Politics

Even a poll-obsessive like me would have to admit that during election campaigns we often spend too much time focusing on the election ‘horse race’ – who is up and who is down in the polls – on an almost hourly basis. Even in this election, where Labour has been well ahead of the Conservatives

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said he should be allowed into a political leaders’ event next week – and challenged Sir Keir Starmer to a head-to-head debate. The parliamentary hopeful was speaking at an event in London, after a single poll put his party one percentage point above the Conservatives. This is within the

Rishi Sunak has responded to a poll showing Nigel Farage’s Reform party ahead of the Conservatives – saying a vote for the party would “give a blank cheque to Labour”. Speaking to journalists at the G7 summit in Italy, the prime minister said: “We are only halfway through this election, so I’m still fighting very

Let’s party like it’s 1997. That could be the message from Labour’s 2024 general election. Back in ’97, the front cover of Labour’s manifesto showed a full-page photo of a mean and moody-looking Tony Blair. The title then was “New Labour, because Britain deserves better” and the campaign song was D:Ream’s Things Can Only Get

The majority of the Sky News YouGov voters panel thought Keir Starmer performed better than Rishi Sunak in the Grimsby Leaders’ Event. But a large number of our panel, made up of undecided voters, were also unimpressed with both leaders. When asked whether the leaders’ performances had impacted their voting intentions, our panel was split.

Sir Keir Starmer performed best overall in the Sky News leaders’ event, a snap YouGov poll suggests. Almost two thirds – 64% – of those questioned said the Labour leader came out on top, compared to 36% who thought Prime Minister Rishi Sunak did better. The question was: leaving aside your own party preference, who

The countdown is almost over. In just a matter of hours, Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer will answer questions from Beth Rigby and audience members in the Sky News leaders’ special event. The Battle for No 10 will be broadcast live from Grimsby with each leader facing 20 minutes of questions from Sky’s award-winning

The Conservatives will put their offer to pensioners at the heart of their election manifesto when it is published tomorrow. The manifesto will reiterate already-announced pledges to introduce the so-called “triple lock plus” for pensioners – which will create a new “age-related” tax-free allowance – as well as promises not to increase major taxes. Its

Sir Ed Davey has refused six times to say whether austerity was a mistake in an interview with Sky News. The Liberal Democrat leader also specifically denied that the austerity policies his party implemented alongside the Conservatives were to blame for the current crisis facing the NHS – which he is promising to “save” if

Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer will face questions from Beth Rigby and members of the public during Sky News’ special leaders’ event on Wednesday, the broadcaster has confirmed. Award-winning political editor Rigby will scrutinise the leaders of the Conservative and Labour parties on their commitments to the country during 20-minute in-depth interviews. The Battle

Douglas Ross has announced he is stepping down as leader of the Scottish Conservatives after the 4 July election. It comes following criticism over the deselection of David Duguid as a general election candidate as well as amid reports Mr Ross used Westminster expenses to travel in his role as a football linesman. Mr Ross

The Tory party chairman has refused to answer questions about his selection controversy after he was chosen to stand in a “safe seat” 300 miles away from his former constituency. Richard Holden was chosen to be the Conservatives’ parliamentary candidate in Basildon and Billericay in Essex last week, after being the only candidate on the

Labour will reportedly promise not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT for five years if the party wins the general election. Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves already said this week they will not put up the taxes, ahead of Labour’s manifesto launch expected on Thursday. But a report in The Sunday Times claims Labour

The Conservative Party will pledge to cut stamp duty for first-time buyers as part of its manifesto. The levy is currently paid on property purchases worth more than £250,000 – with the rate ranging from 5% to 12% of the ticket price, increasing as the price rises. For people purchasing their first home, stamp duty

It was reported last weekend that allies of Penny Mordaunt claimed Downing Street was keeping her “in a box” during the election campaign because Rishi Sunak’s team see her as a threat. Well, after her barnstorming performance in a TV debate against politicians from six opposition parties, the Leader of the Commons is well and

The prime minister was “completely wrong” to leave D-Day commemorations early, a senior cabinet member has said. Rishi Sunak apologised on Friday after it was revealed he skipped an international event the day before on Omaha Beach in France – attended by leaders of the US, France and Germany – to come back to the

Rishi Sunak has said it was a “mistake” to return from D-Day commemorations in Normandy early. The prime minister was heavily criticised for not being at the final moments of the 80th anniversary D-Day ceremony on Thursday as he travelled back from France to the UK to record a TV interview. On Friday morning, he

A Labour minister has struggled to rule out raising other taxes after announcing VAT, income tax and national insurance will not go up. Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey was repeatedly asked if Labour would raise property taxes such as capital gains tax, council tax and stamp duty if his party wins the election – but

It’s a meeting that’s so top secret that those attending – at a secret location – are ordered to surrender their mobile phone and any other electronic devices when they arrive. They’re given numbered copies of the agenda, thick bundles which are then collected from them at the end of the meeting. Security is extremely

Both Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer will take part in a special leaders’ event programme next week, Sky News has confirmed. The Battle for Number 10, a UK Election Leaders Special Event, will be aired on Wednesday 12 June. The event will be live from Grimsby in front of an audience. The new Grimsby