General election latest: Starmer gives blunt response on potentially rejoining EU - as police drop investigation into his deputy (2024)

Election news
  • Abbott given back Labour whip
  • Police drop Rayner investigation|Labour deputy hits out at Tories
  • Explained:What Starmer's deputy was being investigated for
  • Starmer: 'No case' for rejoining EU|Reeves won't rule out tax rises
  • Daily Podcast:How long will Labour's promise on taxes last?
  • Live reporting by Faith Ridlerand (earlier)Ben Bloch
Expert analysis
  • Gurpreet Narwan:Farage already has eyes on elections to come
  • Adam Boulton:What makes this election particularly exciting
  • Sam Coates:Labour could have difficult decisions to make
Election essentials
  • Trackers:Who's leading polls?|Is PM keeping promises?
  • Campaign Heritage:Memorable moments from elections gone by
  • Follow Sky's politics podcasts:Electoral Dysfunction|Politics At Jack And Sam's
  • Read more:What happens next?|Which MPs are standing down?|Key seats to watch|How to register to vote|What counts as voter ID?|Check if your constituency's changing|Sky's coverage plans

21:20:01

A Monster energy drink and bowling: On the general election campaign trail with Rishi Sunak

After a bumpy start to the Tory election campaign, day six has been somewhat smoother for Rishi Sunak.

That's not to say the Conservative election machine isn't on the lookout for potential missteps though.

During a TV interview in the changing room of a bowls club in Leicestershire, a hat was strategically placed to cover a name tag adorned with the blush-worthy surname "Glasscock".

While at a homeware factory in Staffordshire, a Tory aide spotted and swiftly removed a can of Monster energy drink from a worktop where the prime minister was about to inspect some ceramics.

Amid a slanging match over leaders taking 'duvet days' early in the campaign, a photo of the Tory leader next to a giant caffeine-stuffed beverage is probably not the message the party wants to send out.

You can read more from Sky News below:

21:00:01

Sky News' ultimate guide to the general election

What are the rules on voter ID?How does tactical voting work? In what different ways can you cast your ballot?

The countdown to the election is on - and already the amount of information can seem overwhelming.

We cut through the noise to bring you what you need to know, from registering to vote, to election day and what happens next.

Read on here...

20:45:01

Key pledges: What we know so far

We're still very much in the early days of the election campaign - but policy announcements are coming in thick and fast from the main two parties.

Here's a breakdown of what we've heard so far...

The Conservative Party

National service - The Conservatives have vowed to bring back a "modern" form of national service for 18-year-olds in the UK, which could involve military service of volunteer work.

'Triple lock plus' -The party has promised to cut taxes for pensioners by creating a new "age-related" tax-free allowance - dubbed "triple lock plus". In short, a pensioner's allowance would rise in line with either average earnings, inflation or by 2.5% - whichever is higher - from next April.

Education - The Tories have promised to create a new qualification framework called the Advanced British Standard for those aged 16 to 18. The party also proposed making "some form" of maths and English compulsory up to the end of school.

Environment - Rishi Sunak has said he remains committed to plans to reach net zero by 2050, a goal adopted under Theresa May in 2019.

The Labour Party

Taxation - Labour has pledged not reverse the two recent cuts to national insurance - and not to increase income tax.

Economy - Two flagship economic pledges from Labour are the abolition of the non-dom tax status held by some wealthy foreign nationals, and the introduction of VAT to private school fees.

Waiting lists - The party has said it will get the NHS "back on its feet" by delivering 40,000 more evening and weekend appointments per week.

Environment - A major policy pushed by Labour is the formation of Great British Energy, which would be publicly owned. The party claims this would reduce household energy bills and create jobs.

Education - Also a headline policy from Labour is a plan to recruit around 6,500 new teachers in key subjects - and create a "national excellence programme" to support professional development.

20:30:01

Until voters go to the polls on 4 July, the Politics Hub will be looking back at some memorable moments from previous general election campaigns.

The big winner from the UK's first ever TV prime ministerial debate in 2010 wasn't primary contenders David Cameron and Gordon Brown.

No, it was Nick Clegg.

As the Tory and Labour leaders looked to take chunks out of one another, they saved their more conciliatory side for the insurgent Lib Dem.

