General election 2024 news: Starmer dodges questions about Diane Abbot and makes gag about Boris ‘hiding in fridge’ on a day of protests in London.

The labour leader Keir Starmer also denies Labour ‘left-wing cult’ after Abbott and Shaheen suspensions as Tory and Labour leaders present their visions of the nation, on the election trail with WTX News.

Perspective: The optics from Westminster

Sir Keir Starmer joked that he might have to check Boris Johnson wasn’t hiding in the fridge on his party’s battle bus while out campaigning on Saturday.

The Labour leader was in Uxbridge, where his party narrowly lost a by-election last year after the former prime minister resigned having been found guilty of misleading MPs over the Partygate scandal.

Labour launched its brand-new battle bus with the word “Change” – the party’s general election slogan – appearing on the bright red coach more than 30 times.

“I’m reliably told it has got a fridge in the back of it, so check that Boris Johnson isn’t in there,” Sir Keir said at its launch. Mr Johnson hid in a fridge to avoid a TV interview in the run-up to the 2019 election.

During the event, the Labour leader also refused to answer questions about the row over Diane Abbott standing for the party at the election.  “I dealt with that issue yesterday,” he told reporters.

Key Points from Westminster Today

UK Government could ‘flood Gaza with far more aid’ under proposed ceasefire deal

The UK Government could “flood Gaza with far more aid” if Hamas accepts a US-backed ceasefire deal, the Prime Minister has said.

Rishi Sunak told broadcasters the three-phase plan to end fighting in Gaza is “welcome news”.

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron also backed the plan which he claimed could bring an end to the conflict almost eight months after it began, with US President Joe Biden claiming Hamas is “no longer capable” of carrying out another large-scale attack on Israel.

On the campaign trail in Redcar, Mr Sunak said: “I hope Hamas take this opportunity to conclude the deal that’s on the table, which will ensure that the hostages can be released and be back with their families, that we can flood Gaza with far more aid than we’ve been getting in.”

Mr Sunak said a pause in fighting – the first phase of the deal – should become a “sustainable and lasting peace, which is what we all want to see”.

The Israeli proposal features three phases, starting with a six-week “full and complete ceasefire”.

Business leaders desert Rishi Sunak with record number backing Labour, new poll reveals

The Labour Party has a record lead over the Conservatives among industry leaders, Savanta found.

Starmer dodges Abbott questions as Sunak defends cash-for-towns pledge

Sir Keir Starmer declined to answer questions about Diane Abbott, while Rishi Sunak denied claims he is buying votes with a promise of cash for towns as campaigning entered its second weekend.

Both leaders on Saturday unveiled their parties’ battle buses, which will travel across the country before polling day on July 4.

Starmer jokes about Johnson hiding in fridge

Keen election watchers will remember how, during the 2019 campaign, Boris Johnson hid in a fridge to avoid questions from a reporter.

Sir Keir Starmer certainly hasn’t forgotten the former prime minister’s slippery move and sought to make a joke out of it earlier today, as he rallied his troops at the launch of Labour’s battle bus in Uxbridge.

“I’m reliably told it has got a fridge in the back of it, so check that Boris Johnson isn’t in there,” Sir Keir said at the event.

Keir Starmer is already the ‘winner’ of next week’s TV election debate

Swinney: Labour would cause ‘devastation’ to employment in oil and gas industry

A Labour government would “lead to the devastation of employment” in the oil and gas industry in north-east Scotland, the First Minister has said.

John Swinney was speaking with media at the Grey Hope Bay Cafe on the outskirts of Aberdeen during the SNP’s campaign trail, joined by Stephen Flynn, who currently holds the Aberdeen South seat.

John Swinney after being sworn in as First Minister of Scotland and Keeper of the Scottish Seal

Mapped: Where have the parties been campaigning today?

It has been a busy day for campaigning as both the Labour Party and the Conservatives launched their battle buses, set to drive across the country for the next five weeks.

The Reform Party, meanwhile, held a large event at the The Rifle Volunteer in Ashfield, Lee Anderson’s constituency. Both Mr Lee and Nigel Farage spoke at the event.

Below, you can see where Rishi Sunak, his counterpart Sir Keir and Mr Lee have been today.

100,000 more families face mortgage hike before polling day as Sunak warned of ‘reckoning’ with homeowners

Starmer should introduce wealth tax after election, ex-Blair adviser says

Sir Keir Starmer should introduce a wealth tax if Labour wins the election, a former senior adviser to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown has said.

Patrick Diamond, professor of public policy at Queen Mary University of London and his colleague Colm Murphy, a lecturer in British politics, said there was an “overwhelming economic and ethical case” for a levy on the rich.

In an article for The Observer, the pair write: “A newly elected Labour government should launch a commission on UK tax reform.

“There is an overwhelming economic and ethical case for higher taxes on wealth and for taxing capital gains at the same rate as income, not least the soaring levels of wealth inequality in Britain.”

Sunak denies trying to ‘buy votes’ with levelling up agenda

Rishi Sunak has faced questions about his plan to invest in 30 towns as part of his party’s “levelling-up” agenda, with broadcasters asking whether the Prime Minister was trying to “buy votes”.

Mr Sunak replied: “These 30 towns come on top of the 70 towns that have been announced – that’s 100 towns across our country that are going to receive £20 million each.

“Crucially, it will be local people in all those areas that are in charge of how to spend that money, to make sure it’s spent and invested on their priorities – an example of us levelling up everywhere, backing local people and their priorities, and giving them the long-term funding and assurance to do so.”

Mr Sunak claimed the methodology used to select the towns – including Tamworth, Bognor Regis, Flint, Perth and Newry – had been used “multiple times before” based on “levelling-up needs, looking at economic opportunity, skills, health and life expectancy”.

He claimed towns were “neglected” under a previous Labour government and added: “I’m not going to make any apology for supporting towns.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/general-election-labour-sunak-starmer-abbott-polls-latest-b2554937.html