UK politics live: Boris Johnson tries to defend £350m bus as he is quizzed over Brexit ‘betrayal’
Tory leadership rivals Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch criticised over their campaign rhetoric
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Boris Johnson has tried to defend his infamous Brexit campaign bus that claimed Britain paid £350m a week to the EU.
Speaking at his book launch event for his new memoir, Unleashed, the former prime minister was questioned about “the big bullsh***ing bus”, to which he responded: “That’s what other people call it.”
He added: “The £350m bus the whole point of that was it was 100% accurate, that was the gross figure. As far as it was inaccurate, it was an understatement of the gross figure.
“I think that’s a significant sum and people were right to ask what they were getting for it and that was only a tiny fraction of the argument.”
His comments come as both Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch face 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.
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
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.”
Worker’s bill has ‘more holes than Swiss cheese’, says Unite
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
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
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
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.”
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