SUN EXCLUSIVE: Bombshell warning to Boris Johnson from powerful Tories: lift lockdown soon or face leadership threat thesun.co.uk/news/politics/…
Influential backbencher Steve Baker has told colleagues “its inevitable the Prime Minister’s leadership will be on the table" unless lockdown path given. Says: "People are telling me they are losing faith in our Conservative Party leadership.” thesun.co.uk/news/politics/…
“If we continue forward with a strategy that hammers freedom, hammers the private sector, hammers small business owners and hammers the poor, inevitably the PM’s leadership will be on the table: we strongly do not want that after all we have been through as a country.”
Mr Baker raged: “Certain Government scientists have said that the current lockdown could last until late spring. There is no reason to think there will be any real resistance in Cabinet to the argument for greater and longer and more draconian restrictions on the public."
“Government has adopted a strategy devoid of any commitment to liberty without any clarification about when our most basic freedoms will be restored and with no guarantee that they will never be taken away again. "
Adds: “People are telling me they are losing faith in our Conservative Party leadership because they are not standing up for our values as a party."
And a sign off to send a cold chill through Downing Street: “I am sorry to be blunt but if we do not act now, events will become inevitable. For the good of the country please contact the Chief Whip.”
Angela Rayner: “British people need a govt that is committed to defeating this virus and getting Britain vaccinated. Instead, the day after our country recorded the highest daily death toll since this crisis started, the Cons are playing politics and fighting amongst themselves.
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Bleak sounding ring round on British side despite good mood music from M. Barnier. State aid still a major standoff. And no progress on fishing - they're still asking for 8 YEARS transition, meaning 13 years on from Ref, UK still not taken back control - "unreasonable" says PM 1
On State Aid EU want to exempt three quarters of a trillion euro funds the institutions pump across the Continent from any accord. While Britain would be punished for bailing out or subsidising industries, EU would be allowed. "That's not a level playing field" say one source..
Another described the proposed EU terms as "bordering on offensive" and all say the PM cannot sign in its current terms. EU side say State Aid is being "worked through". Pinch of salt? Barnier says deal can be done by Saturday. But UK side highly sceptical of that currently.
Remember all the but it was nothing to do with brexit nonsense last week... UK broke away from the project and was not bound by this bonkers sit and wait for all PR stunt. Also unfortunate the EMA is under staffed and funded after it’s rushed revenge move to Amsterdam post ref.
Last week German MEP Gunnar Beck told sun EU covid response was “slow, expensive, and badly managed. There was no rush to move the EMA out of London...” thesun.co.uk/news/13367605/…
He Added: “In doing so as quickly as possible, they've tied one arm behind their back. Instead they chose to cut off their nose to spite their face and put people at risk." thesun.co.uk/news/13367605/…
Speaking to @TheSun in Estonia, Ben Wallace says:I’ll miss Donald Trump, because he was quite a good friend to Britain. Whatever people think of him, Donald Trump’s position towards the United Kingdom in many areas was totally aligned with us...
... And we should all be grateful or happy when we have a US administration that supports Britain’s interests.”
JUST IN: Defence Sec vows Navy will protect Brit fishermen’s “lawful businesses” after Channel blockade threats... thesun.co.uk/news/13477669/…
Ben Wallace warned Britain was ready for “whatever is the challenge on 1 January” after French fishermen vowed to blockade the Channel if there is No Deal. thesun.co.uk/news/13477669/…
He hit out: “When it comes to a Brexit deal whatever that is, it is no secret that we would use our military to help support in logistics or anything else as required by other departments - we only do things at the request of civilians. If they ask for help we will give it.”
Priti apology: “I am sorry that my behaviour in the past has upset people. It has never been my intention to cause upset to anyone. I am very grateful for the hard work of thousands of civil servants who help to deliver the Government’s agenda.”
Home Office Permanent Secretary Matthew Rycroft said:
“Sir Alex Allan’s findings make difficult reading, including for the Civil Service.”
“The Prime Minister has full confidence in the Home Secretary and considers this matter now closed. He is grateful to the thousands of civil servants working extremely hard to support delivery of the Government’s priorities.” V Allan: