General election latest: Farage standing as Reform UK candidate for Clacton and becomes party leader

Nigel Farage has become the leader of Reform UK and will be standing for Parliament in the general election.

In a press conference on Monday afternoon, the former UKIP leader confirmed reports he is going to stand for Clacton, Essex. Mr Farage had until Friday to submit his name as a candidate to stand for MP.

Announcing his candidacy, Mr Farage said there is a “rejection of the political class going on in this country” and claimed the two main parties are very much the same.

It comes after Sir Keir Starmer said the nuclear deterrent is “fundamental” and “a vital part of our defence” during a speech on national security in Greater Manchester.

While the Labour leader noted caution on pressing the nuclear button, he ultimately said, “we have to be prepared to use it.”

And the Tories have pledged to change the Equality Act to define the protected characteristic of sex as “biological sex”. The minister for women and equalities Kemi Badenoch said the change is about “protecting those who are vulnerable”.

Key Points

• Farage to make emergency general election announcement

• Labour pledges to be the ‘party of defence’ as Starmer speaks in Greater Manchester

• Tories pledge to overhaul equality laws

• Badenoch: ‘Trans athletes shouldn’t compete against biological women’

• Starmer prepared to press nuclear button

‘I am standing for Clacton,’ Farage announces

16:18 , Sam Rkaina

Nigel Farage says he is coming back for the next five years as a candidate for Reform UK.

The party leader has confirmed he is standing for the constituency for Clacton.

He says: “I have decided, I’ve changed my mind. It’s allowed you know. It’s not always a sign of weakness it can potentially be a sign of strength.

“So I am going to stand for this election... in the Essex seaside town of Clacton.”

Tory chairman could be without a seat

22:20 , David Maddox

Rishi Sunak’s election chief Richard Holden may be leading the party machine without being able to stand again for Parliament.

Mr Holden, the party chairman, has lost his North West Durham seat because of the boundary changes and has struggled to find a replacement.

He was shortlisted for the Central Suffolk and North Ipswich seat in tonight’s selection but has withdrawn at the last minute.

It is understood that there were objections to him being parachuted into the seat vacated by Dr Dan Poulter after he defected to Labour.

Neighbouring Tory MP Tom Hunt in Ipswich had posted a cryptic tweet “much to ponder” which some took as a sign of anger over the process.

Now Mr Holden has just three days to find a constituency.

Scottish party leaders going head to head

21:30 , Athena Stavrou

Leaders from four of Scotland’s political parties are going head to heard in the first televised debate currently.

The 90 minute debate will feature the SNP’s John Swinney, Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sawrwar and Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Alex Cole-Hamilton.

The Green’s have not been invited and have called the decision “outrageous”.

Nigel Farage says he is back to target migration

20:40 , Athena Stavrou

Mr Farage says he is targeting Conservative seats and people who voted for a government that “allowed massively irresponsible immigration”.

He claims the Tories have allowed “2.4 million of migrants to stay in this country”.

He adds: “For the candidates standing in Leeds shouting Allah u Akbar, we are coming to get you...Sectarian politics caused by massively irresponsible migration policies, and it is the Conservative Party who opened the door.”

Mapped: What would the election results look like under YouGov projections?

20:20 , Athena Stavrou

Yellow placard wars

20:00 , Salma Ouaguira

The Liberal Democrats have photobombed the prime minister while he was talking to voters in Leander Rowing Club, in Henley-on-Thames.

Deputy leader Daisy Cooper led a boat carrying Lib Dem supporters waving giant yellow placards that was seen passing behind Rishi Sunak.

A Lib Dem source said: “This is just another small boat Rishi Sunak can’t deal with.”

Hitting back, Rishi Sunak took to social media and said: “Classic Lib Dems, always selling voters down the river.”

Moment Grant Shapps hangs up phone live on TV when asked about losing his seat

19:45 , Athena Stavrou

This is the moment Grant Shapps hung up the phone during a live interview when he was asked about losing his seat in the upcoming general election.

A YouGov survey suggested the defence secretary could be voted out of parliament along with many of his Conservative colleagues.

While presenting the polls’ results on Sky News on Monday deputy political editor Sam Coates spotted Shapps was calling him.

The camera kept rolling as Coates answered and said: “Hello Grant Shapps, you’re live on Sky News.

“I’m in the studio with Sophy Ridge. Have you seen you’re about to lose your seat, according to the Sky News-YouGov projection?”

There was a moment’s silence before the phone emitted a few beeps, meaning Shapps was no longer there.

Watch here:

Moment Grant Shapps hangs up phone live on TV when asked about losing his seat

Labour launch fresh attack on Sunak’s wealth with comedian Jon Richardson

19:28 , Athena Stavrou

The Labour Party have launched a fresh attack on Rishi Sunak’s wealth in a humorous video featuring comedian Jon Richardson.

In the clip, Mr Richardson sits in a bubble bath describing how Sunak made his millions.

“Before Rishi Sunak got into politics he was a partner in a hedge fund,” he says.

“Now that was amazingly profitable for him but bad for pretty much everyone else.

“Think the opposite of Robin Hood.”

The personal wealth of Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, rose by £122 million last year meaning they are worth an estimated £651 million.

https://x.com/UKLabour/status/1797691790197137525

Why Clacton is the perfect starting point for Farage to launch his long term bid to become prime minister

19:10 , Athena Stavrou

Nigel Farage today announced he is standing in the Essex seaside town of Clacton in an eighth attempt to win a seat in the House of Commons (as was first revealed in The Independent).

After seven previous failed attempts in Eastleigh, Bexhill and Battle, Salisbury, South Thanet (twice), Bromley and Chislehurst, and Buckingham, Mr Farage and his supporters believe that this time he stands a real chance of winning the seat in the Commons which has always alluded him.

