Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer clashed last night in in a fiery hour-long debate - and the first poll results on the winner are now in.
The Prime Minister and the Labour leader set out their pitch as ITV's Julie Etchingham questioned them on the NHS, immigration, the cost of living and defence.
But the host was forced to step in at numerous points to stop the two men talking over each other, with the Prime Minister pursuing a particularly aggressive strategy which saw him interrupt the Labour leader multiple times.
Two pollsters have now said that Keir Starmer won the debate, compared to just one in favour of Rishi Sunak.
According to researchers at Savanta, Keir Starmer outperformed the Prime Minister in Tuesday's debate. An overnight snap poll found Keir Starmer beat Rishi Sunak by 44% to 39%.
Savanta found Mr Starmer outperformed Mr Sunak on NHS and public services 63% to 25%, on the economy 52% to 36%, and defence and security 43% to 41%.
Pollsters at the firm also found Keir "came across as most honest" 54% to 29% for Mr Sunak, and that the Labour leader "remained the calmest" 51% to 36% for the Conservative Prime Minister.
JL Partners (JLP) has joined Savanta in claiming Keir Starmer beat Rishi Sunak in the leaders' debate. A JLP survey for The Sun newspaper found 53% of respondents thought the Labour leader performed better in the televised clash, compared to just 33% who preferred the Tory Prime Minister.
YouGov pollsters found in a separate snap poll yesterday that Mr Sunak had narrowly outperformed Sir Keir 51% to 49%.
Rishi Sunak's claims in the debate that "independent Treasury officials have costed Labour's policies" and they showed a "£2,000 tax rise for every working family" have been brought under scrutiny this morning after a letter emerged from a top civil servant.
It said that any figures cited during the election campaign about opposition parties "should not be presented as having been produced by the Civil Service".
Yesterday, while the two party leaders were locked in last-minute preparations for the debate, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was hit by a milkshake as he campaigned in Clacton, Essex. Essex Police later confirmed a 25-year-old woman had been arrested at the scene and that a man was apprehended after an emergency worker was assaulted.
Follow the latest on the General Election below
Anders Anglesey
Starmer 'throwing stones from a house made from the thinnest of glass,' say Tories
The Conservatives have accused Labour leader Keir Starmer of "throwing stones from a house made from the thinnest of glass" amid Rishi Sunak's controversial claims the party would raise taxes.
In a statement shared with the BBC, a Tory spokesperson said: "It is now for him to explain whether he has ditched his policies yet again, or intends to break his own fiscal rules." The spokesperson also addedStarmer was "a man who has broken every promise he has ever made."
Sunak yesterday claimed during ITV's debate that Labour would raise taxes by about £2,000 if they came into power. But Starmer and other Labour figures branded the claim as a "lie."
The most senior civil servant in the Treasury also revealed the claim was not accurate. Top official James Bowler said he had warned ministers not to present the findings as being produced by the civil service.
"Everyone's seen the letter from the Permanent Secretary, so we know he was lying," Starmer said. "All of Labour's plans are fully costed and fully funded. They do not involve tax rises for working people - no income tax rises, no VAT, no national insurance."
Anders Anglesey
Lib Dems highlight carers in new campaign video
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has championed the cause of carers across the country in a new campaign video.
Davey released the video as the Liberal Democrats pledge to offer free personal care to the elderly or disabled at home.
The election broadcast showed Davey with his disabled son, John. Davey has already attempted to gain the narrative with numerous stunts, including falling off a paddleboard, but the Lib Dem's video highlighting his and other carers' experiences has already been viewed by hundreds of thousands online.
— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) June 5, 2024Caring isn’t just my family's story, it is the story of millions, caring for each other, dealing with tough times, and keeping going with love.
Sharing our story hasn't been easy, but it's important. It's time to bring carers' experiences into the light.pic.twitter.com/osj0bh33QI
Anders Anglesey
New poll says public thinks Conservatives more likely to raise taxes than Labour
Brits think the Conservatives are more likely to raise taxes than Labour, according to a new poll.
