UK politics live: Starmer pays back £6,000 in gifts amid donations row as Lord Alli faces interest probe
Prime minister ‘covering cost of six Taylor Swift tickets, four races tickest and designer clothing deal’ for his wife
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Sir Keir Starmer has paid back more than £6,000 worth of gifts and hospitality he received since the election, after the row over ministerial donations, it’s been revealed.
The prime minister is covering the cost of six Taylor Swift tickets, four tickets to the races and a clothing rental agreement with a high-end designer favoured by his wife, Lady Victoria Starmer.
A No 10 spokesperson said: “The prime minister has commissioned a new set of principles on gifts and hospitality to be published as part of the updated ministerial code. Ahead of the publication of the new code, the prime minister has paid for several entries on his own register. This will appear in the next register of members’ interests.”
Labour peer Lord Waheed Alli is under investigation over alleged non-registration of interests that could lead to a possible breach of the members’ code of conduct.
The fashion mogul, who has been at the centre of the row over donations accepted by Sir Keir Starmer, is being probed by the Lords’ commissioner.
Meanwhile, James Cleverly issued an apology to Tory members following the party’s brutal election defeat in July, urging the party to avoid complacency, warning against “wallowing in self-pity”.
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‘No more candidate selection stitch-ups'
James Cleverly has reminded Tory members about historic Conservative majorities at previous general elections.
He said: “Yes, you, we won the biggest majority since Margaret Thatcher. We got Boris elected and we got Brexit done. And that whirlwind apprenticeship showed me what I need to do to fix our party machine, upgrade it, making it a modern campaigning organisation.”
Mr Cleverly told the conference: “My pledge to you today on candidate selection - no more stitch-ups.”
Tory leadership candidate vows to axe stamp duty
James Cleverly has re-committed to axing stamp duty on home purchases if he becomes the new Tory leader.
He said the country needs to “get rid of bad taxes like stamp duty” and ensure work “always pays”.
The Tory hopeful added: “Let’s be the market of free markets and freedom, of business and enterprise, let’s get on their side but out of their way. These are my values, these are consistent values not opportunistic. A signpost, not a weather vane. It’s what I have always believed in and what I always will believe in.
“Because conference, talk is easy. Doing is hard. And we need a leader who can deliver from day one. Someone who has already done the tough apprenticeship that you need to be the leader of the Conservative Party and our next prime minister.”
Cleverly rules out deal with Reform UK dubbing party ‘pale imitation’ of Tories
James Cleverly received the largest applause of the morning so far after he vowed never to merge with Reform UK, dubbing it a “pale imitation of our great party”, Millie Cooke reports from the conference.
“No mergers, no deals”, he said, promising to beat Nigel Farage’s party at the next election if the Conservatives become the best version of themselves.
Mr Cleverly said: “Never forget – Reform didn’t deliver Brexit. We did. Reform didn’t cut immigration, I did. And mark my words, we will beat reform by being the best version of ourselves.”
Cleverly jokes Lib Dems ‘too wet' to hold them to account
Shifting his attack towards the Liberal Democrats, James Cleverly has said the party was “too wet” to hold them to account.
He then joked: “In the case of Ed Davey, soaking wet.”
‘Labour are drunk on power’
Now attacking the Labour Party, James Cleverly said that the Labour Party is “drunk on power” an accused Sir Keir Starmer of “lying to the British people”.
The former home secretary added: “Compare that with what we saw at the Labour Party conference just last week. A party drunk on power who lied to the British people. Glasses for passes, favours for friends, swamped in scandal.
“And even worse inflation-busting pay rises to their union paymasters taken straight out of the pockets of British pensioners. Our plans for defence, reversed, a mass release of prisoners, and no plan for our borders.
“And what did Keir Starmer say just last week? He wants the state to have more control over your lives, a nanny state, closing pubs early, banning smoking outdoors and even trying to control the price of Oasis tickets.”
Cleverly calls for Reagan-like and normal leadership
The Tory contender told the party conference: “Even in the depths of the Cold War he made Americans want to vote for a conservative, not reluctantly, but with enthusiasm. And then what did he do? He cut taxes, he cut regulation, he boosted military spending and he won a landslide.
“So let’s be more like Reagan, let’s be enthusiasm, relatable, positive, optimistic. Let’s be more normal. Let’s sell the benefits of conservatism with a smile.”
ANALYSIS | Conservatism with a smile
Cleverly is doing the opposite to Tugendhat he started with a muted response but is getting a stronger response as he goes along.
The former home secretary’s political hero was Ronald Reagan and it is the former president’s conservatism with a smile he wants.
But most powerful was the tale of his time trying to stay in business before entering politics.
“When I walk about optimism, I talk about doing something about it.”
Cleverly thanks NHS for treating his wife
James Cleverly has thanked the NHS for treating his wife Susie’s recent cancer diagnosis, saying: “it rocked our lives - I could hardly speak, our boys were distraught”.
He added: “But because of the amazing professionals, the doctors, the nurses of the NHS, her life was saved. So to all those in the NHS, I say thank you. And it’s because of them she sits with us in this auditorium today. And her courage, determination, resolve and optimism, her belief in the future, our belief in the future, is why we are here today.
“And I suspect ladies and gentlemen it is also why you are here. Because tomorrow can be better, and together we can make it better.”
ANALYSIS | Cleverly in apologetic mood
Audience is not really warming to James Cleverly going through the pain of the recent defeat, David Maddox reports from the conference.
There is no applause for him saying sorry on behalf of the parliamentary party.
There was silence when he asked why the Conservative Party exists
It is a serious speech though, drawing on his background and life story and his wife’s recent cancer.
Cleverly wants to get back to winning. The question though will be if the party wants to follow him. It does not feel he has persuaded them yet.
'This country has given so much, including my family’
James Cleverly has opened up about growing up in the UK as a mixed race kid.
He told the conference: “My mum came here from Sierra Leone in the 1960s and my father grew up on a council estate in Downham in south east London. He qualified as a surveyor and started a small business.
“She studied nursing and became a midwife in the NHS and I’m gutted that she didn’t live to see me elected and become an MP, or represent our country as foreign secretary when I visited Sierra Leone.
“Some people love to talk our country down. But this country has given so much to so many people, including my family.”
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