General Election LIVE: Starmer leads Sunak in exclusive GB News poll - but that's NOT the whole story says pollster as 47% of country 'don't know'

Labour confident Rayner to be CLEARED before election with announcement expected within the week

A police probe into Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner is expected to finish before the election, while Labour are confident she will be cleared, the Times has reported.

An announcement on the Ashton-under-Lyne MP's status is expected "within about a week", the paper said, while Rayner's allies are hoping for a clear public statement from Greater Manchester Police in order to quash question marks which threaten to loom over her campaign.

Police inquiries centre on a house in Stockport, with authorities investigating whether Rayner had wrongly declared her permanent address on the electoral roll - a criminal offence.

Questions also remain on whether Rayner paid the correct amount of tax when she sold the property, a former council house on Vicarage Road.

A Labour spokesman said: "Angela has been clear that she will co-operate with any investigation. We do not plan to give a running commentary.

"We remain completely confident that Angela has complied with the rules at all times and it's now appropriate to let the police do their work."

Nigel Farage defends choice to focus on US election - 'It matters more to the world!' 

Nigel Farage has told GB News that he will "be in America a lot" on the lead up to the US election as fans have been left fuming that the "the United States of America election matters more to him than the United Kingdom one."

Farage said: "The American election doesn't matter more to me. It matters more to us, and matters more to the world. We are closer now than we've been at any point since the Cuban Missile Crisis to a serious global war.

He added: "World War Three matters more to this country than who wins the next election."

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Tories taking candidacy applications for 93 vacant seats with just SIX WEEKS until July 4

The Tories have 93 vacant seats and the election is just six weeks away… https://t.co/sXjGUu3KXZ

— Christopher Hope📝 (@christopherhope) May 23, 2024

The Conservative Party currently has 93 constituency seats open for candidacy applications after a litany of resignations and drop-outs ahead of the election.

With six weeks to the day remaining until July 4, applications are being sought for seats up and down the country - with 20 in London alone currently up for grabs.

GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope noted that "not one" of the 93 has been offered to former chief Brexit negotiator Lord Frost, adding: "I hear the former Cabinet minister has even been approached by some campaigners to be their candidate."

Corbyn tipped to win Islington North as disgraced ex-Labour leader set for showdown with Starmer

Jeremy Corbyn will retain the seat of Islington North as an independent candidate, allies of the disgraced ex-Labour leader have claimed.

Corbyn, who was first elected as the MP for Islington North in 1983, lost the Labour whip after making a series of controversial comments about the EHRC’s antisemitism probe.

The former Leader of the Opposition has been tipped to take on Sir Keir Starmer’s preferred candidate and retain the seat for an eleventh successive election.

“I have a suspicion Jeremy will win,” a Corbyn ally told GB News.

However, Southside staffers have been increasingly committed to getting Corbyn out of the Commons.

A Labour source also told GB News: “Corbyn’s team themselves are wary that if there is a 20 point swing across the country, part of that will also be in Islington.

“A senior Starmer staffer was overheard saying that even if Corbyn stands, they don’t care anymore and they just want rid of him.”

Nigel Farage PLANNED to launch campaign as MP but was 'wrongfooted' by Sunak 

Nigel Farage has told GB News that he had "planned to launch a campaign" to stand as an MP in the general election but was "wrongfooted" by the snap decision.

Speaking to Tom Harwood on GB News, Farage said: "I have always said that there'll be a moment when I throw my hat in the ring fully into British politics.

"I've also said, aged 60, I've got one more card to play and it's about when I play it. I had, to be honest with you, put in place some preparations to launch [a campaign] next week.

"I wonder whether the Conservative Party found out about it. I think the sense of panic that we saw yesterday, the badly prepared speech, might perhaps have prompted it a little bit."

He added: "I'm going to say, if the Tories think it's great, Nigel is not standing they are wrong. I'm going to be involved in this campaign.

"I could not do it in the space of six weeks, yes, he's wrong-footed me.

"In the space of six weeks, I could not find a constituency from scratch and go around the country.

"I'm utterly committed to Reform. I believe their agenda is the only one that can stop the sense of national decline that we're in."

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Nigel Farage's decision will be a 'HUGE blow' for Reform UK, claims political commentator 

Political commentator Emma Webb has said that Nigel Farage's decision will be a "huge blow" for Reform UK after he has confirmed he will not stand as a candidate in the general election.

Speaking on GB News, Webb said: "He's been the most successful politician of a generation without ever having held the office of a member of Parliament.

""I think he's right that there is global significance to the election in the United States. So I don't think it's particularly surprising.

"Of course, it's a huge blow to the Reform Party. It does make it slightly more likely that the Conservative Party will be able to achieve a hung parliament."

