How the government’s 2012 growth forecasts have slumped disastrously

John Mann writes to Ed Miliband – and calls on him to pledge an EU Referendum within 12 months of the next election

Labour backbencher John Mann has today written to Ed Miliband, calling on him to pledge an EU referendum within 12 months of the 2015 General Election. Citing a survey in his constituency, Mann says that “the people are becoming restless and my constituents want their say on Britain’s future in the EU”. Mann’s letter is published in full below: Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP Leader of the Opposition House of Commons London SW1A 0AA 11 March 2014 Dear Ed, Under […]

Tory Minister under fire after implying there are no women on the MPC because appointments are “based on merit”

Treasury Minister Sajid Javid has come under fire today over his comments regarding the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) which currently has no female members. In response to a question in the Commons, Javid said: “The Monetary Policy Committee consists of individuals who are best-qualified to make to the decisions necessary to achieve the government’s monetary policy objectives…All appointments are made on merit.” So there are no female members of the MPC, but all appointments are made on merit. Does that […]

How the Chancellor can use this Budget to help local pubs

By Ian Austin

Despite the government trumpeting a recovery, hard working people and small businesses in places like Dudley are still struggling.  Both will be watching the upcoming Budget closely for some sign that the government understands what they’re going through. They could show this by backing an alcohol duty freeze. First and foremost, a freeze would keep pubs open.  The Black Country is home to a burgeoning industry of pubs and breweries that sell some of the best beer in the country, […]

Ed Miliband on Bob Crow “a major figure in the labour movement…loved and deeply respected by his members”

Reacting to the shock passing of RMT General Secretary Bob Crow today at just 52, Ed Miliband released the following statement: “Bob Crow was a major figure in the labour movement and was loved and deeply respected by his members. “I didn’t always agree with him politically but I always respected his tireless commitment to fighting for the men and women in his union. He did what he was elected to do, was not afraid of controversy and was always […]

Could nine million current voters be about to disappear from the electoral register?

By Paul Wheeler

Last week the Chief Executive of the Electoral Commission addressed the Annual Conference of the Association of Electoral Administrators in Blackpool. All good people, but all now involved in creating a dangerous culture of complacency over the introduction of Individual Electoral Registration. Voter registration is not an issue to set the public pulse racing but it is at core of our democratic process – and also on how we provide representative juries for our legal system. For most of the […]