conservativehome--2020-12-16--Ben Roback: Who would bet on Trump turning up at Biden’s inauguration?

Ben Roback is Head of Trade and International Policy at Cicero Group .
The Electoral College has spoken .
When will Trump listen ?
For a man who loves to win , a check in on the President ’ s attempts to overturn the outcome of the November election makes dismal reading .
Recounts prompted by Donald Trump and his merry band of legal advisers have confirmed repeatedly that Joe Biden was the winner in the key swing states that shaped the election .
The President urged the Supreme Court last week to set aside 62 electoral votes for Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have thrown the outcome into doubt .
The justices rejected the effort .
Trump has urged his Republican colleagues to continue to question the outcome and validity of the election .
It had been working on Capitol Hill , where only a handful of Republicans had acknowledged Biden as the President-elect .
That sense of lingering doubt has spread through to the American people .
In a poll this month , only 61 per cent of Americans said they trusted the results of the election .
Unsurprisingly , given the President ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican base , 72 per cent of Republicans polled do not trust the results .
The president is running out of ways to deny the election outcome The Electoral College met yesterday , rubber-stamping Joe Biden ’ s victory through formal votes in state capitals around the country .
Electors gave Biden and Kamala Harris their votes in Arizona , Georgia , Michigan , Nevada , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — the six battleground states that Biden won and which Trump contested .
Senior Republicans have long insisted that the President had a right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Electoral College as a key moment in that effort .
Now that the Electoral College has formally ratified the election results , a change has been prompted amongst Republican leadership on Capitol Hill , whicj now acknowledges for the first time the resolution of the election .
Mitch McConnell yesterday said : “ The electoral college has spoken .
So today I want to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden ” .
The two men are by no means political allies , but ahave shared experience after accruing decades in the Senate together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ friends ” and the Senate Majority Leader was the only Senate Republican to attend Beau Biden ’ s funeral .
They will need to work together in the coming weeks if Congress is to pass another Covid relief package , and a government funding bill to avert a December shutdown .
McConnell ’ s calculated statement gave Republicans permission to acknowledge the election outcome .
Lindsey Graham , whose Trump journey has taken him from mocking sceptic to reliable ally , said he had a “ warm ” phone call with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the coming days .
Despite the change in tone from Republican Congressional leadership , there has been no concession from the White House .
On Twitter , the President continues to allege mass voter fraud owing to corrupt voting machines .
Intriguingly , Trump retweeted a Breitbart news article whose headline included : ‘ May God bless him , Melania , and their family , as God leads him to the next chapter in his life.
’ McConnell has reportedly urged his GOP colleagues not to object when Congress formally certifies the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in what is surely to be Mr Trump ’ s final throw of the dice .
Trump allies in the House of Representatives , led by Rep Mo Brooks of Alabama , have pledged to object to the Electoral College count .
In order to successfully force a debate and vote on the objection , at least one Republican Senator would need to support it .
There is currently no indication that will happen .
For historic context , a lawmaker has never been able to succeed in throwing out a state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense that the inevitable outcome – Biden entering the White House as the 46th President of the United States – is being delayed in the minds of the Trump team .
That is not enough to change the political reality shaped by the constitution .
The President-elect continues to shape his Cabinet and advisory team at pace .
It was announced yesterday that Pete Buttigieg , an initial rival for the Democratic presidential nomination , will be nominated as Transportation Secretary .
If approved by the Senate , he would become the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US history .
As Coronavirus runs riot and reaps havoc across America , getting to grips with the vaccine rollout will the biggest challenge from day one for the incoming administration .
The FDA has granted emergency authorisation to an over-the-counter , at-home Covid test , a new weapon in the government ’ s arsenal .
Coronavirus has now killed over 300,000 Americans ( CDC ) .
It is high time the White House takes this crisis seriously , which Trump has so far failed to do .
When Congress meets in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fortnight before the inauguration .
Traditionally , the sitting President attends as a visible symbol of the peaceful transfer of power .
If Trump ’ s form thus far is anything to go by , you wouldn ’ t bet much on him acknowledging Biden ’ s victory in a statement let alone in person .

Ben Roback is Head of Trade and International Policy at Cicero Group.
The Electoral College has spoken. When will Trump listen?
For a man who loves to win, a check in on the President’s attempts to overturn the outcome of the November election makes dismal reading.
Recounts prompted by Donald Trump and his merry band of legal advisers have confirmed repeatedly that Joe Biden was the winner in the key swing states that shaped the election. The President urged the Supreme Court last week to set aside 62 electoral votes for Mr Biden in four states, which may have thrown the outcome into doubt. The justices rejected the effort.
Trump has urged his Republican colleagues to continue to question the outcome and validity of the election. It had been working on Capitol Hill, where only a handful of Republicans had acknowledged Biden as the President-elect.
That sense of lingering doubt has spread through to the American people. In a poll this month, only 61 per cent of Americans said they trusted the results of the election. Unsurprisingly, given the President’s ongoing campaign and the loyalty of the Republican base, 72 per cent of Republicans polled do not trust the results.
The president is running out of ways to deny the election outcome
The Electoral College met yesterday, rubber-stamping Joe Biden’s victory through formal votes in state capitals around the country. Electors gave Biden and Kamala Harris their votes in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — the six battleground states that Biden won and which Trump contested.
Senior Republicans have long insisted that the President had a right to contest close results, and pointed to the Electoral College as a key moment in that effort. Now that the Electoral College has formally ratified the election results, a change has been prompted amongst Republican leadership on Capitol Hill, whicj now acknowledges for the first time the resolution of the election.
Mitch McConnell yesterday said: “The electoral college has spoken. So today I want to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden”. The two men are by no means political allies, but ahave shared experience after accruing decades in the Senate together. Both have referred to each other as “friends” and the Senate Majority Leader was the only Senate Republican to attend Beau Biden’s funeral. They will need to work together in the coming weeks if Congress is to pass another Covid relief package, and a government funding bill to avert a December shutdown.
McConnell’s calculated statement gave Republicans permission to acknowledge the election outcome. Lindsey Graham, whose Trump journey has taken him from mocking sceptic to reliable ally, said he had a “warm” phone call with Biden. More are expected to follow in the coming days.
Despite the change in tone from Republican Congressional leadership, there has been no concession from the White House. On Twitter, the President continues to allege mass voter fraud owing to corrupt voting machines. Intriguingly, Trump retweeted a Breitbart news article whose headline included: ‘May God bless him, Melania, and their family, as God leads him to the next chapter in his life.’
McConnell has reportedly urged his GOP colleagues not to object when Congress formally certifies the Electoral College count on 6 January, in what is surely to be Mr Trump’s final throw of the dice. Trump allies in the House of Representatives, led by Rep Mo Brooks of Alabama, have pledged to object to the Electoral College count.
In order to successfully force a debate and vote on the objection, at least one Republican Senator would need to support it. There is currently no indication that will happen. For historic context, a lawmaker has never been able to succeed in throwing out a state’s results.
There is a prevailing sense that the inevitable outcome – Biden entering the White House as the 46th President of the United States – is being delayed in the minds of the Trump team. That is not enough to change the political reality shaped by the constitution.
The President-elect continues to shape his Cabinet and advisory team at pace. It was announced yesterday that Pete Buttigieg, an initial rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, will be nominated as Transportation Secretary. If approved by the Senate, he would become the first openly gay member of the Cabinet in US history.
As Coronavirus runs riot and reaps havoc across America, getting to grips with the vaccine rollout will the biggest challenge from day one for the incoming administration. The FDA has granted emergency authorisation to an over-the-counter, at-home Covid test, a new weapon in the government’s arsenal. Coronavirus has now killed over 300,000 Americans (CDC). It is high time the White House takes this crisis seriously, which Trump has so far failed to do.
When Congress meets in the new year, it will only be a fortnight before the inauguration. Traditionally, the sitting President attends as a visible symbol of the peaceful transfer of power. If Trump’s form thus far is anything to go by, you wouldn’t bet much on him acknowledging Biden’s victory in a statement let alone in person.


conservativehome--2020-12-16--Andrew Gimson’s PMQs sketch: Starmer touches on a sore point about Cummings

