Amid the upmarket Little Waitrose grocery shops, gentrified restaurants and tree-lined avenues, there is some unease in Old Bexley and Sidcup that its long-established Conservative Party dominance is becoming vulnerable.
In the south-east London constituency, its Tory voters are finding the ongoing sleaze allegations against the party’s MPs rather troubling.
MPs voting remotely from the Caribbean while pocketing millions of pounds in legal work; lobbying for companies while on the payroll; orders to save the MP at the centre of that row by ripping up the rule book; the spectre of the MPs' expenses scandal returning after more than 10 years, as it emerges politicians have been claiming expenses for flats that are rented out.
It all has left the public feeling uneasy, at the very least.
On December 2, voters will be the first to be asked to articulate their thoughts in a by-election for their next MP, following the death last month of the admired representative James Brokenshire, at the age of 53.
It is the first of several upcoming by-elections that will test the Government's mettle.
Brokenshire had built up a solid reputation that translated into a majority approaching 19,000 votes at the last general election. But given the fortnight of headlines screaming Tory sleaze from the British press, that redoubt appears less formidable.
First came the Owen Paterson debacle in which the government’s clumsy attempt to undo a 30-day suspension for breaking lobbying rules by changing the rules themselves ended in a painful and undignified U-turn.
That was then followed by the exposure of former attorney general Geoffrey Cox earning almost £1 million in his role as a lawyer working in the British Virgin Islands.
There's no suggestion he has broken any rules.
The government has been made to look inept and self-serving. So, could the unthinkable happen – as it did in the Chesham and Amersham by-election in June – and the Tories actually lose Bexley?
“I think the government has been an honest and said they've made a mistake,” the Conservative candidate Louie French told The National.
“People are moving past that locally,” he added, suggesting that for many voters “Westminster can feel like a faraway place”.
That might be overly optimistic. Voters questioned by The National in the less affluent area of Foots Cray might not be so ready to vote Conservative, which many did in the 2019 election – largely to resolve Brexit.
“I lent the Tories my vote to get Brexit done and I couldn’t stand the idea of voting for [former opposition Labour Party leader] Jeremy Corbyn,” said Mary, 45, a care worker, suggesting that her switch to the Conservatives might have been a one-time event.
Her neighbour, kitchen designer Sadia Malik, 42, was similarly concerned. “Corruption is not something I would think could happen in Britain. I read a lot of international news and this is something you’d expect to happen in other countries.”
But she remained undecided on whether to cast her vote for Labour or Conservative.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid a visit to the constituency today, underlining the importance of the seat to his party.
He visited a local pharmacy in Sidcup and denied that the sleaze scandal would see Labour take over.
In a reply to a question on the issue, he said: “No, because Louie French is running a great campaign on the big issues that matter to people.
“(He is) building on the legacy of James Brokenshire, ensuring that Queen Mary Hospital has ever better faculties and making sure that we have ever safer streets in Greater London.”
He said he did not “underestimate the vital importance” of MPs refraining from engaging in paid advocacy.
Mr Johnson said: “I do not in any way underestimate the vital importance of the transparency of MPs working number one for their constituents and not engaging in paid advocacy.
“We have got to make sure that the standards committee is allowed to get on and do its work and the Commissioner for Standards gets on and does her work.”
Labour candidate Daniel Francis will be hoping the unsavoury headlines continue, so he can win Ms Malik’s vote.
“There is a great deal of disillusionment with the Conservatives,” he told The National while canvassing in Foots Cray.
“They’ve shown it’s one rule for them, one for everybody else and there’s a great deal of anger, particularly in people who lent their vote to the Conservatives back in 2019. Voters are switching back to us.”
The local councillor, 44, who is out canvassing three times a day, vowed to fight for every vote, claiming that the Tories had become “very complacent”.
While Mr French, 33, would strongly argue otherwise, there are grounds for complacency.
“The sad thing is that I will probably still vote Tory,” said John, the manager of a nearby fish and chip shop.
“Labour is still not showing real opposition, there is no real fight on the minimum wage and basically it is two parties in one. They’re just a wasted vote.”
