Rishi Sunak & Keir Starmer clash over £2,000 tax claims in tense TV showdown (2024)

24 minutes agoBy Henry Moore

Cameron slams Keir

Former Prime Minister David Cameron offered his thoughts on Tuesday's debate.

The Foreign Secretary slammed Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer for harking back to the past.

He wrote on X: “Take it from someone who has appeared in a few TV debates: if you can only talk about the past, like Keir Starmer did tonight, it’s because you don’t have any plan for the future.

“Rishi Sunak does.”

Today, 01:00By Henry Moore

Nigel Farage’s election defeats

• 1994 Eastleigh by-election – 952 votes (1.7%) – 4th
• 1997 General Election (Salisbury) – 3,332 (5.7%) – 4th
• 2001 General Election (Bexhill and Battle) – 3,474 (7.8%) – 4th
• 2005 General Election (Thanet South) – 2,079 (5%) – 4th
• 2006 Bromley by-election – 2,347 (8.1%) – 3rd
• 2010 General Election (Buckingham) – 8,410 (17.4%) – 3rd
• 2015 General Election (South Thanet) – 16,026 (32.4%) – 2nd

5th Jun 2024, 00:00By Henry Moore

What is Labour’s trident ‘triple lock’?

Sir Keir Starmer has unveiled plans for a nuclear deterrent ‘triple lock’ which he called national security “the most important issue of our times”

The first part of the pledge is continuing with plans for four new nuclear submarines, which are being built in Barrow-in-Furness.

Secondly, Labour has promised to maintain the continuous at-sea deterrent.

The third commitment is a pledge to deliver upgrades for nuclear submarines.

Speaking this morning about the ‘triple lock’, Sir Keir said: “Just before this election, the Tories questioned this Labour Party’s commitment to national security and I will not let that stand.

“The people of Britain need to know that their leaders will keep them safe and we will.”

He added: “National security is the most important issue of our times, something which is of course always true, and which for us, if we’re privileged to serve our country, will become our solemn responsibility.”

5th Jun 2024, 23:00By Henry Moore

Keir Starmer had a letter to dispute Rishi Sunak’s bombshell £2,000 tax claim

Sir Keir Starmer had a letter from the Treasury distancing officials from the Tories’ painful £2,000 tax bombshell attack – but failed to deploy it in the debate.

The flustered Labour chief did not quote from a note written to his party by top Whitehall mandarin James Bowler, who revealed the Tories’ headline £38bn figure used “costs beyond those provided by the civil service”.

Mr Bowler also said the number – repeatedly cited byRishi Sunakduring theITVhead-to-head – “should not be presented as having been produced” by impartial Treasury economists.

This morningLabour said the note, sent in response to a query by shadow cabinet member Darren Jones on Monday, showed the PM was a “desperate liar”.

Mr Sunak had repeatedly said the damaging figure was generated by impartial Treasury economists.

Shadow Paymaster GeneralJonathan AshworthtoldSkyNews: “This is a desperate lie.”

5th Jun 2024, 22:00By Henry Moore

Nigel reveals how he will appeal to young voters

Nigel Farage is popular amongst older Brits, but how does he plan to appeal to the youth?

“TikTok, which I’ve been doing for a lot longer than the Labour and Conservative parties,I get millions and millions of views every month,” he told LBC.

“I walked into a restaurant last night, a curry house. There was a husband and wife, couple of kids probably about 10, 12.

“He says mummy, look – it’s the TikTok bloke. A lot of young people of this Generation Z are rejecting the indoctrination at school and saying to hell with it we want to work hard, we want to get on with it.”

5th Jun 2024, 21:00By Henry Moore

Reform membership swells as Nigel Farage becomes leader

Reform Party membership has soared in the days following Nigel Farage's leadership announcement.

According to a party source, more than 7,000 new people have joined the party.

A Reform source told The Times: “It does change the game.

"Tory central office on Tuesday thought, ‘We’ve squared him away, he’s running around the country and that’s a bit of a problem’ and then ‘Oh bollocks’.

“The fact we’ve got 7,000 new members, I’m prepared to bet at least 3,000 of those were Tory members until recently.’”

5th Jun 2024, 20:30By Henry Moore

Rwanda remains a central dividing line

Rwanda emerged as a central dividing line between the pair during last night's debate.

Rishi Sunak blasted: “Stick to our plan andillegal migrantswill be on those planes. With Labour, they will be out on our streets.”

The skirmishes also saw the bitterrivals do battle on tax– with a fired-up Mr Sunak accusing his rival of plotting steep hikes.

Sir Keir hit back that the Tory chief was “Britain’sexpert on raising taxes”– pointing out how the burden is the highest in peacetime.

5th Jun 2024, 20:00By Henry Moore

Faiza Shaheen to run as an independent candidate

Faiza Shaheen, who was deselected by the Labour Party in Chingford & Woodford Green, has announced she will run as an independent.

Taking to Twitter/X, she wrote: "I have reached this decision following hundreds of messages from people in my community, who say there are no options left for them.

"They are tired of the Tories but now feel they can't trust Labour."

