General election latest: Labour under pressure to explain why £2,000 tax hike claim is wrong
Reform has surged to within just two points of the Conservatives in the latest YouGov poll following the return of Nigel Farage as leader.
Mr Farage’s party is up by two percentage points to 17 per cent, with the Conservatives down two on 19 per cent.
Labour is down six to 40 per cent, meaning its lead is now 21 points in the wake of YouGov changing its methodology and the former Ukip leader making a sensational return to frontline politics.
The poll was carried out on Monday, when Mr Farage announced his comeback, and Tuesday, the day of the first head-to-head TV debate between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer.
Responding to the poll, Mr Farage wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “We’re just getting started.”
The Liberal Democrats are on 10 per cent and the Greens seven per cent.
You can follow the latest updates below and join the conversation in the comments section here. [1]
5:31PM [2]YouGov: Reform surge not related to our methodology change
To show what impact the new methodology has had on voting intention, we have run our previous poll on the new methodology to show what difference it makes, as well as running this most recent poll on the previous methodology Labour’s vote share is lower under the new methodology.
This is partly down to the method change, although their vote share would have decreased whichever method we used. Fieldwork was all conducted after Nigel Farage announced he was standing as a candidate; Reform UK’s vote share rose 3pts regardless of which methodology was used, and so their increase in vote is not related to the methodology change.
The Conservative vote share has also fallen regardless of which methodology was used, so the decrease is again not related to the methodology change The Lib Dem vote is 2pts higher under the new methodology than the old one - but whichever methodology is used, the results are consistent with the previous survey. This means that our new higher figure for the Lib Dems is as a result of the methodology change
5:30PM [3]The rise of Reform after Farage re-entered the fray
[embedded content] 5:28PM [4]Gething has ‘lost the confidence’ of Welsh public
Vaughan Gething has “lost the confidence” of both the Senedd and the Welsh public after losing a confidence vote, the leader of the Welsh Conservatives said.
Mr Gething, the Labour First Minister of Wales, lost by 29 votes to 27.
Andrew RT Davies, the Welsh Tory leader, said: “Vaughan Gething has lost the confidence of the people of Wales.
“He has lost the confidence of the Senedd. The only person who is still batting for Vaughan Gething is Keir Starmer.”
5:26PM [5]Breaking: Vaughan Gething loses no confidence vote
Vaughan Gething has lost a no confidence vote in the Welsh Senedd in a fresh blow for Labour.
The First Minister of Wales, a close ally of Sir Keir Starmer, is under pressure to resign over a series of scandals during his short stint in office.
The vote had been called by the Tories although Mr Vaughan had vowed to ignore the result in the event of a defeat, insisting it was non-binding.
You can follow the latest on this story here[6]
5:25PM [7]Reform chairman Richard Tice: ‘BOOM... Just getting started’
This from Richard Tice, the Reform UK chairman who stepped down as party leader on Monday to allow Nigel Farage to return as leader:
BOOM
17% for @reformparty_uk[8]
Only 2 points behind Tories latest YouGov
Just warming up….. https://t.co/c52IY6ehPy[9]
— Richard Tice 🇬🇧 (@TiceRichard) June 5, 2024[10] 5:21PM [11]Farage reacts: ‘We’re just getting started’
We're just getting started. https://t.co/H74gW3q6tb[12]
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) June 5, 2024[13] 5:20PM [14]Sunak and Starmer agree to Sky News debate
Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer have agreed to a televised Sky News event on June 12.
They will travel to Grimsby, in the heart of the ‘Red Wall’ constituencies which were crucial to the landslide Tory victory at the last election in 2019, for an in-depth interview followed by audience questions.
5:10PM [15]Reform up to 17 per cent in the polls
Mr Farage’s party is up by two percentage points to 17 per cent, with the Conservatives down two on 19 per cent.
Labour is down six to 40 per cent, meaning its lead is now 21 points in the wake of YouGov changing its methodology and the former Ukip leader making a sensational return to frontline politics.
The poll was carried out on Monday, when Mr Farage announced his comeback, and Tuesday, the day of the first head-to-head TV debate between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer.
The Liberal Democrats are on 10 per cent and the Greens seven per cent.
5:04PM [16]Reform surges to within just two points of the Tories in latest poll
Reform surges to within just two points of the Conservatives in the latest YouGov poll following the return of Nigel Farage.
4:58PM [17]Tories take up Labour’s offer of tax-themed TV debate
The Tories have accepted a challenge from Labour’s Darren Jones to hold a TV debate to clear up two parties’ claims against each other on tax., writes our Chief Political Correspondent Nick Gutteridge.
A Conservative spokesman told The Telegraph that the party would be happy to up a minister against the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury.
Mr Jones earlier told the Telegraph he would be “very happy” to take on a top Tory over their claims Labour is plotting a £2,000 tax raid on every Briton.
He said: “Quite frankly, on these dossiers, I’d be very happy to sit down with a Conservative counterpart. If they want to sit down with me, we can do it on TV. We’ll go through it line by line.”
A Tory spokesman defended their claims and added: “Of course we accept. Mr Jones is clearly unaware of the pledges his bosses have been making.”
4:48PM [18]Momentum: Starmer’s stitch ups have backfired once again
Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of creating an “almighty mess for Labour” by deselecting Faiza Shaheen.
Ms Shaheen was blocked from standing for Sir Keir’s party after allegedly liking social media posts that downplayed anti-Semitism accusations, only to announce this afternoon (see 16:10) that she will now run as an independent.
A spokesman for Momentum said: “Once again, Keir Starmer’s hyper-factional war on the Left has created an almighty mess for Labour. A week ago Labour had a respected, popular, local candidate democratically selected by local party members in Chingford.
“But instead of supporting her, Starmer’s allies decided to purge Faiza on spurious grounds and parachute in one of their own clique from outside the constituency.”
“Outrageously, the grounds cited to block Faiza included her discussion of her own experiences of Islamophobia within the party, in a textbook case of institutional racism. Now what should have been a slam dunk has turned into a massive challenge for Labour. Starmer’s stitch ups have backfired once again.”
4:41PM [19]Vaughan Gething cries in the chamber
Vaughan Gething, the First Minister of Wales, has cried in the chamber as he faces a no confidence vote in his leadership this evening, our Chief Political Correspondent Nick Gutteridge reports.
The senior Labour politician, a close ally of Sir Keir Starmer, is under pressure to resign over a series of scandals during his short stint in office.
Today’s no confidence vote in the First Minister has been called by the Tories, though he has vowed to ignore the result if he loses, saying it is non-binding.
Extraordinary. Vaughan Gething appears to be in tears as Senedd MS' debate on the vote of no confidence in his leadership. pic.twitter.com/as2o22Nbni[20]
— Hannah Woodward (@hanwo0dward) June 5, 2024[21]During the debate he was defended by Vikki Howells, his Labour colleague, who branded the motion a “travesty” and said she was “proud” of his record.
