Are we in for one of the 'dirtiest' election campaigns ever? | Adam Boulton

There was general agreement at the Institute for Government's Annual conference last week that it would be a good thing for Britain if this year's election campaign is not "dirty".

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'Need for new leadership' at Post Office as chairman ousted, business secretary says

The business secretary has said she "felt there was a need for new leadership" at the Post Office as it was announced its chairman is being forced out of the role.

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WATCH: Joe Biden has VERY tough time reading from giant teleprompter

Joe Biden has gone viral yet again as he bumbled through his speech in Wisconsin.

The 81-year-old visited the Badger State to discuss infrastructure investment in the Rust Belt.

FULL STORY HERE.

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Biden gaffe goes viral after President's awkward, inaudible bumbling of words

Joe Biden has gone viral yet again as he bumbled through his speech in Wisconsin.

The 81-year-old visited the Badger State to discuss infrastructure investment in the Rust Belt.

Wisconsin could prove decisive in the upcoming US Presidential Election, with voters siding with the victorious candidate in every ballot held since 2008.

However, Biden’s pitch included a blunderous moment when the 46th President spoke about breweries.

The White House’s own statement claimed Biden said: “And, by the way, it used to make the beer brewed here — (laughs) — it is used to make the brewed beer here in this refine — oh, Earth Rider, thanks for the Great Lakes. I wondered why (inaudible) — (laughter).”

A number of social media users were confused with what bumbling Biden was trying to say.

“He made noise for nine seconds and I only heard ‘Great Lakes’,” Biden said.

Another wrote: “The President is so far gone, reading is now a concern.

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“But he’s supposed to be able to tackle the complex issues of our country. Yeah, sure.”

A third asked: “Do they have a laugh track for his speeches?

“No way anyone understood that enough to think it was funny.”

Biden’s visit to Wisconsin has been regarded as part of the 46th President’s second White House bid.

He slammed his predecessor Donald Trump over his economic record.

Biden said: “My predecessor, he chose a different course: Trickle-down economics, cut taxes for the very wealthy and big corporations, increasing the deficit significantly. That’s exactly what happened.”

The 46th President confirmed $1billion in funding for the decrepit Blatnik Bridge connecting Wisconsin to Minnesota.

Wisconsin, which narrowly backed Biden by 20,682 ballots in 2020, is on a knife-edge as both men look to forge a path to the White House.

A recent Emerson opinion poll put Biden and Trump tied on 45 per cent.

However, a separate survey conducted by Bloomberg handed Trump a four-point lead.

Trump has had a mixed week after winning his second Republican Party primary contest in New Hampshire.

The 77-year-old stormed out of a Manhattan courtroom earlier today after EJ Caroll’s lawyer started her closing statement in the author’s civil lawsuit for sexual assault and defamation.

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Humza Yousaf admits 'winging it' as Scotland's health secretary during COVID

Messages have emerged of Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf admitting to "winging it" during his role as health secretary at the height of the COVID pandemic.

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US migrant crisis: New map shows which states are revolting against Biden over migrant 'invasion'

Republican governors across the US have revolted against Biden by backing Texas in an escalating conflict over immigration, with a new map showing the states that have turned red.

The officials have voiced their support for Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who is embroiled in an ongoing dispute with Biden on how to best control the influx of migrants that are crossing his state’s border daily.

Abbott instructed state troopers to install a long stretch of concertina razor wire along the Rio Grande River, near the border city of Eagle Pass.

The move has been slammed by the Biden administration, who said that it could harm migrants who are trying to cross.

They also said it could slow down Border Patrol agents from being able to easily access migrants once they enter the US.

The Biden administration has fought back against the installation of the wire, asking the Supreme Court to allow Border Patrol agents to cut down the razor wire installed on the US-Mexico border.

The Supreme Court ruled in the US government’s favour on Monday, but Abbott has retaliated by installing even more wire, encouraging civilians to install it on their private property, with the Texas governor saying the state had a “right to self-defence”.

“Americans expect the border to be secured. Because Joe Biden has abandoned that responsibility, Texas is stepping up,” he told Fox News today.

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In a statement released today, the Republican governor said: “I have already declared an invasion under Article I, § 10, Clause 3 to invoke Texas's constitutional authority to defend and protect itself. That authority is the supreme law of the land and supersedes any federal statutes to the contrary.”

Abbott’s declaration prompted the governors of Florida, Georgia, Montana, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Virginia to publicly support him, with a new map released by Right Angle News Network showing the states on the side of Texas.

Florida Governor pledged his allegiance to Texas during the crisis. He said: “If the Constitution really made states powerless to defend themselves against an invasion, it wouldn’t have been ratified in the first place and Texas would have never joined the union when it did.

