The Conservative Party could make a surprising U-turn on its flagship pledge to bring National Service after defense secretary Grant Shapps suggested the scheme would last less than a month, contrary to the year-long full-time placement in the armed forces or cyber defense initially promised in the Tory manifesto. Meanwhile, the Green Party has launched its manifesto, which includes raising taxes on the super-rich, nationalizing water, railways, and energy companies, as well as scrapping university tuition fees. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt faces a battle to save his Godalming and Ash seat, a key Lib Dem target, as the Tories fight hard to prevent Labour from securing a super-majority bigger than the 1997 landslide.
General election – latest: Sunak and Starmer arrive in Grimsby for Sky debate as Greens launch manifesto
From national insurance to migration: Key takeaways from Conservatives’ general election manifesto
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Tory leader Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer are preparing to face a grilling live in front of an audience for Sky News in Grimsby after Tory allies warned of the risk of Labour winning a “super-majority”.
The prime minister insisted he had “absolutely not” lost hope of winning the 4 July general election.
It’s emerged that the Conservative Party could make a surprising U-turn on its flagship pledge to bring National Service after defence secretary Grant Shapps suggested the scheme would last less than a month.
The Tory manifesto confirmed the scheme would be a “year-long full-time placement in the armed forces or cyber defence”. But he today said it would be much shorter.
Meanwhile, the Green Party has launched its manifesto, which includes a pledge to raise taxes on the “super-rich”, and nationalise water, railways and energy companies, as well as scrapping university tuition fees.
Mr Shapps claimed the Tories were fighting hard to prevent Labour from securing a “super-majority” bigger than the 1997 landslide. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has warned he faces a battle to save his Godalming and Ash seat, a key Lib Dem target.
Key Points
Show latest update 1718199622
Tories U-turn on national service plans
Salma Ouaguira12 June 2024 14:40
1718198422
Green party manifesto: On housing
The Green party has pledged to provde 150,000 new social homes every year and invest in insulating homes and public buildings. This is what they have promised:
Spread small developments across local areas.Ensure new developments include local service investments.All new homes to meet Passivhaus or equivalent standards.Include solar panels and heat pumps in new homes £29bn over five years for home insulation to EPC B standard.Provide 150,000 new social homes annually.Implement rent controls and end no-fault evictions.Tenants’ right to demand energy efficiency improvements.Private tenancy boards for dispute resolution.
Salma Ouaguira12 June 2024 14:20
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Salma Ouaguira12 June 2024 14:10
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Sunak tells year 7 student: ‘You need maths to be a pro snooker player’
Rishi Sunak asked pupils preparing for a maths test at a school in Grimsby: “Who’s excited about the exam?,” Archie Mitchell reports.
After a brief period of silence, a teacher joked: “Wrong question.”
The Prime Minister then asked the Year 7 students what they wanted to be when they grow up.
“Professional snooker player,” one boy replied.
“You need maths for that,” a teacher said.
“You do need maths for that. You need maths for everything, in my opinion,” the Prime Minister said.
“I’ve not heard that before actually. That’s a first.”
Salma Ouaguira12 June 2024 14:00
1718196622
Watch: Five ‘serious errors’ in Conservative manifesto, according to Labour
Five ‘serious errors’ in Conservative manifesto, according to Labour
The Conservative manifesto contains five “serious errors,” according to Labour. Rachel Reeves said her party has analysed its opposition’s costings and found five areas she is concerned about. The shadow chancellor accused the Tories of including “vague ambitions” in their pledges. At a rebuttal press conference on Tuesday, 11 June, Ms Reeves criticised policies such as the National Service proposal, efficiency savings, the proposed cut to poor performing university places, and a welfare savings proposal. Ms Reeves said: “The Labour Party will hold ourselves, that I will hold myself, to higher standards than the Conservative Party holds themselves.”
Salma Ouaguira12 June 2024 13:50
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Pictured: Rishi Sunak visits school ahead of Sky News interview in Grimsby
Rishi Sunak joins pupils in a maths lesson during a visit to John Whitgift Academy in Grimsby, Lincolnshire (Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)(Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)(Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)(Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
Salma Ouaguira12 June 2024 13:40
1718196045
Watch: Grant Shapps stumbles over election manifesto figures during live interview
Grant Shapps stumbles over election manifesto figures during live interview
Grant Shapps stumbles over the Conservatives’ stamp duty policy from their election manifesto during a live interview on Wednesday, 12 June. The defence secretary told Nick Ferrari that stamp duty would be abolished for first-time buyers on homes valued up to £450,000. However, the policy’s real figure is £425,000. Later on, Mr Shapps said: “Off the top of my head I remember it as 450. I found it here… you’re right, it’s 425 million…” before Mr Ferrari interrupted to correct him that the number is in its hundreds of thousands rather than millions.
Salma Ouaguira12 June 2024 13:40
1718195722
Green party manifesto: On Palestine
In their manifesto the Greens have condemned the “appalling murder of hundreds of Israeli civilians by Hamas” and recognised that Israeli forces have committet “war crimes” prompting the “death of thousands of Palestinians”.
This is what they have promised:
An immediate bilateral ceasefire.An end to arms sales to Israel.Redoubled efforts to secure the release of hostages taken on 7th October 2023.An urgent international effort to end the illegal occupation of Palestinian land.A durable political solution that ensures security and equal rights for Israelis and Palestinians.The reinstatement of funding for UNRWA and support for South Africa’s submission to the International Court of Justice.
Salma Ouaguira12 June 2024 13:35
1718195445
Comment | Sunak has showered voters with promises he knows he will never deliver
He writes: “It was his final opportunity to turn around a campaign in which, despite having the advantage of knowing an election was coming when Labour didn’t, he has managed to go backwards.”
Salma Ouaguira12 June 2024 13:30
1718195318
Home Office offers to pay for Nigel Farage’s private security
The Home Office has offered to pay for any additional private security Nigel Farage may need.
It comes as th Reform UK leader had objects thrown at him while he was on an open-top bius in South Yorkshire. A man has been arrested and charged with using threatening, abusive, insulting words and behaviour with intent to cause fear.
Election candidates can ask for funding for security at hustings during campaigns under a Home Office scheme, where requests are considered “on a case by case basis”.
Salma Ouaguira12 June 2024 13:28
1/1Election news – live: Sunak and Starmer prepare for live debate
Election news – live: Sunak and Starmer prepare for live debate
James Manning/PA Wire
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