New DUP Leader @J_Donaldson_MP tells the Commons: "I cannot believe the path to reconciliation is made easier when we sacrifice justice."
This is the nub of the argument for many in NI who will oppose this- that the process of reconciliation is abetted by the justice process.
.@StephenFarryMP (Alliance): "These shameful proposals are an insult to all victims and indeed to many veterans who served honourably. They don't draw a line but rather cross a line on justice and the rule of law."
.@BrandonLewis: "The status quo has failed and we need to find a different way forward.”
Mark Francois calls Lewis the “procrastinating SoS...you are the boy who cried wolf once too often. Here’s my question, after four years of this- where’s your bill Brandon?”
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Judging by this speech the danger for the government's levelling up agenda is that it simply becomes a catch all term for govt policy on almost anything. PM just cited spending on crime, on mental health, on community sport all part of levelling up.
"We are literally levelling up funding for primary and secondary education with a higher level of funding per pupil."
So in this case levelling up appears to be a synonym for increasing spending.
But Q is what's distinctive about that for this govt? Why couldn't any govt have described their spending in that way?
Lots of claim and counterclaim at PMQs about exactly what has been said by ministers about the taking of the knee
Therefore worth looking at exactly what ministers and leading politicians have said about it over the past year.
There's no doubt that some Conservative ministers have made clear their dislike of the act over many months.
In 10th June 2020 the PM's spokesperson was asked whether he would take the knee. Response: "All I would say is the PM’s focus is on improving the lives and..."
"...opportunities of BAME people as part of our levelling up agenda."
This was partly in response to Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner taking the knee on 9th June 2020.
.@Ianblackford_MP: “Can the prime minister tell us what sanctions he thinks would be appropriate for someone who publishes racist content...[such as] describing Africans as flag waving piccaninnies with watermelon smiles?”
PM: “I’ve commented many times about the words I’ve said in the past...I think the House understands that you can take things out of context.”
Blackford: “You know still no contrition, still no apology...the legacy of this prime minister’s dog whistling has followed him into 10 Downing St and is now at the heart of this Tory government.”
NEW: Labour Deputy Leader @AngelaRayner on the @NatalieElphicke text: “While the country was commiserating our great team, Tory MPs were sneering at an inspirational player who stepped up to feed hungry kids when they voted to leave them without food...the Nasty Party is back.”
“The question every Tory MP needs to answer is – did they call out these appalling comments? And after his failure to support our players in their stance against racism, Boris Johnson must publicly condemn these disgraceful messages.“
Conservative Chair of the NI Select Committee also weighing in against Elphicke
The atmosphere in Spain for this match is absolutely electric
Completely compensated for by the fact that whenever there’s a goal the Spanish commentator says “Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooal” for about 20 seconds
On holiday for a week but a few quick thoughts about the building safety bill- what it does do and crucially what it doesn't.
First of all in terms of space for litigation it goes further than many had expected.
Campaign groups have also cautiously welcomed the greater...
....accountability the new regulator might offer.
And reforms to building construction, incorporating recommendations made by the Hackitt review will be much welcomed.
But there are some key problems both in terms of the policy particulars and the philosophical approach.
Firstly on litigation
Extending rights on litigation for "substandard work" to 15 years (even though it's applied retrospectively) will do nothing for older buildings. Transport House, a building whose story I've reported on below, would not be covered.