Newslinks for Thursday 13th June 2024 | Conservative Home

Sunak tells Sky that he understands if people who voted Brexit are angry

“Rishi Sunak has said that he understood why Brexit voters were “frustrated and angry” by the more than doubling of net migration since the EU referendum. The Prime Minister accepted that immigration was “too high” and added that he appreciated “people’s cynicism” about his promises to bring it down. During a televised interview, he also admitted he could “absolutely understand people’s frustrations” with both himself and the Tories as he acknowledged public fury over NHS waiting lists, partygate, and his decision to leave the D-Day commemorations early. He made the remarks as he was questioned over the Tories’ record during a Sky News election debate on Wednesday evening.” – Daily Telegraph

Sketches:

• The audience seemed more annoyed with the Labour leader than with the Prime Minister – Tom Peck, The Times
• Starmer and Sunak chopped to bits in Sky’s abattoir debate – Madeline Grant, Daily Telegraph

Shapps urges voters not to give Labour a ‘supermajority’

“Voters have been warned not to give Sir Keir Starmer a “blank cheque” by handing Labour a “super-majority”. Grant Shapps warned a crushing election victory for Sir Keir would give him “unchecked power” while top Tory Miriam Cates told our Never Mind The Ballots show the Labour chief would be Tony Blair “on steroids”. The Defence Secretary blasted that the “country doesn’t function well” when either party has a three-figure majority in the House of Commons. Mr Shapps insisted the Tories were still fighting for “every seat” and “no one’s cast a vote” as the election campaign hits the halfway stage… The most recent YouGov MRP poll, which predicts seat-by-seat results across the country, predicted Labour would win a mammoth majority of 194…” – The Sun

• Defence Secretary says even bigger win than 1997 landslide would be ‘very bad news’ for country – The Guardian
• Prime Minister insists he’s not given up on election victory – The Times
• Tory advert warns that Starmer is seeking a ‘blank cheque’ – Daily Mail
• Starmer will be ‘Blair on steroids’ if he gets landslide, warns Cates – The Sun

Comment:

• Just imagine what Khan would do without anyone standing up to him – Steve Tuckwell, Daily Express
• Sunak may have to be open over Dunkirk strategy – Iain Martin, The Times
• To help Britain prosper, the next government must work with business – Charlie Nunn, FT

Sunak aide under investigation for bet on election date

“An aide to Rishi Sunak is under investigation after he placed a £100 bet on a July election just days before his boss announced the date of the vote, a development that risks further unsettling the Conservative party’s campaign. Craig Williams, who is principal private secretary to Sunak, has been placed under investigation by the Gambling Commission over the bet placed with bookmaker Ladbrokes. In a statement on Wednesday, Williams, who was elected MP for Montgomeryshire in 2019, said he thought it was “best to be totally transparent”. He confirmed he had been contacted by the commission over the bet and said he would co-operate with the investigation.” – FT

• Williams, who is seeking re-election in Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, confirmed he ‘put a flutter’ on a poll – Daily Telegraph
• Conservative grassroots campaign in ‘disarray’, say insiders and opponents – The Guardian

Economy flatlines in ‘blow to Sunak’s hopes of recovery’

“The UK economy flatlined in April, held back by wet weather, as the signs of a recovery from last year’s recession began to fade. In a blow to Rishi Sunak’s hopes of signalling a strong bounceback before the general election on 4 July, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said monthly growth stalled after a 0.4% increase in March. The economy was unable to maintain its momentum after being weighed down by the struggling retail sector, a downturn in manufacturing and a drop in construction output. The 0.0% growth figure matched the forecast by City economists, who blamed the month’s heavy rains for difficulties faced by workers on building sites and the lack of shoppers on the high street.” – The Guardian

Comment:

• Why is no one talking about Britain’s tanking economy – Esther Krakue, Daily Express
• The OBR has quietly warped how we see public spending forever – Jonathan Portes, The Guardian

>Today: John Bald in Local Government: Our achievements in education

Mordaunt says Britain must be ready to leave ECHR

“Britain must be prepared to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) if it is not reformed, Penny Mordaunt has said. The Commons leader told The Telegraph that “as someone who campaigned to leave the EU, if you want to reform the practices of such institutions you have to be prepared to leave them. I would, as my record shows.” Her declaration is more explicit than other Cabinet ministers and the Conservative manifesto which simply states that a Tory Government would choose the UK’s border security over the “jurisdiction of a foreign court, including the European Court of Human Rights.” Rishi Sunak failed to say he would be prepared to pull out of the ECHR if it failed to reform when challenged over the issue at the manifesto launch on Tuesday.” – Daily Telegraph

• Hunt admits he’s 1,500 votes away from losing his seat – The Sun
• Have the Tories squandered their years in power? – FT

>Yesterday:

Tory rising star sparks fury after going from ‘new build lover to massive NIMBY’

