Ian Blackford steps down from position as SNP chief in Westminster
Ian Blackford is stepping down from his position as SNP chief at Westminster however will stay MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, he has introduced.
In a press release, he mentioned:
I’ve in the present day knowledgeable SNP MPs that I can’t be restanding as chief of the Westminster parliamentary group at our AGM subsequent week.
After greater than 5 years within the position, now could be the suitable time for contemporary management at Westminster as we head in the direction of a basic election and the following steps in profitable Scotland’s independence.
Throughout my time as chief, the SNP gained a landslide victory within the 2019 basic election, with an elevated share of the vote and MPs, and assist for independence has continued to develop with polling this week displaying a majority in favour.
Whereas I’m stepping down as Westminster chief, I’ll proceed in my position because the MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, and I’ve additionally accepted a brand new position on the centre of the SNP’s independence marketing campaign, main on enterprise engagement.
I wish to thank our MPs and employees for all their assist over the previous 5 years. Whoever replaces me as Westminster chief may have my full assist as, collectively, we rise up for Scotland’s pursuits and democratic proper to decide on our future in an independence referendum.
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Right here’s the remark from the Scottish Conservatives, which reprises the identical theme as response from different events: that the SNP has been crippled by infighting.
Chairman Craig Hoy MSP mentioned:
Ian Blackford has jumped earlier than he was pushed. His resignation is a complete humiliation for Nicola Sturgeon. She shamefully stood by her Westminster chief earlier this 12 months regardless of his appalling dealing with of the complaints made towards Patrick Grady.
This confirmed a complete lack of judgement by Nicola Sturgeon. Ian Blackford ought to have been sacked instantly for his disgraceful behaviour however he was allowed to remain in put up for a number of months and now will get to dictate the phrases on which he leaves.
It’s clear that not like Nicola Sturgeon, SNP MPs weren’t ready to forgive how Ian Blackford put the wants of the perpetrator above the sufferer who had bravely come ahead on this case. Whoever is elected the following chief of the SNP at Westminster should be certain that by no means occurs once more.
The SNP Westminster group are clearly in a state of disarray and Nicola Sturgeon is quickly dropping her grip over her get together.
Ben Quinn
Away from Westminster, my colleague Ben Quinn has this report from two miles away on the London Meeting.
Misogyny and racism amongst Metropolitan Law enforcement officials is an issue present in “widespread pockets” somewhat than being “pervasive,” the power’s new commissioner has insisted.
Sir Mark Rowley, who was appointed to the highest job in British legislation enforcement in July by promising “pressing reforms” to steer the nation’s largest power out of disaster, informed London Meeting members that public belief within the power was “dented however not damaged” and his management group was “going after” corrupt officers.
He opened a session alongside London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, by paying tribute to the work of hundreds of Met officers, noting that 95 had been assaulted on obligation in London over the previous week alone, however added: “We even have a whole lot of individuals within the organisation letting us down.
“We haven’t been vigorous and clear sufficient in our management and tradition to scale back that downside to an irreducible minimal, and we are going to do. Organising the great officers to succeed is important, as is taking over those that have undermined the belief of the general public by means of their corrupting behaviour,” mentioned Rowley.
Again to the SNP and Ian Blackford’s resolution to step down as Westminster chief for the get together.
Stephen Flynn, the SNP MP for Aberdeen South, is reportedly touted because the “overwhelming favorite” to switch him.
The Nationwide, the pro-independence newspaper, has a profile of the frontrunner right here.
“Sources recommend that Flynn has been manoeuvring “for a while” for a shot on the management position,” the profile suggests. It provides:
Born in Dundee and a graduate of the College of Dundee, Flynn beforehand labored as a political researcher for SNP MPs and MSPs.
The 34-year-old is considerably youthful than Ian Blackford, who turned 61 in Could.
The Day by day Telegraph are reporting that Boris Johnson has informed his native Conservative Social gathering he’ll stand once more as an MP on the subsequent basic election.
The previous prime minister indicated his resolution forward of Monday’s deadline for Tory candidates to tell the get together whether or not they want to contest the ballot, which is predicted to be held in 2024.
The report comes as the federal government braces itself for an exodus of MPs who would somewhat step down than marketing campaign in seats that they consider they’re sure to lose within the face of grim polling for the Conservative get together.
