As conference kicks off, PM unveils new housing policy, vows to kickstart economy and seeks to keep party on centre ground The prime minister pledged to “fire up the engine of the economy” on the first day of his party conference in Manchester, pushing a new homes policy but thwarting the desires of his backbenchers for a referendum on whether Britain should stay in the EU. The Conservatives announced plans – an extension of an existing programme – to boost the “right to buy” council house scheme introduced under Margaret Thatcher’s government in the 1980s. David Cameron made the announcement to increase discounts to encourage council tenants to buy their own homes alongside a “build now, pay later” scheme to encourage developers to build on government land and only pay for the land once a house is sold. Cameron said the policies could lead to the building of 200,000 homes and the creation of 400,000 jobs. Cameron and his foreign secretary, William Hague, had warm words for their Lib Dem coalition partners alongside ploughing a fresh furrow – that it is the Tories as much as the Lib Dems who have pushed for “cuddly” policies, in the language of the prime minister. To mark this, on the first day of conference, the party sent out a pamphlet, Modern Compassionate Conservatism, as the Tories sought to emphasise they would be staying in the centre ground, despite pressure from some inside the party. “I don’t believe for a minute that this government is only held back by the cuddly Liberal Democrats,” Cameron said on the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme. “The proposal not to cut health spending came from the Conservatives.” Explaining the theme of conference, Cameron said: “I described myself as a modern, compassionate Conservative. Modern, because I think we’ve got to apply ourselves to the challenges of today … Compassionate, because we mustn’t leave people behind in our country … But I’m a Conservative because I believe, generally, if you give people more power and control over their own lives, they will actually make great decisions.” He also would not rule out asking Lib Dems to join a Tory government if they were to win a majority at the next election. He said: “What happens at the next election? We will fight as independent parties. We will be fighting to win. And whatever happens, happens.” Later in the day, Hague made a point of praising the Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg, in his speech, though the mention received muted applause. He said: “Faced with a necessary but difficult decision over tuition fees, Nick Clegg stuck with it. In May, the British people affirmed by an overwhelming majority and with their usual good sense that first past the post is the best way of running our democracy and put to rest schemes of playing with the rules for a generation. He stuck with our agreement all the same. We should always have the generosity of spirit to recognise the contribution he makes to turning this country around.” The Tory leadership has had to manage disagreements with its voluble and increasingly muscular backbench and activist base over issues including Britain’s relationship with the EU and government planning reforms. The Mail on Sunday reported that MPs will get to debate the issue of whether or not there should be a referendum on Europe – because more than 100,000 people have signed a petition asking for a debate the Commons backbench committee will table it for debate in parliament. Cameron’s comments suggested government MPs will be told to vote against it. The prime minister said: “There is a European treaty that is happening right now. This is the treaty that gets us out of the bail-out mechanism that Labour got us into. Further, future treaty change is not an immediate prospect.” “For the longer term, I’ve been very clear, I think we gave too much power to Europe. There are some powers I would like to get back. Any future treaty change would be an opportunity to do that. But right now that’s not on the immediate agenda.” Another flashpoint is the Human Rights Act which, in opposition, the Tories had said they would scrap and replace with a bill of rights. The home secretary, Theresa May, confirmed this still remained her wish and later the prime minister weighed in behind her. However both politicians are hamstrung by being in coalition with the Lib Dems and subject to a commission being controlled by justice secretary Ken Clarke and Nick Clegg meaning it is unlikely that the tory party itself will do anything distinctive on the human rights act ahead of the next election. Cameron said: “One of the problems we have here is not just the Human Rights Act. It’s the chilling culture under it that means that someone drives a police van … to move a prisoner 200 yards when he was perfectly happy to walk. The Human Rights Act doesn’t say that that’s what you have to do. It’s the chilling effect of people thinking I will be found guilty under it. “I think that government can do a huge amount to communicate to institutions and individuals, let’s have some common sense, let’s have some judgment, let’s have that applying rather than this over-interpretation of what’s there.” Conservative conference 2011 Conservative conference Conservatives David Cameron Housing Communities Liberal-Conservative coalition Allegra Stratton guardian.co.uk
