General election latest: Farage says Tories ‘screwed’ regardless of Reform as party warns against far right

With six days to go until the general election parties are taking out their strongest weapons on the battle for Number 10.

Nigel Farage said the Conservative Party would be “screwed” at the ballots regardless of Reform UK.

The right-wing party overtook the Tories in various polls which predicted a wipeout for Mr Sunak on July 4.

But speaking to the Sun’s Never Mind the Ballots web series, the Reform leader said the party’s defeat comes as a result of “broken trust”, and accused the Tories of “betraying Brexit”.

During this morning media round, James Cleverly has suggested the extremist right could take advantage of migration if governments “don’t get a grip”.

Speaking on GB News, the Home Secretary said if Labour “fall short” on the issue, “the anger of the British people could erupt”.

Labour’s shadow secretary Jonathan Ashworth has said it is now “squeaky-bum time” for parties and warned voters against waking up to five more years of Rishi Sunak.

Sir Keir Starmer’s party holds a strong 24-point lead in the latest polls on voter intentions, with the Tory-Labour gap remaining as wide as ever.

Key Points

• Tories warn extremist parties to take advantage on immigration

• Farage: Conservatives ‘screwed’ without Reform UK

• Cleverly criticises Banksy migrant artwork at Glastonbury

• Labour: It’s ‘squeaky bum time’ for parties

• Cleverly accuses Labour of copying immigration policy

Pictured: John Swinney serves pizza on the campaign trial

09:44 , Salma Ouaguira

Poll: Tories to be 'all but wiped out’ in London

09:38 , Salma Ouaguira

A recent poll has revealed Labour is 30 points ahead of the Tories in London.

The Savanta’s final survey shows 49 per cent of Londoners would back Sir Keir Starmer wile the Conservatives are on just 19 per cent, and Reform 11 per cent.

The Liberal democrats are on 10 per cent while the Greens have six per cent of the votes.

Chris Hopkins, Savanta’s research director, said: “Our research suggests that the Conservatives could be all but wiped out from London this week, if our results are replicated on election day.

“Their party is deeply unpopular in the capital, leaking votes to Reform UK and facing threats from both Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

“Labour is seen by Londoners as most trusted on every policy issue important to them, from housing to the cost of living. That ultimately will be likely what drives Londoners on polling day, with our research also suggesting they’re looking forward to a London Mayor and a national government working together.”

In full: Cleverly accuses Glastonbury festival-goers of ‘celebrating loss of life’ after Banksy small boats stunt

09:26 , Salma Ouaguira

Minister accuses Glastonbury fans of ‘celebrating loss of life’ after boat stunt

Join today's Q&A with Reform UK candidate Howard Cox

09:20 , Salma Ouaguira

The Independent is giving readers the chance to chat directly with candidates from some of the major political parties in a special general election series of Ask Me Anything events.

Today’s Q&A session starts at 6pm and is with Reform UK candidate Howard Cox.

Two of Reform’s core five pledges are to do with migration. The party says it would freeze non-essential immigration, but concedes there would be exceptions with work in healthcare considered essential.

Elsewhere, the party pledges big tax cuts for small businesses, an overhaul of the adult social care system, scrapping the net zero target, banning ‘transgender ideology’ in schools, and axing the rest of the HS2 rail link.

If you have a question for Mr Cox submit it now.Find out more here.

Tories warn extremist parties to take advantage over immigration

09:13 , Salma Ouaguira

Home Secretary James Cleverly has warned if a future Labour government “falls short” in facing issues surrounding immigration, extremist parties would take advantage of the situation.

Speaking amid the rising right at the French elections, James Cleverly told GB News: “I gave a speech at the end of last year where I said if governments don’t get a grip of immigration and work internationally and cooperatively, there is a risk that extremist parties take advantage of the disquiet.”

He added: “The Conservatives are taking action... I worry that when Labour, not if, when Labour fall short on this issue, the anger of the British people could erupt in a whole load of different ways. This is why it’s so important people think very carefully how they vote on July 4.”

Corbyn: Zoom in on my marrow

09:06 , Salma Ouaguira

The independent candidate for Islngton North has posted on Instagram a picture of him holding a marrow.

The former Labour leader asked followers to “zoom in” on the vegetable to support his campaign.

The message reads: “Help us get out the vote on Islington North. Link in bio.”

Labour confirms compensation agreement for infected blood scandal victims

09:00 , Salma Ouaguira

Shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth has confirmed Labour has budgeted for the compensation package for victims of the infected blood scandal.

Asked about the issue on BBC Breakfast, Mr Ashworth said: “Yeah, we have agreed with the Government about the compensation package that was announced.”

He added: “Just before the General Election was called, the Government announced the package. We supported that package.

“The infected blood scandal is a scandal in the true sense of the term. It is heartbreaking for people affected and the wider families who have been impacted.

“We’ve supported the compensation package and that is something where there has been cross-party support.”

