David Cameron warned by MU Executive to ‘urgently reconsider’ plans to cut child benefits; European Court of Human Rights president dismisses British reform plans; There is no longer any possible reason to remain in the ECHR
David Cameron warned by MU Executive to ‘urgently reconsider’ plans to cut child benefits
Telegraph – David Cameron’s adviser on family issues has urged the Prime Minister to “urgently reconsider” plans to cut child benefit from higher-rate taxpayers. Reg Bailey, of the Mothers’ Union, a family support charity, suggested the cut means Mr Cameron is guilty of breaking promises to protect child benefit and help families. Mr Bailey, who advises Mr Cameron on childhood issues, has signed an open letter to the Prime Minister, calling on him to abandon his plan to take child benefit from better-off households. Conservative MPs, who fear the plan will cost the party votes among its natural supporters, are also calling for the proposed cut to be dropped.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/david-cameron/9144603/David-Cameron-warned-to-urgently-reconsider-plans-to-cut-child-benefits.html
European Court of Human Rights president dismisses British reform plans
Telegraph – David Cameron’s plans to curtail the powers of the European Court of Human Rights have been dismissed by its British president.
Sir Nicolas Bratza, appearing before Parliament for the first time, offered a strong defence of the much-criticised institution and insisted it was not interfering with British courts or policies.
He claimed that last year it only found fault with Britain on eight occasions in almost 1,000 cases, and very rarely prevented the deportation of criminals or terror suspects.
And he brushed aside most of the suggestions made by the Government to rewrite the rules that underpin the Strasbourg court, in a blow to David Cameron’s calls for reform.
Sir Nicolas said some of the proposals would be “extremely difficult” to carry out while others would be “fraught with difficulty” and risk “friction and divisiveness” in the 47 states that have signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Government has had reform of the ECHR in its sights following a series of embarrassing rulings, such as the case brought by a convicted killer that requires prisoners to be given the vote, and the ban on the deportation of the radical preacher Abu Qatada.
There is no longer any possible reason to remain in the ECHR
Telegraph – Daniel Hannan writes – He is a writer and journalist, and has been Conservative MEP for South East England since 1999. He speaks French and Spanish and loves Europe, but believes that the European Union is making its constituent nations poorer, less democratic and less free.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danielhannan/100143955/there-is-no-longer-any-possible-reason-to-remain-in-the-echr/