Rishi Sunak’s many headaches

Rosa Prince, I’ll also be with you on Tuesday.

DRIVING DAY

IT IS NOT EASY TO BE A PM:Rishi hasn’t been having the best of days with predictions that his by-election campaign would be wiped out, his NHS plan being overshadowed and Daniel Korski self-defenestration, plus last week’s Rwanda Scheme court blow. Today, a group red wall Tory members publishes a “alternative” manifesto to cut immigration. The Sun describes this as a “fresh attack on the prime minister’s authority.”

With Friends Like These:Most papers agree that the plan drafted by the New Conservatives Group of Tory MPs re-elected in 2017 and 2019 poses a direct threat to the PM. The group wants the government to fulfill its manifesto promise to reduce net migration to below 226,000 before the next election to “save faces” and maintain voter trust. Party Vice Chairman Lee Anderson, among other MPs, has backed their 12-point plan.

The planProposals are to increase salary thresholds for immigrant workers, limit visas for care workers, stop foreign students from staying after they graduate, and tighten language requirements. Tom Hunt, Ipswich’s MP, was one of the authors of the plan. He explained its motivation on BBC Radio 4’s Westminster Hour: “When I knock at doors and talk to constituents about immigration, it is a major issue that keeps coming up.”

Suella boost The Times reports that the demands have the effect of bolstering the Home Secretary Suella in her internal arguments against Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan. They are concerned that restricting immigration would harm the economy and lucrative university sector.

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Baker and Braverman Less fortunately for the home secretary, the Mail and Guardian were both informed that former supporter Steve Baker turned against Braverman after her suggestion that there was a “predominance of British-Pakistani males involved with sexually abuse grooming gangs. Baker’s Wycombe Constituency has a large proportion of Asian voters and he will defend just over 4,000 votes at the next elections.

(No,) stopping the boat:The New Conservative Group’s manifesto is not good news for Sunak. It shows how he is struggling to fulfill his promise to “stop” the boats, which was one of five pledges that he made to himself six months ago.

5 alive The Times gives a damning evaluation of Sunak’s progress in achieving his five pledges. The Times scores Sunak from 1 out 5 for reducing national debt, to a not so impressive 3 out 5 for the prospects of growing the economy.

ICYMI If he had not received enough helpful advice by the weekend, it was reported that Liz Truss, former PM of Australia will be launching her new “Growth Commission”, later this month. The group, led by economist Douglas McWilliams will examine the causes of slow growth and analyze the impact of government policy on GDP.

POLLTASTICMore bad results for Sunak from a series of polls released overnight. Two-thirds of respondents to a BMG survey for the i blamed the government for high prices. The paper reported the results. The same poll found that 45 percent of respondents now believe Britain should join the EU. This compares to 40 percent who would like to remain out and 14 percent are unsure.

Polls, Part 2:A separate poll conducted by Ipsos on behalf of the Health Foundation found that two-thirds (67%) of voters believed the NHS would abandon the principle of providing free care at the time of delivery. That’s what the Guardian splashed.

On this note: Aneira, the retired nurse and first baby born in the NHS, gave an interview to The Mirror to mark its 75th anniversary. She accused the government of taking health care back to “dark times.”

Polls, Part 3:The Mail reports on a poll that shows only one out of four voters support the campaign to delay 2030’s ban on petrol and Diesel car sales. Kemi Badenoch, the UK’s Trade Secretary, is said to be concerned that the deadline may affect car manufacturing in the U.K.

Read this: Badenoch is increasing pressure on the EU in order to protect electric vehicle manufacturers from being affected by new Brexit trade regulations in 2024. My POLITICO colleagues Graham Lanktree, and Stefan Boscia have reported.

The economy must be in bad shape:Nick Timothy declared that capitalism isn’t working.

We’re here to help:Altruism is still alive and well. The Times has an article on the Patriotic Millionaires – a group of Richie Riches that calls for the wealthy pay more taxes.

ANOTHER TORY HEADACHE: There is a lot of unhappiness on the Tory back benches — and even some on the front benches — about the anti-BDS bill (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions), Playbook’s Eleni Courea hears before its second reading tonight. Around 10 Tory members met with Chief Whip Simon Hart to express their concerns last week (but the real number of rebels “is much more than that,” said one MP).

