Mehdi's Morning Memo: Well, About Time

Mehdi's Morning Memo: Well, About Time

Here are the five things you need to know on Thursday 10 April 2014...

1) WEll, ABOUT TIME

Mike Fabricant, the flamboyant former Tory whip, has been sacked as a vice-chair of the Conservative Party after sending a tweet following the resignation of former Culture Secretary Maria Miller on Wednesday. The outspoken and colourful MP, who has also been a vocal of the HS2 rail scheme, claimed he was asked to resign but refused. He was then sacked by party chairman Grant Shapps.

The 63-year-old MP for Lichfield in Staffordshire posted a message on the micro-blogging site that said: "Been asked to resign as Vice Chairman, refused, so sacked over HS2 and my views on a recent Cabinet Minister." Earlier, following news of Miller's resignation, he tweeted: "Well, about time."

2) EURO ELECTION CAMPAIGN GETS UNDERWAY

David Cameron will attempt to put the Maria Miller expenses row and questions about his handling of the case behind him as he launches his party's campaign for next month's European elections. The Prime Minister will travel to north west England to launch the Tory election campaign today, hoping that Miller's resignation will draw a line under the row. The ComRes survey for ITV News showed 63% thought the Prime Minister had handled the problem badly, including 32% who thought he had dealt with the situation "very badly", with just 8% saying he had done well.

3) MYNERS QUITS THE CO-OP

Former City minister Lord Myners has quit the board of the embattled Co-operative group amid a power struggle over his controversial plans to reform the business. The company declined to comment on a report that he had left but it was understood that he had tendered his resignation as an independent director though he would carry on with his review.

The development came as turmoil over planned changes continued. The Guardian said that Lord Myners' review is unlikely to be accepted by the regional boards and independent societies which run the organisation.

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4) FARAGE WADES IN

Nigel Farage sought to capitalise on Maria Miller's resignation as culture secretary by calling for the voters of Basingstoke to be given the opportunity to oust her in a by-election, the Daily Telegraph reports. "Farage said he does not think Mrs Miller resigning her Cabinet post is "enough" and it is time voters were given the right to sack MPs who have stepped out of line. Ukip came a distant fourth in the constituency in 2010 - when Mrs Miller won with a majority of 13,176 and secured more than 50% of the votes cast."

5) COOPER PLANS FORCED LABOUR CRACKDOWN

Serious exploitation of migrant labour in a bid to undercut wages would be made a criminal offence under a Labour government, the shadow home secretary will say. In a speech outlining Labour's approach to immigration, Yvette Cooper will set out plans to consult on revising the existing criminal offence of forced labour so more exploiters of migrants are caught and prosecuted. And Cooper will attack the Government for having a "worst of all worlds" approach to immigration, in which illegal immigration is getting worse while businesses are unable to access the skills they need.

900 WORDS OR MORE

Peter Oborne in the Daily Telegraph: David Cameron pays the price for grievous lapse of judgment

Andreas Whittam Smith in The Independent: Let's imagine the UK votes to leave the EU. What happens next?

Lord Wood in the New Statesman: Under the bonnet of the UK's economic recovery all is not well

Got something you want to share? Please send any stories/tips/quotes/pix/plugs/gossip to Mehdi Hasan (mehdi.hasan@huffingtonpost.com) or Ned Simons (ned.simons@huffingtonpost.com). You can also follow us on Twitter: @mehdirhasan, @nedsimons and @huffpostukpol

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