In the week that the news cycle was dominated by Tim Peake’s launch into Space (possibly to avoid ever having to encounter Donald Trump), here in Westminster there have been plenty of big issues to provide saving grace to awkward chats at Christmas parties. At GK the Bingle Bells were ringing after festivities started early at the Public Affairs Awards.
Cameron hustled in Brussels
The Prime Minister is in Brussels to discuss his key demands for EU reforms – although appears to have backtracked from the most controversial measure of curbing the rights of migrants to claim in-work benefits in the UK for four years. Cameron told the press he would be ‘battling for Britain, right through the night’, and he was burning the midnight oil after Donald Tusk said there was ‘presently no consensus’ among the 28 member states on such matters. Angela Merkel’s present to Cameron appears to have come in the form of a promise of a European Union treaty change, after Cameron accepted he could not discriminate against citizens of other EU states.
Fortunately for the Cameron Christmas card collection, Tusk said he wanted ‘no taboos’ with the Prime Minister. The Ghost of Electoral Past Nigel Farage got in on the festive activities, saying that Cameron’s renegotiation strategy was a ‘charade’, whilst working on his New Year plans by predicting that 2016 will see the EU referendum held in June.
Access all Heir-eas
It was revealed this week that Prince Charles has been receiving secret cabinet papers for decades, following a three year freedom of information battle by the pressure group Republic. The government stated that Charles’ access to high level cabinet meetings was necessary as he is heir to the throne and to ensure he is ‘properly briefed’. Labour MP for Newport West Paul Flynn has called for a parliamentary investigation into the matter.
The Prince’s involvement in political proceedings have long been called into question, with the latest revelations confirming that Charles has been given access to information on new policy proposals before the majority of Parliament or the public are even aware such information exists. Shadow Energy and Climate Change Minister Clive Lewis described Charles as ‘one of the most powerful lobbyists in the country’. An early contestant for next year’s Public Affairs Awards perhaps?
And finally…
With those in the Bubble set to say their goodbyes to one another as they head off home for Christmas, the Government, attempted to keep public affairs professionals at their desks and on their toes by publishing hundreds of statements, in what will take its place in our festive calendar and be hence forth known ‘as Black and White Thursday’.
Some took the opportunity to share some yuletide joy. Liz Truss proclaimed she wanted hedgehogs to have a happy Christmas as she pledged for a hedgehog summit, Jeremy Corbyn opted not to use PMQs to read a letter from Santa as footage of him dressed as his bearded comrade was unearthed, and this fabulous video of Osborne looking awkward in front of carol singers from 2014 did the office email rounds again. Lovely stuff.