Sue Gray could take up senior Labour job in autumn reports
Partygate investigator Sue Gray could take up a senior Labour role as soon as this autumn, according to reports.Sir Keir Starmer is planning to appoint the ex-mandarin, who led an investigation into lockdown-busting parties held in Downing Street during Boris Johnson's premiership, as his chief of staff.
Live: Sunak faces PMQs as Braverman avoids investigation over speeding fine
Watch live as Rishi Sunak faces Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's questions on Wednesday, 24 May, as Suella Braverman avoids an investigation over her handling of a speeding fine.The home secretary faced criticism after it was reported that she asked officials to try to arrange a private speed awareness course for her, rather than take penalty points on her driving licence after breaking the speed limit last summer.
Boris and entitled' Tories have damaged UK, says former Eton master
A former Eton master has lashed out at Boris Johnson and other senior Tories who attended the elite private school saying they had damaged the very fabric of the country.John Claughton said he had failed to educate former pupils such as the former PM, former Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg and ex-chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng properly.
Boris Johnson calls on Government to accelerate levelling-up measures
Boris Johnson has urged the Government to accelerate levelling-up measures such as planning reform and devolution in order to unleash the UK's massive potential.The Tory former prime minister said the UK is one of the most regionally imbalanced major economies as he made the case to push forward urgently with some of the policies he championed when in Downing Street.
Starmer says Sunak too weak' to block Johnson's honours list in fiery PMQs - live
1686744720 Jeremy Hunt is left crossing his fingers and hoping the Bank of England can finally tackle rising prices by the end of this year, says James Moore.Read James's full piece here: Jeremy Hunt is left crossing his fingers and hoping the Bank of England can finally tackle rising prices by the end of this year, says James Moore Matt Mathers14 June 2023 13:12 1686743610 The row between the prime minister and the Commons Speaker began after Sir Keir Starmer accused Mr Sunak of being too weak to block Mr Johnson's list.
Labour in major economic U-turn as it delays flagship 28bn green prosperity plan'
Sir Keir Starmer has performed a major U-turn on one of Labour's key economic policies, as the party delayed plans to borrow 28bn a year for a green investment pledge.Labour rowed back on its flagship green prosperity plan, which promised to pour 28billion per year into climate-friendly investments until 2030 if it wins the next election.
Starmer: Labour would seize opportunity' to revive British steel industry
Labour would seize the opportunities for British steel, Sir Keir Starmer said, as he vowed to protect the embattled industry.The Labour leader visited the British Steel site in Scunthorpe on Thursday, as he accused the Conservatives of leaving the industry and its workers in a cycle of crisis and bailout.
Britain's future is outside the EU', Sir Keir pledges
Sir Keir Starmer has declared Britain's future is outside the EU, confirming Labour will not seek to rejoin the bloc if it wins power.The Labour leader accepted it is no great secret he voted Remain in the 2016 referendum.But Sir Keir said he agreed with Leave supporters who wanted a better health service, better jobs, better wages, more security, a sense of control over their lives and their communities.
NHS app will refer patients to private hospitals to cut wait times
Patients will be encouraged to use the NHS app for private hospital bookings in a bid to cut waiting times.According to The Times, patients will be encouraged to use the app with dozens of private diagnostic centres offering checks for cancer and other conditions to speed up care and increase the NHS' capacity.
Keir Starmer pledges Labour government will cut suicide rates and NHS waiting times
A Labour government would make it its mission to reverse the rising number of deaths from suicide, Sir Keir Starmer will pledge.In a speech about the NHS on Monday, the Labour leader will commit to tackling the biggest killers including heart disease, cancer, and suicide.And he will say Labour will bring waiting times back to safe levels with an NHS fit for the future.
NHS app will refer patients to private hospitals in effort to curb wait times
Patients will be encouraged to use the NHS app for private hospital bookings in a bid to cut waiting times.According to The Times, patients will be encouraged to use the app with dozens of private diagnostic centres offering checks for cancer and other conditions to speed up care and increase the NHS' capacity.
Watch live: Sir Keir Starmer addresses British Chambers of Commerce annual conference
Watch live as Sir Keir Starmer addresses the British Chambers of Commerce annual conference on Wednesday, 17 May.This year's event has a theme of Building British Business in which leaders will come together to discuss the opportunities for growth to help local communities thrive, the business group said.
What did Suella Braverman do and why has she been spared an independent probe?
Suella Braverman has avoided an independent investigation into her handling of a speeding offence after it was decided the matter did not amount to a breach of the Ministerial Code.Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ignored calls to launch a formal probe after claims the Home Secretary tried to get Whitehall officials to arrange a private speed awareness course for her.
Top mandarin piles pressure on Braverman to resign over speeding ticket row
Suella Braverman's hopes of surviving as Home Secretary over the speeding ticket row suffered a fresh blow after she came under fire from a former mandarin.Sir Philip Rycroft, who has served in Whitehall under five prime ministers, accused Ms Braverman of a "real lapse of judgement."And the former senior civil servant said the home secretary's actions would have put officials in an impossible position.
Starmer: Nonsense' to question Sue Gray's independence during partygate probe
Sir Keir Starmer has said it is nonsense to question Sue Gray's independence during the partygate investigation over plans for the former senior civil servant to become Labour's chief of staff.The Opposition leader also hit out at reports suggesting Boris Johnson had referred to the ex-mandarin as a psycho, saying that increasingly hysterical comments will be made ahead of general election next year.
Jeremy Corbyn backed by Labour Party members in his Islington North seat
Jeremy Corbyn has been backed by members of the Islington North Constituency Labour Party, after the former Labour leader was blocked from standing for the party.Sir Keir Starmer said in March that his predecessor would not be the party's candidate for the north London seat at the next general election.
Politics takes centre stage on the front page of several Sunday newspapers, but there is no consensus on the major story of the day.The Sunday Times focuses on the ongoing nurses pay dispute and an interview with Royal College of Nursing general secretary Pat Cullen calling for a double-digit increase, having previously advised members to accept a 5% offer which members rejected.
Tony Blair's top aide said Bush White House was full of f***ing lunatics'
Tony Blair's most senior No 10 aide warned that George Bush and his f***ing lunatics in the White House would lead Britain into trouble after he won the presidential election, according to a new book.The claim is made in the new diaries of former Labour MP Chris Mullin, who was a foreign office minister in Blair's government during the 2003 Iraq war.
Keir Starmer told to change phone number as he gets too much unsolicited advice'
Sir Keir Starmer has been advised to change his mobile number as he has been getting too much unsolicited advice.A senior Labour official told The Sunday Times that people are popping up from 20 years ago telling him what they think.Sir Keir is understood to receive counsel from Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, though officials said the former prime ministers would be given the current Labour leader's new mobile number if he were to change it.
Starmer questions Sunak's mandate after he lost everywhere' in local elections
Sir Keir Starmer has asked Rishi Sunak who he thinks he has actually got a mandate from after accusing him of losing everywhere in the local elections.The Labour leader and the Prime Minister clashed at Prime Minister's Questions which was being held for the first time since last week's local elections in England.
The Guardian view on the local elections: the Tories take a hammering | Editorial
The opposition parties in England have good reason to be gleeful.Results from the local elections in 230 English councils show the Tories being squeezed on both sides of the Brexit vote.Conservatives are losing badly in areas that voted remain in 2016, while Labour is gaining most in places that voted leave.
Local elections 2023: Timetable of key results and events
Here is a guide to when to expect the key results and events after polls close in the local elections on Thursday.All declaration times are estimates and could change.Thursday, 10pm: Polls close in the 230 local authorities across England holding elections.Counting begins for 64 councils.Friday, from 12.30am: First results expected.
Starmer accused of being shifty' over timeline of Sue Gray hire
Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of being shifty over questions about Sue Gray and has been urged to fess up about when contact with her about a top Labour job was first made.The Opposition leader has repeatedly refused to disclose the timeline of the talks held with the partygate investigator about her becoming his chief of staff.
Starmer says 1.7m face higher mortgages after Tories used money like casino chips'
Sir Keir Starmer said more than a million Britons face higher mortgage payments because the Tories treated their money like casino chips.The Labour leader blamed higher housing costs on the Conservatives for crashing the economy with last autumn's disastrous so-called mini-budget.Sir Keir said that as a result, 850,000 people are paying more on their mortgages each month.
Sue Gray has incredible integrity', says Starmer amid partygate probe reports
Sir Keir Starmer has praised Sue Gray as a woman of incredible integrity amid reports that the senior civil servant was in direct contact with the MP leading the parliamentary investigation into Boris Johnson.The Labour leader is planning to appoint the ex-mandarin as his next chief of staff a move Tory MPs have claimed weakens trust in senior Whitehall officials.