As she spoke Mr Gething appeared to break down in tears, being comforted by Jane Hutt, his chief whip, before wiping away tears with a tissue.
4:27PM [22]Sir Ed Davey drums up support on care home visit
The Liberal Democrat leader played along to Queen’s We Will Rock You while campaigning today:
Banging the drum for Liberalism. 🔶 pic.twitter.com/wDCwyUb5CT[23]
— Liberal Democrats (@LibDems) June 5, 2024[24] 4:18PM [25]Starmer: I won’t raise inheritance tax or corporation tax
The Labour leader has said he has no plans to raise inheritance tax, reports Amy Gibbons.
Asked whether he would rule out an increase in the levy, Sir Keir Starmer told reporters in Portsmouth inheritance tax was “completely different” to other forms of taxation.
“We have no plans to raise inheritance tax,” he insisted. “In fact none of our plans involve tax rises over and above the ones we’ve spelt out because all of our plans are fully costed and fully funded.
“And it is very important that I get across that we will not be increasing tax on working people, so no increase in income tax, in National Insurance or VAT.”
He also confirmed corporation tax would not increase, adding: “We’ve said that we will not raise corporation tax and we’ve locked that in for the entirety of the incoming parliament if we’re privileged enough to come into power that’s already been set out some time ago by Rachel Reeves. I’m very happy to confirm it here today.”
4:14PM [26]Vaughan Gething confidence vote is ‘gameplaying’, says Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer declined to say whether Vaughan Gething should resign if he loses a confidence vote in the Senedd later, writes Amy Gibbons.
Asked about the ballot on the future of Labour’s Welsh First Minister, Sir Keir said: “Well, I think it’s really important to see this for what it is. It’s gameplaying by the Conservatives, with Plaid playing along as well.
“What Vaughan Gething wants to do is to deliver for the people of Wales. And I think people in Wales want him to deliver for them. So that’s where his priority is. And that’s where my priority is.”
When pressed on whether Mr Gething should resign, Sir Keir said: “Look, it’s gameplaying by politicians in Wales. He wants to get on to deliver for the people of Wales, he’s right about that.”
4:10PM [27]Breaking: Faiza Shaheen to run as independent against Labour
An axed Left-wing Labour candidate will now run against Sir Keir Starmer’s party after resigning as a member in a fresh blow to the opposition.
Faiza Shaheen was blocked from standing for Labour at the general election[28] on July 4 after she allegedly liked a series of social media posts that downplayed anti-Semitism accusations.
Ms Shaheen was initially selected to represent Sir Keir Starmer’s party in Chingford and Woodford Green in north-east London, where she has now confirmed she will stand as an independent:
I am standing as an independent candidate for Chingford & Woodford Green at the General Election on 4 July.
For more info: https://t.co/JNQ62RjmrX[29]
Sign up to volunteer: https://t.co/2t6uTsMJLh[30]
Let's do this! pic.twitter.com/2kZilbGlGY[31]
— Faiza Shaheen (@faizashaheen) June 5, 2024[32] 4:10PM [33]Keir Starmer: I won’t ‘criticise’ private school parents
Asked whether it was wrong as a “matter of principle” to “jump the queue” through using private healthcare or private education, Sir Keir Starmer said he was “not going to criticise anybody” who saved for their children’s schooling, writes Amy Gibbons.
“I understand many families work hard, save hard in order to be able to do so,” the Labour leader said.
“Equally with private health. But when it comes to the health service, I fundamentally believe in the NHS. My mum was very, very ill for all of her life.
“I know what acute care looks like because I’ve been there with my mum in high dependency units and I have every faith and confidence in relation to acute care in the NHS.”
4:01PM [34]Starmer accuses Sunak of breaking Ministerial Code with ‘lies’ over £2,000
Sir Keir Starmer has accused Rishi Sunak of breaking the Ministerial Code through “lies” about Labour planning to raise every household’s taxes by £2,000, writes our Political Correspondent Amy Gibbons.
The Labour leader said claims made by the Prime Minister in Tuesday’s head-to-head debate were “a flash of his character”
The Conservatives are arguing Labour has made £38.5 billion in unfunded spending pledges, the equivalent to £2,094 per working household over the next four years. Labour has issued a list of 11 challenges to the Tory analysis in response.
Speaking to LBC Radio in Portsmouth, Sir Keir said: “He breached the ministerial code because he lied. And he lied deliberately, because we have made clear that our plans are fully costed, fully funded, they do not involve tax rises for working people.
“So that’s no income tax rise, no national insurance rise, no VAT rise. And the Prime Minister with his back against the wall, desperately trying to defend his awful record in office resorted to lies and he knew what he was doing, he knew very well what he was doing.”
He added: “What you saw last night was a Prime Minister with his back against the wall desperately trying to defend 14 years of failure, resorting – and it was a flash of his character, an insight into his character – to lies. I don’t say that lightly.”
3:49PM [35]Sunak speaks to Narendra Modi
Rishi Sunak has spoken to Narendra Modi after the Indian prime minister won the election but lost an overall majority for the first time.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, this afternoon.
“The Prime Minister began by congratulating Prime Minister Modi on his election victory and wished him every success for his third term.
“The leaders reflected on the strength of the UK-India relationship and agreed that this will continue to grow in the future.
“Both agreed to stay in touch and looked forward to seeing each other at the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Italy next week.”
3:39PM [36]Former Just Stop Oil donor Dale Vince hands £5m to Labour
Green energy tycoon Dale Vince has donated £5m to Labour as he looks to bolster the Opposition’s war chest ahead of the general election.
The former Just Stop Oil donor has recently ramped up his contributions to Sir Keir Starmer’s party, handing over £1m the day after Rishi Sunak called the election on May 22.
This comes after previous instalments of £500,000 and £1m earlier in the year.
Mr Vince told the Financial Times that his latest donations mean he has now given Labour at least £5m.
Eir Nolsøe has the full story here[37]
3:32PM [38]Breaking: Woman charged after milkshake thrown at Farage
A woman has been charged with assault by beating and criminal damage after a milkshake was thrown at Nigel Farage.
Victoria Thomas Bowen, 25, is alleged to have thrown a McDonald’s drink at the Reform party leader on his first day campaigning to become the new MP for Clacton on Tuesday.
3:18PM [39]Grassroots Tories revolt as party Chairman handed safe seat in ‘stitch up’
The Chairman of the Conservative Party has been handed a safe Tory seat in a process which local activists have condemned as a “stitch up”, my colleague Will Hazell reports.
Richard Holden – whose seat in the north east has been scrapped under boundary changes – has been parachuted into the constituency of Basildon and Billericay in Essex, two sources have told The Telegraph.