Michael Fabricant ( Con , Lichfield ) began PMQs with a low blow by referring to Sir Keir Starmer as a “ smarmy lawyer ” .
Boris Johnson remarked that this is “ the season of goodwill to all men ” , requested “ perhaps just a little less carping ” from the Leader of the Opposition , answered almost none of Sir Keir ’ s questions , and instead tried to fob him off with questions of his own .
Sir Keir must one day soon retort : “ The duty of an Opposition is to oppose.
” Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Tory adventurer who for a brief period enchanted the working class by being amazingly rude about Gladstone .
Johnson likes to be badly behaved too , and appeared with hair that was messy even by his own high standards .
Sir Keir invited him to justify the £40,000 pay rise conferred , as the world has just learned , on Dominic Cummings .
The name “ Cummings ” did not pass Johnson ’ s lips .
He instead claimed that Sir Keir “ totally trivialises the efforts of the British people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At this point , Sir Keir should have asked again , in four or five words , about Cummings .
Prime ministerial evasion would have become more obvious when offered in response to a short question .
Sir Keir instead deigned to take a swipe at Fabricant – “ this isn ’ t smarmy lawyers ” – before quoting some stuff said by doctors , followed by some advice to speakers put out by the Wellingborough Conservative Party : “ Is he the inspiration for the newsletter , ” Sir Keir inquired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the author ?
” This was felicitous .
Johnson himself smiled , attempt to talk over Sir Keir , and on rising to his feet retorted : “ He can ’ t attack the Government if he can ’ t come up with a view of his own.
” Which is nonsense .
Anyone in the country can blame the Government without being obliged to come up with an alternative view .
That is what the Prime Minister , in particular , is for : to take the blame , and do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Michael Fabricant (Con, Lichfield) began PMQs with a low blow by referring to Sir Keir Starmer as a “smarmy lawyer”. Boris Johnson remarked that this is “the season of goodwill to all men”, requested “perhaps just a little less carping” from the Leader of the Opposition, answered almost none of Sir Keir’s questions, and instead tried to fob him off with questions of his own.
Sir Keir must one day soon retort: “The duty of an Opposition is to oppose.” Those words were used by Lord Randolph Churchill, a Tory adventurer who for a brief period enchanted the working class by being amazingly rude about Gladstone.
Johnson likes to be badly behaved too, and appeared with hair that was messy even by his own high standards. Sir Keir invited him to justify the £40,000 pay rise conferred, as the world has just learned, on Dominic Cummings.
The name “Cummings” did not pass Johnson’s lips. He instead claimed that Sir Keir “totally trivialises the efforts of the British people” to get the virus under control.
At this point, Sir Keir should have asked again, in four or five words, about Cummings. Prime ministerial evasion would have become more obvious when offered in response to a short question.
Sir Keir instead deigned to take a swipe at Fabricant – “this isn’t smarmy lawyers” – before quoting some stuff said by doctors, followed by some advice to speakers put out by the Wellingborough Conservative Party:
“Say the first thing that comes into your head. It’ll probably be nonsense, you may get a bad headline, but if you make enough dubious claims fast enough you can get away with it.”
“Is he the inspiration for the newsletter,” Sir Keir inquired to laughter, “or is he the author?”
This was felicitous. Johnson himself smiled, attempt to talk over Sir Keir, and on rising to his feet retorted: “He can’t attack the Government if he can’t come up with a view of his own.”
Which is nonsense. Anyone in the country can blame the Government without being obliged to come up with an alternative view. That is what the Prime Minister, in particular, is for: to take the blame, and do so even in the season of goodwill.


conservativehome--2020-12-16--WATCH: On Covid, the Government has dithered.  On Covid, the Opposition has carped.  Competing narra

WATCH: On Covid, the Government has dithered.  On Covid, the Opposition has carped.  Competing narratives clash in the Commons.

Did PM 's `` slowness to respond '' at the start of pandemic lead to `` more deaths , a @ @ @ @ @ damage '' ?
asks Labour leader Keir Starmer No , says Boris Johnson , who @ @ @ @ @ scientific advice '' at every stagehttps : //t.co/tJMeQGHpbJ # PMQs pic.twitter.com/q5lY8Qxxnz

Did PM's "slowness to respond" at the start of pandemic lead to "more deaths, a longer lockdown and deeper economic damage"? asks Labour leader Keir Starmer
No, says Boris Johnson, who adds government "listened to scientific advice" at every stagehttps://t.co/tJMeQGHpbJ #PMQs pic.twitter.com/q5lY8Qxxnz
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) December 16, 2020


conservativehome--2020-12-17--WATCH: Hancock announces further restrictions and a few relaxations

Health Secretary Matt Hancock announces wide area of the east and south-east of England – including Bedfordshire , Buckinghamshire , @ @ @ @ @ – will be moved to tier 3 restrictions from Saturday

Health Secretary Matt Hancock announces wide area of the east and south-east of England – including Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Portsmouth and Peterborough – will be moved to tier 3 restrictions from Saturday
Latest: https://t.co/4kQcU5Bkgg pic.twitter.com/EnicWaOq3E
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) December 17, 2020


conservativehome--2020-12-17--Henry Hill: The beacons are lit! Aberdeen calls for aid, and London must answer

It has been a while since this column covered the war between the hyper-centralising Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities ( COSLA ) , but that ’ s only because it seems to be over .
During their 13 years in office the Scottish Nationalists have squeezed the ability of councils to raise their own finances , and partly plugged the shortfall with central funding over which Holyrood ministers have final say .
Now one local authority has had enough .
The Press & Journal reports that Aberdeen City Council has voted , by 22 votes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ write to Alister Jack to request direct funding from the British Government – and to COSLA to clarify that they want the money to bypass the Scottish Parliament .
It isn ’ t difficult to see why the Nationalists in Edinburgh would be content to let Aberdeen languish as the “ lowest-funded in Scotland ” .
The city ’ s government is a ray of light for unionists , being run by a coalition between the Conservatives and local ex-Labour councillors who have defied their party ’ s myopic ban on working with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting suspended .
Naturally , the opposition parties aren ’ t amused .
The SNP have accused the Council of basically trying a Trotskyist ‘ impossible demand ’ so they can blame the Scottish Government – which takes some brass neck , given that this is the normal form of devolved politics .
The Liberal Democrats , meanwhile , have accused the whole thing of being ‘ an attack on the devolution settlement ’ .
For their part , the majority have amended the motion to clarify that they do think devolution is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really mean this is an open question .
Recusancy remains , for now , a requirement for devosceptics in Scottish public life .
More troubling should be the Lib Dems ’ assertion that the proposed deal is “ never going to happen ” .
After all as Douglas Lumsden , the Conservative co-leader of the Council , has pointed out , the proposal that Westminster take over responsibility for providing grants to local authorities is simply maintaining the order that prevailed under our membership of the European Union .
It is the Edinburgh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any exercise of power by London , who are trying to stage a “ power grab ” by usurping this function and concentrating even more power in Holyrood .
The British Government ’ s proposals to forge stronger direct links with local authorities across the UK are therefore both well-justified and eminently workable .
Whence then the Lib Dems ’ apparent certainty that they will come to nothing ?
Perhaps they think they have the measure of Michael Gove .
As I reported last week , when word first broke that the Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vital UK Internal Market Bill , there is growing concern amongst some in government about an ‘ appease the SNP ’ tendency on the part of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and some of his advisers .
In the event , the climbdown was much less severe than feared – which is probably why the devolved administrations are still threatening legal action .
But government sources report that Gove himself wanted to offer far more concessions and effectively “ gut the common framework ” .
He clearly lost on this occasion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Government ’ s constitution and Union strategy to need defending from the man nominally in charge of it ?
Reinforcing Aberdeen will doubtless provoke similar squeamishness amongst those who ’ d prefer to ‘ devolve and forget ’ , ceding the powers to Holyrood in exchange for a quiet life .
But that would be dereliction of duty .
There is a rebellion brewing in the North East of Scotland , one which compasses not just Aberdeen but also the Northern Isles ’ quest for more autonomy from the overweening Scottish Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunity for ministers to break down Holyrood ’ s gate-keeping and re-establish Westminster as a complementary government for the whole United Kingdom .
They must not squander it : funding for Aberdeen , and giving them Armed Forces Day in 2022 , should be just the start .
Floreat Aberdona !
We ’ ve led on one big story this week but there was far too much to cover it all anyway .
Below are some of the highlights .
First , the usual week of fresh misery for the SNP : • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how it has spent Brexit money – The Herald • Labour demands impartiality probe into Sturgeon ’ s daily briefings on BBC – The Herald • SNP MP suspended from Commons after shouting during Brexit debate – The Herald • SNP criticised over ’ embarrassing ’ failure to cut primary school class sizes – The Herald Next , their specific and damning failure on drugs deaths : • My brother ’ s death from drugs overdose was the result of our political failure , says SNP MP – Daily Record • Lewis quizzed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in online talk – News Letter • Scottish Labour ’ s top official quits ahead of Holyrood election – The Herald • Plaid Cymru pledges Welsh independence referendum if they win in Senedd elections – Wales Online

