General Election: Farage 'dismayed' as Reform volunteer filmed spouting racial slur about Sunak

Labour will force every borough to take ‘fair share’ of migrants, says Rayner

Every borough in the UK will take its “fair share” of migrants if Labour enter No10 after July 4, deputy leader Angela Rayner has revealed.

Rayner confirmed successful asylum seekers would be eligible for places in the 1.5 million new social housing and homes built under Labour.

Speaking about the proposal, Rayner told the BBC: “Every borough has an obligation to take on their fair share of asylum seekers, but not everyone in hotels that are currently in hotels will be given a right to remain in the UK.

“Some of them shouldn’t be in the UK, but they’re in the UK and they’re costing taxpayers lots of money because we are not treating people fairly and dealing with the backlog.

“That’s what Labour’s going to do, and that will cost us a lot less if we process people fairly, humanely, and those that have a right to be here are treated with the respect and dignity that the British people would expect us to.

“For people who are genuinely seeking asylum, those that shouldn’t be here will be removed.”

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Kwasi Kwarteng: I told Truss she had three weeks but she lasted six days

The former Chancellor has revealed how he told Liz Truss she had three weeks left as Prime Minister after she fired him, but was shocked to then see her only last six days.

Kwasi Kwarteng also said he felt that neither main party leaders were ‘inspiring huge confidence’ but he felt that Rishi Sunak was 'basically right' on Labour's tax policies.

Discussing the mini-budget, Kwasi Kwarteng said: “I was in it, I saw all of it and I wish it hadn't happened. We were being buffeted around and we needed a period of stability and calm. And looking back, I can see that it was difficult time.

“I've talked about it a lot but you don't have to be a great student of political history to know when a Prime Minister sacks the Chancellor, they've effectively blown themselves up. “And I said to [Liz Truss] ‘you've got three weeks’ but I was wrong. It was six days.

Badenoch compares Labour's 'morally repellent' race reforms to apartheid South Africa

Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has compared Labour's plans for a Race Equality Act to apartheid in South Africa.

Badenoch, considered by many as a potential successor to Rishi Sunak after July 4, accused Sir Keir Starmer of having a “morally repellent” plan to force businesses into “classifying your workforce by race”.

The legislation will enshrine in law equal pay rights for black people, Asians and other ethnic minorities.

However, Badenoch claimed the legislation “will be used to work out what people of different ethnicities should be paid”.

She added: “I think classifying your workforce by race and having this influence their salaries is morally repellent,” she said.

“It’s what they did in apartheid South Africa and what they do now in China and Myanmar.”

Sunak vows to 'halve net migration' as PM warns voters against 'surrendering' borders to Starmer

Rishi Sunak has vowed to halve net migration in the next 12 months as the Prime Minister warned voters against “surrendering” British borders to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

Echoing his comments from last night’s head-to-head debate, Sunak launched a stinging attack against Starmer in an exclusive interview with GB News.

The Prime Minister blasted the Labour leader after highlighting a number of recent migration reforms.

He said: “Of course it [net migration] was too high. I've been very clear about that. I've been everyone’s Prime Minister for 18 months. In that time, we've taken significant action.

“Net migration was down last year, the first full year I was in office. And this year, thanks to the reforms I've put in place, the number of visas we've issued is down by 30 per cent. That has never happened.

“So, for example, we raise the salary that you have to earn to come here to work to £38,500, tightened up our other visas, 30 per cent down. And you know what it's forecast to come down by?

“It's forecast, net migration, to halve in the next 12 months. Halve. Because of the measures that I have taken, we are getting migration down and we will go further.”

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Sunak blasts Welsh Labour over GB News ban as PM issues direct message to viewers

Rishi Sunak has blasted the Labour-run Welsh Parliament over its GB News ban as the Prime Minister issued a direct message to viewers.

Sunak, who is languishing behind Sir Keir Starmer in the opinion polls, came out fighting today as he made his direct pitch to GB News viewers.

Speaking to GB News' political editor Christopher Hope at a pub in Nottingham, Sunak said: “Well, the first thing I'd say is the Labour-run Welsh Parliament have banned GB News. That tells you what they think about GB News and GB News viewers.

“I've come and done GB News' People's Forum to talk directly to your viewers because I respect them and I want to make sure that they know I'm addressing their concerns.”