Hiya, Jamie Grierson right here selecting up the weblog whereas Rachel has some lunch.
SNP MPs and their employees are lining up on Twitter to pay tribute to Ian Blackford’s tenure as Westminster chief for the get together.
“Shift” have to be a key phrase within the media strains from SNP HQ…
Responding to the resignation of Ian Blackford as SNP Westminster chief, Liberal Democrat Scottish Affairs spokesperson Christine Jardine MP mentioned:
From his bitter marketing campaign towards Charles Kennedy to his mishandling of sexual harassment allegations towards an SNP MP, it’s clear that Ian Blackford has by no means been match to steer.
He ought to have stepped apart a very long time in the past. It’s been clear that his SNP colleagues have been pushing him to go and the latest failed management problem was only one indication of their dissatisfaction.
Ian Blackford is aware of that the Scottish Liberal Democrats are respiration down his neck in Ross, Skye and Lochaber. Whereas he spends the following two years banging on about breaking apart the UK, we can be laser centered on well being, schooling and the cost-of-living disaster; the problems that actually matter to the individuals of the Highlands.
Blackford was accused of abusing former Lib Dem chief Charles Kennedy, and refused to apologise throughout an look at an Edinburgh fringe occasion in the summertime.
Scottish Labour says Blackford resignation reveals ‘SNP is in complete disarray’
Response to Blackford’s resignation is beginning to filter in.
Listed below are the feedback from Shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray, who says it’s a signal of SNP in-fighting:
The SNP is in complete disarray – the nats are deserting the sinking ship.
Nationalist MPs know Nicola Sturgeon’s plan for a de facto referendum is completed earlier than its even began and are fearful about Labour gaining seats.
Throughout Scotland, Labour is rising in energy each single day.
On the subsequent election, Scots can do extra than simply oppose the Tories, we will change them altogether with a Labour authorities that grows the economic system and creates a fairer, greener future.
Nicola Sturgeon pays tribute to Blackford
Libby Brooks
The Guardian’s Scotland correspondent Libby Brooks has the response from Scotland on Ian Blackford’s resignation.
Commenting on Blackford’s announcement that he won’t be standing once more for chief of the SNP’s Westminster parliamentary group, SNP Chief and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon mentioned:
I wish to pay tribute to Ian Blackford for his 5 years as chief of the SNP’s Westminster group.
He led the group at a time of giant electoral success for the SNP, significantly on the 2019 basic election, and has executed an excellent job in holding the Tory authorities to account and in selling the case for Independence.
I wish to place on report my thanks for Ian’s diligence, tenacity, friendship and loyalty in his time as group Chief. He’ll proceed to play an necessary position as constituency MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, and I’ve additionally requested him to tackle a job as a part of the broader SNP group getting ready the case for Independence.
I sit up for working with Ian’s successor as group chief at Westminster, as we proceed to make the case for the individuals of Scotland to have a democratic alternative on the nation’s future.
Robert Sales space
The Guardian’s social affairs correspondent, Robert Sales space, experiences on the most recent warning from the housing watchdog following the social housing scandal:
The status of social landlords can be “irreparably broken” if they don’t prioritise the usual of housing they supply, the housing watchdog has informed landlords, issuing a brand new warning after the demise of Awaab Ishak on account of mould that on of their principal jobs is “to offer protected, well-maintained properties”.
Bernadette Conroy, chair of the regulator of social housing, informed social landlord bosses in a speech on Thursday:
The significance of the primary of these basic roles has been starkly highlighted by the latest inquest into the tragic and surprising demise of Awaab Ishak [a two year old boy who died of respiratory disease resulting from prolonged exposure to mould in his social housing flat in Rochdale]”. And he or she instructed them to come clean with any breaches of requirements instantly.
She spoke as Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, which had failed to repair the mould in Awaab’s residence, appointed a brand new interim chief government following the sacking of Gareth Swarbrick, the boss in cost when Awaab died in December 2020.
Awaab’s household have known as for your entire management of the social landlord to stop warning “whereas the present board stays, there may be an ever current danger and hazard to Rochdale Boroughwide Housing tenants.”
However the landlord’s chair, Alison Tumilty, stays in place and he or she introduced the appointment of Yvonne Arrowsmith to “ship the standard of properties and companies that our tenants deserve and count on.”
