Labour manifesto - latest: Keir Starmer launching 'wealth creation' election policies - The Independent

Keir Starmer appeared to freeze when called ‘a political robot’

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Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to make wealth creation the “number one priority” should he win the general election as the Labour Party is set to announce its manifesto three weeks into the campaign trail.

The Labour leader promised his time in Downing Street would be distinctly “pro-business and pro-worker” as he seeks to win over disaffected Tory voters angry at a flatlined economy under prime minister Rishi Sunak.

Labour’s manifesto announcement is expected to include a pledge to cap corporation tax at its current rate of 25 per cent to give businesses long-term certainty - the latest in a series of promises not to raise tax.

But Sir Keir’s possible tax policies came under question during a televised Sky News interview and Q&A on Wednesday night.

The Labour leader was pressed about whether his party would consider hiking fuel duty or capital gains tax to raise more cash for the public purse, after he already ruled out raising income tax, national insurance, or VAT in the next parliament.

“There are no surprises in our manifesto, because our manifesto is a manifesto for growth,” he responded.

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Streeting refuses to rule out some tax hikes

Wes Streeting is pushed to say which taxes could go up under the Labour party.

Speaking on Sky News Breakfast, he reassures voters that VAT, income tax and national insurance will no be hiked. But he refused to rise any other taxes.

He also defended Sir Keir Starmer’s comments that he was “certain” that Jeremy Corbyn would lose the 2019 election.

Labour shadow health minister Wes Streeting speaking on Sky News Breakfast with Kay Burley (Sky News )

Salma Ouaguira13 June 2024 07:39

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Pat McFadden: Country needs ‘sober’ and ‘serious’ leader

A “sober” and “serious” leader is what the country needs right now, Labour’s Pat McFadden said.

Responding to claims that Sir Keir Starmer is “robotic”, Mr McFadden argued the Labour leader is not trying to be in the entertainment business.

The party’s national campaign co-ordinator told GB News: “I think after the chaos that we have had over the past few years - five prime ministers, seven chancellors, all the changes in policy, the mad mini budget that we had that put up everybody’s mortgages - a sober, serious leader is exactly what the country needs right now.

“I don’t think he’s trying to be in the entertainment business, he’s trying to be a sober, serious leader, and that’s what he’ll be if he’s elected on the fourth of July.”

(PA Wire)

Maryam Zakir-Hussain13 June 2024 07:38

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Morning media round

Lord Cameron on morning media round for Tories.

National campaign co-ordinator Pat McFadden on for Labour as well as Lib Dem chief whip Wendy Chamberlain.

Labour shadow minister Wes Streeting is speaking on Sky News Breakfast now.

Salma Ouaguira13 June 2024 07:23

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General Election campaign: Manifesto Week

Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer are still recovering from the most forensic interview of the election campaign after yesterday’s Sky News Battle for No 10.

Here’s what’s in the agenda today:

• Today is Sir Keir Starmer’s turn to launch a manifesto in Manchester this morning at 11am.

• The prime minister is in Italy this morning to join world leaders for the G7 meeting at the Borgo Egnazia resort.

• Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey will be on a visit to Kent in the afternoon as part of his campaign trail.

• Plaid Cymru is launching its manifesto in Cardiff.

• Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar will campaign in East Lothian with candidate Douglas Alexander.

Salma Ouaguira13 June 2024 07:20

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Sky News leaders’ interviews: Rishi Sunak looked defeated, while Keir Starmer just kept talking

Tom Watling13 June 2024 07:00

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Slippery Starmer took a bruising in the Sky News Q&A – but the real loser was Snippy Rishi

Tom Watling13 June 2024 06:30

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‘Defeated man’ Sunak on course to heavy election loss after damning Sky debate verdict

Tom Watling13 June 2024 06:15

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Sunak’s campaign takes another blow as Starmer claims confident victory in YouGov poll after Sky debate

Tom Watling13 June 2024 06:00

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Jeers and laughter: Audience have their say on Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer

Jeers and laughter: Audience have their say on Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer

Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer were grilled by Beth Rigby and her audience during Wednesday evening’s Sky News debate. As they stood on stage in Grimsby, the two leaders were challenged on their general election plans and promises ahead of next month’s vote. Mr Sunak was grilled on Rwanda flights and strikes, while Sir Keir was quizzed on his plans for tackling the cost of living crisis. There were moments when both leaders drew groans and laughter from the audience as they tried to win over the public. Here, The Independent takes a look at the strongest audience reactions from the debate.

