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| Politics live blog + PMQs: Wednesday 29 February | Politics live blog + PMQs: Wednesday 29 February |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| 11.41am: There's a good story on Guido Fawkes' blog. He has posted video of the Lib Dem peer Lady Tonge telling a meeting that Israel "is not going to be there forever" in its present form. Eventually it would lose the support of the Americans, she said. | |
| It will not go on forever. Israel will lose its support and then they will reap what they have sown. | |
| Lib Dem peers don't normally sound like the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. But, after this, Tonge may not be a Lib Dem peer for much longer. | |
| 11.34am: The Ipsos MORI polling figures which I mentioned earlier (see 10.06am) are now on the Ipsos MORI website. Although the headline figures are good for Labour, the findings about Ed Miliband are disappointing for the Labour leader. | |
| Although Labour has regained its lead, Ed Miliband's ratings remain largely unchanged from his worst ever ratings last month. Three in ten (30%) are satisfied with his performance as Leader of the Labour Party and 55% are dissatisfied. However, for the first time in his leadership more Labour supporters are dissatisfied than are satisfied with their leader (48% dissatisfied, 44% satisfied). This is the continuation of a trend we have seen developing ever since his election, of growing numbers of Labour supporters becoming dissatisfied with their leader. David Cameron also experienced negative ratings among Conservatives as Leader of the Opposition, although just for one month before he turned it around. Iain Duncan Smith and William Hague however, went through prolonged periods with negative satisfaction ratings among their own supporters. | |
| 11.22am: Number 10 is now accusing Len McCluskey of being unpatriotic. At the morning lobby briefing, the prime minister's spokesman said the Unite leader's comments about the possibility of strike action during the Olympics were "completely unacceptable and unpatriotic". | |
| 11.07am: You can read all today's Guardian politics stories here. And all the Guardian politics stories filed yesterday, including some in today's paper, are here. | |
| As for the rest of the papers, I've already mentioned the Daily Mail splash about Chris Huhne. (See 10.21am.) Here are some other stories that are particularly interesting. • Christopher Hope and Robert Winnett in the Daily Telegraph say lawyers have threatened a parliamentary committee with "diplomatic repercussions" if it does not remove a document from its website with information about a super-injunction. | |
| Archerfield Partners, a firm of solicitors acting for the ex-wife of an unnamed Asian head of state, made a series of threats against the joint Parliamentary Committee on Privacy and Injunctions, made up of 26 MPs and peers. | |
| The firm asked the MPs and peers to take down a submission from the committee's website "as a matter of extreme urgency" and warned that its continued publication on the committee's website would have diplomatic repercussions. | |
| The attempt to bully the committee threatens to undermine the supremacy of Parliament and follows widespread criticism of British courts for injuncting the publication of information. | |
| The 13-page submission from Channel Islands businessman Mark Burby claimed he had been gagged by the "ex-spouse of an Asian head of state" in a super-injunction in 2009. | |
| • Andrew Grice in the Independent says Ed Miliband will support Nick Clegg's plans for Lords reform in the Commons. | |
| Labour will throw Nick Clegg a lifeline over his trouble-hit plans for an elected House of Lords, which have run into opposition from all three main parties. | |
| Until now, Ed Miliband has refused to endorse the Deputy Prime Minister's blueprint for 80 per cent of the second chamber to be elected on the grounds that Labour supported a wholly-elected Lords at the 2010 election and a referendum on the issue. Labour's hostility led to growing fears among the Liberal Democrats that Mr Clegg's historic shake-up would fall at its first hurdle by being defeated in the Commons by a rebellion by Tory backbenchers and Labour's refusal to support his Bill. | |
| In an important change of heart, Labour will now whip its MPs to ensure that the measure is passed by the Commons, where it will start its passage in the new Parliamentary session starting this spring before being debated by the House of Lords. "We will show some flexibility to make sure the Bill gets to the Lords," one Labour source said yesterday. "We will not die in the ditch for a 100 per cent elected House or a referendum." | |
| • Richard Ford in the Times (paywall) says a report from the Policy Exchange thinktank says police pensions should be made less generous. | |
| One pound in every seven spent on police in England and Wales goes on paying officer pensions, according to a report published today. The overall cost of police pensions has risen to almost £2.5 billion a year as rising life expectancy means officers, who can retire after 30 years' service, are drawing their pensions for longer, according to the report from Policy Exchange. | |
