Britannia Radio

Wednesday 11th March 2009Britain's leading conservative blog Today's top ConservativeHome features ToryDiary: Liam Fox attacks Muslim fanatics who branded British soldiers as "babykillers" during homecoming parade Tony Lodge on Platform: Why over-dependence on gas is bad for the UK Platform: Michael Shilliday, Chairman of the Young Unionists, reflects on this week's events in Northern Ireland Seats and Candidates: Bethnal Green and Bow Conservatives fail to endorse Open Primary result Local government: Labour fear losing their last four remaining county councils International: Czech President Vaclav Klaus warns that global warming is being used to suppress human freedom WATCH: Gordon Brown explains that he wants bankers fast-tracked into teaching jobs within six months Today's other newslinks David Cameron returns to work and makes statement on Northern Ireland, chairs shadow cabinet, meets economic advisers - BBC Boris: It's cheaper and cheaper to do business in London "London is setting out to woo foreign investment from companies attracted by the capital’s falling commercial property prices, weak currency and loosening labour market. Think London, the inward investment agency, has drawn up a plan to turn some of the effects of the recession into potential benefits for international companies looking to expand in Europe." - FT More praise for George Osborne's recent economy speech - from Irwin Stelzer in The Telegraph Daniel Finkelstein: Saving money can cost money "The Tories will aim, of course, to make services more efficient and to get government out of wasteful projects altogether. Yet even this will prove hard. Reform costs money. Making people redundant, moving offices, sending out circulars full of new instructions, keeping interest groups happy while making controversial changes - it all costs money." - Daniel Finkelstein in The Times Anne McIntosh MP introduces Bill to ensure tougher punishment of repeat shoplifters - ePolitix Independent Poll of polls show a Tory majority of 92 after a general election - Independent Older voters most likely to support nationalisation of utilities "Some 31% strongly supported the renationalisation of electricity, gas, water, the railways and telecommunications industry – while another 36% slightly supported renationalisation. But the over-35s were much more likely to support renationationalisation. Just 12% of 16-24 year-olds strongly supported the idea, whereas 41% of 55-64 year-olds were in favour." - Guardian More than 1,000 serving police officers in Britain have criminal convictions - BBC Obama's Treasury team believe that Europe needs to undertake much larger stimulus packages - Times "Britain's top civil servant has warned chaos in Barack Obama’s government is messing up next month’s global summit. Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O’Donnell said US confusion was making it “unbelievably difficult” to prepare for the G20 meet in London. In an unusual swipe, he complained key positions in the President’s administration are STILL unfilled. He told a conference for civil servants: “You cannot believe how difficult it is.” And he said the US system of replacing huge numbers of officials after an election was “absolute madness”." - The Sun G20 anti-recession summit will cost Britain £50m - Times "Do not worry too much about capitalism. It will survive because it is natural." - Andrew Alexander in the Daily Mail