Jeremy Corbyn has accused Theresa May of being "insecure" about her authority - and retreating into a "presidential bunker mentality" reminiscent of Tony Blair.
The Labour leader said he believed in "empowering others to make up their minds and come on board when they are ready", while the Prime Minister was obsessed with stifling dissent.
Mr Corbyn said Tony Blair's premiership showed what can go wrong if leaders go unchallenged.
:: Corbyn urges young voters to stop 'Brexit for few'
Speaking to an audience of supporters in London's East End, he said he recognised similar characteristics in Mrs May.
He said: "It taught me that if leaders go unchallenged, they can make some of the most damaging mistakes.
"And if party leaders put themselves ahead of serving the people, they stop listening and even put our country at risk.
"Barely nine months into Theresa May's premiership, there are clear warning signs that she and her closest advisers are slipping into that presidential bunker mentality.
"Whereas it is the job of leadership to hold open the space for dissent, new thinking and fit-for-purpose policy.
"So while it might not be the stuff of soundbites, I have always believed in standing firm and empowering others to make up their minds and come on board when they are ready.
"It is the mindset that gets community centres and nurseries built, and increasingly defends them from closure.
"It is the mindset that negotiates hard for better conditions in the workplace. It is the mindset that serves the many, not the few."
:: Why it might be worth a punt on a Corbyn win
Mr Corbyn said he had previously thought political leaders had no choice but to give in to "vested interests" while manipulating the public.
"I didn't want to be like that. And it wasn't clear to me there could be another way," he said.
"But I've learned there is. Whereas insecure leaders want to feel stronger by asking you to give them more power, I recognise strong leadership as equipping you with more power."
Sunday, April 30, 2017
British woman dies after falling from Benidorm apartment
A British woman has died after falling from a 10th-floor apartment in the Spanish resort of Benidorm.
There are reports she had been partying with other Britons at the Apartamentos Payma block in the area known as 'Little England' when she fell.
Police said they were questioning people at the party, but it is not yet clear how the incident occurred and whether the woman was on holiday or lived in the resort.
Local newspaper Diario Informacion reported she was 25 years old.
Benidorm's apartment blocks, fast-food outlets, bars and nightclubs have long drawn British tourists looking for cheap package holiday.
Last November, 21-year-old Danielle Hall from Newcastle also died after falling from a ninth-floor Benidorm apartment.
There are reports she had been partying with other Britons at the Apartamentos Payma block in the area known as 'Little England' when she fell.
Police said they were questioning people at the party, but it is not yet clear how the incident occurred and whether the woman was on holiday or lived in the resort.
Local newspaper Diario Informacion reported she was 25 years old.
Benidorm's apartment blocks, fast-food outlets, bars and nightclubs have long drawn British tourists looking for cheap package holiday.
Last November, 21-year-old Danielle Hall from Newcastle also died after falling from a ninth-floor Benidorm apartment.
Saturday, April 29, 2017
100 days of President Trump, but limited progress. What's the deal?
It happens to every president.
100 days in office is a big, if arbitrary, deal.
Impact, progress, delivery of campaign promises… all these things are scrutinised along with the inevitable mishaps and missteps that occur in fledgling administrations.
:: Trump aide's insight into his first 100 days
Donald Trump doesn't like this very much.
He's declared the milestone "meaningless".
But as with many things in Mr Trump's world, what he says is not often what he means.
And so a flurry of activity is under way as the milestone arrives and tallies of victories and failures are counted.
Let us look first at what HAS been achieved.
There have been lots of executive orders. Lots.
There have been orders deregulating the energy industry, big finance, approving pipelines, reviewing foreign workers' visas, bolstering Border Patrol, withdrawing from trade deals and many more.
100 days in office is a big, if arbitrary, deal.
Impact, progress, delivery of campaign promises… all these things are scrutinised along with the inevitable mishaps and missteps that occur in fledgling administrations.
:: Trump aide's insight into his first 100 days
Donald Trump doesn't like this very much.
He's declared the milestone "meaningless".
But as with many things in Mr Trump's world, what he says is not often what he means.
