conservativehome--2020-01-29--Ben Roback: Huawei – Trump’s reaction matters, but don’t discount the feeling in Congress

Ben Roback is Head of Trade and International Policy at Cicero Group .
As we prepare for the Government to publish details of its trade objectives with the EU and USA in the first two weeks of February , our United States counterparts and the White House are watching political developments in Westminster with a keen interest .
Yesterday ’ s decision to give the green light for Huawei to build non-core parts of the UK ’ s 5G network has laid down an important early diving line in talks that are yet to enter even their nascent stage .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ furious bout of lobbying in London , of both ministers and officials , but to no effect .
Washington is incensed ; Beijing could hardly be happier .
Not just because of the critical technology role it has embedded itself into , but because of the wedge it has driven between London and Washington at a time when the two are actively working to achiever greater proximity , not divergence .
Abroad , Washington further fears that the UK ’ s green light could create a permission structure for Germany and France to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Downing Street will not have been viewed as a binary choice between trade with the US and Chinese FDI .
Instead , they will have made its decision with , naturally , the Red Wall in mind .
The Government is rightly committed to asking itself a simple question before making big decisions on Huawei and HS2 : ‘ Will this help us deliver our pledge to level up the country ?
’ If Huawei is the only company capable of delivering the technology required to provide 5G coverage nationwide , then it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ‘ levelling up ’ .
Small businesses can not thrive in Bishop Auckland or Blyth Valley , Durham North West or Devizes , if connectivity is patchy .
That has not prevented caution from the Conservative benches in the Commons .
It was a famous Frost – the American poet Robert , not Chief Brexit Negotiator David – who wrote that “ Good fences make good neighbours ” , a viewpoint echoed in the Commons on Monday by Neil O ’ Brien , who urged caution in granting an extension of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Echoing that view , the Government has sought a compromise : partial access , but with a barrier protecting core parts of the system .
The response amongst Conservative MPs has been divided , to say the least .
Notable figures on the backbenches , including Tom Tugendhat and Iain Duncan Smith , described the prospect of granting access like “ allowing the fox into the hen house ” and “ utterly bizarre ” respectively .
Alarmingly for Downing Street , concerns echoed by Tugendhat were retweeted by Mike Pompeo , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a “ momentous decision ahead ” .
Yet whilst the reactions from senior Tories matter in isolation , the size of the Government ’ s majority , and the fact that Parliament will have no say in approving future trade deals , means the objections are in effect moot .
Not so in Congress , where the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee have primary congressional jurisdiction on trade matters .
The Subcommittee on Trade plays the lead role in drafting trade legislation in the House of Representatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role of executive action on trade issues .
What members of the House and Senate think about the UK ’ s Huawei decision therefore matters as we look ahead to a US-UK FTA .
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik , the youngest Republican woman ever elected to Congress and a rising star on the right , said : “ wrong , dangerous , and a grave shortsighted mistake .
Congress must work on a bipartisan basis to push back on this decision by the UK to open their arms to China ’ s surveillance state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pull his punches , saying : “ This decision is deeply disappointing for American supporters of the Special Relationship .
I fear London has freed itself from Brussels only to cede sovereignty to Beijing.
” Meanwhile Mitt Romney warned : “ By prioritising costs , the UK is sacrificing national security and inviting the CCP ’ s surveillance state in .
I implore our British allies to reverse their decision.
” The Heritage Foundation , a conservative think tank that is well connected on both sides of the Atlantic and has hosted British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been clearer : “ The consequences of his choice will impact not only the security of the United Kingdom , but the long-term strength of the U.S.-U.K. Special Relationship.
” It is hard to find a supportive voice of the decision on Capitol Hill – cause for deep concern in Westminster even before reckoning with the scope for the Government ’ s proposed Digital Services Tax to cause further alarm in Washington .
In short , we risk alienating our most important political and diplomatic ally at the exact same time we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal ; and we might anger our most important defence ally while in the midst of a comprehensive defence and foreign policy review .
To flourish on the world stage , ‘ Global Britain ’ will inevitably ruffle a few feathers .
But we can not act solely with our international allies in mind , while forgetting the voters at home who put us into office in the first place .
In Westminster , journalists and politicos will reflect on a decision born out of pragmatism , and recognition that the Chinese role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a necessary evil .
Arguably , it delivers on two manifesto pledges – investing in infrastructure around the UK , and taking back control .
Many during the 2016 referendum thought that we would take back control from Brussels .
Few thought we ’ d also take it back from Washington .

Ben Roback is Head of Trade and International Policy at Cicero Group.
As we prepare for the Government to publish details of its trade objectives with the EU and USA in the first two weeks of February, our United States counterparts and the White House are watching political developments in Westminster with a keen interest.
Yesterday’s decision to give the green light for Huawei to build non-core parts of the UK’s 5G network has laid down an important early diving line in talks that are yet to enter even their nascent stage.
The United States has engaged in a furious bout of lobbying in London, of both ministers and officials, but to no effect. Washington is incensed; Beijing could hardly be happier. Not just because of the critical technology role it has embedded itself into, but because of the wedge it has driven between London and Washington at a time when the two are actively working to achiever greater proximity, not divergence. Abroad, Washington further fears that the UK’s green light could create a permission structure for Germany and France to do the same.
The dilemma in Downing Street will not have been viewed as a binary choice between trade with the US and Chinese FDI. Instead, they will have made its decision with, naturally, the Red Wall in mind.
The Government is rightly committed to asking itself a simple question before making big decisions on Huawei and HS2: ‘Will this help us deliver our pledge to level up the country?’ If Huawei is the only company capable of delivering the technology required to provide 5G coverage nationwide, then it must be viewed as a tangible form of ‘levelling up’. Small businesses cannot thrive in Bishop Auckland or Blyth Valley, Durham North West or Devizes, if connectivity is patchy.
That has not prevented caution from the Conservative benches in the Commons. It was a famous Frost – the American poet Robert, not Chief Brexit Negotiator David – who wrote that “Good fences make good neighbours”, a viewpoint echoed in the Commons on Monday by Neil O’Brien, who urged caution in granting an extension of the Chinese state access to our technological infrastructure.
Echoing that view, the Government has sought a compromise: partial access, but with a barrier protecting core parts of the system.
Don’t discount the reaction in Congress
The response amongst Conservative MPs has been divided, to say the least. Notable figures on the backbenches, including Tom Tugendhat and Iain Duncan Smith, described the prospect of granting access like “allowing the fox into the hen house” and “utterly bizarre” respectively. Alarmingly for Downing Street, concerns echoed by Tugendhat were retweeted by Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of State, who warned of a “momentous decision ahead”.
Yet whilst the reactions from senior Tories matter in isolation, the size of the Government’s majority, and the fact that Parliament will have no say in approving future trade deals, means the objections are in effect moot.
Not so in Congress, where the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee have primary congressional jurisdiction on trade matters. The Subcommittee on Trade plays the lead role in drafting trade legislation in the House of Representatives, and also plays a key oversight role of executive action on trade issues. What members of the House and Senate think about the UK’s Huawei decision therefore matters as we look ahead to a US-UK FTA.
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, the youngest Republican woman ever elected to Congress and a rising star on the right, said: “wrong, dangerous, and a grave shortsighted mistake. Congress must work on a bipartisan basis to push back on this decision by the UK to open their arms to China’s surveillance state”. Senator Tom Cotton did not pull his punches, saying: “This decision is deeply disappointing for American supporters of the Special Relationship. I fear London has freed itself from Brussels only to cede sovereignty to Beijing.”
Meanwhile Mitt Romney warned: “By prioritising costs, the UK is sacrificing national security and inviting the CCP’s surveillance state in. I implore our British allies to reverse their decision.” The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank that is well connected on both sides of the Atlantic and has hosted British Ministers in recent years, could not have been clearer: “The consequences of his choice will impact not only the security of the United Kingdom, but the long-term strength of the U.S.-U.K. Special Relationship.”
It is hard to find a supportive voice of the decision on Capitol Hill – cause for deep concern in Westminster even before reckoning with the scope for the Government’s proposed Digital Services Tax to cause further alarm in Washington.
In short, we risk alienating our most important political and diplomatic ally at the exact same time we are trying to negotiate a new trade deal; and we might anger our most important defence ally while in the midst of a comprehensive defence and foreign policy review.
To flourish on the world stage, ‘Global Britain’ will inevitably ruffle a few feathers. But we cannot act solely with our international allies in mind, while forgetting the voters at home who put us into office in the first place.
In Westminster, journalists and politicos will reflect on a decision born out of pragmatism, and recognition that the Chinese role in our infrastructure is for now something of a necessary evil.
Arguably, it delivers on two manifesto pledges – investing in infrastructure around the UK, and taking back control. Many during the 2016 referendum thought that we would take back control from Brussels. Few thought we’d also take it back from Washington.


