More stories

  • in

    Boris Johnson’s father Stanley admits he will be voting for Lib Dems in general election

    Boris Johnson’s father Stanley Jonson has admitted he will not be voting for the Conservatives in the general election.Mr Johnson reveals the party he plans to vote for in a video posted on X on Wednesday (3 July) by Liberal Democrat’s candidate for Queen’s Park and Maida Vale in Greater London Helen Baxter.Ms Baxter captioned the video: “I spoke to another Mr Johnson today who told me he was voting @LibDems – we had a long conversation about the negative consequences of #Brexit on our economy and our standing in the world.”Part of the way through the clip, Mr Johnson congratulates Ms Baxter before she asks “Are you voting for me?” More

  • in

    Nigel Farage labels Boris Johnson a ‘busted flush’ and makes bold election prediction

    Nigel Farage has called former prime minister Boris Johnson a “busted flush, a hypocrite and a liar” as he denied that a potential return from his fellow brexiteer to politics would affect his growing support.The Reform UK leader also said that British politics will “break up” in the next five years due to pressure for electoral changes.Mr Farage made his comments during a Reform rally at Clacton Pier in Essex on the eve of the general election (3 July).The Reform leader led crowds at the rally in a chant of “We want our country back” as he said the 2024 election is the “tip of the iceberg” for Reform. More

  • in

    Johnny Mercer’s wife calls police on protest by Gulf War veterans

    Johnny Mercer’s wife appeared to call the police on Gulf War veterans who carried out a peaceful protest against the veterans’ minister a day before the general election.Several members of Justice4Veterans, who claim to suffer from Gulf War Syndrome, arrived in Plymouth Moor View with banners on Wednesday (3 July), accusing Mr Mercer of betrayal.The banners also called for local residents to vote him out of office.In a video, shared by Justice4Veterans, Mr Mercer’s wife Felicity can be seen on the phone.She says: “I’m standing on Derriford Roundabout, and I’ve got some people with banners saying ‘Johnny Judas Mercer’and ‘Johnny Mercer out’. I’d like some police sent down please.”The Independent has contacted Devon and Cornwall Police for further information. More

  • in

    Do we get good leadership when we fall for charismatic candidates?

    In recent elections, it seems that voters have been swayed more by charismatic candidates than the promises being made.Through the bumpy ride that has been Brexit followed by coronavirus followed by the cost of living crisis, amidst several crises of international security, it has to be wondered if charisma is really the best method to pick a good leadership candidate?Bethan Kapur speaks with academics about the mechanics of falling for charismatic leaders and whether voters in this general election are still looking to be swooned or something else this time. Get all your election coverage here. More

  • in

    Rishi Sunak reveals his general election night tradition

    Rishi Sunak has revealed his general election night tradition.The prime minister explained how in all the elections he has stood as a candidate, he likes to spend the night at his home in Northallerton in North Yorkshire with his family – and said this year will be no different.Speaking on This Morning on Wednesday (3 July), Mr Sunak said: “It is a bit of a tradition. I go to my local butchers in Northallerton, Kitson’s, and they do me an election pie.“It is a very good pork pie with some chutney and cheese on the top. “I have had it on all the election nights I’ve been involved with.” More

  • in

    Debunked: Tory claim Starmer plans to clock off work at 6pm as prime minister

    The Conservative party has falsely claimed that Sir Keir Stamer said he plans to clock off work at 6pm if elected prime minister.“Keir Starmer has said he’d clock off work at 6pm if he became Prime Minister,” the Conservative party tweeted on 1 July, 2024.This is false.In an interview with Virgin Radio, the Labour leader said “on a Friday, I will not do a work-related thing after 6 pm” to carve out time for his children.Watch Debunked here. More

  • in

    Meet the youngest candidate standing at the general election

    Meet the youngest candidate standing in the 2024 general election. At 18, Pedro Da Conceicao – who is running as an independent candidate in west London – is ready to make a difference.”There is something in this country’s politics that simply isn’t working,” he tells The Independent. “The average age of MPs in this country is 51-years-old, which simply is not representative of the country’s demographic.”While he is aiming to make a splash in national politics, Pedro also wants to make an impact in Ealing Southall, the constituency he is challenging for. “In the past few years we’ve seen a massive change. Ealing used to be a close, really lovely community. In the past four years, there has been a drastic change.” More

  • in

    Labour will ‘clean up Tory mess’ if elected, says Wes Streeting

    Wes Streeting vowed Labour will “clean up the Tory mess” if they win the general election, as he referenced lockdown parties at Downing Street.The shadow health secretary also hit back at the “desperate attack” from the Conservative Party over Sir Keir Starmer’s potential working hours as prime minister.“It’s a disgrace and the stench of their lies and hypocrisy is even more overwhelming than the vomit they left for Downing Street cleaners, and like those cleaners we’ll clean up the Tories’ mess too if we’re given the chance on Thursday,” he told Sky News. More