Home Secretary Suella Braverman's controversial comments and their impact on government unity and public perception. Handling protests and free speech while respecting police independence. Consensus opinion among Tory benches, misrepresentation of red wall voters by the Tory right. Aftermath of Spanish elections and tension in Madrid. Current political situation in Madrid and Spain, concerns about the Catalonian party's actions.
The Home Secretary's comments have created division within the government and raised questions about the government's stance on equal justice.
The Conservative Party may have misunderstood working-class voters' priorities, focusing on culture wars and immigration instead of economic revival and job creation.
Deep dives
Cabinet voices criticize Home Secretary's comments
Several Cabinet ministers, including Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, have criticized the Home Secretary's comments about her own department. This has created division within the government.
Government's collective view on police bias is unclear
The government's position on whether the police show bias and the principle of operational independence is confused. The Home Secretary's comments have raised questions about the government's stance on equal justice.
Misunderstanding of working-class voters
The Conservative Party, particularly the Home Secretary, may have misunderstood the viewpoints of working-class voters, especially those in the Red Wall. The party's focus on culture wars and immigration may not align with what these voters prioritize, such as economic revival and job creation.
Unrest in Spain as PM secures deal with Catalan separatists
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has negotiated a deal with Catalan separatists, leading to amnesty for leaders involved in the illegal independence referendum. This has sparked protests in Madrid and uncertainty in Spanish politics, with the recent shooting of a far-right party founder adding to the tensions.
That's despite ongoing calls from within her own party for the Prime Minister to sack her for comments she made about the police and so-called 'hate-marches' in an article in The Times, which wasn't signed off by No.10.
We speak to senior backbench Tory Tim Loughton, author of The New Snobbery David Skelton, as well as More In Common's Luke Tryl - and we ask who Suella's extreme politics and language really speaks for.
Later, we look at the far-right Vox party in Spain after its co-founder Alejo Vidal-Quadras was shot in the face yesterday in an attempted assassination attempt.
Editor: Gabriel Radus
Senior Producer: Laura FitzPatrick
Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell
Video Producers: Jack McKay & Arvind Badewal
You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".
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