But why Clacton? What is it about the quite seat filled with pensioners with its pier and arcades which makes it the perfect seat for the former Brexit Party and UKIP leader?

David Maddox explains below:

Nigel Farage has chosen Clacton because he know he is likely to win it

No attempt of Reform-Tory electoral pact, Farage claims

19:00 , Athena Stavrou

Nigel Farage said there had been “no attempt at seduction at all” from the Tories when asked if Reform UK had been approached about a potential electoral pact.

He said he was aiming for “this political party to become the voice of opposition in the next parliament” which he claimed the Conservatives are “incapable” of being.

“There has been no attempt at seduction at all, at least not that I’ve noticed,” he said.

Asked what qualities he thinks he has which Richard Tice lacks, Mr Farage said: “Look, I’ve been doing this longer than Richard… there’s a people’s army out there that I built up over many, many years and they’re still there.

“And they’re very fond of Richard but they know me a little bit better. It’s just as simple as that.”

Exclusive: Labour candidate investigated by party for alleged sexual harassment

18:30 , Salma Ouaguira

Labour’s Barking candidate investigated by party for alleged sexual harassment

Tories say Farage ‘doing exactly what Keir Starmer wants him to do'

18:15 , Athena Stavrou

The Tories said Nigel Farage is “doing exactly what Keir Starmer wants him to do” by entering the General Election fray.

A Conservative Party spokesman said: “Nigel Farage risks handing Keir Starmer a blank cheque to rejoin the EU, impose the retirement tax on pensioners and hike taxes on hardworking Brits up and down the UK.

“Farage knows that Reform won’t win any seats, but he doesn’t seem to care that a vote for Reform only helps Labour. He’s doing exactly what Keir Starmer wants him to do.

“Just yesterday, EU insiders openly voiced their expectation that Starmer would seek a softer Brexit deal, opening the door to rejoining the EU all together. That would mean uncontrolled immigration and betraying the will of the British people.

“Is Farage really willing to risk undoing his life’s work by handing Starmer a blank cheque to rejoin the EU?

“Only a vote for Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives can deliver a clear plan, bold action and a secure future for our country.”

New super poll shows Tories heading for election wipeout

18:00 , Sam Rkaina

New poll shows Tories heading for election wipeout - with Lib Dems overtaking them

Reform not projected to win any seats

17:35 , Alicja Hagopian

Right-wing challenger party Reform UK are not projected to win any seats, despite over 300 candidates standing across the UK, according to YouGov’s latest MRP analysis published today.

The party is currently polling at 12 per cent, according to latest Techne polls, but is not on track to win a majority in a single constituency, writes data correspondent Alicja Hagopian.However, the analysis does not factor in today’s shock announcement from Nigel Farage.

The former UKIP head announced he would take over from Richard Tice as leader of Reform UK , and will run as an MP for Clacton, Essex.

Despite YouGov’s projection that the party will win zero seats, Mr Farage remains insistent that Reform will manage to do so, adding:“I think there’s every chance we’ll get more votes than the Conservative Party. I genuinely do.”

It is not yet clear whether Farage’s return to Reform will make an impact on a constituency level, nor whether it will cause a change in the polls.For more updates on latest polling, see our collection of polls here.

Labour set to win more seats than Blair in 1997, shock YouGov forecast says

17:25 , Athena Stavrou

Labour are on course to surpass Tony Blair’s landslide majority in 1997, according to YouGov’s first major poll of the general election campaign.

The pollsters’ MRP forecast, based on data from more than 58,000 people, suggests Sir Keir Starmer’s party will win a huge majority of 194, with some 422 seats, while the Conservatives could suffer their biggest loss since 1906, winning just 140 seats.

Keep up to date with our live polling coverage here.

Nigel Farage confirms he will stand as Reform UK candidate in general election: ‘I can’t let down millions of people’

17:00 , Athena Stavrou

Nigel Farage said he felt like he was letting voters down by not standing in the election, as he announced he will stand for parliament in Clacton and lead Reform UK for the next five years.

“I simply couldn’t help feeling that somehow they felt I was letting them down,” he said at a press conference on Monday.

“I’ve changed my mind. It’s allowed you know, it’s not always a sign of weakness. It could potentially be a sign of strength.

“So I am going to stand in this election. I’ll be launching my candidacy at midday tomorrow in the Essex seaside town of Clacton.”

Watch here:

Nigel Farage yawns at the press

16:42 , Salma Ouaguira

The Reform UK leader has just yawned out loud in front of journalists while answering questions.

After apologising, he said: “We’re getting a bit bored here with the right-wing, let’s move.”

Nigel Farage says Trump conviction made no difference to him

16:40 , Salma Ouaguira

Quizzed about his friendship with the former US president, he said his conviction makes no difference to him.

Condemning it, he said that other presidents have done worse things.

Mr Farage added: “I am convinced he will win.”

‘Something is growing in Europe,’ Farage warns

16:32 , Salma Ouaguira

While taking questions from journalists, the Reform UK candidate for Clacton has revealed the reason he changed his mind over standing for election.

He said: “I changed my mind because I can’t let down millions of people. The amount of guilt I felt yesterday was too much.

“I am not ashamed of it one little bit.”

But he also warned: “Across Europe there is a new phenomenon raising. Something is happening out there.”

Farage: ‘We are going to be the voice of opposition’

16:26 , Salma Ouaguira

Nigel Farage confirms Richard Tice will now be the new party chairman ads he takes over as leader.

He says Reform UK is ready to take over the Tories as the opposition party, if Labour gets into Downing Street.

He says: “We all know already that the Conservative Party will be in opposition, but not the opposition, they are incapable of it,” he tells a press conference in south-east London.

