Newslinks for Monday 3rd April 2023

Sunak 1) Child abuse and grooming gangs 'fed by political correctness', the Prime Minister to say, as he announces task force

"Political correctness has fuelled the sexual exploitation of children, Rishi Sunak will say as he announces a plan to stamp out "evil" grooming gangs. The prime minister will form a task force led by the National Crime Agency, with data analysis used to help the police to "identify the types of criminals who carry out these offences". Being involved in a grooming gang will become an aggravating factor during sentencing, and adults working with children will have a mandatory duty to report any suspicions that a child is being abused.

Specialist officers will be sent to help police forces with child sexual exploitation inquiries...The task force will draw upon data on the ethnicity of offenders, which police forces have been required to collect since April last year." - The Times[1] >Today:

Sunak 2) Local polls 'set to disrupt narrative' of Tory recovery

"Rishi Sunak's recent run of political success looks set to collide with electoral reality next month, when the Conservatives face a possible battering in local elections across England. The UK prime minister has tried not to draw attention to the May 4 contests, which will take place in 8,000 seats across 230 council areas, in one of the biggest tests of public opinion ahead of the general election.

The national media was not invited to the party's campaign launch in Wolverhampton on March 24...while the Tory spring forum, normally a big event, was held behind closed doors. With election experts claiming the party could lose perhaps 1,000 seats, the town hall contests look set to be a jarring note in the Tory narrative of political recovery under Sunak's leadership." - The Financial Times[2]

• Sunak 'being airbrushed out of Conservative leaflets' - The Daily Mail[3]
• The Primer Minister 'may be safe for now' but 'faces dissent' if polling doesn't pick up before the general election, 'MPs warn' - The I[4]

>Today:

Sunak 3) Voters are 'losing confidence' that he can stop small boats

"Britons have less confidence in Rishi Sunak stopping small boats than they did a month ago, despite a blizzard of government announcements about the issue. In March the government unveiled a five-point plan to tackle illegal immigration across the Channel, as well as proposals to move migrants out of hotels and into military bases and barges.

Suella Braverman, the home secretary, visited Rwanda to close loopholes in the deportation deal. The flurry of activity has buoyed Conservative MPs, some of whom believe the focus on the issue will help Sunak to close the gap with Labour...But new polling by YouGov for The Times suggests that the public's confidence in Sunak's ability to deliver on the issue has waned rather than strengthened in recent weeks." - The Times[5]

• The public 'back migrant flights to Rwanda', according to poll - Daily Express[6]
• The public is yet to be persuaded by the Government's rhetoric on small boats - Editorial, The Times[7]
• Braverman's thick skin and clear-eyed approach is what is desperately needed to solve the Small Boats crisis - Editorial, The Sun[8]

Migrants to be housed 'yards from international holidaymakers' under the Government's new plans...

"More than 500 migrants are set to be housed on a barge yards from where international holidaymakers arrive on cruise ships to explore the Jurassic coast. Asylum seekers are to be put up on a huge vessel moored at Portland docks, outside Weymouth in Dorset, in plans set to be announced as early as this week.

The giant floating accommodation block is expected to be located next to a new quayside that has been revamped so that the port can welcome more tourists. It will take the number of places that the Government has secured at low-cost sites, to which migrants will be moved from expensive hotel rooms, to just over 5,400. It comes as on Sunday, Suella Braverman refused to commit to stopping the migrant boats crossing the Channel this year..." - The Daily Telegraph[9]

... as Braverman says there is 'no good reason' for asylum seekers to make 'treacherous' Channel crossings...

"Home Secretary Suella Braverman has defended her stance that migrants crossing the Channel are "breaking the law" by claiming there is "no good reason" for them to be making the "treacherous" crossing.