Cleverly accuses Labour of copying immigration policy

08:56 , Salma Ouaguira

James Cleverly has accused Labour of copying his campaign promises on immigration policy.

The Home Secretary told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “I’m absolutely determined as Home Secretary to continue looking at ways of smashing the gangs, interrupting their supply of boats, interrupting their supply of engines, interrupting their illegal money, and of course having the deterrent, the Rwanda scheme, which is designed to deter people from making that dangerous and illegal crossing.”

Asked whether the phrase “smash the gangs” was part of Labour’s policy on immigration, Mr Cleverly said: “They are copying my work.”

Starmer says being a father makes him a better politician

08:51 , Salma Ouaguira

Sir Keir Starmer has said being a father helps him to become a better politician.

The Labour leader said his son and daughter are his “pride and joy” and “I don’t want to lose that time”.

He added: “I don’t believe in the theory that you are a better decision-maker if you don’t allow yourself the space to be a dad and to have time for your kids.

“Actually, it helps me, it takes me away from the pressure, it relaxes me, and I think, actually, not only is it what I want to do as a dad, it is better.”

Labour: It’s not over until the final whistle

08:45 , Salma Ouaguira

As parties prepare for polling day, Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth has insisted that the election is not over until “the final whistle blows”.

Despite the party’s 20-point lead in the opinion polls, the shadow paymaster general claimed the fight is not over yet.

Mr Ashworth said: “There’s an election on Thursday, and if people want to bring an end to the chaos, to the scandals from the party in Number 10 to the insider gambling scandals, if people have had enough of being stuck on an NHS waiting list, if people who’ve had enough of having their family finances hammered and pay more on their mortgage, they’ve got to come out and vote Labour.

“Don’t wake up, don’t switch on Sky News on Friday morning and hear that Rishi Sunak has been re-elected.

“If you don’t want that, we don’t want that feeling in the pit of your stomach.”

Revealed: the worst-hit schools as budget cuts amplify ‘privilege gap’

08:40 , Salma Ouaguira

Revealed: the worst-hit schools as spending freezes amplify ‘privilege gap’

Farage slams Donald Trump trial an ‘absolute joke'

08:35 , Salma Ouaguira

Nigel Farage has said the guilty verdict against Donald Trump was “an absolute joke”.

The Reform leader told Times Radio: “I do believe in the rule of law, but I think the American judicial system absolutely stinks. It’s become politicised.

“There is almost no such thing as a fair trial in America. Now, 98 per cent of cases end in plea bargaining, guilty verdicts... They’ve completely corrupted it.

“I thought what happened in New York was an absolute joke. As for 2020, look, the election wasn’t stolen because there were no laws to stop what happened.”

08:26 , Salma Ouaguira

Exclusive: Labour blames private schools for ‘pricing out’ middle classes

08:13 , Salma Ouaguira

Phillipson blames private schools for ‘pricing out’ middle classes in VAT on fees row

Cleverly hits out at Starmer over Bangladeshi migrants comments

08:10 , Salma Ouaguira

Home secretary James Cleverly has labelled Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s comments about returning migrants to Bangladesh a “weird dog whistle attack on the Bangladeshi community”.

He told the BBC: “Labour keep saying they’re going to do less, they’re going to scrap the Rwanda scheme. They are going to scrap the Rwanda scheme, they’ve said they’re going to do that even if it’s working.”

He added: “The only intervention recently that Keir Starmer has had on this is this weird dog whistle attack on the Bangladeshi community where he’s claiming that that we are not returning people to Bangladesh which was, A, not true and, B, not relevant, because the Bangladeshi community make a tiny, tiny, tiny, less than a half a percent of small boat arrivals.”

Ashworth denies Putin happy to see Labour win

08:05 , Salma Ouaguira

Shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth has denied Vladimir Putin would rather see Labour win over the Conservatives.

When asked about comments made by Rishi Sunak on Sunday, Mr Ashworth told Times Radio: “No of course not. This is pretty desperate stuff from the Tories now, really desperate. Labour would always put the defence of our people first.”

Will Cleverly still be Home Secretary on Friday?

07:56 , Salma Ouaguira

James Cleverly has been asked whether he would still be Home Secretary come Friday.

“Well I hope to be - that decision is in the hands of voters in Braintree and nationally,” he told BBC Beakfast.

The Tory minister urged people to “vote to keep their taxes low” adding he hopes to remain in the cabinet because “it’s a privilege to serve”.

Farage: Conservatives ‘screwed’ without Reform UK

07:50 , Salma Ouaguira

Nigel Farage has said the Tories would still be “screwed” at the general election without Reform.

Speaking to the Sun’s Never Mind the Ballots series, the Reform leader said: “If I’d gone to the Bahamas and fished for a month, which was very tempting, the Tories were screwed. They’ve done it to themselves. They’ve broken trust.

“The Conservatives have not delivered Brexit, 5.5 million men and women out there running small businesses feel totally betrayed. Millions of us who’ve wanted lower immigration numbers have seen 2.5 million people over the last two years. You know, the Tories have betrayed Brexit.”