conservativehome--2020-01-29--Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Chair of the Tees Valley Local Enterprise

Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Chair of the Tees Valley Local Enterprise Partnership – and more

Seven years ago , the TaxPayers ’ Alliance reported that “ in the last year , five times more Labour people were appointed to public bodies than Tories ” .
Since then , the figures have varied , and some Conservative members or supporters have been selected to fill important posts .
Nonetheless , it remains the case that , since it took office in 2010 , our Party has punched beneath its 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , every week we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies , so that qualified Conservatives might be aware of the opportunities presented .
“ CITB is the statutory skills body for the construction industry in Great Britain and its purpose is to make better provision for the training and maintenance of skills in the industry .
CITB raises around £200m annually via a training levy , and works closely with employers and the Government to ensure national construction skills needs are met .
CITB seeks to create the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways of working , embracing new technologies , creating a demand in construction for more skills , new skills and higher level skills .
CITB aspires to be at the forefront of effective commissioning and grant practice and is undertaking a high-profile transformational reform programme in order to achieve this.
” “ The Chair will be responsible for the proper running of the Homes England Board .
They will guide and influence the Agency at a strategic level providing confident , clear and consistent leadership .
They will also lead the Agency ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Housing , Communities and Local Government , who they will meet on a regular basis .
The Chair will act as an ambassador for the Board and for Homes England , helping to build and develop collaborative strategic partnerships that support and promote Homes England ’ s core mission .
The successful candidate will influence and network with key decision makers and stakeholders and explain how the organisation is transforming… ” Time : Up to two days per week .
“ The Northern Ireland Office ( NIO ) is seeking to appoint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Board .
In addition to his/her responsibilities as a Board Member , the role of the Lead Non-Executive Director is to chair the Department ’ s Audit and Risk Committee .
The successful candidate will be expected to take up the position in May 2020 .
Non-Executive Directors provide a key role in the strategic and operational leadership of the Northern Ireland Office .
They complement the balance of skills and experience of Government Ministers and officials by bringing independent advice , support , constructive challenge and a fresh external perspective to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The Solent LEP is seeking to recruit a Chair who is an influential local leader and who can bring energy and passion to act as a champion for the area ’ s economic success .
The Chair requires sufficient standing to be able to convene the local business community and public sector stakeholders , while having the insight to oversee the development of an economic strategy and the relationship skills to work effectively with government .
We want you to have a voice , make a difference and give something back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the private sector ( Individuals can only be classed as private sector if their organisations do not appear on the Public Sector Classifications guide which can be viewed on the Office for National Statistics website ) .
” Time : Minimum one day per week on average .
“ The Chair of the MAC is appointed by the Home Secretary to oversee the operation of the Committee .
The Chair has overall accountability for the MAC ’ s work and is responsible for overseeing the operation and output of the Committee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To date , the MAC has operated “ hands-on ” in its analysis and interaction with the Secretariat .
The Chair is responsible for establishing effective working relationships within the Committee , across the Secretariat and with government departments.
” “ The Secretary of State , working closely with the Chair of the Environment Agency , is seeking to appoint four new members to the Board of the Environment Agency to boost resilience and replace outgoing members .
The Secretary of State wants to attract high-calibre and forward-thinking applicants from diverse backgrounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are able to carry out a full range of non-executive responsibilities and have relevant skills , knowledge and expertise .
Board members have the opportunity to shape the strategic vision of the Environment Agency and think in different ways putting net zero , climate adaptation and innovative finance at the heart of its ambitions.
” “ The Tees Valley Combined Authority and Local Enterprise Partnership ( LEP ) are looking to recruit a new LEP Chair and new LEP members from the private sector to deliver our ambitious economic plans .
The Combined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equal and diverse membership , and through this latest round of appointments , have committed to achieve 50 % female representation on the LEP board in 2020 .
Due to the current LEP Chair coming to the end of his term , we are looking to appoint a new LEP Chair who has a strong private sector background , experience of building effective organisations and has the motivation to fully commit to and represent the LEP on a local and national scale.
” “ As Chair of the STRB , you will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the STRB in fulfilling its functions as a public body ; and for delivering high quality recommendations in response to the matters that have been referred to the STRB by the Secretary of State .
You will do this by leading the work of the STRB in a way that deals comprehensively with the matters that have been referred to it ; where necessary challenging existing assumptions ; making effective use of the skills and expertise of the other members of the STRB ; and providing effective challenge to the evidence and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the wide range of consultees… ”

Seven years ago, the TaxPayers’ Alliance reported that “in the last year, five times more Labour people were appointed to public bodies than Tories”.
Since then, the figures have varied, and some Conservative members or supporters have been selected to fill important posts.
Nonetheless, it remains the case that, since it took office in 2010, our Party has punched beneath its 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, every week we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies, so that qualified Conservatives might be aware of the opportunities presented.
– – – – – – – – – –
Construction Industry Training Board – Board Trustee
“CITB is the statutory skills body for the construction industry in Great Britain and its purpose is to make better provision for the training and maintenance of skills in the industry. CITB raises around £200m annually via a training levy, and works closely with employers and the Government to ensure national construction skills needs are met. CITB seeks to create the culture and conditions that will deliver new ways of working, embracing new technologies, creating a demand in construction for more skills, new skills and higher level skills. CITB aspires to be at the forefront of effective commissioning and grant practice and is undertaking a high-profile transformational reform programme in order to achieve this.”
Time: Around 16 hours per month.
Remuneration: Expenses.
Closes: 28 January
– – – – – – – – – –
Homes England – Chair
“The Chair will be responsible for the proper running of the Homes England Board. They will guide and influence the Agency at a strategic level providing confident, clear and consistent leadership. They will also lead the Agency’s relationship with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, who they will meet on a regular basis. The Chair will act as an ambassador for the Board and for Homes England, helping to build and develop collaborative strategic partnerships that support and promote Homes England’s core mission. The successful candidate will influence and network with key decision makers and stakeholders and explain how the organisation is transforming…”
Time: Up to two days per week.
Remuneration: £95,000 per annum.
Closes: 31 January
– – – – – – – – – –
Northern Ireland Office – Lead Non-Executive Director
“The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) is seeking to appoint a Lead Non-Executive Director to its Management Board. In addition to his/her responsibilities as a Board Member, the role of the Lead Non-Executive Director is to chair the Department’s Audit and Risk Committee. The successful candidate will be expected to take up the position in May 2020. Non-Executive Directors provide a key role in the strategic and operational leadership of the Northern Ireland Office. They complement the balance of skills and experience of Government Ministers and officials by bringing independent advice, support, constructive challenge and a fresh external perspective to help shape a department’s work.”
Time: Approx. 20 days per annum.
Remuneration: £12,500 per annum plus expenses.
Closes: 03 February
– – – – – – – – – –
Solent Local Enterprise Partnership – Chair
“The Solent LEP is seeking to recruit a Chair who is an influential local leader and who can bring energy and passion to act as a champion for the area’s economic success. The Chair requires sufficient standing to be able to convene the local business community and public sector stakeholders, while having the insight to oversee the development of an economic strategy and the relationship skills to work effectively with government. We want you to have a voice, make a difference and give something back to the region. The Chair must come from the private sector (Individuals can only be classed as private sector if their organisations do not appear on the Public Sector Classifications guide which can be viewed on the Office for National Statistics website).”
Time: Minimum one day per week on average.
Remuneration: ‘Reasonable expenses’.
Closes: 29 February
– – – – – – – – – –
Migration Advisory Committee – Chair
“The Chair of the MAC is appointed by the Home Secretary to oversee the operation of the Committee. The Chair has overall accountability for the MAC’s work and is responsible for overseeing the operation and output of the Committee, in collaboration with the Home Office Secretariat. To date, the MAC has operated “hands-on” in its analysis and interaction with the Secretariat. The Chair is responsible for establishing effective working relationships within the Committee, across the Secretariat and with government departments.”
Time: Two days per week.
Remuneration: £40,000 per annum.
Closes: 17 February
– – – – – – – – – –
Environment Agency – Board Member
“The Secretary of State, working closely with the Chair of the Environment Agency, is seeking to appoint four new members to the Board of the Environment Agency to boost resilience and replace outgoing members. The Secretary of State wants to attract high-calibre and forward-thinking applicants from diverse backgrounds. Applicants will need to demonstrate they are able to carry out a full range of non-executive responsibilities and have relevant skills, knowledge and expertise. Board members have the opportunity to shape the strategic vision of the Environment Agency and think in different ways putting net zero, climate adaptation and innovative finance at the heart of its ambitions.”
Time: Four days per month.
Remuneration: £350 per diem, reasonable expenses.
Closes: 25 February
– – – – – – – – – –
Tees Valley Local Enterprise Partnership – Chair
“The Tees Valley Combined Authority and Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) are looking to recruit a new LEP Chair and new LEP members from the private sector to deliver our ambitious economic plans. The Combined Authority and LEP strive to ensure an equal and diverse membership, and through this latest round of appointments, have committed to achieve 50% female representation on the LEP board in 2020. Due to the current LEP Chair coming to the end of his term, we are looking to appoint a new LEP Chair who has a strong private sector background, experience of building effective organisations and has the motivation to fully commit to and represent the LEP on a local and national scale.”
Time: 6-8 days per month.
Remuneration: Travel and subsistence expenses.
Closes: 29 February
– – – – – – – – – –
School Teachers’ Review Body – Chair
“As Chair of the STRB, you will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction to the STRB in fulfilling its functions as a public body; and for delivering high quality recommendations in response to the matters that have been referred to the STRB by the Secretary of State. You will do this by leading the work of the STRB in a way that deals comprehensively with the matters that have been referred to it; where necessary challenging existing assumptions; making effective use of the skills and expertise of the other members of the STRB; and providing effective challenge to the evidence and representations that are submitted to the STRB by the wide range of consultees…”
Time: Approx. 30 days per annum.
Remuneration: £350 per diem.
Closes: 01 March