Tom Watling13 June 2024 05:00

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Former local Tory chair applauded for challenging Sunak on Partygate: ‘People have long memories’

Former local Tory chair applauded for challenging Sunak on Partygate: ‘Long memories’

A former local Conservative Party chair was applauded for reminding Rishi Sunak that the public has “long memories” during Wednesday’s general election debate. The woman, who introduced herself as Amy from Leeds, told the prime minister she was “ashamed” by actions from the Tory government and admitted she was now an undecided voter. After pressing Mr Sunak on his decision to leave last week’s D-Day commemorations early, she warned that the British public will not forget other Tory scandals - including Partygate. “I just think we have long memories in this country,” Amy said, drawing applause from the audience.

Tom Watling13 June 2024 04:00

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2024-06-13 11:01:04Z
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David Cameron says Rishi Sunak aide’s bet on election date was ‘very foolish’ - The Guardian

David Cameron has condemned Rishi Sunak’s closest parliamentary aide, Craig Williams, for making a “clearly very foolish decision” after he placed a bet on a July election three days before it was called.

The Guardian revealed on Wednesday that Williams, who is standing for re-election in Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, placed a £100 with Ladbrokes on a July poll.

The Gambling Commission has launched an inquiry after the bet was referred by Ladbrokes. On Wednesday night, Williams, the prime minister’s parliamentary private secretary, admitted to the “flutter” and said: “I should have thought how it looks.”

The foreign secretary was asked by BBC Breakfast about Williams’s “situation” after the revelation. Lord Cameron said: “His situation, having made this clearly very foolish decision, is that he’s being investigated by the Gambling Commission, and they have considerable powers in terms of what the consequences could be, and I think we have to let that investigation take place. And so I can’t really comment any further on it.”

Asked if he was happy for Williams to stand as a Conservative candidate, Cameron said “yes” but then qualified this by pointing out it was too late for the party to remove Williams from ballot papers.

He said: “All the nominations are in, and candidates are standing, and I don’t think we can change that. In fact, it’s very important that we don’t make alterations, after these things have been set. But obviously, he’s going to be investigated, and we’ll have to face the consequences of that investigation.”

Oliver Lewis, the Reform UK candidate for the seat, called on the Tories to withdraw support for Williams. He told the Daily Telegraph: “This is completely tawdry, low-grade behaviour by somebody who was at the right hand of the prime minister.”

The party does have the option of pulling its support as Labour did with Azhar Ali, its candidate in the Rochdale byelection, over comments he made about the 7 October attacks on Israel. Ali’s name was on the ballot paper but without Labour’s official backing he slumped to fourth in a contest that was won by George Galloway.

On Wednesday a Conservative party spokesperson said: “We are aware of contact between a Conservative candidate and the Gambling Commission. It is a personal matter for the individual in question. As the Gambling Commission is an independent body, it wouldn’t be proper to comment further, until any process is concluded.”

It is understood that a red flag was automatically raised at Ladbrokes as the bet in Williams’s name potentially had been placed by a “politically exposed person”, and the bookmaker is particularly cautious over “novelty” markets.

Using confidential information to gain an unfair advantage when betting may constitute a criminal offence. The MPs’ code of conduct also prohibits members from “causing significant damage to the reputation and integrity of the house”. The bet was placed while parliament was still in session.

At the last election in 2019, before boundary changes, Williams had a majority of 12,000.

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2024-06-13 10:34:00Z
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The Simpsons to WWF: the Sky TV Rishi Sunak would have missed out on - The Guardian

While scouring his memory for the “lots of things” he missed out on as a child, Rishi Sunak plumped for Sky TV as his best example of hardship.

But the prime minister, who attended Winchester College boarding school, did not acknowledge the role that snobbery may have played in that choice. As satellite dishes multiplied across the country, Sky was derided by critics as “council house TV” – and many wealthier families demurred from more than four channels.

Sunak was eight when Sky Television launched in 1989. Here is some of what he might have missed.