“TX is upholding the law while Biden is flouting it. FL will keep assisting Texas with personnel and assets.”

Meanwhile, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem also promised to give assistance, stating that Texas had a right to defend itself.

“[Abbott] is exactly right to invoke Texas’ constitutional authority to defend itself. The Biden Administration has created a national security crisis and put Americans in danger. Their failure is an unconstitutional dereliction of duty,” she wrote on social media.

Elsewhere, Georgia governor Brian Kemp said that Abbott has his “full support”.

“Enough is enough. Our southern border is in crisis thanks to the Biden administration's refusal to do their job,” he wrote on social media.

Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt, Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin, and Montana governor Greg Gianforte also all voiced their support online.

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'Electoral disaster' predicted for Republicans as migrant crisis soars under Biden

Former US President Donald Trump has been warned of "electoral disaster", ahead of the Presidential election in November.

Chair of Republicans Overseas UK, Greg Swenson, has suggested that the Republican Party could face turmoil as the illegal migrant crisis continues to soar across the country under Joe Biden's administration.

According to the latest figures, over two million people crossed the US-Mexico border last year.

In December 2023 alone, over 200,000 migrants crossed illegally into America.

Biden has previously said he "cannot stop" migrants crossing into the United States, but requires all those who wish to enter "to do so under US law".

This month, the state of Texas lost a Supreme Court battle against the Biden administration after planning to erect a wire fence in Eagle Pass, in an attempt to stop migrant crossings.

Appearing on GB News, Greg Swenson claimed the US President is "deliberately letting in migrants", in order to win support for the Democrats.

Following the dispute with Texan Governor Greg Abbott over border security, Swenson claimed Biden is "losing out" on the issue.

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Swenson told host Martin Daubney: "It's pretty clear now that Biden wants illegal migrants. They end up being welfare recipients for sure.

"It's proven that first-generation migrants, especially illegal migrants, will always vote Democrat as soon as they get their ability to vote, whether it's through citizenship or other means. So it's an electoral win."

Swenson predicted: "If he can wave in 22 million illegal migrants, that's higher than the biggest election spread of all time which is 1984 when Ronald Reagan won re-election by 17 million votes. 22 million dwarfs that.

"It's an electoral disaster for Republicans if Biden continues to get away with this."

In reflection of the Texas border battle between Biden and Governor Abbott, Swenson urged the Abbott to "listen to the Supreme Court" on the ruling.

He highlighted that Texas is one of the most "popular states for immigration" in America.

He explained: "There's a mass migration out of blue states into red states like Texas, like Florida, and Tennessee. So you're seeing a movement of people.

"Obviously it's all legal migration within the borders but it's a really interesting time to look at Texas."

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Joe Biden blasted over migrant crisis failure as Texas forced to take action: 'Deliberately letting them in!'

US President Joe Biden has been slammed by the Chair of Republicans Overseas UK, as the battle between the Biden administration and the Governor of Texas continues.

Earlier this month, Texan Governor Greg Abbott ordered a razor wire to be installed on the US-Mexico border, amid soaring levels of illegal migrant crossings.

Texas Border Czar Mike Banks told ranchers on Wednesday that the state could install the deterrent on their behalf for free.

The wire was installed along the Rio Grande River, near the border city of Eagle Pass.

In a statement, Abbott declared his state's "constitutional authority to defend itself", and that President Biden has "violated his oath to faithfully execute immigration laws".

He added: "Instead of prosecuting immigrants for the federal crime of illegal entry, President Biden has sent his lawyers into federal courts to sue Texas for taking action to secure the border."

In a Supreme Court ruling on Monday, the Biden Administration won 5-4 to allow the government to access the wire and remove it.

In a discussion with GB News, Chair of Republicans Overseas UK Greg Swenson says Joe Biden's approach to illegal migration is to "let in as many as possible".

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Swenson said: "You have a president in President Biden who's not enforcing the law that was passed by Congress. President Obama actually enforced the law and was deporting people who had crossed illegally.

"Of course, President Trump enforced the law and improved the law, and worked with Mexico to have the remain in Mexico policy.

"Biden has abandoned federal policy - in fact, he's deliberately trying to let in as many immigrants as possible. For the Democrats more is better and less is racist."

Swenson also highlighted from Abbott's statement that six million illegal migrants have crossed into Texas alone, over three years.

Swenson predicted that as many as 11 million illegal migrants may cross the US borders by the end of Biden's office term, if he loses the election on November 5.

He added: "This is a crisis that was created by Biden. It's what he wants. They want unfettered access to the border, they're letting them in.