And so a flurry of activity is under way as the milestone arrives and tallies of victories and failures are counted.
Let us look first at what HAS been achieved.
There have been lots of executive orders. Lots.
There have been orders deregulating the energy industry, big finance, approving pipelines, reviewing foreign workers' visas, bolstering Border Patrol, withdrawing from trade deals and many more.
Trump: North Korea missile test 'disrespects' China
Donald Trump has accused North Korea of "disrespecting the wishes of China" following its latest ballistic missile test.
China is the North's main trading partner and the US president has been urging Beijing to try to rein in the reclusive state's military activities.
South Korea said Kim Jong-Un's regime had fired the rocket from around Pukchang, which is near the North's capital Pyongyang.
Seoul and Washington said it had apparently failed shortly after its launch.
A US official said it was likely to have been a medium-range KN-17 missile, which appeared to have broken up within minutes but did not leave North Korean territory.
It is believed to have reached a height of 44 miles, and was the third unsuccessful test in recent weeks.
The US leader wrote on Twitter: "North Korea disrespected the wishes of China & its highly respected President when it launched, though unsuccessfully, a missile today. Bad!"
Speaking in London about the latest developments, Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe said North Korea threatened world stability and posed a grave threat to his country.
He called on the international community to show solidarity against the rogue state.
He said: "Despite strong warnings by the international community, North Korea today went through its ballistic missile launch.
"It is a grave threat to our country. This is absolutely not acceptable. We strongly condemn such acts."
Mr Trump has warned there is a chance of a "major, major conflict" with North Korea due to rising tensions over its nuclear ambitions and missile tests.
The US president said he would "love to solve things (the North Korean problem) diplomatically but it's very difficult".
And at the UN meeting in New York US secretary of state Rex Tillerson urged the Security Council to put economic and diplomatic pressure on Pyongyang.
He said it was only a "matter of time" before the communist state was capable of hitting mainland America with a nuclear weapon.
Speaking after the meeting, North Korea's deputy ambassador to the UN said the country's nuclear weapons would never be part of "political bargains and economic deals".
"In a nutshell, DPRK have already declared not to attend any type of talks which would discuss its nuclear abandonment, nuclear disbandment," Kim In Ryong said.
He added that the nuclear programme "is the product of the United States' hostile policy towards DPRK".
South Korea has warned if the international community does not respond to the North's repeated provocations now, "we will only further feed the appetite of the trigger-happy regime in Pyongyang".
China is the North's main trading partner and the US president has been urging Beijing to try to rein in the reclusive state's military activities.
South Korea said Kim Jong-Un's regime had fired the rocket from around Pukchang, which is near the North's capital Pyongyang.
Seoul and Washington said it had apparently failed shortly after its launch.
A US official said it was likely to have been a medium-range KN-17 missile, which appeared to have broken up within minutes but did not leave North Korean territory.
It is believed to have reached a height of 44 miles, and was the third unsuccessful test in recent weeks.
The US leader wrote on Twitter: "North Korea disrespected the wishes of China & its highly respected President when it launched, though unsuccessfully, a missile today. Bad!"
Speaking in London about the latest developments, Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe said North Korea threatened world stability and posed a grave threat to his country.
He called on the international community to show solidarity against the rogue state.
He said: "Despite strong warnings by the international community, North Korea today went through its ballistic missile launch.
"It is a grave threat to our country. This is absolutely not acceptable. We strongly condemn such acts."
Mr Trump has warned there is a chance of a "major, major conflict" with North Korea due to rising tensions over its nuclear ambitions and missile tests.
The US president said he would "love to solve things (the North Korean problem) diplomatically but it's very difficult".
And at the UN meeting in New York US secretary of state Rex Tillerson urged the Security Council to put economic and diplomatic pressure on Pyongyang.
He said it was only a "matter of time" before the communist state was capable of hitting mainland America with a nuclear weapon.
Speaking after the meeting, North Korea's deputy ambassador to the UN said the country's nuclear weapons would never be part of "political bargains and economic deals".
"In a nutshell, DPRK have already declared not to attend any type of talks which would discuss its nuclear abandonment, nuclear disbandment," Kim In Ryong said.