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Tories can't break past 20% trust on NHS, immigration AND economy - exclusive GB News poll

Labour is most trusted to manage the economy and the cost of living crisis. When asked who they trust to manage the economy and the cost of living crisis over the next five years, 35 per cent of voters say Labour and 19 per cent say the Conservatives.

Labour is most trusted to manage the NHS. When voters are asked who they trust to manage the National Health Service, 39 per cent say Labour, while just 14 per cent say the Conservatives.

Labour is more trusted on immigration - but there's all to play for. When voters are asked who they trust to manage the level of immigration into Britain, 30 per cent say Labour, and 19 per cent say Conservatives. Revealingly, fewer than half of Conservative voters back their own party on this issue.

Professor Matt Goodwin said: "Most people - 51 per cent - choose NEITHER of the two big parties on immigration, perhaps suggesting their total dismay at how this issue has been managed in recent years."

"While this points to a disillusioned electorate, it also suggests there is all to play for in the general election campaign, that both parties will need to work hard to convince voters they are the most competent manager of what is the third most important issue for voters."

Labour lead Tories by 27 POINTS, exclusive GB News poll reveals - but Britons aren't sold on Sunak OR Starmer

Labour currently sit 27 points ahead of the Conservatives, an exclusive GB News poll has revealed, in results which currently leave Britons "looking at a total Tory wipeout" - though people aren't sold on the two leaders.

Current figures put Labour on 47 per cent, the Conservatives on 20 per cent, Reform on 12 per cent, the Lib Dems on 9 per cent, and the Greens on 8 per cent.

Though Keir Starmer leads Rishi Sunak as the preferred Prime Minister among voters, results from the GB News People's Poll show that almost half of Britons favour neither man.

When Britons are asked who they think would make the better prime minister, 34 per cent say Keir Starmer and 19 per cent say Rishi Sunak.

Pollster Professor Matt Goodwin said: "While Keir Starmer is preferred over Rishi Sunak, and while only 44 per cent of Conservatives prefer Sunak while 77 per cent of Labour voters prefer Starmer, the real story is nearly half the country, 47 per cent, say 'don’t know'.

"Neither Starmer nor Sunak are really setting the country on fire."

The People's Poll also revealed that Labour is more trusted on immigration - but Prof Goodwin says "there’s all to play for".

When voters are asked who they trust to manage the level of immigration into Britain, 30 per cent say Labour, and 19 per cent say Conservatives.

Though revealingly, fewer than half of Conservative voters back their own party on this issue.

Tories reinstate whip to suspended MPs Matt Hancock and Bob Stewart as 'goodwill gesture'

Two suspended MPs, Matt Hancock and Bob Stewart, have had the Conservative whip restored as a "goodwill gesture" ahead of Parliament being dissolved next week.

Hancock had been suspended from the parliamentary party after appearing on I'm A Celeb without the Tories' permission.

While Stewart had surrendered the whip after he was found guilty of a "racially-aggravated public order offence" - for which his conviction was successfully overturned following an appeal in February.

Neither MP will be standing in the general election.

Labour's Kevan Jones to stand down after 23 years in Parliament

A personal statement. pic.twitter.com/kJGGkcwAS0

— Kevan Jones (@KevanJonesMP) May 23, 2024

Kevan Jones, the Labour MP for North Durham, has announced he will not be running as a candidate in this year's election.

Jones said the "difficult decision" had been made in light of his upcoming surgery and treatment for an "ongoing condition" which would make it "impossible" for him to contest his seat.

He thanked supporters and the people of North Durham for giving him the opportunity to serve them, adding that he was "proud of the constituency's continuing strong sense of community".

Jones slammed the Conservative government as "destructive and negative", and heaped praise on Sir Keir Starmer, whose leadership, he said, would put Labour in a position to provide a "genuine alternative".

Green Party candidate who compared Gaza war to Holocaust set to stand in election

Naseem Talukdar, who hopes to take the seat in Bristol East, shared a video online in which David Miller, an anti-Israel activist, said: “We have to destroy Zionism.”

In the video, the activist also likens the Israel-Hamas War and the Holocaust to one another.

Carla Deyner, the Green’s co-leader said that he was still running for the seat on July 4, “as far as I know”.

His social media profiles also state that he is “your Green Party MP Candidate for Bristol East”, suggesting he will be running for the position.

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'Turnip Taliban' fire starting gun on plot to oust Liz Truss

The "Turnip Taliban" - a group of dissident Tories in Liz Truss's constituency - have fired the starting gun on a new plot to oust the ex-Prime Minister from the House of Commons.

James Bagge, who tried to block Truss’ candidacy in South West Norfolk in 2009, today released a statement following Rishi Sunak’s snap election announcement.