Narrow path to victory' for Sunak but Labour is on course for quite a big majority'
Rishi Sunak has a narrow path to victory in next year's general election but faces a race against time, according to a polling expert.The prime minister has brought the Conservatives out of the deepest part of the valley but has a lot of mountain to climb, the boss of a political forecasting company has said.
Keir Starmer accused of paying lip service' to violence against women and girls
Sir Keir Starmer's decision to welcome Natalie Elphicke into the Labour Party has raised concerns over his commitment to tackling violence against women and girls. [ more ]
Keir Starmer jokes about Nigel Farage after Natalie Elphicke defection
Sir Keir Starmer joked that Nigel Farage would be the last person wanting to join Labour Party, emphasizing openness to diverse views for national renewal. [ more ]
Keir Starmer makes 50 bet that Lee Anderson will lose his seat at the election
Sir Keir Starmer placed a bet that Lee Anderson will lose his seat at the general election. Labour is leading Conservatives in the Red Wall seats. [ more ]
Keir Starmer shies away from some of Sadiq Khan's key policies but backs mayor for a third term
Sir Keir Starmer didn't explicitly endorse Mayor Khan's Ulez expansion or rent controls. He hinted at supporting further policies if he becomes Prime Minister. [ more ]
Join The Independent Debate and tell us your general election predictions
The Tories are facing a potential defeat in the upcoming 2024 general election, according to a YouGov survey commissioned by Tory donors.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is warning his party to be ready for a potential general election in the spring, despite the Tories hoping to go to the polls later in the year. [ more ]
Watch as Rishi Sunak speaks to voters in northern England ahead of election
Rishi Sunak holds a question-and-answer session in northern England as part of his tour around the country before an expected general election later this year.
Mr Sunak is determined to confront the difficult challenges and not take the easy way out.
There is a possibility of a general election in the second half of this year, potentially in the autumn. [ more ]
The Labour leader said he would not let the oil and gas industries become a "repeat" of the coal mines, where they withered and no plans were made for the future.Answering questions at the GMB union's conference in Brighton, Sir Keir Starmer said oil and gas would be around for "decades to come", up to the 2050s.On Monday, GMB general secretary Gary Smith criticised Labour's plan to ban new oil and gas extraction licences in the North Sea.
The Guardian view on Labour's green plans: just stop oil to save the planet | Editorial
Sir Keir Starmer has been admirably straightforward about his mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower.Blocking new oil and gas fields is a sine qua non to realise that ambition.The Labour leader even went to the lion's den of Davos earlier this year to give business leaders that message.But judging from the headlines over the past few days, you might be forgiven for thinking that Sir Keir had never uttered a word about his plans.
Lindsay Hoyle interrupted Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer to warn backbenchers about the noise at PMQs.The Speaker then told Conservative backbencher Paul Bristow to leave the Commons after telling him: "I am not having it and I warned you before."Cameras in the Commons then show the Peterborough MP leave his seat (on the left of the shot) and walk out of the chamber.
The Labour leader claimed the home secretary had a "let them pick fruit" policy for British workers and asked if the PM backed her.Referencing her 2022 speeding fine and speed awareness course, Sir Keir Starmer said government policies were "holding people back".Rishi Sunak quoted IMF forecasts that the UK economy would grow faster than Germany, France and Italy, and the Britain had the best reading results in the world.
Cooper: Braverman not answering 'basic factual questions'
The shadow home secretary claimed Suella Braverman "tries to think she is above the normal laws" and listed some of what she calls her "rule-breaking behaviour".Facing a series of opposition questions on her handling of a 2022 speeding fine, the home secretary replied by offering "some gentle advice" to Labour.
Speaker scolds Sunak for bringing up Labour's Tom Watson in honours row
Sir Lindsay Hoyle scolded Rishi Sunak for bringing up Labour's Tom Watson during a fiery PMQs exchange about Boris Johnson's resignation honours list.The row between the prime minister and the Commons Speaker began after Sir Keir Starmer accused Mr Sunak of being too weak to block Mr Johnson's list.
SNP could make life difficult' for Starmer without co-operation, Yousaf warns
The SNP could make life very difficult for Labour after the next general election if Sir Keir Starmer does not co-operate with it, Humza Yousaf has said.The Scottish First Minister said a demand for a second independence referendum would be top of the list of his party's requests if Labour needs help forming a government at Westminster.