Nigel Farage says he is back to target migration

16:25 , Salma Ouaguira

Mr Farage says he is targeting Conservative seats and people who voted for a government that “allowed massively irresponsible immigration”.

He claims the Tories have allowed “2.4 million of migrants to stay in this country”.

He adds: “For the candidates standing in Leeds shouting Allah u Akbar, we are coming to get you...Sectarian politics caused by massively irresponsible migration policies, and it is the Conservative Party who opened the door.”

Farage: ‘I have been a champion for millions’

16:16 , Salma Ouaguira

Nigel Farage is now praising himself, saying: “There is a rejection of the political class going on in this country in a way that hasn’t been seen in modern times.

He says people keep asking him:“Nigel why aren’t you standing?” and “I couldn’t help that after weeks of change that they felt I was letting them down.”

Mr Farage says he can’t let down “millions of people in millions that stuck with me”.

Nigel Farage praises Starmer over defence speech

16:12 , Salma Ouaguira

The Reform UK leader is now speaking from London and has reacted Labour’s national security speech from this morning.

But instead of attacking his speech, the right-wing politician has described Starmer’s speech in a positive light.

He says: “Starmer spoke with a great degree of passion.”

Nigel Farage to take over from Tice as the new leader of Reform UK

16:07 , Salma Ouaguira

Richard Tice has confirmed that Nigel Farage is now the new leader of Reform UK.

Mr Tice said he invited Mr Farage to be the party’s leader, “and he accepted”.

Watch live: Nigel Farage expected to declare he is running for parliament

16:04 , Salma Ouaguira

Watch live: Nigel Farage expected to declare he is running for parliament

Richard Tice says Reform UK is up against all odds

16:03 , Salma Ouaguira

The Reform UK leader starts talking first, saying: “We’ve been trying to create some interest...Everyone thought that Reform UK would get squeezed out.

“Totally contrary to the Tories’ plans we are going up in the polls. We are talking what the country wants us to talk about.”

“This is and must be the immigration election.”

Everything ready for Farage...

16:01 , Salma Ouaguira

Nigel Farage is expected to make an “emergency general election” announcement in a matter of minutes.

The speculation is that he will be declaring that he is standing as a candidate for Reform UK.

Comment | Here’s how the Tory blame game will play out after defeat

16:00 , Salma Ouaguira

Asa Bennett, who was in the Downing Street bunker during the unravelling of the Truss premiership, says the Conservatives’ post-election postmortem will be vicious – and will reshape the party for a generation.

He writes: “Whenever a disaster happens, we expect those in charge to reassure us that lessons will be learned. I know this only too well, having watched from inside Downing Street the unravelling of the Truss 49-day premiership.

“Then, Rishi Sunak stepped up to pull the Conservatives back together. But now his party is braced for general election disaster. How will they pick up the pieces this time?

“First, the Tories will first look for someone to take the hit. With the same speed they rounded on Liz Trussafter the mini-Budget, they will zero in on Sunak. He was singularly responsible for rushing unprepared into the election – nine days on, the Tories are still scrabbling for candidates to fill their seat vacancies. Even his cabinet were surprised by his timing; he went to the King before telling them, in case they didn’t like it.”

Read the full article.

John. Swinney says Tories ‘on the warpath’ against Holyrood

15:58 , Salma Ouaguira

The first minister said: “The Conservatives are interested in using any excuse they can to erode the powers of the Scottish parliament.”

Mr Swinney added that the Tories’ pledge to amend the Equality Act would “erode the powers” of the Scottish Parliament in the process.

He said that the changes would create “an explicit, outright threat” and “an attack” on devolution.

Angela Rayner denies her comments forced Abbott decision

15:54 , Salma Ouaguira

Labour’s deputy leader has denied that her comments about Diane Abbott forced Sir Keir Starmer to decided whether the veteran MP could stand as candidate.

On Thursday, Ms Rayner sparked pressure on Starmer after declaring that she didn’t “see a reason why Abbott can’t stand”.

Rayner has now said that Starmer “believes in processes and there was a process that had to be followed, that Keir wasn’t involved in”.

She added that he has “always respected” Abbott, and “we both believe that her 37 years of service has been incredible”.

Angela Rayner to represent Labour

15:43 , Salma Ouaguira

Angela Rayner will represent Labour in the BBC’s seven-party debate this Friday.

The deputy Labour leader will be up against Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt and other politicians.

Penny Mordaunt to represent Tories in BBC debate

15:41 , Salma Ouaguira

The Commons leader is expected to represent the Conservatives on Friday’s seven-way debate on the BBC.

TV host Mishal Husain will moderate the June 7 debate, to be held from 7.30pm to 9pm, between leading figures from the Conservative Party, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru, Green Party and Reform UK.

Audience and members of the public will be able to ask questions during the debate in London.

Watch: Starmer presses nuclear button

15:47 , Salma Ouaguira

Starmer says he is prepared to deploy nuclear weapons if needed to defend UK

Latest polls

15:40 , Salma Ouaguira

Rishi Sunak reveals his favorite Nando’s order

15:30 , Salma Ouaguira

The Prime Minister was asked about his favorite order from the peri-peri style chicken chain by a girls football team in Wantage.

Mr Sunak revealed his Nando’s order was a half chicken, medium spiced, with chips and broccoli, adding: “It’s good broccoli.”

He said that he also likes to mmix it up with boneless thighs.

The football team, made up of players between 12 and 15 years old, also asked Mr Sunak his favourite club, which he replied was Southampton.

Mr Sunak later added his favourite song at the moment was probably When The Saints Go Marching In, an anthem for the team.

Richard Tice to appear alongside Nigel Farage in emergency announcement

15:20 , Salma Ouaguira

The party’s official Twitter account posted that the Reform UK leader will also appear to make what has been dubbed as an “emergency general election announcement”.