He said: "The message on the doorstep is clear and unequivocal - the voters of South West Norfolk deserve and want a change."

Bagge, who has enlisted the support of former independent MP Martin Bell, added: "They want an MP who represents their interests and is not seeking merely to advance her own political ambition or far from credible conspiracies, while blaming others for errors and omissions."

The Turnip Taliban challenge to Truss potentially represents a moment of political history in the making; former Prime Ministers rarely lose their seats after leaving Downing Street.

Arthur Balfour, Herbert Asquith and Ramsay MacDonald lost their seats in the early 20th century in catastrophic election defeats.

However, Bagge will need to overcome Truss’ majority of 26,195 to pull off a similar historic victory.

Senior Tories push for weekly TV debates with Labour - 'the British public deserve to know what you stand for!'

Leading Conservative Party figures have started to pressure Sir Keir Starmer to agree to a record six weekly TV debates against Rishi Sunak ahead of the election.

Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Claire Coutinho claimed Starmer and Labour wanted to "skate through" campaigning "without telling anyone what they really think".

Coutinho said: "That's why we should have weekly debates - so people know exactly where we stand."

Conservative Party chairman Richard Holden asked Starmer: "Don't you think the British public deserve to know what you actually stand for?"

A source close to Sunak had told the Telegraph the PM would be willing to debate the Labour leader every week until the election, which would amount to six - a record since televised debates were introduced in 2010.

Sir Keir Starmer fails to invite Kent MP Rosie Duffield to Labour launch

Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield has claimed she was not invited to Sir Keir Starmer's Labour launch in Gillingham.

Duffield, who was first elected to represent the affluent university town in 2017, has been at loggerheads with Starmer over a number of issues, including trans rights.

She has vocally criticised the Leader of the Opposition since he succeeded Jeremy Corbyn and recently claimed Rishi Sunak is nicer to her than Starmer.

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'That may increase!' SNP face fresh threat from pro-independence parties

The SNP has been left bracing for a fresh threat from smaller pro-independence parties just hours after Rishi Sunak announced a snap general election.

SNP leader John Swinney could be forced to take on Alba and the Scottish Green Party alongside the challenge posed by pro-Unionist parties.

An Alba source told GB News: We're standing in around 18 seats. That may increase but we won't have a candidate in every seat."

The Scottish Green Party also announced it would field a candidate in at least 31 out of 59 Scottish seats.

The SNP currently holds 43 seats north of the border and is looking to win a majority of seats as a mandate for a second independence referendum.

A recent YouGov poll already suggested Labour could emerge as the largest party in Scotland, with Sir Keir Starmer opening up a 10-point lead.

However, a potential threat from fellow nationalists could spell even more problems as the pro-independence vote splits in some constituencies across three parties.

'Independence day!' First Minister John Swinney launches 2024 election campaign as SNP set to lose dozens of seats

Scottish First Minister John Swinney has launched his 2024 General Election campaign as polls suggest the SNP will lose dozens of seats to Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Party.

Speaking at a campaign event in Edinburgh, Swinney said: “The challenger for every Tory seat in Scotland is the Scottish National Party. So by voting SNP you can get rid of this Tory Government.”

He added: "[Keir Starmer] now supports Brexit whatever the cost to Scotland."

The SNP leader concluded: “We will win our country’s independence and win the powers to bring about a better Scotland through democratic pressure.

“So, on July 4, independence day, make sure your voice is heard.”

However, the SNP could face a challenge from pro-independence parties such as the Greens and Alba.

An Alba source recently refused to rule out the prospect of Alex Salmond standing candidates against the SNP.

The Scottish Green Party is also expected to field at least 30 candidates north of the border.

A recent YouGov poll suggested Labour could benefit from the chaos engulfing the SNP.

Labour opened up a 10-point lead over the SNP, with Tory support also collapsing from 25 per cent to just 12 per cent.

King Charles approves order to prorogue Parliament for election

King Charles III has approved an Order in Council to prorogue Parliament ahead of the general election.

The 75-year-old monarch held a quickly convened Privy Council at Buckingham Palace this morning where he undertook his duties in preparation for the country going to the polls on July 4.

The order, which was published on the Privy Council’s website, showed that the monarch ordered that Parliament be “prorogued on a day no earlier than Friday the 24th day of May 2024 and no later than Tuesday the 28th day of May 2024, to Friday the 31st day of May 2024, to be then holden for the despatch of divers urgent and important affairs”.

Farage's candidacy stumped as ex-Brexit Party feared Sunak's snap election killed off chance of victory

Nigel Farage has ruled out standing in the 2024 General Election after Rishi Sunak announced a snap poll yesterday.

The former Brexit Party leader feared his chance of victory was drastically reduced by the Prime Minister's decision to hold an election after a six-week campaign.

