Markus Andrews

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorAttendees of the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham have seen the four leadership hopefuls wanting to replace Rishi Sunak handing out all manner of merchandise – from lollipops to beauty products.Although freebies and gifts have left Sir Keir Starmer and his government under increased scrutiny recently, the potential future leaders of the opposition have not been able to give merch away quickly enough to draw in Tory support.While the usual fare of pens, badges and stickers are all available, each one – Robert Jenrick, Tom Tugendhat, Kemi Badenoch and James Cleverly – has tried to beat the competition with eye-catching gimmicks.Tory leadership merchandise being handed out throughout the conference More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorCabinet secretary Simon Case has announced he will stand down at the end of this year on health grounds but only after The Independent revealed that ministers had told Sir Keir Starmer he should be sacked. The UK’s top civil servant, who was diagnosed with a neurological condition last year, said that “whilst the spirit remains willing, the body is not”.His resignation came just days after a row broke out after revelations that ministers told Sir Keir to remove him immediately, leading to protests by the trade union representing top civil servants.One senior minister had accused Mr Case of “poisoning the well” of government.In a letter announcing his decision to step down, he insisted that it had nothing to do with reports he had been accused of failing to prevent leaks about donations from Lord Alli, as well as being accused of briefing against Sir Keir’s chief of staff, Sue Gray. Cabinet Secretary Simon Case (James Manning/PA) More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorKemi Badenoch has said people are “scared to have families” due to the cost amid an ongoing row about her comments on maternity pay.On Sunday, the Tory leadership contender had said the government was doing “too much” on statutory maternity pay, before backtracking on the remarks. Speaking at a Conservative Women’s Organisation event on the fringes of the Tory conference in Birmingham on Monday, Ms Badenoch said “there are things that we have to do to make sure that we make life comfortable for those people who are… starting families”.Asked about the declining birth rate, she said: “A lot of people have fewer children because they start having children later.“And so they just can’t have as many as perhaps they might have liked. Some people feel that they can’t afford children, I often think that too many people are worried about the money more than they need to be.Kemi Badenoch (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA) More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorLiz Truss has claimed that the Tories would have performed better at July’s general election if she had clung on as prime minister.The ex-PM, who sensationally lost her seat in the party’s landslide defeat, said that if she had not been forced out of Downing Street in the wake of her disastrous September 2022 mini-Budget, she would have secured a better result for the Conservatives than Rishi Sunak.In a packed event on the sidelines of the Tory conference, Ms Truss admitted that winning the general election would have been “a tall order”.But she said she would have been able to stop the rise of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK if she had been given enough time to let her tax-cutting policies take effect.Liz Truss during the Conservative Party conference at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham More

Immigrants who see Israel as enemy ‘not welcome’ in UK says Kemi BadenochYour support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseMy recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyondEric GarciaWashington Bureau ChiefLiz Truss has told the Conservative Party conference that it is “pathetic” to claim she is to blame for the economic meltdown follwoing her mini-budget.During a fringe event, the unrepentant former prime minister dismissed Theresa May’s claim that she destroyed the party’s reputation after her economic policies. She also lashed out at the four Tory MPs vying to replace Rishi Sunak as the party’s leader, claiming she will not endorse any of the candidates. But she agreed with Kemi Badenoch’s controversial comments about maternity pay being “excessive”, and revealed she would be “really happy” with Robert Jenrick‘s suggestion to have the Star of David at UK borders. It comes after Mr Jenrick described illegal migrants as “terrorists on our streets terrorising our citizens” during a rally at the conference. During his speech, the former minister said the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) is a “leave or die” issue for the Tories and urged to exit the convention. Mr Jenrick also called for the Star of David to be displayed at every point of entry to the UK to show “we stand with Israel” while wearing a “Hamas Are Terrorists” hoodie at a Conservative Friends of Israel fringe event. The Independent’s political team will be reporting live throughout the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham.Show latest update 1727708137Lib Dems urge Tories to strip Liz Truss of £115,000 allowanceThe Liberal Democrats have urged the Tories to strip Liz Truss of her £115,000 allowance as former prime minister for failing to “recognise economic vandalism”.Responding to her appearance at Conservative Party Conference, deputy leader Daisy Cooper MP said: “Liz Truss’s failure to recognise the economic vandalism that she oversaw is a kick in the teeth to all those who endured their mortgage rates spiralling and were worried about losing their homes as a result of her disastrous policies.“It’s outrageous that instead of calling out the damage that she did, the Conservative Party actually allowed her to stand as one of their candidates at the General Election.“Every Conservative Party Leadership candidate must condemn Truss’s terrible record and pledge that they would strip her of her ex-PM allowance of up to £115,000 a year.”Salma Ouaguira30 September 2024 15:551727707971Labour cabinet secretary to step down at end of year A senior Labour secretary has announced he will step down at the end of the year on health grounds, The Telegraph reports. Head of civil service Simon Case told Sir Keir Starmer he will leave Downing Street 18 months after being diagnosed with a neurological condition. In a letter, he reportedly told colleagues: “It is a shame that I feel I have to spell this out, but my decision is solely to do with my health and nothing to do with anything else. Whilst the spirit remains willing, the body is not.”( More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorWatch live as Conservative leadership candidates Kemi Badenoch and Tom Tugendhat address the party conference on Monday, 30 September.The pair are among the four candidates vying to be Rishi Sunak’s successor.They face competition from James Cleverly and Robert Jenrick.After the candidates set out their positions to Tory members at the party’s conference, MPs will carry out further rounds of voting to select the final two candidates for party members to choose from.The result of the leadership contest will be announced on 2 November.Migration, the NHS and the party’s future are expected to be among topics the leadership candidates will discuss with members at the Birmingham gathering.Liz Truss has criticised the candidates for not acknowledging “how bad things are in the country” and the Tory party.The former prime minister said the four MPs have to “explain what went wrong” and that she thought the party would have fared better in July’s general election if she had still been leader rather than Mr Sunak. More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorJames Cleverly is emerging as the favourite in the Tory leadership race, but a large portion of the public remains unsure about who they want to see leading the party.A new Techne poll revealed that 13 per cent of respondents believe Cleverly would make the best prime minister, putting him just ahead of Robert Jenrick, with 12 per cent. Kemi Badenoch followed with 10 per cent support, while Tom Tugendhat trailed behind with 6 per cent. The poll was conducted just ahead of the Conservative Party’s annual conference in Birmingham, where leadership hopefuls will showcase their vision for the party through hustings, Q&A sessions, and networking events.Now we’re asking you: Who do you want to see as the next leader of the Tory party? What direction should the Conservatives take to regain the support of voters? Do you think they can win them back?Share your thoughts by adding them in the comments — we’ll highlight the most insightful ones as they come in.All you have to do is sign up and register your details — then you can take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking ‘log in’ on the top right-hand corner of the screen. More