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Nigel Farage issues 'Brexit betrayal' warning over Starmer government - 'I'm very worried'

Nigel Farage has said he is "very worried" that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer will continue what he dubbed a "Brexit betrayal" if he becomes Prime Minister.

Asked if he had been attacking the Conservative more than Labour, Farage said: "I’m very worried that the Brexit betrayal that we saw from the Conservatives over immigration is going to continue with Keir Starmer over rules and regulations, and I’m very concerned about that.

"I’m even more concerned that he wants to join the European Defence Union which I think weakens our Nato relationship and our American relationship."

He added: "So no, no, no, I’m very worried about a Labour government.

"What I’m saying is get some of us in the House of Commons to be the voice of opposition to that, because the Conservatives will be in opposition but they won’t be the opposition, they’re too divided."

Steve Baker to launch bid to replace Sunak as Tory leader if party loses General Election

Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker will launch a bid to replace Rishi Sunak as Tory leader should he lead the party to defeat on July 4 as expected, it is understood.

Baker has hinted at a leadership run if he retains his Wycombe seat – where he was re-elected with a 4,214 majority in 2019 – at the General Election.

He said: “One thing at a time. I want to represent the people of Wycombe the best that I can, as I always have done.

“Then let’s see what happens.”

It is understood that he will announce his intentions after polling day.

Major Tory donor defects to Reform UK

A major Tory donor, who gave more than £500,000 to the party, has defected to Reform UK.

Former Newcastle United owner Sir John Hall attended a Reform election rally in Durham today alongside party leader Nigel Farage.

The former Tory donor helped fund Theresa May's election bid in 2017.

Farage confirmed he had given a donation to Reform but did not confirm how much.

He thanked Hall for "coming out so publicly for us" and said the property developer was a "major success story, a role model".

Starmer promises to open discussions with junior doctors 'on day one' if elected

Sir Keir Starmer said he would open discussions with junior doctors on day one of a Labour government, if he is elected on July 4.

The Labour leader told reporters during a campaign visit to Staffordshire: “I don’t want these strikes to be going ahead.”

He added: “This is a problem the Government has failed to deal with, and if we’re elected into government we will have to pick it up. What we will do is ensure on day one we start the discussion.”

'Think very hard about what a Labour government would mean for you', Sunak warns

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has told voters to "think very hard about what a Labour government would actually mean for you".

Speaking during a visit to a pottery factory in Derbyshire, he said: “I understand why many of you might be hesitant about supporting us again at this election.

“I’m not blind to the frustrations that you feel about me, about our party. It’s been a very difficult few years with Covid, the war in Ukraine and we haven’t got everything right, we’ve made mistakes and we haven’t made as much progress in all areas as we would have liked.

“But this is not a by-election. This is a choice about the future of our country and a choice that is going to have profound consequences for you, your family finances and the direction of our nation.

“Before you make that choice, you should just think very hard about what a Labour government would actually mean for you.”

He said “you don’t even know, you can’t be sure” as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer “changes his mind on almost every major position that he has taken”.

Farage boasts 'huge crowd' at rally in County Durham 

Another huge crowd for Reform, this time in County Durham. Not bad for 11am on a Thursday! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/fJxEKuqC9H

— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) June 27, 2024

Nigel Farage warns of 'Brexit betrayal' from Starmer

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said he’s “very worried” that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer would continue the “Brexit betrayal” as Prime Minister.

Asked if he had been attacking the Conservative more than Labour, Mr Farage said: “I’m very worried that the Brexit betrayal that we saw from the Conservatives over immigration is going to continue with Keir Starmer over rules and regulations, and I’m very concerned about that.

“I’m even more concerned that he wants to join the European Defence Union which I think weakens our Nato relationship and our American relationship.

“So no, no, no, I’m very worried about a Labour government, what I’m saying is get some of us in the House of Commons to be the voice of opposition to that, because the Conservatives will be in opposition but they won’t be the opposition, they’re too divided.”

At least seven police officers under investigation in 'Gamble-gate'

The number of police officers under investigation over bets on the timing of the General Election has risen to at least seven, the Metropolitan Police said.

The Gambling Commission continues to review whether any more bets fall within the scope of its joint investigation with the Met, which is split into parallel inquiries.

Setting out the investigation, the Met said: “Bets that are suspected of being in breach of Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005 (Cheating) only. These will be investigated by the Gambling Commission and are likely to make up the majority of cases.

