UK

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailThe Conservatives are facing fresh questions over Rishi Sunak’s flagship national service policy amid increasing confusion about how the scheme will work.Defence secretary Grant Shapps has been accused of plunging the promise into chaos with multiple TV appearances in which he appeared to change course on how the military aspect will be implemented.And shadow defence secretary John Healey has written to Mr Shapps demanding answers about whether the scheme is “fully costed, fully funded, deliverable and clearly set out to the public”. He said ministers are “making it up as they go along” and called the plan a “distraction from their failures in defence over 14 years”.Click here for our live coverage of the general election campaign.In a letter seen by The Independent, the long-serving Labour MP said Mr Shapps had thrown the general election pledge into confusion and called for him to come clean.Defence secretary Grant Shapps has sown confusion about the policy More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailThe spectre of Brexit has cast a long shadow over the 2024 general election campaign, despite most politicians staying silent on the issue.One party that has been vocal on Brexit is the Liberal Democrats, with leader Sir Ed Davey last week pledging to push for Britain to rejoin the European single market and eventually the EU.Meanwhile, on Monday, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he returned to the political frontline as “nothing actually works anymore” and that the Tories had failed to implement Brexit properly.We wanted to know if you agreed with Sir Ed’s comments. Is it about time Brexit was reversed? Or, like Mr Farage, do you feel that Britain’s exit from the EU was simply bungled?Here’s what you had to say:‘2/3 majority’Yes, we should rejoin. On such an important matter there should have been a 2/3 majority. The public were misled. The millions of £ promised on the side of the coach for the NHS, never materialised. Giving equal time to Brexiteers and remainers was about as logical as giving the flat earth society equal air time to astronomers. On green matters alone trading with nations thousands of miles away was going to cost more in transport and pollution than trading with our customers in Europe. Thank goodness for my Irish passport!ArtDirector‘Good luck Lib Dems’I’d love to be back in Europe. I remember when we had almost the cheapest food in Europe, orders came here without delays and extra charges, the EU had oversight over our human rights and stupid deregulation to save money only to increase CEO’s bonuses wasn’t as easy to deploy.Every aspect of the UK has become poorer since we left the EU. We are culturally and socially less cohesive, less supportive, more xenophobic and more likely to believe the ever-increasing crock of dirt the right-wing press serves us every day from almost every outlet.Good luck Lib Dems. Now the Labour Party has died in favour of New Labour (Lite Tories) again, my vote is with you. At least we might get a hung parliament!JayCliff‘The EU is not there to save the UK from its own folly’Mr Davey is to be congratulated for at least having the courage to raise the issue and break the conspiracy of silence perpetuated by the two major parties. My personal opinion is that Brexit has been a major setback for the UK and that the consequences of leaving will continue to be felt over the coming years. The prospect that European food suppliers simply stop attempting to sell to the UK is real enough. The inconvenience to UK travellers of the EES/ETIAS systems have yet to be felt. Regulatory divergence will increasingly produce unanticipated and unintended consequences. The UK will suffer for a decision based essentially on hubris.However the EU is not there to save the UK from its own folly. No one is sitting around patiently waiting for the English to come to their senses. At some point the English will have to reckon with the damage they have caused and start to imagine how they might possibly persuade Europeans to accept them back into the fold.Blackkbeard’s host‘Tight corner’Based on my sources in Brussels, the UK may always apply for membership, either of the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA). Joining the EEA would mean that British industry must accept EU rules, but then customs checks would no longer be needed. However, it would not solve the problems for people travelling across the UK-EU border. For that, the UK must become a full Member State. Then they must join the Schengen area and they must accept the Euro. I am aware that Denmark opted out when the Euro was introduced. This option is no longer available for the UK. Poland should also have joined the Euro, but the PIS government kicked the can down the road a bit. Tusk is now preparing to join, because the price Poland has to pay for not joining starts adding up seriously.The alternative is to keep the situation as it is now. This is also a risky situation, with Northern Ireland probably joining the Irish Republic in the coming decade and Scotland and possibly even Wales stepping out of the United Kingdom. For those who didn’t pay attention: Gibraltar is already on its way out.I think we can conclude that the Brexiteers (Farage, Johnson, and many others) have succeeded in painting themselves into a very tight corner. I hope they will enjoy living in the United Kingdom of England and the Scilly Isles.Orval‘People didn’t know what