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Beth Rigby

@BethRigby

11 Nov

Why is the Cain resignation so fascinating? Because it speaks to wider question of the changing of guard within No 10. Has PM now come to end of road with his Vote Leave team? 1/

A senior govt figure told me tonight on the Q of whether Cummings might decide too to go with his close ally Cain: “We can live without Dom” > this is the view of course of many many of Johnson’s MPs and senior ministers 2/

I’m also told by a senior govt figure that the PM wanted to change the mood within a No 10 and govt growing evermore in opposition to his party. Allegra Stratton appointment as press secretary (made by PM directly) spoke to that - and was not welcomed by Cain 3/

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Beth Rigby

@BethRigby

10 Nov

ANALYSIS From Trump’s Brexit-backing, Johnson back-slapping White House to v different administration under Biden. Will the change put squeeze on PM’s Brexit plan? Insiders admit the short-term politics may be bumpy but Biden win better than Trump 2nd term news.sky.com/story/will-joe…

On Brexit negotiations, govt insiders clear that Biden win (and implications for the IMB, US-UK trade deal if No Deal with EU) don’t change strategy and UK has to have trade deal that works for it ‘home & aboard’ (has to be able to sell to domestic audience) 2/

But picked up view too at top of govt that Biden win does change the impetus for EU/UK deal. Two senior sources telling me think it makes it ‘more likely’ - more stability/predictability and the Trump ‘distraction’ (UK plan B?) gone 3/

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Beth Rigby

@BethRigby

20 Oct

On failure to reach a deal from GM perspective: Govt set the limit at £60m because then the extra GM funding wld be equivalent to that of Lancashire (based on population). PM said he most he could do was £60m despite Burnham being clear £65m was absolute minimum he’d need 1/

GM leaders calculated that to provide 80% furlough scheme & 80% self employed support until end of financial year, they’d need £90m (£15m/month). That was the ask. Came down to £75m. But calculated £65m was absolute minimum required & anything less would leave GM underfunded. 2/

On the talks. PM offered £60m and asked Burnham to put that to the rest of the GM leaders. Explained position and the GM leaders supported Burnham position. The second phone call between PM & Burnham didn’t happen 3/

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Beth Rigby

@BethRigby

19 Oct

EU-UK talks from UK perspective.
1/ On the process: EU clearly stated today it wants to ‘intensify’ negotiations and work on legal texts - something UK has been pressing for for weeks.This is ‘not unhelpful’ 1/

On the substance. UK view is that EU think any compromise just come from UK, that it is the ‘minor partner’. But this a negotiation and compromise must come from both sides. And refusal to budge on outstanding issues (state aid/fishing) is not basis for talks 2/

As for details of talks
- State Aid: Had movement on both sides. Agreed to principle of independent authority to adjudicate rules. EU rowing back on that *but is landing zone*
- Fishing: “Still acres apart” says govt fig close to talks. Macron ‘leading charge & pretty robust’ 4/

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Beth Rigby

@BethRigby

29 May

https://twitter.com/bbchughpym/status/1266415902813302790

I was surprised when Vallance spoke of 8,000 new infections-a-day in the context of PM’s remarks on lifting lockdown, given that the lower the rate of new cases, the more effective track & trace

https://twitter.com/bbchughpym/status/1266415902813302790

I asked Hancock & Vallace about track/trace & whether govt wanted to drive down cases or allow tolerable level of transmission in community on Apr 23. Vallance said gives govt advice on what rate of new cases needed for track/trace to work. But didn’t disclose it

And this is what Hancock said on track and trace in context of new cases. (Full transcript of press conference if you want to read in full rev.com/blog/transcrip…)

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Beth Rigby

@BethRigby

27 May

NEW: Told that deputy chief whip Stuart Andrew had a Zoom call with new intake today. Told scores of MPs attended. Told MPs critical of No 10’s handling of the Cummings affair. Call last over an hour 1/

Told by an MP who was on call that colleagues has made it clear to DCW if anything else came out or something was wrong in statement Cummings made on Monday, he would have to go or be sacked 2/

@tamcohen

But also told that there were “very few” MPs who called for him to go. MP (who very unhappy) told me there’s a feeling now that the damage is already done. @tamcohen reported on Sat that 2019 intake were “absolutely livid” but only 2 have publicly since called for DC to resign 3/

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