Mr Holden pictured arriving at Downing Street for a Cabinet meeting last month
Credit: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu
One former Tory MP said that candidates elsewhere in the country were “raging” at Mr Holden for being allowed to carry out the “chicken run” to the safe seat. An ally of Rishi Sunak, Mr Holden was elected to North West Durham in 2019 and in November 2023 was promoted to the Cabinet as party Chairman.
However, with his Durham seat abolished, he has been on the hunt for a safe seat[40] elsewhere in the country and now appears to have made use of Tory selection rules which allow a single candidate to be imposed on a constituency close to a general election.
Isabel Oakeshott: Keir Starmer is either a liar or a fool
Asked during his televised debate with Rishi Sunak whether he would use private healthcare to help a relative waiting for NHS treatment, Sir Keir Starmer claimed that he absolutely would not, writes Isabel Oakeshott.
His wife works at one of the big hospitals, he explained, and the NHS “runs through his DNA”. Come again? Is the Labour leader crazy; cruel; or just unable to break free from the cult of the NHS?
Inside the temple, it can be hard to hear what’s going on outside, so let me help Sir Keir with some breaking news: this religion is falling; the infidels are gathering at the gate.
If he looks and listens, he will hear the noise. Following the madness of the pandemic, public satisfaction with the NHS has plummeted to its lowest level on record, with less than a quarter of those questioned saying they are satisfied with the service. Back in 2010, that figure, in the long-running British Social Attitudes Survey, was 70 per cent.
Confronted by the ugly reality about what has always been a brilliant idea but is no longer fit for purpose, the British public has finally stopped kidding itself.
Isabel Oakeshott: The public no longer believes the NHS is the envy of the world[43]
3:00PM [44]Comment: ‘Farage is making a major strategic blunder’
Nigel Farage has burst back onto the political scene with the same power and impact as the atomic bomb, writes Sam Collins.
The next two days, before nominations close, are likely to provide his greatest opportunity to influence Britain’s future. But there is a risk he is making a terrible strategic decision that will harm the very same causes that he claims to support.
Many voters will sympathise with Reform’s desire at this election to “destroy the Conservative Party”. Many will have spent much of the last 14 years wondering when the “conservative” part of the Conservative-led Government was going to show up.
Nigel Farage posing with a McDonald's milkshake as he laughed off a drink being thrown over him in Clacton yesterday
Credit: Carl Court/Getty
A number of Reform pledges – leaving the European Convention on Human Rights, repealing Net Zero, slashing the quangocracy and returning power to democratically accountable politicians – ought to be Tory pledges, ones that will deliver prosperity and freedom.
But given the almost certain outcome of this general election, Reform risks taking the same wrong-headed approach that it did in 2019.
Sam Collins: Reform must make a pact with the Tories[45]
2:54PM [46]Lee Anderson fighting to keep Ashfield for Reform
It's Official.
I'm the @reformparty_uk[47] candidate in Ashfield.
500 quid deposit paid and the Peoples Army is on the march.
We will get our country back 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/1wviaSRTZ5[48]
— Lee Anderson - Reform candidate (@LeeAndersonMP_) June 5, 2024[49] 2:50PM [50]IDS: Teach D-Day in schools to avoid world war
Sir Iain Duncan Smith has suggested that teaching D-Day in schools is crucial to ensuring a new world war does not break out with Russia and China, writes Milad Sherzad.
Ahead of the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings on June 6, the former Conservative leader said the Second World War happened because “politicians failed to see the threat and deal with it early”.
Sir Iain, who has been the MP for Chingford and Woodford Green since 1997, referenced his father, Wilfrid Duncan Smith, who was a pilot and fought in the south of France during the summer of 1944.
Speaking on The Daily T podcast, he said: “My father never forgave the politicians - except for Churchill - for failing and for him losing a lot of friends. He said, I’ll never forgive them for not taking the decisions they had to take… we need never have been in this war.”
You can read the full story here[51]
2:45PM [52]Labour under pressure over £2,000 tax rise claim
Labour is under pressure to explain why they wouldn’t raise every household’s taxes by £2,000, writes our Political Editor Ben Riley-Smith.
The Conservatives claim Labour has made £38.5 billion in unfunded spending pledges, the equivalent to £2,094 per working household over the next four years. Rishi Sunak used the figure, based in part on civil service workings, to attack Sir Keir Starmer in the first leaders’ debate on ITV on Tuesday night.
Labour has tried to refute the claim today, highlighting a letter from the Treasury which notes that the Tory claims “should not be presented as having been produced by the Civil Service”. They have also issued a list of 11 challenges to the Tory analysis.
But the Tories have hit back by pointing out that every costing figure used in their analysis except for one came from the Treasury or numbers put out by Labour themselves.
Conservative Party figures are arguing that Labour, despite labelling the claim as a “lie”, has not set out a detailed explanation for the estimated gap in spending.
Laura Trott, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said: “We have tried to be extremely reasonable in these assumptions and very, very transparent in terms of how they were put across.”
2:35PM [53]Good afternoon
Dominic Penna here, The Telegraph’s Political Correspondent, guiding you through the rest of day 14 of the general election campaign.
2:24PM [54]Tory assessment of Labour tax plans ‘extremely reasonable’, insists minister
A Tory minister said the Conservatives had been “extremely reasonable” in their assessment of the potential tax impact of Labour’s policy plans.
Laura Trott, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, told broadcasters this afternoon: “We have tried to be extremely reasonable in these assumptions and very, very transparent in terms of how they were put across.”
2:20PM [55]Laura Trott: ‘Independent analysis’ underpins Tories’ tax claim
Laura Trott said “independent analysis” had shown Labour has a “£38 billion blackhole” in its spending plans.
Asked about the Tories’ claim that Labour would increase taxes by £2,000, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury told broadcasters this afternoon: “What is absolutely clear is that due to independent analysis Labour have a £38 billion blackhole in their policies.
“That will lead to £2,000 of extra taxes for every family up and down the United Kingdom.
“This is underpinned overwhelmingly by HMT, analysis, Treasury analysis, so if people think that the Labour Party are going to win this election, they need to start saving.”
2:16PM [56]Sunak branded ‘desperate liar’ as migrant Channel crossings reach record high
More than 40,000 migrants have crossed the Channel since Rishi Sunak pledged to stop the boats, with the numbers rising by 40 per cent to a record 10,745 so far this year, according to Home Office figures.
Labour claimed the numbers blew apart Mr Sunak’s claims that small boat arrivals were coming down, although the Tories maintained the figures for crossings over the past 12 months were still down on the previous year.
The Home Office confirmed that 234 migrants crossed the Channel yesterday, with the total number this year at 10,745, compared with 7,610 at the same time last year.