“A Tory rising star candidate has sparked fury over his transformation from new-build backer to “NIMBY” – in time for the election. In a 2022 paper, wannabe MP Johnny Luk slammed Conservative councils for contributing to the housing crisis and demanded urgent action to build new homes… In May 2024, as the Tory candidate for Milton Keynes Central, Mr Luk vowed to oppose Labour plans for a house building blitz. Listing his priorities, the candidate posted on X: “Infrastructure before expansion. Yes to investing in our existing residents – NO to Labour’s plan to build 63,000 more houses.” … According to YMCA Milton Keynes, over 2,000 people are on the housing waiting list and an estimated 2,392 are sofa-surfing.” – The Sun

• Rental market faces ‘growing challenges’, survey finds – FT
•  Shapps embroiled in LBC ‘fury’ as he fumbles new Tory stamp duty pledge – Daily Express
• Boomers had it twice as easy buying a house earlier in their lives, data shows – Daily Mail

>Yesterday:

Reform UK raises £1.5m after Farage’s return as leader…

“Reform UK has raised £1.5m worth of funds in the days after Nigel Farage’s return as party leader, when he declared he would run to be an MP. While Reform’s electoral fortunes have been transformed, its war chest has been boosted by money from thousands of new members as well as pledges from bigger donors, the Guardian has learned. A new poll by YouGov put the party just one point behind the Conservatives, who had fallen to 18% and face the prospect of losses being exacerbated by the threat to their right. Donations to Reform this week are understood to have included a “substantial cheque” from the singer and actor Holly Valance, a party supporter who is married to the property developer Nick Candy.” – The Guardian

• Britain faces a populist tsunami far greater than anything seen in Europe – Allister Heath, Daily Telegraph

>Yesterday:

…as Jenkyns puts photos with him – but no Sunak‌ – on her campaign leaflet…

“A former Conservative minister has caused controversy by putting a picture of herself with Nigel Farage on her election leaflet. Dame Andrea Jenkyns, who is standing for election in the new seat of Leeds South West and Morley in West Yorkshire, included a photograph of herself with the Reform UK leader on her campaign material. Rishi Sunak, her party leader, does not appear on the leaflet and nor is the Conservative Party mentioned. Dame Andrea is on the Right of the Tory Party and was a fervent supporter of Boris Johnson, who appointed her minister for skills, further and higher education when he experienced a mass exodus of ministers from his administration in July 2022.” – Daily Telegraph

• Top Tory ‘bizarrely’ includes photo of Reform UK’s leader on literature – Daily Express

More:

• Farage offered extra private security after being pelted in campaign attacks… – The Sun
• …and he ‘erupts’ as dozens of migrants detained for Rwanda freed on bail – Daily Express
• Is Nigel a secret Swiftie? – Daily Mail
• Hancock libelled Bridgen ‘to devastating extent’ by accusing him of anti-Semitism, High Court hears – Daily Mail

>Today: John Oxley in Comment: Don’t Knows, not Reform switchers, are the Tories’ best hope of avoiding a wipe-out

…and Prime Minister says he ‘has respect’ for Reform UK rival

“Rishi Sunak said he has “respect” for Nigel Farage but insisted he does not feel threatened by him. The Prime Minister said the Reform UK leader, who is standing in Clacton at the General Election, was “right” to highlight the issue of immigration. But he warned that a vote for Mr Farage’s party at the General Election risks handing Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer the keys to 10 Downing Street. Asked what he thinks about the Brexit architect, Mr Sunak told ITV’s Tonight programme: “I’ve got respect for Nigel.” … The PM denied that he felt threatened by the charismatic 60-year-old, saying: “I’m talking to everyone across the country about my plans for this country.”” – Daily Express

• Sunak tells ITV interview he was going to leave D-Day events even earlier but ‘things ran over’ – Daily Mail

More:

• He also reports that his family went without Sky when he was going up – The Times
• Social media ‘erupts with memes’ mocking his attempt to explain how he’s in touch – Daily Mail
• Prime Minister’s Sky blunder says more about class than cash – Daily Telegraph

Comment:

• Inside the fateful TV moment that will define Rishi’s premiership, and how Labour is exploiting it – Dan Hodges, Daily Mail

>Yesterday:

Starmer admits he sees private dentist after insisting he ‘doesn’t use private health’…

“Sir Keir Starmer has said that he uses a private dentist, despite previously insisting he would not use any private healthcare. The Labour leader said during an election debate on Sky News on Wednesday night that he uses a private dentist because he is not eligible for NHS care. His comment came after he used a previous TV debate to say that he would not use private healthcare even if a relative were stuck on an NHS waiting list. Sir Keir made the remarks as he answered a question from an audience member in Grimsby over how he would tackle the lack of NHS dentists. After his initial answer, he was asked whether he used private dentistry himself.” – Daily Telegraph

…and claims he only said Corbyn would be a ‘great PM’ in 2019 because he was ‘certain Labour would lose’