Pippa Crerar
The Guardian’s political editor Pippa Crerar has the complete story to this point on Ian Blackford’s stepping down – one get together insider informed her it was a “generational” situation and there was a “have to look to the long run”.
Rory Carroll
Rory Carroll, the Guardian’s Eire correspondent, has some element on an fascinating report within the Irish Information:
Vladimir Putin met Official IRA representatives throughout two beforehand unreported visits to Northern Eire in the course of the Troubles, it has been claimed.
The then KGB officer was a part of Soviet delegations to Eire that crossed the border and visited Belfast, County Down and County Armagh for a number of days within the spring and summer season of 1986, the Irish Information reported on Thursday.
Citing unnamed former members of the Official IRA, the paper mentioned the delegations met totally different “teams and societies” and that the long run Russian president had a Guinness at a social membership within the Decrease Falls, a west Belfast republican heartland.
The report couldn’t be independently verified.
The Official IRA was a leftwing republican rival to the Provisional IRA. It declared a ceasefire in 1972 however was nonetheless concerned in sporadic violence and feuds throughout the republican motion within the Nineteen Eighties. The Officers had ties to communist governments and left-wing teams.
A few of the Soviet guests used false identities however the delegations notified the UK authorities earlier than crossing into Northern Eire, a supply informed the paper. “It was low key … it was a studying expertise for them.”
Ian Blackford steps down from position as SNP chief in Westminster
Ian Blackford is stepping down from his position as SNP chief at Westminster however will stay MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, he has introduced.
In a press release, he mentioned:
I’ve in the present day knowledgeable SNP MPs that I can’t be restanding as chief of the Westminster parliamentary group at our AGM subsequent week.
After greater than 5 years within the position, now could be the suitable time for contemporary management at Westminster as we head in the direction of a basic election and the following steps in profitable Scotland’s independence.
Throughout my time as chief, the SNP gained a landslide victory within the 2019 basic election, with an elevated share of the vote and MPs, and assist for independence has continued to develop with polling this week displaying a majority in favour.
Whereas I’m stepping down as Westminster chief, I’ll proceed in my position because the MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, and I’ve additionally accepted a brand new position on the centre of the SNP’s independence marketing campaign, main on enterprise engagement.
I wish to thank our MPs and employees for all their assist over the previous 5 years. Whoever replaces me as Westminster chief may have my full assist as, collectively, we rise up for Scotland’s pursuits and democratic proper to decide on our future in an independence referendum.
Labour condemns authorities for blocking anti-VIP lanes modification
Peter Walker
The Guardian’s political correspondent Peter Walker writes about how the federal government is obstructing laws that will stop a repetition of the scandal over the preferential awarding of contracts in the course of the pandemic.
Labour has condemned the federal government for voting down a cross-party opposition modification within the Lords that will have sought to dam the long run use of so-called VIP lanes for suppliers with hyperlinks to MPs or friends.
The modification to the procurement invoice, led by Liberal Democrat peer Lord Scriven, follows revelations about the way in which some suppliers acquired apparently preferential therapy in entry to contracts for protecting tools in the course of the Covid pandemic, amongst a enterprise beneficial by the Tory peer Michelle Mone.
Scriven’s modification sought to bar “any preferential therapy on suppliers linked to or beneficial by members of the Home of Commons or members of the Home of Lords”. In a Lords vote on Wednesday night it was defeated by 220 to 201, with 189 of the opposing votes coming from Conservative friends.
Talking for the federal government within the debate, Cupboard Workplace minister Lucy Neville-Rolfe argued that the modification was not wanted given the procurement invoice already included safeguards towards such potential conflicts of curiosity.
However Florence Eshalomi, a Labour shadow Cupboard Workplace minister, mentioned ministers “merely can’t be trusted at their phrase to say VIP lanes won’t occur once more on their watch”. She mentioned: “They have to clarify why they’ve scrabbled to dam cross-party makes an attempt to shut loopholes in laws which can be nonetheless open for others to take advantage of sooner or later.”
The federal government’s method to the On-line Security Invoice does “completely nothing to sort out the dangerous content material at its root”, Labour has mentioned.
Shadow tradition minister Alex-Davies Jones informed MPs:
The federal government are making an absolute mess of the on-line security invoice. After years of inaction, we now know that the federal government plans as soon as once more to delay this invoice from progressing.