they were voting for’We should definitely work towards rejoining the EU. Most critical to our economic growth and stability is rejoining the single-market, followed by a return to free-movement within the Schengen zone. Our economy, the cost-of-living and the additional costs incurred by businesses have all been adversely affected by leaving the EU. Immigration from the EU was not a problem, people coming to the UK from the EU were here to work, and every indices showed that these immigrants has a positive effect on our economy. Unfortunately, Johnson and Farage fed the myth that these people were stealing UK jobs – not true. Look how many businesses, especially in farming and hospitality are now struggling to employ people – in many cases these people from the EU were doing jobs that “British” people did not want to do. We should also recognise that the end of free movement has restricted our ability to work, live or tour Europe. I worked hard for 40-years so that in retirement I could tour and stay in Europe for extended periods – my options are now severely limited by the 90-day in 180 rule. When people voted for Brexit they didn’t know what they were voting for. Furthermore, the fact that the vote was so close at 52/48, should have resulted in a “soft” exit, unfortunately Johnson’s rise to power depended on the right-wing of the Conservative party and thus our fate was sealed. Thank goodness at least one party has come out and said that they would move towards closer ties with the EU – lets hope the debate can gather more momentum.galliern‘The new government must rethink their attitude’Brexit was a terrible, costly mistake, brought about by an internal effort to save the Tory party. Instead, it has not only broken the country but the party as well.It’s now high time that the country – our politicians & mainstream media – have a grown-up, honest debate about undoing the damage & returning us to the EU, as soon as they will have us.As a Brit living in Spain, I lost the rights, benefits & opportunities associated with being an EU citizen – benefits I had every right to assume were mine for life when I made the decision to leave Britain. Not only that but those rights & freedoms are being denied to millions, most especially the freedom to live, work, study in 27 other countries.Freedom of movement was painted as an evil, when in fact it is a necessity. The British public understand & value that freedom, even if our representatives are too cowardly to accept that fact. It is also the key to accessing to the single market & EU trade.The new government must rethink their attitude to Brexit – it is, after all, the will of the people.suewilson91‘Either you are IN or OUT’As a European citizen living in France, my point of view is that the UK is only seeking benefits from what the EU has to offer without committing to the EU (example, no Schengen, no euro etc) therefore it’s best for the EU the UK is a foreign party with NO say in EU affairs. Once you leave it’s forever. Then offering a EU membership à la carte is off the table.Either you are IN or OUT. The only European countries enjoying a special relationship are Norway, Iceland and Switzerland, which by the way are all in Schengen… So like most Europeans, we are happy you are out. However, I occasionally enjoy visiting you….on vacation but that’s it.Europeancitizen‘Briturn’I’m German, so you may claim I’m biased, but I think the British should reconsider and finally reverse Brexit. “Briturn” Ulf Engel‘Reversing Brexit is impossible’As a German, I regretted the UK’s decision for Brexit – until the 2019 EU elections and the following GE.During the Brexit process, the UK paraded, with careless abandon, the weaknesses of its political system before all the world to see. Proroguing parliament, parliament having to fight for even getting to vote on the biggest change of the UK ‘s relationship with their neighbours etc etc.The UK is different from (AFAIK) all current EU member states in that it does not have a constitution. Yes, I know, the UK claims to have a constitution. It differs from other constitutions in that there is no safeguard against a simple parliamentary majority changing it. Parliament is not bound by any previous parliament and proud of it. Other countries need super-majorities and some the agreement of a majority of the constituent members to change something as fundamental as EU membership. The UK’s political system doesn’t.Personally, I consider this the biggest hurdle to any type of “reversing Brexit” (which is impossible). Even the most rejoiner government simply cannot give the EU and its member states a guarantee that a Brexit wouldn’t be likely to happen again. Unless the UK changes its political system and gives itself a real constitution I see no point in the UK even applying to become a member of the EU or EFTA or whatever. I certainly hope the EU and the member states wouldn’t accept a UK application before it does.SDfromBerlin‘Can we afford to stay out?’There is a simple question we should ask ourselves.For, as some of us, may have noticed, we already HAVE left the EU! And frankly, an EU still blamed, by some Brexiteers for ‘not following suit’ on the Brexit vote? Because the EU did not as, (these wrongly informed people anticipated), follow British rule after we left. Frankly as logic dictates and the realities of the real world, it’s the other way around. It’s the EU that internationally sets the standards.Being one of the three major power blocks. The other being