Cleverly criticises Banksy migrant boat artwork at Glastonbury

07:47 , Salma Ouaguira

Jeremy Cleverly has reacted with anger at the Bansky migrant boat artwork at Glastonbury.

The Conservative minister said the stunt is “completely unacceptable” as “people are dying in the Channel”.

He added: “It is not funny, it is vile. It is a celebration of the loss of life in the Channel. And I am determined to break the criminal gangs. We going after their money, we are going after their boats, we are arresting them.”

The inflatable boat was passed around by festival-goers during Idles’ performance on the Other Stage at Worthy Farm on Friday.

It emerged as the Bristol-based band sang the lyrics: “My blood brother is an immigrant, a beautiful immigrant.”

Banksy later posted a video of the boat on his Instagram page appearing to confirm it was his artwork.

Labour: ‘Don’t wake up to five more years of the Tories’

07:40 , Salma Ouaguira

Cleverly hits out at Labour over taxes

07:28 , Salma Ouaguira

James Cleverly is facing questions on Sky News Breakfast over the cost of living crisis.

Asked whether this was The Tories’ “Achilles heel”, the Home Secretary told Sky News Breakfast: “We’ve got to recognise the unique circumstances over the last couple of years. We had Covid which hit the global economy and of course the UK economy incredibly hard. The Prime Minister, when he was chancellor, put in place the most comprehensive and generous support package this country has ever seen, with the furlough scheme.”

Pressed on tax rises under the Conservatives, Mr Cleverly said: “The reason that taxes have had to go up is we had to pay for furlough, we had to pay for energy support and the question now is what happened next. Independent predictions say under Labour the tax burden is the highest it has ever been.

“Under the Conservatives we have already started bringing taxes down, we’ve committed to abolishing National Insurance. So that’s the choice we’ve got ahead.”

Labour: It’s ‘squeaky bum time’ for party

07:23 , Salma Ouaguira

Shadow secretary Jonathan Ashworth has faced questions on whether Labour is prepared for the pay demands the party is likely to face.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said: “Well, first of all we’ve got to win an election on Thursday and this is the period now where your co-presenter who is a Manchester United fan would know that Alex Ferguson described as ‘squeaky bum time’.

“There are still people who are making their minds up, still working out what to do. And my message to them is don’t switch on Radio 4 on Friday morning and hear that Rishi Sunak has won five more years. The choice is clear. We’ll see what happens on Thursday.”

David Cameron urges voters to back Hunt in Surrey

07:18 , Salma Ouaguira

Foreign Secretary David Cameron has urged a video in support of “good man” Jeremy Hunt in his bid to be re-elected in Surrey.

Your guide to what’s happening on the campaign trail today

07:14 , Salma Ouaguira

We are finally on the final week of the general election campaign and parties have only three days left to hand their last leaflets.

Here’s what to expect today:

• Rishi Sunak is campaigning in the Midlands, where he will visit a business in Staffordshire.

• Sir Keir Starmer is campaigning in the South East, with visits scheduled for Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

• Sir Ed Davey is expected to visit Eastbourne, Wokingham and the Costwolds.

• SNP leader John Swinney will be campaigning across the North East of Scotland.

• The Greens will be in the east of England.

• And Reform UK’s Ann Widdecombe is set to take part in the Woman’s Hour leadership election interviews on BBC Radio 4.

Why does talk of a Labour landslide worry Keir Starmer?

07:00 , Holly Evans

Why does talk of a Labour landslide worry Keir Starmer?

From Daddy Dragon to AI Steve: The strangest political parties in the general election

06:00 , Holly Evans

With less than a week to go until the general election, voters checking their ballot papers may be surprised by some of the political parties running in their constituencies.

While most people are aware of the political big hitters, there a few underdog parties that fly under the radar. Some of these parties are set up with satirical intent to provide comic relief to voters, while others attempt to make real political statements.

From Count Binface Party to A Blue Revolution, The Independent has put together a list of those fielding candidates in the general election.

Read the full article here:

From Daddy Dragon to AI Steve: strangest political parties in the general election

Voters in ‘blue wall’ seats bombarded with Lib Dem ads as party steps up moves to oust Tories like Jeremy Hunt

05:00 , Holly Evans

Voters in the blue wall have seen an average of eight Liberal Democrat adverts as the party steps up its bid to oust high-profile names like Jeremy Hunt, according to sources.

The Lib Dems are climbing in the opinion polls, with some even suggesting they could be fighting for second place in the event of a Tory meltdown.

Forecasts indicate the party could take more than 50 seats on Thursday, after a campaign noted for leader Ed Davey’s stunts.

