As chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares for the Autumn Budget on 30 October, Sir Keir Starmer has stoked anxiety by not ruling out an increase in National Insurance contributions.
During a fiery session of Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir faced pressure from Rishi Sunak about Labour’s tax plans. Asked about potential tax rises, the PM sidestepped a definitive response sparking fears of future hikes for millions of Britons.
It comes as the Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates the government would need to raise up to £25billion in tax increases to keep public spending in line with national income.
Meanwhile, the Tory leadership race has intensified after James Cleverly’s unexpected exit, leaving Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick as the final contenders.
Almost immediately, tensions flared between their supporters. Mr Jenrick supporter Sir John Hayes MP said the Conservatives do not want an “irascible leadership”.
Nigel Huddleston MP, who supports Badenoch, hit back, suggesting Mr Jenrick had “too many specific policies”, apparently in reference to his pledge to withdraw Britain from the European Convention on Human Rights.
Key Points
- Fears over national insurance as Starmer hints at tax increases
- Tory leadership battle turns fiery as Badenoch and Jenrick camps clash
- Zelensky flies to Downing Street for talks with Starmer
- Reeves may need tax increases worth £25 billion, IFS warns
- Worker’s bill has ‘more boles than Swiss cheese’, says Unite
Pictured: Zelensky arrives in Downing Street to meet Keir Starmer
09:15
Salma Ouaguira
COMMENT | If Cleverly’s elimination from the Tory race came as a shock, read on…
09:00
Salma Ouaguira
The exit of the frontrunner is the most astonishing result in a Tory leadership ballot since Michael Portillo lost to Iain Duncan Smith, writes John Rentoul.
And there may be one final twist in the tale…
Fears mount over national insurance as Starmer hints at potential tax increases
08:49
Salma Ouaguira
As chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares for the Autumn Budget on 30 October, Sir Keir Starmer has ignited concerns by not ruling out an increase in National Insurance contributions.
During a heated exchange at Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday, Sir Keir faced questions from Tory leader Rishi Sunak, who pressed him on the future of the government’s tax policy.
But the PM refused to rule out a possible hike in the future, claiming: “I’m not going to get drawn on conclusions.”
Previously, National Insurance rates had seen significant reductions. In January, the rate for 27 million workers dropped from 12 per cent to 10 per cent and it fell further to 8 per cent in April as part of Jeremy Hunt’s tax reforms.
It comes as the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) estimates Rachel Reeves may need to raise up to £25 billion from tax increases if she wants to keep public spending rising with national income.
Badenoch and Jenrick to face off in TV debate
08:34
Salma Ouaguira
Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick are set to clash in a televised debate on 17 October.
Hosted by GB News, the ‘Decision Time: The Race To Lead’ show promises to be a decisive event in the Tory leadership race to succeed Rishi Sunak.
The programme will be broadcasted from 7pm to 9pm.
What happened at the Tory leadership row between supporters?
08:29
Salma Ouaguira
Just hours after Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick secured their spots in the final showdown, a Tory leadership race exploded into full-blown civil war.
The rivals’ camps clashed like two heavyweight boxers trading early jabs.
Sir John Hayes, a staunch supporter, threw the first punch.
He fired his shot at Ms Badenoch, claiming that the Conservatives “don’t want an irascible leadership” - a swipe at claims that the shadow secretary can be abrasive at times.
But it didn’t take long for Ms Badenoch’s backers to hit back.
Nigel Huddleston suggested Jenrick was bogged down with “too many specific policies”, taking aim at his detailed manifesto, including his controversial plan to withdraw Britain from the European Convention of Human Rights.
With just one vote left, the Tory civil war is far from over.
Both candidates are seen as right-wing firebrands, and it appears the battle lines have already been drawn in this bruising contest.
Minister vows ‘everybody will be better off under Labour'
08:25
Salma Ouaguira
Business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds has promised voters that the government is committed to improving living standards for all, despite concerns over the upcoming budget.
Responding to fears that pensioners may face hardship this winter, the minister pushed back against claims that they would be left “hiding behind the sofa wrapped in a blanket”.
