Indy TV

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has today (22 May) announced the date of the next UK general election after months of speculation. In a speech outside Downing Street on Wednesday, Mr Sunak announced voters will go to the polls on 4 July, saying it was “the moment for Britain to choose its future”.In a sign that security and the economy will be key battlegrounds, Mr Sunak said: “This election will take place at time when the world is more dangerous than it has been since the end of the Cold War.”The “uncertain times” call for a “clear plan”, he said.You can watch Mr Sunak’s speech here. More

Craig Mackinlay thanked his family and NHS staff in an emotional speech as he returned to parliament following his battle with sepsis.The Tory MP underwent a quadruple amputation in December 2023, losing his arms and his legs.He appeared in the House of Commons wearing prosthetics on Wednesday 22 May.“In the public gallery are many of the staff from the NHS who took me from where I was – close to death – to where I am today,” Mr Mackinlay said, as MPs applauded their efforts.“Thank you for that.”Mr Mackinlay went on to ask the government to “ensure we embed recognition of early signs of sepsis” to “stop somebody ending up like this”. More

SNP MP Alison Thewliss read out a hate message she received as she called on Rishi Sunak to ban misogynists from entering the UK.Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday (22 May), the Glasgow Central MP said: “In the wee small hours of Saturday morning I received an email, and I apologise for my language, calling me ‘a f****** parasite’, ‘a rat’ and ‘a piece of s***.”Ms Thewliss added: “Can I ask the prime minister, who has spoken about banning hate preachers from entering the UK, if he’ll extend this to misogynists?”Mr Sunak replied: “Those who seek to divide us undermine our values and indeed intimidate and threaten others, have no place in our society.” More

This is the funny moment Jeremy Hunt’s phone rings during his live TV interview with Martin Lewis.The chancellor was asked when banks are going to cut interest rates following a fall in inflation when he appeared on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday (22 May).Responding to the question, he said: “It’s obviously going in the right direction, and that is very encouraging, and when….”Mr Hunt was then interrupted by the sound of his mobile phone ringing.Taking the phone out of his pocket, he apologised and said “Excuse me for a moment”.Mr Lewis joked: “It is the prime minister on the phone.” More

Craig Mackinlay received a standing ovation as he made his return to the House of Commons on Wednesday 22 May.The Conservative MP has bravely opened up about the sepsis ordeal which left him with both of his hands and feet amputated last year.He now wants to be known as the first “bionic MP” after being fitted with prosthetic limbs.Ahead of Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Mackinlay returned to parliament and was given a standing ovation by his colleagues.Speaking on Tuesday, he recalled how his arms and legs “had turned black” having gone into septic shock in September last year. More

David Lammy was heckled by pro-Palestine protesters as he tried to speak at an IPPR anti-corruption event in London on Tuesday 21 May.The disruption went on for ten minutes as the shadow foreign secretary defended his position on the war in Gaza.“We have been calling for a ceasefire for months,” Mr Lammy said, responding to shouts from the audience.“I’m not currently in government, I’m not arming anybody,” he added, firing back at calls from the protesters to “stop arming Israel”.Mr Lammy was speaking at an event hosted by the Institute For Public Policy Research – a progressive think tank. More

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride has been grilled on where the compensation money for victims of the infected blood scandal will come from.The Tory minister was quizzed about how the government plans to pay millions of pounds of compensation to those impacted when he appeared on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday (21 May).Host Susanna Reid asked him: “We are talking ten billion pounds, how will we pay for it?“Does it mean borrowing money or do people get taxed for it?”Richard Madeley asked: “Will you go after the pharmaceutical companies?”Mr Stride replied: “It doesn’t need to be about that.” More

Sir Keir Starmer was quizzed on his policies for “discrimination against bald blokes” during an appearance on Sunday Brunch.The Labour leader showed off his cooking skills by making tandoori salmon, before sitting down with hosts Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer.“Final question, do you have anything on discrimination against bald blokes?” a cheeky Tim asked.“Nothing at all, nothing,” Sir Keir said amid laughter from the studio, before running off to watch the Arsenal game.Earlier on Sunday, Wes Streeting forgot one of Sir Keir’s key pledges during an appearance on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, pulling out a prompt card to help. More