UK Politics

Related video: Rishi Sunak refuses to rule out July general electionSign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailVoters head to the polls in England on Thursday for local elections viewed as the final big test of public opinion ahead of the general election.Elections are taking place in 107 local authorities across the country, with 2,636 seats up for grabs. Voters will also choose the mayor of London, London assembly members and 10 other mayors outside the capital.There is also a by-election taking place in Blackpool South following the resignation of former Conservative MP Scott Benton. Voters in England and Wales will also choose new police and crime commissioners.Polling suggests that the mayoral contests in Tees Valley and West Midlands are on a knife edge and will be closely watched in Westminster for their potential ramifications in a national vote.Forecasts say the Tories could lose up to half the 1,000 or so council seats they are defending and rebels opposed to Rishi Sunak’s premiership have warned they would move against him if the results were poor.But Kemi Badenoch, the business secretary, told broadcasters the prime minister’s position was safe regardless of the outcome.“I think there’s a lot of noise being made by people who want to get attention but the prime minister has the full backing of the Cabinet, he has my full backing,” she said.Show latest update 1714615200ICYMI: Tories’ top mayor disowns Rishi Sunak on eve of pollIn an exclusive interview with The Independent, Lord Houchen warned that his potential defeat in this week’s local elections should be “a wake-up call” for Tory MPs.Full report: Matt Mathers2 May 2024 03:001714611600Sadiq Khan accuses Lee Anderson of ‘fuelling hate’ amid secret recordingFull report: Matt Mathers2 May 2024 02:001714608000Can Monty Panesar spin his way into the House of Commons?England’s former left-arm bowler wants to become a left-wing MP but, as Sean O’Grady explains, a Labour majority could leave him stumpedRead Sean’s piece in full here: Matt Mathers2 May 2024 01:001714604460Tories expect ‘significant losses’ at local elections, Chancellor saysJeremy Hunt has said the Conservatives will likely suffer “significant losses” in the local elections as the party braces itself for a contest seen as the final test of public opinion before a general election.The Chancellor sought to manage expectations before voters head to the polls on Thursday, suggesting the Tories are anticipating defeat in hundreds of seats.Full report: Matt Mathers2 May 2024 00:011714600855How will success and failure unfold for Labour and Conservatives in the local elections?Full report: Matt Mathers1 May 2024 23:001714597255Tories blast Labour with police complaints ahead of crucial local electionsFull report: Matt Mathers1 May 2024 22:001714595455Tories attack Labour and Lib Dems ahead of electionsAhead of the polls, a Conservative Party spokesman sought to draw attention to the record of their rivals in local government.“Across the country Labour and the Liberal Democrats have run their councils into the ground, bankrupting local authorities and wasting taxpayer’s time and money on bonkers policies,” they said.The spokesman added: “Meanwhile we have a strong record. Our Conservative mayors have delivered record investment and apprenticeships for their areas, and you are two times less likely to be a victim of crime under a Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner.“Only the Conservative Party can be trusted to deliver better quality services for lower tax.”Matt Mathers1 May 2024 21:301714594255Tees Valley’s mayor may be a straw for Tories to clutch, but even if he wins he can’t save SunakLocal elections preview: Ben Houchen may buck the trend, but the outlook is still bad for the Conservatives come the general election, writes John Rentoul.Read John’s piece in full here: Matt Mathers1 May 2024 21:101714592455Exclusive: Senior Tories wanted right-wing Reform candidate for London mayor instead of Susan HallA cabinet minister was among senior Tories who pushed for Reform UK’s Howard Cox to be their candidate for London mayor instead of the beleaguered Susan Hall, The Independent understands.A source close to the prime minister’s inner circle has claimed they wrote to Rishi Sunak pleading with him to select the right-wing motorist campaigner Mr Cox ahead of the decision by London party members to nominate Susan Hall.Full report: Matt Mathers1 May 2024 20:401714590623Exclusive | Tory mayor Ben Houchen’s swipe at Rishi Sunak: they’ll vote for me – but not youIn an exclusive interview with The Independent, Mr Houchen warned that his potential defeat in this week’s local elections should be “a wake-up call” for Tory MPs.Full report: Matt Mathers1 May 2024 20:10 More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailThere are a number of misleading