| Edward Boyd, author of the report, said: "A growing pensioner population, primarily down to increased life expectancy coupled with only minimal changes in the retirement age, has increased costs substantially over the last decade." | |
| 11.02am: Even Ken Livingstone is having a go at Len McCluskey this morning over the Olympics strike threat. This is what Livingstone has posted on Twitter. | |
| K: My position is unequivocal, there must be no disruption of the Games from any quarter | K: My position is unequivocal, there must be no disruption of the Games from any quarter |
| 10.46am: And here's Ed Miliband on Twitter on Len McCluskey's Olympics strike threat. | 10.46am: And here's Ed Miliband on Twitter on Len McCluskey's Olympics strike threat. |
| Any threat to the Olympics is totally unacceptable and wrong. This is a celebration for the whole country and must not be disrupted. | Any threat to the Olympics is totally unacceptable and wrong. This is a celebration for the whole country and must not be disrupted. |
| 10.35am: The backlash against Len McCluskey continues. Harriet Harman, Labour's deputy leader, has just told BBC News that she spoke to the Unite leader this morning and told him that she and Ed Miliband thought he was "just plain wrong" to even raise the issue of a strike during the Olympics. | 10.35am: The backlash against Len McCluskey continues. Harriet Harman, Labour's deputy leader, has just told BBC News that she spoke to the Unite leader this morning and told him that she and Ed Miliband thought he was "just plain wrong" to even raise the issue of a strike during the Olympics. |
| 10.21am: Today the Daily Mail is splashing on the news that Chris Huhne is taking the £17,000 pay off that cabinet ministers can claim if they stand down. Huhne is being accused of hypocrisy because he shared a platform with Lady Warsi, the Conservative co-chairman, in 2010 when she said that retiring Labour ministers should forfeit their severance payments. Other Lib Dems have criticised these payments, and David Laws did not take one when he resigned from the cabinet in 2010, but even the Daily Mail's finest haven't been able to find a quote from Huhne himself saying cabinet ministers who stand down shouldn't take the money. | 10.21am: Today the Daily Mail is splashing on the news that Chris Huhne is taking the £17,000 pay off that cabinet ministers can claim if they stand down. Huhne is being accused of hypocrisy because he shared a platform with Lady Warsi, the Conservative co-chairman, in 2010 when she said that retiring Labour ministers should forfeit their severance payments. Other Lib Dems have criticised these payments, and David Laws did not take one when he resigned from the cabinet in 2010, but even the Daily Mail's finest haven't been able to find a quote from Huhne himself saying cabinet ministers who stand down shouldn't take the money. |
| Nick Clegg was asked about this on LBC this morning. He wasn't very supportive. This is what he said about his old rival. | Nick Clegg was asked about this on LBC this morning. He wasn't very supportive. This is what he said about his old rival. |
| It's his decision. It's an individual decision. He's decided to take that severance pay ... It's a decision which he has taken and he has taken alone. | It's his decision. It's an individual decision. He's decided to take that severance pay ... It's a decision which he has taken and he has taken alone. |
| 10.06am: There are two polls around today. For the record, here are the figures. Ipsos MORI | 10.06am: There are two polls around today. For the record, here are the figures. Ipsos MORI |
| Labour: 41% (up 3 from Ipsos MORI last month) Conservatives: 35% (down 3) Lib Dems: 12% (no change) | Labour: 41% (up 3 from Ipsos MORI last month) Conservatives: 35% (down 3) Lib Dems: 12% (no change) |
| Labour lead: 6 points. | Labour lead: 6 points. |
| YouGov | YouGov |
| Conservatives: 40% (up 2 points since YouGov on Monday night) Labour: 39% (down 1) Lib Dems: 9% (no change) | Conservatives: 40% (up 2 points since YouGov on Monday night) Labour: 39% (down 1) Lib Dems: 9% (no change) |
| Conservative lead: 1 point | Conservative lead: 1 point |
| Government approval: -24 | Government approval: -24 |
| 9.33am: Yesterday the Guardian published details of the government's plans to curb the powers of the European court of human rights. On the Today programme this morning Shami Chakrabati (left), director of Liberty, said she was concerned about the plans. I've taken the quotes from PoliticsHome. | 9.33am: Yesterday the Guardian published details of the government's plans to curb the powers of the European court of human rights. On the Today programme this morning Shami Chakrabati (left), director of Liberty, said she was concerned about the plans. I've taken the quotes from PoliticsHome. |
