Lord Zak Goldsmith, who resigned from Rishi Sunak’s government last year, has hit out at the “complicity” of most Tory MPs in allowing the party to descend in complete chaos less than a week into a general election.
The Tory peer, who is a friend and ally of former prime minister Boris Johnson, warned that most Conservative MPs will lose their seats but saying “it is hard to feel sorry for them”.
It came as ministers were furiously briefing about their anger over the prime minister calling a snap election without consulting his cabinet first.
Elsewhere, Sir Keir Starmer has said he was “shocked” by horrific scenes from Rafah overnight and that the Israeli offensive must stop.
At least 50 people have been killed and dozens more injured by an Israeli airstrike on tents for displaced Palestinians in Rafah, the majority of whom are women and children, according to the Gaza health authorities.
Asked what he would tell Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu if he were prime minister, the Labour leader said: “Stop.
“Those scenes, those reports, are horrifying and what makes it worse was this was a safe zone with women and children and families that have already fled a number of times.”
Boris Johnson ally warns Tory MPs only have themselves to blame for Sunak’s ‘predictable’ election chaos
Lord Zak Goldsmith, who resigned from Rishi Sunak’s government last year, has hit out at the “complicity” of most Tory MPs in allowing the party to descend in complete chaos less than a week into a general election.
The Tory peer, who is a friend and ally of former prime minister Boris Johnson, posted a comment on X (formerly Twitter) warning that most Conservative MPs will lose their seats but saying “it is hard to feel sorry for them”.
Minister warned Sunak it was not common sense to have a snap election
Rishi Sunak asked King Charles to dissolve Parliament before telling his cabinet that he had called a snap election.
But that final 4pm cabinet meeting on Wednesday before the prime minister made his rain sodden announcement to the nation outside Downing Street, saw very little response,
PM distances himself from Tory attacks on Sir Keir over his age
Rishi Sunak has distanced himself from Tory attacks on Sir Keir Starmer over his age.
The 44-year-old Prime Minister said “the substance is what matters” following the comments about his 61-year-old rival.
Mr Sunak told reporters: “I’m interested in getting out and about across the country.
“We’re a few days into this, we’ve been in the East Midlands, the West Midlands, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, here in the South East today, talking to people – parents – about the future.
“The substance is what matters at this election, it’s a choice about the future.”
He added: “When it comes to Keir Starmer, that’s the choice that’s on offer – no ideas, no plan and you don’t deliver a better future, you don’t deliver any change, without those things.”
Sunak argues national service plan is ‘right thing to do’
Rishi Sunak has argued his national service plan is “absolutely the right thing to do”.
The Prime Minister told reporters: “This modern form of national service will mean that young people get the skills and the opportunities that they need which is going to serve them very well in life.
“It’s going to foster a culture of service which is going to be incredibly powerful for making our society more cohesive and in a more uncertain and dangerous world it’s going to strengthen our country’s security and resilience.
“For all these reasons I think this is absolutely the right thing to do. Yes, it is bold, but that’s the kind of leadership I offer.”
Starmer: Trust me to end Tory ‘chaos’ and protect national security
Sir Keir Starmer has said the General Election amounted to a choice about “whose side are you on” as he promised to stand up for working people and restore trust in British politics.
The Labour leader said 14 years of Conservative “chaos” had led to a “crisis” in the national culture.
In his first major speech of the campaign, he sought to persuade voters that he could be trusted to deliver economic stability and protect national security.
David Hughes reports:
SNP has ‘ground to cover’ to catch up with Labour in polls, John Swinney says
SNP leader John Swinney has conceded his party “has a lot of ground to cover” to catch up with rivals Labour in the polls ahead of the General Election.
Mr Swinney, who took over as SNP leader from Humza Yousaf just three weeks ago, said the party was already united behind him and was “very focused on the election campaign”.
However, polls have shown the party, which for years has been the dominant force in Scottish politics, is now trailing behind Labour in the run-up to the July 4 voting day.
Katrine Bussey reports:
Sunak defends national service plan: ‘Right policy at right time’
Rishi Sunak defended his national service plan, arguing it was the “right policy at the right time”.
He told reporters in Buckinghamshire: “This is the right thing to do because this is how we will deliver a secure future for everyone and our country.
“We are not going to do that without taking bold action and that’s the type of leadership that I offer.”
National Service plan was ‘sprung’ upon Tory candidates, says NI minister
Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker has said the National Service plan was “sprung” upon Tory candidates.
Writing on social media, he suggested had it been a government policy, he would have had a say because of the particular sensitives around Northern Ireland.
He said: “Government policy would have been developed by ministers on the advice of officials and collectively agreed. I would have had a say on behalf of NI.
“But this proposal was developed by a political adviser or advisers and sprung on candidates, some of whom are relevant ministers.”
TUV leader rubbishes speculation linking him to East Belfast election contest
TUV leader Jim Allister has dismissed as “nonsense” speculation that he might switch constituencies to challenge the interim leader of the DUP in East Belfast.
The North Antrim MLA said while his party would be running in Gavin Robinson’s Belfast constituency, he said there had never been any consideration that he might be the candidate.
His comments came after Alliance Party leader and Stormont Justice Minister Naomi Long confirmed she would run against Mr Robinson in East Belfast.
Sunak pledges stipend to 18-year-olds signing up for military section of national service plan
Rishi Sunak has said 18-year-olds who sign up for the military section of his national service plan would be paid a stipend to help with living costs.
The scheme will cost £2.5 billion a year by 2029-30, according to the Conservatives’ figures.
The Prime Minister, answering questions on TikTok about the Tory policy, said: “As is the case in other countries, we will provide a stipend to help with living costs for those doing the military element alongside their training.
“Meanwhile, on the civic side, we will make sure organisations have funding for training and administration.”
He was answering questions on the Conservatives’ TikTok account.
The party is using the social media site even though security concerns have seen its use banned from Government devices.