She also defended the Government's delay in getting many of its illegal migration measures off the ground...Speaking to Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme, Ms Braverman denied asylum seekers who have crossed the Channel could be allowed to claim they made a "mistake"..."I don't think that get paying a people smuggler thousands of pounds, risking your life in a flimsy dinghy with a thin piece of polystyrene as a life jacket, travelling at 2 am at night in freezing cold conditions, is a mistake," she said." - The I[10]

• Small boats arrivals 'to double' in 2023 - Daily Express[11]
• The Home Secretary 'does not believe a break-up of the Met is required' - The Daily Mail[12]
• She says the public are 'right to fear' net migration of more than half a million - The Sun[13]
• Officials dismiss her claim that Dover queues are 'not to do with Brexit' - The Times[14]
• UK travellers face 'third day of disruption' - The Financial Times [15]
• Long wait for parents to find out if they have a 'paedo neighbour' reduced to 28 days - The Sun[16]

>Yesterday:

...as Starmer says he'll 'do a better job' at tackling the crisis, and plans visits to Albania and France

"Sir Keir Starmer is planning to visit Albania and France in an effort to show he would do a better job of stopping small boats than Rishi Sunak. The Labour leader is in talks with the Albanian government and French officials about working visits focused on the problem. In Albania, Starmer would be likely to meet Edi Rama, the prime minister, while in France he could meet police and others working at Calais.

The visits are likely to take place before the summer. An ally of Starmer said: "It's about showing that when Keir says he would strike a better deal than the Tories in government, he absolutely means it. We need to demonstrate that we are as keen as the government to stop the boats -- the difference is competence."...

Labour is opposing Braverman's Illegal Migration Bill in the Commons." - The Times[17]

• He says 'one in a thousand women have a penis' in latest gender ID blunder - The Sun[18]
• Gray 'held talks with Brown' before taking Labour Party job - The Daily Telegraph[19]
• Labour is urged to 'woo women of Stevenage' - The Times[20]
• Cooper announces plans to crack down on antisocial behaviour - The Guardian[21]
• Starmer has been singing wrong tune - Patrick Maguire, The Times[22]
• He is the Groucho Marx of politics - Leo McKinstry, Daily Express[23]

Recording testimony 'is no help to alleged rape victims', Raab warned

"Allowing alleged rape victims to record their evidence rather than testify in person has had a limited effect on their experience of pursuing their case in court, a report has found. It said the use of video increased backlogs and had a "minimal" impact on the number of guilty pleas and convictions. The Ministry of Justice assessed the impact of the special measures, known as section 28, after they were introduced in crown courts in England and Wales in September.

They were a key policy of Dominic Raab, the justice secretary, to tackle record-low rape prosecution rates, in the hope fewer accusers would drop out before trial...Raab said one of the benefits of the expansion of section 28 measures would be that there is less chance of victims withdrawing from the case before the trial." - The Times[24]

Dowden 1) 'Fear for motorists' over emergency siren test sent to everyone's phones

"Plans to test a mobile phone emergency siren could bring chaos to the roads with drivers panicking upon hearing the piercing alert, ministers have been warned. The loud, 10-second blast will be sent to all mobiles on Sunday, April 23 as part of a nationwide test of the system announced last month by Oliver Dowden, the Cabinet Office minister. However, officials are concerned that the potential consequences have not been fully thought through.

Discussions have taken place with the transport sector, domestic violence charities and sporting officials as well as the police, fire and ambulance services about the trial. Officials have met with the RAC to discuss how any risk to drivers can be reduced to avoid car crashes." - The Daily Telegraph[25]

Dowden 2) Republicans accuse him of 'losing the plot' by allocating GBP8 million on portraits of the King

"The government has set aside GBP8 million to offer every public body a free portrait of the King. Oliver Dowden, the Cabinet Office minister, said the move was part of plans to celebrate the new reign but one critic said ministers were "losing the plot" amid the cost of living crisis and shrinking Whitehall budgets.

Dowden, who co-ordinated the response to public sector strikes over pay, said councils, courts, schools and police forces would be among those eligible for a free portrait before the coronation on May 6. "They will help us turn a page in our history together and pay a fitting tribute to our new sovereign," he said...Graham Smith, from the anti-monarchy group Republic, called for the scheme to be scrapped." - The Times[26]

Dowden 3) He pledges 'greater scrutiny' of how the UK scrutinises deals

"The government has promised greater transparency over the operation of flagship legislation giving ministers the ability to block deals on national security grounds, amid business concern that a "black box" regime is deterring investment in the UK. Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden, who supervises the national security and investment act, is to hold roundtables with companies and update government guidance to give business more information about what to expect when deals are vetted under the legislation. The legislation was enacted partly owing to concerns about China buying UK companies and other British assets, but corporate advisers fear it is having a chilling effect on deal making and inward investment partly because the screening process is opaque." - The Financial Times[27]

Housing system is broken but we can still mend it, Gove says...