It has been a while since this column covered the war between the hyper-centralising Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), but that’s only because it seems to be over.
During their 13 years in office the Scottish Nationalists have squeezed the ability of councils to raise their own finances, and partly plugged the shortfall with central funding over which Holyrood ministers have final say.
Now one local authority has had enough. The Press & Journal reports that Aberdeen City Council has voted, by 22 votes to 19, for their Chief Executive to write to Alister Jack to request direct funding from the British Government – and to COSLA to clarify that they want the money to bypass the Scottish Parliament.
It isn’t difficult to see why the Nationalists in Edinburgh would be content to let Aberdeen languish as the “lowest-funded in Scotland”. The city’s government is a ray of light for unionists, being run by a coalition between the Conservatives and local ex-Labour councillors who have defied their party’s myopic ban on working with the Tories even at the cost of getting suspended.
Naturally, the opposition parties aren’t amused. The SNP have accused the Council of basically trying a Trotskyist ‘impossible demand’ so they can blame the Scottish Government – which takes some brass neck, given that this is the normal form of devolved politics. The Liberal Democrats, meanwhile, have accused the whole thing of being ‘an attack on the devolution settlement’.
For their part, the majority have amended the motion to clarify that they do think devolution is good, although how many of them really mean this is an open question. Recusancy remains, for now, a requirement for devosceptics in Scottish public life.
More troubling should be the Lib Dems’ assertion that the proposed deal is “never going to happen”.
After all as Douglas Lumsden, the Conservative co-leader of the Council, has pointed out, the proposal that Westminster take over responsibility for providing grants to local authorities is simply maintaining the order that prevailed under our membership of the European Union. It is the Edinburgh devocrats, with their Britanno-phobic aversion to any exercise of power by London, who are trying to stage a “power grab” by usurping this function and concentrating even more power in Holyrood.
The British Government’s proposals to forge stronger direct links with local authorities across the UK are therefore both well-justified and eminently workable. Whence then the Lib Dems’ apparent certainty that they will come to nothing?
Perhaps they think they have the measure of Michael Gove. As I reported last week, when word first broke that the Government might throw in the towel on the vital UK Internal Market Bill, there is growing concern amongst some in government about an ‘appease the SNP’ tendency on the part of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and some of his advisers.
In the event, the climbdown was much less severe than feared – which is probably why the devolved administrations are still threatening legal action. But government sources report that Gove himself wanted to offer far more concessions and effectively “gut the common framework”. He clearly lost on this occasion – but how sustainable is it for the Government’s constitution and Union strategy to need defending from the man nominally in charge of it?
Reinforcing Aberdeen will doubtless provoke similar squeamishness amongst those who’d prefer to ‘devolve and forget’, ceding the powers to Holyrood in exchange for a quiet life. But that would be dereliction of duty. There is a rebellion brewing in the North East of Scotland, one which compasses not just Aberdeen but also the Northern Isles’ quest for more autonomy from the overweening Scottish Government.
Together, this represents a golden opportunity for ministers to break down Holyrood’s gate-keeping and re-establish Westminster as a complementary government for the whole United Kingdom. They must not squander it: funding for Aberdeen, and giving them Armed Forces Day in 2022, should be just the start. Floreat Aberdona!
Other news:
We’ve led on one big story this week but there was far too much to cover it all anyway. Below are some of the highlights. First, the usual week of fresh misery for the SNP:
Gove calls on SNP Government to outline how it has spent Brexit money – The Herald
Labour demands impartiality probe into Sturgeon’s daily briefings on BBC – The Herald
SNP MP suspended from Commons after shouting during Brexit debate – The Herald
Leaked SNP report ‘contradicts Peter Murrell’s evidence to Salmond inquiry’ – The Herald
SNP criticised over ’embarrassing’ failure to cut primary school class sizes – The Herald
Next, their specific and damning failure on drugs deaths:
My brother’s death from drugs overdose was the result of our political failure, says SNP MP – Daily Record
Scots public health minister urged to quit over shocking drug death figures – Daily Record
The Tories.
Scottish Tories would boycott independence referendum run by Holyrood – Daily Record
Tory election candidates quizzed on abolishing Senedd – BBC
Davidson erupts at Nicola Sturgeon in brutal FMQs showdown – Daily Express
Lewis quizzed on future of Northern Ireland at 100, in online talk – News Letter
More flailing from Labour:
Scottish Labour’s top official quits ahead of Holyrood election – The Herald
And finally…


conservativehome--2020-12-17--Covid. There’s nothing wrong with supplementing rules with advice.

If the Government acts , and draws up Covid rules for Christmas , Boris Johnson is pilloried as the worst thing to happen to Christmas since King Herod .
If the Government had only advised instead , the Prime Minister would have been compared to another Biblical figure , this time an Easter one : Pontius Pilate , washing his hands of responsibility .
And since it has now done both , it is being trashed for giving us the worst of both worlds .
This site has been very critical of aspects of Government policy over the Coronavirus – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proper cost-benefit analysis of the collective impact of lockdowns , restrictions and Covid itself .
And perhaps Johnson should indeed be implementing a gentler squeeze for longer – putting more areas in Tier Two , rather than placing more in Tier Three , easing off for Christmas , and then reverting to Tier Three .
If not then trying to implement , heaven help us , a third national lockdown .
Then again , were he to have tried clamping down on Christmas Day , he would have run the risk of so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Government look weak ( or even weaker , according to your point of view ) .
And looking weak can have tough consequences not ony for governments but voters .
At any rate , we can ’ t see what is wrong with Ministers supplementing the rules with appeals to common sense .
Yes , they will be caught out saying different things by different interviewers : all fun and games for those of us who work in the media .
But we doubt that many voters will really hold that against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Little Christmas .
And I ’ m afraid this year , I do mean little.
” Like him or loathe him , the Prime Minister retains an awesome capacity to get his message across .

If the Government acts, and draws up Covid rules for Christmas, Boris Johnson is pilloried as the worst thing to happen to Christmas since King Herod.
If the Government had only advised instead, the Prime Minister would have been compared to another Biblical figure, this time an Easter one: Pontius Pilate, washing his hands of responsibility. And since it has now done both, it is being trashed for giving us the worst of both worlds.
This site has been very critical of aspects of Government policy over the Coronavirus – such as its failure to produce a proper cost-benefit analysis of the collective impact of lockdowns, restrictions and Covid itself.
And perhaps Johnson should indeed be implementing a gentler squeeze for longer – putting more areas in Tier Two, rather than placing more in Tier Three, easing off for Christmas, and then reverting to Tier Three. If not then trying to implement, heaven help us, a third national lockdown.
Then again, were he to have tried clamping down on Christmas Day, he would have run the risk of so many people ignoring it as to make the Government look weak (or even weaker, according to your point of view). And looking weak can have tough consequences not ony for governments but voters.
At any rate, we can’t see what is wrong with Ministers supplementing the rules with appeals to common sense. Yes, they will be caught out saying different things by different interviewers: all fun and games for those of us who work in the media. But we doubt that many voters will really hold that against them.
“Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas. And I’m afraid this year, I do mean little.” Like him or loathe him, the Prime Minister retains an awesome capacity to get his message across.


conservativehome--2020-12-17--Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Chair of the Pension Agency – and more

