A senior opposition figure has criticized proposals to include trade union leaders on the Bank of England’s court of directors, warning it could undermine the institution’s long-standing reputation for financial prudence. During a parliamentary session, the shadow chancellor also acknowledged concerns over the government’s handling of the Making Tax Digital programme, suggesting its rollout has fallen short despite initial intentions. Meanwhile, diplomatic sources reveal that Labour leaders were advised against imposing sanctions on Israel before its election, with warnings from both Israeli officials and the London embassy urging delay. The revelations highlight tensions between political timing and international relations.
Shadow chancellor says having union chiefs on the court of directors could hinder the Bank’s ‘reputation for financial discipline’Andrew Griffith has delivered his speech, and he is now taking questions.Q: You want the government to pause the making tax digital programme. Is that an admission that the last government got this wrong when it introduced it?It is an admission that despite [good] intentions, the execution of that has left a lot to be desired.In fact, coming to parliament from business, I can confess the law that we pass the most often is the law of unintended consequences. And I think making tax digital is a good example of that.The truth is that Burnham and Miliband ignored the advice they were given – which was that if they were determined to sanction Israel, they should not do so before the Israeli election on 27 October.It may not be surprising that this was the message from the Israeli foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, when Miliband called him on 11 August to warn sanctions were imminent. ‘He said postpone it until after the elections,’ a diplomatic source confirms. It was also the message the Israeli embassy in London – and its new chargé d’affaires Chris Cantor – was relaying to the Foreign Office. ‘Their message was clear: why do it now? Wait until after the elections, because something might change,’ a senior Labour figure says. Continue reading...