Labour donor Dale Vince joins Just Stop Oil protest in Westminster
Labour donor and green entrepreneur Dale Vince joined a Just Stop Oil protest for the first time on Thursday, saying he can't not speak out.Mr Vince joined demonstrators on a slow-walk protest along Whitehall to Trafalgar Square in central London as part of JSO's ongoing campaign against new fossil fuel licences.
Eco-zealots' are writing Labour's energy policy, says Sunak
Sir Keir Starmer has allowed Labour's energy policy to be written by eco-zealots, with Vladimir Putin set to benefit if the plans were ever put into effect, the Prime Minister claimed.In an extraordinary attack, Rishi Sunak suggested Labour's plans to end North Sea oil and gas exploration amounted to an energy surrender, putting ideology ahead of jobs.
Sunak's small boats drive won't bring back Tory voters, says John Curtice
Rishi Sunak is wrong to believe his promise to solve the small boats crisis can win back former Conservative voters, polling guru Prof John Curtice has said.Prof Curtice claimed the Tories were misguided in focusing so strongly on Channel migrants issue because it reminds people of the dramatic failure of Brexit to control immigration.
Watch live as Keir Starmer speaks at GMB Union annual congress
Watch live as Sir Keir Starmer delivers a speech at GMB Union congress on Tuesday 6 June.The leader of the opposition is expected to reassure the group that Labour's plan to transition to clean energy will create jobs for its members, after leader Gary Smith strongly criticised his energy policy.Mr Starmer will also hit out at the Conservatives, suggesting prime minister Rishi Sunak would be happy to see the rest of the UK fall behind London.
Watch live as Sunak speaks on government plans to stop small boat crossings
Watch live as Rishi Sunak holds a press conference on the government's plans to stop migrants arriving on small boats.The prime minister will be speaking from Dover, Kent on Monday 5 June and address the progress made in the last six months since the Illegal Migration Bill was introduced.However, Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, has described the speech Mr Sunak is due to give as like Groundhog Day.
Labour is warned over reckless' lack of detail on North Sea pledge
Sir Keir Starmer has been told by trade union Unite that any plan to block new North Sea oil and gas developments must not leave workers paying the price.Unite, the party's single biggest donor, told the Labour leader that such a move could risk a repeat of the devastation caused by the closure of coal mines.
Just Stop Oil backer Dale Vince perfectly legitimate' party donor Labour
British businessman Dale Vince is a perfectly legitimate person to take money from and his donations to Just Stop Oil do not change Labour's opposition to the climate activist group's actions, the shadow international trade secretary has said.Nick Thomas-Symonds said his party has been extremely clear on our views on Just Stop Oil and that Mr Vince is perfectly entitled to give money to other causes.
Sunak voices concerns over vape advertising targeted at kids'
Rishi Sunak has expressed concern about his daughters potentially being targeted by vape advertising after figures showed the proportion of children trying e-cigarettes has doubled in the past decade.The Prime Minister said it was ridiculous that the products appear to be marketed towards young people.
Figures expected to show net migration reached record levels last year
Fresh figures are expected to show net migration reached record levels last year as Labour accused the Government of making a mess on immigration and the Prime Minister claimed the Opposition have absolutely no ideas on the subject.The Office for National Statistics will publish data on Thursday for the year ending December 2022.
Starmer would stop lower wages for overseas workers used to fill UK jobs
Businesses would be stopped from easing staff shortages by hiring cheaper overseas workers under immigration plans unveiled by Labour.Sir Keir Starmer said he wants to scrap rules that allow firms to pay 20% below the going rate to hire overseas workers for jobs on the shortage occupation list.Healthcare, engineering and IT are among the sectors where someone can be paid 80% of the usual going rate to qualify for a skilled worker visa.
Labour would not turn to immigration to plug workforce shortages Reeves
A Labour government wouldn't turn to immigration as the easy answer to plugging workforce shortages, Rachel Reeves has said.The shadow chancellor said Britons should be trained to fill vacancies in sectors such as data science and in the NHS.It comes after Labour chairwoman Anneliese Dodds last week indicated migration could increase in the short term if the party comes to power, but would ultimately be reduced by addressing the domestic skills shortage.
The Labour leader has set out how his party would change the NHS if it got in to power at the next election.After his speech in Essex, BBC political correspondent Helen Catt asked Sir Keir Starmer if more money would go into health services.He said that money was "part of the solution", but added that change and reforms were "hugely important".