Eight years ago , the TaxPayers ’ Alliance reported that “ in the last year , five times more Labour people were appointed to public bodies than Tories ” .
It currently reports that almost half of avowedly political appointees last year owed their allegiance to Labour Party , compared to less than a third for the Conservatives .
Despite the selection of some Party members or supporters to fill important posts , over time , the Conservatives have punched beneath their weight when it comes to public appointments .
One of the reasons seems to be that Tories simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number as Labour supporters .
To help remedy this , each week we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies , so that qualified Conservatives can be aware of the opportunities presented .
“ The Pensions Regulator ( TPR ) is the public body that protects workplace pensions in the UK .
TPR works with employers and those running pension schemes so that people can save safely for their retirement .
TPR aims to be a strong , visible regulator that builds people ’ s confidence in pensions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) .
It has around 750 staff and is based in Brighton .
TPR works closely with the Financial Conduct Authority , which regulates personal pension schemes , and with other public bodies .
TPR is responsible for : protecting people ’ s savings in workplace pensions ; improving the way that workplace pension schemes are run ; reducing the risk of pension schemes ending up in the Pension Protection Fund ( PPF ) ; making sure employers balance the needs of their defined benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making sure employers enrol their staff into a pension scheme and pay money into it ( known as ‘ automatic enrolment ’ ) .
” “ The Sports Grounds Safety Authority ( SGSA ) was established by statute as an Arms Length Public Body in 2011 taking on the full responsibilities of its predecessor body , The Football Licensing Authority .
The SGSA is the safety regulator for football grounds in England and Wales and the UK Government ’ s independent advisor on sports grounds safety .
The three core functions of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ league and international football grounds in England and Wales to allow them to permit spectators to watch matches and to oversee local authorities in their duties to sports grounds safety and safety certification ; provide strategic support for sports grounds , governing bodies and others , both in the UK and internationally ; set and raise standards globally through developing guidance , particularly the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds ( Green Guide ) .
” Time : Up to two days per week .
“ Applications are encouraged from all sections of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sport England board is representative of the diverse society it serves .
Sport England is a government-funded Non-Departmental Public Body and National Lottery distributor .
It is responsible for supporting , growing and advocating for grassroots sport and physical activity in England in line with its statutory objectives as set out in its Royal Charter .
Its vision is to ensure that everyone , regardless of their age , background or level of ability feels able to engage in sport and physical activity and it takes its strategic lead from the government ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Future : A New Strategy for an Active Nation .
The Chair will be responsible for overseeing the final stages of implementation of Sport England ’ s current Towards an Active Nation strategy ( 2017-2021 ) , and the final stages of development and roll-out of its new strategy for 2021-2025 , in close collaboration with the Deputy Chair , Chief Executive , and Executive Team.
” Time : Up to 2 days per week .
“ The mission of the Financial Reporting Council ( FRC ) is to promote transparency and integrity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generating public trust and confidence in UK business and help attract investment in successful companies that provide jobs , create prosperity and generate economic growth .
The FRC sets the UK Corporate Governance & Stewardship Codes which aim to make investors more accountable to their clients and beneficiaries .
The FRC also sets standards for accounting , auditing and actuarial work .
As the UK ’ s independent regulator and Competent Authority for Audit it monitors , and takes action where necessary , to promote the quality of corporate reporting and audit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ accountants and actuaries.
” “ UK Shared Business Services Ltd ( UK SBS ) is a non-profit making company limited by shares .
It was established in 2007 by the UK Research Councils as part of a drive for greater value for money .
The Company provides HR & Payroll , Finance , Procurement and IT services to its owners the Department for Business , Energy & Industrial Strategy ( BEIS ) , UK Research and Innovation ( UKRI ) and other public sector clients .
It is recognised by the Cabinet Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forms part of the Shared Service Strategy for Government… This is an exciting , interesting and challenging time for UK SBS ; the newly appointed Chair will provide strong leadership to guide the Company through this transformation , delivering leading-edge shared services to multiple clients at the best value and providing our end-users with the high-quality user experience they have become accustomed to in the digital age.
” “ With rapid progress in the development of new technologies , Highways England are modernising and transforming the strategic road network .
They need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s commitment to zero carbon and within its committed timescales .
They also need to exploit the full potential of the digital revolution , both in their delivery , and in communications with road users and stakeholders .
That is why HE are now delivering £27.4 billion of investment between 2020 and 2025 to improve the road network ( RIS2 ) .
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Board of an organisation which keeps England moving .
You would be joining Highways England at an exciting time , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the organisation and ensure its continued success .
This will mean supporting the executive team in developing the organisation to be equipped for the immediate supply chain , technology and workplace transformation Highways England faces.
” Bank of England – External Member of the Financial Policy Committee “ The FPC is responsible for identifying , monitoring and taking action to remove or reduce systemic risks with a view to protecting and enhancing the resilience of the UK financial system .
The FPC also has a secondary objective to support the Government ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommendation and can direct the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority to take action to address systemic risks to financial stability .
The appointment of external members to the FPC is designed to ensure that the Committee benefits from thinking and expertise in addition to that existing inside the Bank of England , and to provide constructive challenge during the Committee ’ s deliberations .
Each member of the FPC should have expertise in the field of financial services and economics .
External members will be independent – they will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interests or sectors.
” “ Schools Adjudicators are office holders appointed by the Secretary of State for Education to make decisions about a range of matters relating to publicly funded schools in England .
They are statutory office holders appointed under section 25 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 .
The main function of the Schools Adjudicators is to rule on objections to and referrals about determined school admission arrangements of all state funded schools ; this involves establishing whether or not arrangements conform with the requirements relating to admissions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what respect they do not conform… There are currently ten Schools Adjudicators , including the Chief Schools Adjudicator .
They are appointed for their ability to act impartially , independently and objectively .
Their role is to look afresh at all cases referred to them and consider each case on its merits in the light of the legislation , the Statutory Guidance for Decision Makers on Statutory Proposals and the School Admissions Code .
”

Eight years ago, the TaxPayers’ Alliance reported that “in the last year, five times more Labour people were appointed to public bodies than Tories”.
It currently reports that almost half of avowedly political appointees last year owed their allegiance to Labour Party, compared to less than a third for the Conservatives.
Despite the selection of some Party members or supporters to fill important posts, over time, the Conservatives have punched beneath their weight when it comes to public appointments. One of the reasons seems to be that Tories simply don’t apply in the same number as Labour supporters.
To help remedy this, each week we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies, so that qualified Conservatives can be aware of the opportunities presented.
– – – – – – – – – –
The Pension Agency – Chair
“The Pensions Regulator (TPR) is the public body that protects workplace pensions in the UK. TPR works with employers and those running pension schemes so that people can save safely for their retirement. TPR aims to be a strong, visible regulator that builds people’s confidence in pensions. TPR is a public body sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It has around 750 staff and is based in Brighton. TPR works closely with the Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates personal pension schemes, and with other public bodies. TPR is responsible for: protecting people’s savings in workplace pensions; improving the way that workplace pension schemes are run; reducing the risk of pension schemes ending up in the Pension Protection Fund (PPF); making sure employers balance the needs of their defined benefit pension scheme with growing their business; making sure employers enrol their staff into a pension scheme and pay money into it (known as ‘automatic enrolment’).”
Time: Two days per week.
Remuneration: £73,840 per annum.
Closes: 14 December
– – – – – – – – – –
Sports Grounds Safety Authority – Chair
“The Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) was established by statute as an Arms Length Public Body in 2011 taking on the full responsibilities of its predecessor body, The Football Licensing Authority. The SGSA is the safety regulator for football grounds in England and Wales and the UK Government’s independent advisor on sports grounds safety. The three core functions of the SGSA are: to issues licences to league and international football grounds in England and Wales to allow them to permit spectators to watch matches and to oversee local authorities in their duties to sports grounds safety and safety certification; provide strategic support for sports grounds, governing bodies and others, both in the UK and internationally; set and raise standards globally through developing guidance, particularly the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds (Green Guide).”
Time: Up to two days per week.
Remuneration: £36,260 per annum, plus expenses.
Closes: 15 December
– – – – – – – – – –
Sport England – Chair
“Applications are encouraged from all sections of the community to help ensure that the Sport England board is representative of the diverse society it serves. Sport England is a government-funded Non-Departmental Public Body and National Lottery distributor. It is responsible for supporting, growing and advocating for grassroots sport and physical activity in England in line with its statutory objectives as set out in its Royal Charter. Its vision is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their age, background or level of ability feels able to engage in sport and physical activity and it takes its strategic lead from the government’s sport and physical activity strategy Sporting Future: A New Strategy for an Active Nation. The Chair will be responsible for overseeing the final stages of implementation of Sport England’s current Towards an Active Nation strategy (2017-2021), and the final stages of development and roll-out of its new strategy for 2021-2025, in close collaboration with the Deputy Chair, Chief Executive, and Executive Team.”
Time: Up to 2 days per week.
Remuneration: £40,000 per annum.
Closes: 21 December
– – – – – – – – – –
Financial Reporting Council – Chair
“The mission of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is to promote transparency and integrity in business. These are cornerstones to generating public trust and confidence in UK business and help attract investment in successful companies that provide jobs, create prosperity and generate economic growth. The FRC sets the UK Corporate Governance & Stewardship Codes which aim to make investors more accountable to their clients and beneficiaries. The FRC also sets standards for accounting, auditing and actuarial work. As the UK’s independent regulator and Competent Authority for Audit it monitors, and takes action where necessary, to promote the quality of corporate reporting and audit. It also operates independent enforcement arrangements for accountants and actuaries.”
Time: 1.5 days per week.
Remuneration: £75,000 per annum, plus expenses.
Closes: 03 January
– – – – – – – – – –
UK Shared Business Services Ltd – Chair
“UK Shared Business Services Ltd (UK SBS) is a non-profit making company limited by shares. It was established in 2007 by the UK Research Councils as part of a drive for greater value for money. The Company provides HR & Payroll, Finance, Procurement and IT services to its owners the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and other public sector clients. It is recognised by the Cabinet Office as a government shared service provider and forms part of the Shared Service Strategy for Government… This is an exciting, interesting and challenging time for UK SBS; the newly appointed Chair will provide strong leadership to guide the Company through this transformation, delivering leading-edge shared services to multiple clients at the best value and providing our end-users with the high-quality user experience they have become accustomed to in the digital age.”
Time: Max 36 days per annum.
Remuneration: £575 per annum, plus expenses.
Closes: 03 January
– – – – – – – – – –
Highways England – Chair
“With rapid progress in the development of new technologies, Highways England are modernising and transforming the strategic road network. They need to demonstrate that they can meet the government’s commitment to zero carbon and within its committed timescales. They also need to exploit the full potential of the digital revolution, both in their delivery, and in communications with road users and stakeholders. That is why HE are now delivering £27.4 billion of investment between 2020 and 2025 to improve the road network (RIS2). This is an exciting opportunity to join the Board of an organisation which keeps England moving. You would be joining Highways England at an exciting time, with the opportunity to help shape the future of the organisation and ensure its continued success. This will mean supporting the executive team in developing the organisation to be equipped for the immediate supply chain, technology and workplace transformation Highways England faces.”
Time: 24/27 days per annum
Remuneration: £25,000 per annum/plus £3,000 for chairing.
Closes: 08 January
– – – – – – – – – –
Bank of England – External Member of the Financial Policy Committee
“The FPC is responsible for identifying, monitoring and taking action to remove or reduce systemic risks with a view to protecting and enhancing the resilience of the UK financial system. The FPC also has a secondary objective to support the Government’s economic policies.The FPC has wide-ranging powers of recommendation and can direct the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority to take action to address systemic risks to financial stability. The appointment of external members to the FPC is designed to ensure that the Committee benefits from thinking and expertise in addition to that existing inside the Bank of England, and to provide constructive challenge during the Committee’s deliberations. Each member of the FPC should have expertise in the field of financial services and economics. External members will be independent – they will not represent or lobby for individual groups, interests or sectors.”
Time: 23 days per quarter.
Remuneration: £97,200.
Closes: 11 January
– – – – – – – – – –
Department for Education – Schools Adjudicator
“Schools Adjudicators are office holders appointed by the Secretary of State for Education to make decisions about a range of matters relating to publicly funded schools in England. They are statutory office holders appointed under section 25 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. The main function of the Schools Adjudicators is to rule on objections to and referrals about determined school admission arrangements of all state funded schools; this involves establishing whether or not arrangements conform with the requirements relating to admissions and if they do not conform, in what respect they do not conform… There are currently ten Schools Adjudicators, including the Chief Schools Adjudicator. They are appointed for their ability to act impartially, independently and objectively. Their role is to look afresh at all cases referred to them and consider each case on its merits in the light of the legislation, the Statutory Guidance for Decision Makers on Statutory Proposals and the School Admissions Code.”
Time: Part-time.
Remuneration: £355 per diem/£58 per hour.
Closes: 29 January


