UK Politics

Key takeaways from Labour’s general election manifestoSign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailNigel Farage has claimed the Conservative Party is “about to implode” as his Reform UK party overtook the Tories in the latest YouGov poll. In his closing speech of the seven-way ITV debate on Thursday night, the Reform leader said: “Britain is broken, everyone knows it and Britain needs Reform. “Rishi Sunak won’t do it, he’ll probably be in California by then anyway. And the Tory Party is split down the middle and about to implode in this election.” It comes as he declared that his Reform Party is “now the opposition to Labour” after a YouGov poll published by The Times showed them one per cent above the Conservatives. “Just before we came on air we overtook the Conservatives in the national opinion polls,” Mr Farage said, as he made his opening speech during an ITV debate. “We are now the opposition to Labour.”Immigration, education and taxes were the centrepiece topics for the seven-way debate with Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader, taking the brunt of the other leaders’ questions. Show latest update 1718330400Labour manifesto admits Covid corruption tsar may raise no money at allFull report: Matt Mathers14 June 2024 03:001718327726From cats to dog whistlesTaking a question about immigration, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth accused Nigel Farage of having been on “a dog-whistle tour of the UK for many, many years and exploiting the anxiety that people have”.The Plaid leader said: “We need to heed and listen to people who have genuine concerns about the impact of the movement of population, pressures on public services, but we have to put that in the context of public spending cuts by the Conservatives.”Angela Rayner had said: “What we need at the moment is a skills strategy. We have not had an industrial and skills strategy, so what we have is we’ve been over-reliant in our economy from overseas workers to fill our skills gap, and they’ve done a tremendous job in doing that and we have needed that, but what we really need is, as employment levels have gone higher again, is we need to really match those skills to give people opportunity to take those jobs.”Nigel Farage replied: “Well, it’s funny Angela Rayner says that because Labour today launched their six key priorities at the General Election and didn’t mention the single most important issue affecting the lives of everybody in this country, namely the population explosion caused directly by migration.”Tom Watling14 June 2024 02:151718326800The EU-sized hole in Starmer’s ‘growth, growth, growth’ manifesto…You wouldn’t know it from Keir Starmer’s speech at his manifesto launch, but transforming Britain’s relationship with Europe – just as it shifts further to the right – will be one of his biggest priorities in office, says Andrew Grice. Read Andrew’s piece in full here: Matt Mathers14 June 2024 02:001718323200Watch: Reform UK’s party election broadcast: Six words on a screen for four minutesReform UK’s party election broadcast: Six words on a screen for four minutes Reform UK unveiled their party political broadcast on Thursday night (13 June) with no audio and the same six words on-screen for four minutes. The text read: “Britain is Broken. Britain Needs Reform.” Reform leader Nigel Farage tweeted the same video, reassuring those who watched the broadcast that their “TV isn’t broken”. The message aired on the same evening that a new YouGov poll suggested the party has overtaken the Conservatives for the first time ahead of next month’s general election. In the survey, Reform were put on 19 per cent, ahead of the Tories on 18 per cent. Labour remained top on 37 per cent.Matt Mathers14 June 2024 01:001718319660ICYMI: Sunak’s Tories hit Truss level of all-time low support as Brexit voters turn to Farage’s ReformThe Tories have hit their joint lowest standing in the weekly tracker poll as Nigel Farage’s Reform takes its biggest share yet and the aftermath of Rishi Sunak’s D-Day gaffe takes effect.The prime minister apologised for skipping part of the commemorations to do an election interview for ITV last week but the first weekly tracker poll taken by Techne UK after the fiasco reveals the depth of public anger.Full report: Matt Mathers14 June 2024 00:011718319344A game of cat and mouseConservative Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt urged her rivals to keep “dogma” out of public services, such as the NHS, during ITV’s seven-way debate. “Most of the public don’t care what colour the cat is, they just want some mice caught,” she told her six rivals.“They (the public) want results and in my experience, listening to people who are actually doing these jobs – police officers who have reduced crime by half over the time we’ve been in office, healthcare professionals who are coming up with amazing initiatives in our hospitals and in our GP surgeries, teachers who are responsible now have 90% of our schools good or outstanding. Listen to the professionals in those services, keep political dogma out of it.”Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth hit back: “I have to draw attention to the analogy with the cats and the mice here. What we’ve seen under the Conservatives and 14 years is the fat cats getting rich and getting the cream. I fear that with privatisation of the NHS, we’re going to see the same under Labour.”Conservative Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt urged her rivals to keep “dogma” out of public services, More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailThe Tories have hit their joint lowest standing in the weekly tracker poll as Nigel Farage’s Reform takes its biggest share yet and the aftermath of Rishi Sunak’s D-Day gaffe takes effect.The prime minister apologised for skipping part of the commemorations to do an election interview for ITV last week but the first weekly tracker poll taken by Techne UK after the fiasco reveals the depth of public anger.According to Techne’s survey of 1,636 voters this week:The Tories have equalled Liz Truss’s unpopularity with just 19 per cent.They have hit their all-time low in the share of 2019 Tory voters with just 37 per cent.Reform under Nigel Farage has hit a new high on 16 per cent.For the first time ever more 2016 Leave voters support Reform (26 per cent) than the Tories (23 per cent).Apathy among voters has worsened in the past week with 22 per cent (up two) saying they will not vote.Reform leader Nigel Farage is now challenging the Tories for second place More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailSir Keir Starmer declared that Labour will “the party of wealth creation” as he unveiled his manifesto for government in Manchester today.The new tack by Labour marked a departure from the socialist plan in Jeremy Corbyn’s 2019 manifesto which at the time was supported by Sir Keir as shadow Brexit secretary.But while Sir Keir’s Labour is hoping to win the hearts and minds of Tory voters with a new pro-busienss, pro-economic growth agenda, they have taken aim at the tories’ chief executive Stephen Massey after it emerged a company he is connected with has turned in a profit.Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer launches his party’s manifesto (Stefan Rousseau/PA) More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailLabour has conceded its much-hyped Covid corruption commissioner may not recover any of the money lost to fraud and wasted on useless PPE during the pandemic.In an embarrassing admission, the party’s manifesto suggested the commissioner, billed as someone who would “chase down those who have ripped off the taxpayer”, may recoup no cash at all.Despite initially promising the corruption tsar would recoup billions lost to fraudsters taking advantage of Covid, no new funds appear in the Labour manifesto’s financial forecasts. It suggests party thinks any corruption tsar may fail to chase down any of the lost cash. Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves channelled Margaret Thatcher when she announced the initiative at Labour conference last October, declaring “we want our money back”.Follow our politics live blog for all the latest general election updatesBaroness Thatcher won her four-year battle to reduce Britain’s payments to the European Economic Community in 1980 after famously declaring “I want my money back”.Rachel Reeves channelled Margaret Thatcher when she announced the initiative last October More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailIndependent readers are divided following another televised head-to-head between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer.We asked for your opinions following the party leader interviews on Sky News with political editor Beth Rigby and the subsequent audience Q&A.Trust emerged as a key issue with readers. While some were satisfied with Sir Keir’s solid if unspectacular delivery, many expressed hesitancy toward the Labour leader, questioning his consistency and commitment to current and past policies, particularly on tax. On the prime minister, opinions were also polarised. Some found him untrustworthy and out of touch, with one noting: “Sunak is a liar and has shown himself to lack empathy.” Others believed the Conservative Party leader performed better in his interview, citing his straightforwardness.Overall, our community feel both major parties lack transparency and that their leaders failed to provide concrete plans for the future when probed.A poll on our Twitter/X was more decisive and had the Labour leader earmarked as the victor, with 64.3% per cent of those who took part backing him. Just 7.4% pegged Mr Sunak as their winner. And 28.3% said they weren’t impressed by either politician.This pattern was also reflected in an exclusive poll sent to members of The Independent’s free General Election WhatsApp Community, which you can join here.Here’s what our readers had to say:‘Trust is an issue’We are left with Hobson’s Choice again.The only insight we have into Starmer’s beliefs is the last time he came out and firmly committed to something: the Corbyn era manifestos and his leadership campaign.He now wants us to believe he wasn’t committed to them and wasn’t a friend of Corbyn. He was either being less than honest then or, under his new Blairite clothing, less than honest now, which reflects his moral character.He saw nothing wrong with being clear about the detail of the Corbyn manifesto or leadership pitch, now he won’t commit to anything except ‘not raising income tax, VAT or national insurance’ for working people.He will have to put tax somewhere, the above three taxes only account for 40% of the £1 trillion tax take.For example, to address social care, is the money coming from increasing council tax? That will certainly hit working people.In summary, trust is an issue. I have lost it in the Tories because of their actions, I don’t have it in Labour because of their omission of detail.None of the above is the box I am ticking at the moment.Dano‘The audience won’The audience was the winner, roasting Sunak.He really is a liability to the Tories and the country. I shall be voting tactically to rid us of the most rotten, corrupt, sleazy bunch EVER.flashfloyd‘Sunak won’Sunak won the debate. The refusal to answer direct questions by Starmer who churned out his soundbites about reviving the economy was annoying. The issue regarding VAT on private school fees demonstrates Labour’s general policy of adopting the lowest common denominator