Long-serving Conservative cabinet minister Michael Gove has announced he will not stand at the general election, as the second full day of campaigning was marked by an exodus of MPs. Mr Gove, first elected MP for Surrey Heath in 2005, is understood to have made the decision in the last couple of days. He is...
11 hours ago Peter Walker,BBC News, Northamptonshire PA Media Andrea Leadsom said the Conservatives were most aligned with people’s “ideals and values” Her previous government positions included being environment secretary, leader of the House of Commons and business secretary. She is currently minister for public health, start for life and primary care. Ms Leadsom was...
The number of current MPs standing down rather than fighting the general election stands at 119. Conservative ex-prime minister Theresa May, former interim Labour leader Harriet Harman and I’m a Celebrity… star Matt Hancock are among those who have decided not to run for re-election. Around two-thirds of those stepping away are Conservatives, or those...
A new criminal offence of “pet abduction” will come into force in August in England and Northern Ireland after legislation was pushed through on the final day of Parliament. Planned new laws to tackle puppy-smuggling and to address dog attacks on livestock have run out of time and will not now become law. Animal welfare...
Conservative MP Craig Mackinlay who lost his hands and feet after suffering a life-threatening episode of sepsis he will not be seeking re-election. The South Thanet MP only returned to parliament on 22 May, a day before the election was called, after eight months in recovery. Mr Mackinlay said he came to his decision after...
Announcing the election in Downing Street on Wednesday, the prime minister promised to “ensure that the next generation grows up smoke free”. But speaking in Belfast as he continued his campaign tour of the UK, he said: “There’s always a normal process at the end of a Parliament to see which legislation you can pass...
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has agreed to take part in televised election debates with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The Conservatives are pushing for six TV debates, one each week of the campaign, but Labour officials will only commit to two – run by the BBC and ITV. Writing in the Telegraph, Mr Sunak claimed...
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has confirmed he will stand against the party he once led. He will contest his Islington North seat, which he has held since 1983, as an independent candidate in the general election on 4 July. Speaking to his local Islington Tribune newspaper, he said he would be “a voice for...
The Liberal Democrats have pledged to recruit 8,000 more GPs if elected, putting the policy at “the heart” of their general election campaign offer. Sir Ed Davey, the party’s leader, said the investment would create an extra 65 million appointments a year by the end of the next parliament. The Lib Dems have unveiled a...
10 minutes ago Jack Fenwick,Presenter, Stoppage Time for Scunthorpe PA Media Keir Starmer went to Gillingham football club on the first day of the campaign Plans to create a new football regulator will not become law before the election, but Labour and the Conservatives say they are committed to bringing in the new rules. The...