The purpose of the bill…was that it would ban local councils from a boycotting Israel – fulfilling a manifesto promise. This was not a surprise to anyone, but it was a hot political topic and difficult to codify. Eleni has spoken with multiple Tory MPs, who are concerned about the bill’s single-out of Israel, its potential to stifle criticism or action against other countries, including China, as well as the threat it poses to freedom of expression. Alicia Kearns, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, is expected to speak during the debate.

Trouble on both sides:The FT says that John McDonnell, the Shadow Chancellor, will vote against the Bill. The paper also reports that Labour MPs were ordered to abstain.

On a different note: Former Chancellor Sajid Javid wrote an op-ed for the Telegraph in support of the bill. The bill is being led by Michael Gove, Leveling Up Secretary and local government official. Javid says that the legislation will prevent local councils from “‘freelancing,’ in foreign policies.”

BIDEN IS IN TOWN

HAIL THE CHIEFSomething for the PM to cheer up: U.S. president Joe Biden is stopping by London next week on his way to Vilnius, where the NATO summit will take place. The White House announced this. In a visit to “strengthen our close relationship with our nations”, Press Secretary Karinejean-Pierre stated in a press release. He will call on Rishi Sunak as well as King Charles. Hugo Gyre of the i got the scoop two weeks ago.

WINDSOR AGREEEMENT Buckingham Palace confirmed Biden’s meeting with the king on the evening of 10 July at Windsor Castle. The PM will be eager to see the president after a warm relationship that has developed in recent months.

You are very welcome:A number A spokesperson for 10 said last night that the prime minister is looking forward to welcoming U.S. president Biden to the U.K. in the latter part of this month. This shows the strong relationship between U.K. & U.S. It builds on a series bilateral visits & meetings earlier this year.

CLEVERLY IS IN EUROPE: Speaking of NATO, Foreign Minister James Cleverly will be in Brussels today where he’ll make his first speech before the EU Parliament and co-chair with European Commission Vice President Maros SEFCIOC the 11th Joint Committee Meeting on the Withdrawal Agreement. Cleverly will outline the U.K. priorities for cooperation on trade and Ukraine before meeting European Parliament president Roberta Metsola, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. They will discuss how to support Ukraine and how the NATO alliance can adapt to new threats, including increasing defense spending. Cleverly will emphasize the U.K.’s support for Sweden becoming a NATO member.

So mature Speaking ahead of the visit Cleverly said: “This marks a new chapter in U.K.-EU relations. We stand united in our support for Ukraine, and want to maximize the benefits of our trade agreement. We don’t need to agree on every issue. A mature relationship can handle differences.

EDUCATION

BRIDGET’S BIG DAY It’s a mega-day for Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson. She has just finished her Sunday broadcast and is now promoting her plans to send “super teachers” to struggling schools in underprivileged communities. She also has an article in the Sun, promising to produce “the next generation” of brickies with construction apprenticeships. She will also be on James O’Brien’s LBC program at 12.30 pm. She’ll also help Labour leader Keir starmer launch his “mission” to increase opportunities later in the week. Phew.

Show a little respect.Labour today will also pledge to reestablish the teaching profession as a respected one, with more money for new recruits and a higher status, to address the lack of talent entering the profession. Phillipson, in pre-briefed remarks, said: “Only Labour can re-establish the teaching profession as one that is respected and valued for its skill as a job that delivers for our nation.”

Private pledgePhillipson’s promise to reward teachers who complete two years of teaching with a PS2,400 bonus as a way to improve retention would be funded through the ending of tax breaks for private school. Phillipson said on Times Radio that the cost would be just over PS56million and that it would come from ending tax breaks for private schools.

Teachable Moment:Phillipson has also released figures showing that state schools have spent PS8 Billion recruiting replacement teachers since 2010

Sorcerer’s Apprentice:The Sun’s story states that the number of apprenticeships completed has dropped by 40% in the last five years. Keir Starmer’s latest “mission” address will be announcing his plans for education later this week. It will focus on how to overcome barriers.

Reminder The latest NEU strikes will be coming down the track on Wednesday and Friday like a locomotive, heading straight towards parents. Jonathan Gullis, Minister of School Standards, said: “The Conservative Government wants to put students and parents first. The NEU should do the sam.