Keir Starmer warns unsustainable' NHS needs reform not just more money
Sir Keir Starmer is set to warn that the NHS is unsustainable without deep and serious reforms that require more than just money.The Labour leader is due to give a speech in the east of England on Monday in which he will outline his vision for modernising the NHS and announce health-related performance targets if his party wins the next election.
Sunak insists personal attacks by Labour leader don't worry me'
Rishi Sunak has insisted he is not bothered by the increasingly personal attacks from Sir Keir Starmer.The Labour leader has suggested the Prime Minister is out of touch with a nation suffering a cost-of-living crisis because of his extreme wealth.Mr Sunak has also been targeted by Opposition attack ads, which have drawn criticism from within Labour, claiming he does not want to see child sex attackers jailed.
Sunak rules out building on green belt after Starmer warns of housing crisis
Rishi Sunak has ruled out allowing building on the green belt after Labour backed the move in order to alleviate the housing crisis.The Prime Minister said he wants to make sure our green spaces are protected after being accused by Sir Keir Starmer of killing off the dream of home ownership by failing to build.
Many of Thursday's papers feature news from the US of an alleged car chase of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex by numerous photographers which lasted two hours and described as near catastrophic.The i and Metro lead with reports Harry and Meghan were subjected to a relentless pursuit after an awards ceremony in New York at 10pm on Tuesday.
Labour MP hits out at party's putsch' against Birmingham council chief
Plans to appoint a candidate chosen by Labour's National Executive Committee as head of Birmingham City Council have been condemned by a party MP as a putsch against the authority's current leader.Birmingham Selly Oak MP Steve McCabe is urging Sir Keir Starmer to halt the process threatening the position of Councillor Ian Ward, which was prompted by a Labour Campaign Improvement Board report.
Live: Oliver Dowden faces Angela Rayner at PMQs as Rishi Sunak attends G7 summit
Watch live as Oliver Dowden faces Angela Rayner at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, 17 May, as Rishi Sunak travels to a G7 summit in Japan.The deputy Labour leader is standing in for Sir Keir Starmer, who is a speaker at the British Chambers of Commerce annual conference this afternoon.The prime minister is due to visit Tokyo and then head to Hiroshima for the G7 summit, his first as prime minister.
Keir Starmer calls for discussion about building homes on green belt
Councils need to have the final say on whether homes can be built on green belt land, according to Sir Keir Starmer.Ahead of addressing the British Chambers of Commerce, the Labour leader told The Times housebuilding was key to achieving the sort of growth we need in this country.He said a discussion was needed over allowing building on the green belt if it meets local needs.
A range of political stories jostle for the spotlight with little consensus on the front pages of Wednesday's newspapers.Immigration features on the front of two editions, but they take contrasting approaches.The Guardian reports on government plans to remove basic housing protections from asylum seekers which it says will see migrants moved out of hotels and into the private rented sector with landlords not required to register with local authorities.
Gove claims Labour would downgrade' British citizenship with vote reforms
Cabinet minister Michael Gove accused Sir Keir Starmer of planning to downgrade the ultimate privilege of British citizenship by giving EU nationals in the UK the right to vote in a general election.The Labour leader has suggested people who have spent decades living in the UK ought to be able to vote in elections to decide who runs the country.
Common sense' to allow EU nationals full voting rights, Starmer suggests
Sir Keir Starmer has indicated it is common sense to allow EU nationals who have worked for years in the UK to vote in a general election, as Labour considers extending the franchise.The Opposition leader said it feels wrong that people who have contributed to Britain's economy and raised their children in the country are not allowed to cast a ballot.
Labour will keep tax burden on working people as low as we can', Starmer promises
Tax levels for working people would be as low as possible under Labour, Sir Keir Starmer has indicated.The comments came in an interview with the Daily Mirror, as the Labour leader was asked if he wanted to cut taxes for those on the lowest incomes.He said: I want to keep the burden on working people as low as we can.
The papers at the start of the working week are primarily focused on the Home Secretary's upcoming speech to the National Conservatism Conference.The Telegraph, The Guardian, The Times and the i all report Suella Braverman will tell the conference on Monday that the Prime Minister must deliver on the Tory manifesto promise to reduce net migration.
Labour will keep tax burden for workers as low as we can' Starmer
Tax levels for working people would be as low as possible under Labour, Sir Keir Starmer has indicated.The comments came in an interview with the Daily Mirror, as the Labour leader was asked if he wanted to cut taxes for those on the lowest incomes.He said: I want to keep the burden on working people as low as we can.
