Time for a Cross-Party Strategy to Unleash Rural Economic Potential?
As we kick off another Party Conference season, it’s worth taking a closer look at what the Conservatives, Labour, and Liberal Democrats are saying about the state of the rural economy. While there’s some common ground, such as recognising the value of farmers for both food production and environmental management, each party has its unique […]
Local Election Lookahead – JBP Analysis
A general consensus has gripped Westminster that – whisper it – Rishi Sunak may be quite a competent Prime Minister. Though he has some way to go to resuscitate his Party’s prospects for a General Election, Sunak has broadly kept his still fresh Downing Street operation away from scandal, whilst ticking off a number of […]
If we are to bridge the digital divide in the UK, Government must remain committed to competition in the market
Perception is important. At a recent appearance before the House of Lord Digital and Communication Committee, Baroness Featherstone remarked she that she had never heard of Altnets. Lady Featherstone was questioning Helen Wylde the CEO of Alternative Network Provider, Wildanet, who was giving evidence to their inquiry on digital exclusion and the cost of living. […]
JBP Analysis: Spring Budget 2023
A Budget for Growth? Key Points: At a first glance, Jeremy Hunt will be satisfied with his first full Budget – pitched as a Budget for Growth, whilst attempting to calm the turbulence the UK economy is still experiencing. The headline figures from the IMF and OBR will calm fears amongst Government more than anything […]
Hunt goes for the nuclear option
Yesterday, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt delivered the highly anticipated Spring Budget. This budget is the direct successor to Hunt’s autumn statement, and (almost) everyone throughout Westminster will be happy to see that it showed a significantly better economic outlook than most would have dared to predict a few short months ago. Forecasts that […]
Russian aggression and changes to travel list
Travel list changes Next week an updated travel list will be published. The list is expected to contain some new additions to the green list; Malta, Madeira and the Balearic Islands. Good news for Brits looking for some summer sun. Due to an increase in the spread of the Delta variant, Israel is also expected […]
Liberal Democrats gain surprise victory in Blue Wall
Liberal Democrats win Chesham and Amersham by-election The Liberal Democrats have won the Chesham and Amersham by-election, held after the death of incumbent MP Dame Cheryl Gillan. The seat had been Conservative since its creation in 1974 and the Party were expected to hold it, albeit with a reduced majority. Since 1974, the Tory majority […]
Biden and Boris meet whilst Hancock takes the heat
BoJo and JoBi Today marks the first official meeting of Boris Johnson and the new US President Joe Biden. They meet at the much anticipated G7 conference being held in the Cornish seaside town of St. Ives. The pair are set to elbow bump their way to a proposed ‘Atlantic Charter’. The Charter has been […]
Covid Qualms, G7 and Flight of the Concordes
Covid Qualms In recent days Boris Johnson has come under increasing pressure to delay the easing of lockdown, which has been scheduled for the 21st June. The UK wide R number, which is critical to understanding the growth of the virus, has risen, suggesting the virus is circulating more freely in society. Public Health England also announced on Twitter that […]
Discord in Downing Street and over Europe
Dominic Cummings Boris Johnson’s former special adviser, Dominic Cummings, was called to give evidence on the government’s handling of the pandemic by the science and health joint committee. In his evidence, he claimed Health Secretary Matt Hancock should have been fired for ’15 or 20 things’, including for lying to the PM and then Cabinet […]