Emily Carver

Nov 15, 2023 | conservativehome.com | Emily Carver

Emily Carver is a writer and broadcaster. Amidst the chaos of this week’s Cabinet reshuffle, the Prime Minister made the decision to appoint Esther McVey to the position of Minister without Portfolio, with the unofficial title of ‘minister for common sense’. Unsurprisingly, the appointment has invited ridicule, including from within the Party – Jacob Rees-Mogg branded it “silly” and “ridiculously tokenistic”.

Nov 1, 2023 | conservativehome.com | Emily Carver

Emily Carver is a writer and broadcaster. It has been estimated that the Covid inquiry will cost us £100 million. The final figure could of course end up much higher, as with similar inquiries. But we’re promised government will learn lessons for the future. The enormous bill could be worth it if the public gets the answers to the questions it cares about, and if the machine of government learns from its failures.

Oct 18, 2023 | conservativehome.com | Emily Carver

Emily Carver is a writer and broadcaster. Perhaps it is an inbuilt feature of devolution that the devolved nations feel it necessary to diverge from the UK government, even when there is little or no reason to do so. Take the dark days of the pandemic when the Welsh introduced a 17-day “firebreak” lockdown when shops were forced to cordon off products deemed “non-essential”. Such items included books, toys, and even female sanitary products in some cases.

Oct 4, 2023 | conservativehome.com | Emily Carver

Emily Carver is a writer and broadcaster. This year’s Conservative Party conference was a frustrating affair. Speaking to numerous members, grassroots activists and Tory MPs, there was little in the way of enthusiasm for the party’s record nor for their prospects at the next election. Indeed, the overwhelming impression was of a Conservative party in the midst of an identity crisis. Rishi Sunak’s keynote speech gave little for members to get overly excited or feel pride about.

Sep 6, 2023 | conservativehome.com | Emily Carver

Emily Carver is a broadcaster and commentator. With an ageing population and countless pressures on the public purse, it’s difficult to imagine the Government being able to cut back and reduce public spending in any meaningful way. The response to the Covid pandemic, now estimated to have cost between £310 billion and £410 billion, meant even higher levels of public spending. The subsequent inflationary pressures and the squeeze on energy exacerbated has kept spending at record highs.