Read the full article here:

‘Blue wall’ voters bombarded with Lib Dem ads in bid to oust Jeremy Hunt

It cannot be denied any longer – Reform is riddled with racism

04:00 , Holly Evans

It cannot be denied any longer – Reform is riddled with racism

Bad actors or conspiracy theories? The inside story of Farage’s battle for Clacton

03:00 , Holly Evans

As you drive into Clacton there are scores of pro-Farage Reform posters asking people to “save Britain” in what is becoming a struggle for the soul of right-of-centre politics.

Only as you travel out to the more genteel areas of the constituency, like Frinton, do they give way to “I stand with Giles” boards. But Giles Watling, the Tory MP defending his Clacton seat, may be the only Conservative candidate in this election with a wide coalition of support across the country willing him to win.

In the wake of the Channel 4 News expose of the Reform Clacton team and the racist comments by one of the canvassers Andrew Parker, Watling received a telephone call from Tony Blair’s former spin doctor Alastair Campbell, in normal circumstances no lover of Tories.

Read the full article here:

Bad actors or conspiracy theories? The inside story of Farage’s battle for Clacton

Rishi Sunak says he is proud of disastrous election campaign - and claims he will win

02:00 , Holly Evans

Rishi Sunak has said he is “proud” of his disastrous election campaign and claims he will win Thursday’s general election.

The prime minister has come under fire in recent weeks for a series of calamities that included a rain-soaked announcement of polling day, leaving D-Day commemorations early and a gambling scandal.

But in a crunch interview with just days to go before the vote, Mr Sunak told the BBC‘s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg “this campaign is something I am very proud of” as he sought to disparage Labour’s plans.

Read the full article here:

Rishi Sunak says he is proud of disastrous election campaign - and claims he will win

Trevor Phillips issues defiant Reform racism row warning: ‘We protect our children’

01:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Sky News presenter Trevor Phillips spoke of the need to protect his children from racism as he issued a defiant message in the Reform racism row.

Trevor Phillips issues defiant Reform racism row warning: ‘We protect our children’

Keir Starmer warns ‘hardest mile’ ahead as he tries to rally Labour activists for final push

Monday 1 July 2024 00:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Keir Starmer has warned Labour activists the “hardest mile” is still ahead as he attempted to rally his troops for a final push towards polling day.

The Labour leader told an event in central London: “This is the final furlong. This is the last push. The last mile, the hardest mile.”

He asked them to imagine waking up to a Tory government on 5 July, saying that the millions of undecided voters mean “it could happen”.

Keir Starmer warns ‘hardest mile’ ahead as he rallies Labour activists for final push

Inside Jeremy Corbyn’s fight for Islington seat after former Labour leader stripped of the party machine

Sunday 30 June 2024 23:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Inside Corbyn’s fight for Islington seat as former leader stripped of Labour machine

Nigel Farage claims Reform UK activist who directed racist comments at Rishi Sunak is ‘an actor’

Sunday 30 June 2024 22:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nigel Farage claimed a Reform UK canvasser who called for English Channel migrants to be used as “target practice” was an actor.

Farage claims Reform UK activist who directed racist comments at Sunak is ‘an actor’

Rishi Sunak in fiery clash with BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg over Brexit: ‘You’re completely wrong’

Sunday 30 June 2024 21:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Rishi Sunak was involved in a fiery clash with the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg over Brexit on Sunday (30 June) as the prime minister told her “You’re completely wrong”.

Sunak in fiery clash with BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg over Brexit: ‘You’re wrong’

Voters in ‘blue wall’ seats bombarded with Lib Dem ads as party steps up moves to oust Tories like Jeremy Hunt

Sunday 30 June 2024 20:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Voters in the blue wall have seen an average of eight Liberal Democrat adverts as the party steps up its bid to oust high-profile names like Jeremy Hunt, according to sources.

The Lib Dems are climbing in the opinion polls, with some even suggesting they could be fighting for second place in the event of a Tory meltdown.

Forecasts indicate the party could take more than 50 seats on Thursday, after a campaign noted for leader Ed Davey’s stunts.

‘Blue wall’ voters bombarded with Lib Dem ads in bid to oust Jeremy Hunt

Litvinenko’s widow ‘disgusted’ by Farage and Reform UK candidate’s praise for Putin

Sunday 30 June 2024 19:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russian dissidents living in the UK have hit back at “deeply offensive” words of admiration for Vladimir Putin by Nigel Farage and another Reform UK candidate.

It comes as a former British defence attache posted in Moscow described Mr Farage and his party, now third in the polls, as “deeply maligned actors … working against the security interest of our country”.

When asked about both accusations, a Reform UK spokesperson burst into laughter, before suggesting Julian Malins, a party candidate who last weekend bragged about meeting Putin and that he “seemed very good”, was merely a highly-intelligent “eccentric sort of character”.

Litvinenko’s widow ‘disgusted’ by Farage and Reform UK candidate’s praise for Putin

Why does talk of a Labour landslide worry Keir Starmer?

Sunday 30 June 2024 18:48 , Holly Evans

Why does talk of a Labour landslide worry Keir Starmer?

