the 1980s without Margaret Thatcher?” – The Times
- Lib Dems target southern Tory heartlands in England’s local elections – FT
>Yesterday:
Labour 1) Abbott’s comments were antisemitic, Starmer says
“Diane Abbott’s claim that Jewish people cannot suffer racism is likely to end her political career, senior Labour figures believe after Sir Keir Starmer condemned her comments as “antisemitic”. Abbott, one of Labour’s longest-serving MPs and a close ally of Jeremy Corbyn, the former party leader, had the party whip suspended on Sunday. She had said that Jews, Irish people and Travellers “experience prejudice” but not racism — comparing it to discrimination against people with red hair. While some of Abbott’s allies hope that her rapid apology will mean she can resume her 36-year career as a Labour MP, senior party figures said her readmission would be difficult.” – The Times
- Starmer signals end of Abbott’s Labour career over ‘anti-Semitic’ comments – Daily Telegraph
Comment
Labour 2) Boys will learn respect for women under Labour
“Boys would be taught how to respect women and girls as part of the national curriculum under Labour’s plans to prevent laddish banter leading to misogyny and violence. Sir Keir Starmer said that carving out time at school to discuss the treatment of women and girls would help to “bring about cultural change”. Boys should hear “first-hand” from victims of male violence and abuse, he said. The move would embolden boys to “call out” friends who acted in a misogynistic way. He said that talking during school hours about how society treats women could make the subject become like mental health, which young people feel more comfortable discussing now than a decade ago. Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, said: “It’s also about teaching respect in relationships.” – The Times
- Labour considers plan to educate boys to curb violence against women – The Guardian
Biden expected to announce 2024 presidential campaign
“Joe Biden is expected to announce his 2024 re-election campaign as early as Tuesday, possibly setting the stage for an extraordinary rematch with Donald Trump. A Tuesday launch would come exactly four years after Biden announced his 2020 presidential bid, in which he warned that the “soul” of the nation was at stake after four tumultuous years under Trump. More than two years into his own presidency, Biden has struggled to heal political and cultural divisions he believes are tearing American society. But he has racked up a list of legacy defining legislative accomplishments while working to restore US leadership on the world stage.” – The Guardian
And finally, ‘My wife loves you’, Sunak tells maker of £2,600 designer handbags
“Rishi Sunak has praised luxury handbag maker Anya Hindmarch for helping him with gift ideas for his wife. At a networking event with business leaders organised by Downing Street, the Prime Minister told the London-based designer: “Thank you for everything you’ve done for our country… and thank you also, I should say, probably, for providing me with great birthday and Christmas presents for my wife over the years.” His comments came in response to a question from Ms Hindmarch, whose bags can cost up to £2,600 each. Smaller bags by the British designer are available for as little as £125, however.” – Daily Telegraph
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Author: Conservative Home