Almost a quarter of undecided voters unhappy with PM’s decision to leave D-Day event early, Sky News YouGov panel suggests
Nearly a quarter of undecided voters are unhappy with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s decision to leave D-Day commemorations early, the Sky News YouGov Voters Panel suggests.
We have teamed up with the pollster YouGov to create a unique online community representing over 40 different seats in the general election.
When asked what, if any, campaign moments have stood out, 11 of our panel mentioned D-Day. This voter summed up the sentiments of many, saying: “Although he’s apologised, I think it was very rude.”
Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty stand with D-Day veteran Alec Penstone, 98, during commemorations in Normandy. Pic: AP
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Over the next few weeks, our Voters Panel will be voicing their views on the politicians vying for their votes.
Many are unconvinced and unimpressed with the campaign so far, with several saying there’s little difference between the two main parties.
“There’s nothing specific, nothing committed, it just seems to be a bit of a shouting match,” one voter told us.
Another said: “The days of honest politicians seem to have gone.”
The Voters Panel will give us snapshot reactions to set-piece moments as well as unplanned missteps.
Our panellists live in different areas and have different political persuasions, but each one is still deciding who to vote for.
Telling us their thoughts directly, we’ll find out what’s working and what’s not.
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As for the state of the nation, all our panellists are all angry. The state of the economy was repeatedly mentioned.
One younger voter told us: “We’re struggling to get by, the house prices are going up, the job market is absolutely insane.”
With the Sky News leaders’ event approaching, our panel knows what they don’t want to hear.
“I don’t want spin. I don’t want half-truths,” one told us.
Another said she’s not expecting anything substantial.
“It’s weasel words around the topic and the things that they think people want to hear and buzzwords,” she said.
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When asked what our voters want to hear, the responses were far more wide-ranging.
“I want to see that policies are put on the table and actually do something for the working-class people of this country,” one said.
“How they are going to level up the country, as that’s a big issue where I live,” a second added.
While a third said: “How they plan to grow the economy, how they plan to improve productivity.”
We are only halfway through the campaign, but listen to the Voters Panel, and it’s all still to play for.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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