Pictures of the day: From photobombs to campaign jewellery

15:11 , Salma Ouaguira

Scottish Lib Dem leader has a furry campaign volunteer

15:10 , Salma Ouaguira

MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton has posted a video claiming his dog Bramble has been helping him with tonight’s TV debate preparations in Scotland.

Rishi Sunak’s latest ‘blank page’ Labour election attack backfires

15:00 , Salma Ouaguira

Rishi Sunak’s latest ‘blank page’ Labour election attack backfires

Sunak: Only two people can be PM

14:52 , Salma Ouaguira

Rishi Sunak was asked about the possibility of Nigel Farage standing, and he said: “At the end of the day, on 5 July, one of two people will be prime minister: either Keir Starmer or me.

“A vote for anyone who’s not a Conservative candidate is just a vote to put Keir Starmer in Number 10.”

'Tories scared of Lib Dems,’ deputy leader says

14:49 , Salma Ouaguira

While campaigning on a boat, Daisy Cooper has not only photobombed Rishi Sunak but also took the chance to attack the party for constituency losses.

She said: “Rishi Sunak is running scared of the Liberal Democrats in blue wall seats like Henley, after our stunning gains at the local elections. We are hearing from lifelong former Conservative voters who are appalled by seeing their local rivers polluted by filthy sewage.

“Right across former Conservative heartlands, people are rallying behind the Liberal Democrats and our plan to fix the NHS and care and tackle the sewage crisis. In seats like these right across the country, it’s clear the best way to beat the Conservatives and get rid of this government is to vote for the Liberal Democrats.”

Rishi Sunak photobombed by Lib Dems boat during election campaign stop

Sunak denies waging ‘culture war' on gender issues

14:33 , Salma Ouaguira

Rishi Sunak has denied he was starting a “culture war” with the party’s pledge to change the Equality Act to rewrite that sex means “biological sex”.

Speaking from Oxfordshire, he whether he was waging a “culture war”: “No. It builds on our track record of treating these issues sensitively and with compassion, as of course we should, but ensuring that our laws are right, our guidance is right to protect the safety and security of women and girls and the wellbeing of our children.

“And I think that’s paramount in all of our minds.”

Poll: Labour leads the race with 24 points

14:23 , Salma Ouaguira

John Swinney says Tories’ Equalities act reform to undermine Scottish parliament

14:15 , Salma Ouaguira

The first minister of Scotland has said that the announcement made by Kemi Badenoch to chance the 2010 Equalities bill is part of a “deliberate strategy” to weaken the powers of Holyrood.

Mr Swinney said: “This is just another step in the Conservative attempts to erode the powers of the Scottish parliament. It’s been going on for some time. I want the Scottish parliament to be a parliament that can address all of the issues that affect the lives of people in Scotland.

“So, what the Conservatives are doing today is part of a deliberate strategy to undermine the powers of the Scottish parliament.”

Sunak says Lib Dems ‘selling voters down the river'

14:12 , Salma Ouaguira

The prime minister was earlier today photobombed by a boat carrying Lib Dem supporters in Henley-on-Thames.

Opinion | Why should it be up to Kemi Badenoch to decide if I’m a woman or not?

14:10 , Salma Ouaguira

The latest move by the Tory party to end ‘confusion’ over sexual identity only signals one thing: the continued demonisation of trans people like me in the name of ‘culture wars’, writes barrister Robin Moira White.

“With her promise to redefine the legal definition of the term ‘sex’ to mean biological sex and not ‘redefined meanings of the word’, women’s and equality minister Kemi Badenoch is effectively making a bid to strip trans people of the dignity and acceptance we have built up in society over the last half-century,” she says.

Read the full piece here.

3% of GDP should be spent on defence- Ben Wallace

14:08 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Former defence secretary Ben Wallace said 3% of GDP should be spent on defence.

Speaking to BBC’s Radio 4’s World At One programme, he said: “The threat is rising towards the end of the decade, I would suggest, as others have, that towards the end of the decade we should be spending 3% of GDP.

“However, to get there you have to follow a progressive line, you can’t just dollop billions of dollars or pounds to a department who won’t be able to spend it.”

Mr Wallace argued that “hollowing out has been a way for successive Labour governments and Conservative governments to hide”.

He added: “Governments didn’t want to pay for defence, they wanted to pose in front of the Red Arrows, and Trooping the Colour, and you know Tony Blair’s Government wanted to send the army to the Iraq war, but they didn’t want to really pay for it properly.”

Mr Wallace said he did not regret reducing the army numbers, adding: “We weren’t able to fund defence for the size of the army, and we have been like that since I served in the army in 1991.”

Sunak dismisses Farage election threat

14:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Asked if he fears the possibility of Nigel Farage standing in the election, Rishi Sunak said there should only be two choices for voters on July 4.

Speaking at a campaign event in Oxfordshire, the Prime Minister said: “At the end of the day on July 5th, one of two people will be prime minister, either Keir Starmer or me.

“A vote for anyone who is not a Conservative candidate is just a vote to put Keir Starmer in No 10.

“So if you’re someone who cares about tackling migration, both the boats and legal migration, if you’re someone who wants a more proportionate, pragmatic approach to net zero that saves people money, and if you’re someone who wants lower taxes, it’s only the Conservatives that are going to offer those things.

“And that’s the choice at this election.”

He added: “Who would they rather see in No 10 on July the 5th, working on these issues? Is it Keir Starmer or is it me?”

Tories brand Labour’s security plans ‘hard to believe’

13:51 , Salma Ouaguira

Shadow veterans minister Steve McCabe said the public do not need to worry about Labour’s commitment to defence.