Tories say only a vote for them can stop Labour majority

Sunday 30 June 2024 18:24 , Holly Evans

The Tories said that if 130,000 voters joined the Reform UK candidate who switched to back the Conservatives, “it would be enough to stop Labour’s supermajority”.

A party spokesman said: “(Liam) Booth-Isherwood knows a vote for Reform is a vote for Keir Starmer.

“If just 130,000 voters like him currently considering a vote for Reform or Liberal Democrat voted Conservative, it would be enough to stop Labour’s supermajority which means higher taxes and an illegal immigration amnesty.

“There is no doubt, only a vote for the Conservatives can prevent an unaccountable majority for Labour, and the ruin this would bring for the country.”

Families bemused as Jacob Rees-Mogg walks in on children’s church ceremony

Sunday 30 June 2024 18:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Candidates can turn up just about anywhere on the campaign trail, but several families were shocked when Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg walked into their children’s first holy communion.

Sir Jacob had permission to appear with his family and a film crew for a mass at St Joseph and St Teresa Church in Somerset earlier this month, but while a sign had been put up, the families of some dozen children said they did not know he would be in attendance.

Parents, including Gideon Davey, whose 10-year-old daughter Ottilie received her first holy communion, initially believed the film crew was there on behalf of the church.

Families bemused as Jacob Rees-Mogg walks in on children’s church ceremony

Reform candidate defects to Tories

Sunday 30 June 2024 17:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A Reform UK candidate has defected to the Conservatives, citing a “failure of leadership” over behaviour within the party which has led him to become “increasingly disillusioned”.

Liam Booth-Isherwood, who is standing in Erewash, said he would instead be endorsing the Tory contender Maggie Throup.

He said in a statement: “I am today announcing my decision to leave the Reform Party and have suspended my campaign as the Reform candidate for Erewash with immediate effect.

“Over the past few weeks, I have been increasingly disillusioned with the behaviour and conduct of Reform.

“Whilst I have campaigned alongside many decent, honest and hardworking people during the course of the General Election campaign in Erewash, the reports of widespread racism and sexism in Reform have made clear that there is a significant moral issue within certain elements of the party, and the failure of the party’s leadership to not only take this matter seriously, but also to fundamentally address it, has made clear to me that this is no longer a party I want to be associated with.”

“As a result, I am announcing my endorsement of the Conservative Party candidate, Maggie Throup, for Erewash. Only she can stop Labour.”

John Redwood accuses Rishi Sunak of helping to deliver large Labour majority as Tory blame game escalates

Sunday 30 June 2024 17:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A former Tory cabinet minister has accused Rishi Sunak of helping to ensure a large Labour as the Tory blame game escalates before even a single vote has been cast.

John Redwood hit out at what he called the ‘One Nation leadership’ of his party.

He said that together with Nigel Farage’s Reform, if they polls are correct, they will “visit on us” a Labour government “that may have a lower vote share than Labour led by Jeremy Corbyn... but have a large majority of MPs giving it a lot of potential power.”

Sunak accused of helping Labour to large majority as Tory blame game escalates

Reform leader calls postal voting system ‘potentially corrupt'

Sunday 30 June 2024 16:43 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nigel Farage reiterated his criticism of the electoral system and described postal voting as “potentially corrupt”.

He said: “I know that under the electoral system things are tough - we’re likely to get fewer seats for the number of votes should deserve - but get seats next Thursday we will, believe it, it is going to happen.

“We’ll likely to see a Labour Party with, you know, not a particularly high share of the vote but a massive number of seats.

“Part of what we’re about is reforming the potentially corrupt postal voting system, reforming the voting system, getting rid of the unelected House of Lords in their current form.”

Farage comments on three candidates Reform has withdrawn support from

Sunday 30 June 2024 16:13 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Speaking to the media after addressing the Rally for Reform in Birmingham, Nigel Farage said the status of three candidates his party has “disowned” was an electoral “oddity”.

Mr Farage said: “The Greens are facing the same problem but what can you do because they are on the official ballot paper anyway?

“There is almost no time to get messages out. It’s an oddity of our system. It’s where we are.”

Because ballot papers are printed in advance of polling day, candidate names may still appear beside party logos even after they have been suspended and are standing instead as independents.

Farage attacks UK education system

Sunday 30 June 2024 15:48 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nigel Farage claimed schools and universities are making a “wilful attempt to poison the minds of young people”.

He said the education system was leading young Britons to believe “somehow we are uniquely bad in terms of our history, when in fact completely the opposite is true.

“Critical race theory, which tells an eight-year-old white boy that he’s an oppressor, an eight-year-old black boy that he’s a victim - this is a disaster.”

After appearing Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips earlier in the day, Mr Farage told his rally his views on education left Sir Trevor “dumbstruck for about 10 seconds”.

He told the crowd: “Because everyone’s bought into the diversity and inclusion agenda, they all seem to have bought into the idea that we should be divided up according to our race, according to our sexual preference, of which there are so many I can’t even keep up, or understand what many of the definitions are.”