Ms Shaheen was dropped by the Labour party after liking a series of Tweets.

5th Jun 2024, 19:30By Henry Moore

Reform 'could win four seats' as Nigel Farage boosts party's prospects

The return of Nigel Farage to frontline politics could greatly boost the Reform Party's prospects in the upcoming election, reports say.

TheBrexiteer's latest comeback could see the upstart political group snag surprise gains from the Tories, with Farage promising their momentum will "grow" as we near polling day.

YouGov pollster Patrick English said Farage’s returncould move the needle in a number of key Reform battlegrounds.

COMEBACK KING Reform just TWO points behind Tories after Farage takeover

5th Jun 2024, 19:00By Henry Moore

Keir Starmer 'flustered' as he clashes with Rishi Sunak

The Sun’s Kate Ferguson says that Sir Keir Starmer got frustrated and ratty during last night's debate.

She said: "You saw his semi eye rolling, his muttering to himself.

"This sense that 'you’re not being fair to me Rishi'... well guess what Keir? Politics isn’t always fair.”

She added: “Sometimes Keir is too much of a lawyer, too forensic, too fixated on minor points. If I had a tip for him I would say step back; roll your sleeves up and just be cleaner with what you are landing and feel free to be aggressive yourself.”

5th Jun 2024, 18:30By Henry Moore

Leaders clash on immigration

Last night's debate saw Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer clash over their respective immigration policies.

Mr Sunak trumpeted his Rwanda plan and insisted that planes would take off within weeks of his re-election to provide an effective deterrent.

He said: “So that's the choice for you at this election - stick to our plan and illegal migrants will be on those planes.

“With Labour, they will be out on our streets.”

Sir Keir, who has vowed to axe the deportation scheme, branded it a “gimmick” and says he wants to “smash” the smuggling gangs.

5th Jun 2024, 18:00By Henry Moore

Keir Starmer hits back at £2,000 tax claims

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has accused Rishi Sunak of "lying" in last night's debate.

Mr Sunak claimed Labour will increase taxes by £2,000 per year, a number refuted by Sir Keir's party.

Speaking to journalists today, Mr Starmer said: "What matters is the facts. All of our plans are fully costed, fully funded, don’t involve tax rises for working people.

"I’ll spell that out, no income tax, no national insurance, no VAT. What you saw is the prime minister with his back against the wall desperately lashing out and resorting to lies.

"And he knew he was lying. I don’t say that lightly, it’s not the sort of thing that I say. He was lying, he was lying about our plans, he was lying about the boats, he was lying about waiting lists.

"That’s why the choice at the next election is starker now than it was yesterday. It’s a choice between chaos and confusion, the sort of thing we’ve seen now for 14 years and now lies on top of it. Or turn the page and rebuilding with Labour.”

5th Jun 2024, 17:30By Henry Moore

Who is taking part in Friday's debate?

Seven parties will clash in the BBC's General Election debate this Friday.

These are the participants:

• Penny Mordaunt – Conservative Party
• Angela Rayner – Labour Party
• Daisy Cooper – Liberal Democrats
• Stephen Flynn - Scottish National Party
• Carla Denyer – Green Party
• Rhun ap Iorwerth – Plaid Cymru
• Nigel Farage – Reform UK

5th Jun 2024, 17:00By Henry Moore

Rishi's key messages

Rishi Sunak was keen to hammer home key messages after the leadership debate.

In an e-mail to supporters, he said Labour would tax each working family£2,094 and wouldraid pensions with theso-called ‘retirement tax’.

The PM said Sir Keir didn’t “enlighten” the public on his £38.5 billion of spending pledges, cutting NHS waiting times or stopping the boats.

In a message to Tory supporters as he asked for cash for the campaign, he added: “Nobody knows what Labour will do.”

5th Jun 2024, 16:30By Henry Moore

Labour brands £2,000 tax claim a 'desperate lie'

Rishi Sunak's claim Labour will increase taxes by £2,000 per year has been branded a "desperate lie" by the party.

Shadow Paymaster GeneralJonathan AshworthtoldSkyNews: “This is a desperate lie.

"He lied about Labour'staxplans. What he said last night about Labour's tax plans is categorically untrue.

"Labour will not put upincome tax, not put up NationalInsurancewill not put up VAT.

"And I think what we showed last night with Rishi Sunak was how desperate he becomes - what desperate people do is they lie."

5th Jun 2024, 16:00By Henry Moore

When is the next debate?

The BBC will be holding a seven-way debate this Friday.

Reform leader Nigel Farage is set to take part, alongside Labour's Angela Rayner and the Tories' Penny Mordaunt.

The clash will be hosted byRadio4 host Mishal Husain, with questions from the live audience and others sent in by the public.

It will run for an hour and a half from 7.30pm to 9pm on BBC1.

5th Jun 2024, 15:35By Henry Moore

Woman charged after McDonald’s milkshake chucked over Nigel Farage

A woman has been charged after a McDonald's milkshake was thrown over Nigel Farage.