China and the US. The real question we should ask ourselves is: “Can we afford to stay out of the EU?”To make a simple equation. Before the Brexit vote, the RABO Bank estimated in its business rapport that 10 per cent of the UK’s economy was directly linked to us being an EU member. (Not counting indirect leverage).So (and I know this equation will be, as I said, be simple) but would it not be a simple calculation to presume that this also works the other way around. That we will be ALWAYS 10 percent SMALLER, than we could have been, being an EU member?Let us be grown-ups again!Brad‘Let’s get back into our biggest market’We should never have left the EU. Cameron made the first mistake, for something as important as the EU referendum should have required at least a two-thirds majority for approval to leave. Then Johnson fooled millions with his discredited promises of 350million/week extra to spend on the NHS, unilateral UK rights to fishing the UK waters, controlling immigration, and… so the list goes on and on.Let’s get back into our biggest market that’s on our doorstep!Well said Ed Davey!Norfolk‘Addressing the elephant in the room’This is far and away the most important subject to me at this election and this single manifesto pledge assures the Lib Dem’s of my vote this time around. The party probably consider themselves as having less to lose than Labour and Tories by addressing the elephant in the room but nonetheless they have, and the other two main parties continue to keep their head stuck in the sand over what has been the most self-harming policy ever invoked by a government on its own people that I can ever recall.RumBoy21‘Utter fiasco’The collapse in prices in the shops and the sudden removal of red tape for businesses and labour (directly related) would make people quickly realise what an utter fiasco Brexit was. Unfortunately, I’m not sure that rejoining the EU is the UK’s unilateral decision to make, so I’m not sure that it can be a working policy manifesto. Usually manifesto pledges are things that you have the power to unilaterally make happen.Bradbyrn‘Pointing in the right direction’The Lib Dems on this are the only party that aren’t in la-la land. It was a massive mistake to leave, but you can’t just rejoin like that – and as Davey argues it would be a long process of gradual alignment and deals, which is the only way to achieve any of the growth the other parties go on about. At least it’s pointing in the right direction. But we also need to be aware of what’s going on in Europe: the EU elections don’t exactly inspire hope. All those right-wingers getting in will make the Brexiters wish they’d stayed in, after all.Eadwine‘Now isn’t the time’I voted to remain but believe now isn’t the time to try to rejoin the EU. Many have said they regret voting for Brexit. I think it was a big mistake to leave. There’s been a huge cost in leaving, not only trade and monetary costs but also the sense of tremendous upheaval it has created. And Brexit didn’t achieve what some thought it would: a reduction in immigration. Instead, since Brexit immigration, both legal and illegal, has been higher than ever. However, high immigration has affected all EU countries, not only the UK. The recent EU Parliament election results reveal the unease many feel about immigration with the far right making significant gains; also in evidence is a fracturing of the EU. Many are unhappy too with the subsidising of Ukraine and cheap imports undermining EU farmers. The EU is not in the strong, unified position it once was. Therefore now is not the time to even think about rejoining. But anyway, it’s not possible to go back. Ed Davey is pitching the dream of returning to the regreters, playing to that gallery. Better imo now instead would be to strengthen relationships with EU countries. The break’s been made. Best to go forward, not back. Benitas‘Two to tango’This is not wholly in the hands of any British government or Parliament. It takes two to tango. Any new relationship between Britain and the EU must be signed off by BOTH parties. That is the lesson of the Brexit negotiations that some seem not to have taken on board.Simply joining the single market, if possible, would be the Norway scenario. EU directives and therefore single market rules are simply handed down to be implemented. To take part in and influence those decisions requires full EU membership. Getting that back will be work of years, and require acceptance by ALL current EU members. I am old enough to remember two vetoed applications in the 1960s.After the referendum result, those of us who are familiar with EU rules tried to impress on people that Brexit meant becoming a rule-taker, rather than a rule-maker. The EU and its rules will always have an effect on Britain in that it is our biggest market. Walking out was the dumbest decision this country has made in my lifetime.49niner‘Rejoin as soon as the Tories are out of office’The UK should never have left the EU single market. We should start the process of rejoining as soon as the Tories are out of office. People will very quickly feel and see the multiple benefits once we rejoin.ExTory‘Headline-grabbing statement’Where is the £17-20Bn cost of being part of the EU going to come from Ed? No idea I am sure, just like he alleges he had no idea innocents were being sacrificed to reduce the post office whilst he was post office minister.If he researched his headline-grabbing statement he would also find that the EU have little enthusiasm