London, September 02, 2024 – The Europe Today: The return of Parliament from its summer recess has ushered in a new wave of activity, particularly as Conservative leadership contenders intensify their campaigns. Among the six candidates vying for the position, Kemi Badenoch and James Cleverly are actively making their pitches ahead of the first round of voting by Conservative MPs on Wednesday, which will see one candidate eliminated from the race.
As MPs reconvene in the House of Commons, they are expected to address a range of pressing issues, including the infected blood scandal and ongoing Middle East conflicts. This week will also feature votes on significant legislative proposals, including bills aimed at bringing rail operators into public ownership and establishing a new publicly owned energy company.
Additionally, the House will revisit legislation on “budget responsibility,” which proposes that the government’s economic forecasters assess every financial announcement in the future. This measure is described by ministers as a “fiscal lock” intended to prevent the economic instability that followed the controversial mini-budget introduced by Liz Truss in September 2022, which saw the Office for Budget Responsibility sidelined.
The government’s legislative agenda is set to be “packed” in the coming weeks, with anticipated bills on enhancing workers’ rights and reforming the rental market.
Outside Parliament, leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch, the shadow communities secretary, addressed her party, criticizing the Conservatives for failing to present fresh policy arguments and advocating for a “renewal” of the party’s approach. Meanwhile, James Cleverly, the shadow home secretary, has called for a return to core Conservative principles, emphasizing a reduced role for the state and focusing on executing fewer tasks with greater efficiency. Cleverly also proposed abolishing stamp duty on homes, citing the tax’s hindrance to homeownership.
On Tuesday, shadow security minister Tom Tugendhat will launch his campaign, while other leadership contenders, including Dame Priti Patel, Robert Jenrick, and Mel Stride, continue to make their case through media appearances and speeches. The Conservative leadership race will see MPs narrow the field to four candidates by the end of September, with party members ultimately selecting the new leader from the final two candidates, with the result to be announced on November 2.
The new Parliamentary term comes amidst a backdrop of Labour government warnings about public finances, which have laid the groundwork for potential tax increases and spending cuts in the upcoming October Budget. There has been criticism from opposition parties and charities regarding the Labour government’s decision to remove Winter Fuel Payments for millions of pensioners not receiving pension credit, with concerns about its impact on the less well-off. In response, some Labour MPs are anticipating measures to mitigate the effects on those just above the pension credit threshold. Ministers are also expected to shift focus in the coming weeks to present a more positive narrative, emphasizing economic growth and proposed reforms in housing, energy, and railways.
