Tory donations, foreign aid row & a hospitality crisis

A round-up and review of the week’s biggest news stories

In this week’s ‘News Roundtable’ episode, host Chris Wright and guests discuss Lord Cruddas’ £500,000 donation to the Conservative Party; a reduction in foreign aid; and post-covid staff shortages hitting the hospitality sector.

In this episode, Chris is joined by Jo Maugham, director at the ‘Good Law Project’; James O’Malley, freelance technology and political journalist; Penny Richards, managing director of The Aspen Institute UK, and David Ellis, editor of the Evening Standard’s, ‘The Reveller’.

The conversation begins by delving into the story surrounding Lord Cruddas, and his largest ever cash contribution to the Conservative Party. The panel discusses what this tells us about the integrity of our government, and how our interest in politicians has evolved from being concerned about the facts, and towards “how they make us feel”.

The discussion moves on to talk about cuts to foreign aid, from 0.7% of gross national income to 0.5%. The panel highlights contradictions around the government’s foreign policy, with Britain being considered a “global leader”, whilst choosing to lower its assistance during a pandemic.

Guests also discuss the reopening of hospitality, and how Brexit has contributed towards staff shortages – leaving questions around the proposed smooth reopening of the country on 21st June.

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