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As conference kicks off, PM unveils new housing policy, vows to kickstart economy and seeks to keep party on centre ground The prime minister pledged to “fire up the engine of the economy” on the first day of his party conference in Manchester, pushing a new homes policy but thwarting the desires of his backbenchers for a referendum on whether Britain should stay in the EU. The Conservatives announced plans – an extension of an existing programme – to boost the “right to buy” council house scheme introduced under Margaret Thatcher’s government in the 1980s. David Cameron made the announcement to increase discounts to encourage council tenants to buy their own homes alongside a “build now, pay later” scheme to encourage developers to build on government land and only pay for the land once a house is sold. Cameron said the policies could lead to the building of 200,000 homes and the creation of 400,000 jobs. Cameron and his foreign secretary, William Hague, had warm words for their Lib Dem coalition partners alongside ploughing a fresh furrow – that it is the Tories as much as the Lib Dems who have pushed for “cuddly” policies, in the language of the prime minister. To mark this, on the first day of conference, the party sent out a pamphlet, Modern Compassionate Conservatism, as the Tories sought to emphasise they would be staying in the centre ground, despite pressure from some inside the party. “I don’t believe for a minute that this government is only held back by the cuddly Liberal Democrats,” Cameron said on the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme. “The proposal not to cut health spending came from the Conservatives.” Explaining the theme of conference, Cameron said: “I described myself as a modern, compassionate Conservative. Modern, because I think we’ve got to apply ourselves to the challenges of today … Compassionate, because we mustn’t leave people behind in our country … But I’m a Conservative because I believe, generally, if you give people more power and control over their own lives, they will actually make great decisions.” He also would not rule out asking Lib Dems to join a Tory government if they were to win a majority at the next election. He said: “What happens at the next election? We will fight as independent parties. We will be fighting to win. And whatever happens, happens.” Later in the day, Hague made a point of praising the Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg, in his speech, though the mention received muted applause. He said: “Faced with a necessary but difficult decision over tuition fees, Nick Clegg stuck with it. In May, the British people affirmed by an overwhelming majority and with their usual good sense that first past the post is the best way of running our democracy and put to rest schemes of playing with the rules for a generation. He stuck with our agreement all the same. We should always have the generosity of spirit to recognise the contribution he makes to turning this country around.” The Tory leadership has had to manage disagreements with its voluble and increasingly muscular backbench and activist base over issues including Britain’s relationship with the EU and government planning reforms. The Mail on Sunday reported that MPs will get to debate the issue of whether or not there should be a referendum on Europe – because more than 100,000 people have signed a petition asking for a debate the Commons backbench committee will table it for debate in parliament. Cameron’s comments suggested government MPs will be told to vote against it. The prime minister said: “There is a European treaty that is happening right now. This is the treaty that gets us out of the bail-out mechanism that Labour got us into. Further, future treaty change is not an immediate prospect.” “For the longer term, I’ve been very clear, I think we gave too much power to Europe. There are some powers I would like to get back. Any future treaty change would be an opportunity to do that. But right now that’s not on the immediate agenda.” Another flashpoint is the Human Rights Act which, in opposition, the Tories had said they would scrap and replace with a bill of rights. The home secretary, Theresa May, confirmed this still remained her wish and later the prime minister weighed in behind her. However both politicians are hamstrung by being in coalition with the Lib Dems and subject to a commission being controlled by justice secretary Ken Clarke and Nick Clegg meaning it is unlikely that the tory party itself will do anything distinctive on the human rights act ahead of the next election. Cameron said: “One of the problems we have here is not just the Human Rights Act. It’s the chilling culture under it that means that someone drives a police van … to move a prisoner 200 yards when he was perfectly happy to walk. The Human Rights Act doesn’t say that that’s what you have to do. It’s the chilling effect of people thinking I will be found guilty under it. “I think that government can do a huge amount to communicate to institutions and individuals, let’s have some common sense, let’s have some judgment, let’s have that applying rather than this over-interpretation of what’s there.” Conservative conference 2011 Conservative conference Conservatives David Cameron Housing Communities Liberal-Conservative coalition Allegra Stratton guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …As more and more nurses, pharmacists, and physical therapists are earning PhD degrees, a battle is waging over which health care professionals can use the prestigious title “doctor,” reports the New York Times . Nurses especially are pursuing doctorates, eager to increase their pay and promotional opportunities—last year, 153 schools…
Continue reading …Rick Santorum might not be the only Republican presidential candidate with a name problem. Back when Rick Perry was a young Democrat politician, he used to host events at his family’s West Texas hunting camp, a retreat called “Niggerhead,” reports the Washington Post . The offensive name, written in large, block…