“Bets that are suspected of being in breach of Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005, but with specific features that could mean additional offences apply, for example Misconduct in Public Office. These will be assessed by the Met’s Specialist Crime Command to determine what further investigation is required. The number of these cases is likely to be much smaller than those in the first category.

“The Gambling Commission continues to review whether any bets placed on the timing of the General Election will be within scope of either investigation.

“The Met has compared the names of those who have placed bets on the timing of the election against a list of their officers. So far, seven officers have been identified.”

Labour wants 'grown-up approach to Brexit'

The Labour Party wants a "grown-up approach to Brexit", the Shadow Business Secretary.

Jonathan Reynolds said the UK’s relationship with the European Union should be driven by “good faith and reason, not by the internal politics of the Conservative Party”.

He again stressed that Labour did not want to reopen old wounds over Brexit and would not seek to join the single market or customs union.

The frontbencher told the British Chambers of Commerce: “We will take the grown-up approach to Brexit that the Government has lacked.

“We know we can do better, and Labour will not be seeking to rejoin the single market or the customs union, or to reopen the wounds of the past because that wouldn’t give us the stability which we know is essential.

“We’re clear we need to get a better deal and there are real improvements, we could achieve.

“If New Zealand can have a veterinary agreement with our closest neighbours, so can we.

“And the same can be said for the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, for touring rights in the creative industries, and easier inter-company transfers.”

Kevin Hollinrake admits to having placed bet on Tories winning election

Business minister Kevin Hollinrake said he had put a bet on the Conservatives to win the election, but gambling on the result in Thirsk and Malton, where he is a candidate, would be “wrong”.

Asked whether he had bet on a Tory victory, Mr Hollinrake said: “Yes, I did. Not my seat, I think that would be wrong.”

He added: “This situation has definitely opened up a debate that we should have a proper debate about and decide whether it’s right or wrong that people have a bet on things they are involved in.”

Philip Davies accused of placing £8,000 bet he would lose his seat

Senior Conservative Philip Davies has been accused of placing an £8,000 bet that he would lose his seat at the general election.

The Tory candidate, who is defending a 6,242-vote majority in Shipley, West Yorkshire, said he is "busting a gut to win" but he "expects to lose".

Sources told the Sun the MP placed the four-figure wager that he would fail to retain his seat.

There is no suggestion that the senior Tory broke the law.

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Bridget Phillipson says she did not support David Tennant's comments on Kemi Badenoch

Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary said she did not support David Tennant’s comments after the actor told equalities minister Kemi Badenoch to “shut up” in a row over trans rights.

Bridget Phillipson told Times Radio: “I personally don’t like that kind of language that was used.

“And I believe that where we discus these issues – and it is right that we can have an open discussion about them – that we do so in a way that is absolutely frank but respectful, tolerant, and in keeping with the best traditions within our country.

“And I know that politicians, particularly female politicians, receive an awful lot of abuse sometimes and do frequently face that kind of language being used against them and I don’t think it advances a more tolerant and respectful discussion.”

Starmer won last night's debate, snap polling says

A snap poll by More in Common has suggested Sir Keir Starmer won last night's head-to-head BBC debate.

In a survey of 1,525 viewers, 56 per cent said the Labour leader won, whereas 44 per cent said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak did.

Of the respondents, 30 per cent said Sunak performed better than expected, compared to 19 per cent saying the same for Sir Keir.

Farage gears up for row with French as Reform UK leader demands Britain STOP migration payments

Nigel Farage is gearing up for a row with France, demanding the next Government stop sending payments to the neighbouring country for its support in policing the Channel.

The Reform UK leader accused the French government of escorting boats to the british side of the Channel, rather than turning them around - something he dubbed "a completely unacceptable practice".

He said: "If I had a boat in Boulogne harbour for pleasure cruising and fishing, there’s a whole mass of French regulations, certificates, and if we didn’t have them, I’d be stopped by the French coast guard, taken to court and fined.

"This side of the Channel is much stricter than our side of the Channel. So it’s ironic that an unseaworthy dinghy can be escorted by the French Navy, from 200 yards off the beach, all the way to the 12-mile line [in the middle of the Channel].

"So we’ve got to say to the French: ‘This is a completely unacceptable practice. You are literally aiding and abetting the criminal gangs'."