Boys, 12, become youngest convicted murderers since James Bulger killers - Liverpool Echo

Two 12-year-old boys have become the youngest since James Bulger's killers to be convicted of murder after stabbing a teenager to death.

Shawn Seesahai, 19, was brutally attacked with a machete in Bilston, Wolverhampton, on grassland near a primary school on November 13, last year. The teen had been with friends when he had his legs slashed before the blade was plunged through his heart on Stowlawn playing fields in East Park.

Despite the efforts of medics, Shawn, who had only been in the UK for six months after coming over Anguilla for eye surgery, was pronounced dead at the scene at 9.11pm. A court heard he suffered a 23cm (9in) deep wound which went through almost his entire body as well as a fractured skull.

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On Monday the boys, who cannot be named due to their age, became two of the youngest killers in British legal history. The pair had blamed each other for the attack but were found guilty following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.

Jurors were told how Shaun, who was living in Birmingham, and two friends travelled into Wolverhampton on the tram so one of the friends could visit his girlfriend. Shawn and the other friend bought energy drinks from a petrol station shop and went to the playing field to wait for their friend.

While they were sitting on a bench in the dark some youngsters, who had been on a nearby baseball court, came over. Following the exchange that followed, Shawn was punched, kicked and savagely knifed by the two boys before being left for dead.

Detectives trawled CCTV and spoke to witnesses before arresting the 12-year-old boys the following evening (November 14). Officers searched a storage space under one of the youngsters' beds and recovered a machete.

A tracksuit with apparent blood stains on it was also seized from the laundry basket at one of the schoolboys' homes. Mobile phone images also revealed multiple pictures of large knives and weapons.

One recent searched asked: "How many criminal records can you have to leave the country". Both boys, who denied murder, refused to answer any further questions during police interviews.

Shawn Seesahai was killed while he waited with some friends (Image: West Midlands Police/SWNS)

As well as being convicted of murder, one of the lads admitted possessing a bladed article while the second was found guilty of the same charge on Monday. They are believed to be the youngest convicted of murder since Jon Venables and Robert Thompson were found guilty of killing two-year-old James Bulger in 1993.

The defendants will be sentenced at a later date.

Detective Inspector Damian Forrest, of West Midlands Police's Homicide Unit, said: "Throughout this case our thoughts have always been with Shawn's family who have been devastated by his death. Today we can only hope that they do feel some degree of peace knowing those who took Shawn's life have been convicted.

"It became apparent early on in the investigation that those responsible for Shawn’s murder were 12 years old, and that was deeply shocking. But it did nothing to reduce our dedication and fervour to ensure Shawn's killers were brought to justice.

"We worked tirelessly to establish what happened that evening and to leave a jury in no doubt that both boys were responsible for Shawn's death. Our teams worked carefully and respectfully with all those involved, some of them also very young, to build the case which has brought Shawn’s killers to justice.

"Sadly Shawn’s death is yet another reminder of how carrying weapons can have life-changing consequences for all those involved, and their loved ones, forever.”

Shawn’s parents and sister travelled from Anguilla to see justice done for their son and revealed how they had been left heartbroken by his death. His mother, Maneshwary, said: “Shawn was such a loving son, he was so well-mannered, looked after us, was loving to everyone and very protective.

"He always said he wanted to work, he wanted his own house, his own car. He liked basketball and cricket, he loved those sports. He was always listening to music.

"He spent most of his time at home and didn't want to go out much."

His dad, Suresh, said: "I will remember him every day, when I get home I see his pictures, his clothes, his sneakers, I will always remember him. Even at work, I work for myself and he works for me on weekends, when I would pack up my stuff he always helped me.

"Whenever I put anything in my truck now, he will be there with me helping me do it. I never had a problem with Shawn, he was such a loving son. He would be up at 5am to work, and whenever I paid him he always saved it.

"We are a very close family, we'll never forget him. Justice must be done. I want them to have the right sentence, they don’t have to be locked up for life, I just want it to be fair.

"We are keeping our fingers crossed that we’ll get the justice we've come here for."

