The Independent – End conspiracy of silence: Come clean on tax and spending
The man accused of plotting to kidnap and murder Holly Willoughby had made failed kidnap attempts in the past, a court has heard. Shopping centre security officer Gavin Plumb is on trial at Chelmsford Crown Court on charges relating to the This Morning presenter.
Tories and Labour under fire from IFS over ‘conspiracy of silence’ on tax
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) criticised the manifestos of both main parties, saying they leave voters “guessing” and casting their ballots in a “knowledge vacuum”. It also accused Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party and the Greens of poisoning the debate around the painful economic decisions ahead with what it described as unattainable pledges on tax. [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ifs-reform-green-conspiracy-silence-tax-election-b2567661.html]
Princess Anne’s injuries after being kicked by horse ‘could be serious’, expert claims
Princess Anne’s injuries after being kicked by a horse on Sunday evening “could be serious”, a royal expert has claimed. The Princess Royal, 73, is in hospital after suffering minor injuries to her head and a concussion after the incident at her Gatcombe Park estate. Royal expert Michael Cole suggested to the Metro that the Palace may be downplaying her injuries: “The fact the Princess Royal was detained in hospital overnight indicates that it’s not a minor matter.” [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/princess-anne-hospital-injury-accident-horse-royal-family-b2568237.html
Tories suspend candidates Craig Williams and Laura Saunders over betting scandal
The betting scandal continues to overshadow the general election campaign trail, as the Conservative party has suspended the two candidates investigated by the Gambling Commission. A party spokesperson said: “As a result of ongoing internal enquiries, we have concluded that we can no longer support Craig Williams or Laura Saunders as parliamentary candidates at the forthcoming general election.” [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/general-election-2024-sunak-starmer-betting-scandal-b2568290.html
Shock new poll confirms Reform lead over Tories despite Farage’s Putin comments
A shock new poll appears to have confirmed that Reform holds a narrow lead over the Tories with just 10 days to go before the general election. According to the Redfield and Wilton survey of 10,000 voters polled after Nigel Farage made his comments blaming the west for Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, his Reform UK are one point ahead of the Tories both unchanged on 19 percent and 18 percent. The findings have all top three parties unchanged from the survey on 19 and 20 June last week with Labour on top on 42 percent. [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/reform-poll-lead-tories-farage-putin-b2568005.html]
Editorial 25 June 2024.
Tuesday’s front pages have a little more variety than what we’ve seen over the past few weeks – with other domestic topics away from the general election finding themselves as the lead story.
The tabloids lead on the opening day of a trial of a man accused of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder TV presenter Holly Willoughby. Princess Anne’s accident at home – which has seen the 73-year-old taken to hospital, as well as England’s upcoming Euros match also make the front splash.
Elsewhere, politics make up the rest of the front pages with the left-leaning newspapers picking up on comments that the IFS think tank has said Labour and Conservative plans to improve public services are “essentially unfunded.” The right-leaning papers offer up their scrutiny of Labour’s plans if they are elected to government on 4 July.