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    Business minister admits making bet on Tories winning election: ‘I am always optimistic’

    Business minister Kevin Hollinrake has admitted to making a bet on the Conservative Party winning the general election.Appearing on Good Morning Britain on Thursday (27 June), host Kate Garraway asked Mr Hollinrake if it is OK to put bets on the general election following the Tory party’s recent betting scandal.Mr Hollinrake replied: “I am always optimistic, I always felt it was possible.“It was some months ago when I made that bet but victory is always possible. “What we see on the doorstep is remarkably different to what we see in the polls.” More

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    Ed Davey falls off paddleboard again as Lib Dems continue campaign trail

    Sir Ed Davey took to another paddleboard as his general election campaign continued and promptly fell off again on Wednesday, 26 June.The Liberal Democrat leader was participating paddleboard yoga on the River Thames in Streatley when he plunged into the water.He had previously been filmed in similar antics at Lake Windermere to outline his proposals to hold the water industry to account.The Lib Dems have unveiled plans to abolish Ofwat, the body responsible for economic regulation of the privatised water and sewerage industry in England and Wales, and introduce a new water regulator to tackle the sewage crisis. More

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    Sunak laughs as BBC debate host reminds Starmer of his previous support for Corbyn

    Mishal Husain told Sir Keir Starmer he “knows what it means to fall in behind a leader” after he attacked Rishi Sunak for having Liz Truss as a Conservative candidate during the pair’s final debate of the 2024 general election campaign on Wednesday, 26 June.The Labour leader was critisising the prime minister for “warning the country about Liz Truss… and in the next breath he said we must unite behind her.”The BBC host interrupted Sir Keir to point out his previous support for Jeremy Corbyn, in a remark that prompted laughter from Mr Sunak. More

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    Shouting heard during Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer’s last debate of general election campaign

    Shouting could be heard outside a BBC debate between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday, 26 June.Pro-Palestine protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza could be heard shouting as they stood outside the Nottingham Trent University building while the party leaders took part in the debate.Host Mishal Hussain confirmed the demonstration was taking place and apologised to viewers and the audience.“If anyone can hear any noises off ladies and gentlemen, or anyone at home, there is a protest taking place outside which is also an aspect of our democracy, and people exercising their free speech,” the broadcaster said. More

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    Climate protester climbs Conservative ‘battle bus’ ahead of James Cleverly campaign visit

    A climate protester from Greenpeace scaled the Conservatives’ election battle bus in a demonstration against the party’s environmental record on Wednesday, 26 June.Amy Rugg-Easey used a ladder to get onto the coach as it was parked outside a kit car manufacturer in Nottinghamshire before a general election campaign visit by James Cleverly.The activist was filmed unfurling a banner reading “clean power not Paddy Power”, appearing to refer to the election betting scandal, and stayed on top of the vehicle for 12 minutes. More

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    George Galloway says he trusts Vladimir Putin more than Keir Starmer

    George Galloway told Piers Morgan that he trusts Vladimir Putin more than Sir Keir Starmer.The MP for Rochdale was challenged on his comments during an appearance on the presenter’s Uncensored show on Talk TV broadcast on Wednesday, 26 June.Explaining his view, Mr Galloway said it was because he “doesn’t trust, automatically, any politician.”Mr Morgan took issue with Mr Galloway’s comments, remarking: “You seem to have brought into Putin’s whole justification, as [Nigel] Farage has, ‘He was provoked. He had no option’.“[Putin] will attack where he smells weakness.” More

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    Keir Starmer reveals ‘only thing he really worries about’ in election campaign

    Sir Keir Starmer has revealed the only thing he “really worries about” in the general election campaign.The Labour leader is battling to become the next prime minister and is favourite to take the position after the 4 July vote.Speaking to ITV Tonight presenter Paul Brand, Sir Keir detailed the “role” his wife will play if he wins the election, before suggesting he is worried about the impact of the campaign on his two children.“We are absolutely fiercely protective of the children, we don’t have pictures of the children taken with us, we never use their names in public,” Sir Keir said.“It’s the only thing I really worry about in this election.” More

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    Tory minister says MP who made election betting ‘joke’ has dry sense of humour

    Tory minister Mel Stride has defended cabinet colleague Alister Jack, who has said he put three wagers on the timing of the 4 July general election.Speaking to LBC, he claimed Mr Jack “has a very dry sense of humour” when Nick Ferrari questioned the idea that he was “pulling the leg” when he told a reporter he won more than £2,000.“I don’t know the context in which those comments were made and context does matter,” Mr Stride said.“The important thing with Alister is that he has made it very clear no rules have been broken.” More