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2024-06-11 06:37:00Z
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Conservative manifesto launch - latest: Sunak to promise 2p national insurance cut in bid to rescue election campaign - The Independent

Minister denies Rishi Sunak will quit before general election after D-Day blunder

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The Conservatives are set to start their manifesto launch where they will promise giveaways including another 2p cut in national insurance in a bid to revive their general election campaign.

Rishi Sunak will tell voters that the Tories’ policies are a “clear and bold plan” and will pledge a tax cut for 27 million households if he is re-elected by reducing national insurance even further to 6 per cent.

The manifesto includes a string of giveaways amounting to almost £20bn in tax cuts and spending, including the national insurance cut, child benefit expansion and an income tax cut for pensioners.

But the promises have been questioned by Labour which labelled the manifesto the “most expensive panic attack in history”. Wes Streeting said the pledges can’t be paid for because “there is no money”.

Meanwhile, a group of rightwing Tories will be watching the event closely as they plan to present a “rebel manifesto” in case it falls flat. Suella Braverman and Robert Jenrick are reportedly plotting alternative pledges for tougher migration laws.

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Sunak promises a ‘clear plan, bold action and secure future’ in manifesto

Salma Ouaguira11 June 2024 11:17

1718100972

Starmer: Tories launching ‘Jeremy Corbyn-style manifesto'

Sir Keir Starmer has claimed the Conservatives are launching a “Jeremy Corbyn-style manifesto”.

The Labour leader claims the Tories will unveil a set of policies, with ‘none of them costed’.

He told journalists during a visit to Teesside: “We are being absolutely clear that all our plans are fully costed. We will not be increasing income tax, National Insurance, no tax increases for working people.

“None of our plans require tax rises. This is coming from a party that’s put tax at the highest level for 70 years, and they’re building the sort of Jeremy Corbyn-style manifesto where anything you want can go in it, none of it is costed.”

Sir Keir Starmer during a visit to Whale Hill Primary School in Eston, Middlesbrough, as they announce plans to tackle the crisis in children's dentistry and clear the backlog with 100,000 extra appointments for kids (Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)

Sam Rkaina11 June 2024 11:16

1718100731

Nigel Farage accuses Tories of lying in manifesto

Asked about the Tory manifesto launch, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: “I’m sorry to use this word – more lies, more lies. In 2010, 2015, 2017, 2019, they told us they would reduce immigration and they’ll be saying the same thing today. They’re also saying today they’re going to reduce tax.

“Well, hang on. The tax burden has now risen. It’s the highest it’s been since 1948.”

Speaking on the party bus on the way to a campaign event in South Yorkshire, he said: “I don’t believe a single word that they say and I think, increasingly, nor does the country. The funny thing is that, with (Sir) Keir Starmer, I literally still have no idea what he believes in.”

Asked about Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s D-Day troubles, Mr Farage said: “If it wasn’t a General Election, he’d been gone by now.”

(Danny Lawson/PA Wire)

Salma Ouaguira11 June 2024 11:12

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Pictured: Sunak and his wife arrive at Silverstone for the Tory manifesto launch

And they’re off!

Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty have arrived at the Silverstone race circuit in Northamptonshire.

The Conservative manifesto launch is set to take place at 11.30am.

Stay with us as we keep updated with all the top announcements from the Tories’ policy promises.

Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty arrive to the Conservative Party's general election manifesto launch (Getty Images)

(REUTERS)

(REUTERS)

Salma Ouaguira11 June 2024 10:56

1718099065

SNP: Tories will be ‘toast’ in the general election

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has predicted the Conservatives will be “toast” after July 4.

Mr Flynn said that Douglas Ross’s decision to quit as Scottish Conservative leader after polling day was the “icing on the cake” for the party.

He described the election as “an opportunity for Scotland to do its bit in getting the Tories out” and said the SNP would be campaigning “every day” to defeat the Conservatives in the Scottish seats they hold.

The Tories won six seats in Scotland at the last Westminster election.

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2024-06-11 10:17:24Z
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Gary Glitter ordered to pay more than £500,000 to woman he abused - The Guardian

The disgraced paedophile pop star Gary Glitter has been ordered by a high court judge to pay £508,800 in damages to one of the women he abused.

Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, is being sued after his 2015 conviction for abusing the claimant and two other young people between 1975 and 1980.

She previously secured a “default judgment” in her claim – a ruling in her favour over Gadd’s liability – and on Tuesday Mrs Justice Tipples said the woman was entitled to damages of £508,800.

The judge said in a 13-page ruling: “There is no doubt that the claimant was subject to sexual abuse of the most serious kind by the defendant when she was only 12 years old and that has had a very significant adverse impact on the rest of her life.”

Tipples said the six-figure sum includes £381,000 in lost earnings and £7,800 for future therapy and treatment.

Richard Scorer, the head of abuse law at Slater and Gordon who acts for the claimant, said: “In making this award the court has properly acknowledged the appalling abuse suffered by my client. Whilst no amount of money can make up for horrific sexual abuse, the award at least goes some way to recognising the devastation inflicted on my client throughout her childhood and adult life.

“Gadd’s refusal to engage with the process merely proves his utter lack of remorse, something we will be reminding the Parole Board about if he makes another application for early release. We will be pursuing Gadd for payment and will continue to support our client through this process.”

A hearing is expected on Tuesday to consider any interest on the damages and legal costs.

At a hearing in March, the high court in London heard the woman – who cannot be named for legal reasons – has been unable to work for several decades as a result of the abuse.

Her barrister, Jonathan Metzer, said Gadd’s abuse had a “dramatic and terrible impact” on her education, work and personal relationships.

Gadd was jailed for 16 years in 2015 for sexually abusing three schoolgirls. His sentence expires in February 2031.

He was automatically released from HMP The Verne, a low-security prison in Portland, Dorset, in February last year after serving half of his fixed-term determinate sentence.

But he was put back in prison less than six weeks later when police monitoring showed he had breached his licence conditions by reportedly trying to access the dark web and viewing downloaded images of children.

A parole hearing in January concluded Gadd should not be released. The Parole Board said there was also concern about the lack of victim empathy that he had continued to show, and that he had not taken part in any programmes to address his offending because he continued to deny having a sexual interest in children.

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Douglas Ross to resign as leader of Scottish Conservatives - BBC.com

Douglas Ross said it was not feasible for him to continue in three roles - as MSP, MP and party leader

Douglas Ross has announced he will resign as leader of the Scottish Conservatives.

He will carry on in the role until after the election and will also resign as an MSP if he is re-elected to Westminster.

It follows a row over Mr Ross standing as a candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East instead of David Duguid, who has been in hospital and was in effect de-selected.

Mr Ross said he originally thought he could continue to serve as an MSP and MP as well as party leader, but said "on reflection, that is not feasible".

He was the only MSP to also serve as an MP in the current Holyrood session before the UK Parliament dissolved.

A Scottish Conservative source told BBC News that Mr Ross had come to the realisation that the party's MSPs would not "put up" with him serving as both an MP and an MSP.

They added that the reaction to him announcing plans to stand in place of Mr Duguid was another factor.

Mr Ross said he was committed to "fighting and winning" the Westminster seat.

He said: "Should I be given the honour to represent the people and communities of this new seat, they should know being their MP would receive my complete focus and attention.

“I will therefore stand down as leader following the election on 4 July, once a successor is elected. Should I win the seat, I will also stand down as an MSP to make way for another Scottish Conservative representative in Holyrood."

Mr Ross came under pressure at the weekend when the Sunday Mail reported that his own advisers had raised concerns over 28 parliamentary travel claims which may have been combined with his work as a football linesman.

Mr Ross said the expenses claims were approved by the independent parliamentary body IPSA and he would have "no issue" with the expenses being examined for a second time.

When a party leader announces their resignation in the middle of an election campaign, you know something has gone very wrong.

For Douglas Ross, it was replacing the hospitalised David Duguid as his party’s candidate in Aberdeenshire North and Moray West at the general election.

Some were uneasy about the optics of the party leader swooping in when a colleague was ill.

But what had gone down really badly with Conservative MSPs at Holyrood was the plan to continue to try and carry on as both an MP and an MSP.

