"We're not here to be a shadow Tory Party. We're not."
What is Prosper UK and what is it trying to do? For the latest issue of @thehousemag.bsky.social, I went to Newbury to find out
@noahvickers.bsky.socialNoah Vickers
@noahvickers.bsky.social
Journalist @TheHouseMag.bsky.social | Previously reported for @theLondonStandard.bsky.social and @EDP24.bsky.social [email protected]
@noahvickers.bsky.social
@politicshome.bsky.socialReposted by @noahvickers.bsky.socialSenior London Conservatives have called for a “conversation” about scrapping Sadiq Khan’s free school meal programme if the party wins the mayoral election in 2028 "Nothing’s free – those are taxpayer-funded meals," Emma Best, deputy leader of City Hall Tories, said at the party's conference
@noahvickers.bsky.socialA source close to the mayor responds: "It's staggering that the Tories want to take away free school meals from London's children... "Almost 130m meals have been delivered since the programme began in 2023, saving families up to £1,500 per child over the last three years."
@noahvickers.bsky.socialNEW: London Conservatives call for 'conversation' on whether to scrap Sadiq Khan's free school meals programme if they win City Hall in 2028
@noahvickers.bsky.socialMeet Parliament's newest Conservative MP: Douglas Lumsden (Aberdeen South).
A backer of the oil and gas industry, Lumsden says he won't be satisfied by govt approving Rosebank and Jackdaw alone - and calls for 100+ further North Sea projects to get going
@noahvickers.bsky.social"We’re certainly in multi-party politics for the time being and my suspicion is that that isn’t going to settle down just yet."
My @thehousemag.bsky.social cover interview with Conservative deputy leader Alex Burghart:
@politicshome.bsky.socialReposted by @noahvickers.bsky.socialLib Dems go soul searching in Brighton
While Ed Davey's position as leader is secure, he is under pressure to provide a clearer answer to the question that dominated the party's conference: what, and who, are the Lib Dems for?
@noahvickers.bsky.socialVery fun 👇
MP Recall 🏛️
I named 61/649 current MPs in five minutes.
🟥 31/403 LAB
🟦 14/118 CON
🟧 12/71 LD
🩵 3/8 REF
🟢 1/5 GRN
Can you beat me? toys.jamesomalley.co.uk/mprecall/
@noahvickers.bsky.socialRob Blackie, running for the Lib Dem London mayor candidacy, was “disappointed by our pledge of tax cuts – which is not realistically possible given rising interest rates and the need to spend more money on cutting crime, the NHS and tackling climate change”
@noahvickers.bsky.socialEd Davey's conference speech gets mixed reception. One MP says it was "probably his best to date", another remains frustrated by the "cautious step-by-step approach to the next election"
@noahvickers.bsky.socialLib Dems striking a contrast with Reform's recent "mega-donations" by handing out big orange buckets to be passed around the conference hall for loose change donations, church pew style...
@noahvickers.bsky.socialAs Lib Dem conference begins, my latest feature for @thehousemag.bsky.social explores the party's struggle to break through in England's biggest cities, amidst wider questions over the party's future strategy
@noahvickers.bsky.socialExcl: In a new essay for @compassoffice.bsky.social, Lib Dem MP Roz Savage warns her party is "struggling for relevance" and needs "to take a long hard look at ourselves"
@politicshome.bsky.socialReposted by @noahvickers.bsky.social🔶 Lib Dem MP Roz Savage has warned her party is “struggling for relevance” and said liberals must “rediscover” their “insurgent spirit”
@noahvickers.bsky.social reports
@zoecrowther.bsky.socialReposted by @noahvickers.bsky.socialEXC: Wandsworth’s Labour MPs have refused to back Tory-run Wandsworth Council’s challenge against govt cuts to local authority funding The borough is planning a record council tax rise of at least 160% with multiple figures (including higher figures) considered, according to multiple sources
@bengartside.bsky.socialReposted by @noahvickers.bsky.socialFor this edition of The House magazine, I spoke to Anna Sabine about suddenly losing her voice and the impact it’s had on her.
Really enjoyed our chat — please read below!
@noahvickers.bsky.socialIn an interview with @thehousemag.bsky.social, Reform's Scottish leader tells me Holyrood should slash the number of free university places available to Scottish students and should consider introducing prescription charges for some groups of people
@noahvickers.bsky.socialNEW: A survey by @unitetheunion.bsky.social finds that 7 in 10 MPs' staffers have dug into their savings or used credit to cover everyday expenses in the last year as their wages don't stretch far enough.
Some report going without meals or hot showers at home:
@noahvickers.bsky.social@londonassembly.bsky.social fears 'social value' is lost from markets and railway arches when regeneration schemes are not handled carefully. Planning c'ttee chair @andrewboff.bsky.social warns ill-considered development causes "irreversible damage to communities"
standard.co.ukConcern over 'irreversible damage' to London's markets and rail archesLondon Assembly warns mayor Sadiq Khan to ‘ensure regeneration enhances, rather than erodes, the social fabric of our city’