conservativehome--2020-01-29--The claim that the UK has become a more xenophobic country since the referendum is a damaging myth

Most of us , reflecting on our experience of previous decades , would surely accept that the UK has become a more liberal and tolerant society .
Women were more likely to suffer from domestic violence at home , harassment on their commute , and discrimination at work .
Gay people found in prudent to stay in the closet .
Racism was far more prevalent .
As a schoolboy , I remember the anger some of my black classmates expressed about the degrading treatment they experienced from the police .
These were ordinary , non-political boys .
I had no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a downward spiral in community relations .
My school was in Pimlico , but some of the pupils commuted up from Brixton .
During the Brixton Riots in 1981 , they tended to be on the side of the rioters – arguing that the police were to blame .
I suppose we all have our own anecdotes reflecting changing social attitudes during our lifetimes .
But the broad narrative sweep would be shared .
The UK also compares pretty favourably in the level of harmony that we maintain compared to virtually any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The paradox is that we don ’ t boast about this very much .
It would be a bit chauvinistic to boast too loudly about how we are the least chauvinistic nation on the planet .
Yet while these general conclusions would be difficult to dispute , there is a contention that recently we have regressed .
The claim is that the vote in the EU referendum increased division and emboldened bigotry .
The next day , for instance , Gavin Barwell tweeted that he was proud that Croydon and London had voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of hate and division.
” ( He went on to work for Theresa May .
Given his lack of enthusiasm for Brexit perhaps it is unsurprising that it has taken so long to be delivered . )
The message was put forward repeatedly that EU nationals settled in the UK would find their status at risk after Brexit .
They were told that the referendum result meant they were no longer welcome .
Yet invariably it was the Remainers who put this interpretation on the motives for those who voted for Brexit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ feelings , and the national mood , there is limit to how much we can get from statistics .
But there have been a couple of assertions put forward which can be tested .
The first was that even , before Brexit takes place , our reputation as a hostile country would cause an exodus of those from other EU states .
Secondly , that “ hate crime ” would increase .
The xenophobic genie would be out of the bottle .
That David Cameron ’ s decision to hold the referendum to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opposite outcome .
The Office for National Statistics produces a Quarterly Report on Migration .
Between September 2017 and September 2018 , 202,000 citizens from other EU countries immigrated to the UK and about 145,000 left .
That means an overall increase in the number living here from other EU countries ; “ net immigration ” , of around 57,000 .
The earlier year , September 2016 to September 2017 , there were 220,000 new EU arrivals with 130,000 leaving .
So net migration of 90,000 .
The latest provisional estimate suggests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year to June 2019 of 48,000 .
The upshot is that there are a couple of hundred thousand more people living here from other EU states now , than at the time of the referendum .
Suggestions of a mass exodus , or of new arrivals being afraid to come , have proved wide of the mark .
It is true that the rate of increase has slowed .
But even that may be due to other factors .
Most Europeans countries are richer than in 2016 – wages are higher , unemployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more significant factor .
The figures for the number of National Insurance numbers allocated to adult overseas nationals to September 2019 are recorded for each country , which brings this point home .
It shows 43,000 from Poland , down by ten per cent from the previous year .
Far more registrations were from Romanians – at 139,000 .
Why ?
Probably as the Polish economy has been growing at over four per cent a year .
The top rate of income tax there is 32 per cent .
Poles under the age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zloty ( £18,519 ) a year do not have to pay income tax at all .
So they are keeping , and tempting back , more of their young people .
The unemployment rate there is only 3.2 per cent .
In Spain it 14.2 per cent .
No surprise that the number of Spaniards coming here to look for work has increased .
Then there has been the widely reported claims that the EU referendum has caused an increase in racist incidents and “ hate crimes.
” Media prominence may have given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ graffiti that might previously have been ignored has been featured in news reports .
But is that a genuine trend ?
For a start , the criteria of whether an offence was motivated by hate is purely down to whether the victim believes it to have been .
As Mark Wallace has noted , the level of police recorded hate crime rose in 2013/14 and 2014/15 ( before the referendum took place ) during a period when crime generally was falling .
On the other hand , the figures did show a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as after the 2017 terrorist incidents .
For whatever reason , it also tends to show a spike in the summer months .
But there is another way of measuring crime – the Crime Survey for England and Wales .
This offers a different indication : “ According to the combined 2015/16 to 2017/18 CSEW11 , there were around 184,000 incidents of hate crime a year .
This represents around three per cent of all CSEW crime ( 6,096,000 incidents ) , a similar level to the proportion in the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While the apparent fall between this latest estimate and the previous one ( covering years 2012/13 to 2014/15 ) was not statistically significant , trends over the longer term suggest reductions in the number of hate crime incidents .
This is in contrast to the upward trend in police recorded hate crime .
There was a statistically significant fall in the number of hate crime incidents from 307,000 in the combined 2007/08 and 2008/09 CSEW to 184,000 in the combined 2015/16 to 2017/18 CSEW ( a fall of 40 % between these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time period , there was a similar percentage fall ( 39 % ) in crime overall in the CSEW .
The CSEW suggests , therefore , that hate crime has fallen at a similar rate to overall CSEW crime over this period.
” Another measure is on the number of prosecutions for hate crimes .
The House of Commons Library has these figures : Definitions are problematic .
As Charles Moore has said it is hard to think of a serious crime that does not involve hate .
If one category of hate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Within the totals of classified hate crime there has been an alarming increase in incidents of anti-semitism , whch I don ’ t think anyone has linked to Brexit .
There has also been a welcome reduction in the number of attacks on the disabled , where hatred is deemed to be factor .
Again , no suggestions of any link to the referendum result .
Once we have waded through all the caveats , claims , and counter-claims , it ends up that we are the same generally decent , civilised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That vote in 2016 was not a nativist impulse to retreat from the world .
It was a confident democratic declaration that we can embrace the opportunities the world has to offer .
That should be accepted as the motivation for the decision we made .
The way it has been caricatured is damaging .
It is true that some racists have an eye for the main chance – when a news item can be used to inflame tensions they will take it .
But far more significant is the scaremongering by so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abroad – as well as by those Remainer politicians so resistant to accepting the result .
Many false claims have been made with such force and repetition that some have believed them .
One of the best things about “ getting Brexit done ” will be that those anxieties can finally be disproved .