Premier League

As a self-described “massive Saints fan”, without a satellite dish Rishi Sunak might have missed seeing Matt Le Tissier’s chip from 40 yards out against Blackburn Rovers in 1994. The strike won Match of the Day’s goal of the season.

Southampton were in the midst of their longest stretch of top tier football in the 90s and Sky had exclusive rights to the newly formed Premier League. The Saints were a founder member when it launched in 1992, with the Sky Sports deal stopping many fans from watching games.

The Simpsons

The world’s most famous cartoon family first appeared on Sky One in 1990. Its quick-witted writing and social commentary set it apart from other cartoons still catering for kids.

The 90s were a golden age for Bart and Homer, who did not make it on to terrestrial channels until the latter half of the decade. Sky knew what it was on to: TV shop windows were full of branded posters and Bart had a No 1 single with Do the Bartman, even when most people couldn’t watch him on television.

WWF

Tango-coloured men fighting in Lycra was an obsession of the 80s and 90s. The wrestler Hulk Hogan became so famous children could buy figurines of him featuring his trademark handlebar moustache in toy shops.

Sky had the rights to WWF – since rebranded WWE – as its popularity peaked. The WWF Superstars even made the UK Top 10 singles chart in 1992 with Slam Jam. The franchise also launched the career of a charismatic wrestler called The Rock, who hardly sunk without a trace.

Xena: Warrior Princess

Xena fought off armies, monsters and gods with only a sword and golden breastplates for protection.

The Emmy-winning series was seen as a feminist reimagining of Greek myth and its warrior princess, played by Lucy Lawless, quickly gathered a cult following. Her sexually charged friendship with her sidekick, Gabrielle, played by Renee O’Connor, was also groundbreaking, and Xena became a gay icon.

While it was aired on terrestrial TV with the launch of Channel 5, most of the series were shown on Sky.

Dream Team

The travails of the fictional Premier League club Harchester United formed the basis of this Sky series that ran for a decade from 1997. To keep the plots fresh it went to increasingly outlandish lengths to maintain drama on and off the pitch.

Dramatic deaths included the club captain being shot by a sniper as he lifted the FA Cup, a plane crash and a bus crash killing off multiple players, and a goalkeeper in gambling debt being killed by armed police after holding other players hostage.

Other memorable deaths include the manager murdering his star player by impaling him on a dressing room peg and then suicide bombing the team bus, killing everyone onboard.

America’s Dumbest Criminals

This series scoured police and security cameras in the US for the most persuasive examples of Darwinism. There were the burglars who had to call 911 after getting trapped in a house they had robbed, the shoplifter using a carrier bag without eyeholes for a mask, and the thieves who forgot to put petrol in their getaway car.

The spectacle of really stupid people getting caught attempting crimes accompanied by a dry voiceover proved a hit with UK audiences.

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2024-06-12 12:15:00Z
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Tories seem to admit defeat as minister pleads: Don't give Starmer a 'super majority' - Evening Standard

They would be wiped out in Inner London, losing Cities of London and Westminster, Chelsea and Fulham, and the new seat of Kensington and Bayswater. The only seats the Conservatives would retain in the capital would be on the outer edges of the city in Hornchurch and Upminster, Orpington, Old Bexley and Sidcup, and Romford, with the last two being close contests against Labour.

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2024-06-12 12:08:47Z
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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.

READ MORE: Police thought he was a burglar but what they found inside house was more sinister

READ MORE: Michael Mosley post-mortem 'confirms exact time of death'

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

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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

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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

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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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2024-06-11 09:30:00Z
CBMid2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRoZWd1YXJkaWFuLmNvbS91ay1uZXdzL2FydGljbGUvMjAyNC9qdW4vMTEvZ2FyeS1nbGl0dGVyLW9yZGVyZWQtdG8tcGF5LW1vcmUtdGhhbi01MDAwMDAtdG8td29tYW4taGUtYWJ1c2Vk0gF3aHR0cHM6Ly9hbXAudGhlZ3VhcmRpYW4uY29tL3VrLW5ld3MvYXJ0aWNsZS8yMDI0L2p1bi8xMS9nYXJ5LWdsaXR0ZXItb3JkZXJlZC10by1wYXktbW9yZS10aGFuLTUwMDAwMC10by13b21hbi1oZS1hYnVzZWQ