The Savanta poll, shared with Sky News, carried out before the ITV debate between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer, found the public were more likely to believe the Conservatives would raise taxes compared to Labour.
Of the 2,217 UK adults just one in six believed Sunak would not raise taxes with one in four saying Starmer would not. But 41 percent of respondents said: "I don't believe either of them."
Anders Anglesey
Holly Valance now - from Neighbours star to Nigel Farage fan
Holly Valance has gone from popstar to a political campaigner who has given her backing to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
The actress-turned-singer shot to fame on Australian soap Neighbours and soon became a breakout star before moving to the UK to pursue a music career.
Following the release of her debut single 'Kiss Kiss' her new-found career came crashing down and she was left broke at 19. She transformed her life once again after meeting her billionaire husband and has become vocal in the realm of politics.
Valance was spotted vouching for Farage during a rally in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, after he announced he would stand in the General Election. She told GB News: "I have been whispering in his ear for a long time. He is the face of Reform. Richard [Tice] has done a great job and they are a great team."
Read more: Holly Valance now - from Neighbours star to Nigel Farage fan with billionaire husband
Anders Anglesey
Tory minister denies Labour tax claim is a 'lie'
Conservative Treasury minister Bim Afolami denied Rishi Sunak's claim yesterday that Labour would increase taxes by £2,000 per working household was a "lie."
The PM came under intense scrutiny after he made the claim during the ITV leaders' debate on Tuesday. Speaking to Sky News' Sophy Ridge, Afolami insisted the figure was not a "lie," although he conceded the figure was not produced by civil servants as the PM had stated.
When pressed on the increased tax burden of £13,000 per household from 2019, Afolami responded: "I don't recognise that number, frankly, because that, I've never seen that calculation."
Anders Anglesey
General Election vote warning as almost 2 million people don't have correct ID
Nearly two million registered voters do not have valid ID and could risk being turned away on polling day, according to new data.
Exclusive data from Survation and the Royal Holloway, University of London released ahead of the General Election suggest a shocking four percent of those registered lack appropriate ID to cast their ballot.
The figure is higher in some areas compared to others. In both Wakefield, West Yorks, and Liskeard Central, Cornwall, an estimated 39 percent of registered voters do not have ID.
Read More: General Election vote warning as nearly two million people don't have correct ID - check your postcode
Anders Anglesey
Labour will 'strengthen veterans' rights,' says Keir Starmer
A Labour government would champion veterans' rights, Keir Starmer has said.
The Labour leader met with 99-year-old Len Chivers, a World War II veteran during his visit to Portsmouth. Chivers served on the HMS Queen Elizabeth and witnessed the 1941 sinking of HMS Barham in the Mediterranean.
"Britain owes a huge debt of gratitude to veterans like Len, who I met in Portsmouth today," he said on X, formerly Twitter. "Theirs is the ultimate public service. My Labour government will champion service personnel and their families and strengthen veterans’ rights."
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 5, 2024Britain owes a huge debt of gratitude to veterans like Len, who I met in Portsmouth today.
Theirs is the ultimate public service.
My Labour government will champion service personnel and their families and strengthen veterans’ rights. pic.twitter.com/Z4KeUgZQ92
Anders Anglesey
Rishi Sunak 'essentially lying' over tax rise claim, says Lib Dem leader
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey accused PM Rishi Sunak of "essentially lying" over claims Labour would raise taxes by about £2,000.
Speaking to the BBC, Davey added: "I think people are pretty turned off by it. I think...they [people] feel a bit disillusioned when people see the Prime Minister or Boris Johnson essentially lying to people. It is not good enough."
He then slammed Sunak over his own record on tax, commenting: "It's a bit rich from the Conservatives given their track record and what's in their books. They are the tax rising experts. Rishi Sunak knows a lot about tax because he increased taxes on people more than any prime minister."