Most of us, reflecting on our experience of previous decades, would surely accept that the UK has become a more liberal and tolerant society. Women were more likely to suffer from domestic violence at home, harassment on their commute, and discrimination at work. Gay people found in prudent to stay in the closet.
Racism was far more prevalent. As a schoolboy, I remember the anger some of my black classmates expressed about the degrading treatment they experienced from the police. These were ordinary, non-political boys. I had no reason to disbelieve their accounts. There was a downward spiral in community relations. My school was in Pimlico, but some of the pupils commuted up from Brixton. During the Brixton Riots in 1981, they tended to be on the side of the rioters – arguing that the police were to blame.
I suppose we all have our own anecdotes reflecting changing social attitudes during our lifetimes. But the broad narrative sweep would be shared. The UK also compares pretty favourably in the level of harmony that we maintain compared to virtually any other country one can think of. The paradox is that we don’t boast about this very much. It would be a bit chauvinistic to boast too loudly about how we are the least chauvinistic nation on the planet.
Yet while these general conclusions would be difficult to dispute, there is a contention that recently we have regressed. The claim is that the vote in the EU referendum increased division and emboldened bigotry. The next day, for instance, Gavin Barwell tweeted that he was proud that Croydon and London had voted Remain and so “rejected the politics of hate and division.” (He went on to work for Theresa May. Given his lack of enthusiasm for Brexit perhaps it is unsurprising that it has taken so long to be delivered.)
The message was put forward repeatedly that EU nationals settled in the UK would find their status at risk after Brexit. They were told that the referendum result meant they were no longer welcome. Yet invariably it was the Remainers who put this interpretation on the motives for those who voted for Brexit.
When it comes to people’s feelings, and the national mood, there is limit to how much we can get from statistics. But there have been a couple of assertions put forward which can be tested. The first was that even, before Brexit takes place, our reputation as a hostile country would cause an exodus of those from other EU states. Secondly, that “hate crime” would increase. The xenophobic genie would be out of the bottle. That David Cameron’s decision to hold the referendum to avert “unleashing demons” would have the opposite outcome.
The Office for National Statistics produces a Quarterly Report on Migration. Between September 2017 and September 2018, 202,000 citizens from other EU countries immigrated to the UK and about 145,000 left. That means an overall increase in the number living here from other EU countries; “net immigration”, of around 57,000. The earlier year, September 2016 to September 2017, there were 220,000 new EU arrivals with 130,000 leaving. So net migration of 90,000. The latest provisional estimate suggests net immigration from the EU in the year to June 2019 of 48,000. The upshot is that there are a couple of hundred thousand more people living here from other EU states now, than at the time of the referendum.
Suggestions of a mass exodus, or of new arrivals being afraid to come, have proved wide of the mark. It is true that the rate of increase has slowed. But even that may be due to other factors. Most Europeans countries are richer than in 2016 – wages are higher, unemployment is lower. That is probably a more significant factor.
The figures for the number of National Insurance numbers allocated to adult overseas nationals to September 2019 are recorded for each country, which brings this point home. It shows 43,000 from Poland, down by ten per cent from the previous year. Far more registrations were from Romanians – at 139,000. Why? Probably as the Polish economy has been growing at over four per cent a year. The top rate of income tax there is 32 per cent. Poles under the age of 26 who earn less than 85,528 zloty (£18,519) a year do not have to pay income tax at all. So they are keeping, and tempting back, more of their young people. The unemployment rate there is only 3.2 per cent. In Spain it 14.2 per cent. No surprise that the number of Spaniards coming here to look for work has increased.
Then there has been the widely reported claims that the EU referendum has caused an increase in racist incidents and “hate crimes.” Media prominence may have given the impression that there has been – graffiti that might previously have been ignored has been featured in news reports.
But is that a genuine trend? For a start, the criteria of whether an offence was motivated by hate is purely down to whether the victim believes it to have been. As Mark Wallace has noted, the level of police recorded hate crime rose in 2013/14 and 2014/15 (before the referendum took place) during a period when crime generally was falling. On the other hand, the figures did show a “spike” after the EU referendum – as well as after the 2017 terrorist incidents. For whatever reason, it also tends to show a spike in the summer months.
But there is another way of measuring crime – the Crime Survey for England and Wales. This offers a different indication:
“According to the combined 2015/16 to 2017/18 CSEW11, there were around 184,000 incidents of hate crime a year. This represents around three per cent of all CSEW crime (6,096,000 incidents), a similar level to the proportion in the police recorded crime series (2%). While the apparent fall between this latest estimate and the previous one (covering years 2012/13 to 2014/15) was not statistically significant, trends over the longer term suggest reductions in the number of hate crime incidents. This is in contrast to the upward trend in police recorded hate crime. There was a statistically significant fall in the number of hate crime incidents from 307,000 in the combined 2007/08 and 2008/09 CSEW to 184,000 in the combined 2015/16 to 2017/18 CSEW (a fall of 40% between these combined surveys). Over the same time period, there was a similar percentage fall (39%) in crime overall in the CSEW. The CSEW suggests, therefore, that hate crime has fallen at a similar rate to overall CSEW crime over this period.”
Another measure is on the number of prosecutions for hate crimes. The House of Commons Library has these figures:
2015/16 saw 15,442 prosecutions (with 12,846 convictions).
2016/17 saw 14,480 prosecutions (with 12,072 convictions).
2017/18 saw 14,151 prosecutions (with 11,987 convictions).
2018/19 saw 12,828 prosecutions (with 10,817 convictions).
Definitions are problematic. As Charles Moore has said it is hard to think of a serious crime that does not involve hate. If one category of hate is included then are other categories downplayed? Within the totals of classified hate crime there has been an alarming increase in incidents of anti-semitism, whch I don’t think anyone has linked to Brexit. There has also been a welcome reduction in the number of attacks on the disabled, where hatred is deemed to be factor. Again, no suggestions of any link to the referendum result.
Once we have waded through all the caveats, claims, and counter-claims, it ends up that we are the same generally decent, civilised people we were three years ago. That vote in 2016 was not a nativist impulse to retreat from the world. It was a confident democratic declaration that we can embrace the opportunities the world has to offer. That should be accepted as the motivation for the decision we made.
The way it has been caricatured is damaging. It is true that some racists have an eye for the main chance – when a news item can be used to inflame tensions they will take it. But far more significant is the scaremongering by so much of the media at home and abroad – as well as by those Remainer politicians so resistant to accepting the result. Many false claims have been made with such force and repetition that some have believed them. One of the best things about “getting Brexit done” will be that those anxieties can finally be disproved.


Robert Halfon: Why?

