Domestic Politics
On Thursday, during Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s big cabinet reshuffle, Sajid Javid quit as UK Chancellor of the Exchequer. Javid allegedly quit over demands by Boris Johnson’s government to sack his closest advisers and replace them with No. 10 aides. [Politico]
Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith has been excluded from PM Johnson’s new cabinet following disagreements over Brexit and other matter related to Northern Ireland. This was vehemently opposed by Northern Ireland, where Smith is highly praised for ending the three-year impasse and negotiating between parties to restore the power-sharing government. [Belfast Telegraph/BBC]
PM Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel have paved the way for skilled professionals to live and work in the country by finalising plans for a new points-based visa and immigration system. [News 18]
Following severe backlash from Conservative MPs, PM Johnson has vetoed his plan for imposing a “mansion tax” on owners of expensive homes. [Telegraph]
International Relations
Following PM Johnson’s controversial approval of the HS2 high-speed rail line, London and Beijing have begun “preliminary discussions” over the involvement of a Chinese state-owned railway firm in the project. The firm has said that, if involved, the project would be completed in 5 years at a lower cost. [BBC]
Society
The legislative body of the Church of England on Tuesday has voted to issue an apology for institutional racism against “black, Asian and minority ethnic people” over the past 70 years. [CNN]
PM Johnson continues to push for a bridge connecting Scotland and Northern Ireland. Scotland’s transport minister has called this a £20 billion “vanity project” and believes the funds would be better utilised in improving the infrastructure in the two regions. [BBC]
Environment
Storm Dennis caused flood warnings across Britain as the region faced heavy rains for the second consecutive weekend. By Sunday morning, 198 immediate-attention flood warnings and 326 preparatory flood alerts were issued. [CNN]
Image Source: The Sun