conservativehome--2020-12-17--Down with equality, up with opportunity

Down with equality, up with opportunity

Liz Truss ’ s speech today at the Centre for Policy Studies is ten years overdue .
Its topic will be equality .
It will mark the first time in four terms of Conservative-led government that a Cabinet Minister has given a major speech on the subject .
This tells us much we need to know before she has said a single word .
All in all , successive Tory leaderships have been terrified of the subject .
That fear is a legacy of the Cameron modernisation project , and its acceptance of some of the terms of public debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservatives challenged them , its logic ran , they would be confirmed as “ nasty ” .
By contrast , we hope that the very first thing Truss does today is to confront them , because they defy both political and common sense .
Which equality ?
Equality before the law ?
Equality of outcome ?
Equality of opportunity ?
An equality of esteem ?
If government muddles these up , a mess will duly follow – and it has .
Equality and its twin , diversity , are together rather like Lord @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European law : “ it flows into the estuaries and up the rivers .
It can not be held back ” .
On and on they surge , breaking banks and flooding land : unconscious bias training , “ Rhodes must fall ” , critical race theory , “ silencing ” , sex as gender , “ safe spaces ” , Islamophobia – all alike are a product of the impulse that liberal western democracies oppress beleaguered oppressed minorities .
You may object that this site itself is mixing up a mass of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history tells a simple tale of white people oppressing black people is the template from which similar stories about other groups of people have been fashioned .
One of the interesting features of recent years is that it is ethnic minority members themselves who have taken the lead in challenging this thinking .
In which context we cite one of ConservativeHome ’ s contributors , now himself an adviser to the Government .
Raghib Ali has pointed out on this website that a simplistic view which sees racism as driving injustice is wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives today , ” he wrote recently , “ but Britain is not a racist country and what has been achieved in my lifetime is remarkable with my children growing up in a country transformed ” .
“ The greatest determinant of your life chances today is not the colour of your skin but the circumstances into which you are born – and we must tackle this enduring injustice of ‘ systemic classism ’ to create a fairer Britain for all , ” he said , citing figures showing that “ the primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deprivation , not race ” .
Ali contributed to the Government ’ s report on Covid disparities , which reached much the same conclusion , and Truss is sure to take it up today .
Here are some of the points she will make and some of those that she should make – for which she would need Downing Street fully to back her up .
First , that government should be clear that maximising equality of opportunity , not outcome , is its aim – insofar as nature and nurture allow .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to say that it wants to help create more opportunities .
Second , that countering systemic classism should indeed be a policy objective .
It is the driver , for example , of white British boys being the least likely members of any ethnic group to progress to higher education .
George W.Bush ’ s “ soft bigotry of low expectations ” is at work here with a vengeance .
Third , that just because Ministers can ’ t do everything doesn ’ t mean that they should do nothing – and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has cracked down on the teaching of Critical Race Theory in schools .
Oliver Dowden has told museums not to remove objects .
Truss herself dropped previous plans for gender self-identification .
Finally , that essential to pursuing this approach would be the replacement of Labour ’ s Equality Act with a Conservative Opportunity Act .
This would separate necessary anti-discrimination legislation , which should be preserved , from the parts of the act that need revision , such as the sections on protected characteristics .
Truss is one of the few Cabinet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such a programme but doing so with relish – despite her formidable commitments elsewhere to strike post-Brexit trade deals , lauded recently by Mark Wallace , who pointed out earlier this week that she has sorted 57 of them ( a figure doubtless already out of date ) .
A leitmotif of our inexhaustible series of profiles of Truss is that she is always up for a rumble in the jungle – intellectually speaking .
Brainy , quirky , and possessed of the belief that attack is the best form of defence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Table has the self-confidence to wade in where more timid Ministers fear to tread .
A potential pitfall is that her call for “ freedom , choice , opportunity , and individual humanity and dignity ” – well-trailed in today ’ s papers – could be followed only by the rustling murmur of Whitehall paper-shuffling , with the Equalities Hub moving from place a ) to place b ) , and the Social Mobility Commission from department c ) to department d ) .
And there are limits to what Truss can achieve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She wants to “ pivot away from quotas , targets , unconscious bias training and diversity statements ” , but her room for manoeuvre in doing so will be cramped if Labour ’ s Equality Act isn ’ t overhauled .
Its Public Sector Equality Duty is one of the drivers of the statements , training , quotas and targets to which she objects .
And while the Act listed protected characteristics it did nothing to explain what should be done when they clash , chucking that hospital pass into the laps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her speech today will be whether or not it opens the door to reform .
The Prime Minister himself , perhaps shaken by the mauling of his famous Daily Telegraph column about the burqa , ( he opposed a ban ) , has become extremely cautious on these matters .
One of that article ’ s most eloquent defenders was Munira Mirza , now the head of the Downing Street Policy Unit – a cause taken up by her on ConservativeHome .
She is a driver of the Government ’ s new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Conservative Manifesto ’ s commitments on free speech are honoured , especially in universities .
To be fair to Labour , that equality duty specifies equality of opportunity .
But to be fair again , it also sabotaged the foundations of fairness , by adopting the Macpherson Report ’ s definition of a racist incident : “ any incident which is perceived to be racist , either by the victim or by any other person ” .
By stripping responsibility , or the lack of it , from the alleged perpetrator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It underpins much of what has followed , such as hate crime .
It ’ s worth summoning up one of his slogans of the government that preceded Blair ’ s – John ’ s Major ’ s .
It was “ Opportunity for All ” .
That ’ s as good a thumbnail sketch of the best of the Conservative tradition as one is likely to get .
Now let ’ s see how Truss , with her focus on the individual rather than the collective , gets on today .

