Brown, Gordon (British prime minister)
Changes to the National Insurance system, introduced over a year ago, will see 4 million middle-income earners paying more in contributions from April next year. This means thousands of police officers, teachers, and senior nurses will pay up to [pounds sterling]200 extra each year. The Treasury has confirmed that
Brown, Gordon (British prime minister)
Michael Portillo, the Tory Shadow Chancellor, faces his biggest test since returning to Parliament just under a year ago as he delivers the Conservative response to Gordon Brown's pre-Budget statement. With the UK experiencing an economic boom in the run-up to a general election expected next May, Portillo&
Hague, William
As Michael Portillo attempted to win over disaffected voters with his message of social tolerance and inclusivity, not everyone in the Conservative Party was pleased. Ann Widdecombe, a senior party figure and Portillo's rival for leadership, dismissed the concept of social tolerance, citing her own concerns about the
Hague, William
Margaret Thatcher, the esteemed Baroness, was the center of attention at the Tory conference, where her presence was met with a mixture of awe and anxiety. As she emerged from her deep blue Jaguar, resplendent in royal blue with big gold buttons, she exuded an aura of regal authority. Her
Brown, Gordon (British prime minister)
As Chancellor Gordon Brown finalized his fourth Budget, a contentious debate over the tax burden on average families intensified between the Tories and Labour. Shadow chancellor Michael Portillo accused the Labour government of raising taxes on ordinary families by £600 a year, citing a study by the House of Commons
Hague, William
Big Country singer Stuart Adamson is reported to be safe and well in New Orleans, according to a reliable source close to the band. Adamson, 41, had been due to fly to Scotland for a series of concerts before going missing on November 18. Key Takeaways: * Stuart Adamson, the lead
Archer, Jeffrey
Michael Portillo, the Conservative candidate in the upcoming Kensington and Chelsea by-election, has admitted that the chaos surrounding Jeffrey Archer's exit from the London mayoral contest could harm his chances of winning. The controversy surrounding Archer's participation in the campaign, despite having no formal backing from
Hague, William
Tory leader William Hague's efforts to reclaim the initiative over the Jeffrey Archer scandal have been overshadowed by embarrassing scenes at a byelection campaign event, where he was deterred from visiting local firefighters by a Labour party protest and later became frustrated by his own party's
Portillo, Michael
The sudden candid confession by Michael Portillo about his "gay experiences" has turned the Tory party on its head, making him a potential serious challenger to William Hague's leadership. Portillo's dignified behavior since losing his seat in the last election and his subsequent rebuilding
Portillo, Michael
Michael Portillo's recent disclosure about his "homosexual experiences" as a young man has sparked a wave of support from senior Conservatives, including party leader William Hague and former Chancellor Lord Lamont of Lerwick. The collective backing has solidified Portillo's position as a front-runner for
Major, John
Conservative Right-wingers John Redwood and Michael Portillo launched a scathing attack on claims that the party is shifting to the Right, with Portillo accusing a defection as "awful nonsense" and Redwood demanding a more firm stance on European issues. Redwood claimed that John Major's Cabinet is
Major, John
The Conservative Party has been tilting towards the right on key issues such as Europe, welfare, education, and immigration, sparking concerns among moderate members. The shift in policy direction was unveiled at the party conference, where Defence Secretary Michael Portillo made a tub-thumping speech that whipped up nationalist sentiment. Labour