Victoria Thomas-Bowen, 25, was arrested after the Reform leader launched his election campaign in Claton-on-Sea yesterday.

She has now been charged with assault by beating and criminal damage.

SHAKE GATE OnlyFans model, 25, charged after McDonald’s milkshake chucked over Nigel Farage

5th Jun 2024, 15:30By Henry Moore

Ed Davey fined for speeding

Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, has been fined for speeding on the M1 in Bedfordshire.

The Downing Street hopeful was given a £73 fine and a £28 victim surcharge, along with points added to his licence.

A spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats said: "Ed inadvertently broke the speed limit on the M1, which he is sorry for. He has paid the fine and accepted the points on his licence."

5th Jun 2024, 15:00By Henry Moore

Statistics watchdog to investigate Rishi's £2,000 tax claim

Rishi Sunak last night claimed Labour plans to up the tax burden on families by £2,000 a year.

This accusation was strongly disputed by Sir Keir Starmer, who branded it "garbage."

Now, the Office for Statistics Regulation, an independent regulatory arm of the UK Statistics Authority, has said it will investigate the accuracy of the claim.

It is unclear how long the investigation will take.

5th Jun 2024, 14:30By Henry Moore

General Election debate latest

• Rishi ripped into Keir over Labour’s tax plans
• He accused Labour leader of having ‘no new ideas’
• ‘How would YOU resolve NHS?’ demands Rishi
• And accused Keir of wanting to bring in ‘retirement tax’
• But Keir hit back calling PM ‘desperate’
• And berating him for ‘always blaming everyone else’
• YouGov poll shows 51% of people thought Rishi won

5th Jun 2024, 13:59By Louis Allwood

Cameron slams Keir

Former Prime Minister David Cameron offered his thoughts on the debate.

The Foreign Secretary slammed Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer for harking back to the past.

He wrote on X: “Take it from someone who has appeared in a few TV debates: if you can only talk about the past, like Keir Starmer did tonight, it’s because you don’t have any plan for the future.

“Rishi Sunak does.”

5th Jun 2024, 13:30By Louis Allwood

Nigel Farage’s election defeats

• 1994 Eastleigh by-election – 952 votes (1.7%) – 4th
• 1997 General Election (Salisbury) – 3,332 (5.7%) – 4th
• 2001 General Election (Bexhill and Battle) – 3,474 (7.8%) – 4th
• 2005 General Election (Thanet South) – 2,079 (5%) – 4th
• 2006 Bromley by-election – 2,347 (8.1%) – 3rd
• 2010 General Election (Buckingham) – 8,410 (17.4%) – 3rd
• 2015 General Election (South Thanet) – 16,026 (32.4%) – 2nd

5th Jun 2024, 13:00By Louis Allwood

What is Labour’s trident ‘triple lock’?

Sir Keir Starmer has unveiled plans for a nuclear deterrent ‘triple lock’ which he called national security “the most important issue of our times”

The first part of the pledge is continuing with plans for four new nuclear submarines, which are being built in Barrow-in-Furness.

Secondly, Labour have promised to maintain the continuous at-sea deterrent.

The third commitment is a pledge to deliver upgrades for nuclear submarines.

Speaking this morning about the ‘triple lock’, Sir Keir said: “Just before this election, the Tories questioned this Labour Party’s commitment to national security and I will not let that stand.

“The people of Britain need to know that their leaders will keep them safe and we will.”

He added: “National security is the most important issue of our times, something which is of course always true, and which for us, if we’re privileged to serve our country, will become our solemn responsibility.”

5th Jun 2024, 12:30By Louis Allwood

Keir Starmer had a letter to dispute Rishi Sunak’s bombshell £2,000 tax claim

Sir Keir Starmer had a letter from the Treasury distancing officials from the Tories’ painful £2,000 tax bombshell attack – but failed to deploy it in the debate.

The flustered Labour chief did not quote from a note written to his party by top Whitehall mandarin James Bowler, who revealed the Tories' headline £38bn figure used "costs beyond those provided by the civil service”.

Mr Bowler also said the number – repeatedly cited byRishi Sunakduring theITVhead-to-head – “should not be presented as having been produced" by impartial Treasury economists.

This morningLabour said the note, sent in response to a query by shadow cabinet member Darren Jones on Monday, showed the PM was a "desperate liar".

Mr Sunak had repeatedly said the damaging figure was generated by impartial Treasury economists.

Shadow Paymaster GeneralJonathan AshworthtoldSkyNews: “This is a desperate lie."

5th Jun 2024, 12:00By Louis Allwood

Nigel reveals how he will appeal to young voters

Nigel Farage is popular amongst older Brits, but how does he plan to appeal to the youth?

“TikTok, which I’ve been doing for a lot longer than the Labour and Conservative parties,I get millions and millions of views every month,” he told LBC.

“I walked into a restaurant last night, a curry house. There was a husband and wife, couple of kids probably about 10, 12.

“He says mummy, look – it’s the TikTok bloke. A lot of young people of this Generation Z are rejecting the indoctrination at school and saying to hell with it we want to work hard, we want to get on with it.”