Liz Truss’s speech today at the Centre for Policy Studies is ten years overdue. Its topic will be equality. It will mark the first time in four terms of Conservative-led government that a Cabinet Minister has given a major speech on the subject.
This tells us much we need to know before she has said a single word. All in all, successive Tory leaderships have been terrified of the subject.
That fear is a legacy of the Cameron modernisation project, and its acceptance of some of the terms of public debate set by Tony Blair. If the Conservatives challenged them, its logic ran, they would be confirmed as “nasty”.
By contrast, we hope that the very first thing Truss does today is to confront them, because they defy both political and common sense. Which equality? Equality before the law? Equality of outcome? Equality of opportunity? An equality of esteem?
If government muddles these up, a mess will duly follow – and it has. Equality and its twin, diversity, are together rather like Lord Denning’s famous incoming tide of European law: “it flows into the estuaries and up the rivers. It cannot be held back”.
On and on they surge, breaking banks and flooding land: unconscious bias training, “Rhodes must fall”, critical race theory, “silencing”, sex as gender, “safe spaces”, Islamophobia – all alike are a product of the impulse that liberal western democracies oppress beleaguered oppressed minorities.
You may object that this site itself is mixing up a mass of different phenomena. But the claim that history tells a simple tale of white people oppressing black people is the template from which similar stories about other groups of people have been fashioned.
One of the interesting features of recent years is that it is ethnic minority members themselves who have taken the lead in challenging this thinking. In which context we cite one of ConservativeHome’s contributors, now himself an adviser to the Government.
Raghib Ali has pointed out on this website that a simplistic view which sees racism as driving injustice is wrong. “Racism still blights too many lives today,” he wrote recently, “but Britain is not a racist country and what has been achieved in my lifetime is remarkable with my children growing up in a country transformed”.
“The greatest determinant of your life chances today is not the colour of your skin but the circumstances into which you are born – and we must tackle this enduring injustice of ‘systemic classism’ to create a fairer Britain for all,” he said, citing figures showing that “the primary factor in health and educational inequalities is deprivation, not race”.
Ali contributed to the Government’s report on Covid disparities, which reached much the same conclusion, and Truss is sure to take it up today. Here are some of the points she will make and some of those that she should make – for which she would need Downing Street fully to back her up.
First, that government should be clear that maximising equality of opportunity, not outcome, is its aim – insofar as nature and nurture allow. Perhaps the Government would do better simply to say that it wants to help create more opportunities.
Second, that countering systemic classism should indeed be a policy objective. It is the driver, for example, of white British boys being the least likely members of any ethnic group to progress to higher education. George W.Bush’s “soft bigotry of low expectations” is at work here with a vengeance.
Third, that just because Ministers can’t do everything doesn’t mean that they should do nothing – and they are making a start. Kemi Badenoch has cracked down on the teaching of Critical Race Theory in schools. Oliver Dowden has told museums not to remove objects. Truss herself dropped previous plans for gender self-identification.
Finally, that essential to pursuing this approach would be the replacement of Labour’s Equality Act with a Conservative Opportunity Act. This would separate necessary anti-discrimination legislation, which should be preserved, from the parts of the act that need revision, such as the sections on protected characteristics.
Truss is one of the few Cabinet Ministers capable not only of taking on such a programme but doing so with relish – despite her formidable commitments elsewhere to strike post-Brexit trade deals, lauded recently by Mark Wallace, who pointed out earlier this week that she has sorted 57 of them (a figure doubtless already out of date).
A leitmotif of our inexhaustible series of profiles of Truss is that she is always up for a rumble in the jungle – intellectually speaking. Brainy, quirky, and possessed of the belief that attack is the best form of defence, this recent topper of our Cabinet League Table has the self-confidence to wade in where more timid Ministers fear to tread.
A potential pitfall is that her call for “freedom, choice, opportunity, and individual humanity and dignity” – well-trailed in today’s papers – could be followed only by the rustling murmur of Whitehall paper-shuffling, with the Equalities Hub moving from place a) to place b), and the Social Mobility Commission from department c) to department d).
And there are limits to what Truss can achieve without Boris Johnson’s full support. She wants to “pivot away from quotas, targets, unconscious bias training and diversity statements”, but her room for manoeuvre in doing so will be cramped if Labour’s Equality Act isn’t overhauled.
Its Public Sector Equality Duty is one of the drivers of the statements, training, quotas and targets to which she objects. And while the Act listed protected characteristics it did nothing to explain what should be done when they clash, chucking that hospital pass into the laps of the judges instead.
A test of her speech today will be whether or not it opens the door to reform. The Prime Minister himself, perhaps shaken by the mauling of his famous Daily Telegraph column about the burqa, (he opposed a ban), has become extremely cautious on these matters.
One of that article’s most eloquent defenders was Munira Mirza, now the head of the Downing Street Policy Unit – a cause taken up by her on ConservativeHome. She is a driver of the Government’s new approach, and will want to ensure that the Conservative Manifesto’s commitments on free speech are honoured, especially in universities.
To be fair to Labour, that equality duty specifies equality of opportunity. But to be fair again, it also sabotaged the foundations of fairness, by adopting the Macpherson Report’s definition of a racist incident: “any incident which is perceived to be racist, either by the victim or by any other person”.
By stripping responsibility, or the lack of it, from the alleged perpetrator, this development was profoundly unjust. It underpins much of what has followed, such as hate crime.
It’s worth summoning up one of his slogans of the government that preceded Blair’s – John’s Major’s. It was “Opportunity for All”. That’s as good a thumbnail sketch of the best of the Conservative tradition as one is likely to get. Now let’s see how Truss, with her focus on the individual rather than the collective, gets on today.


conservativehome--2020-12-17--Garvan Walshe: This week’s Israel-Morocco deal. A consolation gift for Trump…and a strategic win for

Garvan Walshe: This week’s Israel-Morocco deal. A consolation gift for Trump…and a strategic win for China.

Garvan Walshe is a former national and international security policy adviser to the British Conservative Party .
He runs TRD Policy Since the Second World War , the revision of frontiers , overriding the wishes both of the people who lived in the territories adjusted and their officially recognised governments has been frowned upon , for obvious reasons – as Saddam Hussein found out to his cost in 1991 when he invaded Kuwait ( and as he also found out to his cost in 2003 – because revision of leaders could still happen , as long as frontiers were not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this non-revision of borders wasn ’ t universally upheld .
Yet even when Russia annexed parts of Georgia or Ukraine , it went through the motions of holding sham elections to legitimate its land grab .
The Trump Administration doesn ’ t feel the need to be bound by such hypocrisy – which Benjamin Netanyahu has tried , but never quite managed , to exploit fully .
His latest qualified victory has come in the form of Israel ’ s normalisation this week of relations with Morocco .
Morocco has great cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world ’ s major Jewish communities ; it also controls territory significantly beyond its internationally recognised borders , and protects itself from insurgents by means of an long separation barrier .
Morocco ’ s king , Mohammed VI , has now won this land for himself – in exchange for the diplomatic gesture of recognising Israel , something he probably wanted to do anyway , so as not to be left behind by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia .
The territory in question is Western Sahara .
It had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until the decaying Franco regime ( which owes its origins to a military putsch that began in Spanish Morocco ) decided it could no longer hold on , and offered the Saharawis a plebiscite .
As Franco lay dying in hospital , the then King of Morocco , King Hassan II , forced a Spanish regime that was now confronting a succession crisis to hand the territory over .
The last thing Francoists wanted was to have the best units of their army occupied fighting a colonial war to defend territory they wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might be needed to quell an uprising in Spain .
The insurgency in question is led by the Polisario movement , originally backed by Algeria , which operates from the inland desert .
The separation barrier referred to above has been constructed to prevent them infiltrating guerillas into the territory Morocco controls .
Morocco and Israel have pulled off a notable diplomatic coup in the Trump Administration ’ s twilight .
Israel gets diplomatic recognition from another Arab country , and access to an important destination for foreign investment .
Morocco gets recognition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support in seeking to prevent an future American administration from changing its mind .
There are legal consequences too : it should be easier to have Saharawi insurgents designated as terrorists , making it harder for them to raise funds .
This mutual recognition comes , however , with wider diplomatic costs .
The West is now divided on Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara .
The EU and UK ( not to mention the UN ) are opposed .
So it is not obvious that Morocco , for whom relations with the nearby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel or the United States , has made the best use of its diplomatic capital .
That the agreement was made with a lame duck Trump administration won ’ t help win over a Biden team bent on restoring the international order .
This trade gives off the whiff of a nineteenth century-style carve-up .
Other territories denied international recognition will have been made distinctly more nervous .
Perhaps the most important of these is Taiwan .
Though Trump will have been booted out of office before he can trade away American protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little less secure than it was .
Morocco did extremely well out of this Mohammed-Trump-Netanyahu deal .
And Israel got something out of it .
But the biggest long term winner will be Beijing , whose diplomats are doubtless already working to turn this egregious lame-duckery into a precedent for the next stage in China ’ s “ peaceful rise .
”