He told BBC’s Radio 4’s World At One programme there should be an “increase in personnel”, adding: “It is also about ensuring they are properly equipped and they have the right technical abilities for the risk that we face.

“There’s also a big issue with retention which needs almost as much attention as recruitment.”

He added: “We intend to start with the review, it is our intention to increase defence spending, the last time it was 2.5% it was under a Labour government, this Government has cut defence spending, and it’s questionable whether it’s really at 2.3% now because of course we’ve added in pensions.”

Mr McCabe continued: “I don’t think people need to worry about Labour’s commitment, the only issue is whether or not we are serious about doing this or the Government are simply plucking a figure out of thin air, and given their past behaviour over 14 years, it’s hard to believe what they are saying.”

Labour and Conservative childcare policies could win over swing voters, study finds

13:40 , Salma Ouaguira

Childcare policies could win over swing voters, study finds

Lib Dems photobomb Rishi Sunak during campaign visit

13:30 , Salma Ouaguira

A boat of Liberal Democrat supporters was spotted passing by just when the Prime Minister was talking to voters in Henley-on-Thames.

A Lib Dem source said: “This is just another small boat Rishi Sunak can’t deal with.”

Grant Shapps says Labour cannot lead Uk through ‘uncertain times'

13:20 , Salma Ouaguira

The defence secretary has said Sir Keir Starmer cannot deliver the “clear and bold leadership” the nation needs amid global uncertainty.

Responding to Sir Keir’s speech, he said: “This was another empty speech from Keir Starmer. By refusing to commit to 2.5 per cent defence spending by 2030 he has been unable to show the clear and bold leadership this country needs in uncertain times.

“Starmer’s choice for foreign secretary, David Lammy, has described the UK’s nuclear deterrent as ‘senseless’. This rubbishes the claim that Labour have changed. It’s clear Starmer lacks the courage and conviction to stand up for Britain’s security.

“Only the Conservatives have a clear plan to deliver the bold action needed to keep Britain secure in a more uncertain world, including reaching 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence spending by 2030, the biggest strengthening of our national defence in a generation.”

NHS patients face intimate examinations in corridors and nights sleeping in chairs, warns union

13:10 , Salma Ouaguira

Patients face intimate examinations in corridors in NHS beds crisis

Pictured: Rishi Sunak campaigning at a Leander Club in Henley-on-Thames

13:06 , Salma Ouaguira

Veterans minister: ‘Voting Labour extremely dangerous’

13:04 , Salma Ouaguira

Johnny Mercer has attacked the Labour Party for saying it will reverse the Northern Ireland legacy bill.

He accused Sir Keir Starmer for wanting to “do favours” for his “mates in the human rights lobby”.

Mr Mercer said: “I have no idea, if you’re a veteran, how you can stand alongside Keir Starmer if he wants to do that.”

Government sets new date for Rwanda flights in another U-turn

13:00 , Salma Ouaguira

The Government has told the High Court that it now plans to begin removals to Rwanda in late July after it previously told a judge that flights would not take off until after the General Election.

It comes after judge Mr Justice Chamberlain ordered the Cabinet Office and Home Office to tell the court the earliest date they planned to start removals last month.

Government lawyers told the judge that it “does not intend to carry out enforced removals to Rwanda before the General Election on July 4 2024”.

However, later in the hearing, Edward Brown KC, for the Home Office, said the first flight is now set to depart on July 24 after an “operational update”.

Mr Justice Chamberlain said the Home Office “has said a number of things” about when the first flight is set to be.The judge continued: “There is a public interest in the determination of these issues … before the earliest date on which flights may be.”

All Rishi Sunak’s planned policies if the Tories win general election

12:53 , Salma Ouaguira

The Independent has been tracking every policy announcement from the prime minister in his 2024 campaign, including ones he has already pledged.

From mandatory national service, tax break for pensioners to crackdown on anti-social tenants, Jabed Ahmed has looked into the party’s promises.

All Rishi Sunak’s planned policies if the Tories wins the general election

Richard Tice doesn’t rule out Farage standing for Reform UK

12:43 , Salma Ouaguira

The Reform UK leader has refused to rule out Nigel Farage standing as a candidate at the election.

At the start of the campaign, Mr Farage said he would not run for the party but he has prompted speculation after teasing he might have changed his mind.

Asked what the announcement will be, Mr Tice told Talk TV: “We are looking forward to that announcement at 4pm. We are having a great campaign so far. Very energised getting huge, huge positivity and returns. Sometimes patience is a virtue…”

He added that he knew what the announcement would be and said: “Come along and listen at 4pm and you will find out everything.”

Badenoch refuses to say what would define biological sex

12:31 , Salma Ouaguira

Kemi Badenoch has set out the Conservatives’ pledge to change the Equality Act so that sex is defined as biological sex.

But she could not say what kind of paperwork people would need to show to use single-sex spaces under the Tories.

Pressed repeatedly over the issue, she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “What you are describing is a hypothetical scenario, assuming that when people go into rape crisis centres they’re bringing in birth certificates, they’re bringing in gender recognition certificates.

“What is happening at the moment is that people come to the centres and they are visibly of a different sex. You don’t always need your birth certificate when you’re going to the toilet and so on and so forth.”

Pictured: Angela Rayner in the party’s battle bus in Doncaster

12:22 , Salma Ouaguira

What is the legal definition of biological sex?

12:09 , Salma Ouaguira

New transgender laws and ‘biological sex’ explained after Badenoch announcement

Tories slam David Lammy for voting against Trident

12:03 , Salma Ouaguira

The Labour party has just announced it would commit to NATO and introduce a “nuclear deterrent triple lock” if elected.

But during his speech Sir Keir Starmer was grilled about the shadow foreign secretary David Lammy who voted against the renewal of Trident in 2016.