RISE UPS: Meanwhile, former Labour Education Minister David Blunkett told the House’s Tali Frasier that he would “far less tolerant” than the current students regarding the marking strike which has ruined their graduation prospects. Their university experience had already been a mess thanks to COVID.

Cover star The latest edition of House also features an interview with Gillian Keegan whose comments on the government’s much-anticipated guidance for schools regarding trans issues were picked by the Telegraph at the weekend. She and Schools Minister Nick Gibb will meet Tory MPs at 5 p.m. to discuss the plans, amid anger among the backbenches over the “limbo”, schools have been in due to delays with the guidance.

MORE LABOUR LAND

OOH la Lammy: Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy will be in Paris today for talks with French Minister of Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna on the Quai D’Orsay. He will then meet with Transport Minister Clement Beaune. They will discuss Labour’s plans to “rebuild U.K. – France ties, as well as the proposed U.K. – EU security pact.”

Talks in the tank:Lammy is also visiting the think tank Institut Montaigne while he is in Paris. While in Paris, he will present proposals for a new agreement on safe return and family reunion and pledge to crackdown on smugglers gangs. According to a press release issued before the trip, Lammy plans to say that he wants “to make Brexit work for the British public by fixing the gaps in the Tories botched Brexit deal during the scheduled Trade and Cooperation Agreement Review 2025.”

POUNDSHOP BLAIRITESKeir’s purge of the Left and last week’s disciplinary actions against Compass chief Neil Lawson because he tweeted about electoral pacts show that the Labour leadership wants to replace lefties by “pound-shop Blairites,” Poppy Wood reports for the i.

They came for me next:On a similar theme, John McDonnell, the former Shadow Chancellor told the FT that the leadership was looking for an excuse for him to be suspended. Gotta love “Starmer’s ally’s” response to the notion that the trigger could be tonight’s Israel boycott bill. “That’s not something anyone wants to fight.”

ASIAN ASLANSThe Twitter spat between superhead Katharine Burbalsingh, and Labour frontbencher Jess Phillips makes Playbook’s brain hurt. Luckily, the Guardian’s Rowena Mason had the stamina it took to write about it.

MIDDLE AGE MAYHEM: Women aged 45-65 could be the key to Labour and Lib Dems’ fortunes in the general election, according to the Times. For those who enjoy archetypes, this report adds the words “Surrey Shufflers,” a “Take a Breaker,” “WI” and “National Trusters.”

Today in Westminster

SEEING YOU AGAIN IN COURT: The second day of the Cabinet Office vs. COVID inquiry High Court Case over the release of Boris Johnson’s unredacted WhatsApps During the Pandemic begins in court 3 at 10.30 am.

SHADES of GRAY: The results of the government’s investigation into Partygate Inquisitor Sue Gray’s contacts with Labour, will be presented to parliament today in the form a WMS. Labour’s response is essentially: “whatever”, the Mail reports.

BROKEN BRITAIN The BMA Annual Conference starts today in Liverpool. According to the Mirror, doctors are threatening a strike until the next general election unless an improved pay deal is reached. The union’s senior doctor, Phil Banfield will call for urgent negotiations, claiming that there is a lack of trust between doctors and the government.

Pay Up:The Times splashes a hint by Health Secretary Steve Barclay, that more money could be found if also the union moved away from its 35 percent demand. The Times reported that Barclay is in favor of adopting the recommendations from the independent Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration. This body is expected to recommend a 6 percent increase.

The robot is now watching you: Meanwhile, Barclay also ordered NHS trusts that they use the new funding (somewhat mysteriously obtained) for extra staff in order to recruit more doctors, nurses, and not bureaucrats.

NO TRUTH: According to a report published by the Times, half of women who witnessed or experienced a crime within the last year did not report the incident because they didn’t believe that the police would take their claims seriously.

THE KID IS OK:Young adults living in areas of high anti-social behaviour in England will be able to access more sports, arts, and other opportunities this summer thanks to funding from the Million Hours Fund.

PHONES:Former Tory Leader Iain Duncan Smith warned that the merger between Vodafone & Three was “dangerous,” as it could give a Chinese-based company a prominent position in the U.K. mobile network. Duncan Smith told The Independent: “This dangerous deal is another example of the Communist Party’s attempt to create a Western dependence on China.”