“Boris Johnson has got many faults but when you look at the hand he was dealt with on the pandemic, then it has been really tough to make his mark.”
Among the banks, high street shops and pubs in Sidcup, there also appears little appetite for a minor revolution.
“I’ll stick with Boris,” said Lisa, 32, waiting to pick up her child from kindergarten. “I think the sleaze needs to be addressed but I don’t want to vote for a different party. Boris tried to do his best in the pandemic where he was damned if he did and damned if he didn’t.”
An 87-year-old pensioner smoking a cigarette outside the Tailor’s Chalk pub was more direct. “I’ve always voted Conservative and I’m not going to vote for Labour,” he said.
Mr French will hope those sentiments are widely reflected and that the Westminster sleaze accusations will be largely forgotten in three weeks.
But Labour will be hoping too that the sleaze arguments will cut through.
“People are fed up with this government and they won't be taken for fools,” said Ellie Reeves, Labour MP for Lewisham West and Penge constituency in south London, while canvassing with Mr Francis.
“They know this isn't right. This isn't decent. This should not happen in politics.”
Labour is hoping the sleaze accusations will persuade Old Bexley and Sidcup voters that the Conservatives are “just looking out for themselves”.
In the Chesham and Amersham vote, there was a massive 30 per cent swing to the Liberal Democrats that overturned the previous Tory majority of 16,000 votes.
If Old Bexley and Sidcup produces a similar upset, it will demonstrate Chesham and Amersham was not a one-off and that the Conservatives have serious electoral issues in the south of England.
By-election challenges
Southend West: A date has yet to be set for the by-election in Southend West following the killing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess. Due to the circumstances of his death, opposition parties will not stand against the Tory candidate.
Old Bexley and Sidcup: Former Conservative minister James Brokenshire died at the age of 53 in October. after being diagnosed with lung cancer in 2017.
He had been a member of parliament since 2005 and held a number of ministerial positions under successive Tory governments, including Minister of State for Security and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Daniel Frances is the Labour candidate, while Louie French is standing for the Tories.
North Shropshire: Owen Paterson’s resignation following the lobbying scandal leaves another constituency in need of an MP. A date has yet to be set for the by-election, which will be hotly contested.
He stepped after a Boris Johnson’s government performed a U-turned on supporting him.
The government successfully ordered its MPs to block a six-week suspension for Mr Paterson, who was censured by a parliamentary watchdog for lobbying on behalf of companies which paid him more than £100,000.
But a backlash against plans for a new standards system prompted the government to draw back from its plans and promise a new vote on Mr Paterson.
The MP responded by announcing that he would quit after describing the last two years as an “indescribable nightmare” and claiming he had been unable to clear his name under the current system.
He said the pressure of the inquiry – which concluded he was responsible for an “egregious” breach of the rules – contributed to his wife’s suicide in June last year.
Leicester East: Another by-election seems likely after MP Claudia Webbe was handed a 10-week jail term, suspended for two years, at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 4 after she was convicted of threatening to throw acid in the face of Michelle Merritt, a friend of her boyfriend Lester Thomas.
She has formally begun her bid to overturn her harassment conviction – and was warned her sentence could yet be increased.
The appeal is listed for March 9 2022 and could last up to three days.
Any recall petition, which would trigger a by-election if at least 10 per cent of her constituents in Leicester East support it, would have to wait until the outcome of her appeal.
She sits in the House of Commons as an independent, after being expelled from the Labour Party over the conviction.
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Januzaj's club record
Manchester United 50 appearances, 5 goals
Borussia Dortmund (loan) 6 appearances, 0 goals
Sunderland (loan) 25 appearances, 0 goals
Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Pari
Produced by: Clean Slate Films (Anushka Sharma, Karnesh Sharma) & KriArj Entertainment
Director: Prosit Roy
Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor, Mansi Multani
Three stars
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
Key changes
Commission caps
For life insurance products with a savings component, Peter Hodgins of Clyde & Co said different caps apply to the saving and protection elements:
• For the saving component, a cap of 4.5 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 90 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• On the protection component, there is a cap of 10 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 160 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• Indemnity commission, the amount of commission that can be advanced to a product salesperson, can be 50 per cent of the annualised premium for the first year or 50 per cent of the total commissions on the policy calculated.
