Tory MP resigns from party – Media roundup, May 31st 2013

Tory MP resigns from party

“A Tory MP is set to resign the Conservative whip in a fresh blow to David Cameron’s authority over rebel backbenchers. Patrick Mercer, 56, is expected to announce his decision in a statement from the Chief Whip’s office at 12 noon today. Mr Mercer told The Times that he did not plan to join UKIP or any other party and would stand down at the next election, but declined to discuss why he had made the decision.” – The Times(£)

Major donor says Labour are “policy light”

“Labour’s largest donor has warned the party that it still lacks a “credible” economic message about how to get Britain’s economy growing again. In a series of frank remarks John Mills, the head of the television home shopping retailer JML, said the party was “policy-light” and had still to develop a “compelling message” to take into the election. He also criticised the party’s position on Europe, warning that Ed Miliband’s opposition to offering an EU referendum pledge could be a vote-loser in 2015.” – Independent

Other highlights

• UKIP are gunning for Labour – what is Ed Miliband going to do about it? – Robert Ford and Matthew Goodwin, Guardian
• Web giants reject “snooper’s charter” – The Times(£)