General election latest: Rishi Sunak won’t confirm whether he’ll quit as leader if Conservative Party loses
When pressed, the prime minister only said ‘my priority is focused on this election’
Support truly
independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
Louise Thomas
Editor
Rishi Sunak won’t confirm whether he will quit as Conservative Party leader if the Tories lose the general election.
Pressed on whether he would remain Tory leader, Mr Sunak told the BBC: “My priority is focused on this election, right. I love this party dearly and of course I’ll always put myself at the service of it, and the service of my country.”
It came as Sir Keir Starmer has said only the progressives can beat the far-right and blamed the surge on “disaffection among voters” amid popularity of Marine Le Pen’s nationalist party in France.
The Labour leader said people feel the country is “too broken to be mended” and “can’t trust politicians” after 14 years of “Tory chaos”, but added: “Only progressives have the answers of the challenges that are facing us.”
Labour holds a strong 24-point lead in latest polls on voter intentions, with the Tories struggling to close the gap.
What to expect on the General Election campaign trail on Monday
Ask Labour candidate Stella Creasy anything in exclusive question and answer session with The Independent
Cleverly accuses Glastonbury festival-goers of ‘celebrating loss of life’ after Banksy small boats stunt
Rishi Sunak says he is proud of disastrous election campaign - and claims he will win
Revealed: the worst-hit schools as spending freezes amplify ‘privilege gap’
Watch: Ed Davey bungee jumps in latest election campaign stunt
Ed Davey bungee jumps as Lib Dems kick off last week of general election campaign
Sir Ed Davey shouted "vote Liberal Democrat" as he took part in a bungee jump on Monday, 1 July, in the last week of general election campaigning. The party leader has been involved in a variety of stunts over the last few weeks, including activities such as paddleboarding, riding a waterslide, and undergoing a makeover live on This Morning. Sir Ed declared “Do something you’ve never done before - vote Liberal Democrat" as he was launched from a crane in Eastbourne.
UK's landmark postwar elections: When Blair won the first of his 3 elections in 1997
UK's landmark postwar elections: When Blair won the first of his 3 elections in 1997
Britain’s upcoming general election is widely expected to lead to a change of government for the first time in 14 years
‘Putting up taxes is in Labour’s DNA’ - Sunak
Rishi Sunak claimed urged voters to work over the next three days to prevent the “danger” of a Labour government.
Speaking at a campaign event in Leicestershire, the Prime Minister said: “Friends, we have got urgent work to do. We have three days to save Britain from the danger of a Labour government.
“A Labour government that would hike up everyone’s taxes by £2,000, would shunt our politics to the left, and they would change the rules to entrench themselves in power for a decade.
“We cannot let Britain sleepwalk into this. It is our job, it is our duty, to wake people up to that danger.
“So I say to all of you, I say to every Conservative, don’t surrender to Labour, fight for every vote, fight for our values, and fight for our vision of Britain.”
He added: “Once you’ve given Labour a blank cheque, you won’t be able to get it back. And that means that your taxes are going up: your car, your pension, your savings, your work, you name it, they will tax it thousands and thousands of pounds. It’s what they always do. It’s in their DNA.”
Jonathan Gullis attacks Sir Keir again telling Tories ‘let’s hope Putin doesn’t choose 6.01pm’
Tory deputy chairman Jonathan Gullis has hit out at Sir Keir Starmer, warning “let’s hope Putin doesn’t choose 6.01pm” to further escalate the war in Ukraine.
Speaking at a Conservative campaign event, Mr Gullis said: “The leader of the Labour Party, who is literally boasting that he plans to clock off at 6pm on a daily basis today.
“So let’s hope Putin doesn’t choose 6.01pm when he wishes to go any further with his illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.”
The Labour leader told Virgin Radio he intends to finish work at 6pm on Fridays to spend time with his family, adding that protecting time to spend with his son and daughter made him more relaxed and a better decision-maker.
Angela Rayner blasts ‘nasty’ election clashes
Speaking at Citizens UK’s General Election assembly, the party’s deputy leader admitted that politics is not always a nice business to be in, adding: “Bits of this election campaign have been a bit nasty.”
Elsewhere in her speech Ms Rayner said greater devolution is one of the “key things” she wants to deliver, if elected later this week.
She added that it is the “people on the ground” who “know what needs to be done” in their areas.
Angela Rayner calls for real living wage for carers
Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner has said she will “fight every single day” for carers in England to receive the real living wage.
Speaking at Citizens UK’s General Election assembly, she said the “foundations of a good life have been gradually eroded”.
Ms Rayner told the assembly that Labour needs to bring in the real living wage for carers “as quickly as possible”.
She added: “You save so much money by having a skilled care workforce.”
Prime Minister hits press pack with cricket ball
Rishi Sunak took part in cricket exercises alongside youth teams at Nuneaton Cricket Club on Monday evening.
“This is the most relaxing part of my day so far,” the Prime Minister remarked as he batted while members of the girls’ team took turns bowling.
Mr Sunak’s final batting effort saw him hit a cricket ball in the direction of the watching media.
Speaking to the teenage girls, the Prime Minister said he was “trying desperately” to get his two girls into cricket, but had “slightly failed” so far.
Mr Sunak also joined a boys’ team as they practised taking a run up and bowling.
The UK will hold its first election in almost 5 years. Here's what to know
The UK will hold its first election in almost 5 years. Here's what to know
The United Kingdom will hold its first national election in almost five years on Thursday, with opinion polls suggesting that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party will be punished for failing to deliver on promises made during 14 years in power
Ranking the last five Tory prime ministers from best to worst
With the general election just days away, we delve into the premierships of the last five Conservative prime ministers, and rank them from best to worst.
Ranking the Tory prime ministers from best to worst
With the general election just days away, we delve into the premierships of the last five Conservative prime ministers, and rank them from best to worst. From David Cameron’s Brexit miscalculation to Liz Truss’s disastrous mini-budget, join The Independent’s Chief Political Commentator John Rentoul and Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin as they discuss the last 14 years of Tory rule. Who navigated the complexities of governance most effectively? Who left a lasting positive legacy? Find out who (if any) comes out on top. Get the latest election news with The Independent.
Watch: Cheaper to put asylum seekers up in Ritz than Rwanda plan, Labour says
Cheaper to put asylum seekers up in Ritz than Rwanda plan, Labour says
It would be cheaper to put asylum seekers up in the Ritz hotel in Paris than the government’s Rwanda scheme, Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth has claimed. Speaking to Sky News on Monday, 1 July, the shadow paymaster general criticised the cost of Conservatives’ plans to send asylum seekers to the African country. The government says it has so far given Rwanda £240m and the full cost “will be clear over time.” Labour has said will immediately scrap the scheme and divert £75m from it to a new Border and Security Command. Rooms at the Ritz in Paris range from €1,800 (£1,530) to €40,000 (£33,996) a night.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments