More trouble for Ashcroft - 8 in the morning, March 3rd

8am

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

* Letters between Tony Blair and William Hague have been released which show concerns over Michael Ashcroft’s tax status dating back to 1999.

* There are new demands for an inquiry into the lasting tax status of the Tory vice chair and peer.

* Ed Balls says that he is planning for a May 6th election.

* The Lords has voted 95 to 21 to lift the ban on civil partnerships taking place on religious premises.

* Sarah’s Law will be rolled out nationally, after a trial run was deemed successful.

* Ken Clarke highlights the Tories’ “young, inexperienced team”.

* The public are turned off an “age of austerity” a new survey finds.

* Voters are deaf to the babble of the political class, writes Daniel Finkelstein.

Alex Smith

Alex is the founder and CEO of The Cares Family. He was editor and first director of LabourList in 2009-2010, during which time he established the site as the number one Labour blog, and later an aide to Ed Miliband.

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