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Greece’s deficit is forecast to hit 8.5% of GDP this year – missing the 7.6% target set by the EU and IMF in their bailout agreement Greece is likely to miss the deficit targets agreed as part of July’s bailout package, which would cast further doubt on its ability to steer safely through its current financial crisis and will send new tremors through global financial markets. As the country’s cabinet agreed a controversial plan to begin laying off 30,000 state workers, its latest budget plan reportedly indicated a deficit of 8.5% of GDP this year, missing the 7.6% target agreed with the European Union and the IMF. In 2012 the deficit is expected to fall to 6.8% of GDP – above the year’s 6.5% target. A recession that has been worse than expected is behind much of the increase. According to Reuters, Greece expects its economy to contract by 5.5% this year and 2% next. But the deficit shortfall means Greece would need another €2bn finance this year. It will put more pressure on the prime minister, George Papandreou, as he meets inspectors from the European commission, IMF and European Central Bank – the “troika” – who are inspecting the country’s books before deciding whether to approve the next $8bn of bailout money. Without the funds, it would struggle to pay state wage bills within weeks. Amid signs of discord among European politians, officials are working to avoid the country defaulting on its debts, which would hit the balance sheets of a host of European banks and cast doubt on the future of the single currency. At a meeting of Eurozone finance ministers on Monday, there will be demands for Greece to provide evidence it is on course to deliver further spending cuts and meet its tough fiscal targets, although any decisions will await the report of the troika inspectors. Meeting in Luxembourg, the ministers will also warn Slovakia that it has to deliver on its share of the enhanced bailout fund despite threats from Bratislava, the Slovak capital, of scuppering the entire deal. There is a growing sense on financial markets that Greece will be forced to default on its debts in the face of the current political and social turmoil but EU officials insist that by the end of the month the country will win the sixth tranche of €8bn from its first bailout package. Papandreou has assured the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, and French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, in recent days that his cabinet is “absolutely determined” to deliver on its commitments and save the country from bankruptcy. Merkel and Sarkozy, who are due to meet again in a few days to accelerate implementation of the enhanced rescue fund, the European financial stability facility (EFSF), are equally determined to keep Greece within the euro. But senior officials from the troika have reported from Athens that striking civil servants barring their way to the national statistics office have prevented them from delivering a definitive update on the Greek budgetary position. Eurozone finance ministers, meanwhile, are increasingly alarmed at reports from Bratislava that the Slovaks will vote down the enhanced EFSF. Leading Slovak opponents of the fund insisted in a series of German media interviews that they would not back down. Richard Sulik, chairman of the Freedom and Solidarity party that is part of the ruling coalition government, said: “We will vote solidly against the EFSF.” Opposition parties said they would also vote no. Euro Currencies Euro European Union Economics Greece Europe David Gow Nick Fletcher guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Greece’s deficit is forecast to hit 8.5% of GDP this year – missing the 7.6% target set by the EU and IMF in their bailout agreement Greece is likely to miss the deficit targets agreed as part of July’s bailout package, which would cast further doubt on its ability to steer safely through its current financial crisis and will send new tremors through global financial markets. As the country’s cabinet agreed a controversial plan to begin laying off 30,000 state workers, its latest budget plan reportedly indicated a deficit of 8.5% of GDP this year, missing the 7.6% target agreed with the European Union and the IMF. In 2012 the deficit is expected to fall to 6.8% of GDP – above the year’s 6.5% target. A recession that has been worse than expected is behind much of the increase. According to Reuters, Greece expects its economy to contract by 5.5% this year and 2% next. But the deficit shortfall means Greece would need another €2bn finance this year. It will put more pressure on the prime minister, George Papandreou, as he meets inspectors from the European commission, IMF and European Central Bank – the “troika” – who are inspecting the country’s books before deciding whether to approve the next $8bn of bailout money. Without the funds, it would struggle to pay state wage bills within weeks. Amid signs of discord among European politians, officials are working to avoid the country defaulting on its debts, which would hit the balance sheets of a host of European banks and cast doubt on the future of the single currency. At a meeting of Eurozone finance ministers on Monday, there will be demands for Greece to provide evidence it is on course to deliver further spending cuts and meet its tough fiscal targets, although any decisions will await the report of the troika inspectors. Meeting in Luxembourg, the ministers will also warn Slovakia that it has to deliver on its share of the enhanced bailout fund despite threats from Bratislava, the Slovak capital, of scuppering