Speaking to Sky News this morning, Mr Reynolds said: “This is a government that is going to make everybody better off.
“Specifically for pensioners, we already have the commitment to the triple lock, that’s a guarantee that pensioners will be better off this year, next year, the year after that.
“That is a significant pledge from this new government, so people should be reassured from commitments like that.”
Worker’s bill has ‘more boles than Swiss cheese’, says Unite
08:20
Salma Ouaguira
Unite the union has warned Angela Rayner’s Employment Rights Bill fails to fully protect workers.
General secretary Sharon Graham acknowledged the legislation is a step forward, but she insisted the reform would leave “more holes than Swiss cheese” for employers to exploit.
Ms Graham commended some provisions, such as ending Minimum Service Levels and introducing individual rights like bereavement leave.
However, she pointed out that the bill still falls short of its promises, especially in tackling fire-and-rehire practices and zero-hours contracts.
She added: “The Bill also fails to give workers the sort of meaningful rights to access to a union for pay bargaining that would put more money in their pockets and, in turn, would aid growth.
“Unite will continue to make the workers’ voice heard as we push for improvements to the legislation as the Bill goes through parliament.”
Angela Rayner: Tories ‘clueless’ over workers’ rights opposition
08:10
Salma Ouaguira
Angela Rayner has accused the Conservative Party of being “out of step with modern Britain” for opposing Labour’s Employment Rights Bill.
In a tweet, she promised the bill will bring the “biggest upgrade to rights at work in a generation”.
Speaking at the Commons yesterday, the deputy prime minister said Labour’s proposals aim to transform workers’ protections.
In a scathing critique of the Tories, Ms Rayner linked their current stance to historical opposition, reminding them how their party initially resisted the introduction of the minimum wage in 1998.
She wrote on social media: “We know the out of touch Tories will oppose this every step of the way. Just like they opposed Labour’s minimum wage, and now - shamefully - want to take us back to the dark ages, when women were denied maternity pay.
“But it’s clear they are out of step with modern Britain.”
Tory former Brexit minister endorses Kemi Badenoch
07:58
Salma Ouaguira
Former Brexit minister Steve Baker has thrown his support behind Kemi Badenoch in the final round of the Conservative leadership contest against Robert Jenrick.
Speaking to GB News, Mr Baker, who lost his seat in the general election, praised Ms Badenoch’s “authenticity” and commitment to conservative values.
He said: “I shall vote for Kemi and with a good heart too, because she’s authentic and she’s got a ferocious passion for what she believes.”
He also criticised his own party for “lacking an intellectual keel” in recent years, suggesting the Conservatives had lost its ideological direction by following the public opinion rather than shaping it.
“Kemi truly believes in conservative ideas, and she argues for them with great passion. And it’s that authenticity which for me tells me it should be Kemi,” he added.
Boris Johnson hints at return to front-line politics
07:48
Salma Ouaguira
Boris Johnson has hinted he may return to the political spotlight, describing the relentless nature of effective politicians as having a “cockroach-like” survival instinct.
In an interview with Times Radio, the former prime minister left open the door to a future role in public life, suggesting that his time in politics might not be over.
When asked if he saw a potential comeback, the former prime minister referenced the late Queen’s advice, claiming: “You should only do things you think can be useful.”
Pressed further on whether he still considered himself useful, Mr Johnson carefully avoided ruling anything out, adding: “I’m not saying that.”
He went on: “For politicians to be effective, they must be like wasps in a jam jar. They’ve got to want continually, cockroach-like to survive and to continue.
“That’s not necessarily a despicable thing from the point of view of the electorate because we all need people who really, really want to do their best for us.”
Policing costs for Taylor Swift’s London concerts revealed
07:45
Salma Ouaguira
The cost pf policing Taylor Swift’s concerts in London saw a significant increase over the summer, largely due to heightened security concerns following a failed terror plot in Europe.
Reports suggest that senior political figures, including home secretary Yvette Cooper, pushed for enhanced measures. She attended one of the August concerts without charge, further drawing attention to the scale of state resources allocated, Sky News reports.