On the one hand – and this is the bit I welcome – the proposals would encourage other countries in the Council of Europe to have a human rights act. The more troubling part of the proposal is to suggest that when member states have done that and when they have a human rights act... they should no longer be effectively subject to the court of human rights. | On the one hand – and this is the bit I welcome – the proposals would encourage other countries in the Council of Europe to have a human rights act. The more troubling part of the proposal is to suggest that when member states have done that and when they have a human rights act... they should no longer be effectively subject to the court of human rights. |
| The danger what that really – the bottom line – is, how do you expect Mr Putin and his government – repeat offenders I might add – how are you going to expect them to subject themselves to court scrutiny if you are not prepared to hold yourself up as well? | The danger what that really – the bottom line – is, how do you expect Mr Putin and his government – repeat offenders I might add – how are you going to expect them to subject themselves to court scrutiny if you are not prepared to hold yourself up as well? |
| On the same programme the Conservative MP Dominic Raab defended the plans. Denying Chakrabati's claim that he was a "human rights sceptic", he said the government's plans were relatively modest. | On the same programme the Conservative MP Dominic Raab defended the plans. Denying Chakrabati's claim that he was a "human rights sceptic", he said the government's plans were relatively modest. |
| From the document the Guardian has produced, the government is asking Strasbourg to do little more than it should already be doing. The Strasbourg court's job is to interpret and apply the law under Article 45 of the convention. It has being engaged in widespread judicial legislation for many years. I think prisoner voting and the Abu Qatada decision are the latest examples of that, and it has got to the point where the Strasbourg court is really itself undermining the rule of law and democratic accountability. | From the document the Guardian has produced, the government is asking Strasbourg to do little more than it should already be doing. The Strasbourg court's job is to interpret and apply the law under Article 45 of the convention. It has being engaged in widespread judicial legislation for many years. I think prisoner voting and the Abu Qatada decision are the latest examples of that, and it has got to the point where the Strasbourg court is really itself undermining the rule of law and democratic accountability. |
| 9.28am: I missed Chris Grayling on Channel 4 News last night, but several people posted comments on my blog late yesterday praising the interview. Channel 4 presented Grayling with a letter implying that the work experience programme was mandatory - not voluntary, as he says it is. You can watch the interview here. | 9.28am: I missed Chris Grayling on Channel 4 News last night, but several people posted comments on my blog late yesterday praising the interview. Channel 4 presented Grayling with a letter implying that the work experience programme was mandatory - not voluntary, as he says it is. You can watch the interview here. |
| 9.10am: Our interview with Len McCluskey, in which he said that unions should consider using strike action during the Olympics as part of their fight against the government's cuts, has certainly shaken things up. McCluskey has now been criticised by all three parties. Here's what Nick Clegg said this morning. | 9.10am: Our interview with Len McCluskey, in which he said that unions should consider using strike action during the Olympics as part of their fight against the government's cuts, has certainly shaken things up. McCluskey has now been criticised by all three parties. Here's what Nick Clegg said this morning. |
I just think people will be gobsmacked, appalled, that someone thinks that at a time when we are finally hosting one of the greatest events in the world, he is calling for civil disobedience. I know he is the sort of paymaster of the Labour Party but I hope Ed Miliband will rein him in. | I just think people will be gobsmacked, appalled, that someone thinks that at a time when we are finally hosting one of the greatest events in the world, he is calling for civil disobedience. I know he is the sort of paymaster of the Labour Party but I hope Ed Miliband will rein him in. |
| Here's what Tessa Jowell, the shadow Olympics minister, said. | Here's what Tessa Jowell, the shadow Olympics minister, said. |
| No one in our country looking forward to the Olympics, no athlete preparing, and none of our thousands of potential visitors, would understand or sympathise with any disruption to the Olympic games. If this is a negotiation it should take place in private. Unions and employers should get together and sort it out without threats or disruption to Britain's Olympics. | No one in our country looking forward to the Olympics, no athlete preparing, and none of our thousands of potential visitors, would understand or sympathise with any disruption to the Olympic games. If this is a negotiation it should take place in private. Unions and employers should get together and sort it out without threats or disruption to Britain's Olympics. |
| And here's what Lady Warsi, the co-chairman of the Conservative party, said last night. | And here's what Lady Warsi, the co-chairman of the Conservative party, said last night. |
