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Rishi Sunak has signalled the door is open for Boris Johnson to hit the campaign trail for the Tories.There has been speculation that the former prime minister, still seen by many Conservatives as a strong campaigner, might help drum up support for the party ahead of the 4 July general election.Asked whether it is time to bring back Mr Johnson on Friday (24 May), the prime minister said he would welcome “any Conservative to come and join the campaign”.Speaking in Belfast as part of his campaign tour of the UK, Mr Sunak said: “When it comes to Boris he was of course the person who got Brexit done, ensured we had the fastest vaccine rollout in Europe and was the first to make sure that we provided support to Ukraine.” More

The general election is six weeks away and one thing is for sure – we will be hearing an awful lot from the British public.As voters head to the ballot box, it’s not uncommon for news presenters to stop people in the streets and ask for their thoughts.Within hours of Rishi Sunak’s election announcement, Brits were quizzed on what to expect from both the prime minister and his Labour rival, Sir Keir Starmer.It’s fair to say opinion is mixed, with some forgetting who Mr Sunak is, and others branding the candidates “a load of prats”.Here, The Independent takes a look at some of the best vox pops we’ve seen so far. More

Football fans will be able to get “properly on the lash”, a Tory Lord said as he passed an order to extend licensing hours during the European Championships.The order to the Licensing Act 2003 (UEFA European Football Championship Licensing Hours) will extend sales of alcohol if either England or Scotland reach the semi-final or the final of the Euros, meaning premises will be allowed to remain open until 1am without having to notify the licensing authority.Conservative peer Lord Sharpe of Epsom, told the Lords on Friday (24 May): “So much of the business at the Home Offices is difficult, so it gives me particular pleasure that my last outing basically enables people to get properly on the lash.Lord Sharpe’s comments were met with laughter. More

The Labour Party has poked fun at Rishi Sunak’s recent gaffes in a new election advert.Mr Sunak on Wednesday fired the starting gun for a 4 July vote – and did so while exposed to the elements on Downing Street.The prime minister addressed the nation in the pouring rain – and it wasn’t long before the opposition party poked fun at his announcement – and a couple of campaign stops that followed one day later.In a video titled “Leaked: Rishi Sunak’s campaign diary,” Labour referenced Mr Sunak’s No 10 speech, as well as a footballing gaffe when he met brewery staff in South Wales.The video also points out that he was asked a question by a disguised Tory councillor at a distribution centre in Derbyshire. More

Sir Keir Starmer has responded after Jeremy Corbyn announced he is standing as an independent candidate in the general election.The former Labour leader said today (24 May) he will stand in his constituency of Islington North, vowing to be “an independent voice for equality, democracy and peace”.Mr Corbyn has been suspended by Labour since 2020 after he refused to fully accept the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s findings that the party broke equality law when he was in charge and said antisemitism had been “dramatically overstated for political reasons”.Sir Keir responded to Mr Corbyn’s announcement when he appeared on BBC Breakfast on Friday. More

Sir Keir Starmer says he will take part in televised election debates with Rishi Sunak.The Conservatives are pushing for six TV debates, one each week of the campaign, but it’s expected Labour will commit to two.Writing in The Telegraph, Mr Sunak claimed Sir Keir does not have the “courage” to face him.That challenge was put to the Labour leader on Good Morning Britain on Friday (24 May), and he offered a clear response.“We will have debates, of course. They are a tradition, a part of the electoral cycle,” Sir Keir said.“I could do one, I could do one hundred, I know what he’s going to say.” More

Tory MP Steve Barker has revealed his bizarre plans if the Conservatives lose the general election.The Minister of State for Northern Ireland was quizzed about his party’s election campaign by BBC journalist and presenter Victoria Derbyshire on Thursday (23 May).Mr Barker said: “Only the Conservative Party stands for freedom and can sort out the problems the country faces.”The presenter then asks him: “What do you want to do if you are not an MP?”Mr Barker responds: “Skydiving, motorcycling, fast-catamaran sailing.” More

Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to cut household energy bills by £400 if Labour win the general election.He made the comments on the same day that it was announced the average bill is to fall by 7 per cent from July after Ofgem lowered its price cap in response to wholesale prices.Appearing on Good Morning Britain on Friday 24 May, Sir Keir was asked “how much cheaper will our bills be under a Labour government?”“We want to set up Great British Energy – that’s a publically owned company, making money for the taxpayer,” he responded.“That ought to bring down household bills by about £400 – and that’s a permanent drop.”Sir Keir went on to suggest the price cap is only a “short-term fix”. More