From fears to regrets, an emotional Keir Starmer reveals what drives him

Sunday 30 June 2024 15:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

From regrets to fears, an emotional Keir Starmer reveals what drives him

Richard Tice says net zero policies ‘making us poorer'

Sunday 30 June 2024 15:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Richard Tice said net zero policies are “making us poorer” and “the greatest act of financial self-harm ever imposed on a nation by the wallies in Westminster”.

Addressing a rally in Birmingham, the Reform UK chairman said: “Net zero is making us poorer. It’s killing our jobs. It’s killing our industries. It’s killing our economy.

“It’s an absolute piece of madness developed in Westminster.

“I actually believe it’s the greatest act of financial self-harm ever imposed on a nation by the wallies in Westminster.”

Reform leader ‘never seen so many young people concerned for future of the country'

Sunday 30 June 2024 14:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The Reform UK leader said “never before have I seen so many young people concerned about the future of their country”.

Nigel Farage added: “All classes, all races, all ages - something remarkable is happening out there.”

He said the party is “going up in the polls or down in some”, but added: “Everywhere I go, I sense that we’re the story, we’re what people are talking about at the breakfast table, at work, at the pub, at the bingo hall.

“Many, many millions have already said that they absolutely are going to vote for us, but there are many millions more who have simply not made up their minds, and they could come to us over the course of the next four days.”

Farage claims he filmed migrants ‘throwing their iPhones into the sea'

Sunday 30 June 2024 14:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nigel Farage claimed he has filmed migrants “throwing their iPhones into the sea” and that people arriving in small boats destroy their identity documents when they “get to the 12-mile line.”

The 12-mile line is defined as the offshore boundary that some countries use to mark “the extent of their territorial jurisdiction”.

He told a Reform UK rally in Birmingham: “But it’s OK because you pay for a new iPhone as soon as they arrive, and you pay for the four-star hotel, and they get free medical care, and they get free dental care - whose got an NHS dentist here?”

‘Slippery Sunak’ and ‘damp rag’ Starmer forced Farage into election race

Sunday 30 June 2024 14:19 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nigel Farage said he had launched his electoral bid to offer an alternative to “slippery Sunak” and Sir Keir Starmer, who he said has “the charisma of a damp rag”.

Addressing a Reform UK rally in Birmingham, the party’s leader said: “I simply could not stand aside when the choice - or lack of choice - is between slippery Sunak, the biggest spinner since Blair, who’s trying to convince us in what is now the fifth consecutive Conservative manifesto that somehow they’re a party of low tax when they put the tax burden up to the highest it’s been since 1948...

“I couldn’t stand aside and be lied to for the fifth manifesto in a row when under Rishi Sunak’s premiership, we’ve let in two-and-a-half million people in the last two years alone.”

Mr Farage added: “And I couldn’t stand aside and see a Labour leader - well I say leader, I don’t believe the man has any leadership qualities whatsoever, none - and I think to lead the country through difficult times in a war... you do need a degree of charisma.

“Now, Keir Starmer has the charisma of a - well, I did use this 10 years ago in the European parliament, but I’m going to dig it out of the cupboard - he has the charisma of a damp rag.”

Farage: Reform UK will campaign as ‘leading voice of opposition’ to BBC licence fee

Sunday 30 June 2024 14:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nigel Farage said Reform UK would campaign as the “leading voice of opposition” to abolish the BBC licence fee, claiming the broadcaster has “abused its position of power”.

It comes after the Reform UK leader was questioned about the state of his party, and the views expressed by some of its candidates and campaigners, by a live audience during an appearance on BBC Question Time on Friday night.

He told a party rally in Birmingham: “As we’re going to be the leading voice of opposition, and I say that because the Conservative Party will be in opposition but they won’t be the Opposition because they disagree with each other on virtually everything - think about it, the last four years all we’ve had are internal Tory wars.

“They stand for nothing. I was told they were a broad church. Well they’re a broad church without any religion.

“It simply doesn’t work. So we will again renew our campaign with added vigour to say that the state broadcaster has abused its position of power and we will campaign for the abolition of the BBC licence fee.”

Farage claims Reform canvasser comments were ‘smear campaign’ efforts

Sunday 30 June 2024 14:09 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nigel Farage claimed the comments made by a Reform UK canvasser were part of a “smear campaign” against the party as he said the “bad apples are gone” and “we’ll never have them back”.

The party leader said Andrew Parker’s remarks had been “used as the biggest smear against us”.

He told the rally: “Look, Reform is a new organisation. It’s a start-up and there were requests put out for candidates to stand.

“Have we had a few bad apples? We have, although to my knowledge nobody involved in an organised betting ring is standing for us, which is something.”

He added: “I have to say, the bad apples are gone. We’ll never have them back.”

Voters in ‘blue wall’ seats bombarded with Lib Dem ads as party steps up moves to oust Tories like Jeremy Hunt

Sunday 30 June 2024 13:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Voters in the blue wall have seen an average of eight Liberal Democrat adverts as the party steps up its bid to oust high-profile names like Jeremy Hunt, according to sources.

