Rishi Sunak has confirmed he would welcome former prime minister Boris Johnson to join the Tory campaign and could make an appearance ahead of the general election on July 4.
But the Conservatives have decided to ban Boris Johnson ally David Frost from standing as a candidate and from applying to stand in any of the constituencies left to nominate.
The former Brexit secretary spent months criticising Rishi Sunak’s leadership of the party and country, even calling for him to be replaced.
Meanwhile, the Commons has been hit by a wave of more than 100 resignations, with 76 Tories announcing they’re standing down so far.
Craig Mackinlay, who lost his arms and legs from sepsis, has also joined the list and revealed that Sunak’s surprise announcement of a July election had him quit as an MP.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn has announced he is standing as an independent candidate at the general election to fight Labour for Islington North, vowing to be “an independent voice for equality, democracy and peace”.
General Election Contdown: Key dates
- May 24: Parliament prorogued which means the end of the Parliamentary session, bringing most business to an end.
- May 30: Parliament dissolved. By law, this has to take place no later than 25 working days before polling day.
- June 7: Deadline for candidates to be nominated.
- June 18: Deadline to register to vote. This can be done online at gov.uk/register-to-vote.
- June 19: Deadline to apply for a postal vote.
- June 26: Deadline to apply for a proxy vote – in other words, for someone to vote on your behalf – and to apply for a Voter ID certificate, if you do not already have a valid form of photo identification.
- July 4: Election day. Polls will open from 7am to 10pm.
- July 9: The new Parliament will be summoned to meet.
- July 17: State opening of Parliament.
76th Tory MP steps down from election
Sir David Evennett has announced he is resigning and will not defend the constituency of Bexleyheath and Crayford.
In a statement to X, he said: “With the unexpected calling of a General Election on Thursday July 4, I have been considering my position and have decided to step down from active politics.
“It has been an honour and privilege to represent the people of Bexleyheath and Crayford in Parliament.”
Rishi Sunak asked if he is the “capitan of a sinking ship”
The prime minister was visiting a maritime manufacturing site in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, where the famous sinked ship was built.
Accompanied by secretary of state for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris, he was quizzed by the press about the upcoming election.
A journalist asked him: “Prime Minister, we are just yards away from where the Titanic was built and designed. Are you the captain of a sinking ship going into this election?”
Mr Sunak replied: “If you look at what’s happened over the past few weeks alone, you can see that our plan is already working.”
‘Get properly on the lash’: Tory Lord announces law for pubs to stay open late during Euros
‘Get on the lash’: Tory Lord announces law for pubs to stay open late during Euros
Football fans will be able to get “properly on the lash”, a Tory Lord said as he passed an order to extend licensing hours during the European Championships. The order to the Licensing Act 2003 (UEFA European Football Championship Licensing Hours) will extend sales of alcohol if either England or Scotland reach the semi-final or the final of the Euros, meaning premises will be allowed to remain open until 1am without having to notify the licensing authority. Conservative peer Lord Sharpe of Epsom, told the Lords on Friday (24 May): “So much of the business at the Home Offices is difficult, so it gives me particular pleasure that my last outing basically enables people to get properly on the lash. Lord Sharpe’s comments were met with laughter.
Rishi Sunak accused of letting renters down
Rishi Sunak’s government has been accused of letting renters down after it emerged that legislation banning no-fault evictions will not be passed before the election, Social Affairs Correspondent Holly Bancroft reports. Rishi Sunak’s government has been accused of letting renters down after it emerged that legislation banning no-fault evictions will not be passed before the election.
The provision allows landlords to evict tenants without having to give a reason beyond what is in a tenancy agreement.
The bill was first introduced in the Commons in May last year but its progress stalled after Conservative MPs campaigned for stronger protections for landlords. Read the full story here
Tory Exodus: MPs stepping down hits post-war record
A total of 118 MPs have so far announced they won’t be standing at the General Election on July 4.
The number includes 75 Tories, which represents the highest in modern political history.
It surpasses previous a post-war record pf 72 Conservatives who stood down ahead of the 1997 election.
The contest saw Tony Blair enter Downing Street after a huge defeat for John Major.
Starmer says Palestine should be recognised as a state
During the morning round of broadcast interviews, Sir Keir Starmer claimed Palestine should be recognised as a state but refused to set up a timing.
Sir Keir told BBC Radio 4: “I think recognition of Palestine is extremely important. We need a viable Palestinian state alongside a safe and secure Israel and recognition has to be part of that.”
He said that recognition “has to come at an appropriate, the right time in the process, but I absolutely believe in it”.
Pictured: Rishi Sunak flying on private jet to Staffordshire
Manchester Arena bombing victim’s mother ‘feels misled’ by Sunak
The Prime Minister promised Martyn Hett’s mother he would pass a bill in Martyn’s honour just hours before he called the snap general election, Archie Mitchell reports.
Following the meeting with the PM, Ms Murray said he had promised her he would introduce Martyn’s Law to Parliament before summer recess but could not guarantee the legislation would be passed before the next election.
A Labour source said: “If Rishi Sunak will lie to a grieving mother, he will lie to anyone.”
And Dame Diana Johnson, chairman of the home affairs select committee, added:“She’d walked 200 miles from Manchester to London to mark the seventh anniversary of that terror atrocity.”
Crackdown on stealing cats and dogs passes into law
Animal-welfare campaigners are celebrating after a crackdown on pet theft passed through parliament to become law, Jane Dalton reports.
Under the Pet Abduction Act, which was a Private Member’s Bill sponsored by MP Anna Firth, anyone found guilty of stealing a pet will face up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.
Ms Firth said: “It is vital that the law recognises the emotional impact the theft of a pet can have and brings the perpetrators to justice in a way that correctly reflects this.
“Pets are not merely items in our lives, they are sentient beings, and it is not right that the law does not distinguish this.”
The Bill was included in the “wash-up” of legislation rushed through before the general election.