• The remaining commission after deduction of the indemnity commission is paid equally over the premium payment term.
• For pure protection products, which only offer a life insurance component, the maximum commission will be 10 per cent of the annualised premium multiplied by the length of the policy in years.
Disclosure
Customers must now be provided with a full illustration of the product they are buying to ensure they understand the potential returns on savings products as well as the effects of any charges. There is also a “free-look” period of 30 days, where insurers must provide a full refund if the buyer wishes to cancel the policy.
“The illustration should provide for at least two scenarios to illustrate the performance of the product,” said Mr Hodgins. “All illustrations are required to be signed by the customer.”
Another illustration must outline surrender charges to ensure they understand the costs of exiting a fixed-term product early.
Illustrations must also be kept updatedand insurers must provide information on the top five investment funds available annually, including at least five years' performance data.
“This may be segregated based on the risk appetite of the customer (in which case, the top five funds for each segment must be provided),” said Mr Hodgins.
Product providers must also disclose the ratio of protection benefit to savings benefits. If a protection benefit ratio is less than 10 per cent "the product must carry a warning stating that it has limited or no protection benefit" Mr Hodgins added.
Mental%20health%20support%20in%20the%20UAE
%3Cp%3E%E2%97%8F%20Estijaba%20helpline%3A%208001717%3Cbr%3E%E2%97%8F%20UAE%20Ministry%20of%20Health%20and%20Prevention%20hotline%3A%20045192519%3Cbr%3E%E2%97%8F%20UAE%20Mental%20health%20support%20line%3A%20800%204673%20(Hope)%3Cbr%3EMore%20information%20at%20hope.hw.gov.ae%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Kalra's feat
- Becomes fifth batsman to score century in U19 final
- Becomes second Indian to score century in U19 final after Unmukt Chand in 2012
- Scored 122 in youth Test on tour of England
- Bought by Delhi Daredevils for base price of two million Indian rupees (Dh115,000) in 2018 IPL auction
RESULTS
Manchester United 2
Anthony Martial 30'
Scott McTominay 90 6'
Manchester City 0
More about Middle East geopolitics
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Seemar’s top six for the Dubai World Cup Carnival:
1. Reynaldothewizard
2. North America
3. Raven’s Corner
4. Hawkesbury
5. New Maharajah
6. Secret Ambition
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
SWEET%20TOOTH
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreated%20by%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Jim%20Mickle%2C%20Beth%20Schwartz%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nonso%20Anozie%2C%20Christian%20Convery%2C%20Adeel%20Akhtar%2C%20Stefania%20LaVie%20Owen%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20Tabby%3Cbr%3EFounded%3A%20August%202019%3B%20platform%20went%20live%20in%20February%202020%3Cbr%3EFounder%2FCEO%3A%20Hosam%20Arab%2C%20co-founder%3A%20Daniil%20Barkalov%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Payments%3Cbr%3ESize%3A%2040-50%20employees%3Cbr%3EStage%3A%20Series%20A%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Arbor%20Ventures%2C%20Mubadala%20Capital%2C%20Wamda%20Capital%2C%20STV%2C%20Raed%20Ventures%2C%20Global%20Founders%20Capital%2C%20JIMCO%2C%20Global%20Ventures%2C%20Venture%20Souq%2C%20Outliers%20VC%2C%20MSA%20Capital%2C%20HOF%20and%20AB%20Accelerator.%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Brief scores:
Kashima Antlers 0
River Plate 4
Zuculini 24', Martinez 73', 90 2', Borre 89' (pen)
Hales' batting career
Tests 11; Runs 573; 100s 0; 50s 5; Avg 27.38; Best 94
ODIs 58; Runs 1,957; 100s 5; 50s 11; Avg 36.24; Best 171
T20s 52; Runs 1,456; 100s 1; 50s 7; Avg 31.65; Best 116 not out
More on animal trafficking
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