Sources close to Farage claimed the 60-year-old was “very strongly” considering standing for Parliament.

He reportedly wanted a launch event to build momentum ahead of hitting the campaign trail.

Farage was mulling over standing in several different constituencies for a potential eighth run at Parliament.

A source close to Farage told The Telegraph: “Nigel felt he needed the best part of six months to run a successful campaign for a seat, and a six-week campaign just isn’t long enough.”

Farage released a statement this morning confirming he will not stand in an eighth Westminster election.

He instead revelaed he will focus his efforts on Donald Trump's 2024 White House bid.

Reform UK leader Richard Tice announced he would switch his efforts from Hartlepool to Boston & Skegness.

The populist party plans on contesting 630 seats across England, Scotland and Wales.

Richard Tice unveils Reform election stragegy - ‘Sunak is terrified of us’

Reform UK leader Richard Tice has unveiled the populist party's election strategy as he claimed Rishi Sunak is "terrified" about the threat from the right.

Tice, who addressed journalists shortly after Nigel Farage confirmed he will not stand for election on July 4, argued the Prime Minister is “absolutely terrified” of Reform UK “going up and up in the polls”.

The former Brexit Party MEP confirmed Reform UK would contest 630 seats across England, Scotland and Wales.

He also revealed he will not stand in Hartlepool and instead contest the constituency of Boston & Skegness.

Tice predicted Reform UK will make a breakthrough come polling day, adding: "We are going to win seats."

However, senior Tory figures have celebrated Farage's decision not to stand on July 4.

Responding to Farage's announcement, a Conservative source told GB News: "This is the only good news that has come from an utterly disastrous 24 hours."

A Tory MP simply said: "It definitely helps."

Another MP added: "Nigel is a formidable politician, so him not standing is helpful given the only practical outcome of people being tempted to vote Reform is a massive Labour majority."

Despite initial glee following Farage's election decision, Tice reiterated the 60-year-old will still be "helping out significantly in campaigning".

Concluding his remarks, Richard Tice said: “You can’t trust the Tories and as we know Labour wants more mass immigration. If you want change, folks, you have got to vote for it. On July 4, vote for change, vote for Reform UK.”

Veteran MP joins Tory exodus as number stepping down reaches 68

I’ve had the great honour of being the MP for #EppingForest for 27 years. I love this job, but it’s time for me to move aside and give others the opportunities that I’ve been fortunate to have. I told the PM several days ago & wrote formally to my @EFConservatives Chairman today. pic.twitter.com/l8xOOXwoQY

— Dame Eleanor Laing MP (@eleanor4epping) May 23, 2024

Dame Eleanor Laing has announced she will step down as Epping MP as the Tory exodus reaches 68.

The Deputy Commons Speaker confirmed her decision on social media, adding: "It's time for me to move aside and give others the opportunies that I've been fortunate to have."

Laing's decision comes just days after Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris made a similar announcement.

Ex-Prime Minister Theresa May, former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and ex-Justice Secretary Dominic Raab are among the other high-profile Tories calling time on their political careers.

A further 19 Labour MPs will also step down, including bigwigs Harriet Harman and Margaret Beckett.

Rishi Sunak makes football blunder after asking Welsh voters about Euros

Rishi Sunak has made a football-related blunder during his visit to a brewery in South Wales.

The Prime Minister, who was recently snapped watching Southampton at St Mary's, asked voters if they were looking forward to "all the football".

Following a deafening silence, a voter quickly pointed out Wales had not qualified for the European Championships in Germany.

Wales, who made it to the 2016 and 2020 knock-out stages, fell agonisingly short of competing in the continental cup after losing on penalties to Poland in March.

England and Scotland both qualified for the Europe's top football tournament, with the Tartan Army featuring in the opening game against Germany in Munich.

Sunak used his visit to Wales alongside Tory MP Alun Cairns to urge voters to trust the Conservative Party to lower taxes.

Starmer urges Labour supporters to cough up cash for election war-chest 

Labour supporters have been sent an "urgent appeal" to make donations to bankroll the party's 2024 General Election campaign.

An email has gone out to supporters urging them not to “let your fellow Labour supporters down”.

It said: “It could not be more important for you to give £3, or any amount right now.”

The email also urged people to “ignore the polls”.

It added: “History tells us that when they spend more money than us, we lose. It’s as simple as that. The Tory Party is an unflinching, election-winning machine.”

Labour raised £6,457,256 in the final quarter of 2023, the Electoral Commission has revealed.

The figure is below the £9,726,789 raised by the Tory Party.

Downing Street confirms Rwanda preparations will continue

Downing Street has confirmed Rwanda preparations will continue as Rishi Sunak conceded deportation flights will have to wait until after the 2024 General Election.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Civil Service serves the Government of the day and continues to deliver existing Government policies. And so that work will continue.”