The Lib Dems are climbing in the opinion polls, with some even suggesting they could be fighting for second place in the event of a Tory meltdown.

Forecasts indicate the party could take more than 50 seats on Thursday, after a campaign noted for leader Ed Davey’s stunts.

Kate Devlin reports:

‘Blue wall’ voters bombarded with Lib Dem ads in bid to oust Jeremy Hunt

Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch refused to rule out running to be next Tory leader

Sunday 30 June 2024 13:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has refused to rule out running to be the next Tory leader.

She told the Camilla Tominey show on GB News: “I said to everyone that I don’t want to talk about leadership debates because my constituents, they say that they don’t like us talking about ourselves.”

She added: “People knew that I tried to run two years ago. I didn’t win. Rishi Sunak is the one who had the confidence of MPs. And I think it’s actually disrespectful if people are talking about what they’re going to do after the leadership when he’s still there.

“My job now is to make sure that I win my seat [and] as many of my Conservative colleagues win their seats and do the very best we can for the country and that means supporting the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in what is a very, very difficult job.”

Bad actors or conspiracy theories - the inside story of Farage’s battle for Clacton

Sunday 30 June 2024 13:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

As you drive into Clacton there are scores of pro-Farage Reform posters asking people to “save Britain” in what is becoming a struggle for the soul of right of centre politics, David Maddox writes.

Only as you travel out to the more genteel areas of the constituency like Frinton do they give way to “I stand with Giles” boards. But Giles Watling, the Tory MP defending his Clacton seat, may be the only Conservative candidate in this election with a wide coalition of support across the country willing him to win.

In the wake of the Channel 4 News expose of the Reform Clacton team and the racist comments by one of the canvassers Andrew Parker, Watling received a telephone call from Tony Blair’s former spin doctor Alastair Campbell, in normal circumstances no lover of Tories.

Bad actors or conspiracy theories - the inside story of Farage’s battle for Clacton

Claims about Russian interference in General Election ‘cobblers’, says Farage

Sunday 30 June 2024 12:50 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Claims that Russian-inspired bots might be posting on social media to interfere with the General Election are “cobblers”, Reform UK’s leader has said.

Nigel Farage made his remarks after the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) named five Facebook pages which the broadcaster claimed were linked, had shared pro-Russian Kremlin narratives, and in some cases had supported Reform UK.

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden described the ABC’s findings as “gravely concerning”.

Asked about the automated technology on Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, Mr Farage responded: “Oh, don’t talk cobblers.”

He added: “I mean you had this, this, this bland fellow on earlier who apparently is the Deputy Prime Minister, who no-one knows who he is, and there he is saying, ‘oh, there are Russian bots involved’.

“Hang on, did you ask him how many millions of pounds his party have taken from Russian sources over the course of the last few years?

“This is the Russia hoax.”

Reform rally underway in Birmingham

Sunday 30 June 2024 12:32 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Addressing a Reform UK rally at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre, former Brexit Party MEP Ann Widdecombe said Nigel Farage’s party would “bring common sense back to Britain” and “get rid of woke”.

She told thousands of Reform supporters: “We stand for two words above all - common sense.”

After accusing the Tories of putting all their “eggs in the Rwanda basket” without a plan B, Ms Widdecombe said there was no reason why Reform UK should not form the official opposition following Thursday’s poll.

“These next four days are crucial,” she said, adding that she had “heard more common sense” in the last five years than in her previous 55 years in the Conservative Party.

Nigel Farage claims Reform UK activist who directed racist comments at Rishi Sunak is ‘an actor’

Sunday 30 June 2024 11:48 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nigel Farage claimed a Reform UK canvasser who called for English Channel migrants to be used as “target practice” was an actor.

Farage claims Reform UK activist who directed racist comments at Sunak is ‘an actor’

PM says there’s a ‘clear difference’ between Frank Hester and Nigel Farage racism rows

Sunday 30 June 2024 11:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Rishi Sunak said there is a “clear difference” between his handling of the racism row surrounding Tory donor Frank Hester and how Nigel Farage has responded to racist comments made about the Prime Minister by a Reform UK canvasser.

Appearing on the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, the Prime Minister was shown a message from a viewer who condemned the campaigner’s language but expressed concern that Mr Sunak’s stance on racism had not been zero-tolerance.

The viewer pointed to Mr Hester, from whom the Tories continued to accept donations, having allegedly said Diane Abbott “should be shot” and made him “want to hate all black women”.

Mr Sunak said: “I think it’s reasonable when someone is genuinely contrite about what’s happened, accepts what they’ve done is wrong, then that apology is accepted.”

He added: “The difference here is... Nigel Farage has just described these comments as ‘inappropriate’.

“They’re not inappropriate. They were vile and racist and wrong, but he’s only said that they’re inappropriate.

