No-one can accuse Lord Hutton of seeking easy popularity. After inucurring the wrath of many in the party with his decision to work for the government on public sector pension reform, the former business secretary has today written an article for the Telegraph in which he urges the government and the country not to be afraid of nuclear power – not an easy sell at the moment.
Nick Clegg has finally relented and allowed Charles Kennedy to share a platform with Ed Miliband over AV. As we reported on Monday, Miliband had wanted to share a platform with the former Lib Dem leader earlier this week but Clegg had pulled the plug on the event. It seems that Clegg has now seen sense, but surely Kennedy isn’t happy about the way he has been treated over this. Those defection rumours may resurface again.
The Independent reports that George Osborne has a “secret plan” to abolish national insurance and merge it with income tax. As with all “secret” plans which appear in a newspaper a week before they are set to be announced it’s best to be wary of them. Regardless of whether or not this is a kite being flown by the chancellor ahead of budget day, any concrete proposals should be examined in full. Such a switch would be the perfect cover for tax cuts.
And later today we should receive news of the confirmed shortlist for Leicester South. Unlike in previous selections, the shortlist hasn’t been confirmed yet. We have what we believe is the correct shortlist, but we’ll bring you confirmation today.
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