General election latest: Starmer warns against far right as Tories could ‘sneak through at the end’ to win
Sir Keir Starmer says Left must show only ‘progressives have answers’ if far right wins in France
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With six days to go until the general election, party leaders jump on the final week campaign trail.
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.”
It comes as Labour holds a strong 24-point lead in latest polls on voter intentions, with the Tories struggling to close the gap.
But candidates insist they will fight for every vote until the last whistle.
Labour’s shadow environment secretary Steve Reed warned the Conservatives could still “sneak through at the end” to win as Thursday’s vote was still all to play for despite the successful polling results.
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Swinney: ‘Nothing that can be done’ about delayed postal votes in Scotland
Scotland’s first minister John Swinney has said there is “nothing that can be done” about delays in postal votes across Scotland.
The SNP leader said there had been various reports of people not receiving their vote ahead of polling day.
And the Electoral Management Board for Scotland said there had been “many difficulties experienced with the delivery of postal votes” across the country.
But Mr Swinney said: “Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done. There are no other proxy arrangements that can be put in place, but I think it’s illustrative of the fact that there was no thought given to summer school holidays.”
Sunak urges voters to stop a Labour ‘supermajority'
Rishi Sunak has warned voters against a “Labour supermajority” on Thursday.
Speaking from Staffordshire, the prime minister said:“But when you go to the polls on Thursday you have to remember this is not a by-election. This is a choice about who governs our country for years and I would urge you not to sleepwalk into that, think about what that will mean for you and your family and the impact that’ll have.
“In particular, if these polls are right, and Labour are in power with a supermajority, you have to think about what that will mean – a Labour government unchecked, no-one to hold them accountable, no-one to stand up to them in Parliament and all of the impact it would have on all of your lives.”
Sunak dodges questions about Marine Le Pen’s far right National Rally
Rishi Sunak has been asked about the recent polling success of Marine Le Pen’s far right National Rally party in France.
Dodging the question, the prime minister told the audience that he will set out the Tories’ plan to lower immigration.
Speaking from Staffordshire Mr Sunak added: “When to comes to illegal migration I think it’s unfair, I say that coming from a family of immigrants.”
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.
PM urges voters don’t give Labour ‘a blank cheque’
Rishi Sunak has warned voters backing Labour would mean handing Sir Keir Starmer a “blank cheque”.
He said: “I tell you this: once you have handed Keir Starmer and Labour a blank cheque, you won’t be able to get it back.”
The prime minister added Labour will scrap the Tory plan to fly asylum seekers to Rwanda, adding the opposition has “no answers on securing borders and immigration”.
He added: “I will fight for you, and I will make sure that your voice is heard.”
Sunak vows to work ‘my socks off for you'
Rishi Sunak is speaking in Staffordshire wile on a business visit.
He has admitted old Tory voters may be “hesitating” to back him again.
The prime minister added: “I know you’re frustrated with me, frustrated with our party, it hasn’t been an easy few years for anybody. I get all of that.”
But he warned the audience against voting the opposition, adding: “Crucially, you should think about what it means for your bank accounts, because I promise you Labour will do what they do every single time, and that is raise your taxes.”
Black journalist removed from Reform UK rally by security
Black journalist removed from Reform UK rally by security
Femi Oluwole was removed by security guards saying they ‘didnt know’ why despite showing them his press card
Tory leadership contenders ready to replace Sunak
Conservative leadership contenders have websites backing their names already set out ahead of an inevitable contest to replace Rishi Sunak after the general election.
Domaines matching the names of likely candidates have been created in recent months.
Kemi Badenoch, the Business and Trade Secretary, previously left the door open for a potential bid if the prime minister is defeated.
The business secretary is seen as a frontrunner to become the new Tory leader and has a domain name kemi4leader.com.
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