rather than the pursuit of excellence.Imwatchingyou‘I have always voted Labour’Definitely Starmer. At 71 I have always voted Labour and have always been disappointed when the Cons keep winning. Hopefully this time I will be successful.Jol‘Just noise’Starmer was far, far better than Sunak. I was listening to what Starmer said and I wanted to listen to what Starmer said, he behaved like he cared.In regards to Sunak, I couldn’t stand listening to him and I stopped taking in what he said, it was just noise – he didn’t say anything at all, he spoke absolute nonsense and reiterated lies. The things Sunak said about mortgages and talking about first-time buyers and how he used a “£400,000 mortgage” as an example, was so telling, he has no idea. It is actually shocking just how out of touch he actually is.Within minutes of taking his turn in the debate, when he attacked and blamed the junior doctor in the audience, shocked the audience and me. Sunak was booed and for good reason.Sunak showed just how nasty he is. Plus he just never stopped lying. So Sunak showed total disrespect towards the audience he was standing in front of. I don’t believe that Sunak cares about this country at all – when Starmer talks about this country and that he cares about it I believe him. I don’t believe a single word Sunak says on anything. Sunak is a liar and has shown himself to lack empathy, and be completely self-absorbed.Starmer talked of areas in the North of England in Grimsby and Hull and the skilled jobs that are there, good green jobs for the future, I liked that he talked of Hull. I don’t live in Hull, but I do live in Yorkshire and I know this area is proud of the skills it has in renewables and green technology.JJAMMontoast‘Mired in dishonesty’Starmer lacks charisma, but comes across as more reliable, believable and trustworthy. Sunak is a slippery snake-oil salesman! Tories have had 14 years to implement effective policies and have not only failed, but have been mired in dishonesty, cronyism and sleaze. Good riddance to them on 4th July! I shall enjoy watching them lose their seats! So justly deserved!Beachbabe‘Nothing can save him now’Starmer didn’t exactly impress but had a very strong and valid point about financing state schools with the tax taken from private ones.Sunak can’t convince anyone anymore. There is absolutely nothing that can save him now, or the Tories for that matter. It’s game over.Matilda‘Punish them!’Sunak lost – and he lost for Johnson and Truss as well. The Tories have no claim to further Government – they have failed totally! Punish them!Headsgone‘Won on avoidance’Starmer seemed to avoid every question, where Sunak answered his questions but with nothing new.Starmer definitely won on avoidance and fencing his answers.Sunak won by telling us nothing we didn’t already know.thinkandthought‘Waffle’I think Rishi spoke facts and came out very clear and well. Sir Keir generally waffled. Rishi won, in my view.KrispadSome of the comments have been edited for this article. You can read the full discussion in the comments section of the original article.All you have to do is sign up, submit your question and register your details – then you can then take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking ‘log in’ on the top right-hand corner of the screen.Make sure you adhere to our community guidelines, which can be found here. For a full guide on how to comment click here. More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailSir Keir Starmer has been given 100 days to make good on his promises to workers, with unions promising to “hold Labour’s feet to the fire”.The Labour leader set out his party’s manifesto on Thursday, including the promise to introduce a “new deal for working people”.The package, which would be the biggest shakeup of Labour laws in a generation, would see Labour repeal Tory anti-strike laws, end the use of “fire and rehire” and strengthen day one employment rights for employees.Click here for our live coverage of the general election campaign.Unions feared Sir Keir would row back on the package under pressure from business lobbyists, but have welcomed its inclusion in the general election manifesto.Keir Starmer promised workers he would ‘raise your wages and your security’ More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailNigel Farage has hit back at Keir Starmer’s jibe that Clacton is a “pantomime” by demanding he takes action against Labour’s candidate there for an anti-white comment.During his manifesto launch, Sir Keir addressed the fact that he was not revealing any “rabbits out of the hat” with no new policies revealed.He said: “If you want politics as pantomime, I hear Clacton is nice this time of year.”Farage answered questions on LBC this morning More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailA Reform UK parliamentary candidate who said the UK “should have accepted Hitler’s offer of neutrality” was only making “ordinary” pub talk, Nigel Farage has claimed.Ian Gribbin, standing for Reform in Bexhill and Battle, also wrote online that women were the “sponging gender” and should be “deprived of health care” in comments reportedly made on the UnHerd website. Mr Farage, Reform’s leader, blamed Rishi Sunak’s decision to call a snap election for 4 July for not being able to properly vet candidates.The Reform leader said he was not able to deselect Mr Gribbin because the legal deadline had passed for putting prospective MPs on the ballot paper, before declining to say whether he still backed the candidate.“I can’t, they are legally on the ballot paper,” he told LBC Radio on Thursday. “I can disown them, I might well do that… its ordinary folk down the pub speak.”Nigel Farage in the LBC studio as he addressed the backlash to his candidate More