Tories and Reform now TIED in major part of UK as Farage handed huge boost

Labour says Sunak is 'ducking the cameras'

Shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth said: “If Rishi Sunak is going to come out with yet another desperate wish list of manifesto proposals this weekend, the least he can do is face up to proper public scrutiny over how he plans to pay for them, what the impact on people’s finances will be, and when he intends to deliver on the first set of pledges he made to the British people 18 months ago.

“But instead, he has spent the day ducking the cameras and dodging all those legitimate questions – just another farcical episode in this calamitous Conservative campaign.

"It’s time to turn the page on this chaos, and vote for change with Labour on 4 July."

Seven in 10 say Rishi Sunak leaving D-Day commemorations early was 'unacceptable'

A snap Savanta poll for the Telegraph found that 68 per cent of the UK public said it is "unacceptable" that Rishi Sunak left D-Day commemorations early.

Savanta’s political research director Chris Hopkins said: "Rishi Sunak’s actions this week may well go down as the greatest act of electoral self-harm in modern UK political history.

"Our snap poll suggests that his decision to leave D-Day commemorations early are roundly deemed unacceptable by the majority of the electorate, including 61 per cent of 2019 Conservatives. Whether they vote Conservative again remains to be seen.

"Because so much of the Conservatives’ electoral strategy was pinned on older, Reform UK-curious supporters, Sunak is uniquely vulnerable to upsetting this group of voters. How this will impact voting intention polls is genuinely unknown, because this situation is unprecedented."

Liberal Democrats pledge to create three new national parks in England

This manifesto commitment would bring the number of national parks in England up to 13, with the party proposing to spend £50 million a year maintaining them.

The Chilterns in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire are listed as a possible location for the new parks, in addition to the Mendips, Cotswolds and Quantocks.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: "Our National Parks are some of the most beautiful parts of our country, and that’s why I’m delighted that Liberal Democrats will create three new National Parks across England. This Conservative party has broken too many promises to protect our countryside.

"Over the last few weeks, whilst travelling the country, I have heard from people about how important natural spaces are to families. It is hard to overstate the difference things like National Parks can make to entire communities.

"Liberal Democrats promise to create new National Parks, which could include areas like the Chilterns, as well as ensuring that our existing parks, beloved by people across the country, are protected for generations to come."

Rishi Sunak ducks media questions as D-Day snub backlash rolls on

Rishi Sunak appeared to be avoiding media questions on Saturday’s campaign trail as criticism continued over his early return from D-Day commemorations in Normandy.

An opportunity for reporters to quiz the Prime Minister did not take place as was originally planned, with the Tories citing time constraints, as he toured County Durham and Yorkshire.

He spoke with volunteers away from public view at a walled garden at Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland, before attending a village fete in Great Ayton, a North Yorkshire village in his Richmond constituency.

Full list of candidates standing in Richmond:

• Jason Barnett - Independent
• Count Binface - Count Binface Party
• Daniel George Callaghan - Liberal Democrats
• Angie Campion - Independent
• Louise Ann Dickens - Workers Party of Britain
• Kevin Foster - Green Party
• Rio Goldhammer - Yorkshire Party
• Niko Omilana - Independent
• Brian Neil Richmond - Independent
• Sir Archibald Stanton - Official Monster Raving Loony Party
• Rishi Sunak - Conservative and Unionist Party
• Lee Martin Taylor - Reform UK
• Tom Wilson - Labour Party

Ashfield is 'awkward' when it comes to the polls, says Gloria De Piero

Gloria De Piero has said that Ashfield can be quite 'awkward' when it comes to elections and voting patterns.

The 51-year-old has called on the candidates "not to take the seat for granted" ahead of the General Election on July 4.

She added that Labour could see the benefits of Conservatives and Reform UK "splitting" the right-wing vote.

READ THE GB NEWS EXCLUSIVE HERE

Farage addresses nation as Reform UK membership passes 40,000

BREAKING

Reform UK membership has reached 40,000 in the last hour. Something is happening out here.

Join us here: https://t.co/qa2B0cyD7B pic.twitter.com/R93ZH45YY2

— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) June 8, 2024

Tories and Reform TIED in major part of UK, new polling shows

Labour leads by 27% in Wales.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Welsh Westminster Voting Intention (5-7 June):

Labour 45% (+2)
Reform UK 18% (+3)
Conservative 18% (-1)
Plaid Cymru 11% (-3)
Liberal Democrat 5% (+2)
Green 4% (-2)
Other 0% (-1)

Changes +/- 18-19 Mayhttps://t.co/SacYvDuwCs pic.twitter.com/lWWsl81Qz3

— Redfield & Wilton Strategies (@RedfieldWilton) June 8, 2024

Nigel Farage branded ‘clear winner’ of second TV debate

Nigel Farage has been branded the “clear winner” of the second TV debate.

In multiple polls following the debate, viewers cast their vote on who they think won the fierce televised event.

According to one poll of 1,031 people, conducted by More in Common, 25 per cent of viewers found Farage was the clear winner.

In the same poll, Rayner pulled in second place with 19 per cent, with ‘no clear winner’ being voted on by 14 per cent (Denyer - 11 per cent; Flynn - 10 per cent; Mordaunt - 7 per cent; Cooper - 5 per cent; ap Iowerth - 2 per cent; Don’t know - 8 per cent).

