UK politics live: Centrist Tories reject both leadership rivals as Jenrick attacks Badenoch’s ‘needless drama’
Tory leadership rivals Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch criticised over their campaign rhetoric
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Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch have faced a rebuff from a centrist faction of the Conservative party.
The Tory Reform Group (TRG), representing One Nation Conservatives, has declined to endorse either leadership candidates criticising their campaign rhetorics.
In a statement, the group said it had “engaged extensively” with all leadership hopefuls but was left unimpressed by the two finalists, accusing them of adopting a narrative that diverges from the principles that define the Tories.
The backlash comes as Mr Jenrick threw a thinly-veiled criticism at fellow contender Kemi Badenoch, suggesting the shadow secretary is an unserious candidate.
In his speech at the Policy Exchange think tank, he told supporters that the choices in the election are framed around his “serious plan” versus “not needless drama”, which was an apparent attack at his rival.
The former immigration minister also promised to bring back the government’s Rwanda deportation plan.
After the address, he rejected suggestions that Tory MPs mistakenly backed him for the final two in the leadership race, following speculation about internal “horse trading”.
Mr Jenrick was asked directly whether he could have made the final two by mistake. He admitted that there is always some manoeuvring but was confident that MPs ultimately chose him based on his leadership credentials.
Tory civil war erupts again less than two hours after MPs pivot to the hard right
Tory MPs pivot to the right as centrist James Cleverly knocked out of leadership race
Rachel Reeves told she needs £25bn in tax rises to avoid austerity
Starmer warned EU reset plan to ‘make Brexit work’ not enough to save economy
Prime minister welcomes Zelensky to Downing Street for talks
Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky to Downing Street as the pair discuss the UK’s support for Kyiv.
The prime minister said it was a chance for the Ukrainian leader to talk through his plans in more detail.
Sir Keir said it was “very important we’re able to show our continued commitment to support Ukraine” and it was a chance to “go through the plan, to talk in more detail”.
Wes Streeting meets world health ministers at G7 in Italy
Pictured: New chief of staff Morgan McSweeney in Downing Street
Minister insists Labour will not force flexible working
The government has confirmed it will not impose mandatory flexible working on companies.
Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds insisted Labour will instead introduce statutory guidance regarding when businesses can deny such requests.
In an interview with the BBC, the minister explained that while the new measures will clarify acceptable grounds for refusing flexibility, employers will not be forced to comply.
He said: “There will be some clear statutory guidance with grounds upon which that wouldn’t be possible.
“So that might mean you have to train junior members of staff, it might be that you have management responsibilities.
“But it will be straightforward and of course we should always recognise where this can be agreed between an employer and employee.”
Pictured: Zelensky arrives in Downing Street to meet Keir Starmer
COMMENT | If Cleverly’s elimination from the Tory race came as a shock, read on…
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…
If James Cleverly’s elimination from the Tory leadership race was a shock, read on…
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
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
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?
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'
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.”
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