Why this is the strangest of the 11 general elections I have covered
A Conservative campaign advert urging voters to send them into opposition – rather than into third place – is just one humiliation without precedent, says Andrew Grice. And there’s still a fortnight to go in which the governing party can further demean itself.
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Why this is the strangest of the 11 general elections I have covered
A Conservative campaign advert urging voters to send them into opposition – rather than into third place – is just one humiliation without precedent, says Andrew Grice. And there’s still a fortnight to go in which the governing party can further demean itself
Maryam Zakir-Hussain16 June 2024 03:30
Opinion: Keir Starmer’s ‘monumental sandcastle’ could soon be swept away
A Labour government might have a huge majority, but weak foundations, John Rentoul writes:
Keir Starmer’s ‘monumental sandcastle’ could soon be swept away | John Rentoul
A Labour government might have a huge majority, but weak foundations
Maryam Zakir-Hussain16 June 2024 02:30
Disturbing footage of police car ramming cow condemned by home secretary James Cleverly
The home secretary has demanded an explanation after a video showing a cow being rammed by a police vehicle went viral on social media.
The video shows the animal loose in a residential street before the police car knocks it along the tarmac and then drives into it again, pinning it down.
Surrey Police said there had been reports of the cow running at people and damaging cars across Staines-Upon-Thames at around 9pm on Friday.
Disturbing footage of police car ramming cow condemned by home secretary
Minister demands explanation from Surrey Police after cow run down in Staines street
Maryam Zakir-Hussain16 June 2024 01:30
PM attacks Labout over tax
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak again attacked Labour over tax, drawing a contrast between the Tory and Labour manifestos.
Speaking at the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland, he said: “What we’ve seen over the last week is manifestos from both the major parties.
“And the clear choice at this election, between the Conservative manifesto that offers a clear plan to deliver a secure future for Britain, taking bold actions and notably cutting taxes for people at every stage of their lives - for people in work, who are self-employed, buying their first home, families and indeed everyone who is retired as well.
“In contrast, no ideas from the Labour Party, just higher taxes - £2,000 worth of higher taxes for every working family - I don’t want to see that happen.
“That’s the choice at this election.”
Labour has denied it has any plans to increase taxes by £2,000 over the course of the parliament.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain16 June 2024 00:30
Voters’ trust in Tories on tax plummets as Rishi Sunak’s final election gambit fails
Trust in the Tories on tax has collapsed, a new poll has revealed, in another massive blow to Rishi Sunak as he tries to turn his party’s fortunes around with less than three weeks to go.
According to an exclusive poll by Techne UK for The Independent, Sir Keir Starmer has a trust rating of more than double Mr Sunak as postal votes are sent out this weekend in a crucial stage of the election.
It comes after the Tories put all their efforts into using tax as the key dividing issue and launched an assault on Labour’s plans in a last-ditch effort to stop Sir Keir winning power with “a supermajority” on 4 July.
Voters’ trust in Tories on tax plummets as Rishi Sunak’s final election gambit fails
Exclusive: A new poll has revealed that trust in the Tories on tax has collapsed as the party deserately tries to use the issue to stop a Labour “supermajority”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 June 2024 23:30
Sunak confident Tories will not come third at general election after latest damaging poll
Rishi Sunak has rejected suggestions the Conservatives will come in third place behind Reform UK at the general election, after a new demoralising poll for the party.
Speaking to reporters on the final day of the G7 summit in Italy, the prime minister said there was plenty of time for a “comeback” and the choice between the Tories and Labour will “crystallise for people between now and polling day”.
His comments come after a devastating YouGov poll for the prime minister which has Nigel Farage’s party at 19 per cent and the Conservatives on 18 per cent in voting intention.
Sunak confident Tories will not come third at election after latest damaging poll
Speaking at the G7 summit in Italy the PM said there was plenty of time for a ‘comeback’ for the Tories
Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 June 2024 22:30
Green Party removes HIV image from online manifesto after backlash
The Green Party has removed an image of a coughing man from its online manifesto after a backlash over its depiction of people with HIV.
The image appeared in an easy read version of the environmentalist party’s manifesto in the section describing its pledge to end HIV transmission by 2030.
However, the left-wing party were accused of being “misleading” for using the image by social media users.
Green Party removes HIV image from online manifesto after backlash
Party were accused of being ‘misleading’ for using the image of a coughing man to illustrate section on HIV in its online manifesto
Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 June 2024 21:30
Labour and Nigel Farage accuse Tories of Rwanda ‘con’ over new voluntary flights
Concerns have been raised that the government plans to fly two migrants to Rwanda next week in a bid to influence the general election result.
The Independent understands plans are in place to fly a person from Nigeria and another from Pakistan, who are in the UK illegally, to the East African country before the election on 4 July.
The flight, if it takes place, would be on the voluntary scheme rather than the deportation plan, which Rishi Sunak legislated for before the election.
Labour and Nigel Farage accuse Tories of Rwanda ‘con’ over new voluntary flights
Exclusive: Plans are in place to fly two more migrants to Rwanda in the next week, The Independent understands
Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 June 2024 20:30
Keir Starmer denies he is hostile to those who use private healthcare
Keir Starmer has denied he is hostile to those who pay for private healthcare after he said he would never make that choice.
The Labour leader said he “completely understand why people would go private”.
His comments come a week after he was challenged on the issue in the first televised election leaders debate.
Keir Starmer denies he is hostile to those who use private healthcare
Labour leader also said he was prepared to make enemies by reforming the planning system
Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 June 2024 19:30
Starmer wins TV debate and Farage’s Reform triumph: Key moments from election campaign trail – week four
It’s been another topsy-turvy week on the campaign trail as the political parties released their election manifestos to try and compete for your vote at the general election on 4 July.
The Independent has pinpointed these key moments:
Key moments from election campaign trail – week four
It was enough tough week for prime minister Rishi Sunak after yet another gaffe and more troubling polling, with just weeks to go until polling day on 4 July
Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 June 2024 18:30