The June concerts required 332 police officers and cost £206,557. Organisers reimbursed £79,140.08.
After the terror threat emerged, August’s security costs surged to nearly £500,000, involving 881 police officers. The organisers reimbursed £172,157.52.
Overall, £704,948.05 was spent on security for the popstar’s concerts, with organisers covering £251,297.60 of that sum. Across the two concert dates, a total of 1,143 officers were deployed.
ICYMI: Tory MPs pivot to the right as centrist Cleverly knocked out
07:35
Salma Ouaguira
Conservative MPs stunned Westminster by pivoting to the right and ditching centrist candidate James Cleverly in the race to succeed Rishi Sunak.
In a shock result, the former home secretary was knocked out of the contest on Wednesday afternoon, leaving Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch – both candidates favoured by the right of the party – to face a vote of the membership.
You can read the full story below:
Good morning
07:20
Salma Ouaguira
Welcome back to the politics live blog.
It’s a busy day in Westminster, with a mix of international diplomacy, domestic fiscal challenges and political manoeuvring at play.
- First on the agenda, Sir Keir Starmer is set to meet Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky at Downing Street, who is in a European tour to rally more support for Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
- The prime minister will also meet Nato’s new general secretary Mark Rutte.
- Meanwhile, the economic outlook is looking tense. A report from the Institute of Fiscal Studies warned that £25 billion in tax rises may be necessary to sustain the government’s spending plans.
- With the budget looming on 30 October, chancellor Rachel Reeves faces a tricky task of balancing fiscal responsibility with public reluctance towards tax hikes or spending cuts.
- In the Tory leadership contest, James Cleverly’s surprising exit has shocked many. A ‘failed’ tactical voting effort left Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch as the last contenders.
- Elsewhere, home secretary Yvette Cooper is facing scrutiny after pushing for enhanced security for Taylor Swift before attending one of her concerts.
Zelensky to visit Downing Street as he seeks more support from Europe
07:00
Athena Stavrou
Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Downing Street on Thursday as he tours European nations seeking support for Ukraine’s resistance against Russia.
The Ukrainian president will meet Sir Keir Starmer and Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte, with the Prime Minister expected to underline the UK’s commitment to the defence of Ukraine.
The visit will be Mr Zelensky’s second trip to Number 10 since Sir Keir came to power after he addressed an extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet in July.
What supporters of each side are saying in leadership race
06:45
Alex Ross
In an exchange in a BBC Radio interview less than two hours after Ms Badenoch and Mr Jenrick, South Holland and The Deeping MP Sir John said: “Robert has a much broader experience of government than Kemi. He is appealing and can unite the party. We don’t need an irascible leadership. We want a leadership that is emollient but principled.”
When Droitwich and Evesham MP Mr Huddleston was asked to respond to the suggestion that Ms Badenoch is “irascible”, he said: “Kemi can connect with lots of people. Her message is very different from the others. She starts from first principles and values that will unite all Conservatives. Other candidates have gone out there with very deep dive specific policies.”
Tory civil war erupts again
06:31
Alex Ross
The Tory civil war has erupted again after MPs decided to make the leadership final the most right-wing in the party’s history.
Less than two hours after hard-right candidates Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick made it to the last round of the Tory leadership contest, the camps started attacking each other.
Jenrick cheerleader Tory MP Sir John Hayes took a sideswipe at Ms Badenoch, saying the Conservatives do not want an “irascible leadership” – a thinly veiled reference to claims that she is “abrasive” at times.
Government’s plans to boost workers’ rights to be unveiled
06:30
Athena Stavrou
The Government will today announce details of new rights for workers, including plans to ban exploitative zero-hours contracts and “unscrupulous” fire and rehire practices which it said will benefit millions of workers.
Ministers described the Employment Rights Bill as the biggest boost to pay and productivity in the workplace in a generation.
Unions warmly welcomed the measures as a “seismic shift” from the low pay, low productivity economy they accused the previous Conservative government of presiding over.
There are 28 separate changes in the Bill, with most of them not expected to be implemented before the autumn of 2026.
Some measures, such as the right to “switch off” at the end of a working day, are not in the Bill but will be included in a so-called Next Steps document for further consideration and consultation.
Under the Bill, the existing two-year qualifying period for protections from unfair dismissal will be removed and workers will have the right from the first day in a job.
Ministers say this will benefit nine million workers who have been with their employer for less than two years.
Reeves may need tax increases worth £25 billion – IFS
05:30
Athena Stavrou
Rachel Reeves may need to raise up to £25 billion from tax increases if she wants to keep spending rising with national income, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) estimates.
Even if the Chancellor changes the debt rule she inherited from the Tories, this would do “almost nothing” to ease the challenge on public service funding, the IFS said as it released its Green Budget report.
Because of her promise to meet day-to-day spending out of revenues, Ms Reeves would still need to turn to tax rises to avoid spending cuts and meet her pledge to borrow only to invest.
IFS director Paul Johnson said Ms Reeves’ first Budget, which she will deliver on October 30, could be “the most consequential since at least 2010”.
The report, funded by the Nuffield Foundation and using economic forecasting by Citi, analysed the challenges facing the Chancellor.
In a scenario modelled by Citi, the report concluded that if there are no cuts to spending outside of public services, Ms Reeves would need a tax rise of £16 billion to remain on course to balance the budget in 2028-29.
This would be on top of the £9 billion tax rise from measures set out in Labour’s manifesto – adding up to almost £25 billion in total.
Watch: Culture secretary defends Starmer taking ‘free tickets’ for Taylor Swift concert
04:30
Athena Stavrou
Pensions ‘could be used to help workers build a rainy day savings pot’
03:30
Athena Stavrou
The next decade of workplace pensions saving should be more flexible and help low earners to build up a savings safety net that they can draw on before they retire, according to a think tank.
The Resolution Foundation said more focus is needed on addressing the different challenges faced by low, middle and higher earners.
It said the first decade of automatic enrolment into workplace pensions has improved private pension coverage and boosted people’s savings pots.
But while a “one-size-fits-all” approach has worked well for the first chapter of auto-enrolment, the next chapter will require both a boost to saving rates and a more flexible approach, to reflect the different challenges that low, middle and higher earners face, it added.
The report argues that default contribution rates into auto-enrolment should continue to rise over the next decade, initially from 8% to 10%.
Schools with falling pupil numbers may run ‘mixed-age classes’ due to pressures
02:30
Athena Stavrou
Primary schools in England struggling with falling pupil numbers could be forced to run mixed-age classes to cope financially, a report has suggested.
In extreme cases, some schools with many unfilled places may have to close in the future due to budgetary pressures, according to an analysis.
The percentage of primary school places that are unfilled is projected to rise from 12% to 16% over the next five years, the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) report said.
In Inner London, unfilled places are projected to rise from 20% to 30% over the same period.
The report said: “The combined picture suggests that continuing falling pupil numbers will cause more primary schools to face significant financial strife in future unless they find ways to cut costs substantially or funding is significantly increased.”
It added: “One possibility is that schools may look to create mixed-age classes in an effort to save the cost of teachers and teaching assistants.”
The Government could offer “parachute payments” to give schools some “breathing room” whilst pupil numbers are falling quickly, it suggested.
Watch: Sunak takes Sue Gray swipe at PM as he claims Starmer is ‘a convert to fire and rehire'
01:30
Athena Stavrou
UK falls further behind the US in educating world leaders, study shows
Thursday 10 October 2024 00:15
Athena Stavrou
The UK has fallen further behind the United States in a league table of the countries that educate the most serving world leaders who studied abroad.
Of the current serving presidents, prime ministers and monarchs educated at a university outside their own home country, 70 received higher education in the US compared to 58 in the UK.
The gap between the US and the UK is the largest it has been since the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) think tank first launched the annual “soft-power index” in 2017.
Nick Hillman, director of Hepi, has warned that the gap between these two countries could widen further in future years because of the former UK Government’s immigration policies affecting international students.
