General election: ‘Spineless’ Starmer accused of dodging weekly TV debates

Published

1 month ago

May 24, 2024

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Rishi Sunak and senior Tories have sparked the first major row of the election campaign by accusing “spineless” Sir Keir Starmer of “chickening out” of weekly TV debates.

The prime minister has challenged the Labour leader to take part in six TV clashes during the campaign debating issues like tax, the cost of living and security.

But Labour’s high command has hit back, claiming Sir Keir‘s priority is spending time on the road talking to voters, and revealed that he will take part in two TV debates with the PM.

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Realistically, TV schedules in June and early July are packed with the group stages and knock-out matches in the Euro 2024 football tournament – with England the favourites – meaning six election debates are highly unlikely.

But undaunted by a football and politics clash, Mr Sunak threw down his challenge to the Labour leader in an article from The Daily Telegraph in which he declared: “There are big issues at stake in this election.

“Do we continue cutting taxes or raise taxes on working households as Labour would do?

“Do we prioritise energy security and your family’s finances in our approach to net zero or put environmental dogma first as Sir Keir Starmer and Ed Miliband would?

“And, above all, how do we give this country the secure future it deserves?”

Mr Sunak added: “I want to debate these issues with Sir Keir Starmer. But he doesn’t want to because he doesn’t have a plan and doesn’t have the courage to say what he wants to do.”

Using tougher language, Tory chairman Richard Holden turned up the heat on Sir Keir, telling the Daily Express: “It’s no surprise spineless Sir Keir Starmer is chickening out of debates that he publicly promised to do just months ago.

“It’s time for Sir Keir to grow a backbone. The public deserves to hear and scrutinise what the man who wants to be our prime minister has to say before he changes his mind, again.”

Back in January, Sir Keir said on TV election debates: “I have been saying bring it on for a very, very long time. I’m happy to debate at any time.”

And rejecting the Tory claims of a U-turn, Labour sources told Sky News Sir Keir will speak to voters and take questions from media throughout the election campaign.

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“Labour believes spending time on the road talking to voters across the country is the priority and so Keir Starmer is planning to take part in the two debates with the largest audience: BBC and ITV,” said a senior party source.

“We won’t be tearing up the format established in previous elections just to suit this week’s whims of the Tory party.”

TV election debates took off in the UK in the 2010 general election when Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg took part in three debates, on ITV, Sky News and the BBC.

It was claimed they were responsible for the “Cleggmania” that eventually led to Mr Clegg becoming deputy prime minister in Mr Cameron’s coalition government.

During the debates, the phrase “I agree with Nick”, used frequently by Mr Cameron and Mr Brown, became a catchphrase successfully deployed by the Liberal Democrats during the election campaign.

At the last general election, in 2019, there were two debates between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn and it seems likely there will be two again in this campaign.

UK

Four men arrested at Rishi Sunak’s North Yorkshire home

Published

6 hours ago

June 25, 2024

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Four men arrested at Rishi Sunak's North Yorkshire home

Four men have been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass in the grounds of the prime minister’s home, police have confirmed.

The incident took place at Rishi Sunak’s constituency address in Kirby Sigston, North Yorkshire, while he was attending events in London to mark the Japanese state visit.

A police statement said officers were “with the four men within one minute of them entering the grounds”.

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The arrests are connected to a protest by campaigners from Youth Demand. It describes itself as a group of young people who want “the Tories and the Labour Party commit to a two-way arms embargo on Israel, and to stop all new oil and gas licences”.

A spokesperson for the group said three of those arrested were taking part in the demonstration, while the fourth person was an independent photographer.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “They were detained at around 12.40pm before being escorted off the property and arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass.

“The men, aged 52 from London, 43 from Bolton, 21 from Manchester, and 20 from Chichester, remain in police custody for questioning and enquiries are ongoing.”

It comes after a separate incident last summer, when protesters scaled the roof of Mr Sunak’s home.

They held up banners which said “NO NEW OIL” and draped the building in fabric. It happened while the prime minister and his family were away on holiday in California.

Amy Rugg-Easey, 33, Alexandra Wilson, 32, Michael Grant, 64, and Mathieu Soete, 38, have pleaded not guilty to criminal damage, with a two-day trial set to take place in July.

UK

UK weather: Hottest day of the year as temperatures hit 30C

Published

6 hours ago

June 25, 2024

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UK weather: Hottest day of the year as temperatures hit 30C

Today has been the hottest day of the year so far in the UK, the Met Office has said.

A high of 30C (86F) was recorded in Chertsey, Surrey.

It is the highest temperature in the UK since 10 September last year, the weather agency said.

Winterbourne in Gloucestershire recorded a high of 28.7C, while it was 28C in Pershore, Worcestershire, and 27C in Usk, Monmouthshire.

It could get even hotter on Wednesday – some areas could experience highs of 31C (87.8F), the Met Office added.

A yellow alert from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is in place for most of England until 5pm on Thursday.

It has warned there could be “significant impacts” in the health and social care sector, and an increase in mortality in over-65s and people with health conditions.

See the latest weather forecast where you are

Conditions are expected to cool a little just before the weekend, but it will remain warm.

The Met Office said the hot spell could become a heatwave, which occurs when temperatures go above a set threshold – which varies between regions – for three days in a row.

Music fans heading to Glastonbury are also set for a treat.

Festival gates open on Wednesday, when temperatures at Worthy Farm are forecast to reach 27C – and the weekend is shaping up to stay largely fine too.

However, there is a chance of a bit of rain on Saturday.

The hot spell marks a break from the rainy spring, which saw 32% more rain than average in England and Wales, making it the fifth wettest for England and the eighth wettest for Wales, said the Met Office.

UK

England top group at Euro 2024 after draw against Slovenia

Published

8 hours ago

June 25, 2024

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England top group at Euro 2024 after draw against Slovenia

England have topped their group at the Euros after a 0-0 draw with Slovenia, meaning they avoid some of the competition’s top teams in the next round.

The result in Cologne was enough to send Gareth Southgate’s men through as winners of Group C, on Tuesday evening.

The Three Lions have come under criticism over lacklustre performances in their group games, but managed to head into the knockouts in the strongest possible position.

Their performance even drew some boos from the crowd at half-time as they limped over the line against Slovenia.

Southgate’s men suffered the same problems as previous games, but with five points, the Three Lions made it through nonetheless and will play one of the best third-place finishers from Group D, E, or F in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday at 5pm.

Netherlands finished third in Group D and have impressed at times but suffered a surprise defeat to Ralf Rangnick’s Austria, losing 3-2, Tuesday evening.

In Group E, Romania, Belgium, Slovakia, and Ukraine are all tied on three points, and the Czech Republic are in third place in Group F, level on points with Georgia, but above them on goal difference.

By drawing Tuesday evening, England managed to book themselves a place on the easier side of the tournament, avoiding the likes of France, Portugal, Spain and Germany.

Trent Alexander Arnold was dropped from the starting XI in favour of Conor Gallagher in the only change to England’s team – only for the Chelsea man to be unceremoniously hooked at half-time.

The game was played in 24C heat as Germany enjoys something of a mini-heatwave, but instead of proving their critics wrong, England’s players initially seemed rattled by their words.

After a slow start to the game, a rare bright spark in the first half was when Bukayo Saka finished off a well-worked movement only for Phil Foden to have strayed offside in the build up.

In the 40th minute, Captain Harry Kane and Gallagher both also missed a golden opportunity to put England ahead.

Despite that, England were largely static and uninspired throughout the game.

There wasn’t much to celebrate for England and Slovenia celebrated qualifying as one of the best third-place finishers after the game.