"It's a real hardship on the working people of Texas and other border States. And now it's a real hardship on cities that the federal government as well as the governors of Texas, and other states are sending some of the migrants to those so-called sanctuary cities."

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Donald Trump adviser blasts ‘inexplicable’ Nikki Haley as she prepares for ‘humiliation in her own backyard’

Nikki Haley has been dubbed “inexplicable” after vowing to fight on despite losing to Donald Trump in the New Hampshire primary.

The decisive victory was Trump’s second as he marches towards a rematch of the 2020 election with Joe Biden having also romped to victory in Iowa.

His only disappointment was the vote not proving to be a knock out blow for Haley, who vowed to battle on despite her prospects dwindling.

Speaking on GB News, Trump’s senior adviser Lynne Patton, the 77-year-old has now established himself as the “undisputed king of the Republican Party”.

“He trounced Ron DeSantis by 30 points in Iowa”, she said.

“He just defeated Nikki Haley in New Hampshire, who outspent him two to one and beat her formidably by 11 points.

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“We’re going to Nevada this weekend where he’ll gain more delegates because he’s uncontested there, then we go to South Carolina, where he’s beating her by 40 points in her own backyard.

“Both of her state senators have backed my boss.”

Assessing Haley’s slim chances of a revival in the race, Patton said there is no “path forward” for her.

“Even yesterday in New Hampshire, only 29 per cent of Republicans voted for her”, she said.

“The majority of her votes came from unregistered, either Democrats or undeclared.

“Most of her money and funding is also coming from the Democrat Party.”

Speaking after her defeat in New Hampshire, Haley claimed the race is “far from over”.

“There are dozens of states still to go”, she added.

The 52-year-old also took the opportunity to congratulate her opponent, saying Trump “earned” his victory.

Trump was less keen on delivering a glowing assessment of their opponent, questioning why Haley was “still hanging around”.

He went on to brand her an “imposter” in a scathing speech.

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Government opts to avoid showdown with MPs on Rwanda treaty ratification

The government has chosen to avoid a showdown with MPs on the ratification of its new treaty with Rwanda, after the House of Lords voted to delay the finalisation of the deal.

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British citizens should be 'trained and equipped' to fight in a potential war with Russia, military chief says

British citizens should be "trained and equipped" to fight in a potential war with Russia - as Moscow plans on "defeating our system and way of life", the head of the British Army has said.

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Biden gaffe mocked on social media after President slurs words and issues bizarre phrase

Joe Biden’s latest gaffe has been mocked on social media after the 81-year-old slurred his words.

The 46th President, who visited Virginia to discuss abortion rights, struggled through a section of his speech in Manassas.

Slurring his words, Biden said: “We’ll teach Donald Trump a valuable lesson.

“Don’t mess with the women of America unless you want to get the benefit.”

It is not quite clear what the Commander-in-Chief’s phrase at the end meant.

The mumbling President was blasted on social media, with conservative commentators raising questions about his competency.

A user asked: “Why did people cheer at the end?”

Another wrote: “Word salad aside, has Trump ever gave a speech where he yelled.”

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A third added: “I think he said 'Don’t meswipwitawimmenerica unless you wannagettabenfit'.”

Biden’s speech was interrupted by pro-Palestine protesters in the Old Dominion.

However, the President was joined by Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss women’s reproductive rights on the 50th anniversary of the landmark Roe v Wade case.

The Supreme Court case, which legalised abortion, was overturned in the summer of 2022.

Despite Biden’s comments on Trump’s position on abortion rights, the 45th President appears to have held some contradictory positions.

Trump took credit for the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade but voiced concern about the extremely conservative policies enacted in Alabama and Florida.

Biden pinned the blame for overturning Roe v Wade on his predecessor, saying: “The person most responsible for taking away this freedom in America is Donald Trump.”

Biden’s comments about Trump came as the 45th President was waiting for polls to close in the Republican Party’s New Hampshire primary.

Trump gained 12 delegates in the Granite State after winning 54.4 per cent of the vote.

Nikki Haley, Trump’s only remaining Republican rival, ended up with nine delegates on just 43.3 per cent of the vote.

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Lib Dem Lords to ignore convention and vote against Safety of Rwanda bill

Liberal Democrat peers are poised to ignore a convention dating back to Gladstone's day to stage a protest against the Rwanda bill in the House of Lords.

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Trump wants to be a dictator, says his former spokesman Anthony Scaramucci

DONALD Trump wants to be “dictator for a day” and will persecute his enemies if he wins the US presidential election, according to his former director of communications Anthony Scaramucci.

Scaramucci said he has undergone a “divorce” from Trump and is now backing Joe Biden for president.