He told the PA news agency: “We have sowed the seeds for our own further relative decline and we have done it knowingly.”
UK-Mauritius deal ‘second great betrayal of the Chagossian people’
Wednesday 9 October 2024 23:23
Athena Stavrou
The UK’s decision to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has been described as the “second great betrayal of the Chagossian people”.
The Chagos Islands have been in British hands for more than 200 years, but after Mauritius gained independence from France in the late 1960s, the inhabitants of the islands were forcibly expelled to make way for a UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.
Many Chagossians now live in the UK, Mauritius or the Seychelles, but the new deal will make way for them to be able to return to the islands, except Diego Garcia itself.
Shadow Foreign Office minister Lord Callanan said: “The transfer of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius is a shameful day for our country.
“This is the second great betrayal of the Chagossian people under a Labour Government.
“In 1967, Harold Wilson’s Government forcibly evicted the Chagossian people from their homes.
“Now, in 2024, the Chagossians, who have no say in these negotiations, have been handed over to a foreign power that is in many ways different from their culture and lifestyles.”
Chicken manure has turned river into ‘sewage dump’, Parliament told
Wednesday 9 October 2024 22:34
Athena Stavrou
A British waterway has been turned into a sewage dump by “chicken shit”, Parliament has been told.
The stark assessment of pollution in the River Wye and its main cause was highlighted at Westminster by long-time resident Lord Lipsey. The Labour peer said he had lived with his wife in the Wye Valley in Wales for nearly 30 years and went wild swimming in the river, but told how it was a “deteriorating experience”.
The Wye, which runs for 130 miles from central Wales to the Severn Estuary in south-west England, was downgraded by Natural England to “unfavourable” for wildlife in 2023 after years of exposure to agricultural pollution and phosphates.
Lord Lipsey raised his concerns as peers debated reforms aimed at cracking down on the discharge of sewage into Britain’s rivers and coastal waters.
He said: “Why has this happened? There are various causes, but overwhelmingly the most important is – I use the word, whatever the risk of offending – chicken shit.
“Something like 80% of the pollution in the Wye is caused by chicken shit that is not moved off the farms, lies on the fields and is driven by water into the stream, where it does untold harm.”
Watch: Starmer says Falklands are British and will remain British
Wednesday 9 October 2024 22:00
Athena Stavrou
Landlords selling up could force renters into temporary accommodation, MP warns
Wednesday 9 October 2024 21:31
Athena Stavrou
Unfit homes could be “the least of the problems” if landlords sell up, a Conservative MP has warned during a Renters’ Rights Bill debate.
Rebecca Smith told MPs she had heard from a constituent with 89 properties who planned to sell his homes, which she feared could land renters in the temporary accommodation system.
The Government-backed Bill proposes an end to no-fault evictions and a ban on bidding wars, along with new requirements for landlords to address hazards such as damp and mould.
Ms Smith, the MP for South West Devon, told the Commons on Wednesday: “The fact that the homes are not necessarily always fit to live in is almost the least of the problems because … if there are are no homes to live in, the people do not have anywhere to be.”
MPs suggest rental reform tweak to offer security for tenants with pets
Wednesday 9 October 2024 20:58
Athena Stavrou
Rental reforms should be strengthened to remove the risk of pets being forced out midway through a tenancy agreement, MPs have heard.
The Renters’ Rights Bill’s second reading, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner told the Commons: “Pets aren’t just animals, but family too and that is why this Bill will also make it easier for tenants to request to have a pet in their home.
“It will also allow landlords to require insurance covering pet damage, so that everyone is covered and no-one is left unfairly out of pocket.”
Ms Rayner said “there is a balance”, joking: “I think there is a reasonableness, as long as it’s not a parrot that speaks all night and has antisocial behaviour, I think everyone will agree that that will be a good thing.”
Labour MP Chris Vince (Harlow), who owns a dog, later told the debate: “I would really emphasise how important a pet is to a family and the emotional bond that they create.