"The housing system in Britain is broken, Michael Gove has said as he admitted that the government's attempts to solve the crisis had so far been piecemeal.

Gove, the levelling-up secretary, said that although home ownership was "not everyone's destiny" it had long gone hand in hand with Conservative values. He added that the inability of many to buy their own home threatened the link between hard work and success. Writing in the foreword to a collection of essays on housing released by the think tank Bright Blue, he said: "We desperately need more homes to bring ownership within reach of many more people." His comments came among suggestions from seven Tory MPs and eight commentators and experts." - The Times[28]

• We should build taller homes to tackle 'decades of failure' on housing, Penrose says - The I[29]

...as he announces that town halls will get an extra GBP366 millions for thousands of new council houses...

"Town halls are to get an extra GBP366million to build thousands more council houses.

Local authorities will be allowed to keep Right to Buy sale proceeds for two years. Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove believes the money will pay for thousands more properties. Councils will also be allowed to buy more homes to replace sold stock rather than build.

The Department of Levelling Up reckons the steps could increase council housing stock by more than 4,000 by the next election. A Tory source said: "Gove is actually putting his money where his mouth is to deliver thousands of new council homes." The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: "We want councils to be able to keep more of the money generated from Right to Buy..."" - The Sun[30]

...and as he is criticised for a devolution deal that 'will leave red wall on sidelines'

"Conservative red-wall MPs have accused ministers of leaving their constituents behind with devolution deals that prioritise two of Britain's largest cities. In a letter to Michael Gove, the levelling-up secretary, the group, representing seats in the Midlands, said the government was creating a "two-tiered system" in which their areas were being forced to "sit on the sidelines" and miss out on investment.

Jeremy Hunt announced last month a plan to devolve the Whitehall budgets for housing, regeneration, skills and net zero commitments to mayors in the West Midlands and Greater Manchester. They would be allowed to tailor policies to boost economic growth and investment in their regions, free from day-to-day control by the Treasury." - The Times[31]

Tim Stanley: The AI disaster is already here, and we don't care

"Today the UK Government, currently trading under the name the Conservative Party, is going gung-ho for AI, proposing a light-touch regulatory framework. There is an alternative: other countries, including Italy and China, are tightening their rules.

But the Tories hope that AI will give us a global advantage akin to the finance boom of the 1980s. And yet the very people who would benefit the most from this - among them, tech wonks linked to Twitter, Apple and DeepMind - have written a letter saying stop and think. The most sober fear is not that computers will gain consciousness and conquer the world - for this generation of AI doesn't create so much as it imitates, exacerbating a range of very old, very human problems." - The Daily Telegraph[32]

• AI could create alien civilisation where computers rule and humans are condemned to death - tech bosses are right to worry - Trevor Kavanagh, The Sun[33]

Truss 'expected to launch a new attack on the Government's economic policy' with 'major speech' in the USA

"Liz Truss will deliver a major speech this month in Washington DC where she is expected to seek to unite conservatives on both sides of the Atlantic to push for low taxes and growth.

The Margaret Thatcher memorial lecture to the Heritage Foundation - the USA's biggest and most influential thinktank - will be the latest leg of her comeback since being deposed by Tory MPs after just 49 days as Prime Minister. Sources close to the former Prime Minister said that the speech due to be given on April 12 is heing written this week and the content has not yet been confirmed. However, Ms Truss, both as Foreignh Secretary and Prime Minister, sought to create an "economic version of NATO" to take on authoritarian governments around the world particularly China." - Daily Express[34]

Only alter Good Friday deal with cross-community consent, says Blair

"The Good Friday agreement should only be changed with cross-community consent in Northern Ireland, Tony Blair has said, amid calls to amend the peace deal to prevent political parties from collapsing power sharing in the province.