to go through years of re-negotiation, not going to happen.Being smart enough to maximise the UK’s elevation since Brexit to being the second most influential nation on the globe, combined with easing the silly barriers put up that damage both sides of Brexit, is the way forward.Toldyaso‘Economically unsustainable’The UK’s current position as the only country in Western Europe outside the single market is damaging and economically unsustainable. Switzerland and Norway (not in the EU) are inside the single market. Northern Ireland is effectively part of the single market for goods. The only European countries which are not members and not currently trying to join (not EU candidate members) are Belarus, Russia and the UK (excluding Northern Ireland).Eurofreeman‘Make an example of the UK’The EU won’t let the UK back in for a generation at least, you can’t just leave and join and leave after every change of govt, or when the mood takes you. The EU will and should make an example of the UK . It’s once again English exceptionalism to think that the EU will simply let you join when you feel like itLBW‘Not one member nation would vote for this’To join the SM requires full compliance with the Copenhagen Criteria, which is also the same standard for full membership. As of now, there is not one member nation that would vote for this; and the poll of polls across EU show 54% against and only 26% for such a move. Things can change, but as the UK has failed to comply in full with the current Trade and Cooperation Agreement ,(a situation much commented upon in EU Group of nations), some serious bridges need building. There is also the minor inconvenience that such a SM membership outside of the EU (EEA), would need tacit agreement from all EEA nations not just EU. Then we must ask how this would benefit the EU/EEA. Not convinced they want to absorb the UK debt and trade deficit into their data sets. Also, there is nowhere near the 60% of the electorate support.Jonathan Mills‘Not a serious party’It’s nonsense.We haven’t got £10,000,000 to give to Brussels to spend on airports in Poland that no one will ever use.But if you think we do, what exactly are you going to cut to pay for it?Lib Dems always avoid the hard questions because they’re not a serious party.PurpleGreenandWhite‘The only real deal for the UK’Joining the EU (Or re-joining) Is the only real deal for the UK…The USA will not grant a trade deal to the UK. So the UK should turn back time and re-join the EU. For the economy, culture and political stability the EU is the only way forward for the UK…Otherwise, Northern Ireland will merge with the Republic. Scotland and Wales will wither and then leave the Union. Leaving England alone and deep in poverty and failing international influence.Reformer‘All very tragic’Brexit was purely about one thing… those with power and influence gaming it on the financial markets. There are no tangible benefits for anyone else. If someone can name one that’s valid, I’ll be happy to listen.It has contributed to a massive problem in the NHS and care sectors. Free movement means labour can also move freely. Besides would you stay where you are not wanted?It’s all very tragic really. People need to realise that in the modern world, we are all connected and to be together makes us stronger.Forhaven‘Brexit was NEVER EVER going to work’What people fail to realise is that the Tories have NEVER got Brexit done. The full border around the UK has been delayed five times and then recently partially implemented. The reason this has NEVER happened is because the Tories have always said that it will fuel inflation, lead to shortages in shops and stop many in the EU trading with the UK just as people in the UK stopped trading with the EU when the border went up with the EU. Therefore the ONLY reason people have lost interest in Brexit and don’t see it as an issue is because the full border has yet to happen and the Tories know that when that happens (just as has happened in NI) there will be a chorus of voices all calling to join the SM and CU because Brexit was NEVER EVER going to work. Thus the Tories are not SHOUTING about how successful Brexit has been because it has been an unmitigated disaster, which of course it was always going to be when we chose to cease trading with our nearest neighbour and then have to go with the begging bowl to get the pathetic roll over trade agreements that have been got. Eventually it will become obvious to EVERYONE that Brexit was NEVER EVER going to work all any party has to do is implement the full border and then wait for the outcry.Kat13‘Stuck’If we were clever we would come up with a trade deal that allows sensible trade with the EU and potentially design a model for other countries to follow.As trade with Europe is going to happen anyway.But we are not that clever, unfortunately, despite the promises of Brexit.So we are a bit stuck now.FreedomSome 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 emailA Reform UK candidate has defended saying Adolf Hitler was “brilliant” at inspiring people into action.Jack Aaron is standing for the right wing party in an attempt to oust Grant Shapps the secretary of defence in Welwyn Hatfield.Mr Aaron, describes himself as a business psychologist and founder of the World Socionics Society a pseudoscientific theory that promotes 16 personality types.In Twitter/X post from 2022, Mr Aaron said Hitler was “brilliant in using Fe+Ni [socionics personality traits] to inspire people into action” while condemning his “basically incoherent […] writing and rationale”.In other comments he called Syrian dictator President Assad “gentle by nature” and President Putin’s use of force in Ukraine was “legitimate”.He told The Times: “Yes, Hitler was as brilliant as he was utter evil. How is that controversial to say, given that he was able to turn the Germans to such destructive acts, including killing many members of my own family? “I strongly believe, as a psychologist, in separating intelligence and talent from morality, so that we can adequately diagnose problems and help people.”He added it would be a “grossly irresponsible and frankly malicious type of journalism, a dog whistle presented in a context where people might construe I thought he was a good or admirable man, which I don’t think.