He added that the nuclear programme "is the product of the United States' hostile policy towards DPRK".
South Korea has warned if the international community does not respond to the North's repeated provocations now, "we will only further feed the appetite of the trigger-happy regime in Pyongyang".
Drinking duty-free booze on planes 'should be a criminal offence
Drinking alcohol bought in duty free on board planes should be made a criminal offence, according to airlines.
Airlines UK - which represents carriers such as British Airways, EasyJet, Thomas Cook and Virgin Atlantic - has told Sky News the move would help reduce incidents of "air rage" fuelled by booze.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) there were 421 incidences of disruptive passengers at UK airports in 2016, with the majority thought to be down to alcohol.
Twenty-three passengers from at least two different stag parties were thrown off a flight at Manchester Airport earlier this month for "disruptive behaviour".
Airlines UK chief executive Tim Alderslade told Sky News: "Alcohol is the single largest contributory factor and it is clear that it needs to be sold and consumed responsibly, for the safety of all.
"Alcohol purchased in the airport and then consumed covertly on-board is hard for crew to monitor and control and so airlines are asking Government to amend the Air Navigation Order to make this type of consumption a criminal offence.
"We're hopeful that the changes to the ANO - alongside strict adherence to the code of practice - will be adequate to see the number of incidents come down and we remain open to any additional solutions put forward in the future."
In response, a Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Passengers should be able to enjoy journeys from the UK's airports without having their journeys spoilt by a disruptive minority.
"We strongly support efforts to tackle the problem of passengers who cause disruption on flights and welcome an industry-wide Code of Practice that has been published recently.
"There are no plans to change the rules around drinking on flights."
A CAA spokesperson told Sky News: "There is a range of work by the aviation industry to reduce disruptive passenger incidents and we will continue to engage with the industry as it explores further options for how best to tackle this issue."
The intervention comes in the wake of a parliamentary committee recommending restrictions on the sale and consumption of alcohol at terminals.
The Lords Licensing Act committee said it was "not for one moment" convinced the voluntary code of conduct introduced last year was proving effective in dealing with the problem.
The committee wants the 2003 Licensing Act to apply to airports like it does to other premises selling alcohol.
This could potentially mean an end to early morning airport drinking and hours more in line with pubs and restaurants.
However, the Airport Operators Association has rejected such calls.
A spokesman for the industry body, which represents the UK's airports, said the organisation thinks the code "is the best way to address the issues raised in this report".
Airlines UK - which represents carriers such as British Airways, EasyJet, Thomas Cook and Virgin Atlantic - has told Sky News the move would help reduce incidents of "air rage" fuelled by booze.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) there were 421 incidences of disruptive passengers at UK airports in 2016, with the majority thought to be down to alcohol.
Twenty-three passengers from at least two different stag parties were thrown off a flight at Manchester Airport earlier this month for "disruptive behaviour".
Airlines UK chief executive Tim Alderslade told Sky News: "Alcohol is the single largest contributory factor and it is clear that it needs to be sold and consumed responsibly, for the safety of all.
"Alcohol purchased in the airport and then consumed covertly on-board is hard for crew to monitor and control and so airlines are asking Government to amend the Air Navigation Order to make this type of consumption a criminal offence.
"We're hopeful that the changes to the ANO - alongside strict adherence to the code of practice - will be adequate to see the number of incidents come down and we remain open to any additional solutions put forward in the future."
In response, a Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Passengers should be able to enjoy journeys from the UK's airports without having their journeys spoilt by a disruptive minority.
"We strongly support efforts to tackle the problem of passengers who cause disruption on flights and welcome an industry-wide Code of Practice that has been published recently.
"There are no plans to change the rules around drinking on flights."
A CAA spokesperson told Sky News: "There is a range of work by the aviation industry to reduce disruptive passenger incidents and we will continue to engage with the industry as it explores further options for how best to tackle this issue."
The intervention comes in the wake of a parliamentary committee recommending restrictions on the sale and consumption of alcohol at terminals.
The Lords Licensing Act committee said it was "not for one moment" convinced the voluntary code of conduct introduced last year was proving effective in dealing with the problem.
