Shadow Home Secretary criticises Government rapid report into what is extremism
“Ministers have been accused of “downplaying” the threat posed by Islamist fanatics as a leaked Government report suggests ignoring ideology. A Home Office “Rapid Analytical Sprint” of government policy on extremism said it should take an “ideologically agnostic approach” and instead focus on “behaviours and activity of concern”. This could include claims of “two-tier policing”, which are an example of a “Right-wing extremist narrative” which is “leaking into mainstream debates”. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: ‘By extending the definition of extremism so widely, the Government risks losing focus on ideologically motivated terrorists who pose the most risk to life. In fact, the Shawcross Review of Prevent made clear that counter-extremism and the counterterrorism strategy should be more focused on terrorist ideology, not less.’” – Daily Express
- Two-tier policing claim is extremism, Home Office review suggested – The Times Leaked dossier reveals Home Office plans to revive non-crime hate incidents – Daily Telegraph
- Leak Row. Two-tier policing claims are part of ‘right-wing extremist narrative’, says leaked Home Office report – The Sun
- Now criticising two-tier policing can be example of ‘far-Right extremism’, leaked Home Office report claims – Daily Mail
- Misogyny identified as breeding ground for extremism in UK, says leaked report – Guardian
COMMENT
Were signals about Southport killer missed because authorities didn’t want to ask questions about his racial background? – Trevor Philips The Sun
Prime Minister risks tensions with Donald Trump over defence spending
“Sir Keir Starmer has been warned by Labour MPs that he risks damaging Britain’s relationship with the US if the country does not spend more on defence. The prime minister is expected to delay a rise in defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP until after 2030 because of concerns over the state of the public finances, The Times revealed this week. President Trump has warned Nato countries that they must spend five per cent of GDP on defence, arguing that it is “ridiculous” how much the US is supporting Ukraine compared with Europe. Starmer has set a target of 2.5 per cent of GDP but has not announced a timeline to reach that goal. He has appointed Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, the former head of Nato, to carry out a strategic defence review, which will report in the spring, when the government will also announce its date to hit the target.” – The Times
- Defence Gaff. Labour risk major row with Trump as their vow to hike defence spending could be delayed until after next election – The Sun
- UK ‘unready for war’ with tank and ship shortage as spending target faces delay – The i
- Government says increase of funds for Armed Forces to come in spring – but critics suggest ‘a lot more’ is needed – Daily Telegraph
Chinese AI company DeepSeek continues to cause huge market problems for rivals
“OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman said he would fast-track product releases and “deliver much better models” after the release of a powerful new model by Chinese start-up DeepSeek undermined Silicon Valley’s lead in a global artificial intelligence arms race. DeepSeek’s generative AI chatbot, a direct rival to ChatGPT, is able to perform some tasks at the same level as recently released models from OpenAI, Anthropic and Meta, despite claims it cost a fraction of the money and time to develop. The release of DeepSeek’s R1 model last week and its rise to the top of Apple’s App Store has triggered a tech stock sell-off. Asian tech shares fell on Tuesday, in the wake of a Wall Street rout overnight.” – FT
- Nvidia suffers historic $600bn slump as AI bubble pops – Daily Telegraph
- Nvidia no longer world’s most valuable company after losing $589 BILLION in biggest stock drop in history – Daily Mail
- ‘Sputnik moment’: $1tn wiped off US stocks after Chinese firm unveils AI chatbot – Guardian
- What is Chinese AI startup DeepSeek? – City AM
COMMENT
Donald Trump reeling as cheap Chinese chatbot strikes $1trillion blow against US power – Harvey Jones Daily Express
Chinese AI has sparked a $1 trillion panic – and it doesn’t care about free speech – Daily Telegraph
Meanwhile …Home Office to block cheaper visas for AI experts despite push for growth
“The Home Office is poised to block cheaper visas for high skilled migrants in sectors such as AI despite Rachel Reeves identifying global talent as key for her growth push. The Chancellor last week announced that the Government’s upcoming immigration white paper will include a review of visa routes for the most highly skilled migrants, in growth sectors such as AI and life sciences (such as medicine and pharmaceutical research), to ensure the UK can attract talent and boost prosperity. But a planned consultation of businesses on the challenges of the visa system will “not look at fee reductions”, according to a senior Home Office source.” – The i
