The View from Westminster

Thursday, November 16, 2023 A 'small boats' election after all? Deep scepticism on all sides in Westminster about whether Rishi Sunak's latest plan to stop the boats is the historic shift the prime minister claims. "There are precedents for it being another desperate ploy that falls apart," one leading Eurosceptic told me.  But if it is blocked by the Supreme Court, or the House of Lords, or the European Court of Human Rights, it would be an issue in the election – not because Sunak calls an election to decide the question, but because he will run out of time.  I can see dangers for Labour in that, but George Osborne said on his podcast with Ed Balls that David Cameron wouldn't let it happen: "He's actually more right wing than I am on this. He was a Home Office special adviser for Michael Howard. He's always railed against elements of ECHR judgments. But I think the option of going into the general election saying we're going to pull out of the ECHR and throw the challenge to Labour, see whether they agree or not, I think that's basically now off the table because David Cameron is foreign secretary." Quiz question  What was the three-letter abbreviation in the pensions market that did for Liz Truss? Answer at the bottom of today's email Daily briefing Cleverly refuses to deny he called Sunak's Rwanda scheme 'batshit' New home secretary said he 'doesn't recognise' claim he didn't believe in the plan Benefits 'coasters' to lose free prescriptions if they refuse jobs A rightward gesture before the autumn statement next week Charities could be allowed to complain directly to Ofcom about internet safety Government considering allowing 'super-complaints' to the regulator Most commented Articles driving the biggest conversations Cleverly says plan B 'is ready' as Sunak unveils effort to save scheme Jess Phillips resigns as Starmer hit by frontbench rebellion over Gaza motion What else do you need to know today? ● Lisa Nandy, the shadow international development secretary, confirmed to a Commons press gallery lunch that Labour would not increase the aid budget from 0.5 to 0.7 per cent of national income straight away, but "we will be much clearer by what we mean by the phrase 'as fiscal conditions allow'", ● She went on to say that the "biggest problem" is that a third of the aid budget is not actually used for aid, but for housing asylum seekers ● Michael Matheson, the Scottish health secretary, told the Scottish parliament that his sons watched football on his government iPad on holiday, running up an £11,000 bill ● As Patrick Flynn commented, the scandal here is that EE was allowed to charge £11,000 for 6GB of data ● I shall be chairing a Social Market Foundation event on the education divide in British politics, at 2pm on Monday 27 November, presenting research by Prof Rob Ford of Manchester University Reading list ● I have written for Independent Premium today about Keir Starmer's Gaza rebellion – not very damaging so far, but his response stores up trouble ● David Torrance of the House of Commons library has written a wonderful briefing note about the history and present role of the Privy Council ● Juliet Samuel: human rights treaties have had their day (paywall) Inside the bubble A look back at the week in Westminster It has been a huge three-day week in Westminster, with four events that will be remembered in history. On Monday Rishi Sunak reshuffled his cabinet, sacking Suella Braverman and bringing David Cameron back. On Tuesday, Braverman published a three-page letter denouncing Sunak for betraying the deal that persuaded her to support his second bid to become prime minister last year. And yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled that Sunak's policy of removing asylum seekers to Rwanda was unlawful; he responded by claiming that a new treaty would overcome the Court's objections, and that he would not allow a "foreign court" – the European Court of Human Rights – to block the new plan. Finally, Keir Starmer was hit by a rebellion of his own MPs demanding a ceasefire in Gaza – 28 per cent of them defied a three-line whip to vote for a Scottish National Party amendment. Quotation of the day "I had some disagreements with Boris Johnson, but I've known him for 40 years and his support for you was the finest thing he and his government ever did." David Cameron to Volodymyr Zelensky on his visit to Kyiv Quiz answer: LDI, liability-driven investments  The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 Join the conversation or follow us Download the free Independent app Please do not reply directly to this email   You are currently registered to receive The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter.   To unsubscribe from The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our privacy notice and cookie policy