DON’T BANK IT:The Telegraph reports on the Treasury telling banks they must protect freedom speech following a growing outcry over customers with controversial views being blacklisted. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, it is believed, is “deeply worried” about lenders closing down accounts because they disagreed with the opinions of customers. He has asked Andrew Griffith, City Minister, to investigate.

FUELING the FLAMES:The Government plans to crackdown against service station profiteering, by telling motorists through a comparison site where they can purchase the cheapest gasoline. The Telegraph has an article.

FACING MUSIC:Evidence Week begins in parliament. The event, which was created in 2018 to respond to the public’s growing interest in policy evidence and will be livestreamed starting at 5 pm, allows constituents to ask their MPs questions about policy decisions.

SW1 ACTIVITIES:Former Minister of Finance Sajid Javid talks about his time at the Institute for Government with Director Hannah White starting at 9.45 am.

HOUSE of COMMONSSits at 2.30 pm with Home Office Questions… and then, the main business of the day is the second reading of Economic Activity of Public Bodies Bill (Overseas Matters). Labour’s Ruth Cadbury leads the adjournment discussion on crime and antisocial behavior in West London.

WESTMINSTER HAL: Debate from 4.30 pm an e-petition regarding the Approved mileage Allowance Payment Rate (led by Tory MEP Elliot Colburn).

On the committee corridor:Directors of Public Prosecutions Max Hill give evidence to the Justice Committee at 2.30 p.m…. NHS England’s Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard and DHSC’s Permanent Secretary Chris Wormald speak to the Public Accounts Committee regarding access to emergency and urgent care at 4 p.m…. and Electoral Commission representatives are questioned about electoral registration by the Leveling

HOUSE of LORDS: Sits at 2.30 pm with oral questions about the Drax biomass power plant, the U.K. production of nuclear subs under the AUKUS Agreement and recommendations on cybersecurity… and then main business is the Illegal Immigration Bill on the second day.

BEYOND M25

PILE ON PYLONSEnvironment secretary Therese Coffey has launched a campaign against the section of a pylon line that will cross her Suffolk Coastal Constituency. Kemi Badenoch who represents Saffron Walden, Essex, also called for a reconsideration. The Telegraph published a piece on the subject. It follows the Sunday Telegraph splash that said hundreds of miles of pylons would be accelerated so the U.K. could meet its net-zero goals.

YET A NEW MAYOR:Tory MEP Ben Bradley announced that he was running to become the first mayor of East Midlands. He called for the region to have the power to reduce taxes. Bradley pledged in a Telegraph article that he would not introduce ULEZ policies, as seen in London and other cities.

ORKNEY GOES NORDIC: Orkney Council will discuss “alternative governance forms” with their Nordic neighbor. James Stockan, the authority leader, believes Orkney is not treated fairly in terms of funding and policy support. Orkney could do better under the Norwegians. STV News has this story.

VICTORIA REMEMBERS:Ukrainian war crimes researcher and writer Victoria Amelina, 37, died after being injured in Kramatorsk by a Russian missile. Journalist Olga Tokariuk stated that Amelina left “so many unwritten books, stories untold and days unlived.”

TRADE AWAYTrade minister Nigel Huddleston is on a three-day trip to Kolkata, India, and Dhaka Bangladesh to announce initiatives to help U.K. companies sell to both countries.

RIOTS IN FRANCE SHOW SIGNALS OF DEESCALATION After six nights of looting, violence and clashes the French authorities seem to be deescalating the riots which broke out in France after a policeman killed Nahel a 17-year old of North African descent during a traffic check in Paris last Thursday.

Over this weekend: On Sunday night, tens of thousands more police were sent on patrol to try to prevent further rioting. On Saturday, President Emmanuel Macron rescheduled a trip to Germany in order to deal with the crisis at home. John Lichfield writes in a commentary for POLITICO that the riots have created a “spiral” of suspicion, misunderstandings, rejections and fear.

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MEDIA RUND

Culture Minister Lucy Frazer broadcast round :Sky News (7:30 a.m.),… LBC (7:30 a.m.),… GMB (8.30 am.).