Garvan Walshe is a former national and international security policy adviser to the British Conservative Party. He runs TRD Policy
Since the Second World War, the revision of frontiers, overriding the wishes both of the people who lived in the territories adjusted and their officially recognised governments has been frowned upon, for obvious reasons – as Saddam Hussein found out to his cost in 1991 when he invaded Kuwait (and as he also found out to his cost in 2003 – because revision of leaders could still happen, as long as frontiers were not disturbed).
Like all international norms, this non-revision of borders wasn’t universally upheld. Yet even when Russia annexed parts of Georgia or Ukraine, it went through the motions of holding sham elections to legitimate its land grab. The Trump Administration doesn’t feel the need to be bound by such hypocrisy – which Benjamin Netanyahu has tried, but never quite managed, to exploit fully.
His latest qualified victory has come in the form of Israel’s normalisation this week of relations with Morocco. Morocco has great cities, a large diaspora, one of the world’s major Jewish communities; it also controls territory significantly beyond its internationally recognised borders, and protects itself from insurgents by means of an long separation barrier.
Morocco’s king, Mohammed VI, has now won this land for himself – in exchange for the diplomatic gesture of recognising Israel, something he probably wanted to do anyway, so as not to be left behind by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
The territory in question is Western Sahara. It had been a Spanish colony for almost 90 years until the decaying Franco regime (which owes its origins to a military putsch that began in Spanish Morocco) decided it could no longer hold on, and offered the Saharawis a plebiscite.
As Franco lay dying in hospital, the then King of Morocco, King Hassan II, forced a Spanish regime that was now confronting a succession crisis to hand the territory over. The last thing Francoists wanted was to have the best units of their army occupied fighting a colonial war to defend territory they wanted to leave anyway, when these troops might be needed to quell an uprising in Spain.
The insurgency in question is led by the Polisario movement, originally backed by Algeria, which operates from the inland desert. The separation barrier referred to above has been constructed to prevent them infiltrating guerillas into the territory Morocco controls.
Morocco and Israel have pulled off a notable diplomatic coup in the Trump Administration’s twilight. Israel gets diplomatic recognition from another Arab country, and access to an important destination for foreign investment. Morocco gets recognition of territory, and Israel’s support in seeking to prevent an future American administration from changing its mind. There are legal consequences too: it should be easier to have Saharawi insurgents designated as terrorists, making it harder for them to raise funds.
This mutual recognition comes, however, with wider diplomatic costs. The West is now divided on Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. The EU and UK (not to mention the UN) are opposed. So it is not obvious that Morocco, for whom relations with the nearby EU are far more important than with Israel or the United States, has made the best use of its diplomatic capital. That the agreement was made with a lame duck Trump administration won’t help win over a Biden team bent on restoring the international order.
This trade gives off the whiff of a nineteenth century-style carve-up. Other territories denied international recognition will have been made distinctly more nervous. Perhaps the most important of these is Taiwan. Though Trump will have been booted out of office before he can trade away American protection of Taiwan, Taipei is now a little less secure than it was.
Morocco did extremely well out of this Mohammed-Trump-Netanyahu deal. And Israel got something out of it. But the biggest long term winner will be Beijing, whose diplomats are doubtless already working to turn this egregious lame-duckery into a precedent for the next stage in China’s “peaceful rise.”


conservativehome--2020-12-17--Debbie Flint: Winning the social media war in Devon

Debbie Flint is Conservative Women ’ s Chair and Deputy Chair , Fundraising & Membership , for Torridge and West Devon .
The left-wing Twitter bubble may have got it very wrong at the last election , but we still face an uphill struggle against them online , as Conservatives fight to cut through on social media .
No point responding directly to try to put right their ceaseless mantra of uncaring Conservatives .
No point reacting to name-calling .
Instead , we must be cleverer .
In our history , I don ’ t think we ’ ve ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many of us don ’ t even confess our political leanings amongst our peers .
Especially if you work in certain industries where it ’ s totally out of favour to praise Boris Johnson .
So it ’ s time for a newer approach .
By and large , doorstep campaigning is out .
So in Devon we are starting to play social media on our own terms .
In Torridge and West Devon , Geoffrey Cox ’ s constituency , we have been identifying heart-warming human interest stories to report on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the human angle , in the style of an anecdote told by a neighbour or a friend .
That way , more likes , more shares , more “ traction.
” Our councillors ’ name recognition should be greater in the May 2021 county council elections as a result .
.
We also exploit the many behind-the-scenes tools Facebook offers , thereby maximising these new contacts .
For instance , using the one-click ‘ invite ’ button to anyone who likes a post to invite them to like the page ; following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed , and being sure to ‘ like ’ all positive comments ; crucially using other tools which deter too much trolling .
And training our candidates and current councillors to use all these tools and to pepper their pages with more touchy-feely pictures and stories , getting their personality across and avoiding a timeline jammed full of dry statistics and graphics .
Linda Hellyer leads the way .
County councillor for Bideford East , she spearheads our “ close the digital divide – donate a laptop ” scheme .
She has already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – deserving local students who couldn ’ t otherwise learn online and don ’ t mind being featured .
( Please note that yet more students have received theirs away from cameras – it ’ s not just done for the PR . )
We ’ re collecting laptops aged up to five-years-old to be refurbished – voluntarily – by Holsworthy Computers , any replacement small parts being covered by our fundraising .
Laptops are delivered personally by our councillors once they identify a keen student , or their parent .
Linda said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the street , saying they didn ’ t even realise she was a councillor .
The word-of-mouth follow-on about these real-life case stories is priceless , and more valuable and far-reaching within a community than any online criticism .
Her laptops post gained a reach of 2,255 and 120 engagements – all positive – far exceeding her more standard posts .
It got further coverage when Radio Devon and local papers got in touch , taking her exposure even further .
They were then perfectly placed to cover Linda ’ s next initiative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced by the blind during COVID .
How ?
She put on a blindfold and had three of the locals guide her around the town so she experienced exactly what they face on a daily basis .
She pounded their uneven pavements , and encountered their unexpected obstacles – sometimes literally – made worse by Covid restrictions – guide dogs don ’ t do social distancing .
The payoff-ending to this social media tale is that she took massive action , got ‘ tactile pavement slabs ’ installed eg next to the quay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , human , # conservativesCaringintheCommunity .
Holsworthy district councillor David Jones ‘ s run of the mill tale of a Tory installing a bin , was told from the angle of the local resident in her 80s who explained in enthusiastic detail how it impacted her life and daily journeys .
As a side benefit , she immediately joined the Conservative Party – she was so impressed with David and his hard work .
Chris Edmonds , County councillor for Tamarside in West Devon , helped provide a post on our Facebook page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped , with form filling for COVID grants , but from the human angle and with more examples and fewer generalisations .
We boosted the post but targeted his local area only , with the hope that it caught voters ’ eyes more than any colourful graphic about policy could do for him .
The ‘ over the backyard fence ’ approach we use in my day job , in television sales , translates well for getting cut-through amongst Facebookers who are only too used to three second attention grabbers .
And we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because the algorithms of Facebook automatically give them more exposure .
In the December 2019 election campaign , I helped provide a constant video presence for our MP – the first election where social media has been as important as leaflets .
Geoffrey became adept at being filmed – short pieces to camera with action , interesting local backgrounds , and always making a pithy point .
Some posts did well and got boosted – ads and the ‘ boost post ’ button can help us reach new constituents .
They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detailed A5 leaflet but respond well as they scroll through their daily updates on Facebook , to the human side of their MP , and sometimes his dog .
For the brave , doing live Facebook posts could garner even more attention .
We will be able to provide a bit of training for this as well .
Debo Sellis , County councillor for Tavistock , a self-confessed technophobe , is game , having embraced the need to do this with gusto .
“ It ’ s just got to be done , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I would have run a mile from all this a couple of years ago.
” Her posts are gaining good reactions and her consistency is key .
Specific help from an outside paid expert can also be fundamental – Alfie Carlisle was used by our chairman , John Gray , when he stood in Exeter during the election .
Alfie also guides us through the maze of how to place ads and surveys on Facebook – and we ’ re all learning something new every day .
Like the fact that Facebook ads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , making careful identity clearance essential .
Confusing for some , but Alfie has a map .
We post regularly , not just sharing the important updates from CCHQ , but many local stories like these and even a ‘ Friday funny.
’ It ’ s not natural territory for many Tories – this social media lions ’ den .
So last month we hosted a Zoom ‘ how-to ’ on Conquering Facebook and Winning Elections .
Organiser , Julian Ellacott , leads us volunteers as Chair of the South West region and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Year .
We recorded the training for those who missed it , and can provide a PDF of the bullet points .
By spring , most of our councillors will hopefully have their own pages and be following the above recommendations… Creating solid back-up is the flip side , for when the anti-Tory gang pile in , with newly formed support groups on Whats App , or ‘ closed ’ ( private ) groups on Facebook , will not only share links to each other ’ s pages and increase a councillor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help alert each other to swiftly post positive comments to provide balance , should somebody get trolled .
Julian ’ s so-called ‘ Jedi ’ groups will come into their own by Spring .
Shaun Bailey ’ s team in London have a ‘ Shaun ’ s sharers ’ What ’ s App group too , and more .
We ’ ll have some ‘ momentum ’ of our own .
Hopefully our leaflets will follow suit and be more chatty too – Julian is keen on more white space and more pictures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Other recommendations for priming connections on social media include this from a very forward thinking , Sarah Codling , a councillor in Weston , who presented the Zoom session with me .
She took the initiative early on and set up a local community group for Weston that now has 2,000 members .
Getting involved in a non-political way on your local groups helps people know who you are .
We get more likes with this approach – our equivalent of puppies and kittens – showing with undeniable examples , our compassionate conservatism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have been a never-ending blitz against the very ethos of being a Conservative , and the lack of communication at the top has been in the spotlight , it ’ s up to us to spread the word .
And don ’ t get me started on Instagram – our future is doomed if we can ’ t get through to the youngsters , and that may be the next port of call .
No idea about Tik Tok – maybe I ’ ll ask Jacob Rees-Mogg about that .
Please contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debbieflint.com and check out the many CCHQ PDFs on the various social media topics .