A second poll conducted by the Telegraph also came to the same result with Nigel Farage.

The Telegraph poll of 68,440 people found Farage was the winner of the second TV debate with 58 per cent of the vote.

However, the other results were more mixed as Penny Mordaunt came in second with 17 per cent and Angela Rayner in third with 10 per cent.

Richard Tice accuses Tories  of 'dirty tricks'

Reform UK chairman Richard Tice has accused the Tory party of "dirty tricks" after one of his party’s candidates withdrew his papers to stand at the last minute.

Tom Wellings, the Reform candidate for the new seat of Stone, Great Wryly and Penkridge in Staffordshire, quit and put out a statement endorsing Sir Gavin Williamson.

He said: "The polls indicate that Labour is close to winning the seat in our constituency. This is a matter of deep concern to me and should be to anyone who supports the policies and agenda of Reform UK.

"Given the current political landscape, my continued candidacy risks splitting the vote, thereby increasing the chances of a Labour MP being elected.

"Therefore, I have decided to support Gavin Williamson who has considerable experience in Government. I am confident Gavin is well positioned to effectively challenge a leftwing Labour Government."

In response, Tice demanded to know if Welling had been offered money, jobs or any other benefits.

He said: "Wellings put his papers in on Wednesday, then in the last hour without telling us withdrew them.

"I am challenging Gavin Williamson to say whether money, jobs or a safe seat was offered to Wellings to do this."

Swinney claims Sunak's credibility 'completely destroyed' following D-Day move

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has "completely destroyed" his credibility by leaving D-Day commemorations early, John Swinney has said.

The Prime Minister came under fire for leaving the 80th anniversary of events in Normandy early to record a TV election interview, with Commons leader Penny Mordaunt describing it as "completely wrong".

Scotland’s First Minister said Sunak "deserted his duties as Prime Minister" and suggested voters will punish his Conservative Party at the General Election on July 4.

The SNP leader told journalists during a campaign event in Livingston: "I think Rishi Sunak’s credibility is completely destroyed by his departure from D-Day early and the insult he delivered to the veterans who had travelled to Normandy for that solemn occasion.

"It also, frankly, was a desertion of the international responsibilities of the Prime Minister.

"The Prime Minister, and especially the Conservative election campaign, is now utterly in tatters."

Pay-per-mile road tax and Ulez expansion ‘ruled out’

The Transport Secretary has ruled out pay-per-mile road taxes for drivers which would see drivers charged unfairly for travel.

Speaking on GB News, Mark Harper reassured the public that he will “back motorists” and not introduce more taxes.

As the election race lingers on, Harper detailed how the Conservatives pledge to bring down costs for drivers.

Harper also promised to reverse the Ulez expansion which was rolled out last year and is in place across the whole of London.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Reform deputy leader blasts ‘London-centric’ audience amid bias claims

Reform UK Deputy Leader David Bull has criticised the BBC’s audience for its General Election debate, claiming it had a “London-centric” feel.

Angry social media users hit out at the broadcaster over claims of “bias” after a comment criticising Brexit was met with rapturous applause.

WATCH DAVID BULL'S COMMENTS IN THE CLIP ABOVE AND READ THE FULL STORY HERE

POLL: Do you think the TV Election Debate audience was biased?

The audience at the BBC's television election debate has been slammed as "biased" after an anti-Brexit attack received a huge round of applause.

Angry social media users shared their outrage online and demanded Ofcom take action.

Reaction on social media erupted at the audience.

Nick Dixon wrote: "The audience are so against Farage I’m getting flashbacks to playing Jongleurs Portsmouth."

VOTE IN OUR POLL HERE

Sunak 'hands Labour victory' with D-Day 'mistake' 

Rishi Sunak has 'handed Labour victory' with his D-Day mistake.

During the second TV Election Debate last night, Penny Mordaunt seemingly piled in on the criticism of the PM for abandoning D-Day veterans in Normandy.

She said: "What happened was completely wrong. And the Prime Minister has rightly apologised for that.

"But also to all of us because he was representing all of us."

She added: "I think what happened was very wrong. I think the Prime Minister has apologised for that. But what I also think is important is we honour their legacy."

Speaking to Anne Diamond and Stephen Dixon, Alex Petropoulos suggested Labour's plans might be more ambitious than what is openly said.

Diamond asked: "Is everything being handed on a plate at the moment to Labour?

"They're playing it very carefully. You can tell, even though, I mean Angela Rayner did get quite excited from time to time, but they're playing it very, very carefully, whereas the Tories just seem to be missing everything up, don't they Alex?"

Petropoulos replied: "I think Labour are definitely playing it carefully. I think that they're almost being restricted and they're restricting themselves in the sense that they want to have sort of drawn this battle line with the Tories. But I think that in reality, their plans might be more ambitious than they say they are.

"Their plans might be slightly different from what they say now, but they feel the need that they can't actually share the full extent or be honest with the British public about, you know, the fact that public finances are kind of in the muck right now and, and aren't able and won't be able to get better for a couple of years.

"I think that there like more serious debates to be having. And there was this criticism thrown from lots of the smaller parties that the Tories and that Labour were in this coalition of silence that were not being honest with the British public."

WATCH THE FULL CLIP ABOVE