“The person who made them has only apologised to the Reform Party for the impact it’s had on them. It’s a very clear difference. There’s no contrition or remorse or acceptance of what’s happened in that case.”

Watch: Sunak clashes with BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg over Brexit: ‘You’re completely wrong’

Sunday 30 June 2024 11:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Rishi Sunak says he is proud of disastrous election campaign - and claims he will win

Sunday 30 June 2024 10:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Rishi Sunak has said he is “proud” of his disastrous election campaign - and claimed he would win Thursday’s general election.

The prime minister has come under fire in recent weeks for a series of calamities that included a rain-soaked announcement of polling day, leaving D-Day commemorations early and a gambling scandal.

But in a crunch interview with just days to go before the vote, Mr Sunak told the BBC‘s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg show “this campaign is something I am very proud of” as he sought to highlight Labour’s plans.

Kate Devlin reports:

Rishi Sunak says he is proud of disastrous election campaign - and claims he will win

PM says Reform canvasser’s racial slur was ‘deeply inappropriate and racist'

Sunday 30 June 2024 10:27 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Rishi Sunak said the slur used about him by a Reform UK canvasser was “deeply inappropriate and racist”.

The Prime Minister told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg show that anyone becoming a politician expects a degree of criticism because it “comes with the territory”.

But he went on: “But in this instance, you know, what was said was deeply inappropriate and racist.”

Mr Sunak said he hated having to repeat the phrase used about him but thought it was important to call it out.

He said that Britain is “the most successful multi-faith, multi-ethnic democracy anywhere in the world”, adding: “That’s why views like this are so damaging and so wrong.

“They belong to a minority of people and they deserve to be called out for what they are, and that’s what I did.”

Sunday 30 June 2024 10:18 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Rishi Sunak hit back at what he claimed was a “declinist narrative” when asked whether it was a mistake to change course on net zero.

BBC presenter Laura Kuenssberg pointed out that some people, including the independent Climate Change Committee, believe that the UK has lost its status as a leader on the issue.

The broadcaster said there was “plenty of evidence” that the economic reality of Brexit is that Britain’s standing long-term is “more challenging”.

Asked whether he thought the shift was a mistake, the Prime Minister appeared frustrated as he said: “No, and actually you started that question with something that I fundamentally disagree with: ‘because of Brexit, we’ve lost our standing in the world’.”

Told that was not what the she had said, he replied: “You said we’ve lost our standing in the world. That’s completely and utterly wrong.”

Mr Sunak cited Britain building new nuclear submarines with Australia and the United States, and the negotiation of the Windsor Framework with the EU and support for Ukraine.

He claimed that “people are queuing up to work with us because they respect what we do”.

“So I just completely reject that, it’s entirely wrong, this kind of declinist narrative that people have of the UK I wholeheartedly reject.”

PM confronted by viewers’ questions

Sunday 30 June 2024 10:08 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Rishi Sunak was told viewers want to “stick to the policies of the person who is sitting in the chair” after he accused Labour of planning to reaccept EU laws when asked about Brexit.

During questions on trade negotiations since leaving the European Union, he told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “You haven’t mentioned we’re the first European nation to join the CPTPP trade deal.

“We were negotiating very closely with India and I’m confident that we will be the first European country, again under a Conservative government if we’re re-elected, to negotiate the trade deal that steep with India, which again is one of the fastest growing parts of the world... I don’t think it’s right for Labour to end up re-accepting EU rules that we have no say over.”

Ms Kuenssberg said: “I’ll remind you, as I have every politician in the last six weeks, that our viewers want us to stick to the party’s policies of the person who is sitting in the chair, with respect.”

Rishi Sunak says he is 'proud' of his election campaign

Sunday 30 June 2024 09:58 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Rishi Sunak has said he is ‘proud’ of his election campaign.

“This campaign is something I am very proud of,” he told the BBC.

It comes after he left D-Day commemorations early and his party became embroiled in a gambling scandal.

PM: ‘Investing in defence shows we have strength’

Sunday 30 June 2024 09:51 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Rishi Sunak said investing in defence shows the UK’s adversaries that “we have strength” as he added “the world is dangerous”.

When challenged about his plan to cut civil servants to fund this increase in spending, he said: “We’ve had a massive expansion of civil servants since the pandemic to deal with it, it was reasonable at the time, but it’s no longer reasonable.”

Sunak: ‘UK is better place to live now than when Tories first came into office’

Sunday 30 June 2024 09:42 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Rishi Sunak said the UK is a better place to live in now than it was when the Tories took office in 2010.

The Prime Minister told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: “It’s a better place to live than it was in 2010.

“Of course I understand that the last few years have been difficult for everyone.

He cited the pandemic and the war in Ukraine driving up energy bills, insisting “we are now on the right track”.

It was put to him that the country has become poorer by many measures since 2010, and public services are worse.

“I just don’t accept that,” Mr Sunak replied, citing education and saying “our schoolchildren are now the best readers in the western world”.