Boston & Skegness becomes three-way split as Tice eyes Commons win

Richard Tice's decision to stand in Boston & Skegness rather than Hartlepool comes after YouGov's MRP poll suggested the Lincolnshire seat could become a three-way marginal.

Reform UK's support in Boston & Skegness hit 25 per cent in YouGov's mega March survey.

Barnsley North and Hartlepool were the only seats where Reform UK's support scored higher.

However, both Red Wall seats saw Labour drastically increase its proportion of the vote compared to 2019.

Boston & Skegness saw Conservative support plummet and Labour only narrowly edge ahead of Reform UK.

One Nation Tory MP Matt Warman would currently receive just 36 per cent of the vote, down from 76.7 per cent in 2019.

Labour would see its support shoot up from just 15.2 per cent to 28 per cent.

Nigel Farage did not attend Reform UK campaign launch

Nigel Farage opted to steer clear of Reform UK's campaign launch just hours after confirming he will not stand for the populist party on July 4.

The veteran Brexiteer, who will offer his support to Richard Tice, is instead focusing on Donald Trump's 2024 White House bid.

Senior Reform UK figures in attendance included Lee Anderson, Ann Widdecombe and Ben Habib.

Sunak challenges Starmer to record six TV debates

Rishi Sunak is challenging Sir Keir Starmer to a record six TV debates as the 2024 General Election campaign gets into full-swing.

The Prime Minister is hoping to use the opportunity to demonstrate the Labour leader has no plan.

A source close to Sunak told The Telegraph that the Prime Minister is willing to debate Starmer every week until polling day.

The first debate held in the run-up to a general election came in 2010 when the three main parties held three televised debates.

Tories warn voting Reform will boost Starmer just hours after Farage announcement

Keir Starmer needs you to vote for Reform on July 4th.

A vote for Reform is a vote to put Keir Starmer into power. pic.twitter.com/CGVoo5snGc

— Conservatives (@Conservatives) May 23, 2024

The Conservative Party has posted a meme suggesting a vote for Reform UK will result in a Labour Government.

In a post on social media, the Tories warned: "A vote for Reform is a vote to put Keir Starmer in power.

The meme was a variation of a popular Scooby Doo scene where Fred unmasks the a Reform UK mask-wearing villain to find the Labour leader.

CCHQ has been keen to stress supporting Reform will boost Starmer's chances.

Opinion polls suggest likely Reform UK supporters voted for Boris Johnson's Tories in 2019.

Corbyn to take on Starmer's Labour as disgraced ex-leader poised to stand as independent 

Jeremy Corbyn has been tipped to today announce he will stand as an independent candidate in Islington North on July 4.

The former Labour leader, who led the party to its worst election result since 1935, lost the whip after making a number of comments about the EHRC's antisemitism probe.

Labour is in the process of selecting a candidate to take over from Corbyn.

London Assembly Member Sem Moema and Islington Councillor Praful Nargund were shortlisted by Southside as thw two remaining candidates.

However, Corbyn is expected to stand in his eleventh successive general election contest.

Corbyn was returned with a majority of 26,188 in 2019 and maintains high levels of support for his record as a local MP.

Rishi Sunak handed huge boost on day one of election campaign after 'utterly disastrous 24 hours'

Rishi Sunak has been handed a huge boost on the first day of the 2024 General Election campaign as Nigel Farage ruled out standing as a Reform UK candidate.

The Prime Minister, who was warned Farage's potential return would obliterate the Tories, will likely breathe a sigh of relief after the ex-Brexit Party leader released a statement this morning.

Farage said: "I will do my bit to help in the campaign, but it is not the right time for me to go any further than that."

Sunak received the boost shortly after announcing polls will open on July 4.

The Prime Minister, who was left drenched yesterday as he opted to call a snap election on the steps of Downing Street, hit the campaign trail in Derbyshire this morning.

However, a number of Tory rebels have been left frustrated by Sunak's snap election decision.

Responding to Farage's announcement, a Conservative source told GB News: "This is the only good news that has come from an utterly disastrous 24 hours."

A Tory MP simply said: "It definitely helps."

Another MP added: "Nigel is a formidable politician, so him not standing is helpful given the only practical outcome of people being tempted to vote Reform is a massive Labour majority."

CCHQ were accused of underestimating the threat from Reform UK ahead of Sunak's snap election announcement.

"There is no anti-Reform unit," a senior Tory MP claimed.

“I’ve been on at them for ages. It’s time for the dog to start wagging the tail.”