Their method would supposedly give adults larger alternative on-line, but it surely does completely nothing to sort out the dangerous content material at its root. So can the minister affirm whether or not the abhorrent but authorized excessive content material that led to a person to shoot and kill 5 individuals in my honourable buddy, the member for Plymouth and Devonport (Luke Pollard)‘s constituency would nonetheless be accessible to view and share freely on-line beneath the phrases of this invoice?
Tradition secretary Michelle Donelan replied:
Not a single clause on this invoice is definitely altering in relation to kids, it’s being strengthened. In relation to unlawful content material, in fact that’s nonetheless being taken down which the honourable member would know if she learn the stuff that we have now revealed.
We’re additionally introducing a triple protect of defence which was missing earlier than and we have now made the promotion of self hurt and intimate picture abuse an offence, while additionally defending free speech and each alternative. It’s necessary that the opposition do not forget that making a Invoice stronger just isn’t watering down.
Levelling up shouldn’t be about “pitting arts organisations towards one another”, Labour has mentioned.
Shadow tradition minister Barbara Keeley informed the Commons:
All of us assist a fairer distribution of arts funding and the precept that communities outdoors London ought to get a fairer share so that everyone in all places can benefit from the arts.
However levelling up shouldn’t be about pitting arts organisations towards one another. What we have now seen is an try to handle regional disparity by shifting some funding to the areas, however doing so from a funding pot, which has been shrinking since 2010.
So does the minister agree with me that these very brief timeframes and the dearth of session on these cuts to funding might have a really damaging affect on the ecosystem of the humanities?
Tradition minister Stuart Andrew replied:
I’ve to say that London will nonetheless be getting the lion’s share of the funding from the Arts Council. And I make no apology for seeing areas like Blackburn, for instance, that has by no means acquired any funding and now 4 tasks are receiving funding.
Why can’t gifted artists in Blackburn get the identical entry to these alternatives as artists in London? I don’t perceive the issue.
MPs are discussing an pressing query on rail cancellations within the north through which Labour has accused the federal government of systematically permitting rail operators to proceed to offer poor service.
Transport secretary Mark Harper mentioned he wished to take the chance to set out the “disappointment from the federal government on the expertise of many passengers”.
He mentioned:
We recognise the present efficiency just isn’t acceptable and is having a big impact on passengers and the northern economic system.
Two rail companies suppliers are going through issues in the meanwhile: Transpennine Categorical and Avanti.
Transpennine Categorical has been coping with larger than common illness ranges, a withdrawal of the choice for drivers and conductors to work non working days as extra time and strike motion as a part of the RMT dispute. Harper mentioned they have been “enterprise an intense programme of crew coaching to handle the backlog”.
He mentioned Avanti additionally had a scarcity of totally educated drivers, and was struggling to regulate to not with the ability to use extra time to run the timetable to the mutual good thing about employees and operators.
Noting that just about 100 further drivers will enter service this 12 months between April and December and that the businesses are taking “constructive steps to get trains shifting they need to do extra to ship certainty of service”. He mentioned the federal government would maintain them to account for issues inside its management, however some points are the accountability of others.
Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh mentioned rail companies within the north have been “as soon as once more in meltdown”.
She mentioned:
Individuals are reduce out from jobs and alternatives. Traders in Manchester I spoke to are pondering once more about investing within the north.
The harm this fiasco is doing is gigantic.
For months and years [the government] has compelled the north to accept a substandard service, compelled it to just accept delays, cancellations and overcrowding whereas ministers not solely allowed it however truly rewarded the abject failure of those operators. Six years s in the past Transpennine categorical had precisely the identical points as they face in the present day, then as now they blamed it on employees shortages and relaxation day working. They mentioned six years in the past they’d recruit drivers and enhance resilience however right here we’re once more in disaster, and it’s the general public paying the worth.
She requested whether or not the federal government would introduce a binding remedial plan to completely restore companies or face penalties, claw again taxpayer cash paid out in dividends, and whether or not the minister of state was stopping a proposal being reached on relaxation day working.
Harper mentioned the federal government is in talks geared toward working observe reforms which might imply rail operators not have to hunt the approval of their workforce to implement a seven-day working week, and to hurry up the coaching of recent drivers.