More details are briefed ahead of Rachel Reeves growth speech on Wednesday
“The chancellor is preparing to announce a series of measures designed to encourage economic growth with pledges to go “further and faster”. In an effort to counter economic gloom, Rachel Reeves has adopted a more upbeat tone in recent days and told Labour MPs on Monday night that the government wanted to see “the sounds and the sights of the future arriving” in Britain. She said she would “shout about that potential and the brighter future ahead. Because no one else is going to do it.” However, she warned that there are “no easy routes” to growth as she seeks to push ahead on contentious reforms. “Over the past six months as chancellor, my experience is that government has become used to saying ‘no’. That must change. We must start saying ‘yes.’,” she said.” – The Times
- Reeves targets private sector pensions in push for growth – Daily Telegraph
- Rachel Reeves warned £60bn pension reforms could send government borrowing costs soaring – Daily Express
COMMENT
Invest in Starmer’s Britain? You’d have to be bonkers – Michael Deacon Daily Telegraph
Britain needs more than words to get back to growth – Marc Sidwell CapX
TODAY on ConservativeHome
Net Zero, votes at 16, ‘who is the opposition?’, and how long will Labour last? My latest polling – Lord Ashcroft
Council debates ‘antisemitic’ petition on Holocaust Memorial Day as King visits Auschwitz
“Activists have been accused of disrespecting Holocaust Memorial Day after they put forward a petition calling for Sutton council to divest from companies that supply the Israeli military. A petition calling for the council to review its investment strategy and divest from companies operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), supplying the Israeli military, or those “complicit in the ongoing human rights violations in Gaza” was heard on Monday evening. The appeal, which garnered almost 2,000 signatures, also called on the council to adopt an ethical investment policy that “aligns with the council’s commitment to social responsibility and human rights”.’ On Monday evening the council voted to pass the petition to the pensions committee on the back of Labour and Liberal Democrat support.” – The Times
- Shoes of tiniest Holocaust victims bring horrors of Auschwitz home to King – Daily Telegraph
- ‘Memory hurts, memory guides’: Auschwitz survivors mark anniversary with warnings over rising antisemitism – Guardian
- Before that gateway of death, they gathered for the last time, the handful of witnesses to history’s greatest abomination – Daily Mail
- King Charles wipes away tears during incredibly moving Auschwitz ceremony – Daily Express
- Royal respect. Kate hugs Holocaust survivors & lights candle at emotional memorial event as she says ‘it’s good to be able to be here’ – The Sun
Attorney-general admits recusal over conflicts of interest
“The attorney-general has admitted that he has had to recuse himself “from certain matters” when giving advice to the government because of potential conflicts of interest. Lord Hermer KC, who became the government’s top law officer last July, was paid £30,000 to represent Gerry Adams against IRA bomb victims in a High Court case that is due to go to trial next year. Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to repeal the Legacy Act, which would open the door to taxpayer-funded compensation for hundreds of Republicans including the former Sinn Fein leader.” – The Times
- Attorney General admits recusing himself from advising Government – Daily Telegraph
Watch as woman in wheelchair evades police in blue light car chase
“Police officers twice failed to catch a shoplifter in a wheelchair as she evaded them during a blue light car chase. Footage showed a South Yorkshire Police car sounding its siren as the suspect fled on a three-wheeled motorised wheelchair on Sunday. Officers twice tried to cut across her wheelchair during the chase in Sheffield as they attempted to force it to a halt. But the suspect escaped both times, manoeuvring around the car and continuing down the road. The force reported later that it eventually apprehended the woman, who admitted to shoplifting “high value” goods from the nearby Meadowhall shopping centre.” – Daily Telegraph
NEWS in BRIEF
Nimby Watch: Londoners against opportunity – CapX
Rachel Reeves is Gordon Brown in a dress – Unherd
The India delusion – The Critic
Tory Nimbys are walking into Starmer’s trap – Spectator