websites using London election candidate names which redirect to the Russian government website, The Independent has found. Experts have warned it is “impossible to tell” who is behind these spoof websites as targeted candidates have expressed their outrage. The Independent has found six different misleading websites in candidate names which lead to an English language version of the official Russian government website.Liberal Democrat candidate Rob Blackie and Reform UK candidate Howard Cox have been targeted. There were also three website URLs impersonating Social Democrat Party candidate Amy Gallagher. It is unknown who is behind the purchase of the domains or if there are further domains that use London mayoral candidate names.Two websites impersonating candidate Brian Rose also redirect to the Tory’s Susan Hall campaign site. Stuart Fuller, chief commercial officer of Com Laude, a domain name management company, told The Independent: “Though it is impossible to tell who exactly is behind these websites, it is unlikely to be Russian Government interference. “Most cybersquatting is driven by financial gain – as there are so many relevant domains for candidates to own, such as .uk and .london, it is very difficult for campaign managers to pre-emptively buy them all before a candidate stands.“This creates the opportunity for malicious parties to cause substantial reputational damage, critical for the outcomes of elections, in a bid to sell these domains on to candidates for profit. “Domains can be registered and put to use in a matter of minutes and most candidates don’t trademark their names, making them ideal targets for this kind of cybercrime.”Liberal Democrat candidate Rob Blackie has been targeted by the hoax More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailNatalie Campbell, an independent candidate running for London mayor, has said she will take a “CEO’s approach” to leading the capital because the “party-political system is broken”.Ms Campbell grew up in north-west London, and she is the co-CEO of the social enterprise Belu Water. She been the chancellor of the University of Westminster since 2022.Speaking to The Independent, she said: “I absolutely love this city, but I know it’s not working anymore for most people. “There is a £17bn budget available to make sure that people at least have an opportunity to live well, and it’s being totally squandered by the current mayor. “When I was 15, I told myself that I want to see change in this city. London should have got better since then, but I do not believe that it has that it has.”Ms Campbell took aim at the Labour and Conservative candidates, adding “party-political system doesn’t serve the people, it serves the interests of power within a party”. “Unlike politicians, a CEO knows the buck stops and ends with them,” she said. “My position as an independent is that I don’t have to plead any political party. “Londoners are my boss. I’m very clear on that.” ‘Unlike politicians, a CEO knows the buck stops and ends with them’ More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailTarun Ghulati, an independent candidate running for London mayor, has pledged to reduce council tax and introduce rent controls in the capital. Mr Ghulati is a businessman and investment banker who describes himself as a “proud Hindu” and “takes pride in his roots having spent many years in India”.“I am determined to do whatever it takes to ensure that London, my chosen home for 20 years, retains its place as the leading Global City and that all Londoners feel safe, secure and empowered with opportunities for growth,” he said. “This position, however, masks the fact that around 2.2 million Londoners continue to live in poverty.“This is why improving wellbeing and living standards are critical for me. I strongly believe much more needs to be done for the low- and middle-income households across London. “I am passionate about reinvigorating optimism and pride for these families and believe this can be achieved through my proposals to level up across the city.”Mr Ghulati says he will ensure there is more visible community policing by hiring more officers and and reopening police stations across London.This includes a focus on crimes against women and girls. He has pledged to scrap Ulez and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), and will also remove all 20mph speed limits. On housing, Mr Ghulati said he will introduce rent controls and ensure that new developments include a certain percentage of affordable housing units.He would also reduce council tax, and subsidise construction costs for affordable housing developments, whilst keeping the free school meals policy introduced by Sadiq Khan. Mr Ghulati’s main manifesto pledges include: Ensure London retains its place as the leading global city and that all Londoners feel safe, secure and empowered with opportunities