The Labour leader reiterated that the whole shadow cabinet is behind him.

But this is what the Conservatives had to say about it:

Reform UK hints today ‘big day’ for Essex

11:47 , Salma Ouaguira

Reform UK has sent supporters in Essex an email today about a mysterious announcement today, GB News reports.

Essex’s Reform UK organisers wrote that today was “potentially a very big day for the county”.

The Clacton constituency voted twice for Farage in 2014 and 2015.

Nigel Farage expected to declare he is running for parliament

11:41 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nigel Farage is making an “emergency” announcement about the general election, with speculation mounting that the former UKIP leader will launch his latest bid to become an MP.

Sources have told The Independent that the honorary president of Reform UK will declare he is going to stand for parliament in Clacton, in Essex.

The seat is seen as a soft target with the pro-Remain former actor Giles Watling defending the seat for the Tories.

Nigel Farage expected to declare he is running for parliament

Defence secretary Grant Shapps responds to Labour’s defence pledge

11:38 , Salma Ouaguira

Grant Shapps has reacted to Sir Keir Starmer’s speech where he pledged to prioritise national security and push the nuclear button “if needed”.

Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Shapps says: “How can anyone trust [Keir] Starmer on defence when he tried to make [Jeremy] Corbyn prime minister twice?”

Could Nigel Farage be back as election candidate?

11:30 , Salma Ouaguira

Starmer: ‘Sunak made money betting against country in financial crisis’

11:21 , Salma Ouaguira

During press questions, the Labour leader has taken aim at the prime minister’s previous job before politics.

Sir Keir Starmer is asked why Labour has waited so long to scrutinise the PM’s record in his past career in finance.

He replied: “We have raised this before. I think it is relevant at this election for the voters to know what did the two candidates for prime minister do before they came into politics.

“I was working for the Crown Prosecution Service … trying to protect those who live in the United Kingdom from crime - Rishi Sunak was making money betting against the country in the financial crisis.

“I think that’s for him to answer as to what he was doing before he came into politics.”

Tory MP criticises the party’s jump into the culture wars

11:06 , Salma Ouaguira

The Conservatives have announced they would amend the Equality Act if elected to change the definition of gender.

Pictured: Sir Keir Starmer sets out Labour stance on national security

11:04 , Salma Ouaguira

Starmer defends handling of barred candidate Faiza Shaheen

10:57 , Salma Ouaguira

Sir Keir Starmer is asked whether he is carrying out a battle against the left of his party and whether he is comfortable with the way Faiza Shaheen has been treated.

The Labour leader repeats that his party has “changed”, and “part of it is about making sure I’ve got the best possible candidates to put before the country”.

He then reminds the audience of to the veterans standing behind him who will be candidates for Labour.

“That is evidence of a changed Labour Party,” he says.

He adds: “So I make no apologies for the fact that I wanted the best possible candidates to go into this election. This is a changed Labour party. The Labour party back in the service of working people. The Labour party that puts defence of the realm and national security is our number one issue.”

Nigel Farage to make emergency general election announcement

10:55 , Salma Ouaguira

Starmer vows to repel the Northern Ireland legacy bill

10:49 , Salma Ouaguira

Sir Keir Starmer is asked whether he is still committed to repeal Northern Ireland legacy bill.

Under the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill new cases from the Troubles would be stopped from starting and offers a conditional amnesty to people accused of killings.

But the bill was controversial because those who criticise it said it will remove access to justice for victims of those affected by the Troubles.

He replies: “It is not the right way to resolve this admittedly complicated issue.”

Exclusive: Labour candidate investigated by party for alleged sexual harassment

10:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A Labour candidate for a seat in east London is being investigated over an allegation of sexual harassment.

Cllr Darren Rodwell, the leader of Barking and Dagenham Council and Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Barking, has been accused of “inappropriate touching” of the hands and legs of an attendee at an event last month.

The Independent has seen the details of the allegations made to Labour’s complaints unit by a party member on Friday. It comes after a Labour MP was suspended from the party last week after a complaint about his behaviour.

Labour’s Barking candidate investigated by party for alleged sexual harassment

Starmer: ‘Whole shadow cabinet support nuclear weapons position'

10:42 , Salma Ouaguira

The Labour leader is asked about the shadow foreign secretary and the deputy party leader who voted against the UK having nuclear weapons in 2016.

He replies: “I lead this party, I’ve changed this party. If we’re privileged to come in to serve, I will be the prime minister of the United Kingdom, and I’ve made my commitment to this absolutely clear.

“I’ve got my whole shadow cabinet behind me on this. We have changed the Labour Party.

“I know full well that national security, defence of our country is the number one issue.”

Starmer ‘prepared to use nuclear weapons'

10:38 , Salma Ouaguira

Sir Keir Starmer says the nuclear deterrent is “fundamental” and “a vital part of our defence”.

“Of course, that means we have to be prepared to use it.”

The Labour leader adds: “Nobody who aspires to be prime minister would set out the circumstances in which it would be used - that would be irresponsible.”

Starmer says UK should follow US on Israel arm sales

10:37 , Salma Ouaguira

While taking questions from the press, he is asked whether he believes there is a moral case in stopping arm sales to Israel.

He replies: “The scenes in Gaza are horrifying, the number one priority is that we get a ceasefire straight away.

“There are still hostages who have been held for a very long time.”

Starmer claims there needs to be a beginning to a two-state solution with Palestine recognised as a state while also ensuring safety Israel.

On arming Israel, he says: “It is for the government to review arm sales licenses, we want them to disclose legal advises.”

If Labour is elected, he promises: “The Rafah offensive shouldn’t go ahead,” and added that the Government should follow the US lead on arm sells to Israel.