Douglas Ross had previously promised he wouldn’t do that.

One of his Scottish Tory colleagues told me last week it had been received "like a bucket of cold sick".

So Mr Ross will leave Holyrood if re-elected to Westminster. Some of his colleagues feel that's where his heart has always really been.

Pressure piled up on him over the weekend and may well have intensified with the newspaper story about his expenses.

His decision will impact on the UK-wide campaign too. Rishi Sunak won’t have factored in his Scottish leader calling it a day in the run-up to polling.

The SNP's candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, Seamus Logan, called on Mr Ross to resign as an MSP.

He said: "It's clear he's been forced out as Scottish Tory leader after his shameful behaviour over David Duguid and his growing expenses scandal. Voters deserve a dedicated MSP - not one who is hedging his bets in case he loses the election."

Alba leader Alex Salmond said it was the "first case of a rat deserting a sinking ship while simultaneously trying to clamber aboard a gravy train".

He called on him to resign as a candidate for the Westminster seat, adding that Mr Ross was "totally devoid of honour."

Scottish Labour's deputy leader Jackie Baillie wished Mr Ross luck in the future, reserving her criticism for the Conservative party and UK government.

She said: "Voters know that this rotten Tory government has nothing to offer Scotland – it’s no wonder Douglas Ross has given up on trying to resuscitate the Scottish Tories’ flailing campaign."

And Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said the move was proof the part was in "abject disarray".

“Just like the SNP, the Tories have been in power for too long, breaking rules and taking you for granted," he said.

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2024-06-10 08:53:00Z
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Sunak can recover from ‘disappointing’ D-day blunder, insists minister - The Guardian

Chris Philp, the policing minister, said he was left feeling “surprised and disappointed” on learning Rishi Sunak had left D-day commemorations early, but insisted the prime minister would recover politically from the mistake.

As the row over Sunak’s decision to miss events in Normandy involving other world leaders rumbled into a second week, he is scheduled to resume speaking to journalists in a planned policing-based visit to West Sussex.

Philip, who is a Sunak loyalist, said the prime minister should get some credit for apologising “pretty forcefully” the next morning, saying such immediate and frank contrition was “fairly rare” in politics.

Asked by Sky News how he had personally felt when he learned Sunak had left the events early, Philp replied: “Well, I was surprised and disappointed, but he apologised, and I think if you look at his track record, looking after veterans and funding the armed services, he’s got a good track record.”

Sunak “did obviously attend all the events in the UK with the veterans, and he attended the British-hosted events in Normandy and met British veterans there”, he argued, adding: “But he should have gone to the final one. That’s right. And he’s apologised.”

The sense of chaos around the prime ministerial team has been heightened by his lack of visibility, with Sunak avoiding any media questions since an awkward pooled TV interview on Friday.

But Philip – who said he had not personally talked to Sunak since before parliament was dissolved for the election – said the PM would be “out on the campaign trail today meeting people, no doubt including journalists as well”.

Philp said: “I’m sure he regrets deeply not having attended that event, which is why obviously he rightly apologised. It was a mistake, but he’s recognised that. He’s apologised, and I think we’ll see him bouncing around the campaign trail this week. And I’m sure he’ll be talking to journalists.”

Sunak will be aiming to put the Tories’ campaign back on track after recent days in which there have been other hiccups, including a much-mocked TV interview by the party chair, Richard Holden, who repeatedly refused to answer questions about why he was suddenly parachuted into a safe seat more than 250 miles from his old one.

Philp was sent on the morning broadcast round to discuss the party’s latest policy offering, a pledge for 8,000 extra police officers, paid for in part by a 25% increase in fees for people applying for UK visas.

While Labour remain about 20 points ahead of the Conservatives in the polls, they have also faced some policy controversies, with Bridget Phillipson, the shadow education secretary, saying on Monday that it “just wasn’t right” for her frontbench colleague Emily Thornberry to suggest their plan to add VAT to private school fees would lead to larger class sizes in the state sector as children leave private schools.