Anders Anglesey
Keir Starmer says he had '100% confidence in the NHS' - rules out going private
Keir Starmer said he has "100 percent confidence in the NHS" as he explained why he would never choose private healthcare.
The Labour leader was asked during last night's TV debate whether he would use private healthcare if a loved one was on a long waiting list for treatment. He firmly said he would not as the NHS was in his "DNA."
During a visit to Portsmouth today, Starmer said he would "never use anything else. "I fundamentally believe in the NHS," he told reporters.
"My mum was very, very ill for all of her life, I know what acute care looks like because I've been there with my mum in high dependency units and I have every faith and confidence in relation to acute care in the NHS."
Read more: Keir Starmer says he's '100% confident' in NHS that cared for his mum and rules out going private
KEY EVENT
Welsh First Minister loses no confidence vote as he wipes away tears
The First Minister of Wales has lost a confidence vote in his leadership after just 77 days in the job.
Labour's Vaughan Gething had faced questions over a £200,000 donation to his leadership campaign, while a row over leaked messages led him to sack one of his ministers.
A deal with the Welsh political party Plaid Cymru collapsed, leading to the Welsh Tories to submit a no confidence vote in the First Minister.
Members of the Senedd voted 29 in favour and 27 against, despite Labour holding the balance of power. Gething became the first Black leader of any European country when he succeeded Mark Drakeford as First Minister in March
Gething was seen wiping away tears from his eyes as the motion was debated. The motion is non-binding but does add pressure onto Gething.
Read more: Welsh First Minister Vaughan Gething loses no confidence vote as he wipes tears in debate
KEY EVENT
Latest YouGov poll puts Nigel Farage's Reform UK within two points of Tories
Nigel Farage's Reform UK are within two points of the Conservatives, according to a new YouGov poll.
The latest survey will make for uncomfortable reading for PM Rishi Sunak with Labour well ahead on 40 percent, the Tories on 19 percent and Reform UK on 17 percent.
According to Sky New, who commissioned the poll, most of the survey was carried out using a different methodology compared to the one published last week, and after Farage announced he became leader of the party.
It also means Labour commands a lead of 21 points under its new methodology.
Anders Anglesey
Labour responds to Faiza Shaheen running as independent candidate
Labour has said it is focused on getting elected and “delivering the change that people in Chingford and Woodford Green and across the country need” after dropped candidate Faiza Shaheen announced her decision to stand as an independent.
Faiza Shaheen said on Wednesday she believed that constituents felt “disenfranchised” by the move to deselect her and said she would be contesting the east London seat.
In response, a Labour spokesperson said: “We are focussed on electing a Labour government and delivering the change that people in Chingford and Woodford Green and across the country need.”
Anders Anglesey
Woman charged with assault after breaking silence over Nigel Farage milkshake incident
Essex Police said Victoria Thomas-Bowen, 25, will appear at Colchester Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, July 2.
Following the incident, where a milkshake was thrown at Reform UK leader Nigel Farage in Clacton, Victoria posted a cheeky jibe at the politician and shared a full-length photo of herself flashing her bottom in scanty underwear with a plug to her racy Onlyfans page.
The blonde content creator paired her cheeky mirror selfie with a self-referencing line from Kelis' 2003 hit Milkshake, "My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard/And they're like, it's better than yours/Damn right it's better than yours/I can teach you but I'd have to charge."
The mum-of-one also reshared a picture of herself sidestepping Farage's security team and hurling the sticky contents of her McDonald's cup into the Clacton candidate's face.
Read more: Nigel Farage milkshake woman charged with assault after breaking silence on Instagram
Anders Anglesey
Keir Starmer champions NHS but will not criticise those who go private
Labour leader Keir Starmer said he would not criticise people who chose to use private healthcare as he championed the NHS.