the entire deal. There is a growing sense on financial markets that Greece will be forced to default on its debts in the face of the current political and social turmoil but EU officials insist that by the end of the month the country will win the sixth tranche of €8bn from its first bailout package. Papandreou has assured the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, and French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, in recent days that his cabinet is “absolutely determined” to deliver on its commitments and save the country from bankruptcy. Merkel and Sarkozy, who are due to meet again in a few days to accelerate implementation of the enhanced rescue fund, the European financial stability facility (EFSF), are equally determined to keep Greece within the euro. But senior officials from the troika have reported from Athens that striking civil servants barring their way to the national statistics office have prevented them from delivering a definitive update on the Greek budgetary position. Eurozone finance ministers, meanwhile, are increasingly alarmed at reports from Bratislava that the Slovaks will vote down the enhanced EFSF. Leading Slovak opponents of the fund insisted in a series of German media interviews that they would not back down. Richard Sulik, chairman of the Freedom and Solidarity party that is part of the ruling coalition government, said: “We will vote solidly against the EFSF.” Opposition parties said they would also vote no. Euro Currencies Euro European Union Economics Greece Europe David Gow Nick Fletcher guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Amid swirling rumors of a pending Ashton Kutcher-Demi Moore breakup— potentially even on Twitter —the supposedly-warring couple put in a joint appearance Friday at a Kaballah center in Los Angeles, reports US Magazine . Kutcher and Moore, both sporting wedding bands, arrived and left separately and “definitely seemed tense,” according to…
Continue reading …The biggest problem with the Occupy Wall Street movement is its demands: “It doesn’t really have any,” writes Nicholas Kristof in the New York Times . While he’s not anti-market like many of the protesters, Kristof does think America’s financial institutions have grown out of control—”In effect, the banks socialized…
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Opposition groups form national council to ‘achieve the wishes and hopes of our people in overthrowing the current regime’ Syria’s main opposition groups have agreed to form a national council to overthrow President Bashar Assad’s regime in what appeared to be the most serious step yet to unify a fragmented opposition. Members of the Syrian National Council (SNC) said it would be an umbrella group for opposition groups inside and outside the country and a vehicle for democratic change. The council aims at “achieving the wishes and hopes of our people in overthrowing the current regime … including the head of this regime,” according to a statement read by opposition figure Burhan Ghalioun at a news conference in Istanbul on Sunday. The development came after another bloody weekend in Syria’s six-month uprising which has left 2,700 dead, according to UN estimates. In one of the fiercest clashes of the insurrection, Syrian troops finally took control of the town of Rastan after five days of intense fighting with army defectors who sided with protesters. Syrian authorities said they were fighting armed terrorist gangs. The Syrian opposition consists of a variety of groups with differing ideologies, including Islamists and secularists. The new council is the broadest umbrella movement of revolutionary forces formed so far. Ghalioun said that the council aims to present a united front for the opposition, and urged Syrians everywhere to support it. He said he was not worried about whether the international community recognised the council, although it would provide a single body with which other countries could coordinate. Ghalioun said it included representatives from the Damascus Declaration grouping, a pro-democracy network based in the capital, the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, Kurdish factions and the grassroots local coordination committees which have led protests across the country, as well as other independent and tribal figures. He said the council categorically rejects any foreign intervention or military operations to bring down Assad’s regime but called on the international community to “protect the Syrian people” from “the declared war and massacres being committed against them by the regime”. The council’s statement said that protesters should continue to use “peaceful means” to topple the Syrian leader, but there have been increasing reports of some protesters taking up arms to protect themselves. The organisers have not named a leader for the national council, but appeared to give a leading role to Ghalioun, a scholar of contemporary oriental studies at the Sorbonne in Paris. Bassma Kodmani, another Paris-based academic, said the council consists of three bodies: a general assembly, a general secretariat and an executive committee. Leadership of the council will be rotated, she said. Syria Bashar Al-Assad Middle East guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …The ugly tanking of government-funded solar-energy company Solyndra has many people questioning whether Energy Secretary Steven Chu can handle the job, reports Politico . “Just because you are a Nobel Prize-winning physicist doesn’t mean you’d be a good orthopedic surgeon,” criticized a Bush-era Energy Department official. “They’re different skill sets.”
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