In an interview on Sunday, Thornberry, the shadow attorney general, said “it would be fine if we have to, in the short term, have larger classes” because of this.

But speaking to Times Radio, Phillipson said: “I am afraid that just wasn’t right. Actually what we are seeing across the state sector is a falling number of pupils in our classrooms because of the falling birthrate, and there are fewer young people arriving at school.

“So actually we are going to be in the position pretty soon, and it is already the case in places like London, where schools are merging and closing because of falling numbers.”

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2024-06-10 07:45:00Z
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Lib Dems to promise overhaul of capital gains tax to raise £5bn for NHS - The Guardian

The Liberal Democrats are to announce plans to overhaul capital gains tax to raise £5bn for the NHS, making them the first party to announce a big tax change as part of their spending plans.

The party’s leader, Ed Davey, said the change was “making tax fairer” and the party said it would hit only the wealthiest. The party will unveil its manifesto on Monday.

The estimated £5bn raised by the tax rise would be directed into plans to recruit 8,000 more GPs in order to meet a target of a guaranteed appointment in seven days. The revenue raised would also be put into cancer treatment, speeding up waiting times for treatment to guarantee care within 62 days.

The party will say that those on lower incomes would be protected by an increase in the annual tax-free CGT allowance to £5,000, up from £3,000 in the current tax year. The proposed new system would be adjusted for inflation and there would be a targeted relief system devised for small businesses.

The policy puts health and social care at the centre of the Lib Dems’ offer at the election – where Davey has put his experience as a carer for his disabled son at the heart of his message to the public.

The Lib Dems have already announced a plan for free personal care including washing and medication for disabled and older people, funded by reversals of tax breaks for banks estimated at £2.7bn – though independent thinktanks have said the cost is likely to be higher.

Labour’s shadow chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has said her party will not make changes to CGT, though some in the party believe there is a case for an overhaul that would be a significant revenue raiser.

Several thinktanks have said that the two main parties are not being honest with the public about the state of the public finances, as Labour and the Tories have ruled out any big tax rises.

Last month the Institute for Fiscal Studies said there was a “conspiracy of silence” over necessary tax and spending choices, with the next government likely to inherit the toughest outlook for the public finances in 80 years.

The Lib Dem proposal would create three bands to be applied to taxable gains at different rates: gains between £5,000 and £50,000 taxed 20%; those between £50,000 and £100,000 taxed at 40% and those over £100,000 at 45%.

Davey said the NHS was in desperate need of a rescue package. “We are putting fixing health and social care at the heart of our party’s plans for the country,” he said. “Under this Conservative government, local health services have been decimated while hospitals crumble.

“After years of devastating tax hikes from Rishi Sunak, it would be grossly unfair to force hard-working families and pensioners to pick up the tab for Conservative failings on the NHS. That is why the Liberal Democrats will rescue health and social care services by making tax fairer, with billionaires and big banks asked to pay their fair share.”

Other big offers in the Lib Dem manifesto would be a pledge for an EU-wide scheme to allow under-35s to live and work in Europe, new paternity leave rights and a crackdown on sewage pollution.

The party is heavily targeting seats in the south-west and London commuter belt, the so-called “blue wall”, where it hopes to take votes from liberal voters disillusions with the Conservatives. Almost all the party’s target seats were held by the Conservatives, including some by senior cabinet ministers such as the chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, in Godalming and Ash, and the education secretary, Gillian Keegan, in Chichester.

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2024-06-10 06:15:00Z
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Election news – live: Tories face wipeout in poll as minister condemns D-Day blunder - The Independent

Minister denies Rishi Sunak will quit before general election after D-Day blunder

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The Conservative Party is facing electoral wipeout, the latest poll has revealed, as a close ally of Rishi Sunak was forced to deny speculation that the prime minister could quit before the general election on 4 July.

Labour is set for a majority of 416 at the upcoming general election, leaving the Tories at just 37 seats, according to the new Deltapoll survey, which puts Sir Keir Starmer’s party on 46 per cent compared to the Conservatives on 21 per cent – with even the prime minister set to lose his Yorkshire seat.