| I am shocked that Unite would sink so low as to spoil this great national event for everyone else. Ed Miliband must urgently order his union cronies to rule out disrupting the Olympics. | I am shocked that Unite would sink so low as to spoil this great national event for everyone else. Ed Miliband must urgently order his union cronies to rule out disrupting the Olympics. |
| Do read the interview in full. It's not just about the Olympics, and he has lots of interesting things to say about Unite's relationship with Labour. I expect we'll here more about it at PMQs. | Do read the interview in full. It's not just about the Olympics, and he has lots of interesting things to say about Unite's relationship with Labour. I expect we'll here more about it at PMQs. |
| Here's the agenda for the day. | Here's the agenda for the day. |
| 9.30am: Sir Michael Wilshaw, the Ofsted chief inspector, gives evidence to the Commons education committee. | 9.30am: Sir Michael Wilshaw, the Ofsted chief inspector, gives evidence to the Commons education committee. |
| 9.45am: Sir Mervyn King, governor of the Bank of England, gives evidence to the Commons Treasury committee about the Bank's latest inflation report. | 9.45am: Sir Mervyn King, governor of the Bank of England, gives evidence to the Commons Treasury committee about the Bank's latest inflation report. |
| 10am: Detective Superintendent Philip Williams, who led Scotland Yard's original phone-hacking investigation, gives evidence to the Leveson Inquiry. Detective Inspector Mark Maberly and Detective Chief Superintendent Keith Surtees are also appearing. | 10am: Detective Superintendent Philip Williams, who led Scotland Yard's original phone-hacking investigation, gives evidence to the Leveson Inquiry. Detective Inspector Mark Maberly and Detective Chief Superintendent Keith Surtees are also appearing. |
| 10am: Vince Cable, the business secretary, takes part in a debate on the impact of immigration policy on universities at Telford Theatre. | 10am: Vince Cable, the business secretary, takes part in a debate on the impact of immigration policy on universities at Telford Theatre. |
| 12pm: David Cameron and Ed Miliband clash at PMQs. | 12pm: David Cameron and Ed Miliband clash at PMQs. |
| 12.30pm: MPs debate the legality of the Eurozone treaty in an emergency debate held at the request of the Conservative MP Bill Cash. | 12.30pm: MPs debate the legality of the Eurozone treaty in an emergency debate held at the request of the Conservative MP Bill Cash. |
| 1pm: Oliver Letwin, the Cabinet Office minister, and Chloe Smith, the Treasury minister, give evidence to the Commons environment committee on the natural environment white paper. 2.30pm: Kenny MacAskill, the Scottish justice secretary, takes questions in the Scottish parliament about allegations that he urged the Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, to drop his appeal to increase his chances of being released from jail on compassionate grounds. | 1pm: Oliver Letwin, the Cabinet Office minister, and Chloe Smith, the Treasury minister, give evidence to the Commons environment committee on the natural environment white paper. 2.30pm: Kenny MacAskill, the Scottish justice secretary, takes questions in the Scottish parliament about allegations that he urged the Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, to drop his appeal to increase his chances of being released from jail on compassionate grounds. |
| From 3.30pm: Peers resume their debate on the health bill. | From 3.30pm: Peers resume their debate on the health bill. |
| 4pm: Tom Watson holds a debate in Westminster Hall on the death of Daniel Morgan - a case linked with the phone hacking scandal. | 4pm: Tom Watson holds a debate in Westminster Hall on the death of Daniel Morgan - a case linked with the phone hacking scandal. |
| Today we've also got Francois Hollande, the Socialist candidate in the French presidential elections, visiting London. He's meeting Miliband but not Cameron. And Chris Grayling, the employment minister, is hosting a meeting with employers involved in the government's work experience scheme to reassure them their reputations will not be damaged if they take on the young unemployed. | Today we've also got Francois Hollande, the Socialist candidate in the French presidential elections, visiting London. He's meeting Miliband but not Cameron. And Chris Grayling, the employment minister, is hosting a meeting with employers involved in the government's work experience scheme to reassure them their reputations will not be damaged if they take on the young unemployed. |
| I've got to finish after PMQs. My colleague Hélène Mulholland will be taking over the blog for the rest of the day. | I've got to finish after PMQs. My colleague Hélène Mulholland will be taking over the blog for the rest of the day. |
| If you want to follow me on Twitter, I'm on @AndrewSparrow. | If you want to follow me on Twitter, I'm on @AndrewSparrow. |
| And if you're a hardcore fan, you can follow @gdnpoliticslive. It's an automated feed that tweets the start of every new post that I put on the blog. | And if you're a hardcore fan, you can follow @gdnpoliticslive. It's an automated feed that tweets the start of every new post that I put on the blog. |