Starmer says national security is not a party political issue

10:31 , Salma Ouaguira

Sir Keir Starmer says Labour will keep the UK’s at-sea deterrent, fund future upgrades, and oversee the construction of four new nuclear submarines in Barrow-in-Furness.

He is also committed to raise MoD spending up to 2.5% of GDP on defence “as soon as possible” - but is not saying when.

He says: “This is not a party political issue, this is a national issue, it affects every family.”

The Labour leader then ends the speech with his favorite line: “It is time to stop the chaos, turn the page and rebuild our country together.”

10:26 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Watch live: Starmer delivers defence speech ahead of campaign visit to veterans

Starmer: ‘We have smallest army since Napoleon'

10:25 , Salma Ouaguira

Sir Keir Starmer is not missing the opportunity to attack the Tories in his speech.

He tells the audience: “People of Britain need to know that we will keep them safe, and we will. After 14 years of the Tories we are less safe and secure.

“The Government has failed to take defence seriously, we have the smallest army since the time of Napoleon.”

He promises voters: “The Labour Party is totally committed to our armed forces and to our nuclear deterrent.”

‘A new era of insecurity has begun,’ says Starmer

10:20 , Salma Ouaguira

The Labour leader says the “post-war era is over and a new age of insecurity has begun”.

He adds: “National security is the most important issue of our times...to protect our country will become our solemn responsibility.”

Sir Keir Starmer promises he will serve to protect families to “face the future from this dangerous world”.

He vows: “With my changed Labour Party national security will always come first.”

Starmer honours veterans on D-Day

10:17 , Salma Ouaguira

Starmer starts his speech by remembering the anniversary of D-Day and honouring veterans.

He said: “We will remember them and we will honor them, some gave up their lives so we could live freely.”

He claims the world we live now is more “volatile” and unsafe since the Second World War.

Pictured: Pro-Palestine protesters hang banner pressuring Starmer over arm sales to Israel

10:13 , Salma Ouaguira

Labour pledges to be the ‘party of defence'

10:12 , Salma Ouaguira

Speaking from the Greater Manchester, the shadow defence secretary John Healy is outlining the party’s “nuclear deterrent triple lock”.

Starmer is set to commit to increase defence spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product (GDP).

J.K.Rowling accuses Labour of ‘indifference' towards women’s rights

10:05 , Salma Ouaguira

The Harry Potter author has taken aim at Labour after the party accused the Tories of “weaponising” trans rights.

SNP vows to protect NHS from privatisation

10:00 , Salma Ouaguira

The party’s leader at Westminster has said it will bring forward a Keep The NHS In Public Hands Bill to protect the health service.

Stephen Flynn said the bill would come into effect within 100 days of the General Election if they win.

He accused Labour and the Conservatives of pushing for a “massive privatisation” of the NHS.

Mr Flynn said: “In Scotland, this election is a chance to unite to stop the Westminster threat to our NHS. It’s our chance to keep the NHS in public hands and a chance to reject the Westminster austerity agenda that continues to damage Scotland.”

What does the 2010 Equality Act cover?

09:54 , Salma Ouaguira

During this morning press round, Kemi Badenoch has been announcing changes to the Equality Act.

The current bill from 2010 makes it illegal to discriminate against people because of “protected characteristics”.

These include age, gender reassignment and sex, and sexual orientation.

But the Tories have proposed to amend the Act to rewrite the definition of gender so that it refers to only biological sex. This means protections would only apply to biological sex.

Consequences of the changes would make single-sex spaces and services restricted from people who are not biologically male but identify as women.

But under the new policy, existing protections for transgender people would remain, the Tories claim.

General Election TV debates: How to watch, dates, channels and who will take part

09:44 , Salma Ouaguira

General Election TV debates: How to watch, dates, channels and who will take part

Tories sparking ‘phony culture wars,’ warn Lib Dems

09:27 , Salma Ouaguira

Deputy leader Daisy Cooper has accused the Conservatives of waging a culture war under the new Equality Act plans.

The Lib Dem said the announcement is a “cynical distraction” from other issues including the economy and the NHS.

She told LBC: “I think the Government is failing on so many counts – time and again we have seen how it tries to wage these phony culture wars.

“On the specifics of the proposal, Liberal Democrats have said that, of course, where there is confusion within service providers there could be better guidance, but I really don’t think there’s any demand to unpick, or any need to unpick, the Equality Act itself.”

PM: ‘Biological sex matters'

09:23 , Salma Ouaguira

Rishi Sunak said changes to the Equality Act are part of an effort to “protect women and girls”.

Under the new plans, the Tories could bar trans women from single-sex spaces in hospitals and prisons.

Badenoch says Labour’s treatment over Abbott not because of her race

09:17 , Salma Ouaguira

Kemi Badenoch has said she does not believe race played a role in the treatment of Diane Abbott.

Ms Badenoch told LBC: “Lloyd Russell Moyle was removed from the Labour Party after a complaint; he’s not a black woman.

“It’s hard for me to comment on Labour Party issues because I don’t really understand what they do or why they do them. It does not appear to be because of her race.”

It comes as Starmer confirmed on Friday that Diane Abbott was free to stand as a Labour candidate amid furore among anti-racism groups.

Labour vows to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP

09:12 , Salma Ouaguira

Sir Keir Starmer hopes to mirror the Conservatives’ pledge to raise defence spending by 2030 and previously gave a timeline to do it “when economic conditions allow”.

Shadow armed forces minister Luke Pollard has now said the increase will not happen until the MoD conducts a defense and security review first.

He told Sky News that Sir Keir Starmer will set out today Labour’s “commitment to get to 2.5% and importantly, that commitment to the bedrock of national security in the United Kingdom, which is our continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent, building those four nuclear submarines in Barrow”.