He could do no wrong that night, with Messrs Cameron and Brown both finding it completely irresistible not to simply "agree with Nick".

Cleggmania took him all the way into Number 10 as part of the coalition, where he stayed until his party was turfed out by voters in 2015.

Previous entry: The Prescott punch

20:15:01

Analysis: Farage already has his eyes on the elections to come

ByGurpreet Narwan, political correspondent

Recent polling suggests Reform could cost the Tories as many as 100 seats, paving the way for a Labour government by splitting the right.

It's something Tory MPs are highly anxious about and explains why the Conservatives are pushing the following message hard: a vote for Reform is a vote for Labour.

It's a tactic they deployed against the Liberal Democrats in 2015, warning voters that they had a choice between Ed Miliband and David Cameron.

Farage had a comeback ready in Dover today.

In stark contrast to Richard Tice, leader of Reform UK, he conceded the election result was a foregone conclusion.

"Labour have won, so why not vote for something you believe in," he said.

He argued this campaign wasn't about the current election but about building the Reform movement, a process that could take six years and was focused on turning the party into a sustainable force on the right of British politics.

This is something parties to the right of the Tories have not managed. He wants to determine the shape of conservative opposition in the UK.

That could also have an impact on the direction of travel that the Conservative Party takes after the election.

It was the most salient point to emerge from today's campaign event.

20:00:01

Lib Dem leader makes a splash

We end tonight's show with a new classic of the Lib Dem election stunt genre.

Sir Ed Davey fell off a paddleboard multiple times during a campaign stunt in Windermere - admitting one of his plunges into the water was intentional.

The Liberal Democrat leader said his leap into the cold waters of the Lake District was for the benefit of the cameras - but he "just kept falling in" after that.

Despite the footage causing a splash online, he stressed there was a "serious message" behind the stunt.

"Lakes like Lake Windermere are so precious," he said. "Our environment and our wonderful country is so critical to so many people.

"It's important for public health, it's important for the environment, it's important for the tourist economy."

That's it for tonight's Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge - the show will be back at the same time tomorrow.

19:57:22

Adam Boulton: After 10 general elections - why this year is particularly exciting

Adam Boulton, Sky News's election commentator, is now joining Sophy Ridge to discuss his history covering general elections - starting in 1983.

This was the poll in which Margaret Thatcher was re-elected after winning the Falklands.

"I've covered I think 10 general elections," Adam says, pointing out the July election - for which he will join Sky News - will be his 11th.

But this only includes two changes of party in government, he says.

"What makes this election particularly exciting is the possibility, according to the opinion polls, that we're going to get another change in government."

Adam adds: "We had 17 or 18 years of Thatcher, and then 12 or 13 years of Blair and Brown, and now we've had 14 years from Cameron to Sunak."

If there is a change of party in July - what will this day look like?

"It's always very interesting," he says, explaining it is "quite emotional" because you see the "utter desolation of the side that's been defeated".

Adam is then asked how much a campaign can make a difference.

He says: "I just wonder how much difference this campaign is going to make to voting intention, it's clearly going to be very important in terms of formulating what the policies are for the parties, testing the leaders."

Adam adds this is an election in which "both leaders are not known quantities, neither of them have led a party into a general election before".

However, he says, another "exceptional thing" of this election is the amount of times the opinion polls have "said the same thing", which is Labour's on course for a majority.

19:46:06

Abbott given back Labour whip

Diane Abbott has been handed back the Labour whip, Sky News understands.

The MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington was suspended by the party more than a year ago after suggesting Jewish people did not experience racism, but rather prejudice similar to red heads.

She swiftly apologised and withdrew her remarks.

While a Labour investigation into her comments ended in December, she was made to wait for the outcome.

A report in The Times earlier this evening suggested she'd been banned from standing for the party at the election on 4 July.

Ms Abbott was Britain's first ever black female MP.

It's not yet been confirmed whether she will stand for election again.

Labour's deadline for picking candidates is 4 June.

19:38:11

Labour and Conservatives spend big on early election campaign - here's who they're targeting

This is fast shaping up to be the biggest spending election ever - and already the Conservatives are spending their cash begging their voters not to defect to Reform.

Take paid political adverts on Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook.Labourstarted strong and is still seriously outpacing the Conservatives.

And the picture on Google-owned sites - we're mainly talking about YouTube - is even more stark.

