Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey addresses supporters after the local council elections. Getty Images
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey addresses supporters after the local council elections. Getty Images
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey addresses supporters after the local council elections. Getty Images
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey addresses supporters after the local council elections. Getty Images

Liberal Democrats see signs of smashing UK's Conservative 'Blue Wall' in near future


Simon Rushton
  • English
  • Arabic

The Liberal Democrats are celebrating “big wins” in traditionally Conservative areas that they say could help demolish the “Blue Wall” of seats Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Tories need to win the next election.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said local elections were a “turning point” for his party.

A centre party, the Liberal Democrats believe they can appeal to Conservative voters who cannot support Labour as well as disillusioned Labour voters. But they have found it difficult to gain major wins at the national level.

Speaking in Wimbledon, Sir Ed said: “We are going to have a Liberal Democrat MP for Wimbledon at the next election. And I think there are other places where we're going to see Liberal Democrat success for the first time ever.

“I'm really excited about the south-west of England and coming back there. I'm excited about all those seats across the Blue Wall which, frankly, we haven't been players in for a long time.

  • British Labour Party candidates and supporters celebrate after making gains in the Westminster City Council elections in London. Reuters
    British Labour Party candidates and supporters celebrate after making gains in the Westminster City Council elections in London. Reuters
  • Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer speaks to supporters in Barnet, north London, on Friday, where the party clinched victory in the polls. PA
    Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer speaks to supporters in Barnet, north London, on Friday, where the party clinched victory in the polls. PA
  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson paints with children during a visit to a school in South Ruislip on Friday, after the local government elections. PA
    Prime Minister Boris Johnson paints with children during a visit to a school in South Ruislip on Friday, after the local government elections. PA
  • Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey celebrates the party's gains at Wimbledon Common in London. PA
    Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey celebrates the party's gains at Wimbledon Common in London. PA
  • Ballot boxes are opened at the Glasgow City Council building in Scotland. PA
    Ballot boxes are opened at the Glasgow City Council building in Scotland. PA
  • London Mayor Sadiq Khan celebrates during the counting process at Wandsworth Town Hall in London. Reuters
    London Mayor Sadiq Khan celebrates during the counting process at Wandsworth Town Hall in London. Reuters
  • Election staff begin to count votes in Belfast after the Northern Ireland Assembly election. AP
    Election staff begin to count votes in Belfast after the Northern Ireland Assembly election. AP
  • Candidates and observers monitor the counting process at Lindley Hall in Westminster. Reuters
    Candidates and observers monitor the counting process at Lindley Hall in Westminster. Reuters
  • Members of the counting staff rest at Lindley Hall in Westminster. Reuters
    Members of the counting staff rest at Lindley Hall in Westminster. Reuters
  • Labour candidates and supporters celebrate as the votes are counted at Peterborough Arena. PA
    Labour candidates and supporters celebrate as the votes are counted at Peterborough Arena. PA
  • Election officials at Peterborough Arena during the local government elections. PA
    Election officials at Peterborough Arena during the local government elections. PA
  • Volunteers sort ballot papers before counting at Basildon Sporting Village in Essex. PA
    Volunteers sort ballot papers before counting at Basildon Sporting Village in Essex. PA
  • An election monitor wears a Labour Party rosette at Wandsworth Town Hall in London. Reuters
    An election monitor wears a Labour Party rosette at Wandsworth Town Hall in London. Reuters
  • Ballots are counted at Wandsworth Town Hall in London. Reuters
    Ballots are counted at Wandsworth Town Hall in London. Reuters
  • Ballot papers are counted at Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centre in Sunderland. Getty
    Ballot papers are counted at Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centre in Sunderland. Getty
  • The first ballot boxes arrive at Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centre in Sunderland. Getty
    The first ballot boxes arrive at Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centre in Sunderland. Getty
  • The first ballot papers are counted in Sunderland. Getty
    The first ballot papers are counted in Sunderland. Getty
  • Ballot boxes are emptied at the Guildhall in Hull. PA
    Ballot boxes are emptied at the Guildhall in Hull. PA
  • Messages are left outside a polling station on Glen Road in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Reuters
    Messages are left outside a polling station on Glen Road in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Reuters
  • A woman hands out leaflets in support of the Traditional Unionist Voice party in Belfast. EPA
    A woman hands out leaflets in support of the Traditional Unionist Voice party in Belfast. EPA
  • Polling stations across Northern Ireland were open for voting for the 2022 assembly election. EPA
    Polling stations across Northern Ireland were open for voting for the 2022 assembly election. EPA
  • A woman attaches a sign on the wall of a polling station in London. Reuters
    A woman attaches a sign on the wall of a polling station in London. Reuters

“And I'm looking forward to results yet to come in Scotland and Wales.”

The Liberal Democrats won the new unitary authorities of Somerset — traditional Conservative territory — and Westmorland and Furness, also dislodging the Tories in West Oxfordshire and pushing the council into no overall control.

Mr Davey said the local election results would send an “almighty shock wave” through the government.

“We're making big gains from the Conservatives, gains that I think we can turn into seats in the next election,” he said.

“I said that people could use their vote to send a message to Boris Johnson that he's not providing the leadership on the cost-of-living emergency, which is really the issue on the doorsteps that I found, and I think the real situation here is the economy is in a real mess, the Conservatives have failed to provide that leadership and people are turning to the Liberal Democrats for an alternative party.”

He added: “The dissatisfaction amongst lifelong Conservatives with the prime minister was really palpable — they don't think he's a decent man.”

Sir Ed also dismissed calls for a pact with the Labour Party to defeat the Tories at the next general election.

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MATCH DETAILS

Barcelona 0

Slavia Prague 0

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

IF YOU GO
 
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
 
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info

 Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.

SOUTH%20KOREA%20SQUAD
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Napoleon
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Ridley%20Scott%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Joaquin%20Phoenix%2C%20Vanessa%20Kirby%2C%20Tahar%20Rahim%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%202%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

RIDE%20ON
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Larry%20Yang%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Jackie%20Chan%2C%20Liu%20Haocun%2C%20Kevin%20Guo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Angela Bassett, Tina Fey

Directed by: Pete Doctor

Rating: 4 stars

FORSPOKEN
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Diablo%20IV
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Baldur's%20Gate%203
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Assassin's%20Creed%20Mirage
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Starfield
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Dunki
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Torbal Rayeh Wa Jayeh
Starring: Ali El Ghoureir, Khalil El Roumeithy, Mostafa Abo Seria
Stars: 3

House-hunting

Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove

  1. Edinburgh, Scotland 
  2. Westminster, London 
  3. Camden, London 
  4. Glasgow, Scotland 
  5. Islington, London 
  6. Kensington and Chelsea, London 
  7. Highlands, Scotland 
  8. Argyll and Bute, Scotland 
  9. Fife, Scotland 
  10. Tower Hamlets, London 

 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How tumultuous protests grew
  • A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
  • Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved 
  • Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
  • At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
  • Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars 
  • Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
  • An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital 
THE%20SPECS
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Company%20Profile
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UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

Director: Jared Hess

Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa

Rating: 3/5

The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%20four-cyl%20turbo%20%2B%20mild%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E204hp%20at%205%2C800rpm%20%2B23hp%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C800rpm%20%2B205Nm%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E9-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7.3L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2FDecember%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh205%2C000%20(estimate)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
Updated: June 21, 2023, 8:34 AM