“Being pushed to choose between a roof over your head and your family is not a choice anyone should have to make.”
How will tribunals assess market rate rents? Asks Labour backbencher
Wednesday 9 October 2024 20:24
Athena Stavrou
A Labour backbencher has urged ministers to say how tribunals set up to assess if rent rises are fair will calculate what the “market rate” is.
Antonia Bance, who previously worked as head of campaigns for housing and homelessness charity Shelter, said she welcomed the Bill and was “proud” to support it, but wanted more information from the Government.
The Bill was getting its second reading in the Commons, with a vote due to take place on Wednesday evening.
The MP for Tipton and Wednesbury said: “I say to renters today, ‘we’ve got your backs, you will be able to stay in your homes, this will be law inside the year. Take heart’.
“If the landlord tries to raise the rent so high as to amount to a de facto eviction, renters will finally have recourse. They can go to a tribunal and stop a rent rise above market rates.
“I will gently say to the minister that it will be good to understand how the tribunal will find out what market rates are, because we all know that looking at Rightmove won’t help. That’s only new lets, not all lets in an area.”
Carla Denyer says councils beed more money to enforce new renting laws
Wednesday 9 October 2024 19:56
Athena Stavrou
Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer has said that councils need to be given money to enforce new measures that will be introduced in the Renters’ Rights Bill.
According to the Bill, which is getting its second reading in parliament on Wednesday, local authorities will be able to fine landlords if they break the proposed laws.
This includes landlords reletting or marketing their property within three months of a no-fault eviction or encouraging a bidding war between tenants for properties that would drive rents up.
Ms Denyer said: “We must properly fund our local councils who are the ones who will enforce these new rights, because councils on the brink of bankruptcy after 14 years of swingeing cuts are obviously going to struggle to deliver this part of the policy.”
Rayner pledges ‘justice and fairness for all’ as part of reforms for renters
Wednesday 9 October 2024 19:31
Athena Stavrou
Angela Rayner has promised to do everything she can to fix the “scandalous” issue of renters living in unsafe homes and provide “social justice and fairness for all”, as she set out the Government’s plans to improve protections for tenants.
The Deputy Prime Minister said every renter should have a secure home and promised to end no-fault evictions as part of the Renters’ Rights Bill.
The Bill also aims to put tenants in a stronger position to challenge unreasonable rent increases and place restrictions on landlords to ensure they can only raise rent once a year at the market rate.
Opening the second reading debate, Ms Rayner told the Commons: “I hope the entire House will agree that everyone should live in a decent, safe and affordable home. Everyone should, but not everyone can.
“This is why I have put decency at the heart of my plans for housing and taken the steps to ensure that all homes are warm and safe, and nowhere is that more needed than in the private rented sector.”
Focusing on ECHR ‘shuts down conversations’, says Badenoch
Wednesday 9 October 2024 19:08
Athena Stavrou
Focusing on the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) “shuts down the conversation we need to have with the entire country”, Kemi Badenoch has said.
The Tory leadership hopeful told broadcasters: “What I talked about in my conference speech and when I launched my campaign is we need to talk about everything.
“We need to talk about the system, which I think is broken. I think Labour are having problems because they are working with a broken system.”
She added: “It can’t just be about one little part of immigration policy.
“We need to lower immigration, that’s part of the story, but just talking about the ECHR is going to shut down the conversation that we need to have with the entire country.”
Watch: Starmer refuses to rule out national insurance rise twice
Wednesday 9 October 2024 18:37
Athena Stavrou
Badenoch will lead party in ‘endless rabbit holes’, says Jenrick campaign source
Wednesday 9 October 2024 18:14
Athena Stavrou
Tory members voting for Kemi Badenoch will risk the party being drawn into “endless rabbit holes” and Twitter spats, a Robert Jenrick campaign source suggested in a broadside at the rival camp.
They said: “He (Mr Jenrick) is the one with the momentum going into the final two, at which point the members will face a choice between voting for a candidate with a serious plan, detailed policies to fix the three biggest issues concerning all categories of voters – Reform, Labour, Lib Dem, Conservative voters – which are the NHS, the economy and migration.
