Labour refuses to rule out council tax hike as register to vote deadline nears (2024)

4th Jun 2024, 11:30By Louis Allwood

What are the new boundary changes?

A major shake-up of the electoral map means the constituency you voted in at the last election might not actually exist or may have moved.

The boundaries of lots of seats have been tweaked, either to take in areas of other seats, lose ground or be abolished altogether.

The carve-up was done to distribute voters more fairly so there are not wild differences in constituency populations.

For example, the Isle of Wight - which had the largest electorate - is being split down the middle into two new constituencies.

4th Jun 2024, 11:00By Louis Allwood

Ben Wallace launches astonishing attack on Labour

The ex-Tory minister told The Sun’sNever Mind The BallotsthatSir Keir Starmeris being “fundamentally dishonest” in their promises on national security.

The Labour leadervowed to keep the Trident nuclear deterrentand build four new submarines, maintain a continuous at-sea patrol and deliver allfutureupgrades needed.

FEAR STARMER Keir's Trident nuclear 'triple lock' is ‘triple c**k’, blasts ex-defence boss

4th Jun 2024, 10:30By Louis Allwood

Nigel Farage's election defeats

• 1994 Eastleigh by-election - 952 votes (1.7%) - 4th
• 1997 General Election (Salisbury) - 3,332 (5.7%) - 4th
• 2001 General Election (Bexhill and Battle) - 3,474 (7.8%) - 4th
• 2005 General Election (Thanet South) - 2,079 (5%) - 4th
• 2006 Bromley by-election - 2,347 (8.1%) - 3rd
• 2010 General Election (Buckingham) - 8,410 (17.4%) - 3rd
• 2015 General Election (South Thanet) - 16,026 (32.4%) - 2nd

4th Jun 2024, 10:00By Louis Allwood

What are the key dates?

The main date for your diaries isobviously July 4, when millions of voters will go to the pollsfor the General Election.

A crucial moment will be therelease of the parties’ election manifestoswhere they set out their list of pledges for government.

Manifesto launches usually take place between 30 and 20 days out from Polling Day - so likely around the second week of June.

4th Jun 2024, 09:45By Louis Allwood

What topics can we expect in the live debate?

The host of tonight's debate, Julie Etchingham, has revealed that ITV viewers have sent in hundreds of questions.

Julie said: "We have had hundreds and hundreds of questions in from our audience, and they want to ask questions unsurprisingly on cost of living, housing, health, defence, climate change and a whole host of issues that could come up."

"The candidates don't know what's coming in terms of those questions, but we can drill down where we can get the most illuminating debate."

4th Jun 2024, 09:35By Louis Allwood

When is tonight's live debate?

Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer will go head-to-head in a televised debate tonight.

The hour-long debate between the PM and theLabourleader will air on ITV at 9pm.

Julie Etchinghamwill host and moderate the live clash in front of a studio audience.

4th Jun 2024, 09:25By Louis Allwood

Farage claims he will not be spending much time in the US

Farage has insisted he would not be spending much time during the campaign in America, where he has become a key campaigner for Presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Mr Farage said on Good Morning Britain: “I clearly could not spend much time in America if I was in Westminster.

“Doesn’t mean I could not go at all but certainly it would be a change of priorities.”

Yesterday we revealed the campaigner is pencilled in to give one speech at a Trump rally later this month in Detroit but will attempt to arrive and leave the USA within hours.

4th Jun 2024, 09:17By Louis Allwood

Reform won’t stand aside, claims Farage

When asked if he would stand aside for Tories, Nigel Farage told the BBC: "Nope. There are no circ*mstances whatsoever.

"We have been betrayed by aConservative Partythat I gave considerable help to back in 2019 and boy did I.

"I got rid of Mrs May by forming theBrexit Partyand they had their most crushing defeat in 200 years.

"I stood aside in over 300 seats for Boris Johnson and we were told that we would get control of our borders, we were told theimmigrationnumbers would come down. They have exploded.

“I feel betrayed by them, millions of voters feel betrayed by them and even though there are some people in the Conservative Party who I fought with during Brexit and other battles, I am afraid they are part of a party who are well past their sell-by date.

"The brand is ruined, they have lost the election already."

4th Jun 2024, 09:12By Louis Allwood

'I've changed my mind'

TheBrexitfrontman previously claimed that hedid not have enough time to put together a full campaignin six weeks, after being caught on the hop by Rishi Sunak’ssnapelection announcement.

However, he will now stand in Clacton-on-Sea, in Essex - a seat currently held by the Tories.

Speaking yesterday, Farage said: "I've changed my mind... it's not always a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength.

"I will stand in the Essex seaside town of Clacton. I will launch my campaign at midday tomorrow.

"I've talked to Richard, and he's happy about it."

4th Jun 2024, 09:09By Louis Allwood

Nigel Farage launches his General Election campaign today

Nigel Farage will begin his General Election campaign in Clacton today after becoming the new leader of Reform UK.

The Brexiteer pledged to lead a "political revolt" as he made a dramatic return tofrontlinepoliticsand vowed to "get more votes than the Tories".

4th Jun 2024, 09:05By Thomas Godfrey

This is not a head-to-head debate

Tonight's format is somewhat different to the direct duels we have seen so far on ITV and in the seven-way debate on the BBC.

Instead of being on stage at the same time, both Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak will field questions for 20 minutes from Sky Political Editor Beth Rigby, before taking 25 minutes of questions from a tough Grimsby crowd.

It will give both party chiefs a chance to explain their policies in a critical swing seat.

Both will hope they are up to the task - but could be stung by a prevailing sense of apathy engulfing a significant number of voters, something that has been referenced by the audience at both debates so far