The former prime minister, who played a pivotal role in negotiating the historic agreement in 1998, acknowledged that there was a case for reforming the devolved structures at Stormont, given the regularity of collapses in governance in the region over the last 25 years. He cautioned, however, against any move to alter the veto system to circumvent the Democratic Unionist party and reinstate power sharing, saying reform could only come if it was supported across the different traditions in the province." - The Guardian[35]

Trump to 'address nation' after appearance in court

"Donald Trump plans to speak in Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Tuesday evening following his historic indictment on criminal charges in a further sign he is planning to weaponise the legal case for his campaign. Due to appear in court on Tuesday in New York to face charges over a hush-money payment to an adult film star in 2016, the former president said in a statement that he would deliver remarks in Palm Beach when he arrives back.

He is scheduled to speak at 8.15pm local time about the case, which he has described as a "political witch hunt".

It comes as leading media organisations are demanding cameras be allowed into the courtroom when he is arraigned.

Judge Juan Merchan has also been urged to unseal the indictment immediately..." - The Daily Telegraph[36]

• Criminal charges give the ex-President a 'big boost' in polls - The Times[37]
• His lawyer says the indictment is a 'complete abuse of power' - The Daily Mail[38]
• Grand jury has given Trump just what he wants - Will Lloyd, The Times[39]

News in Brief:

• The problem with holding Iftar in Manchester Cathedral - Niall Gooch, The Spectator [40]
• The fall of America's benevolent empire - Thomas Fazi, UnHerd [41]
• Posthumous courting - Yuan Yi Zhu, The Critic [42]
• Councils of despair - John Ashmore, CapX[43]
• The Sunak-Starmer rebalancing act - Andrew Sullivan, The Weekly Dish [44]

References

1. ^ The Times (www.thetimes.co.uk)
2. ^ The Financial Times (www.ft.com)
3. ^ The Daily Mail (www.dailymail.co.uk)
4. ^ The I (inews.co.uk)
5. ^ The Times (www.thetimes.co.uk)
6. ^ Daily Express (www.express.co.uk)
7. ^ The Times (www.thetimes.co.uk)
8. ^ The Sun (www.thesun.co.uk)
9. ^ The Daily Telegraph (www.telegraph.co.uk)
10. ^ The I (inews.co.uk)
11. ^ Daily Express (www.express.co.uk)
12. ^ The Daily Mail (www.dailymail.co.uk)
13. ^ The Sun (www.thesun.co.uk)
14. ^ The Times (www.thetimes.co.uk)
15. ^ The Financial Times (www.ft.com)
16. ^ The Sun (www.thesun.co.uk)
17. ^ The Times (www.thetimes.co.uk)
18. ^ The Sun (www.thesun.co.uk)
19. ^ The Daily Telegraph (www.telegraph.co.uk)
20. ^ The Times (www.thetimes.co.uk)
21. ^ The Guardian (www.theguardian.com)
22. ^ The Times (www.thetimes.co.uk)
23. ^ Daily Express (www.express.co.uk)
24. ^ The Times (www.thetimes.co.uk)
25. ^ The Daily Telegraph (www.telegraph.co.uk)
26. ^ The Times (www.thetimes.co.uk)
27. ^ The Financial Times (www.ft.com)
28. ^ The Times (www.thetimes.co.uk)
29. ^ The I (inews.co.uk)
30. ^ The Sun (www.thesun.co.uk)
31. ^ The Times (www.thetimes.co.uk)
32. ^ The Daily Telegraph (www.telegraph.co.uk)
33. ^ The Sun (www.thesun.co.uk)
34. ^ Daily Express (www.express.co.uk)
35. ^ The Guardian (www.theguardian.com)
36. ^ The Daily Telegraph (www.telegraph.co.uk)
37. ^ The Times (www.thetimes.co.uk)
38. ^ The Daily Mail (www.dailymail.co.uk)
39. ^ The Times (www.thetimes.co.uk)
40. ^ The Spectator (www.spectator.co.uk)
41. ^ UnHerd (unherd.com)
42. ^ The Critic (thecritic.co.uk)
43. ^ CapX (capx.co)
44. ^ The Weekly Dish (andrewsullivan.substack.com)