Richard Tice to contest Boston & Skegness in last-minute switch 

Richard Tice has confirmed he is no longer contesting Hartlepool as Reform UK's candidate and will instead stand in Boston & Skegness.

Tice, who received 25.8 per cent support as the Brexit Party's 2019 Hartlepool candidate, will head down to Lincolnshire as Reform UK look to concentrate on populist strongholds.

Boston & Skegness was identified by GB News as one of Reform UK's top target seats.

One Nation Tory Matt Warman retained the Lincolnshire constituency with a majority of 25,621 in 2019.

However, with no Brexit Party challenger, Reform UK will hope to mobilise the 14,645 voters who backed Ukip in 2015.

Ukip managed to cut Warman’s majority to just 4,336 and the Brexit Party later received support from 56.3 per cent of constituents in 2019’s EU Parliamentary Elections.

Tice is convinced Reform UK can perform better than the Brexit Party by making a breakthrough in Westminster.

He said: "We are going to win seats.”

Tice also confirmed Farage will be “helping out significantly in campaigning”.

CHECK OUT REFORM UK'S TOP TARGET LIST HERE

Richard Tice arrives at Reform UK press conference as populist party labels 2024 'immigration election'

Reform UK leader Richard Tice has arrived at the populist party's press conference in London.

The former Brexit Party MEP was joined by Ben Habib and Ann Widdecombe.

Tice's imminent announcement comes shortly after Nigel Farage confirmed he will not stand on July 4.

Reform UK described the snap poll as the "Immigration Election".

Speaking ahead of Tice's speech, Habib said: “Make no mistake that this general election is an incredibly important one for the United Kingdom. The country is in dire straits.”

Habib also confirmed he will stand in Wellingborough just a few months after receiving 13 per cent of the vote in the Northamptonshire seat's February by-election.

Nigel Farage's SEVEN previous election bids - Eastleigh to South Thanet

Nigel Farage has unsuccessfully contested seven Westminster elections during his longstanding political career.

Farage, who never found it difficult to enter the European Parliament, first ran for a seat in the House of Commons in 1994.

Standing as the Ukip candidate in Eastleigh, the Eurosceptic received just 952 votes to finish in a distant fourth place.

Farage contested the Wiltshire seat of Salisbury as Tony Blair romped to victory in 1997, ensuring Ukip retained its deposit with 5.7 per cent support.

He switched his efforts to Sussex in the next election, receiving 7.8 per cent of ballots in Bexhill & Battle.

The 2005 General Election saw Farage first stand in South Thanet but he fell well-short of his 2015 performance with just five per cent on the board.

Bromley & Chislehurst proved Farage's most successful early performance, receiving 8.1 per cent in the London's seat 2006 by-election.

Farage's inclusion in the Buckingham 2010 race, which saw the 60-year-old finish third on 17.4 per cent, was overshadowed by a plane crash.

The well-known Brexiteer punctured his lung and broke his ribs as the aircraft crashed when a pro-Ukip banner got caught in the tailplane.

Farage's final Westminster bid saw the 60-year-old fall agonisingly short of entering the House of Commons.

Tory candidate Craig Mackinlay, who previously served as Ukip's treasurer, edged Farage out by just 2,812 votes in South Thanet.

Ukip were unable to translate 12.6 per cent nationwide support into a parliamentary breakthrough as Clacton MP Douglas Carswell became the populist party's lone MP in Westminster.

Farage ruled out standing as a Brexit Party candidate in 2019 as the former MEP formed an alliance with serving Tory MPs to ensure the UK would leave the EU.

'End the chaos!' Keir Starmer urges voters to 'end the chaos' as Labour target Kent seat

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Shadow Communities Secretary Angela Rayner have urged voters to "end the chaos" during a campaign event in Gillingham this morning.

The Leader of the Opposition, who is currently more than 20-points ahead of the Tories in the polls, said: “At long last the election has been called. The time has come and the wait is over.”

Starmer also stressed voters now have “the power, the chance, to end the chaos, to turn the page and to rebuild Britain”.

He added: “For a Government to leave after 14 years our country with living standards worse than when they started is absolutely unforgiveable.

“And what is their plan, Rishi Sunak’s plan? £46 billion of unfunded tax cuts.

"They haven’t learned a thing and if they get five more years they will carry on in the same way, nothing will change. So a vote for Labour is a vote to stop the chaos.”

Gillingham, which voted for Tony Blair three times, returned Rehman Chishti in 2019 with a majority of 15,119.

Rishi Sunak forced to DEFEND snap vote on GB News as Tory MPs threaten coup and rage at PM's 'madness'

Rishi Sunak has been forced to defend his decision to call a snap general election on July 4.

The Prime Minister, who announced the 2024 General Election date yesterday, addressed concerns amid speculation Tory rebels could look to oust him ahead of polling day.