“By no means am I saying Hitler or Putin or al-Assad are good people that we should admire. They range from the absolutely ingenious evil to wannabe warlord to weak man born into a brutal regime of death and destruction.”Last year, on Reddit, he said that Assad was “gentle by nature” and not “some bloodthirsty tyrant who exercises control over his people with an iron fist”.He also said the dictator had been “led astray” by social stereotyping.On his Reform UK profile he says: “With an increasing malaise in our country over what the future brings, I feel it is time to bring a change. “Not the endless march of social progress which has left many feeling lost and abandoned by the times, but a restoration of what is great and good about England and the United Kingdom at large.”Ian Gribbin praised Vladimir Putin, described Winston Churchill as ‘abysmal’ and says Britain should have ‘taken Hitler up on his offer of neutrality’ instead of fighting the Nazis More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailWorld snooker champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has thrown his support behind independent candidate Faiza Shaheen, weeks after she was blocked from standing for Labour. The academic quit Sir Keir Starmer’s party on 4 June after she was de-selected from representing Chingford and Woodford Green for liking a series of posts on X that allegedly downplayed antisemitism allegations.In a video alongside Ms Shaheen, the snooker legend said he was “definitely” voting for the candidate who is a “massive part of the community”. The seven-time world champion added: “I just think someone without passion, you know, dictating what goes on around this area isn’t going to be good for the locals.“I love this area, it’s my home and it’s a really special place for me.”Taking to social media, Mrs Shaheen expressed her gratitude and wrote: “The GOAT of snooker supporting our campaign! I can’t believe it. “I’ve been a huge fan of @ronnieo147 since my teen years and I can’t express how much it means to have this local legend supporting my bid to be an Independent MP for Chingford and Woodford Green.”She added that he would also be attending a rally to support her campaign on 23 June. After hitting the campaign trail, Mrs Shaheen discovered she had been de-selected as a candidate and announced her resignation from Labour in a post on X. Faiza Shaheen was interviewed on BBC Newsnight hours after her deselection was confirmed More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster email Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said Monday that his conservative Austrian People’s Party would remain in the current government coalition with its Green party junior partner even though his environment minister voted in a European Union vote in favor of the so-called Nature Restoration plan that Nehammer has opposed.The vote by environment minister Leonore Gewessler of the Green party earlier on Monday came after months of domestic political debate and infuriated the senior partner in the coalition government — Nehammer’s conservative Austrian People’s Party — ahead of a national election set for Sept. 29.Moments before Nehammer’s statement Monday, speculation had been growing in Austria about whether he would break up the government.“The emotion would be there” for an end to the coalition, but “(I had) the responsibility, as federal chancellor, to ensure an orderly path” until the parliamentary elections, Nehammer told journalists Monday night, Austrian public broadcaster ORF reported.After her vote, Gewesseler wrote on X that “my conscience tells me unmistakably (that) when the healthy and happy life of future generations is at stake, courageous decisions are needed.”Ahead of the vote, the chancellery said Nehammer informed the Belgian EU presidency that a vote in favor of the plan by Gewessler would be unlawful, the Austria Press Agency reported.The Nature Restoration plan is part of the EU’s European Green Deal that seeks to establish the world’s most ambitious climate and biodiversity targets and make the bloc the global point of reference on all climate issues.In the buildup to the EU elections that saw a shift to the right earlier this month, European farmers complained about the many environmental laws governing the way they work, arguing that the rules were harming their livelihoods and strangling them with red tape. More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailThe Conservative Party has launched a Facebook page named “Keir Starmer needs you”, specifically targeting Reform voters. The Facebook page is being used by the Tories to launch World War I-style advertisements featuring Keir Starmer. The party has spent more than £20,000 on the ads since they were launched on 13 June, according to non-profit Who Targets Me.The Meta (Facebook) ads feature a video of a WWI-era army poster replaced with Labour leader Keir Starmer’s face. The videos are captioned “Keir Starmer needs YOU to vote for Reform and give him a blank cheque”. The ad can be seen on Facebook More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailLabour has spent over £2.4 million on social media ads since the general election campaign began, more than twice as much as the Tories.Analysis by campaign spending non-profit Who Targets Me has found political parties spent more than £3.49 million on social media advertising since Rishi Sunak called the election on 22 May. Around 70 per cent of that has been commissioned by Labour Party groups and candidates, including Sir Keir Starmer, Welsh Labour, and Rachel Reeves. By comparison, the Conservative Party has spent £906,916 on social media advertising during the same period almost all of which has been targeted via Meta / Facebook.Sam Jeffers, co-founder of Who Targets Me, says Labour’s social media spending is also more diversified than the Tories’.“I think the main difference between the two parties is that Labour’s done a lot more [social media campaigns] through candidates, as well as more regional pages. It also has a lot more of its shadow front-bench individuals running ads too. The Tory campaign so far has been run primarily through the main Conservative Party page.”Meta (Facebook) and Google (including YouTube) are the two main avenues for digital advertising. However, almost all parties have focused on Meta advertisements and invested next-to-nothing in Google. Only Labour has invested a substantial amount in Google advertising, to the tune of £831,000.While the Tories have invested the most in ads for the main Conservative Party Facebook page, (£566,672), Labour’s social media campaigns on Meta have been more widely spread across the main party (£184,000), regional groups, and candidate-specific Facebook pages.Labour’s now running a number of ads to designed counter Conservative claims about their plans on tax. Interesting that they aren’t targeting people 18-25 and 65+ with these. pic.twitter.com/SHV3lesYqC— Who Targets Me (@WhoTargetsMe) June 13, 2024 Mr Jeffers explains Labour’s higher spending on social media may be explained by a more coordinated and prepared digital strategy.“Some of it is due to preparation. Labour had far more candidates selected at the start of the campaign, and everyone felt very briefed. they had all recorded candidate videos, they’d been trained on how to run their own ad campaigns,” he said.Mr Jeffers added: “When you look at Labour Party social media accounts, most are using Labour branding, and the Change slogan. Whereas if you look at the Conservative campaign, it’s got lots of freelance going on, and people doing their own thing. Only some people are using party branding.”The Labour Party page on Facebook has been targeting its ads across the country, with a particularly high focus on Rochester, Nuneaton, Stafford, and Mansfield.Meanwhile, the Tories have been targeting men aged over 45, but have not focused social media ads to specific seats and regions, says Mr Jeffers.“The Tories are not really doing any geographical targeting,” he said. “Their main Google account just targets all of England and Wales, it doesn’t seem to be particularly focused on anywhere at all. It’s not yet listed any specific places in its advertising at all. So essentially, it’s like a big spread across the country,” he said. “There is a question of, what type of campaign are people actually running on digital? Are they running hyper-targeted constituency-level campaigns, or are they running a more national air war? My sense of the Tory campaign right now is it’s that, it doesn’t know who it wants to target. It sort of wants to find these Reform voters, and try to bring them back into the fold. It’s going to do that wherever it can.”The Green Party and Liberal Democrats have both spent around £67,000 on social media ads during this campaign; despite the fact that Greens’ chances are largely concentrated in two seats, while the Lib Dems are gambling for 48, according to YouGov’s estimates. Green Party leader Carla Denyer has spent one of the highest amounts for a single candidate in this campaign period – £39,299 – targeting voters in her desired constituency of Bristol Central.Other than Ms Denyer, the top expenditure from candidate-specific social media pages in this campaign are: Keir Starmer (£210,498), Bridget Phillipson (£31,498), Rachel Reeves (£28,247) and Ameet Jogia (£25,483).The Green’s Carla Denyer spent more money on her ad campaign than anyone but Keir Starmer More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster email“If you want politics as pantomime,” Sir Keir Starmer said at his party’s manifesto launch last week, “I hear Clacton is nice this time of year.”The Labour leader’s remarks were a not-so-subtle barb at Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, who has launched his return to politics in the Essex seat.But Jovan Owusu-Nepaul, Labour’s candidate, will be hoping he can convince voters in the seat to call curtains on Mr Farage’s eighth attempt to become an MP.A recent poll by Electoral Calculus suggests Mr Farage is likely to win the constituency relatively comfortably, securing 39 per cent of the vote.Labour candidate Jovan Owusu-Nepaul pictured with Reform leader Nigel Farage More