UK Politics

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailThe number of female parliamentary candidates vying to become MPs at the general election has sunk to 30 per cent – sparking criticism women are not properly represented by the political system.New figures show the number of women candidates has fallen by four per cent since the last election, according to figures by campaign group 50:50 Parliament.Lobbyists said they took action to boost the number of female candidates but the proportion is much lower than they expected – adding this is partially due to the increase in Reform candidates who are mostly men. Women make up less than a fifth of their candidates.Lyanne Nicholl, chief executive of 50:50 Parliament, said: “We have around 34 million women and girls in the UK and a vast pool of talent within that number.”New figures show the number of women candidates has fallen by four per cent since 34 per cent during the last election More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailRishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer have gone head-to-head once again as the race to July 4 and Number 10 continues.The second programme featuring just the Prime Minister and the Labour leader saw the pair set out their commitments to the country in 20-minute interviews with Beth Rigby, Sky News’ political editor, before taking questions from the audience in Grimsby.Both insisted they would not raise taxes for working people, with Sir Keir adding: “I am not wanting to raise tax. I think people are taxed too much already. What I want to do, my central mission is to grow the economy.”Meanwhile, Mr Sunak insisted taxes for working people would “continue to come down” under a Tory government.Following the first standoff between Sir Keir and Mr Sunak, a snap poll by YouGov suggested the Prime Minister shaded by 51% to 49%. However, Independent readers appeared to be more team Starmer following the clash.We want to know if hearing from Mr Sunak and Sir Keir for a second time has changed your opinion on either politician or their party. Who was your winner tonight? Do you agree with the latest snap poll that put the Labour leader in pole position after the Sky News programme?We’re also keen to hear your views on the Tory and Labour pledges and whether you felt questions from the audience were adequately addressed tonight.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.Make sure you adhere to our community guidelines, which can be found here. For a full guide on how to comment click here.Join the conversation with other Independent readers below. More

Keir Starmer appeared to freeze when called ‘a political robot’Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailA snap YouGov poll after Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer were questioned on live television has found 64 per cent of viewers – nearly two in three – thought the Labour leader came out on top, and only 36 per cent said the prime minister did better. Both party leaders insisted they would not raise taxes for working people, as they were grilled in front of an audience.The prime minister said taxes for working people would “continue to come down” under a Tory government.The Labour leader said: “I am not wanting to raise tax. I think people are taxed too much already. What I want to do, my central mission is to grow the economy.”Sir Keir said he would negotiate with doctors over pay but the country could not afford their 35 per cent claim.Mr Sunak was repeatedly challenged on health service staff shortages by NHS workers.The prime minister pointed to funding provided by the government before noting: “What we have not done, for not just years but for decades, is train enough staff and then be reliant on having to bring people here from abroad.”Show latest update 1718244001Keir Starmer confuses Grimsby with Hull during election debateKeir Starmer confuses Grimsby with Hull during election debateSir Keir Starmer appeared to confuse Grimsby and Hull during Wednesday evening’s general election debate. The Labour leader took questions from Sky News political editor Beth Rigby and members of the audience as he attempted to win over the public ahead of next month’s vote. At one point, Sir Keir noted that he was impressed with apprentices he had met “here in Hull” – despite standing on stage 35 miles away. In another awkward moment, he was described as a “political robot” by someone in the audience.Tom Watling13 June 2024 03:001718240401Audience gasp as post-Brexit migration numbers revealed to Rishi SunakAudience gasp as post-Brexit migration numbers revealed to Rishi SunakPost-Brexit migration numbers shocked the audience at Wednesday’s general election debate. With Rishi Sunak sat on stage, host Beth Rigby noted that the total net migration figure into the UK in the past three years was 1.9 million, compared to 836,000 people in the three years running up to the 2016 referendum. As the Sky News political editor read the numbers, the audience gasped in shock. “Net migration into this country has more than doubled in the last three years, from before we left the European Union,” Ms Rigby concluded. In response, the prime minister called the figure “too high”.Tom Watling13 June 2024 02:001718236801Keir Starmer reveals his wife Victoria did not want him to go into politicsTom Watling13 June 2024 01:001718233201Top Sunak aide Craig Williams probed after placing bet on general election date days before announcementTom Watling13 June 2024 00:001718232300Why Brexit is missing from this election campaignTom Watling12 June 2024 23:451718231400Sunak’s campaign takes another blow as Starmer claims confident victory in YouGov poll after Sky debateTom Watling12 June 2024 23:301718230500Rishi Sunak declares he has not given up after minister warns of Labour ‘supermajority’Tom Watling12 June 2024 23:151718229780Jeers and laughter: Public have their say on Rishi Sunak and Keir StarmerJeers and laughter: Public have their say on Rishi Sunak and Keir StarmerTom Watling12 June 2024 23:031718228700Sunak pleads his case for a return to Downing Street Here we have some pictures from Rishi Sunak’s interview with Sky News as he fielded questions from a fired up audience in Grimsby Rish Sunak pleads his case to a member of the Grimsby audience More