UK Politics

Tory election betting probe: ‘Totally unacceptable’ if rules broken says Welsh secretarySign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailThe betting scandal continues to dominate the campaign trail for under-fire Rishi Sunak, who has been forced to confirm he is not personally under investigation. The prime minister said he is not aware of any other Conservative candidates being investigated, following the revelations that alleged bets connected to two Tory candidates are being looked at by the Gambling Commission. Amid warnings that the saga will damage the party’s results on 4 July, a recent poll by Savanta revealed the Tories are set for a wipeout in London.The survey found 55 per cent of Londoners are planning to vote for Labour and only 22 per cent for the Conservatives. Nigel Farage has been speaking in Kent on the campaign trail and doubled down on widely criticised claims about Nato’s role in the build-up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Reform leader hit back at Boris Johnson’s criticism over his comments branding the former prime minister the “worst PM of modern times” as he unveiled a giant version of the i newspaper frontbage with the headline “Boris blames EU for war in Ukraine”. Show latest update 1719239758Labour is on course for a 250-seat Commons majority, according to new pollLabour is set to win a 250-seat majority in the House of Commons, according to a new poll released on Monday afternoon.The Focaldata survey said the Conservatives are set to lose an astounding 262 seats, leaving the party with 110 MPs.According to the research the Labour Party would gain 250 seats, which would culminate in 450 seats in the Commons.The Liberal Democrats would gain 42 seats, while the SNP would lose 34.Joe Middleton24 June 2024 15:351719239049Tories doing own inquiry into betting allegations, says SunakThe Conservative Party is conducting its own internal inquiry into allegations that officials and candidates bet on the date of the general election, Rishi Sunak said today.Speaking to journalists, Mr Sunak said: “(The Gambling Commission) don’t talk about the individuals that they are investigating,” the Prime Minister told journalists on the campaign trail in Edinburgh on Monday.“What I can tell you is I am not aware of any other candidate that they are looking at.”He added: “What I can tell you is, in parallel, we’ve been conducting our own internal inquiries and of course will act on any relevant findings or information from that and pass it on to the Gambling Commission.”The party’s chief data officer Nick Mason is the latest figure understood to be taking a leave of absence amid claims he placed bets on the election date, along with director of campaigning Tony Lee.Mr Lee’s would-be MP wife Laura Saunders and fellow candidate Craig Williams, who was a parliamentary aide to the prime minister, are also under investigation by the Gambling Commission.Joe Middleton24 June 2024 15:241719238466Watch: Nigel Farage defends Ukraine war comments and attacks Boris JohnsonNigel Farage defends Ukraine war comments and attacks Boris JohnsonJoe Middleton24 June 2024 15:141719236960What are Labour and the Conservative positions on transgender rights ahead of the 2024 general election?Labour has clarified its position on transgender rights as Wes Streeting says the party would “modernise and reform” gender laws if it comes into power on July 4.The shadow health secretary has said Labour’s policy aims to allow transgender people to “live their lives with freedom, dignity and respect”. His comments come after all the major parties unveiled their manifestos over the past few weeks, outlining their visions for the country. Each covers transgender policy, with the issue becoming a major cultural talking point over the past few years.You can read The Independent full story below.Salma Ouaguira24 June 2024 14:491719236720Rishi Sunak insists he got general election timing rightThe prime minister has insisted he was “right” to choose 4 July as the day for the general election. During a media huddle in Edinburgh, he was asked if he would have wanted more months to make his case.He said: “No – The most important job I had when I was Prime Minister was to restore economic stability back to our country after what has been a really difficult few years with Covid and the war in Ukraine.“My priority was bring inflation down, because inflation was eating into everyone’s pay packets, their savings, making everyone feel the challenges of the cost of living.”Rishi Sunak speaks to the media after the launch of the Scottish Conservative manifesto at the Apex Grassmarket Hotel in Edinburgh More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailLabour has clarified its position on transgender rights as Wes Streeting says the party would “modernise and reform” gender laws if it comes into power on July 4.The shadow health secretary has said Labour’s policy aims to allow transgender people to “live their lives with freedom, dignity and respect”. His comments come after all the major parties unveiled their manifestos over the past few weeks, outlining their visions for the country. Each covers transgender policy, with the issue becoming a major cultural talking point over the past few years.For the latest updates ahead of the general election, follow The Independent’s live coverageUnder current UK legislation, the ability to change legal sex is enshrined in the 2004 Gender Recognition Act. This followed a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) which found that the previous inability to do so in the UK was a breach of certain human rights.The 2010 Equality Act defines sex in binary terms as ‘a reference to a man or woman’ – but this can be changed. A trans person can change their legal sex by obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate, amending the sex category on their birth certification. However, they must also meet certain criteria to do so.Simplifying the gender reassignment processLabour has said it wants to “simplify” the process of changing gender in the UK. Speaking to The Times, shadow women and equalities secretary Anneliese Dodds said the party’s plans would see the system become “modernised”.“This means stripping out the futile and dehumanising parts of the process for obtaining a gender recognition certificate, while retaining important safeguards.”Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (Stefan Rousseau/PA) More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailA leading think tank has accused Nigel Farage’s Reform of poisoning the debate around painful economic choices, as it warned it would be a “considerable surprise” if there are no further tax rises in the next five years.Paul Johnson, the director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, slammed the Tory and Labour manifestos, saying they leave voters “guessing”.But he also hit out at Reform and the Greens for “unattainable” tax claims he said had made offerings from other parties look “feeble”. Their pledges were helping to “poison the entire political debate”, he said.The attack comes as Mr Farage faces a growing backlash on another front, over his claim the West provoked Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.Mr Johnson also accused Labour and the Conservatives of making “essentially unfunded commitments” to improve the NHS as he said a conspiracy of silence between the main parties over difficult decisions after the election was leaving voters in the dark. Paul Johnson, director of the IFS appearing on the BBC One current affairs programme, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailRishi Sunak is under mounting pressure to intervene in the Tory general election betting scandal, with senior figures calling on him to act.The prime minister has been urged to suspend all those under investigation from the party immediately and hold a Cabinet Office inquiry into the scandal.Party chair Richard Holden, who is responsible for overseeing the Conservative general election campaign, has remained tight-lipped on the crisis.Click here for our live coverage of the general election campaignA former Tory minister and the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats are among those who joined the growing call for the people involved to be suspended.Rishi Sunak has been urged to suspend all those involved in the scandal More