Mr Sunak is claimed to be despondent over the furious backlash to his decision to skip a D-Day memorial attended by other world leaders, and he appeared to dodge questioning on Saturday after a scheduled press event was cancelled during a campaign visit to a walled garden at Auckland Castle.

With fierce critic Nadine Dorries claiming to have heard rumours on Saturday “that Sunak’s about to fall on his sword”, cabinet minister Mel Stride was forced to insist there was “no question” whether or not Mr Sunak would lead the Tories into polling day.

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Like him or not, there’s a reason voters keep coming back to Nigel Farage

To what may we attribute the current success of Nigel Farage and his latest vehicle, Reform UK? Without exaggerating their strength – Reform UK is not about to win the general election and Farage is not going to be asked by the King to form an administration in his name – their rise is undeniable and, for the Tories, terrifying.

Quite a lot of that is down to one man and, whether you think him evil or not, the political gifts he undoubtedly possesses. He is, to many of us, a fascistic demagogue; but not every wannabe authoritarian leader gets very far, and it still takes skill, as well as luck and some judgement, to get as far as he has for as long as he has. After all, he first emerged as leader of Ukip in 2006 and has been part of the national scene, from Brussels to I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, ever since. Whether we like it nor not, he is a force in British politics.

Sean O’Grady writes:

Tara Cobham10 June 2024 04:00

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Sunak sets out plan for 8,000 more ‘bobbies on the beat’

Rishi Sunak has promised to recruit 8,000 more neighbourhood police officers, paid for by hiking the cost of visas if the Conservatives win the General Election.

The prime minister said “more bobbies on the beat” with greater powers would help drive down crime.

The Tories said the plan would be funded in part by increasing visa fees by 25 per cent and making overseas students pay a higher level of immigration health surcharge.

The prime minister highlighted the Tory record of recruiting 20,000 officers since 2019, although this matched the number of officers lost during the years of austerity after 2010.

Mr Sunak said: “Our new 20,000 new police officers since 2019 have made a huge difference, with neighbourhood crime down 48% as a result.

“We will now go further by hiring 8,000 more police officers, each one dedicated to their local community.

“People deserve to feel safe in their neighbourhood.

“More bobbies on the beat and increased powers will give police forces the tools they need to drive down neighbourhood crime even further.”

The Tories plan to press ahead with extra powers for officers to crack down on so-called zombie knives and use GPS tracking technology to search for stolen phones without a warrant which were included in the Criminal Justice Bill which was halted when Mr Sunak called the General Election.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the campaign trail (PA Wire)

Tara Cobham10 June 2024 03:00

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Mapped: Tactical voting poses threat to half of projected Tory election wins

More than a hundred seats across the UK could be ripe for tactical voting at the general election, according to a new analysis by The Independent.

Based on a major poll from YouGov, published on Monday, almost half of the Conservatives’ projected wins come with a margin under 5 points.

The Tories themselves may have an eye on 50 seats Labour and the Liberal Democrats are projected to win, if they can persuade Reform UK voters to back them.

Data Correspondent Alicja Hagopian reports:

Tara Cobham10 June 2024 02:00

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Labour promises school breakfast clubs will save parents £400 a year

Labour has said its commitment to delivering free breakfast clubs in primary schools will save parents more than £400 a year and cut almost half a million days of school absence.

In the first phase of the party’s childcare plan, it promises to slash absence and save primary school parents hundreds of pounds a year.

By Labour’s estimates, for parents who already pay for alternative before-school childcare such as childminders, funded breakfast clubs could cut the cost by up to £50 a week, delivering savings of almost £2,000 across a school year.

Bridget Phillipson, the shadow education secretary, said the breakfast clubs plan is the first step towards delivering a transformation in childcare which supports families from the end of parental leave to the end of primary school.

Ms Phillipson said: “Families’ childcare needs don’t end when their kids leave nursery, that’s why we’ll put free breakfast clubs in every English primary school.

“We’ll fund our clubs by clamping down on tax dodgers and save hardworking parents over £400 every year.

“Breakfast clubs are proven to improve kids’ behaviour and grades, and get those regularly missing class back into school – giving them a great start to their day and getting them ready to learn.”