Labour plan to allow EU citizens and 16-year-olds to vote'
Sir Keir Starmer is thought to be considering plans to allow millions of EU citizens to vote in general elections under a Labour government.Labour is mulling whether to expand the vote to 16 and 17-year olds and around 3.4 million EU nationals who have settled status in the UK after Brexit.The Tories quickly lashed out at the prospect of change accusing Sir Keir of trying to rig elections by handing votes to those more likely to vote Labour.
Starmer prepared for dirty and nasty' campaign after local elections success
Labour is prepared for a dirty and nasty campaign ahead of next year's general election, Sir Keir Starmer has said.It comes as the Labour leader claimed his project of reforming the party in the aftermath of the Corbyn era is an on steroids version of Sir Tony Blair's symbolic rewriting of Clause Four.
Sunak not ruling out coalitions despite accusing Starmer of plotting' pacts
Rishi Sunak is not ruling out entering into a coalition government in the future despite accusing Sir Keir Starmer of plotting to team up with other parties.The Prime Minister's press secretary declined to speculate on the outcome of the next general election after being asked if Mr Sunak could form a pact with the DUP or other parties.
Labour defends process as employee keeps job after harassment claim upheld'
Sir Keir Starmer continues to have confidence in Labour's process for investigating allegations of wrongdoing despite a staff member reportedly being allowed to keep their job after sexual harassment claims against them were upheld, a party spokesman has said.A parliamentary investigation one of two inquiries reportedly carried out into claims of groping ruled that the senior employee should write a letter of apology, but no further action was said to have been taken.
Starmer rules out Labour-SNP coalition after election
The Labour leader said talk of deals with the Liberal Democrats and other parties were "hypothetical".But Sir Keir Starmer gave a definite "no" to a coalition with the SNP after a general election, over a "fundamental disagreement" with a party that would separate the UK, leading to a border between England and Scotland.
The Guardian view on tuition fees: Labour needs an alternative solution | Editorial
Since the coalition government raised the cap on tuition fees in 2012, student debt has soared.Due to interest on student loans, many graduates will spend most of their working lives paying off a debt that is greater than what they borrowed.The system has produced intractable problems: students are paying more than ever to get degrees, but many will not get graduate-level jobs.
Culture Secretary looking very closely' at BBC licence fee
The Culture Secretary has said she is looking very closely at the BBC licence fee, as she dismissed calls to remove political interference from the appointment of its chair.Lucy Frazer said a review into the corporation's funding arrangements is looking at a variety of sources for its funding.The Cabinet minister also said Rishi Sunak will appoint the best candidate to replace Richard Sharp as BBC chair, regardless of their political ties.
Starmer says Labour is on path to majority as Sunak voices disappointment'
Sir Keir Starmer has celebrated fantastic council results as showing Labour is on course to win the next general election as Rishi Sunak remained defiant despite heavy losses.The Labour leader told jubilant supporters they are progressing towards a majority in Westminster as initial local election results on Friday saw his party seize battlegrounds from the Tories.
Local elections 2023: Timetable of key results and events
Local election day has arrived, with voters heading to the polls across England.Voting kicked off at 7am in 230 local authorities, marking the nation's biggest round of elections since 2019.Crucial mayoral ballots are also taking place in Bedford, Leicester, Mansfield and Middlesbrough.Local elections typically reflect voters' attitudes about neighbourhood concerns, such as when bins are collected, the state of parks and pavements, or access to libraries and hospitals.
Tory chairman repeats 1,000 council seat losses claim and denies he will quit
The Conservative chairman has repeated claims his party could lose 1,000 councillors in May's local elections but denied he would quit if they had a bad night.Greg Hands said independent experts had made the prediction and denied he was overplaying the potential losses on May 4, which will be Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's first electoral test.
Starmer accused of being shifty' over timeline of Sue Gray hire
Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of being shifty over questions about Sue Gray and has been urged to fess up about when contact with her about a top Labour job was first made.The Opposition leader has repeatedly refused to disclose the timeline of the talks held with the partygate investigator about her becoming his chief of staff.
Starmer criticises Tory record on mortgages and housing ahead of local elections
Sir Keir Starmer said millions will pay the price of Tory recklessness in higher mortgages and a shortage of homes as the party leaders clashed in their final exchanges before local elections in England on Thursday.The Labour leader put the focus on the fallout of Liz Truss's short stint as prime minister and higher mortgage rates, while claiming Conservative councillors simply don't want to build the houses local people need.