Speaking to GB News from Derbyshire this morning, Sunak said: “If you look at what has happened over the last few weeks, it’s clear the economy has turned a corner.

“The economy and economic stability is the foundation of what we want to achieve as a country. Inflation is now back to normal, wages are rising and energy bills are falling.

"That gives us the opportunity to talk properly about the future. I am clear that it’s only me and the Conservatives that has got a clear plan and that is how we’re going to be delivering a secure future for this country.”

The Prime Minister, who is trailing Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer by around 20 per cent, was left drenched when he announced the snap poll on the steps of Downing Street.

He quickly headed across to East London to rally Conservative MPs ahead of hitting the campaign trail this morning.

Sunak spent this morning putting clear blue water between the Tories and Labour over illegal immigration.

The Prime Minister said: "He thinks we should just offer an amnesty to illegal migrants to make us the soft-touch of Europe."

Yvette Cooper slams Rishi Sunak's Rwanda 'con' after PM admits no flights before polling day

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has slammed Rishi Sunak after the Prime Minister admitted flights will not take off for Rwanda until after the 2024 General Election.

Responding to Sunak's admission this morning, Cooper said: “The Prime Minister’s own words this morning show this whole Rwanda scheme has been a con from start to finish.

“With all the hundreds of millions they have spent, it would be extraordinary if 'symbolic flights' didn't take off in early July, as the Tories planned.

"But Rishi Sunak's words confirm what we've known all along - he doesn't believe this plan will work and that's why he called the election now in the desperate hope that he won’t be found out.

“The choice at this election is between a Tory Party with no credible plan and no grip, and a Labour government that will deliver a fully funded Border Security Command to smash criminal gangs and tackle dangerous boat crossings.

“It’s time to turn the page on Tory chaos and choose a Labour government that will restore our border security.”

'They'll put taxes up!' Sunak warns Labour will raid British pockets as PM campaigns in Derbyshire

Rishi Sunak has warned Labour will hike taxes if Sir Keir Starmer wins the upcoming general election.

The Prime Minister, who is campaigning in Derbyshire, said: “Crucially, talk about pound in your pocket, your taxes are being cut. Because of what we’ve been able to do, an average person earning £35,000 is getting a £900 tax cut.

“That’s what you get with the Conservatives, your taxes being cut so your hard work is rewarded, your family has financial security.

“That is a contrast at this election because, as I said, the Labour Party are going to spend more money, and that is just going to put your taxes up.

“There’s no other way to pay for it, they can pretend all they want. More spending equals more taxes, and I don’t want to see that happen.”

'Not the right time!' Nigel Farage RULES OUT standing in election as ex-Brexit Party leader focuses on Donald Trump White House run

pic.twitter.com/787MCGFODR

— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) May 23, 2024

Nigel Farage has ruled out standing in the 2024 General Election campaign amid months of speculation about the ex-Brexit Party leader potentially making a comeback.

Releasing a statement this morning, Farage said: "I have thought long and hard as to whether I should stand in the upcoming general election.

"As honorary president of Reform UK, I am fully supportive of Richard Tice's leadership and urge voters to put their trust in him and Lee Anderson.

"I will do my bit to help in the campaign, but it is not the right time for me to go any further than that."

Addressing the significance of Donald Trump's third successive White House bid, the 60-year-old added: "Important though the general election is, the contest in the United States of America on November 5 has huge global significance.

"A strong America as a close ally is vital for our peace and security. I intend to help with the grassroots in the USA in any way that I can."

Farage, who unsuccessfully stood in seven other parliamentary polls, is a close ally of the 45th President.

He appeared on the campaign trail alongside the property-tycoon-turned-politician during both the 2016 and 2020 races.

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Liberal Democrats set sights on 80 key seats as UK 'crying out for change'

The Liberal Democrats have identified 80 key seats to pump resources into ahead of polls opening on July 4.

Deputy leader Daisy Cooper stressed the centrist party will target a number of predominantly Tory-held seats which saw the Liberal Democrats finish in second-place in 2019.

Speaking to GB News this morning, the St Albans MP said: "The Liberal Democrats are in second-place to the Conservatives in around 80 seats around the country.

"It is those seats that we are really targeting our resources."

She added: "We know that the country is absolutely crying out for change."

CHECK OUT THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS TOP TARGETS HERE

Reform UK set out 2024 plan amid Nigel Farage comeback rumours

Reform UK will hold a press conference in just over two-hours time as the populist party launches its 2024 General Election campaign.

Richard Tice is expected to set out Reform UK's plans at 11am this morning.

Ex-Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage is expected to attend the campaign launch.

Farage has been particularly coy about his own involvement in the election campaign.

Speaking to GB News last night, the 60-year-old said: “As for what I do, I’ll think about it overnight.”