Shadow Schools minister Stephen Morgan broadcast round :GB News (7.20 a.m.), Times Radio (7.45 a.m.), Sky News (8.05 a.m.), LBC News (8.40 a.m.).

Also, on GB News Breakfast :Former Tory advisor Claire Pearsall (6.30 a.m.; 7.30 a.m.; and 8.30 a.m.).

Also heard on Times Radio: Former Victims’ Commission Vera Baird (7.35 am)… Ineos Chairman and Founder Jim Ratcliffe (8:00 am)… Susan Hall a shortlisted Tory candidate for London mayoral election (8.35 am).

Also on Sky News Breakfast : ASLEF general secretary Mick Whelan (7.20 am)… Rwandan leader of opposition Victoire Umuhoza (7.35)… BMA junior doctors committee member Arjun Sing 8.30 am

Also, on Nick Ferrari’s Breakfast: Former Met Police Commander Roy Ramm (7.05 a.m.)… Former Met Police Superintendent Nusrit mehtab (8.35 am.).

TalkTV breakfast:Former Tory health secretary Stephen Dorrell (7.05 am)… crossbench peer Norman Warner 8.05.

Politics Live (BBC Two, 9.45 a.m. ): Tory MP Bim O’Grady… Labour peer Frances O’Grady… Alex Phillips of Reform U.K…. Observer’s columnist Sonia Sodha.

James O’Brien Shadow Education Secretary (LBC). Bridget Phillipson Phone-in (12.30 to 1.00 pm).

TODAY’S FRONT PAGES

POLITICO UK Brexit cliff edge has electric carmakers spooked, as talks falter.

Daily Express Doctors raise the specter of NHS strikes up to 2025.

Daily Mail Stop the “damaging” 2030 petrol vehicle ban

Daily Mirror “Super Teacher” hit squads for Schools

Daily Star China’s lunar nukes

Financial Times Bond fund titan Pimco prepares to “harder land” in the global economy

i : Voters blame Sunak for “poor” handling inflation.

Metro : Just Not Cricket!

The Daily Telegraph Banks should respect the right to free speech of their customers

The Guardian Fears that NHS will have to charge for services are growing.

The Independent – Shameful

The Sun : Out of… order.

The TimesDoctors will get a pay promise if they end their strike.

LONDON CALLING

WESTMINSTER METEOROLOGY: Light Rain with a Moderate Blow. Highs of 19C.

IN MEMORY: Former civil service head Bob Kerslake died of cancer at the age of 68, according to his sister Ros Kerslake Labour leader Keir starmer said Kerslake is a “talented professional, and good man”. His daughter Eleanorsaid Kerslake has had many jobs, but the most important thing to him was that he was a fantastic husband, father, brother, son, and granddad.

NEW GIG Donjeta Miftari is now a political advisor to Labour’s National Coordinator Shabana Mahamood. She was previously the chief communications adviser for Kosovo’s president Vjosa Omsmani.

Kate McCann Congratulations to Kate McCann, who will be the political editor of Times Radio from September. She was previously the political editor of TalkTV.

STRAWBERRIES & CREAM PLEASE! Wimbledon coverage starts on BBC Two at 10.30 am, bringing Politics Live forward.

LISTEN: Kirsty Warsk discusses NHS at 75, with guests including The Spectator’s Isabel Hardman GP Phil Whitaker on Radio 4’s “Start the Week” at 9 a.m.

ROLL THE BARREL : Journalist Nadine White’s first film about the Windrush Generation, titled “Barrel Children,” plays now in select Picturehouse cinemas. Dates are listed here.

NOAH’S CULTURE FX:Comedian Matt Forde interviewing fellow comic Joe Lycett at the Duchess Theatre, 7.30 pm. Tickets are available here.

READ NOW: The New Statesman interviews Facebook Whistleblower Frances Haugen who expresses concerns about the impact Big Tech will have on the U.S. elections in 2024.

BIRTHDAYS – Former Ealing North M.P. Stephen Pound… Scottish Labour MSP Katy Clark… Maitland Jay Turner… WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Playbook wouldn’t have been possible without my editors Jack Lahart, Zoya Sheftalovich and Noah Keate. Producer Dato Parulava and reporter Noah Keate also contributed.

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