Robert Halfon is MP for Harlow , a former Conservative Party Deputy Chairman , Chair of the Education Select Committee and President of Conservative Workers and Trade Unionists .
Time to get out that ladder of opportunity , once again Yes , it is true , I am obsessed but , to be fair to ConservativeHome readers , I haven ’ t gone on about this for quite a while now .
I can ’ t help myself – especially after reading Iain Dale ’ s recent ConservativeHome column .
In his wisdom , he said it was time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tree ( or , “ the broccoli ” , as I prefer to call it ) .
As patient readers will know , I have been an advocate for the ladder of opportunity for over a decade .
I feel a bit like the crazy person on the top of a double-decker bus with a long beard shouting at the passengers .
But , our symbol is quite simply rubbish .
It may be a tree or a vegetable of some kind , but the squiggle and trunk is hard to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What better time could there be , following our astonishing election victory , to finally replace the logo with a ladder , representing timeless Conservative values of aspiration ?
This would be all the more effective given that most of the Labour party are making the mistake of blaming their significant election defeat solely on Brexit .
Of course , the EU played a major role , but Corbyn and his party were seen as the enemies of aspiration and opportunity – against anyone who wanted to do well in life , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would represent our values .
It would have to have hands around the ladder , showing that the Government is there to help people climb up and be there for those who might fall .
If our esteemed editor would allow , perhaps ConservativeHome could commission a competition allowing readers to design our new ladder logo….
?
But it can ’ t just be about a ladder… we need some more ‘ Why ’ .
A ladder is not enough , however .
At the end of the day , logos are just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounded by a powerful narrative .
When Tony Blair introduced Labour ’ s red rose , it was accompanied by a powerful story about New Labour ( how long ago that now seems ) .
The constant problem with modern Conservatism and Government is that we regularly announce all these wonderful initiatives – monies to be spent on this scheme , monies to be spent on that programme .
Our manifesto had some superb policies like 20,000 more police , 50,000 extra nurses , 40 new hospitals , grand infrastructure projects , tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more besides .
Yet what was really missing was the why .
Why are we doing all these things ?
Or in other words , how does it represent Conservatism ?
What are the timeless Tory values behind them ?
We , Conservatives , rarely explain the why , only the what we are doing .
It is no wonder that the public are often , at best , confused as to what Conservatism means and , at worst , succumb to the Labour narrative that we are there just to help our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death of Sir Roger Scruton , our party has lost its philosopher king .
Not only is a new king needed , it is time to work out our modern Conservative values and link them to our policies in a way that the public can understand .
There should not be an announcement without it being specifically linked to our Conservative values .
The why must be essential to everything we do .
Let ’ s not be fixated on the whereabouts of CCHQ buildings I have enjoyed the articles from ConservativeHome writers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their particular town or city .
Without a doubt , it would be lovely for it to shift to my own constituency and hometown of Harlow .
After all , we are the original home of ‘ white-van Conservatism ’ .
But in truth , I think the arguments in favour of moving the building makes a fundamental mistake .
First , at a time when technology means people can work anywhere , whether it be a McDonald ’ s or at home , how on earth will moving a hundred people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a difference to winning an election – apart from generating some good local newspaper headlines for a few days ?
Second , what would really assist marginal seats in the North and elsewhere is not getting a new large office and transferring hundreds of people at great cost , but spending money instead to ensure that each seat has one or two dedicated quality , decently-paid , campaign managers whose tasks are clear : to build up their local associations , to win local elections , and ensure the re-election of Conservative MPs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managers in areas which we don ’ t win ?
From Cambridge to Enfield to Halifax to St Helens to perform the same role – transforming the local Conservative party and above all , doing everything possible to get some councillors elected .
There are still too many areas of the country where there is little or no Conservative representation , at all .
I think this would be a much better use of our members and donors funds .
I was honoured to be re-elected , this week , as Chair of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – this time , unopposed .
Being a Committee Chair is an extraordinary job .
Committees have a chance to be a powerhouse of ideas , influence policy and scrutinise the Executive and the dreaded and humongous quangos .
I hope that our Committee will focus on skills , social justice , standards and support for the profession .
All four are important rungs for pupils , apprentices and students , to climb up the… education ladder of opportunity .

Robert Halfon is MP for Harlow, a former Conservative Party Deputy Chairman, Chair of the Education Select Committee and President of Conservative Workers and Trade Unionists.
Time to get out that ladder of opportunity, once again
Yes, it is true, I am obsessed but, to be fair to ConservativeHome readers, I haven’t gone on about this for quite a while now. I can’t help myself – especially after reading Iain Dale’s recent ConservativeHome column. In his wisdom, he said it was time to get rid of the Conservative symbol – the tree (or, “the broccoli”, as I prefer to call it).
As patient readers will know, I have been an advocate for the ladder of opportunity for over a decade. I feel a bit like the crazy person on the top of a double-decker bus with a long beard shouting at the passengers. But, our symbol is quite simply rubbish. It may be a tree or a vegetable of some kind, but the squiggle and trunk is hard to see or understand and represents what exactly?
What better time could there be, following our astonishing election victory, to finally replace the logo with a ladder, representing timeless Conservative values of aspiration?
This would be all the more effective given that most of the Labour party are making the mistake of blaming their significant election defeat solely on Brexit. Of course, the EU played a major role, but Corbyn and his party were seen as the enemies of aspiration and opportunity – against anyone who wanted to do well in life, for themselves and their families.
The ladder would represent our values. It would have to have hands around the ladder, showing that the Government is there to help people climb up and be there for those who might fall.
If our esteemed editor would allow, perhaps ConservativeHome could commission a competition allowing readers to design our new ladder logo….?
But it can’t just be about a ladder… we need some more ‘Why’.
A ladder is not enough, however. At the end of the day, logos are just that – logos; unless they are surrounded by a powerful narrative. When Tony Blair introduced Labour’s red rose, it was accompanied by a powerful story about New Labour (how long ago that now seems).
The constant problem with modern Conservatism and Government is that we regularly announce all these wonderful initiatives – monies to be spent on this scheme, monies to be spent on that programme. Our manifesto had some superb policies like 20,000 more police, 50,000 extra nurses, 40 new hospitals, grand infrastructure projects, tax cuts for the lower paid and much more besides.
Yet what was really missing was the why. Why are we doing all these things? Or in other words, how does it represent Conservatism? What are the timeless Tory values behind them?
We, Conservatives, rarely explain the why, only the what we are doing. It is no wonder that the public are often, at best, confused as to what Conservatism means and, at worst, succumb to the Labour narrative that we are there just to help our wealthier friends.
With the very sad death of Sir Roger Scruton, our party has lost its philosopher king. Not only is a new king needed, it is time to work out our modern Conservative values and link them to our policies in a way that the public can understand. There should not be an announcement without it being specifically linked to our Conservative values. The why must be essential to everything we do.
– – – – – – – – – –
Let’s not be fixated on the whereabouts of CCHQ buildings
I have enjoyed the articles from ConservativeHome writers, making their bid to have CCHQ in their particular town or city. Without a doubt, it would be lovely for it to shift to my own constituency and hometown of Harlow. After all, we are the original home of ‘white-van Conservatism’.
But in truth, I think the arguments in favour of moving the building makes a fundamental mistake. First, at a time when technology means people can work anywhere, whether it be a McDonald’s or at home, how on earth will moving a hundred people or so to a new area make a difference to winning an election – apart from generating some good local newspaper headlines for a few days?
Second, what would really assist marginal seats in the North and elsewhere is not getting a new large office and transferring hundreds of people at great cost, but spending money instead to ensure that each seat has one or two dedicated quality, decently-paid, campaign managers whose tasks are clear: to build up their local associations, to win local elections, and ensure the re-election of Conservative MPs.
Moreover, why not have campaign managers in areas which we don’t win? From Cambridge to Enfield to Halifax to St Helens to perform the same role – transforming the local Conservative party and above all, doing everything possible to get some councillors elected. There are still too many areas of the country where there is little or no Conservative representation, at all.
I think this would be a much better use of our members and donors funds.
Back to Education
I was honoured to be re-elected, this week, as Chair of the House of Commons Education Select Committee – this time, unopposed. Being a Committee Chair is an extraordinary job. Committees have a chance to be a powerhouse of ideas, influence policy and scrutinise the Executive and the dreaded and humongous quangos.
I hope that our Committee will focus on skills, social justice, standards and support for the profession. All four are important rungs for pupils, apprentices and students, to climb up the… education ladder of opportunity.


conservativehome--2020-01-29--Wendy Thompson: A Labour-run council has meant that Wolverhampton has fallen behind