Asked whether he thought it was wrong for people to use their wealth to “jump the queue”, the Labour leader told reporters: “I’m not going to criticise anybody who wants to send their children to private school.
“I understand many families work hard, save hard in order to be able to do so. Equally with private health.
“But when it comes to the health service, I fundamentally believe in the NHS. My mum was very, very ill for all of her life, I know what acute care looks like because I’ve been there with my mum in high dependency units and I have every faith and confidence in relation to acute care in the NHS.”
Anders Anglesey
Keir Starmer accuses Rishi Sunak of breaking ministerial code over tax plan 'lies'
Keir Starmer today accused Rishi Sunak of "deliberately lying" over Labour's tax plans, and insisted it was a reflection of the PM's character.
Starmer said it amounted to a breach of the ministerial code, a set of standards of conduct expected of elected politicians, and would back a probe into the PM's behaviour.
Speaking in Portsmouth after last night's fractious TV debate, the Labour leader said: "What you saw last night was a Prime Minister with his back against the wall, trying desperately to defend an awful record in office, resorting to lies - and deliberately lying."
During the clash, the PM claimed "independent" civil servants had crunched the numbers on Labour's plans - claiming it would mean working families would pay £2,000 more in taxes. But the most senior civil servant in the Treasury revealed this was not the case.
Read more: Keir Starmer accuses Rishi Sunak of breaking ministerial code over Labour tax plan 'lies'
Anders Anglesey
Watch Poll Position with Kevin Maguire: Tory tax lies as audience laugh at Sunak
Don't miss today's hard-hitting Poll Position with Kevin Maguire, as he chews over the fallout from yesterday's ITV debate between Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak.
Join Kevin Maguire and Tom Watson as they cover the £2,000 Tory tax "lie", D-Day commemorations and whether Labour is strong on defence. Tune in here at 6pm.
Anders Anglesey
Ex-Labour candidate hopeful Faiza Shaheen will stand as independent
Former Labour candidate Faiza Shaheen, who planned to stand as the party's candidate in Chingford and Wood Green, has announced she intends to run as an independent.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Shaheen said: "I have reached this decision following hundreds of messages from people in my community, who say there are no options left for them. They are tired of the Tories but now feel they can't trust Labour.
"They feel disenfranchised by Labour's decision to remove me and feel it would be impossible for the party to win here without a local candidate, rooted in the community, and that such a voice is vitally needed."
She later added: "With its recent actions, many local people think Labour has handed a winnable seat to the Conservatives for another five years. I aim to show that there is a progressive alternative to both parties that puts Chingford & Woodford Green first."
She was not endorsed by Labour as their candidate last week. It followed reports that she had liked a post about "anti-Semtism accusations" from the "hysterical" Israel lobby.
Anders Anglesey
Rishi Sunak congratulates congratulates India's PM for election win
Rishi Sunak today congratulated Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, after his BJP party remained the country's largest party despite losing its majority.
"The UK and India share the closest of friendships, and together that friendship will continue to thrive," Sunak said in a post shared to X, formerly Twitter.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) June 5, 2024Today I spoke to @narendramodi to congratulate him on his election victory.
The UK and India share the closest of friendships, and together that friendship will continue to thrive.
ब्रिटेन और भारत के बीच करीबी मित्रता है, और साथ मिलकर यह मित्रता आगे बढ़ती रहेगी।
Anders Anglesey
Woman charged with assault after milkshake thrown at Nigel Farage
A woman has been charged with assault by beating and criminal damage after a milkshake was thrown at Reform UK leader Nigel Farage following a campaign event in Clacton, Essex, on Tuesday.
Essex Police said Victoria Thomas-Bowen, 25, will appear at Colchester Magistrates' Court on Tuesday July 2. The force said the charges relate to an incident in which a drink was thrown at a man in the area of Marine Parade East, Clacton, at around 2:10pm on Tuesday.
A 44-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker has been released and will face no further action.