“Or risking being drawn into endless rabbit holes, Twitter spats and distractions.”
Badenoch says it’s time to ‘go bold'
Wednesday 9 October 2024 17:50
Athena Stavrou
The Conservative Party should “go bold”, Kemi Badenoch said after topping the final MPs’ leadership ballot.
Asked how she could unite the party after 78 Tory MPs voted for other candidates in the final round, she told broadcasters: “It is time to go bold.
“Just because you’re not a first preference doesn’t mean that people don’t want you and I think that that is what has happened throughout the contest.
“You could say that about any candidate. People have relationships, people have friends, they have constituency neighbours, these things feed into the MP stage of the contest.
“What matters now is what our members think.”
Jenrick willing to debate ‘any time, any place, anywhere'
Wednesday 9 October 2024 17:36
Athena Stavrou
Tory leadership contender Robert Jenrick is willing to debate his rival Kemi Badenoch “any time, any place, anywhere” ahead of the final round of voting, his campaign has said.
A campaign source added: “We are laying down the gauntlet that says a maximum amount of screen time and debate is what party members deserve as they make an incredibly serious decision about who the next leader of the opposition is and, hopefully, prime minister of this country.”
The Jenrick team said there was no attempt at vote-sharing by them in the latest round of the contest to succeed Rishi Sunak, but that such efforts may have been made by other campaigns.
“I think you had 120 different MPs voting in 120 different ways, for 120 different reasons,” the campaign source said.
Some MPs may have lent their vote to Tom Tugendhat in Tuesday’s ballot, they said, before they “came home” to Mr Jenrick on Wednesday.
Mr Jenrick rang “dozens” of MPs overnight to drum up support, according to the campaign, after a “moment of real nerves” about how he performed in the previous round.
Tory MP’s getting questioned by local members
Wednesday 9 October 2024 17:21
Athena Stavrou
One Tory MP said they were now getting messages from local members saying “what the hell are you doing?” after two candidates from the right got onto the final ballot.
The MP said: “One of two things has happened. Either a number of people lent James Cleverly their votes yesterday and rolled them back.
“Or James Cleverly’s lent votes to Robert Jenrick and over-egged it.”
But there was also the possibility of individuals backing their second favourite candidate, assuming their preferred choice was already safe.
The MP said supporters of both Mr Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch had been asking MPs suspected of backing Mr Cleverly to lend support to one of them to get them on the ballot.
The Tory source said they did not “fall for that” but “it’s possible some people may have been dumb enough”.
Conservative leadership election: fourth ballot
Wednesday 9 October 2024 17:04
Athena Stavrou
Liberal Democrats react to Tory leadership latest with meme
Wednesday 9 October 2024 16:51
Athena Stavrou
The Lib Dem’s have taken a light-hearted approach in their response to James Cleverly being knocked out of the Tory leadership post.
Responding to the news on Twitter/X, the party posted a gif of a tractor with a “Liberal Democrats winning here” sign plowing through a blue wall of hay-bales.
https://t.co/WuqC7M5yz5 pic.twitter.com/zzpz6MTNd4
— Lib Dem Media Team (@LibDemPress) October 9, 2024
Labour respond to latest Tory leadership vote
Wednesday 9 October 2024 16:43
Athena Stavrou
Labour Party chairwoman Ellie Reeves MP said: “After months of gaffes, wild unfunded policies and infighting, Tory members now have the unenviable task of choosing between two of the architects of Tory failure.
“Both Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick are central figures in 14 years of hapless leadership and decline, and have already proven they’ve learned nothing from the mistakes that took the Conservative Party to its worst defeat in modern history.
“While the endless bickering continues, Labour is fixing the foundations and sorting out the mess that these two deeply unimpressive figures left behind.”
Analysis: Nigel Farage has scared the Tories into abandoning the centre for the hard right
Wednesday 9 October 2024 16:24
Athena Stavrou
One man has shaped the result of this leadership election - and he was not even running to replace Rishi Sunak.
The decision to choose Ke