Cllr Wendy Thompson is the Leader of the Conservative Group on Wolverhampton City Council .
December ’ s General Election produced a fantastic set of results for Conservatives in Wolverhampton .
Across the city , as a whole , the Conservative Party won the popular vote .
We won two of the three constituencies , including a seat which we last won more than 30 years ago in the 1987 election – Wolverhampton North East .
We came within 1,200 votes of winning the third constituency , only losing it because of the Brexit Party candidate attracting a considerable number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly turned to May ’ s local elections , and , of course , the vital elections for the Mayor of the West Midlands – and the Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands .
On the back of the General Election result , there is scope for the number of Conservative councillors in Wolverhampton to grow .
Out of 60 councillors in the city , we currently have 11 so there is a strong Labour presence .
But with the help of our two newly-elected MPs , we will be pounding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explain to residents our positive agenda for a Conservative-controlled Wolverhampton Council .
Wolverhampton is a city with huge potential .
It is ideally located on the motorway network , and the railway station ( undergoing a much-needed revamp ) has good connectivity to London , Scotland , Birmingham , and beyond .
But sadly , decades of a Labour-run council has left the city facing many difficult challenges .
Unemployment remains stubbornly high at twice the national average , as does the number of workless households .
In one ward , the average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared to 83 years in another ward .
That is a huge variation which needs to be addressed .
The city centre continues to struggle to attract shoppers , with big names such as Debenhams , Starbucks , and House of Fraser deciding to shut up shop .
It is nothing short of a crisis .
And it ’ s a crisis that sadly the Labour Party in Wolverhampton just doesn ’ t understand .
Conservative councillors have put forward positive proposals such as free city centre parking at weekends , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is pursuing in his region .
This idea has , however , been rejected by Labour .
Their flagship Westside leisure complex , which has been scaled down from the original plans , has failed to get off the ground after four years , despite a change to the financial scheme which would see the taxpayer bear the brunt of the risk rather than the developer .
Another issue which will feature prominently in our local election campaign will be the greenbelt .
Wolverhampton ’ s boundaries are incredibly tight , with only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s land classified as greenbelt .
However , given the growth in population in the region , we are under huge pressure to build more houses .
Migration into the West Midlands conurbation is also putting pressure on amenities such as GP surgeries as well as school places .
So the need to build more homes is immediate and pressing .
The “ brownfield first ” policy adopted by West Midlands Mayor , Andy Street , has been helpful in addressing the housing shortage .
There are hundreds of brownfield sites across Wolverhampton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , before we even think about touching the greenbelt .
Street ’ s investment has helped to unlock a lot of that brownfield land , but there is much more to do .
The West Midlands Mayoral election will also be vitally important , not just for Wolverhampton but for the entire region .
Our incumbent first-class Mayor continues to be a strong voice for the West Midlands , and in the short time he has been in office he has brought an incredible amount of investment into Wolverhampton .
From building new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to supporting our plans for new railway stations , he is a great champion for Wolverhampton and knows what it can achieve .
It will be a tight race between Andy and the Labour candidate , and we will be fighting for every vote in Wolverhampton .
Because at this critical moment in our country ’ s history , as we leave the EU and strike new trading relationships across the world , the West Midlands can not afford to lose its loudest voice in Andy Street .
He has put our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Government ’ s radar , and if re-elected he will continue to do so .
His ambitions for the West Midlands , the Black Country , and Wolverhampton have no limits .
So the local elections in May will be vitally important for Wolverhampton and the wider West Midlands region .
There can be no doubt that we have a lot of work to do between now and then , knocking on doors and speaking to voters about the fantastic achievements of Andy Street , and how we have a plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As well as getting Brexit done , the Conservatives have a strong message to push locally , and a record of delivery of which we can be proud .

Cllr Wendy Thompson is the Leader of the Conservative Group on Wolverhampton City Council.
December’s General Election produced a fantastic set of results for Conservatives in Wolverhampton. Across the city, as a whole, the Conservative Party won the popular vote. We won two of the three constituencies, including a seat which we last won more than 30 years ago in the 1987 election – Wolverhampton North East. We came within 1,200 votes of winning the third constituency, only losing it because of the Brexit Party candidate attracting a considerable number of votes.
But our attention has quickly turned to May’s local elections, and, of course, the vital elections for the Mayor of the West Midlands – and the Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands. On the back of the General Election result, there is scope for the number of Conservative councillors in Wolverhampton to grow. Out of 60 councillors in the city, we currently have 11 so there is a strong Labour presence. But with the help of our two newly-elected MPs, we will be pounding the pavements and knocking on doors to explain to residents our positive agenda for a Conservative-controlled Wolverhampton Council.
Wolverhampton is a city with huge potential. It is ideally located on the motorway network, and the railway station (undergoing a much-needed revamp) has good connectivity to London, Scotland, Birmingham, and beyond. But sadly, decades of a Labour-run council has left the city facing many difficult challenges. Unemployment remains stubbornly high at twice the national average, as does the number of workless households. In one ward, the average male life expectancy is 74 years, compared to 83 years in another ward. That is a huge variation which needs to be addressed.
The city centre continues to struggle to attract shoppers, with big names such as Debenhams, Starbucks, and House of Fraser deciding to shut up shop. It is nothing short of a crisis. And it’s a crisis that sadly the Labour Party in Wolverhampton just doesn’t understand. Conservative councillors have put forward positive proposals such as free city centre parking at weekends, which is something that the Conservative Tees Valley Mayor is pursuing in his region. This idea has, however, been rejected by Labour. Their flagship Westside leisure complex, which has been scaled down from the original plans, has failed to get off the ground after four years, despite a change to the financial scheme which would see the taxpayer bear the brunt of the risk rather than the developer.
Another issue which will feature prominently in our local election campaign will be the greenbelt. Wolverhampton’s boundaries are incredibly tight, with only 11 per cent of the city’s land classified as greenbelt. However, given the growth in population in the region, we are under huge pressure to build more houses. Migration into the West Midlands conurbation is also putting pressure on amenities such as GP surgeries as well as school places. So the need to build more homes is immediate and pressing. The “brownfield first” policy adopted by West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, has been helpful in addressing the housing shortage. There are hundreds of brownfield sites across Wolverhampton that need to be developed on first, before we even think about touching the greenbelt. Street’s investment has helped to unlock a lot of that brownfield land, but there is much more to do.
The West Midlands Mayoral election will also be vitally important, not just for Wolverhampton but for the entire region. Our incumbent first-class Mayor continues to be a strong voice for the West Midlands, and in the short time he has been in office he has brought an incredible amount of investment into Wolverhampton. From building new homes on brownfield sites across the city, to supporting our plans for new railway stations, he is a great champion for Wolverhampton and knows what it can achieve.
It will be a tight race between Andy and the Labour candidate, and we will be fighting for every vote in Wolverhampton. Because at this critical moment in our country’s history, as we leave the EU and strike new trading relationships across the world, the West Midlands cannot afford to lose its loudest voice in Andy Street. He has put our part of the world well and truly on the Government’s radar, and if re-elected he will continue to do so. His ambitions for the West Midlands, the Black Country, and Wolverhampton have no limits.
So the local elections in May will be vitally important for Wolverhampton and the wider West Midlands region. There can be no doubt that we have a lot of work to do between now and then, knocking on doors and speaking to voters about the fantastic achievements of Andy Street, and how we have a plan to unleash the potential of our city. As well as getting Brexit done, the Conservatives have a strong message to push locally, and a record of delivery of which we can be proud.


conservativehome--2020-01-29--Select Committee chairmanships announced

The election results for the contested posts for Select Committee chairmen were as follows : The following chairmanships were elected @ @ @ @ @ election results are available here .