You can read the full story here. [57]
2:01PM [58]Conservative chairman ‘parachuted in’ to stand in Tory safe seat in Essex
The chairman of the Conservative Party has been imposed on a safe Tory seat as the sole candidate in a process which local activists have condemned as a “stitch up”, writes Will Hazell.
Richard Holden - whose seat in the North East has been abolished - has parachuted himself into Basildon and Billericay in Essex, two sources have told The Telegraph.
One former Tory MP said that candidates elsewhere in the country were “raging” at Mr Holden for being allowed to carry out the “chicken run” to the safe seat.
An ally of Rishi Sunak, Mr Holden was elected to North West Durham in 2019 and in November 2023 was promoted to the Cabinet as Tory Party chairman.
However, with his Durham seat scrapped under boundary changes, he has been on the hunt for a safe seat elsewhere in the country.
1:55PM [59]Lord O’Donnell: Civil servants costing up opposition policies a ‘grubby process’
Telling civil servants to estimate the cost of opposition parties’ policies is one of the “grubbiest processes” in Whitehall, a former top mandarin has said.
Lord Gus O’Donnell, who served as head of the Civil Service from 2005 to 2011 and is now a crossbench peer, told the BBC Radio 4 World At One programme: “These costings – which to be honest are one of the grubbiest processes I’ve ever been involved in, and I hope to goodness that a future government will stop doing this because they’re done by both parties, right? Conservative and Labour have done them, I’ve done them – many of these during my career. I hated every second working on these.
“You have to produce costings. Ministers tell you to produce these costings on some assumptions they give you, which are dodgy assumptions designed to make the policy look as bad as possible.
“You’re required to do this… The Civil Service is not acting independently here – they’re acting as a Civil Service that is required by the existing rules to basically provide costings on an assumption provided to them by the Government. It’s totally not independent – it’s just what the Government told them to do, and they do it.”
1:47PM [60]Labour label Sunak ‘liar, liar’ in new social media attack ad
Labour labelled Rishi Sunak “liar, lair” in a new social media attack advert amid a row over the Tories’ claim that the opposition would increase taxes by £2,000.
The party claimed Mr Sunak’s campaign was “built on lies”:
Rishi Sunak lied to you about partygate.
His election campaign is built on lies.
He lied on NHS waiting lists. Small boats. The cost of living.
You just can't trust him. pic.twitter.com/qpmQuMhbgb[61]
— The Labour Party (@UKLabour) June 5, 2024[62] 1:42PM [63]Farage: We have the most boring leaders in history
Nigel Farage, the Reform leader, has delivered his verdict on last night’s TV debate between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer.
Writing in a piece for The Telegraph, Mr Farage said:
Overall, the evening was pretty uninspiring. Where have all the great characters gone? I am convinced that very few people in the country will have changed their minds as a result of this set piece debate.
The election continues in many ways to be the dullest we have seen in living memory. I do hope that perhaps I have done something this week[64] to liven things up.
You can Mr Farage’s piece in full here. [65]
1:14PM [66]Farage return ‘significantly increases odds’ of Reform winning seats, says polling expert
Nigel Farage’s return to the political front-line could boost Reform’s chances of winning as many as four seats at the general election, a polling expert has suggested.
Patrick English, YouGov’s director of political analytics, told The Independent: “I do think that Farage intervening significantly increases the odds of Reform UK winning one, perhaps even two seats in Westminster.
“You might even put an upper band of four on that, depending on what exactly happens between now and 4 July.”
Mr Farage tweeted in response: “Now YouGov says Reform UK can win seats at the election. Something is happening out there.”
1:06PM [67]Think tank rebukes Tories over £2,000 tax claim
A think tank cited in analysis used by the Tories to back up their claim that Labour will increase taxes by £2,000 has said using its work to partly justify the figure is “misleading”.
A report by the Institute for Government is referenced in documents from Treasury officials examining the possible costs of insourcing of public services, one of the policies that the Tories say would contribute to a £38 billion black hole under Labour.
But Nick Davies, of the think tank, said that “to use IFG research to partially justify this figure is misleading”.
In a post on Twitter, Mr Davies wrote: “The evidence base for cost savings from outsourcing is limited and cant be applied to all services that might be outsourced.
“We make this clear in our analysis but the Conservative party’s assumptions ignore this.”
12:54PM [68]Pictured: Kate Forbes visits a pottery studio on the campaign trail in Linlithgow
Kate Forbes, the Deputy First Minister of Scotland and SNP MSP, is pictured today visiting Maisie Gray Pottery and Crafts in Linlithgow, Scotland
Credit: Jeff J Mitchell /Getty Images Scotland
12:36PM
[69]
Nigel Farage confirmed as one of seven leaders taking part in BBC debate
Nigel Farage will represent Reform in a BBC election debate featuring representatives frrom seven parties, the broadcaster has just confirmed.
The first BBC election debate, set to take place on Friday this week, will feature:
- Penny Mordaunt – Conservative Party
- Angela Rayner – Labour Party
- Daisy Cooper – Liberal Democrats
- Stephen Flynn - Scottish National Party
- Carla Denyer – Green Party
- Rhun ap Iorwerth – Plaid Cymru
- Nigel Farage – Reform UK
The debate will be moderated by Mishal Husain and will be broadcast on BBC One from 7.30pm to 9pm.
Questions will be taken from a live studio audience and from ones sent in by the public.
12:28PM [70]Corbyn declares ‘we’re going to win this’ after handing in nomination papers
Jeremy Corbyn has handed in his nomination papers to officially stand as an independent candidate in Islington North.
Mr Corbyn received cheers and chants of “Oh Jeremy Corbyn” from supporters as he left Islington Town Hall.
The former leader of the Labour Party said: “In Parliament I will be that voice for peace, justice and equality.”
Mr Corbyn said he will take the campaign to “every door in Islington North”, adding: “Do you know what, we’re going to win this.”
Jeremy Corbyn, the former leader of the Labour Party, is pictured today outside Islington Town Hall in north London
Credit: Lucy North/PA
12:21PM
[71]
Sunak delivers reading at D-Day anniversary event
Rishi Sunak has just delivered a reading at a commemoration event in Portsmouth to mark the 80-year anniversary of D-Day.
The Prime Minister read a personal message sent by General Montgomery to all troops on the eve of the Normandy landings.
He said: “The time has come to deal the enemy a terrific blow in western Europe. The blow will be struck by the combined sea, land and air forces of the Allies.
“Together constituting one great allied team under the supreme command of General Eisenhower. On the eve of this great adventure I send my best wishes to every soldier in the allied team.”
12:14PM [72]Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey fined for speeding on motorway
Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, has been fined for speeding after being caught doing 73mph in a 60mph zone on the M1 motorway.
Details of the case, dealt with under an administrative system called the Single Justice Procedure, were revealed by the Evening Standard newspaper today.
