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    Watch: Keir Starmer responds to Rishi Sunak’s general election announcement

    Sir Keir Starmer responded to Rishi Sunak’s snap general election announcement in a short press conference on Wednesday evening (22 May). The prime minister has confirmed the public will go to the polls on Thursday 4 July – earlier than many in Westminster expected. He made the announcement outside Downing Street in the pouring rain. Within minutes, Labour leader Sir Keir addressed the nation and called on Britons to vote for “change” and “turn the page”.”It will feel like a long campaign, I’m sure of that. But no matter what else is said and done, that opportunity for change is what this election is about,” he said. More

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    Watch: Blair’s landslide victory song interrupts Sunak election announcement

    Rishi Sunak’s general election announcement speech was drowned out by someone loudly playing Tony Blair’s campaign song.Labour used D:Ream’s “Things Can Only Get Better” during the party’s successful campaign which ended with their landslide victory in 1997.The prime minister was drenched in the rain on Wednesday (22 May) as he spoke over the music, confirming he had spoken with King Charles III to request the dissolution of Parliament for the general election to be held on 4 July 2024.“Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future, to decide whether we want to build on the progress we have made or risk going back to square one with no plan and no certainty,” Mr Sunak said. More

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    Watch: Rishi Sunak announces July 4 general election date after months of denial

    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

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    Tory MP Craig Mackinlay makes sepsis plea to Commons as doctors who saved his life watch on

    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

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    MP targeted in hate attack makes urgent plea as she reads out abusive email she received to Rishi Sunak

    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

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    Jeremy Hunt’s phone rings after he ‘says wrong thing’ during live Martin Lewis interview

    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

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    Watch: Tory MP who lost all four limbs to sepsis receives standing ovation as he returns to Commons

    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

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    David Lammy heckled by pro-Palestine protesters for 10 minutes during speech

    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