The election results for the contested posts for Select Committee chairmen were as follows:
Tobias Ellwood – Defence
Julian Knight – Digital Culture Media and Sport
Philip Dunne – Environmental Audit
Tom Tugendhat – Foreign Affairs
Jeremy Hunt Health and Social Care:
Sarah Champion – International Development:
Angus MacNeil – International Trade
Sir Robert Neill – Justice
Simon Hoare – Northern Ireland Affairs
Catherine McKinnell – Petitions
Karen Bradley – Procedure
William Wragg – Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs
Greg Clark – Science and Technology
Huw Merriman – Transport
Stephen Timms – Work and Pensions
The following chairmanships were elected unopposed:
Ian Mearns – Backbench Business Committee
Meg Hillier – Public Accounts Committee
Rachel Reeves – Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Robert Halfon – Education Select Committee
Neil Parish – Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Hilary Benn – Exiting the European Union Committee
Yvette Cooper – Home Affairs Committee
Clive Betts – Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Pete Wishart – Scottish Affairs Committee
Mel Stride – Treasury Committee
Kate Green – Committee on Standards
Stephen Crabb – Welsh Affairs Committee
Caroline Nokes – Women and Equalities Committee
Details of the election results are available here.


conservativehome--2020-01-29--WATCH: The Brexit Story 15) Ministers pull the meaningful vote, Bercow cuts up rough

“ Deeply discourteous ” for government to halt the # Brexit debate – Commons Speaker John Bercow reacts to delay @ @ @ @ @ & analysis : https : //t.co/x9VUoyYdn8 pic.twitter.com/KgWSGy1ggo

“Deeply discourteous” for government to halt the #Brexit debate – Commons Speaker John Bercow reacts to delay of vote#BrexitVote reaction & analysis: https://t.co/x9VUoyYdn8 pic.twitter.com/KgWSGy1ggo
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) December 10, 2018


conservativehome--2020-01-29--WATCH: The Brexit Story 14) “Vassal state stuff – utterly unacceptable”. Johnson is out early to sav

WATCH: The Brexit Story 14) “Vassal state stuff – utterly unacceptable”. Johnson is out early to savage May’s deal.

“ It ’ s vassal state stuff ” - former foreign secretary Boris Johnson says he will vote against draft @ @ @

“It’s vassal state stuff”- former foreign secretary Boris Johnson says he will vote against draft #Brexit agreement
More: https://t.co/O6t67ucsXP pic.twitter.com/7LiGMVbww6
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) November 13, 2018


conservativehome--2020-01-29--WATCH: The Brexit Story 13) Raab walks

WATCH: The Brexit Story 13) Raab walks

Draft # Brexit deal is “ damaging for the economy but devastating for public trust in our democracy ” – @ @ @ @ @ in his first post resignation interview https : //t.co/8XzgDQyWjI pic.twitter.com/jaQh1AAAjl

Draft #Brexit deal is “damaging for the economy but devastating for public trust in our democracy” – says ex-Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab in his first post resignation interview https://t.co/8XzgDQyWjI pic.twitter.com/jaQh1AAAjl
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) November 15, 2018


conservativehome--2020-01-29--WATCH: The Brexit Story 11) May’s Chequers Plan is agreed. Then Davis and Johnson resign.

“ Crucially what we have agreed is the creation of a UK-EU free trade area ” – UK PM Theresa @ @ @ @ @ # Brexit agreement reached by her cabinet https : //t.co/NIauAFnQ4E pic.twitter.com/4sGNRdSefz

“Crucially what we have agreed is the creation of a UK-EU free trade area” – UK PM Theresa May on “collective” #Brexit agreement reached by her cabinet https://t.co/NIauAFnQ4E pic.twitter.com/4sGNRdSefz
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) July 6, 2018


conservativehome--2020-01-29--WATCH: The Prime Minister urges backing for the US peace plan for the Middle East

President Trump 's `` latest Middle East peace plan is not a peace plan '' says Labour 's Jeremy Corbyn @ @ @ @ @ perfect , but this has the merit of a two-state solution '' says Boris Johnsonhttps @ @ @ @ @

President Trump's "latest Middle East peace plan is not a peace plan" says Labour's Jeremy Corbyn
"No peace plan is perfect, but this has the merit of a two-state solution" says Boris Johnsonhttps://t.co/vhDZ5IE0CU #PMQs pic.twitter.com/j9xh4yiLRM
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) January 29, 2020


conservativehome--2020-01-29--Andrew Gimson’s PMQs sketch: Johnson discovers the merits of brevity, and says nothing against hypoc

Andrew Gimson’s PMQs sketch: Johnson discovers the merits of brevity, and says nothing against hypocrisy

Boris Johnson has discovered the advantages of brevity .
It is not only a good idea , at PMQs , to ask brief questions , which give the PM the minimum time to think .
It is also a good idea for the PM to give brief answers , by saying yes to whatever part of the question lends itself most readily to a whole-hearted affirmative , while ignoring the rest of it .
So when Derek Thomas ( Con , St Ives ) asked to come and see the Prime Minister about the shortage of dentists in Cornwall , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m very happy to meet my honourable friend at any time.
” The dental aspect of the question had been avoided , or postponed , but everyone was happy .
Thomas can tell his constituents he is seeing the PM , and the rest of us have not had our time wasted by hearing Johnson expatiate on the importance he attaches to the welfare of Cornish teeth .
Jeremy Corbyn produced a Tory cheer by declaring , “ This Friday the UK will be leaving the European Union.
” More happily , Corbyn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed , unrealistically , that it was good to avoid hesitation , repetition or deviation .
Caroline Lucas , for the Greens , proceeded to raise the bar to a quite impossible level by demanding an end to hypocrisy .
She said Britain will not be taken seriously until it stops ploughing foreign aid into the development of fossil fuels .
Johnson tacked the easy bit of this , assuring the House that “ not one penny will be going into digging out coal ” .
He said no word about hypocrisy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No politician can avoid the need to don at frequent intervals the mask of virtue , and pretend to an even greater devotion to carbon neutrality , or dental services in Cornwall , than he or she happens at that particular moment to feel .
Siobhan Baillie ( Con , Stroud ) invited Johnson to come and see “ our famous flamboyant flamingos ” at Slimbridge , in her constituency .
This was not a difficult question .
Johnson said he would love to come and see her famous flamboyant flamingos at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PM , who points out when Corbyn is being “ negative ” , but does even that in an almost affectionate manner .
The Speaker , Sir Lindsay Hoyle , delivered a short statement in which he promised , in effect , not to behave like his predecessor , John Bercow , and defy standing orders .
Oh brave new world , that has such people in it .

Boris Johnson has discovered the advantages of brevity. It is not only a good idea, at PMQs, to ask brief questions, which give the PM the minimum time to think.
It is also a good idea for the PM to give brief answers, by saying yes to whatever part of the question lends itself most readily to a whole-hearted affirmative, while ignoring the rest of it.
So when Derek Thomas (Con, St Ives) asked to come and see the Prime Minister about the shortage of dentists in Cornwall, Johnson just replied: “I’m very happy to meet my honourable friend at any time.”
The dental aspect of the question had been avoided, or postponed, but everyone was happy. Thomas can tell his constituents he is seeing the PM, and the rest of us have not had our time wasted by hearing Johnson expatiate on the importance he attaches to the welfare of Cornish teeth.
Jeremy Corbyn produced a Tory cheer by declaring, “This Friday the UK will be leaving the European Union.”
More happily, Corbyn remembered the late Nicholas Parsons. Johnson agreed, unrealistically, that it was good to avoid hesitation, repetition or deviation.
Caroline Lucas, for the Greens, proceeded to raise the bar to a quite impossible level by demanding an end to hypocrisy. She said Britain will not be taken seriously until it stops ploughing foreign aid into the development of fossil fuels.
Johnson tacked the easy bit of this, assuring the House that “not one penny will be going into digging out coal”.
He said no word about hypocrisy, without which politics would become unsustainable. No politician can avoid the need to don at frequent intervals the mask of virtue, and pretend to an even greater devotion to carbon neutrality, or dental services in Cornwall, than he or she happens at that particular moment to feel.
Siobhan Baillie (Con, Stroud) invited Johnson to come and see “our famous flamboyant flamingos” at Slimbridge, in her constituency.
This was not a difficult question. Johnson said he would love to come and see her famous flamboyant flamingos at the earliest opportunity.
Here is a can-do PM, who points out when Corbyn is being “negative”, but does even that in an almost affectionate manner.
The Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, delivered a short statement in which he promised, in effect, not to behave like his predecessor, John Bercow, and defy standing orders.
Oh brave new world, that has such people in it.


conservativehome--2020-01-30--Henry Hill: Johnson’s attacks on the SNP’s record are a welcome shift in strategy

