Latest news with #ConservativeMPs
The Independent
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Only Nigel Farage benefits from another ‘summer of riots'
"We must not let Reform dominate the summer," Kemi Badenoch told Conservative MPs in an end-of-term pep talk. True, she grabbed some headlines with a limited shadow cabinet reshuffle, but so far, Reform UK is dominating the summer. Other carefully constructed Tory initiatives go largely unreported, to the party's frustration, while Nigel Farage makes news with that smirk or by raising an eyebrow. He is now widening his pitch beyond immigration, which he has banked as a vote-winner, and will campaign on law and order over the summer. His pledge to halve crime at a cost of £17bn doesn't add up. But it still garnered positive headlines; Reform is judged by different standards to rival parties. It is now seen as the best party on handling law and order. Farage got lucky with his timing. Yesterday's Daily Mail front page, on his crime campaign, was manna from heaven: 'Britain is facing societal collapse, warns Farage.' His backing of the protests outside an asylum hotel in Epping, Essex – and his dismissal of those arrested as 'a few bad eggs' – might have been attacked by other parties in normal times. But deputy prime minister Angela Rayner made a highly significant intervention at yesterday's cabinet meeting, warning that Britain could face a repeat of the riots almost a year ago unless the government addresses people's concerns, and that immigration is having 'a profound impact on society'. It seemed to validate Farage's warning of 'civil disobedience on a vast scale', and sparking fears of another summer of violence. Downing Street's briefings on cabinet meetings are normally as dry as dust. Its release of the deputy prime minister's remarks tells us that the government does not want to look flat-flooted and not 'in control' if there is more civil unrest this summer. Nor can Labour allow Farage a monopoly on proposals to crack down on illegal migration. Hence today's announcement of a deal between the government and food delivery companies to tackle hotspots of illegal working, sometimes near asylum hotels. 'This is a pull factor for migrants crossing the Channel,' one government insider admitted. On other issues, Reform has been less lucky. It sometimes shoots from the lip without thinking things through. Richard Tice, its deputy leader, sent shockwaves through industry by suggesting the party would scrap renewable energy contracts if it wins power, before half-retreating and saying a Reform government would oppose 'any form of variation' to the contracts. Labour warned that one million jobs would be at risk from Reform's plan. Tice temporarily forgot his party's pitch to the red wall: left on economics and right on social issues. He appeared to translate people's concerns about the cost to them of net zero measures like heat pumps and electric cars into opposition to climate change measures. In fact, a majority of Reform supporters back policies to combat climate change. With Reform consistently ahead in the opinion polls, the business world must take Farage seriously as a future prime minister, but its attempts to engage with his party are proving difficult. Business wants to know about Reform's policies, but the party has no formal policy-making process. As with his pal Donald Trump, policy seems to be whatever Farage thinks when he wakes up in the morning or announces on the hoof. "Policy is what Farage says – everything is decided by him," one business figure told me. 'It's hard to work out what is just another headline and a serious policy.' Farage has started to hold business round-tables. "Everyone gets a bit p***ed, but we don't learn much," another company executive said. How will Reform deliver its pledge to raise the personal tax allowance from £12,570 to £20,000 at a cost of between £50bn and £80bn? We don't know. Will this promise survive a rigorous policy process than the grown-ups in Reform know the party needs? Such fantasy economics, based on deep spending cuts – with Reform sometimes pledging to spend the same billions of savings more than once – are Farage's Achilles heel. That's what other parties should target. "Farage is a vibe," one minister said, 'it's hard to attack a vibe.' But the other parties need to find a way. For now, many voters are not bothered about whether Reform's sums add up. The public will have a free hit at next May's elections to English local authorities, including London and Birmingham, and the Scottish and Welsh parliaments. That is bad news for both Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch, whose leadership will come under pressure if their parties do badly, as they probably will. But voters will care about the detail of Reform's economic pitch when they come to choose a government at the next general election. A vibe will not be enough.