'No Rwanda flights until after snap election', Sunak concedes

Rishi Sunak has this morning conceded flights to Rwanda will not take off until after the 2024 snap General Election.

The Prime Minister, who reiterated flights will get off the ground in July, caveated his position by stressing it depends on how the country votes on July 4.

He told LBC: "If I'm re-elected as Prime Minister on July 5, these flights will go, we will get our Rwanda scheme up and running."

The Liberal Democrats instantly put pressure on Sunak after his comments.

Alistair Carmichael, the party’s home affairs spokesman, said: “This is an utter humiliation and admission of defeat from a Prime Minister who has thrown millions at his failing vanity project.

“The Rwanda scheme has been an immoral and expensive disaster from day one. To think that the money already spent on this failing policy could have paid for nearly 7 million GP appointments instead just adds insult to injury.”

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Nadine Dorries urges MPs to 'reflect' as Tories left reeling after ousting Boris Johnson

Former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has renewed her criticism of former Conservative colleagues over their decision to force Boris Johnson out of Downing Street.

Speaking to GB News this morning, the Johnson loyalist said: "It is worth reflecting on where the party was on the day he was removed as Prime Minister."

Dorries added: "There's a big difference between Boris Johnson, Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak.

"He is a campaigner and a winner. Both of those men are not.

"You're going to have the most boring election campaign coming up with two leaders of two parties who just are not campaingers."

The former Mid Bedfordshire MP also highlighted Johnson's successes as London Mayor and during the 2019 General Election campaign.

STUMBLING OUT THE BLOCKS: Tories face worst wipeout in over a century

Rishi Sunak's decision to hold a snap general election could result in the Tory Party's worst election result since 1906.

A Savanta ComRes survey, conducted between May 17 and 19, indicated just 26 per cent of voters were backing the Conservatives.

Labour opened up a 17-point lead, with 43 per cent voicing support for Sir Keir Starmer.

The Liberal Democrats and Reform UK were polling at 10 per cent and nine per cent respectively.

Such a situation would result in Labour returning 443 MPs, a Commons contingent even larger than 1997.

However, the 124 remaining Tory MPs would fall below the 165 returned in 1997 and 131 elected in 1906.

The Liberal Democrats were tipped to return 40 MPs, a significant increase after being reduced to less than a dozen following the Cameron-Clegg Coalition years.

ANALYSIS: GB News' political editor Christopher Hope warns Sunak's big gamble might not pay off

GB News' political editor Christopher Hope has shed some light on Rishi Sunak's snap election gamble.

Hope, who said he was left in "shock" by the Prime Minister's announcement, claimed Conservative plotters were "almost certain to fail".

However, he also highlighted how it is an "indication of the cold fury of many Tory MPs" who were left in the dark by Sunak ahead of yesterday's announcement.

Hope concluded: "Calling a general election from such a dire polling position must represent the biggest political gamble by a sitting Prime Minister in decades. We will know in six weeks if it has paid off."

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RECAP: Disgruntled Tory rebels submit no confidence letters as Sunak calls snap election

A number of Tory MPs have been left seething by Rishi Sunak's decision to call a snap general election.

The Prime Minister might yet face a challenge to his leadership as fresh flurry of no confidence letters were reportedly submitted to 1922 Committee Chairman Sir Graham Brady.

A senior MP told GB News: “Today has clearly been an absolute disaster but the election is NOT irrevocable; up until the point of the Dissolution of Parliament - when the writs are moved to begin the contests, it can still be aborted.

“In other words, if enough Tory MPs, who are clearly going to lose their seats in this already utterly shambolic campaign, write to Sir Graham Brady, tomorrow, the election could still be revoked.”

Another MP said: "This is a disaster - he is condemning the Tory party to election oblivion.”

A third added: "This is absolute madness. The launch was a farce."

Two Cabinet Ministers were also said to have voiced their reservations about Sunak's snap poll.

Common Sense Minister Esther McVey and Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris were initially concerned about the timings of the poll, The Times has revealed.

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Sunak slams 'soft-touch' Starmer over Channel crossing crisis

Rishi Sunak has come out swinging against Sir Keir Starmer over Labour's plan to tackle illegal Channel crossings.

The Prime Minister, who made his Rwanda plan a pillar of his campaign pitch, said: "He thinks we should just offer an amnesty to illegal migrants to make us the soft-touch of Europe.

"It would make us a magnet for thousands of migrants coming from everywhere."

The Labour leader unveiled plans to set up a new Border Security Command to target people-smuggling gangs during a visit to Dover earlier this month.

Despite months of parliamentary ping-pong and a number of legal challenges, Starmer vowed to axe Sunak's Rwanda strategy.