for growthImprove wellbeing and living standardsUnwavering support for entrepreneurshipRekindle the spirit, pride, and vibrancy of every LondonerDo away with barriers for growth and ensure the safety of all its citizensEncourage the free flow of ideas and policies without party ideology and biasEnsure London becomes the first choice for investment to ensure safety and prosperity for allYou can read Tarun Ghulati’s full manifesto here.Voters can cast their ballot in person on 2 May, by post or by proxy. Find your nearest polling station here.Everyone will need to show photo ID at polling stations before they vote.The results will be announced at City Hall on Saturday 4 May.Read the full list of candidates here. More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailVoters across England and Wales will take to the polls on Thursday for the latest round of local elections. Alongside thousands of councillors, a record 12 metro mayors are to be elected – including the high-profile Mayor of London.Incumbent Sadiq Khan is hoping to secure a third term for Labour as he fights off Conservative candidate Susan Hall. They are amongst 11 candidates in total, including the controversial right-wing Reform UK party’s Jeremy Cox.Mr Khan has sought to focus on his succcesses when on the campaign trail. These include an expansion to existing rail and bus lines, as well as frozen fares for Londoners.Follow our live coverage of the elections by clicking hereThe London mayor has also pledged policies which aim to tackle the ongoing cost of living crisis and housing issues many in the capital are facing. Amongst these are free school meals for all children, and 40,000 new council homes.His competition has aimed to draw the dividing lines in different places. High on the agenda of most candidates is a change or scrap to Mr Khan’s Ulez expansion, which continues to provoke intense reactions.Alongside challenges to his record on knife crime and changes to the electoral system, Thursday’s mayoral election is likely to be the Labour mayor’s most difficult – something he has admitted himself.Here everything you need to know about the three big issues that have shaped London’s mayoral election:The debate around ULEZ rages on (as Reform UK takes advantage)People during an anti-Ulez protest in Trafalgar Square (Stefan Rousseau/PA) More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailHigh-profile Tory mayor Ben Houchen has lashed out at the state of the Conservative Party under Rishi Sunak as he battles to hold on to his job running Tees Valley.In an exclusive interview with The Independent, Lord Houchen warned that his potential defeat in this week’s local elections should be “a wake-up call” for Tory MPs.And in an extraordinary broadside at his own party, he said voters were pledging to support him, but not the Tories at the next general election.Lord Houchen told The Independent: “There are lots of people who will come up to me and speak to me that say that they’re going to vote for me, but they probably won’t be voting for the Conservative Party in the general election.”He said attempts by ministers to crack down on illegal migration, including the release of pictures showing potential deportees being rounded up, “will not be enough” to save the party.His damning intervention comes as the local election battle intensified on Wednesday, with the Tories reporting Labour West Midlands mayoral candidate Richard Parker to police for alleged electoral fraud.Sunak and Houchen during a visit to see the construction works at Teesside Freeport in Redcar in July 2022 More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailSadiq Khan has accused former deputy Conservative chairman turned Reform UK MP Lee Anderson of “fuelling hate crime and violent threats” following “unpatriotic” comments made by Mr Anderson about the London mayor.In a secret recording obtained by ITV News, the Reform MP is heard telling participants at a party event that Tory cabinet ministers were among those who messaged him their support after he was suspended, telling him “Rishi has thrown you under the bus”. He is also heard claiming Mr Khan “hates this country… our heritage, our culture”.Mr Khan has hit back at Mr Anderson and his former party, calling it “deeply depressing” to hear that the former deputy chairman’s “Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred was cheered on by current Tory party staff, MPs and Cabinet ministers” and that the Reform MP’s comments have “real-world consequences”.In a statement, Mr Khan said: “In the past 24hours we have seen my Tory mayoral opponent endorsing Facebook groups rife with antisemitism, Islamophobia and death threats against me. And now we have a former Tory party Deputy chair caught on camera being racist.Lee Anderson defected to the right-wing challenger party Reform UK following his suspension More