UK politics live: Tory leader candidate says he may be victim of ‘horse trading’ as Starmer to face PMQs
Robert Jenrick warns of potential deal-making as Tories reach final leadership vote
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Robert Jenrick has warned about a potential “horse-trading” as the final voting round in the Conservative leadership race looms.
Speaking to Sky News on the media morning round, the former immigration minister suggested that strategic vote-swapping often occurs in the closing stages of leadership contests.
The rival suggested that he could be a victim of behind-the-scenes maneuvering influencing the final outcome.
It comes as Tom Tugendhat’s elimination saw the Tory leadership contest narrow to a final three contenders, with James Cleverly receiving a significant boost in support in Tuesday’s vote.
Mr Cleverly topped the ballot, securing 39 votes from Tory MPs – placing him as a frontrunner as the race intensifies, as a tight contest emerged between Mr Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch, who received 31 and 30 votes respectively.
Sir Keir Starmer heads into a tense PMQs session today, already grappling with a rebellion within his party north of the border over winter fuel payments.
Two senior Scottish Labour MSPs, Richard Leonard and Alex Rowley, defied their leadership by backing a motion in Holyrood calling for the government to reverse its cuts to the benefit.
As Sir Keir prepares to face Rishi Sunak, he is set to face questions over Sue Gray’s shocking resignation as his chief of staff, following internal disputes, and controversy over his acceptance of hospitality freebies.
Boris Johnson denies mocking people who followed rules during pandemic
Boris Johnnson has denied mocking the public for obeying lockdown rules “like a religion” in his new memoir, which saw him question why people “so avidly craved” restrictions.
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Johnson said he “totally rejects” the claim he was expressing disdain for members of the public who followed the rules during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a chapter of his book about fighting the second wave of the pandemic, the former prime minister pointed out the “sheer complexity” of the tier system, which saw different parts of the UK placed under varying levels of restriction.
Mr Johnson said: “The real question is why on earth the public so avidly craved these rules and why they were so willing to have their doings circumscribed in such rabbinical detail.”
Our political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Boris Johnson denies mocking people who followed rules during pandemic
The former prime minister ‘totally rejects’ the claim he was expressing disdain for the public
Lammy to repeat calls for de-escalation during Middle East visit
The foreign secretary will repeat calls for de-escalation in the Middle East during a visit to the region.
David Lammy is expected to meet leaders in Bahrain and Jordan on Wednesday to discuss efforts to bring security and stability to the Middle East and reiterate the UK’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon.
His visit comes days after the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel that sparked the latest round of the conflict, and amid reports that the Israeli military is expanding its ground operation in Lebanon.
Before his visit, Mr Lammy said: “The situation is incredibly dangerous and further escalation or miscalculation in the region is in no one’s interests.
“I am pleased to be back in the region to meet with our key partners in Bahrain and Jordan and see first hand our combined efforts towards building long-term security and stability in the Middle East.
“We must not waver at this critical period to achieve ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon, to get more desperately needed aid into Gaza, and secure the release of all hostages.”
Scottish Tory leader appoints leadership rivals to front bench
Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay has appointed both of his leadership rivals to his frontbench.
Murdo Fraser will continue in his responsibility for business, the economy and tourism as well as adding culture, while Meghan Gallacher will be responsible for housing.
Craig Hoy will continue in his role as party chair until a successor is appointed, while also taking on the finance and local government brief.
Commenting on his top team – which also includes Rachael Hamilton as his deputy – Mr Findlay said they would “work hard” to win back public trust.
“We are ready to stand up for everyone who feels disillusioned with the state of politics and the fringe obsessions of the Scottish Parliament,” he said. “Moving forward, the Scottish Conservatives will reconnect with common-sense values and put forward a bold vision for the future of our country that champions opportunity, aspiration and decency.
“We will present positive new policies to fire up economic growth, create opportunities for workers and businesses, reward aspiration with lower taxes, improve school standards and increase home ownership.
“The SNP and Labour waste too much time on divisive policies instead of the bread-and-butter issues which affect people’s lives. We will do things differently and represent everyone who just wants politicians to show some common sense, for a change.”
No 10 confirms new ministerial appointments by Starmer
Downing Street has confirmed a series of new appointments made by Sir Keir Starmer
Seema Malhotra MP has been made a parliamentary under secretary of state (Minister for Equalities) in the Department for Education, in addition to her current role in the Home Office.
Dame Nia Griffith was named as a parliamentary under secretary of state (Minister for Equalities) in the Department for Education, in addition to her current role in the Wales Office.
In addition, the prime minister has appointed the following as government spokespersons in the House of Lords:
Baroness Smith of Malvern has been named as a government spokesperson for equalities, in addition to her current role as a minister in the Department for Education.
Lord Collins of Highbury has also become a government spokesperson for equalities, in addition to his current role as in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, as deputy leader of the House of Lords and a government Whip.
Watch: Boris Johnson marks Brexit success out of 10
Reeves urged to make simple fiscal rule change to unlock £57 billion at Budget
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly considering making a major change to the UK’s fiscal rules at the Budget on 30 October – and experts say the shift could unlock an extra £57 billion for infrastructure spending.
My colleague Albert Toth has more details:
Reeves urged to make simple fiscal rule change to unlock £57 billion at Budget
Experts have urged the chancellor to consider tweaking a Labour manifesto pledge
Tory leadership vote revives debates around ‘dirty tricks'
Tuesday’s shock Tory leadership vote will set up a 24-hour scramble for Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch to try to ensure they have enough support to get to the final two.
There is now just one vote separating the two right-wingers, one of whom will take on the more centrist Mr Cleverly, seen as a unifying figure in the party.
It revived debates around dirty tricks being deployed by the different camps, with allies of the warring candidates having previously accused one another of seeking to stitch up the race. After Tuesday’s result, an ally of Mr Jenrick claimed his backers had supported Mr Cleverly in a bid to keep Ms Badenoch off of the final ballot.
“One or two of our supporters got a bit energetic in the stop Kemi campaign,” the ally said.
Full report: Tom Tugendhat knocked out of Tory leadership contest
James Cleverly has surged to the top of the Tory leadership race, winning the backing of the most Conservative MPs after a barnstorming conference performance.
The former home secretary topped the third round ballot of Tory MPs, winning the backing of 39 in total.
It turns the race to succeed Rishi Sunak on its head, with Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch now in a life or death struggle - before members begin voting on a final two from Thursday.
Our political correspondent Archie Mitchell has the full report:
Tugendhat knocked out of Tory leadership contest as Cleverly sees campaign boost
The former security minister failed to win over enough MPs to make it to the final three, with a further ballot to decide the final two on Wednesday
Watch: Boris Johnson says his Downing Street apartment resembled a 'crack den'
MPs have ‘right to hear where impact assessment is’ on private school VAT cut, says Priti Patel
MPs have a “right to hear where the impact assessment is” on the government’s plan to add VAT to private school fees, Priti Patel has said.
The Tory former home secretary told the Commons: “This entire policy is dogmatic and it’s rooted in the politics of envy - I think that’s self-evident, it really is, by a self-serving socialist government that is actually ignorant and blind to the harm that this is going to lead to for families up and down the country.”
Ms Patel added: “This House has a right to hear where the impact assessment is, what the fiscal projections will be, what the costs will be across every government department that’s affected, and of course, that is the Department for Education but also local government, because it is local councils that will continue to pick up the costs here in particular.”
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