CTV News
21-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Conservative MPs publicly support ‘Freedom Convoy' organizers ahead of sentencing
Tamara Lich leaves the courthouse in Ottawa after the verdict was delivered in her trial with fellow Freedom Convoy organizer Chris Barber, on Thursday, April 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang OTTAWA — Several Conservative MPs are criticizing the Crown's approach to prosecuting two key organizers of the 'Freedom Convoy' protests, with the party's deputy leader calling it an act of 'political vengeance.' Tamara Lich and Chris Barber were convicted of mischief in April for their roles in organizing the demonstration, which blockaded streets around Parliament Hill for more than three weeks in early 2022. Lich has posted on social media that the Crown is seeking a sentence of seven years for her and eight years for Barber. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre posted on X today comparing the proposed sentences to other offences that came with less severe punishments, asking, 'How is this justice?' Let's get this straight: while rampant violent offenders are released hours after their most recent charges & antisemitic rioters vandalize businesses, terrorize daycares & block traffic without consequences, the Crown wants 7 years prison time for the charge of mischief for Lich… — Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) July 21, 2025 In her own social media post, deputy leader Melissa Lantsman calls the Crown's approach 'political vengeance and not actual justice,' while Conservative MP Andrew Lawton says it's 'excessive and vindictive.' Yup. Violent criminals are back on the streets in hours. Antisemitic mobs block traffic, intimidate families, and trash businesses with zero consequences. Meanwhile, the Crown wants 7 and 8-year prison sentences—over a non-violent protest from 3 years ago. If the Crown suddenly… — Melissa Lantsman (@MelissaLantsman) July 21, 2025 The judge in the case is set to announce the sentences on Wednesday, after taking into account submissions from the Crown and the defence. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 21, 2025 Sarah Ritchie and Craig Lord, The Canadian Press
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked audio of CBC disciplinary meeting with former TV host Travis Dhanraj
A leaked audio recording of an internal CBC disciplinary meeting for a national news anchor reveals the public broadcaster's tension over its policies on journalistic standards and freedom clashing with protecting its corporate image. Travis Dhanraj, once the host of a CBC television news show called Canada Tonight with Travis Dhanraj, resigned earlier this month with fiery letters accusing the CBC of 'tokenism masquerading as diversity, problematic political coverage protocols, and the erosion of editorial independence.' His letters, one to CBC leadership and another to CBC colleagues, were made public and created controversy, including over perceived political imbalance in news coverage at the publicly funded broadcaster. Last week, Conservative Members of Parliament called for a public hearing into Dhanraj's 'damning allegations' on workplace culture and biased reporting. CBC has denied Dhanraj's criticisms made in his letters. More than a year before his still reverberating resignation, however, a disciplinary meeting for Dhanraj was convened by CBC shortly after he made a social media post on April 19, 2024. His post on X said: 'At a time when the public broadcaster is under increasing scrutiny and when transparency is needed.' CBC's president Catherine Tait had been asked to appear on his show. 'We wanted to discuss new budget funding, what it means for jobs & the corporation's strategic priorities ahead. Our request was declined. This is unfortunate.' The disciplinary meeting preceded his removal from on-air duties for the CBC News Network show that bore his name. Dhanraj declined to comment on the recording or the meeting, referring questions to his lawyer, Kathryn Marshall. Marshall confirmed the recording National Post has is an authentic portion of a longer disciplinary meeting between Dhanraj and CBC officials. CBC did not dispute the disciplinary meeting or recording. The CBC manager speaking in the recording is identified as Andree Lau, senior director of digital publishing and streaming. Lau's LinkedIn page describes her job as overseeing the strategic and editorial direction of CBC News Network as well as other CBC news properties. In the recording she appears to equate a CBC journalist reporting something critical about the CBC with a potential breach of journalistic conflict of interest ethics, on the grounds that a CBC journalist has a personal stake in the broadcaster's success. The recording excerpt begins with Dhanraj explaining the circumstances of his post about Tait. 'The new budget funding was publicly put out in the budget on Tuesday. It was widely reported on, by not only CBC but other broadcasters. There is nothing in the tweet that is insider information,' Dhanraj says. Lau replies: 'With exception of a unionized employee criticizing their employer; that is an employee who has a personal stake in the matter whose job is part of it…. The issue is, you know, does this post meet the standards of integrity, does it meet the conflict of interest under code of conduct.' Dhanraj says: 'I firmly stand by the fact that it does.' Asks Lau: 'Do you understand the concern with this post as it relates to the principle of integrity?' Dhanraj: 'No, I really don't. I don't, and again, Andree, I find it problematic that we are in a meeting where we are discussing something that is in the interests of the corporation. So, I, I'm not seeing the separation right now between the journalism and the interest of the corporation. I see how it would be in the interest of the corporation for this tweet not to be out, but I don't see how, journalistically, it's not sound…' An unidentified union representative then asks for context on how the appearance request to Tait came about. 'I didn't watch the show that night,' he says. 'We had an editorial discussion,' Dhanraj says, 'as to whether or not now was the correct time, since there was a development, a significant development with the release of the federal budget and the new money, to put a request in for Catherine Tait. We had been discussing putting a request in for some time and we thought there was a news hook to it because of the new development….' I find it problematic that we are in a meeting where we are discussing something that is in the interests of the corporation Lau: '… What is your understanding of the protocol and considerations when CBC journalists are covering the CBC?' 'It, it's the J.S.P. statement again,' Dhanraj says, likely referencing CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. 'Clear editorial separation,' Lau says. Dhanraj: 'So those who have the interest of the corporation should not be influencing reporters.' Lau: 'Yes.' Dhanraj: 'And if that is happening, well, that kind of goes against some core fundamentals of the public broadcaster.' Lau then says there are other aspects of the JSP involved. In a sentence in which some words are unclear on the recording, she says 'the principle of integrity and the perception of who has a stake in the matter,' finishing with 'perceived impartiality because, as I mentioned, you are an employee, and you are criticizing your employer.' The Post does not have a recording of the entire meeting. Chuck Thompson, CBC's head of public affairs, said the meeting was about more than just Dhanraj's social media post, for which Dhanraj was 'never formally disciplined for.' 'The discussions in April with Mr. Dhanraj were about a range of issues outside the tweet; there was a particular emphasis on CBC News policies about conflicts of interest, violations of journalistic standards and protocols on how we report on ourselves. 'Mr. Dhanraj violated these policies and was asked about them by his manager with his union representative present. He also secretly recorded the meeting after agreeing not to,' Thompson said. Lau could not be reached for comment prior to publication. An email sent to her on Friday was returned with an automated out of office message; a detailed message to her cell phone was not responded to. A CBC official had said they would alert Lau to the Post's request. Marshall, Dhanraj's lawyer, said what is heard in the recording is 'disturbing.' 'It shows that Travis was intimidated for simply doing his job as a journalist. He was hauled into a meeting with human resources, his boss, and the union. The purpose of the meeting, I think, was to intimidate him, scare him and pressure him, making it clear to him that he's not to do that, that he is not to post anything or say anything as a journalist that could be embarrassing to the public broadcaster,' Marshall said. 'This is deeply concerning. I think it demonstrates that CBC, in that moment, was far more interested in preserving its own reputation than allowing their journalists to do their jobs.' 'It shows that the CBC corporation has a disturbing level of control over their journalists and is involved in the types of stories that the journalists are covering or not covering. I think that speaks to significant concerns of bias and a lack of objectivity within the corporation.' Thompson said late Friday that Dhanraj is still a CBC employee although currently on leave. Marshall said CBC has still not accepted Dhanraj's resignation despite him voicing his clear intent and, in fact, are still paying him. 'I want to be very clear: The CBC doesn't get to hold him hostage. This is a free country. He's allowed to resign.' Marshall said Dhanraj is pressing a human rights lawsuit against CBC over his departure. • Email: ahumphreys@ | X: AD_Humphreys CBC host resigns, saying he could not continue at public broadcaster 'with integrity' Conservatives call for investigation into CBC after journalist resigns over 'performative diversity, tokenism' Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