The committee wants the 2003 Licensing Act to apply to airports like it does to other premises selling alcohol.
This could potentially mean an end to early morning airport drinking and hours more in line with pubs and restaurants.
However, the Airport Operators Association has rejected such calls.
A spokesman for the industry body, which represents the UK's airports, said the organisation thinks the code "is the best way to address the issues raised in this report".
UKIP leader Paul Nuttall to stand in Boston and Skegness
UKIP Leader Paul Nuttall has announced he will stand in the Lincolnshire seat of Boston and Skegness at the General Election.
The constituency has been described as the "most Brexit" in the UK.
Boston recorded the biggest majority for leave at last June's referendum, with more than 75% of voters opting to quit the EU.
The area has witnessed an influx of mainly Eastern European immigrants over the last decade, drawn to the opportunity of work in agriculture and tourism.
The seat, where UKIP came in second at the last election, is currently held by the Conservatives with a majority of 4,336.
The sitting Tory MP Matt Warman backed the remain campaign in last year's poll.
Mr Nuttall, who unsuccessfully stood at a by-election in Stoke-on-Trent Central earlier this year, said: "I will make it my mission to stand up for the people of Boston and Skegness and ensure there is no backsliding on Brexit."
But Mr Warman said: "A vote for any other candidate risks a coalition of chaos led by Jeremy Corbyn putting our nation's future at risk.
"That's why I supported Theresa May to become Prime Minister and voted in Parliament for her to trigger Article 50."
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Nuttall denied he was being opportunistic in again standing in an area where he had no links.
He said: "Listen, you do not have to be from a local area to be an MP. This is not a local council by-election or something like that in Boston and Skegness.
"The simple fact is, this is an election which has been called on Brexit.
"I am the leader of the most Eurosceptic political party in Britain and therefore makes sense for me to go to the most Eurosceptic area in the country."
Mr Nuttall also rejected suggestions his party's policies, including calling for a ban on full-face veils in public were "out of the BNP playbook".
He pointed out it had been UKIP's position since 2010, while ban's were already in force in a number of European countries including France and Belgium, with others considering following suit.
Mr Nuttall also dismissed Mr Corbyn as a "throwback to the 1970s" and predicted a "good number" of Labour voters would back UKIP at the polls.
The constituency has been described as the "most Brexit" in the UK.
Boston recorded the biggest majority for leave at last June's referendum, with more than 75% of voters opting to quit the EU.
The area has witnessed an influx of mainly Eastern European immigrants over the last decade, drawn to the opportunity of work in agriculture and tourism.
The seat, where UKIP came in second at the last election, is currently held by the Conservatives with a majority of 4,336.
The sitting Tory MP Matt Warman backed the remain campaign in last year's poll.
Mr Nuttall, who unsuccessfully stood at a by-election in Stoke-on-Trent Central earlier this year, said: "I will make it my mission to stand up for the people of Boston and Skegness and ensure there is no backsliding on Brexit."
But Mr Warman said: "A vote for any other candidate risks a coalition of chaos led by Jeremy Corbyn putting our nation's future at risk.
"That's why I supported Theresa May to become Prime Minister and voted in Parliament for her to trigger Article 50."
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Nuttall denied he was being opportunistic in again standing in an area where he had no links.
He said: "Listen, you do not have to be from a local area to be an MP. This is not a local council by-election or something like that in Boston and Skegness.
"The simple fact is, this is an election which has been called on Brexit.
"I am the leader of the most Eurosceptic political party in Britain and therefore makes sense for me to go to the most Eurosceptic area in the country."
Mr Nuttall also rejected suggestions his party's policies, including calling for a ban on full-face veils in public were "out of the BNP playbook".
He pointed out it had been UKIP's position since 2010, while ban's were already in force in a number of European countries including France and Belgium, with others considering following suit.
Mr Nuttall also dismissed Mr Corbyn as a "throwback to the 1970s" and predicted a "good number" of Labour voters would back UKIP at the polls.
Corbyn urges young voters to stop 'Brexit for few'
Jeremy Corbyn has made a direct plea to young people to "step up" and register to vote.