If you have been following the Prime Minister ’ s ongoing stand off with the Scottish National Party – and why wouldn ’ t you be ?
– you might have noticed a marked shift in how the Government is taking the fight to the separatists .
Rather than simply reciting the usual lines about “ our precious Union ” and the fact that the 2014 referendum was supposed to be “ once in a generation ” , Boris Johnson has been repeatedly attacking the Scottish Government ’ s record on bread-and-butter issues such as education and health .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tories have tried to put a spotlight on the poor performance of the devolved administrations .
David Cameron went hard on Welsh Labour ’ s NHS record at the 2015 election , branding Offa ’ s Dyke “ the line between life and death ” .
Michael Gove also tried to contrast Cardiff ’ s dire education performance with the Government ’ s school reform agenda .
But such efforts have previously been infrequent , whereas they now seem to be becoming a more central part of the anti-separatist strategy – a stealthily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welcome .
Unlike straightforward appeals to the Union , attacking the SNP ’ s record in government actually has the potential to reach middle-of-the-road voters who aren ’ t already convinced unionists .
Johnson just won a landslide on the back of a promise to ‘ get Brexit done ’ , and it makes sense for him to try to apply this get-on-with-the-day-job approach to the Scottish question too .
It also creates cover for the Government to start parking its tanks on the Scottish Government ’ s lawn .
In recent years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the devolved administrations to spend public money duplicating reserved functions – such as foreign affairs – whilst fighting tooth and nail against any perceived incursion by Westminster onto ‘ their turf ’ .
See for example the row over the badly-mislabelled “ post-Brexit devolved powers “ .
Yet now we read that the Prime Minister is mulling UK-level policies that at least impact on devolved competencies , such as this story about a new bursary to encourage students to study in different parts of the country and prevent the development of higher education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrangements established by Edinburgh and Cardiff .
If the Government has the will , there is plenty of running to be made here .
Since the advent of devolution in the late 1990s both Wales and Scotland have performed badly in key areas .
The latest evidence bears this out again .
Those responsible are not fond of this being pointed out : when Gove made his above-mentioned intervention a Welsh Labour minister accused him of harbouring “ invincible colonial attitudes ” towards the Principality .
But if we ’ re to stick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role for Westminster in preventing the devolved administrations from marking their own homework .
One of the upsides of the system , in theory , is that it allows different policies to be tried and compared .
Whitehall should be tasked with facilitating that comparison , even – indeed , especially – if this plan is met with outrage in Holyrood and Cardiff Bay .
Establishing a UK-wide set of metrics for assessing outcomes in areas such as health and education , and regularly publishing the figures , would be a good place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be to formally enshrine Parliament as the ultimate guarantor of acceptable public services nationwide , with a remit to step in in the face of persistent failure at the devolved level .
All of this is potentially a serious break from the magical-thinking devolution strategy of the past two decades .
But as I have written elsewhere , that is a very good thing .

If you have been following the Prime Minister’s ongoing stand off with the Scottish National Party – and why wouldn’t you be? – you might have noticed a marked shift in how the Government is taking the fight to the separatists.
Rather than simply reciting the usual lines about “our precious Union” and the fact that the 2014 referendum was supposed to be “once in a generation”, Boris Johnson has been repeatedly attacking the Scottish Government’s record on bread-and-butter issues such as education and health.
This isn’t the first time the Tories have tried to put a spotlight on the poor performance of the devolved administrations. David Cameron went hard on Welsh Labour’s NHS record at the 2015 election, branding Offa’s Dyke “the line between life and death”. Michael Gove also tried to contrast Cardiff’s dire education performance with the Government’s school reform agenda.
But such efforts have previously been infrequent, whereas they now seem to be becoming a more central part of the anti-separatist strategy – a stealthily devo-sceptic note which is both overdue and welcome.
Unlike straightforward appeals to the Union, attacking the SNP’s record in government actually has the potential to reach middle-of-the-road voters who aren’t already convinced unionists. Johnson just won a landslide on the back of a promise to ‘get Brexit done’, and it makes sense for him to try to apply this get-on-with-the-day-job approach to the Scottish question too.
It also creates cover for the Government to start parking its tanks on the Scottish Government’s lawn. In recent years there has been a growing tendency for the devolved administrations to spend public money duplicating reserved functions – such as foreign affairs – whilst fighting tooth and nail against any perceived incursion by Westminster onto ‘their turf’. See for example the row over the badly-mislabelled “post-Brexit devolved powers“.
Yet now we read that the Prime Minister is mulling UK-level policies that at least impact on devolved competencies, such as this story about a new bursary to encourage students to study in different parts of the country and prevent the development of higher education silos via the ‘home tuition’ arrangements established by Edinburgh and Cardiff.
If the Government has the will, there is plenty of running to be made here. Since the advent of devolution in the late 1990s both Wales and Scotland have performed badly in key areas. The latest evidence bears this out again. Those responsible are not fond of this being pointed out: when Gove made his above-mentioned intervention a Welsh Labour minister accused him of harbouring “invincible colonial attitudes” towards the Principality.
But if we’re to stick with devolution, there is an obvious role for Westminster in preventing the devolved administrations from marking their own homework. One of the upsides of the system, in theory, is that it allows different policies to be tried and compared. Whitehall should be tasked with facilitating that comparison, even – indeed, especially – if this plan is met with outrage in Holyrood and Cardiff Bay.
Establishing a UK-wide set of metrics for assessing outcomes in areas such as health and education, and regularly publishing the figures, would be a good place to start. An even bolder development would be to formally enshrine Parliament as the ultimate guarantor of acceptable public services nationwide, with a remit to step in in the face of persistent failure at the devolved level.
All of this is potentially a serious break from the magical-thinking devolution strategy of the past two decades. But as I have written elsewhere, that is a very good thing.


conservativehome--2020-01-30--The calm before the reshuffle? Our first Cabinet League Table of 2020

This is the first Cabinet League Table of 2020 .
It is also very likely the last before the Prime Minister embarks on his next reshuffle .
December saw some stellar scores in the aftermath of that month ’ s general election victory , and it ’ s once again a pretty rosy picture .
Here are a few takeaways : • None No change to the podium .
There has been some inevitable fluctuation in the specific scores but the top spots are still held by Boris Johnson , Sajid Javid , and Michael Gove .
• None Few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Prime Minister might be about to dismiss five female Secretaries of State , we note that only Priti Patel makes the top ten this month .
Expand the selection and only Andrea Leadsom and Liz Truss make the cut in the top twenty .
• None Another bad month for the territorial offices… Both Alister Jack , the Scottish Secretary , and Simon Hart , the Welsh Secretary , are at the bottom of our table for the second month running .
• But Julian Smith has broken out of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the table on the back of his role in getting the Northern Ireland Assembly back up and running .

This is the first Cabinet League Table of 2020. It is also very likely the last before the Prime Minister embarks on his next reshuffle. December saw some stellar scores in the aftermath of that month’s general election victory, and it’s once again a pretty rosy picture. Here are a few takeaways:
No change to the podium. There has been some inevitable fluctuation in the specific scores but the top spots are still held by Boris Johnson, Sajid Javid, and Michael Gove.
There has been some inevitable fluctuation in the specific scores but the top spots are still held by Boris Johnson, Sajid Javid, and Michael Gove. Few women at the top. With rumours that the Prime Minister might be about to dismiss five female Secretaries of State, we note that only Priti Patel makes the top ten this month. Expand the selection and only Andrea Leadsom and Liz Truss make the cut in the top twenty.
With rumours that the Prime Minister might be about to dismiss five female Secretaries of State, we note that only Priti Patel makes the top ten this month. Expand the selection and only Andrea Leadsom and Liz Truss make the cut in the top twenty. Another bad month for the territorial offices… Both Alister Jack, the Scottish Secretary, and Simon Hart, the Welsh Secretary, are at the bottom of our table for the second month running.
Both Alister Jack, the Scottish Secretary, and Simon Hart, the Welsh Secretary, are at the bottom of our table for the second month running. …save for Northern Ireland. But Julian Smith has broken out of that pack, rising to the top half of the table on the back of his role in getting the Northern Ireland Assembly back up and running.