Read more: Woman charged with assault and criminal damage after milkshake thrown at Nigel Farage
Anders Anglesey
Labour demands apology from Rishi Sunak over £2,000 tax 'lie'
Labour shadow Treasury chief secretary Darren Jones demanded an apology from Rishi Sunak after the PM yesterday claimed Labour would raise taxes by around £2,000 should they win the General Election.
"Civil servants confirmed they had told Tory ministers they were not allowed to say their dodgy attacks on Labour were independently done by civil servants," he said. "Last night Rishi Sunak did it anyway. He lied to the British people. He must apologise."
Jones' scathing attack on the PM comes after shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth said Sunak's election strategy was "to lie through his teeth." The Tory leader claimed during ITV's debate that Labour would add the equivalent of £2,094 in tax on every working household.
Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
Martin Lewis clears up 'tax on pension' after Rishi Sunak's confusing debate claim
Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has corrected Rishi Sunak after he claimed "under us, the state pensioner will never pay tax" in last night's debate.
Clarifying that many state pensioners do already pay tax under the current government, Mr Lewis said on X (formerely Twitter): "Do you pay tax on the state pension? I've been asked this a lot after last night's ITV debate. So - The state pension is, and has always been taxable income.
"The full state pension is currently £11,500/yr. The standard personal allowance (the amount you can earn before you pay income tax) is £12,570/yr."
"So if you ONLY get state pension income and nowt else, you won't be taxed currently."
"At the last available DWP data of 12.7m people of state pension age in the UK, 8.1m will likely pay income tax as other income took them above the personal allowance. So roughly two thirds of state pensions do already pay tax"
Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
Spectator editor turns on Rishi Sunak over 'nonsense figures'
Fraser Nelson, editor of the right-wing Spectator magazine, has criticised Rishi Sunak for releasing "nonsense figures with fake attribution" after his £2,000 Labour tax figure was today debunked by fact-checkers.
Taking aim at the Tory leader in a new column, he said: "I’m really not sure that this will help their chances very much."
He also shared a graphic on X showing that under the same calculations used to come up with the original figure, Rishi Sunak's own tax plans would end up costing £3,000 per household.
— Fraser Nelson (@FraserNelson) June 5, 2024The Tories say Labour's plans would cost £2,000 - but if you apply their methodology to their own (published) tax plans it works out at a £3,000 tax rise.
My thoughts on the madness of election-maths: https://t.co/xBhfB2nWlZ pic.twitter.com/7qpQ3d0Mno
Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
Jeremy Corbyn launches MP campaign as he tells Labour not to 'diss' him
Jeremy Corbyn has launched his bid to become an independent MP in Islington North.
He said Keir Starmer should stop trying to "diss" his time as Labour leader and instead embrace nationalising key services.
But Mr Corbyn saud if re-elected he would offer support to a Labour government when it does "something good", such as returning Royal Mail and the railways to public ownership.
Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
Tories will launch 'vicious assault' on worker's rights if they win, says union boss
The Conservatives will launch an "even more vicious assault" on workers' jobs and conditions if they win the General Election, a union leader has warned.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said it was in the interests of workers for Labour to win.
General secretary Mick Lynch said: "Labour is supporting key policies, such as the New Deal for Working People, which includes repealing the 2016 Trade Union Act and Minimum Services legislation.
"Labour is also supporting public ownership and reintegration of large parts of the railway, removing the ban on publicly owned buses and improving seafarers' rights.
"However, there will be no blank cheques for Labour and we also challenge Labour to provide an alternative, coherent and credible economic strategy that radically challenges the current orthodoxy on spending and borrowing so that we can properly fund our industries and public services.
"It is our belief that if the Tories are elected, they will come back with an even more vicious assault on workers' jobs and conditions, and trade union and employment rights.
"A Labour government increases our prospects of successfully fighting to improve our members' interests."
Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
Rishi Sunak rocked by bombshell letter that torpedoes his tax dossier claim
Rishi Sunak has been rocked after a bombshell letter revealed he misled viewers in the ITVGeneral Election debate.
