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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 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

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

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

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

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

Rishi Sunak stacked the shelves at a Morrisons supermarket in Oxfordshire while on the general election campaign trail.The prime minister spoke to employees alongside Rami Baitieh, CEO of Morrisons, on Tuesday 2 July.He was then seen filling the shelves with freshly baked bread, before finishing up and asking “are you happy with that?”Mr Sunak made a campaign stop at a Morrisons store near Witney – the former Oxfordshire seat of Lord David Cameron where the Tories won with a 15,200 majority in 2019.He was also quizzed on the price of bread by BBC Breakfast during the visit. More

Jacob Rees-Mogg was spotted driving around his constituency playing “Rule, Britannia!” over the weekend.The former cabinet minister was driving his Jaguar close to his office in Keynsham, Somerset, when he was approached by activist Steve Bray.In footage shared by Mr Bray on social media, the Tory MP is asked “are you going to come back” as he waits at a zebra crossing.“Rule Britannia,” Mr Rees-Mogg responds, before driving off.“Yes, Rule Britannia, we’re patriotic too,” Mr Bray says while holding a sign that reads “Stop the Tories”. More