Labour vows to keep Equality Act as it is

09:00 , Salma Ouaguira

Shadow defence secretary John Healey has said Labour would not amend the Equality Act.

He said the current bill already protects single-sex spaces would not follow Tories’ plans to rewrite the gender definition.

Speaking to Times Radio, Mr Healey said: “We will not want to amend the Act, it’s not needed. The Act, incidentally, was a Labour Act in 2010, that was opposed by the Tories, but it already provides protections for single-sex spaces for biological women.

“It already provides a definition of a woman, and sex and gender are different. What is needed is clearer guidance for service providers, from the NHS to sports bodies, and in prisons, on what single-sex exemptions need to be, and the best way to be able to do that is in guidance, not primary legislation.

“The Government has had 14 years to do that and it hasn’t. This, to be honest, is a distraction from the election campaign, where most people want to hear why the cost-of-living pressures are so great, what the Tories are going to do, and what Labour is going to do, to try and help make life more affordable and Britain better.”

Starmer prepared to press nuclear button, says shadow defence secretary

08:50 , Salma Ouaguira

John Healey has said Labour would be prepared to push the nuclear button if elected.

He added the Labour leader would do “whatever is required, if it is required”.

Mr Healey told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: “The importance about a deterrent is there is a deliberate ambiguity and Keir Starmer has said ‘I will do what is necessary to defend this country’ and that is an important message to any would-be adversaries.”

Asked whether Sir Keir would push the nuclear button, he said: “No one should doubt Keir Starmer… he knows what needs to be done to protect this country, he will do what is required, if it is required.”

Keir Starmer is set to reiterate Labour’s commitment to Nato and Trident today as he visits Great Manchester.

Badenoch refuses to condemn Liz Truss’ appearance on Carl Benjamin podcast

08:30 , Salma Ouaguira

The women and equalities minister was speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

She was quizzed about calls to de-select the former PM over her appearance on Carl Benjamin’s podcast.

The content creator and former UKIP MEP candidate has been under attack for claiming he “wouldn’t even rape” Labour MP Jess Phillips.

But Kemi Badenoch has refused to condemn Truss’ participation in his show.

She said: “We don’t live in a society that bans people from speaking. It is for her constituency to decide whether she has done a good job.”

Badenoch says ‘changing your clothes doesn’t change who you are'

08:21 , Salma Ouaguira

Kemi Badenoch has suggested transgender people could be banned from certain spaces under new gender definitions, if elected.

Speaking to LBC radio, she said: “Changing your clothes doesn’t change who you are, we want people who are trans to be protected as well, people who want to change their clothes should not be able to exploit the scenarios we have prepared and the laws we have put in place to protect those people who are genuine transgender people, those who suffer gender dysphoria.

“Just putting on a different set of clothes does not make you transgender.”

She added: “We want people to have privacy and dignity. This is about protecting those who are vulnerable, it is not about stopping trans people from having privacy and dignity.

“That’s why we have said you should have unisex toilets, a disabled toilet is an example of that, or where there are shared spaces, they should be on the basis of biological sex.”

Badenoch: ‘Trans athletes shouldn’t compete against biological women’

08:08 , Salma Ouaguira

Kemi Badenoch has said allowing transgender athletes to compete against biological women to stop “unfair disadvantages”.

The Tories are today reinforcing their promise to change the Equality Act to rewrite the definition of “biological sex”.

Ms Badenoch told Sky News: “We believe that sport is something where there are sex categories for a specific reason. People compete in women’s sports because they are biological women, not because they identify as women.

“It is for sporting bodies to be able to manage that. Transgender athletes are not stopped from competing, they may in some cases have to compete with their biological sex, they may in some cases have open categories.

“But what we are trying to stop is the scenario where we see very obvious unfair advantages, people who have gone through male puberty towering over fragile and in some cases much smaller females and think that that is fair competition. That is not right.”

Donald Trump thanks Boris Johnson for defending him after hush money conviction

07:54 , Salma Ouaguira

Donald Trump thanks Boris Johnson for defending him after hush money conviction

Sir Keir Starmer to unveil nuclear deterrent triple lock

07:50 , Salma Ouaguira

Sir Keir Starmer will pitch Labour as the “party of national security” as he seeks to switch attention to defence matters during the general election campaign.

The Labour leader is expected to meet with forces veterans and a group of his party’s candidates when he campaigns in the North West of England on Monday.

Sir Keir will reaffirm his commitment to a “nuclear deterrent triple lock” as well as his ambition to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), a measure of the size of the economy.

Labour says its nuclear deterrent triple lock involves: a commitment to construct the four new nuclear submarines in Barrow-in-Furness; maintaining Britain’s continuous at-sea deterrent; and the delivery of all future upgrades needed for the submarines to patrol the waters.

You can read The Independent full story here

Kemi Badenoch defends gender plans to stop people ‘misinterpreting law'

07:29 , Salma Ouaguira

The Minister for Women and Equalities said the Conservatives would set out a “clarification in the law”.

She told Sky News this morning: “What we are doing is making sure that people understand what the law says.

“We have seen a lot of problems with people misinterpreting the law.”

Tories pledge to overhaul equality laws

07:24 , Salma Ouaguira

The Conservative party has pledged to amend the Equality Act to rewrite the definitions and allow organisations ban transgender women.

The Tories claim a new definition will improve the safety of women and girls from single-sex spaces.

However, the party says the proposed changes would not scrap existing protections against discrimination on the basis of gender reassignment.

The sex of those with a Gender Recognition Certificate will still align with their acquired gender in law outside the Equality Act.

Under the new scheme the Conservatives will also establish in law that gender recognition is a reserved matter, claiming that “this will mean that an individual can only have one sex in the eyes of the law in the United Kingdom”.

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website