Sir Ed wrote a letter of explanation in which he said he had tried to pay a speeding ticket issued by Bedfordshire Police after he was caught speeding on the M1 near Caddington.
In a “genuine oversight”, he inadvertently failed to provide his driving licence details so the matter was brought before magistrates to consider in March.
Sir Ed wrote: “I apologise. The only mitigation for failing to provide my licence details was just being super-busy and failing to read the form fully, having already accepted liability and made arrangements for the payment.”
He was handed a £72 fine at Luton Magistrates’ Court, with a £28 victim surcharge, and had three points added to his licence, court staff confirmed.
12:13PM [73]UK statistics watchdog looking into Tory £2,000 claim
The UK’s statistics watchdog is looking into the Tory claim that Labour is planning a £2,000 tax raid on every household, it has emerged.
The Office for Statistics Regulation has confirmed that they are looking into the claims, after Rishi Sunak repeatedly used the figure in the debate against Sir Keir Starmer last night.
The number came from a Tory dossier which claims that Labour is planning £38 billion in unfunded spending commitments.
It comes after a letter emerged from the top civil service in the Treasury that said the claims “should not be presented as having been produced by the Civil Service”.
12:11PM [74]Five million people tuned in to watch leaders’ debate, says ITV
Last night’s leaders’ debate between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer was watched by an average of five million viewers, ITV has announced.
12:04PM [75]SNP’s Westminster leader says he will not support England at Euro 2024
The SNP’s Westminster leader has admitted that he will not support England at Euro 2024 and predicted Gareth Southgate’s team would crash out of the tournament before the final.
Stephen Flynn, who could wield significant influence in the event of a hung parliament, quickly replied “no” when asked by ITV whether he would be cheering on Scotland’s neighbours.
Both Scotland and England have qualified for this summer’s tournament in Germany.
You can read the full story here. [76]
11:59AM [77]Labour frontbencher challenges Tories to TV debate over £2,000 tax claim
Darren Jones, the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, has challenged the Tories to a TV showdown over their claim that Labour is planning a £2,000 tax raid on every voter, writes Nick Gutteridge.
The Labour frontbencher told The Telegraph he wanted to publicly take on his Conservative counterpart Laura Trott.
He dismissed a Tory dossier, which claims that Labour is planning £38 billion in unfunded spending commitments, as “a complete fabrication”.
Both Labour and the Tories have accused the other of planning tax rises.
Mr Jones said: “I’m so confident in Labour’s dossier because it accurately reflects what the Conservatives have said about their policy.
“I’ve gone through all of the Tory ones and they’re a complete fabrication - a lot of it is just not even Labour Party policy. So if they want to sit down with me we can do it on TV. We’ll go through it line by line, I’m very happy to do so.”
11:49AM [78]IFS boss: £2,000 tax claim ‘not independently arrived at or verified’
The Institute for Fiscal Studies said Rishi Sunak’s claim that Labour would put up taxes by £2,000 had not been “independently arrived at or verified”.
Paul Johnson, the director of the think tank, said the precise tax policies of the two main parties was still unclear.
He told the BBC that the “£2,000 per working household that the Conservatives are suggesting that Labour is committed to is not independently arrived at or verified”.
He said: “It has been calculated based on Conservative Party assumptions about Labour’s spending plans. It is also worth saying that it is cumulated over four years.”
11:31AM [79]Watch: David Cameron captured on Ring camera canvassing in Hampshire
11:20AM
[80]
Nigel Farage completes paperwork to be Reform candidate in Clacton
I am now officially the Reform UK candidate for Clacton. ✅ pic.twitter.com/Zxk4PgeWfw[81]
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) June 5, 2024[82] 11:15AM [83]Vaughan Gething could lose no confidence vote as two Welsh Labour MPs off sick
The Welsh First Minister could lose a vote of no confidence this afternoon, with two Labour members of the Senedd “unwell”.
Welsh Conservatives tabled a motion of no confidence[84] in Vaughan Gething, the leader of the Welsh Government, last Wednesday, following the collapse of the co-operation deal between Labour and Plaid Cymru and a series of rows[85] involving the First Minister.
Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Vikki Howells MS, the chairman of the Welsh Labour group, admitted Mr Gething could lose the vote because two Labour members are sick.
The vote is expected to take place at about 5pm.
You can read the full story here. [86]
11:05AM [87]Sunak doubles down on Labour tax claim
Rishi Sunak has doubled down on his claim that Labour would put up taxes by £2,000 amid a row over the Tories using the figure.
The Prime Minister posted a campaign video on Twitter which showed a giant red piggy bank floating above the Manchester skyline.
The video states: “Labour’s promises will cost working families £2,094. If you think Labour will win, start saving.”
There is also a background voiceover of what sounds like Sir Keir Starmer repeating over and over again: “£2,000.”
Mr Sunak tweeted the video and the message: “£2,094.”
£2094. pic.twitter.com/h9yaH9DX6H[88]
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) June 5, 2024[89] 11:00AM [90]Tom Hunt confirms he will be Tory candidate after Reform rumours
A Right-wing former Conservative MP who was rumoured to be considering defecting to Reform has insisted he will stand for the Tories.
Tom Hunt, who is fighting to be re-elected as the MP for Ipswich, said he would be a Conservative candidate.
He shared a post on Twitter this morning stating “I will be standing as conservative candidate for Ipswich at election”.
Mr Hunt had originally set hares running about his intentions when he cryptically tweeted on Monday: “Much to ponder.”
10:57AM [91]Sarwar accuses SNP of ‘symbolistic nonsense’ over debate criticism
Anas Sarwar accused the SNP of “symbolistic nonsense” after the party pointed out that Scotland was not mentioned by name once during last night’s TV debate between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer.
The Scottish Labour leader told Sky News: “I think this is just symbolistic nonsense from the SNP. When Keir Starmer was talking about clamping down on non-doms and putting more money into the NHS, that benefits Scotland.
“When Keir Starmer talks about delivering a new deal for working people, that means a pay rise for people here in Scotland.”
10:40AM [92]Starmer: Children must learn about the heroism of D-Day
Sir Keir Starmer is in Portsmouth today to take part in commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
The Labour leader wrote in a piece for The Telegraph overnight that he backed calls to ensure schools teach children about the Normandy landings.
He said: “I agree with those veterans who have recently spoken out to ensure that the story of D-Day is not forgotten.
“The generation growing up today should know about the sacrifices that were made so that they can enjoy the freedom and tolerance of modern Britain.”
You can read Sir Keir’s piece in full here. [93]
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer poses for a photo at the UK's national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, hosted by the Ministry of Defence on Southsea Common in Portsmouth
Credit: Andrew Matthews/Reuters
10:33AM
[94]
Why didn’t Starmer mention Treasury letter during TV debate?
