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    Former local Tory chair applauded for challenging Sunak on Partygate: ‘People have long memories’

    A former local Conservative Party chair was applauded for reminding Rishi Sunak that the public has “long memories” during Wednesday’s general election debate.The woman, who introduced herself as Amy from Leeds, told the prime minister she was “ashamed” by actions from the Tory government and admitted she was now an undecided voter.After pressing Mr Sunak on his decision to leave last week’s D-Day commemorations early, she warned that the British public will not forget other Tory scandals – including Partygate.“I just think we have long memories in this country,” Amy said, drawing applause from the audience. More

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    Keir Starmer confuses Grimsby with Hull during election debate

    Sir 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. More

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    Audience gasp as post-Brexit migration numbers revealed to Rishi Sunak

    Post-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”. More

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    Keir Starmer freezes after being called ‘political robot’ during debate

    Sir Keir Starmer was taken off guard when he was described as a “political robot” by a member of the audience during Wednesday evening’s Sky News debate.After a discussion with host Beth Rigby, the Labour leader took questions from the public in Grimsby.“I admired how in touch you were with the public when you were a solicitor and director of public prosecutions for the CPS,” an audience member, from Yorkshire, began.“But over the last year… You seem more like a political robot. How are you going to convince others like me to vote for you?”The question drew laughter from others in the crowd and saw Sir Keir pause for a few seconds before responding. More

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    Starmer draws laughter from debate audience as he brings up toolmaking father again

    Sir Keir Starmer was met with groans and laughs from the audience as he told Beth Rigby his father was a toolmaker during Wednesday’s Sky News debate.The Labour leader has repeatedly told voters about his childhood during the general election campaign.When pressed on his current financial situation and if he would “personally” be happy to pay more tax, Sir Keir admitted he “earns a lot of money now”.“But when I grew up, my dad was a toolmaker, he worked in a factory,” he added, drawing laughter with the repeated line.“It’s true – my mum was a nurse – and we couldn’t make ends meet. Which is not a laughing matter.” More

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    Rishi Sunak says he has met Nigel Farage ‘maybe once’

    Rishi Sunak claimed he has met Nigel Farage “maybe once” as he denied being “scared” of the Reform UK leader.The prime minister made the comments during an interview with ITV News that aired on Wednesday night (12 June).“What do you think are Nigel Farage’s best qualities?” journalist Paul Brand asked Mr Sunak.“I really don’t know him, Paul. I think I’ve met him maybe once in my life,” he replied.The prime minister added that he is not “not worried” Reform UK will “steal votes” from the Conservatives, suggesting his only challenger for No 10 is Sir Keir Starmer. More

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    Green Party co-leaders admit they grew up without Sky TV just like Sunak

    The Green Party co-leaders said they also went without Sky TV as children after Rishi Sunak was questioned about his wealth during an interview aired on ITV earlier on Wednesday 12 June.The Prime Minister said he went without “lots of things” as a child growing up in the UK, citing Sky TV as an example.Later in the day, Carla Denyer received laughter from the room when she noted “I also went without Sky TV” during the Green Party’s manifesto launch in Hove, East Sussex. More

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    Sunak’s team specifically requested interview on D-Day anniversary, ITV journalist says

    The ITV journalist who interviewed Rishi Sunak after he left the D-Day commemorations in Normandy early has said the prime minister’s team requested the meeting take place on that day.Mr Sunak has been criticised for skipping the main international event last Thursday (6 June).Footage from the interview also shows the prime minister apologising to journalist Paul Brand and saying the events he did attend “ran over” time.Speaking to LBC after the preview clip was published, the ITV journalist told LBC that it was Mr Sunak’s team who specifically requested a slot last Thursday.“We had given them several different days that we were available – including the Friday and Sunday of last week,” Mr Brand said.“And they came back and said the only day that he was available – that fitted – was Thursday.” More