Labour has said it will roll out the fully funded breakfast clubs across all primary schools in England, expanding significantly from the Conservatives’ plans which it claims reach just one in every seven primary schools.

In addition to providing vital childcare for parents, Labour analysis claims breakfast clubs could also cut 450,000 days of school absence among primary school pupils.

School attendance has been described as a national crisis as the number of children not attending school has risen in recent years.

Tara Cobham10 June 2024 01:00

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Tory party must embrace Farage to ‘unite the right’, says Braverman

The Conservative Party must embrace Nigel Farage to “unite the right”, Suella Braverman has urged, following a disastrous few days for Rishi Sunak.

The former home secretary told The Times there was “not much difference” between the new Reform UK leader’s policies and those of the Tories, as senior Conservatives start debating the future of the party.

Tara Cobham10 June 2024 00:11

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Tories embroiled in hypocrisy row over anti-Ulez pledge

But Mr Sunak was accused of hypocrisy after it emerged his own ministers had supported many of the measures he is now railing against.

Archie Mitchell and David Maddox report:

Tara Cobham10 June 2024 00:00

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Watch: Labour candidate parachutes into Normandy to raise money for British Legion

Labour candidate parachutes into Normandy to raise money for British Legion

Tara Cobham9 June 2024 23:00

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Lord Heseltine warns spiralling Tory party is ‘fighting for its life’

Lord Heseltine has issued a rallying cry to the Conservative Party warning it is in the “fight for its life” and needs to focus on attacking the enemy.

The dramatic intervention by a former deputy prime minister who was at the heart of grasping the Tories’ most unlikely victory in 1992 comes as the polls are predicting a Canadian style wipeout of the party.

Political editor David Maddox reports:

Tara Cobham9 June 2024 22:00

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Labour pledges to create 100,000 extra childcare places in schools

Labour has set out plans to turn primary school classrooms into 3,300 new nurseries to create an extra 100,000 childcare places.

Sir Keir Starmer said a shortage of childcare meant parents were being held back in their careers and children were “starting school already behind”.

Under Labour’s plan, empty or under-used classrooms in England’s primary schools could be converted to nurseries.

The spare capacity in schools has been caused by declining birth rates and under the plan some 3,334 classrooms would be converted at an average cost of £40,000.

The nurseries could be run by the schools themselves or local private or voluntary-sector providers.

Funding for the scheme would come from imposing VAT on private schools.

Labour said it would target its new school nursery places at areas of highest need, where parents are struggling to find childcare.

Sir Keir said: “Childcare is critical infrastructure. It’s vital for children’s opportunities, and essential for a stable economy.

“After 14 years of Conservative government, too many children are starting school already behind, and too many parents are being held back from fulfilling their career ambitions.

“This election is about change. Labour will roll up our sleeves and take the tough decisions needed to support parents’ progression, improve kids’ life chances and ultimately, drive growth. We will create the childcare places needed to turn the page, and rebuild Britain.”

Tara Cobham9 June 2024 21:20

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Tory candidate defends renting Airbnb property in prospective constituency

A Conservative Party candidate has defended renting an Airbnb property in his prospective constituency after a social media post about becoming a “resident” of the area prompted criticism online.

Candidate for Surrey Heath Ed McGuinness posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday that he was “now a resident of St Paul’s ward” as constituents “rightly expect their MP to be a part of their community”.

He shared photos of himself holding keys in front of a front door and standing in a kitchen.

However, social media users claimed the home was listed on property rental site Airbnb and a Community Note was subsequently added to the bottom of the post.

Mr McGuinness told the PA news agency the property was a former Airbnb he was renting and that it had not yet been removed from the site.

He said: “It’s a former Airbnb that I’m now renting while I look to buy.

“To get a place within 100 hours of being selected is a great achievement (if you know an estate agent who can work it out sooner please let me know!) and demonstrates my commitment to Surrey Heath.

“Presumably the landlord had it listed on Airbnb and didn’t immediately remove it as soon as I moved in.”

The listing has since been removed from Airbnb.

Tara Cobham9 June 2024 21:00

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