Here, the Conservatives have spent £50,200 since May 22, according to Who Targets Me. Labour has spent £250,350 - more than five times more.

Put it another way - that's roughly 10 million advert plays versus 50 million.

Our online campaign correspondent Tom Cheshire has been diving into these quite extraordinary numbers:

19:32:00

Minister declines to apologise to Rayner after police investigation dropped

Bim Afolami, the economic secretary to the Treasury, is asked if he would like to apologise to Angela Rayner after Greater Manchester Police dropped an investigation into her housing situation.

He says: "No."

"The investigation has happened and the correct authorities... have made their judgement. I have nothing else to add."

The minister goes on to say that deputy Labour leader Ms Rayner "could have put an end to this much earlier" if she was "open" about the situation.

You can read more about this situation below:

General election latest: Starmer gives blunt response on potentially rejoining EU - as police drop investigation into his deputy (2024)

FAQs

How did Keir Starmer become a sir? ›

He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in the 2014 New Year Honours for services to law and criminal justice. Starmer was influenced by his Northern Ireland policing work to pursue a political career, and was elected to the House of Commons at the 2015 general election.

Is Keir Starmer English? ›

Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB KC MP (born 2 September 1962) is a British politician and lawyer who has served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom since 5 July 2024, and has served as the leader of the Labour Party since 2020.

Who is married to Keir Starmer? ›

Victoria, Lady Starmer (née Alexander; born 1973 or 1974) is the wife of Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. She previously worked as a solicitor and currently works for the National Health Service (NHS) as an occupational health worker. Cardiff University (LL.B.)

Who does Keir Starmer support in football? ›

Unlike many politicians who feign interest in football, Starmer is a passionate supporter of the Gunners. They were his team growing up and he now has a season ticket at the Emirates Stadium, where he can often be seen on matchday with his children.

Is Sir Keir Starmer a Republican? ›

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer was, at an earlier time in his career, also on record as a republican, but no longer identifies as one.

Is Starmer an English name? ›

It is an English habitational surname.

What nationality is England's new Prime Minister? ›

Rishi Sunak was born on 12 May 1980 in Southampton General Hospital in Southampton, Hampshire, to East African-born Hindu parents of Indian Punjabi descent. His father was born in the Kenya Colony in 1949, while his mother was born in the Tanganyika Territory (modern-day Tanzania).

Who is the Prime Minister of the UK? ›

The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP

Sir Keir Starmer became Prime Minister on 5 July 2024.

Where did Tony Blair go to university? ›

How many children has Keir Starmer got? ›

The politician, who has been voted in as Prime Minister, and his wife Victoria Starmer currently live in a Camden townhouse thought to be worth £1.75 million alongside their two children: a 15-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter.

Did Keir Starmer have a party? ›

Where does Starmer live? ›

The lawyer-turned-politician studied at Leeds University and St Edmund Hall, Oxford, Starmer moved to North London and he's called the area home ever since. Having moved between Archway, Highgate and Stoke Newington, he now lives with his wife Victoria and their two children in Kentish Town.

Why does Keir Starmer have a title? ›

Sir Keir Starmer — a title he rarely uses himself — was awarded a knighthood in 2014 for his work as head of the CPS and director of Public Prosecutions; a tradition for those in this role. His services for “law and criminal justice” were cited as reasons for the honour.

Who does Ed Balls support in football? ›

He was appointed as the chairman of Norwich City F.C. in December 2015, the football club he supports.

Did Winston Churchill support a football team? ›

Winston Churchill's football club was Empire FC. Here was a man of huge vision and a fantastic sense of history (and not a bad motivator either).

Where does Sir Keir Starmer live? ›

The lawyer-turned-politician studied at Leeds University and St Edmund Hall, Oxford, Starmer moved to North London and he's called the area home ever since. Having moved between Archway, Highgate and Stoke Newington, he now lives with his wife Victoria and their two children in Kentish Town.

Has Victoria Starmer been married before? ›

Who was the first shadow chancellor under Starmer? ›

His Shadow Cabinet appointments included MPs associated with the various wings of the party. Angela Rayner was appointed deputy labour leader and shadow deputy prime minister, while Rachel Reeves and Yvette Cooper were appointed as shadow chancellor and shadow home secretary, respectively.

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