During the head-to-head clash with Keir Starmer, watched by over 4.8million viewers, the PM claimed "independent" civil servants had crunched the numbers on Labour plans. He asserted that working households would be saddled with an extra £2,000 in taxes if Mr Starmer becomes PM.
This was dismissed as an "outright lie" by Labour, which accuses the Tories of cooking the numbers. During last night's debate, Mr Sunak said: "Independent Treasury officials have costed Labour's policies and they amount to a £2,000 tax rise for every working family."
But the most senior civil servant in the Treasury revealed this was not the case. James Bowler said he had warned ministers not to present the findings as being produced by the civil service.
Rishi Sunak rocked by bombshell letter that torpedoes his tax dossier claim
Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
More than four in five Brits believe politicians ignoring environment
A new survey has revealed that 82% of the nation believe that green policies are being ignored by political parties.
According to research from Daikin, a manufacturer of sustainable heating and cooling solutions, nearly two thirds (64%) of Brits say that Green issues should be one of the top three priorities for parties as the election approaches.
And a similar number (66%) agree that politicians who don’t take on these issues are letting down their children and their children’s children.
Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
Ed Davey fined for breaking speed limit on M1
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has been fined for speeding after he was caught doing 73mph in a 60mph zone on the M1.
Sir Ed wrote a letter of explanation in which he said he had tried to pay a speeding ticket issued by Bedfordshire Police after he was caught speeding on the M1 near Caddington.
In a 'genuine oversight', he inadvertently failed to provide his driving licence details so the matter was brought before magistrates to consider in March, reports the Evening Standard.
KEY EVENT
Official statistics regulator looking into Tory tax claims
The Office for Statistics Regulation are "looking into" figures claimed by the Conservative party about tax burdens under Labour, reports the BBC.
They are an independent body who protect "public confidence in the trustworthiness, quality and value" of official statistics.
Rishi Sunak has faced heavy criticism today after he claimed "independent Treasury experts" had provided him with data showing an increase of £2,000.
But a letter from a top civil servant at the Treasury confirmed that these numbers should not be attributed to the government department.
The calculations of Labour policies used in the Tories' figure have also separately been questioned.
Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
Martin Lewis skewers top Tory live on air for Sunak's £2,000 tax lie
Martin Lewis confronted a Tory minister on air and asked if she'd apologise after Rishi Sunak was caught out making misleading tax claims.
The money saving expert challenged Energy and Net Zero Secretary Claire Coutinho after Mr Sunak tried to pass off Conservative research as independent.
The PM is under fire after brazenly declaring that Keir Starmer would increase taxes by £2,000 for the average working household to fund his spending plans. Labour has dismissed it as "pure lies" and accused the Conservatives of cooking up dodgy figures.
During the ITV General Election debate, watched by over 4.8million people, Mr Sunak claimed Treasury civil servants had calculated the cost of Labour plans. He claimed these would create a £38.5billion black hole that would have to be have to be paid for by raising taxes.
But a newly-surfaced letter shows the top official at the department warned ministers not to say it was the work of neutral officials, as this wasn't true.
Martin Lewis skewers top Tory live on air for Sunak's crucial lie during debate
Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
Rishi Sunak lied in debate, says Rachel Reeves
Labour's shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has slammed Rishi Sunak for his £2,000 tax lie in last night's ITV debate.
She said: "It's Rishi Sunak who lied 12 times in the debate last night about Labour's tax plans.
"The truth is, it's the Conservatives who have taken the tax burden to the highest it's been in 70 years. That is the Conservative record and their legacy.
"Labour will not be increasing the tax burden on working people, I am very clear about that, and everything in our manifesto will be fully costed and fully funded."
Rishi Sunak lied. pic.twitter.com/Y97vy5LwVB
— Rachel Reeves (@RachelReevesMP) June 5, 2024