The Labour leader believes that more than two million young people who are missing from the electoral register could be key to his success.
Mr Corbyn argued that young people are being "held back" by the Conservatives and he urged them to overcome "apathy and resignation" and make sure they cast their vote.
:: Why it might be worth a punt on a Corbyn win
He said: "Over 2.4 million young people are missing from the UK's electoral register. Barely 40% of 18 to 24-year-olds turn out to vote.
"The Conservatives are more than happy with this state of affairs. Apathy and resignation will secure them seats on election day."
Young people certainly helped Mr Corbyn gain the leadership of his party and he clearly sees them as playing a crucial role in this election if they can overcome their historic tendency to stay away from the ballot box.
Labour's anti-austerity stance and desire to ban tuition fees could also encourage young voters to back the party.
However, 75% of all 18 to 24-year-olds who voted in the referendum wanted to remain in the EU, meaning many could be attracted to the Liberal Democrats, who are pitching themselves as the anti-Brexit party.
During a speech in east London, Mr Corbyn questioned the Conservatives' intentions over Brexit. He cast scepticism over Theresa May's plan for a trade deal with the US and accused the Conservatives of preparing to deliver a deal which will only benefit the wealthy.
He warned that "a Brexit for the few is now brewing, one where any money saved is handed out as tax cuts to the super-rich and their corporations, where new trade deals with the US and elsewhere are used to drive down our working conditions, and environmental and food standards".
Responding to extracts of the speech, Conservative Party chairman Patrick McLoughlin said: "At this election there is a very clear choice on the ballot paper.
"Do you want Theresa May to protect Britain's interests through Brexit and beyond - or the weak, floundering and nonsensical Jeremy Corbyn who doesn't even have the confidence of three quarters of his own MPs?"
Meanwhile, in an interview with the i newspaper, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said he wants to be the leader of the opposition. He described Jeremy Corbyn as "a perfectly nice man" but "demonstrably the worst leader in British political history in terms of effectiveness".
He added: "Britain needs a decent strong opposition and I'm asking the British people to give that job to me."
The Labour leader believes that more than two million young people who are missing from the electoral register could be key to his success.
Mr Corbyn argued that young people are being "held back" by the Conservatives and he urged them to overcome "apathy and resignation" and make sure they cast their vote.
:: Why it might be worth a punt on a Corbyn win
He said: "Over 2.4 million young people are missing from the UK's electoral register. Barely 40% of 18 to 24-year-olds turn out to vote.
"The Conservatives are more than happy with this state of affairs. Apathy and resignation will secure them seats on election day."
Young people certainly helped Mr Corbyn gain the leadership of his party and he clearly sees them as playing a crucial role in this election if they can overcome their historic tendency to stay away from the ballot box.
Labour's anti-austerity stance and desire to ban tuition fees could also encourage young voters to back the party.
However, 75% of all 18 to 24-year-olds who voted in the referendum wanted to remain in the EU, meaning many could be attracted to the Liberal Democrats, who are pitching themselves as the anti-Brexit party.
During a speech in east London, Mr Corbyn questioned the Conservatives' intentions over Brexit. He cast scepticism over Theresa May's plan for a trade deal with the US and accused the Conservatives of preparing to deliver a deal which will only benefit the wealthy.
He warned that "a Brexit for the few is now brewing, one where any money saved is handed out as tax cuts to the super-rich and their corporations, where new trade deals with the US and elsewhere are used to drive down our working conditions, and environmental and food standards".
Responding to extracts of the speech, Conservative Party chairman Patrick McLoughlin said: "At this election there is a very clear choice on the ballot paper.
"Do you want Theresa May to protect Britain's interests through Brexit and beyond - or the weak, floundering and nonsensical Jeremy Corbyn who doesn't even have the confidence of three quarters of his own MPs?"
Meanwhile, in an interview with the i newspaper, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said he wants to be the leader of the opposition. He described Jeremy Corbyn as "a perfectly nice man" but "demonstrably the worst leader in British political history in terms of effectiveness".
He added: "Britain needs a decent strong opposition and I'm asking the British people to give that job to me."
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