He mentioned:
This may’t be unilaterally handled, it requires the settlement of unions to modernise.
YouGov have revealed the outcomes of its newest ballot on voting intention, displaying that assist for the Conservatives has dropped by an additional three share factors, and Labour have dropped by one share level, although the get together retains a robust lead. Rightwing populist get together Reform has gained 4 share factors, although assist stays low, at 9%. The opposite events have stayed secure.
A ballot in Scotland means that extra individuals assist Scottish independence than need to stay a part of the UK.
The analysis discovered that 49% of Scottish respondents mentioned they’d vote Sure and 45% mentioned they’d vote No if there have been to be a referendum tomorrow on whether or not Scotland ought to be an impartial nation, with the rest saying they have no idea.
Redfield & Wilton Methods carried out the ballot on 26-27 November, days after the UK supreme court docket dominated one other independence referendum can’t be held with out Westminster’s consent.
Assist for independence was larger than a comparable ballot on 18 September final 12 months, when 44% of respondents mentioned they’d vote Sure whereas 47% mentioned they’d vote No.
The most recent ballot, of 1,000 Scottish voters, additionally discovered 46% mentioned they’d assist a referendum on Scottish independence being held within the subsequent 12 months, whereas 43% would oppose one, 9% mentioned they’d neither assist nor oppose the prospect, and a pair of% mentioned they didn’t know.
SNP depute chief Keith Brown mentioned:
This ballot reveals rising assist for what the individuals of Scotland expressed within the 2021 election, they need a option to develop into an impartial nation.
The chaos at Westminster in latest months has tanked the UK economic system, accelerated inflation and crippled family budgets with hovering mortgages, all from successive Tory governments that Scotland didn’t elect.
Final week’s ruling confirmed clearly that the UK just isn’t a voluntary union.
In a democracy, it’s proper for the individuals to have their say and neither the Tories or Labour ought to be capable to deny that.
The message to Westminster events now could be clear, Scottish democracy can’t be denied.
Polls open in Chester byelection
Rachel Corridor
Good morning and welcome to the politics weblog in the present day.
The massive politics story in the present day is that the primary Westminster byelection for the reason that resignations of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss and the monetary fallout from the mini-budget takes place in Chester in the present day.
Within the first electoral take a look at for Rishi Sunak, polls within the Metropolis of Chester constituency are open till 10pm tonight to switch Labour MP Chris Matheson, who resigned in October after allegations of sexual misconduct.
Labour, which has a majority of 6,164 votes within the prosperous constituency, is predicted to retain the seat – but it surely’s not a executed deal because the seat, which is without doubt one of the oldest within the UK, has been held by the Conservatives prior to now, most not too long ago in 2010.
Election professional Robert Hayward informed Politico’s Playbook that the Conservatives can be happy to win greater than 20% of the vote, whereas Labour would count on to get above 65% – or no less than 60%.
He mentioned:
It ought to be a really, very snug Labour victory.
The Labour candidate is Samantha Dixon, earlier chief of Cheshire West and Chester council, whereas the Conservatives put up Liz Wardlaw, additionally a neighborhood councillor, and the Lib Dems chosen college trainer and parish councillor Rob Herd. You may see the complete record of candidates right here.
Right here’s what else is going on in the present day:
9.30am: Division for Tradition, Media and Sport questions within the Home of Commons, adopted by Commons chief Penny Mordaunt’s weekly enterprise assertion. Later within the day, MPs will focus on the laws for a invoice which provides Princess Anne and Prince Edward to the record of royals who can deputise for the king. There may also be a backbench-led debate to mark World Aids Day.
10am: The DCMS committee will grill BBC execs together with Director of England Jason Horton on the company’s deep native radio cuts. The Public accounts committee will ask Residence Workplace officers on fraud towards companies and people.
3pm: Tory MP Jackie Doyle-Worth will lead a debate on the worldwide day for the elimination of violence towards ladies and ladies.
Residence secretary Suella Braverman and policing minister Chris Philp may also meet police leaders in Downing Avenue in the present day to debate excessive protest techniques.
I’ll be holding you up to date with all the important thing happenings in Westminster for the remainder of in the present day, however if you happen to assume I’ve missed something do drop me a line at rachel.corridor@theguardian.com.