He told GB News: “Unfortunately, the United States has decided to put up Joe Biden and Donald Trump and so you have two choices on choosing the person that's going to reform the American institutions of the democracy and the American system.

“Mr Trump has already said he doesn't want to do that, he wants to be dictator for a day. He wants to expand the executive powers, he wants to persecute. He wants to use what has typically been an agnostic Justice Department, but he wants to use that to persecute his political adversaries.”

“This is not stuff that the UK, the rest of the world, our European allies or global allies, will think highly of once he's in office and so I'm speaking out against it. He's not going to win by the way…”

In a discussion with Ben Leo and Emily Carver, he continued: “There are 20 cabinet members that worked for Mr Trump, closely, indirectly alongside of myself. Now granted, I was there for 11 days but I did work for him for close to a year on the campaign.

“And we all saw the same thing and we're all speaking out against his temperament to be the President of the United States. So things do change.”

He blamed Trump for the war in Ukraine: “He can't solve the Ukraine problem in a day. You also know that he slowed down the arms and material to the Ukraine.

“Since 1994, the United States, in exchange for the Ukraine giving up their nuclear weapons, developed something called Operation Porcupine, where they fortified the Ukrainians with anti-tank, anti-ballistic missiles to protect the Ukrainian people from the Russian Federation.

“Mr Trump slowed all that stuff down. So, when you say he's not the war president, in many ways, if you ask people in the Pentagon, if you get him to come on your show, they'll tell you the actions that he took during his presidency contributed to Vladimir Putin thinking it was an easy way to strike the Ukrainians.”

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Drakeford 'genuinely baffled' Sunak did not call him to discuss Tata job losses

Wales's first minister Mark Drakeford has said he was "genuinely baffled" Rishi Sunak did not call him to discuss plans to support people affected by job losses in Port Talbot.

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Keir Starmer blasts Tories over 'politics of self-preservation' amid National Trust 'war'

Keir Starmer has accused the Conservatives of looking to clamp down on opposition voices by trying to find “woke agendas” in British civic institutions.

In his speech at the Civil Society Summit in central London, the Labour leader was critical of Tory attitudes to the likes of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the National Trust.

Sir Keir said Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives were “waging a war on the proud spirit of service in this country”.

Promising a “reset” on relations with the charitable sector if he becomes prime minister, he said the governing party seemed set on “sabotaging civil society to save their own skin”.

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Sunak wants to talk about tax, not small boats and it's little wonder why - analysis by Christopher Hope

That screeching you can hear in Westminster is the sound of the Number 10 desperately trying to change the subject from the Government's plans to stop the boat crossings in the Channel to somewhere where it feels it can beat Labour: tax cuts.

Rishi Sunak and his team might have emerged battered and bruised, but ultimately successful by pushing their Rwanda plan through the House of Commons.

But more problems are just around the corner with peers expected to do all they can to water down the legislation and force ministers to restore the plan to the one passed in the Commons with a 44-seat majority.

The Rwanda Bill is expected to start to be debated in the Lords next month and in the meantime peers have today been debating whether they stop the Treaty enabling the plan from being ratified until Rwanda is a 'safe' country.

Number 10 was dismissive of this attempt to frustrate plan with officials saying that it won't have any bearing on the first planes taking off (still in the "spring" according to 10 Downing Street).

But anger over small boat crossing is unlikely to dissipate with hundreds of migrant crossings last week and fresh concern that allowing them to work when they get here will encourage more to make the crossing.

Little wonder then that the Government wants to talk about is tax - and accordingly both the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt have been doing their bit to start the debate.

Sunak dropped hints about tax cuts yesterday's Sun on Sunday, saying: “Where we can, we will always prioritise tax cuts to put more of people’s money back in their pockets.”

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Elsewhere, Hunt wrote for both the Mail on Sunday and today's Conservative Home website promising cuts, writing in ConHome: "Election year is the time when the choice between the two parties crystalises into its sharpest form.

"If I were forced now to predict where that will end up, I would submit this: Conservatives proposing a path to lower taxes, and Labour pretending they wouldn’t raise them."

This all builds to Friday which is pay day for millions of Britons when many will benefit from the Government's on average £450 a head cut in National Insurance.

A confidence that the party can go into the next election promising more tax cuts is why the Conservatives are repeatedly asking how Labour will fund its £28billion a year commitment for green energy (Labour says that it will not break its fiscal rules to fund the commitment).

That's why - for now - the Government wants to talk about tax and not small boats. It will only be a short respite though as small boats starts to rise up the political agenda again as the peers start their work.

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PM will try to shift attention to economy this week - but questions remain over his chancellor's future

Rishi Sunak will seek to refocus attention on the economy this week amid questions about how long his chancellor will remain in post.

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