Oliver Dowden has written to the Prime Minister this morning to tender his resignation as chair of the Conservative Party.
Following what has been a disastrous night for the Conservative Party, after byelection losses in both Wakefield and in Tiverton and Honiton, Oliver Dowden – who has been the MP for Hertsmere since 2015 – has stepped down from his role as chairman, saying someone “must take responsibility” for a recent run of “very poor” results.
The Tory MP confirmed his resignation in writing to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and shared the letter on Twitter this morning.
“We cannot carry on with business as usual,” he said in his letter.
Oliver Dowden had served as co-chairman of the Conservative Party from 2021 to 2022.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mr Dowden’s role as party chair was combined with a position as minister without portfolio, sitting in the cabinet.
Prior to being appointed in the role of co-chairman, Mr Dowden previously served as Minister for the Cabinet Office from 2019 to 2020, and most-notably made a name for himself as the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport – a position he held from 2020 to 2021.
Mr Dowden’s letter of resignation reads in full: “Yesterday’s Parliamentary by-elections are the latest in a run of very poor results for our party.
“Our supporters are distressed and disappointed by recent events, and I share their feelings.
“We cannot carry on with business as usual. Somebody must take responsibility and I have concluded that, in these circumstances, it would not be right for me to remain in office.”
ADVERTISEMENT
He added that “has been an honour” to serve in the cabinet.
The letter continues: “I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to our excellent Conservative volunteers and staffers who work so tirelessly for our cause. They are the backbone of our great party and deserve better than this.
“Finally I want to emphasise that this is a deeply personal decision that I have taken alone. I will, as always, remain loyal to the Conservative Party.”
Man charged after ‘serious assault’ of police officers in Manchester city centre
Emily Sergeant
A man has been charged after several police officers were seriously assaulted in Manchester city centre earlier this week.
At around 4:55pm on Tuesday 12 May, officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) city centre policing team were patrolling in the Denmark Road area of central Manchester when a man spat at a marked police vehicle as it drove past.
Officers stopped to speak with the man, but he then produced a knife and proceeded to attack them.
During the distressing incident, one officer was slashed in the face and neck and sustained serious injuries in the process, while two other officers were also assaulted and suffered minor injuries.
The offender – who GMP has now formally named as 40-year-old Dwayne Roxbrough – was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker, possession of a bladed article, and possession of Class B drugs, and at this time, he remains in custody for questioning.
A man has been charged after police officers were ‘seriously assaulted’ in Manchester city centre/ Credit: GMP
It has now been confirmed that Roxbrough has been charged with Section 18 wounding, two counts of possession of a knife in a public place, possession of a controlled Class B drug, Section 47 assault, and the assault of an emergency worker.
He is due to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court today (Thursday 14 May).
“Our officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect the public and this was a violent and potentially life-threatening attack,” commented Detective Superintendent Ian McNabb, from GMP’s City of Manchester district.
“No one should go to work fearing violence and our officers are no exception.
“We are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and will work tirelessly to ensure the offender is brought to justice.”
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
News
Traders to move out of Manchester food hall as it pivots to ‘new chapter’
Daisy Jackson
Manchester food hall New Century will be closing its existing kitchens, it has announced, making way for a ‘new chapter’.
The New Century Kitchens are home to some top local food traders, including Parmogeddon’s Fricken concept, Wholesome Junkies, and Ply Pizza.
The food hall opened in 2022 as part of the iconic music venue’s rebirth, creating a modern mid-century space with six kitchens.
In the years since, it’s welcomed a rotation of amazing food offerings, including Hip Hop Chip Shop, Banh Vi, and Zumuku Sushi.
Now, New Century Kitchens has announced it will be ‘evolving’ to make live events part of the offering across the venue – not just upstairs in the main gig space.
That means that the traders currently based here will be moving out later this year, though the venue has assured people that they have been supported as they take their next steps.
Fans will still be able to visit New Century Kitchens in its current guise this summer, before its new chapter begins in autumn (but still some form of food and drink).
New Century said that music is in the building’s ‘DNA’ and this chapter will reflect that.
Current traders will be moving out of New Century KitchensNew Century is entering a ‘new chapter’
In a statement shared with The Manc, they said: “The ground floor at New Century is evolving. We are currently finalising plans for live events to become an even bigger part of our offering across the whole of the venue.
“As part of this evolution the current community of independent traders are moving onto exciting new chapters, and we have been working very closely with them to support all of these brilliant businesses in their next steps.
“Music is in the DNA of our iconic building and this new chapter will reflect that.
“New Century is a place for people to come together through entertainment and good hospitality and we’re looking forward to sharing more details soon.”
The Manc -
24th June 2022 