James Bowler’s letter to Labour frontbencher Darren Jones about the Tories’ tax claims was sent on June 3.
That has prompted questions over why Sir Keir Starmer did not deploy the letter to counter Rishi Sunak’s claims during the TV debate last night.
Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, was asked this morning during a visit to Glasgow why Sir Keir had not mentioned the letter.
Mr Sarwar said: “We thought the Prime Minister would have more integrity than what he showed last night.”
Asked again why Sir Keir had not been quicker to counter the PM’s tax claims, Mr Sarwar told Sky News: “Keir Starmer is a man of integrity and decency and I don’t think he wanted to get down, the use of a word like lie and misinformation because he was using the debate last night, rightly, as an opportunity to speak not just to the audience in the room but to speak to people across the country who are really worried both about a cost of living crisis and an NHS crisis.”
10:22AM [95]Anas Sarwar accuses Sunak of ‘scaremongering’ over Labour tax claim
Anas Sarwar accused Rishi Sunak of attempted “scaremongering” over his claim that Labour would put up taxes by £2,000.
Asked if Labour would raise taxes by that amount, the Scottish Labour leader told Sky News during a visit in Glasgow: “No, this is a straight up lie from a desperate Prime Minister in Rishi Sunak who is trying to scaremonger across the country because he wants to hide away from his own record.
“Labour has been very clear that the only tax we are looking to raise is on the super rich. We want to close the non-dom tax loophole to put more money into our NHS.
“We want to tax the oil and gas giants making record profits to help bring down people’s bills and invest in clean energy, something that will disproportionately benefit people in Scotland.”
10:15AM [96]Reader poll: Is Rishi Sunak winning you over?
The initial snap poll by YouGov in the aftermath of last night’s TV debate suggested Rishi Sunak had beaten Sir Keir Starmer in their first clash.
Two subsequent surveys suggested that the Labour leader had actually done better than his Tory counterpart.
Is Mr Sunak winning you over? You can have your say in our reader poll below:
[embedded content] 10:13AM [97]Second poll finds voters believe Starmer won TV debate
A second snap poll has found voters believe Keir Starmer got the better of Rishi Sunak in last night’s leaders’ debate.
A JL Partners (JLP) survey for The Sun found 53 per cent of respondents thought the Labour leader performed better in the televised clash, compared with 33 per cent who picked the Prime Minister. Some 13 per cent did not know.
A Savanta poll published this morning gave Sir Keir victory by 44 per cent to 39 per cent.
But a YouGov snap poll published last night shortly after the debate concluded had put the PM slightly ahead on 51 per cent to the Labour leader’s 49 per cent.
9:55AM [98]Reeves promises Labour would not increase income tax, NI or VAT
Rachel Reeves promised a Labour government would not put up income tax, National Insurance or VAT as she sought to counter Rishi Sunak’s tax claims.
The Prime Minister has claimed that Labour would put up taxes on households by £2,000 but Ms Reeves said she would not introduce any tax rises “on working people”.
She said in a video posted on Twitter this morning: “I did not come into politics to raise taxes on working people, so my promise to you is this: Labour will not put up your income tax, National Insurance or VAT.
“The Tories crashed the economy and if they win they will do it all over again with their £71 billion of unfunded spending.
“That will push up your taxes and your mortgage bills.”
If I become Chancellor, I will not raise taxes on working people.
That is my promise to you. pic.twitter.com/OzTPk4xADT[99]
— Rachel Reeves (@RachelReevesMP) June 5, 2024[100] 9:42AM [101]Tories insist claims about Labour tax plans are ‘fair’
The Tories have insisted their tax claims about Labour are “fair” after a letter revealed ministers had been told by the Treasury’s top civil servant that the claims “should not be presented as having been produced by the Civil Service”.
A Conservative Party spokesperson told the BBC: “We were fair to Labour in the production of the Labour’s tax rise briefing note and used only clear Labour policies, their own costings or official HMT costings using the lowest assumptions.
“For example, using Labour’s figures for the spending items in the Green Prosperity Plan - using £23.7bn over four years instead of £28bn a year.
“It is now for Labour to explain which of the policies which were Labour policy no longer are Labour policy.”
9:38AM [102]Labour government would mean higher household bills, claims Coutinho
Claire Coutinho claimed all Labour would do in government is “raise people’s bills”.
The Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary told GB News: “You look at Ed Miliband’s plans for energy in this country and all he would do is raise people’s bills and raise taxes to pay for it.”
She added: “Really, what I want to talk about is the principle, because ultimately, when it comes to the Conservatives, my priority is always going to be to make sure we can have cheaper energy and cheaper bills for people.”
9:20AM [103]Wes Streeting responds to Treasury letter
Rishi Sunak lied to you.
He's sent his ministers out to lie to you.
They were told not to lie to you.
You can't believe a word they say. https://t.co/1X83Brh17C[104]
— Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) June 5, 2024[105] 9:18AM [106]Ashworth claims Treasury letter is ‘slam dunk proof’ that Sunak ‘lied’
Jonathon Ashworth responded to the James Bowler letter (see the post below at 08.48) during an interview on BBC Breakfast.
The shadow paymaster general told BBC Breakfast: “It’s a slam dunk proof of Rishi Sunak’s big desperate lie. That is the proof that Rishi Sunak lied.”
9:02AM [107]Labour: Treasury official’s letter shows Tory tax attack ‘categorically untrue’
Pat McFadden said James Bowler’s letter relating to the Tories’ tax attack on Labour showed Rishi Sunak’s claim that the party would put up taxes by £2,000 was “categorically untrue”.
Labour’s national campaign coordinator said the Tories’ “desperate claim” had been “utterly disowned”.
There you have it. Rishi Sunak's claim on tax categorically untrue.
Treasury perm sec said "Should not be presented as having been produced by the civil service."
Desperate claim utterly disowned. https://t.co/sbu0W0V2n5[108]
— Pat McFadden (@patmcfaddenmp) June 5, 2024[109] 8:55AM [110]Pictured: Sunak leaves Downing Street this morning
Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, is pictured this morning leaving 10 Downing Street
Credit: Nigel Howard/Nigel Howard Media
8:48AM
[111]
Top Treasury civil servant warned Tories over Labour tax claim
The Treasury’s permanent secretary told Labour that Tory claims about the opposition’s tax and spending plans “should not be presented as having been produced by the Civil Service”.
Rishi Sunak’s claim that Labour would put up taxes by £2,000 is largely based on analysis conducted by the Treasury, commissioned by the Conservatives, which examined the costs of Labour’s planned policies.
However, James Bowler, the Treasury’s top civil servant, said in a June 3 letter to Labour that he had told ministers to be careful about how they presented the work done by his department.
He said in response to a letter sent by Darren Jones, the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury: “As you will expect, civil servants were not involved in the production or presentation of the Conservative Party’s document ‘Labour’s Tax Rises’ or in the calculation of the total figure used.