National Post
21-07-2025
- Politics
- National Post
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked audio of CBC disciplinary meeting with former TV host Travis Dhanraj
A leaked audio recording of an internal CBC disciplinary meeting for a national news anchor reveals the public broadcaster's tension over its policies on journalistic standards and freedom clashing with protecting its corporate image. Article content Travis Dhanraj, once the host of a CBC television news show called Canada Tonight with Travis Dhanraj, resigned earlier this month with fiery letters accusing the CBC of 'tokenism masquerading as diversity, problematic political coverage protocols, and the erosion of editorial independence.' Article content Article content His letters, one to CBC leadership and another to CBC colleagues, were made public and created controversy, including over perceived political imbalance in news coverage at the publicly funded broadcaster. Last week, Conservative Members of Parliament called for a public hearing into Dhanraj's 'damning allegations' on workplace culture and biased reporting. Article content Article content More than a year before his still reverberating resignation, however, a disciplinary meeting for Dhanraj was convened by CBC shortly after he made a social media post on April 19, 2024. His post on X said: 'At a time when the public broadcaster is under increasing scrutiny and when transparency is needed.' CBC's president Catherine Tait had been asked to appear on his show. 'We wanted to discuss new budget funding, what it means for jobs & the corporation's strategic priorities ahead. Our request was declined. This is unfortunate.' Article content At a time when the public broadcaster is under increasing scrutiny and when transparency is needed, #CanadaTonight requested an intvu w/ @PresidentCBCRC Catherine Tait. We wanted to discuss new budget funding, what it means for jobs & the corporation's strategic priorities ahead.… — Travis Dhanraj (@Travisdhanraj) April 19, 2024 Article content Article content The disciplinary meeting preceded his removal from on-air duties for the CBC News Network show that bore his name. Article content Article content Dhanraj declined to comment on the recording or the meeting, referring questions to his lawyer, Kathryn Marshall. Marshall confirmed the recording National Post has is an authentic portion of a longer disciplinary meeting between Dhanraj and CBC officials. Article content The CBC manager speaking in the recording is identified as Andree Lau, senior director of digital publishing and streaming. Lau's LinkedIn page describes her job as overseeing the strategic and editorial direction of CBC News Network as well as other CBC news properties. Article content In the recording she appears to equate a CBC journalist reporting something critical about the CBC with a potential breach of journalistic conflict of interest ethics, on the grounds that a CBC journalist has a personal stake in the broadcaster's success.
The Sun
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Nigel Farage reveals Reform UK speaking to ‘a few' sitting Tory MPs about defecting
NIGEL Farage has revealed that Reform UK has been speaking to 'a few' sitting Conservative MPs about defecting. The party's leader said an unspecified number were 'sort of watching and waiting'. 2 It comes after we revealed that ex-Conservative Party chairman Sir Jake Berry was joining Reform. But Mr Farage insisted he would not allow it to become the 'Tory Party 2.0'. He said: 'We have to be selective. We're our own unique brand and we're also getting a lot of Labour activists and one or two Labour councillors. "So there's a balance here that needs to be struck.' Sir Jake was the second ex-Cabinet Minister this week to join Reform after the former Welsh Secretary David Jones. Blasting defectors, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'A lot of people come into politics just to play the game of politics. "They will follow polls and defect wherever they can, like they do in banana republics, to wherever they think they can win.' In a message to would-be turncoats, she said: 'All those who are not interested in coming up with a proper policy plan and just want to jump ship are welcome to do so.'