“Keir Starmer insisted he only backed Jeremy Corbyn in 2019 because he knew he would not win as he kicked off a crucial TV election grilling tonight. The Labour leader was challenged on why he now condemns his left-wing predecessor after arguing he would make a ‘great PM’ five years ago. Sir Keir wriggled as he was asked on Sky News how people could ‘trust’ him, arguing that he only endorsed Mr Corbyn because he was ‘certain that we would lose’.  He also squirmed as he was pushed by presenter Beth Rigby on whether he would rule out all tax rises – sticking to his line that income tax, national insurance and VAT would not be touched. He would not completely deny that council tax or fuel duty could increase.” – Daily Mail

>Today: Lord Ashcroft in Comment: My latest survey finds a majority of voters expect taxes to rise, whoever is in power

Growth and prosperity are Labour’s priority, says Starmer

“Sir Keir Starmer will pledge “a total change in direction” for Britain as he promises to take on the “blockers of aspiration” and kick-start a building boom to return the country to prosperity. Unveiling the party’s manifesto, the Labour leader will say he is seeking a “mandate” for economic growth and to make wealth creation his government’s “number one priority”. However, during a live television interview on Wednesday, Starmer repeatedly refused to rule out a series of tax rises if he wins the general election. While the Labour leader has explicitly ruled out raising income tax, national insurance or VAT, he declined to extend that to capital gains tax, fuel duty or the revaluation of council tax bands.” – The Times

• Local councils ‘to impose LTNs’ under Labour – Daily Telegraph
• The expected key policies of Labour’s manifesto explained – The Times
• Labour VAT raid ‘could shut half of small prep schools within a year’ – Daily Telegraph

More:

• Starmer expected to limit MPs’ summer break if he wins – FT
• Meet Labour’s Gen Z wannabe MPs – Daily Telegraph
• Teachers’ union head warns of strikes by autumn – The Guardian

Comment:

• Labour won’t turn from the tough road ahead – Peter Mandelson, The Times
• Starmer will be centrism’s last chance – Robert Shrimsley, FT
• Labour will slap pensioners with brutal taxes: here’s why you shouldn’t trust the party – Mel Stride, Daily Express

>Today: ToryDiary: As the EU heads for pragmatism on Net Zero, Labour would here opt for disastrous zealotry

SNP mounts shoestring election campaign as Labour targets Scotland

“The SNP, deprived of donations amid a police investigation into alleged embezzlement of party funds, is mounting a shoestring campaign that relies on its army of motivated activists to repel the deep-pocketed Labour juggernaut.  The SNP received no recordable donations in the first quarter, and now depends on public funds and candidates’ personal fundraising efforts. Having received £9.5mn in campaign donations in the first three months of this year, Labour has been spending big — from prominent billboards on Glasgow motorways to early leafleting across constituencies. Up to June 8, it had spent about £76,000 on Facebook and Instagram advertising, compared with the SNP’s £1,830.” – FT

• Nationalists want Labour to raise taxes on English workers – Daily Telegraph
• ‘Humiliation’ for Sturgeon as petition launched to remove her from brand new ITV role – Daily Express
• It’s over for the SNP, and voters have finally realised – Alan Cochrane, Daily Telegraph

>Today: Andrew Gimson’s Vox Pub: Drinkers in Dumfries, exasperated by all the main parties, have not yet decided who to support

>Yesterday: Abigail Mainon’s Wales Report: Labour is losing support over Senedd’s no confidence vote in Gething

Greens endorse election candidates accused of ‘antisemitism’

“The Green Party has endorsed half a dozen general election candidates despite allegations that they shared “antisemitic” slurs, conspiracy theories or offensive comments online. The party has persisted in rejecting the accusations and claimed that legitimate criticism of Israel was being confused with antisemitism. Last week The Times revealed that its candidates had accused Israel of child trafficking and appeared to justify Hamas’s October 7 attacks on Israel, as well as sharing articles online that claimed they were a “false flag” operation carried out by Israel itself. As details of the terrorist atrocity were emerging on October 7, one wrote “resist”. Zack Polanski, deputy leader of the Green Party, wrote on Twitter/X that “antisemitism must be treated with intention and care”.” – The Times

• More tax, better housing: key takeaways from the Green party manifesto – The Guardian
• Plan to ban domestic flights, phase out nuclear power, and introduce a four-day week – Daily Mail
• £50bn wealth tax in pitch to disenchanted Labour voters – FT
• Holidaymakers should pay £585 taxes for frequent flights, say Greens – Daily Telegraph

Comment:

• Even worse than Greens’ awful manifesto is just how very boring they are – Sherelle Jacobs, Daily Telegraph
• Who should hold the next prime minister to account? Our best hope lies with the Greens – George Monbiot, The Guardian

News in Brief:

• The Conservatives need a clear-out – Sam Bidwell, The Critic
• Labour’s ageist plan for the House of Lords – Harry Phibbs, CapX
• The Tories’ fate was decided long before the D-Day blunder – David Gauke, New Statesman
• Reeves, bankrupt Queen of the Third Way – Travis Aaroe, UnHerd
• The SNP shouldn’t celebrate being tied with Labour – Andrew Liddle, The Spectator