“In your letter you highlight that the £38bn figure used in the Conservative Party’s publication includes costs beyond those provided by the Civil Service and published online by HM Treasury.
“I agree that any costings derived from other sources or produced by other organisations should not be presented as having been produced by the Civil Service. I have reminded ministers and advisers that this should be the case.”
The Tories’ “Labour Tax Rises” document did state that “almost every costing contained here has been conducted by HM Treasury”.
Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor, said on May 17 when he published the document: “Today, I’m releasing analysis by independent civil servants at the Treasury on Labour’s plans for office. That shows a £38 billion black hole in their plans, which can only be fixed by further tax rises - the equivalent of £2100 per family.”
Claire Coutinho, the Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary, had told the BBC before the letter emerged this morning that the costings had been “signed off by the Treasury, by the permanent secretary of the Treasury, as the amount the proposals that the Labour Party have put forward so far would cost families.”
EXCLUSIVE
The chief Treasury civil servant wrote to Labour two days ago saying that the £38 billion/£2,000 tax attack 'should not be presented as having been produced by the civil service'
He said he had reminded ministers of this pic.twitter.com/s00XBfbvAj[112]
— Henry Zeffman (@hzeffman) June 5, 2024[113] 8:36AM [114]Tory claim about Labour tax plan relates to four year period, says minister
Claire Coutinho said the £2,000 Labour tax rise claim made by Rishi Sunak during last night’s TV debate related to a four year period.
The Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: “It’s over the course of parliament. It’s £2,000 over four years.”
8:26AM [115]Tory chairman labels Labour ‘brittle and snipey’
Richard Holden, the chairman of the Conservative Party, claimed Labour was failing to be “straight with the British people” about its tax and spending plans.
Mr Holden said on Twitter that Labour was being “brittle and snipey”.
What you'll see today on the media@UKLabour[116] won't listen or learn. They won't take a moment, take the time they've got and come up with some clear honest and costed policies and be straight with the British people about the choice
They won't even address the elephant in the…
— Rt Hon Richard Holden (@RicHolden) June 5, 2024[117] 8:23AM [118]Jonathan Asworth and Martin Lewis clash over Labour’s economic approach
Jonathan Ashworth clashed with MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis over Labour’s fiscal policy this morning.
On ITV’s Good Morning Britain programme, Mr Lewis quizzed the shadow paymaster general over his party’s plans for tax and spending, following think tank claims of “a substantial multibillion-pound black hole in the public finances over the course of the next parliament”.
Mr Lewis asked: “When you have a black hole in the public finances, you know, I know, and [shadow chancellor] Rachel Reeves certainly knows, there are only four ways you can deal with that: you can increase debt, which you’ve said you won’t do; you can print money, which would be inflationary; you put up taxes, which you’ve said you won’t do; or, you could cut spending, which you’ve said you won’t do, which means if you can’t do any of those, we’re living in fairytale land.”
[embedded content]Mr Ashworth replied: “We are going to put more money into the National Health Service and into schools. We’ve said how we’ll pay for that… the non-dom tax relief that the super-wealthy enjoy, we think if people work here they should pay their taxes here, so we’re going to impose that tax and that money is going to go into the National Health Service to help us deliver 40,000 extra appointments per week.”
He added: “Secondly, we’ve said we want to see more teachers in schools and mental health support in schools. That is why we’ve taken the very tough decision to levy VAT on private school fees, something that doesn’t happen at the moment. I know it’s a tough decision, but we’ve got to find the money from somewhere to put into our education system.”
Mr Ashworth said Mr Lewis had “missed out a fifth option” – to use the proceeds of economic growth to deal with some of the public services black hole, with proposed skills reform and investment into green energy.
8:14AM [119]Minister unable to provide date for publication of Tory manifesto
A Tory Cabinet minister could not say exactly when the Conservative Party will publish its general election manifesto.
But Claire Coutinho suggested it would be published in the next two weeks.
She told BBC Breakfast: “Absolutely our manifesto will be fully costed. I am afraid I don’t have a timeline. I can assure you it will be before July 4 but I don’t have a date for you.
“But it will be, I am sure, over the next couple of weeks.”
7:56AM [120]NHS waiting lists ‘starting to turn the corner’, says Coutinho
Claire Coutinho said the “direction of travel” on reducing NHS waiting lists in England was positive but conceded they are still “far too high”.
The Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary admitted that waiting lists are still higher now than they were when Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister.
The subject proved to be a difficult area for the PM during last night’s TV debate as some audience members laughed as he talked about the waiting lists coming down.
Ms Coutinho told BBC Breakfast: “We are now starting to turn that corner and they are coming down.”
7:48AM [121]Tory claim of Labour £2,000 tax hike actually an underestimation, claims minister
Claire Coutinho said that a Tory claim that Labour would have to put up taxes by £2,000[122] to pay for its policies was actually likely to be an underestimation.
The Cabinet minister told BBC Breakfast: “If anything they are underestimating the cost to families. So the costs that came out of those policies is £2,000. But if you look at the most expensive policies, it is one in my area, it is their green plan and they have said multiple times that would cost the country £28 billion a year and actually they then watered down the cost but they kept the policies.
“What has been used in that £2,000 of extra taxes for working families is that lower cost of £23.7 billion over a parliament when in fact you could have a debate about how much the real cost is because they were previously adamant it would cost £28 billion a year.”
The £2,000 claim is based on analysis conducted by the Treasury, commissioned by the Conservatives, which examined the costs of Labour’s planned policies.
7:42AM [123]Starmer had no answers on big issues during TV debate, claims senior Tory
Claire Coutinho claimed Sir Keir Starmer did not have “any answers” on all of the “big issues” during last night’s TV debate with Rishi Sunak.
The Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary told BBC Breakfast: “I thought it was astonishing that Keir Starmer on all the big issues didn’t really have any answers. There was no plan there.
“Actually one of the things that was most worrying is that the £2,000 of extra tax rises that his proposals would mean for working families, he simply couldn’t rule it out.”
7:38AM [124]Piers Morgan and Mick Lynch ‘the dream double act Britain never knew it needed’
An unlikely double act of broadcaster Piers Morgan and union boss Mick Lynch was well received by some on social media last night as they dissected the TV debate.
Mr Morgan responded to praise on Twitter by saying he had told Mr Lynch that “we may be the dream double act Britain never knew it needed”.
The pair had appeared on the BBC’s Newsnight programme.
I just told Mick we may be the dream double act Britain never knew it needed.. 🤣 https://t.co/0GNZK61i1R[125]
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 4, 2024[126] 7:28AM [127]Labour frontbencher downplays significance of TV debate snap polls
Jonathan Ashworth downplayed the significance of opinion polls after a snap YouGov survey suggested Rishi Sunak had won last night’s TV debate.