Debbie Flint is Conservative Women’s Chair and Deputy Chair, Fundraising & Membership, for Torridge and West Devon.
The left-wing Twitter bubble may have got it very wrong at the last election, but we still face an uphill struggle against them online, as Conservatives fight to cut through on social media. No point responding directly to try to put right their ceaseless mantra of uncaring Conservatives. No point reacting to name-calling. Instead, we must be cleverer.
In our history, I don’t think we’ve ever faced such vitriol due to relentless Tory-bashing. Many of us don’t even confess our political leanings amongst our peers. Especially if you work in certain industries where it’s totally out of favour to praise Boris Johnson. So it’s time for a newer approach. By and large, doorstep campaigning is out. So in Devon we are starting to play social media on our own terms.
In Torridge and West Devon, Geoffrey Cox’s constituency, we have been identifying heart-warming human interest stories to report on in our Association posts, but leading with the human angle, in the style of an anecdote told by a neighbour or a friend. That way, more likes, more shares, more “traction.” Our councillors’ name recognition should be greater in the May 2021 county council elections as a result. .
We also exploit the many behind-the-scenes tools Facebook offers, thereby maximising these new contacts. For instance, using the one-click ‘invite’ button to anyone who likes a post to invite them to like the page; following up a comment with a reply if needed, and being sure to ‘like’ all positive comments; crucially using other tools which deter too much trolling. And training our candidates and current councillors to use all these tools and to pepper their pages with more touchy-feely pictures and stories, getting their personality across and avoiding a timeline jammed full of dry statistics and graphics.
Linda Hellyer leads the way. County councillor for Bideford East, she spearheads our “close the digital divide – donate a laptop” scheme. She has already been pictured on posts with grateful recipients – deserving local students who couldn’t otherwise learn online and don’t mind being featured. (Please note that yet more students have received theirs away from cameras – it’s not just done for the PR.) We’re collecting laptops aged up to five-years-old to be refurbished – voluntarily – by Holsworthy Computers, any replacement small parts being covered by our fundraising. Laptops are delivered personally by our councillors once they identify a keen student, or their parent. Linda said several people came up to her in the street, saying they didn’t even realise she was a councillor. The word-of-mouth follow-on about these real-life case stories is priceless, and more valuable and far-reaching within a community than any online criticism. Her laptops post gained a reach of 2,255 and 120 engagements – all positive – far exceeding her more standard posts.
It got further coverage when Radio Devon and local papers got in touch, taking her exposure even further. They were then perfectly placed to cover Linda’s next initiative – a compassionate treatment of the challenge faced by the blind during COVID. How? She put on a blindfold and had three of the locals guide her around the town so she experienced exactly what they face on a daily basis. She pounded their uneven pavements, and encountered their unexpected obstacles – sometimes literally – made worse by Covid restrictions – guide dogs don’t do social distancing. The payoff-ending to this social media tale is that she took massive action, got ‘tactile pavement slabs’ installed eg next to the quay, with more tweaks planned. Original, human, #conservativesCaringintheCommunity.
Holsworthy district councillor David Jones‘s run of the mill tale of a Tory installing a bin, was told from the angle of the local resident in her 80s who explained in enthusiastic detail how it impacted her life and daily journeys. As a side benefit, she immediately joined the Conservative Party – she was so impressed with David and his hard work.
Chris Edmonds, County councillor for Tamarside in West Devon, helped provide a post on our Facebook page about the local businesses he’s helped, with form filling for COVID grants, but from the human angle and with more examples and fewer generalisations. We boosted the post but targeted his local area only, with the hope that it caught voters’ eyes more than any colourful graphic about policy could do for him.
The ‘over the backyard fence’ approach we use in my day job, in television sales, translates well for getting cut-through amongst Facebookers who are only too used to three second attention grabbers. And we are aiming to use much more video, because the algorithms of Facebook automatically give them more exposure.
In the December 2019 election campaign, I helped provide a constant video presence for our MP – the first election where social media has been as important as leaflets. Geoffrey became adept at being filmed – short pieces to camera with action, interesting local backgrounds, and always making a pithy point. Some posts did well and got boosted – ads and the ‘boost post’ button can help us reach new constituents. They’d rarely sit down and read a detailed A5 leaflet but respond well as they scroll through their daily updates on Facebook, to the human side of their MP, and sometimes his dog.
For the brave, doing live Facebook posts could garner even more attention.
We will be able to provide a bit of training for this as well. Debo Sellis, County councillor for Tavistock, a self-confessed technophobe, is game, having embraced the need to do this with gusto. “It’s just got to be done,” she says, “even though I would have run a mile from all this a couple of years ago.” Her posts are gaining good reactions and her consistency is key.
Specific help from an outside paid expert can also be fundamental – Alfie Carlisle was used by our chairman, John Gray, when he stood in Exeter during the election. Alfie also guides us through the maze of how to place ads and surveys on Facebook – and we’re all learning something new every day. Like the fact that Facebook ads must now display who paid for them, making careful identity clearance essential. Confusing for some, but Alfie has a map.
We post regularly, not just sharing the important updates from CCHQ, but many local stories like these and even a ‘Friday funny.’
It’s not natural territory for many Tories – this social media lions’ den. So last month we hosted a Zoom ‘how-to’ on Conquering Facebook and Winning Elections. Organiser, Julian Ellacott, leads us volunteers as Chair of the South West region and is planning a second session in the New Year. We recorded the training for those who missed it, and can provide a PDF of the bullet points. By spring, most of our councillors will hopefully have their own pages and be following the above recommendations…
Creating solid back-up is the flip side, for when the anti-Tory gang pile in, with newly formed support groups on Whats App, or ‘closed’ (private) groups on Facebook, will not only share links to each other’s pages and increase a councillor’s following. They will also help alert each other to swiftly post positive comments to provide balance, should somebody get trolled. Julian’s so-called ‘Jedi’ groups will come into their own by Spring.
Shaun Bailey’s team in London have a ‘Shaun’s sharers’ What’s App group too, and more. We’ll have some ‘momentum’ of our own.
Hopefully our leaflets will follow suit and be more chatty too – Julian is keen on more white space and more pictures – for the three second brigade.
Other recommendations for priming connections on social media include this from a very forward thinking, Sarah Codling, a councillor in Weston, who presented the Zoom session with me. She took the initiative early on and set up a local community group for Weston that now has 2,000 members. Getting involved in a non-political way on your local groups helps people know who you are. We get more likes with this approach – our equivalent of puppies and kittens – showing with undeniable examples, our compassionate conservatism.
In a year where there seems to have been a never-ending blitz against the very ethos of being a Conservative, and the lack of communication at the top has been in the spotlight, it’s up to us to spread the word. And don’t get me started on Instagram – our future is doomed if we can’t get through to the youngsters, and that may be the next port of call. No idea about Tik Tok – maybe I’ll ask Jacob Rees-Mogg about that.
Please contact me on Fundraising@torridgeandwestdevonconservatives.org or fundraising@debbieflint.com and check out the many CCHQ PDFs on the various social media topics.