A Savanta survey published the morning then suggested Sir Keir had won (see the post below at 07.16).
Mr Ashworth, the shadow paymaster general, told Sky News that “polls will come and go” and he believed Labour had emerged from last night’s debate “stronger”.
Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow paymaster general, is pictured this morning during an appearance on Sky News
Credit: Sky News
7:22AM
[128]
Ashworth accuses ‘desperate’ Sunak of ‘lying’ about Labour tax plans
Jonathan Ashworth has accused Rishi Sunak of “lying” about Labour’s tax plans.
The Prime Minister said repeatedly last night[129] that Sir Keir Starmer would raise taxes for every working household by £2,000.
But Mr Ashworth, the shadow paymaster general, said this morning that was “categorically untrue” as he labelled the Tory leader “desperate”.
He told Sky News: “I think last night, what was exposed is just how desperate Rishi Sunak has become because he lied about Labour’s tax plans.
“What he said last night about Labour’s tax plans is categorically untrue. Labour will not put up income tax, not pout up National Insurance, will not pout up VAT.
“And I think what we saw last night was how desperate he becomes. What desperate people do is they lie.”
7:16AM [130]New snap poll: Starmer beat Sunak in first TV debate
Sir Keir Starmer beat Rishi Sunak in last night’s TV debate, according to a new snap poll.
A Savanta survey, conducted after the debate concluded, found that 44 per cent of voters believed Sir Keir had won while 39 per cent picked Mr Sunak.
The survey also found that the Labour leader was seen to have the best answers on the NHS (63 per cent to 26 per cent), the economy (52 per cent to 36 per cent) and defence (43 per cent to 41 per cent).
A YouGov survey published last night shortly after the debate concluded said Mr Sunak had won by 51 per cent to Sir Keir Starmer’s 49 per cent.
Chris Hopkins, political research director at Savanta, said: “According to our overnight panel, Starmer wins on the detail, but Sunak is much closer in the most important ‘who won the debate’ metric.
“Presentationally, it felt like the Prime Minister had the upper hand at times - in particular towards the end of the debate - and although our figures suggest he lost narrowly, he probably still outperformed expectations.”
🚨🚨🚨
NEW: Starmer beats Sunak in televised debate overnight poll
Who won the debate:
Starmer (44%)Sunak (39%)Don't Know (17%)
1,153 UK adults, 4-5 June pic.twitter.com/JzHFEI4D9P[131]
— Savanta UK (@Savanta_UK) June 5, 2024[132] 7:10AM [133]Next government must have standalone women and girls secretary, say campaigners
A dedicated secretary of state for women and girls is essential in the next government to champion and make the changes many “desperately need”, campaigners have said.
An open letter to the major political party leaders urges them to commit to the standalone role in Cabinet which they said would ensure the seriousness of women and girls’ needs is met with “serious political resource”.
The women and equalities portfolio has traditionally been held by ministers with other responsibilities but the letter, co-ordinated by Agenda Alliance, said responsibility for some of the most vulnerable in society should not be a “bolt-on to other more senior roles”.
6:56AM [134]Senior Tories pile pressure on Labour over tax claims
Last night’s general election TV debate brought at least one thing into sharp focus: The Tories intend to hammer Labour over tax rise claims.
Rishi Sunak said repeatedly during his clash with Sir Keir Starmer that Labour intend to raise taxes for every working household by £2,000.
Labour hit back and accused the Prime Minister of lying, labelling the figure “made-up” and insisting that the party “will not put up income tax, national insurance or VAT”.
Numerous senior Tories seized on the tax issue to attack Labour on social media:
The Prime Minister rightly points out that Labour will put taxes up by more than £2000.
Sir Keir doesn't deny it.
— Tom Tugendhat (@TomTugendhat) June 4, 2024[135]YouGov says @RishiSunak[136] won the debate tonight. I agree. He was sharp and landed the tax rise threat under Labour.
— Nadhim Zahawi (@nadhimzahawi) June 4, 2024[137]Very interesting that @Keir_Starmer isn't even attempting to deny that he will put everyone's taxes up by £2000 🤔 #ITVDebate[138][139]
— David Davis (@DavidDavisMP) June 4, 2024[140] 6:46AM [141]What is happening on the campaign trail today?
General election campaigning will take a back seat today as both Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer turn their focus to the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Both party leaders will attend the UK’s national commemorative event in Portsmouth where the Prime Minister will do a reading and meet veterans after the ceremony concludes.
Sir Keir will visit a historic site elsewhere on the south coast with a Second World War veteran and a military cadet.
Meanwhile, Sir Ed Davey will visit Romsey, Hampshire, as he continues his campaigning for the Liberal Democrats in the “Blue Wall”.
Jeremy Corbyn is expected to hand in his nomination papers today, as the former Labour leader prepares to stand as an independent in the seat of Islington North, a seat he has held for four decades.
6:38AM [142]Tice: Farage return will put ‘rocket boosters’ on Reform’s campaign
Richard Tice said the return of Nigel Farage to the political front-line will put “rocket boosters” onto Reform’s general election campaign.
Mr Farage electrified the campaign earlier this week as he reversed his decision not to stand as a candidate as he also replaced Mr Tice as Reform leader.
Mr Tice told ITV that he was “delighted” by Mr Farage’s return.
He said: “I’ve been talking to Nigel about our plans for months, and we know we’re doing well, but we want to put turbo boosters, rocket boosters onto our campaign, and that’s what we’ve done.
“I’m delighted that Nigel has agreed both to stand, to lead the party, and off we go.”
6:34AM [143]Almost two-thirds of voters found first Sunak-Starmer debate frustrating
Almost two-thirds of voters found the first TV debate debate Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer frustrating, according to a snap YouGov poll published late last night.
Some 62 per cent used the word to describe how they felt about the clash - the most popular answer.
The survey of 1,657 people also found that 42 per cent said they found the debate interesting and 32 per cent said it had been vague.
Just four per cent said they felt the debate was authentic.
6:32AM [144]Minister rejects Labour claim that Sunak was ‘tetchy’ during first TV debate
Johnny Mercer, the minister for veterans’ affairs, denied a Labour claim that Rishi Sunak had appeared “tetchy” in last night’s TV debate.
He told reporters: “No, he wasn’t tetchy at all. Listen, if you put yourself out there in public life and you actually stand for something, if you’re like Keir and you blow this way and that, you try to be all things to all men, it’s easy, you just ghost your way through.
“If you actually stand up for something and pin your colours to the mast, yes it is frustrating when someone on the other side basically says whatever he needs to to get through something without delivering any plan whatsoever to the British people to be their prime minister.
“So I don’t think he was tetchy, I think he was firm, I think he was clear and I think he was straight, and that’s what people expect from their prime minister.”
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