Starmer dealt hammer blow as voters label Labour 'dishonest' over PM's tax raid

Starmer has been branded “dishonest” for failing to disclose the Labour party’s tax plans during the general election, a new poll has revealed.

More than half of voters (56 per cent) believe that Starmer’s party was “not very honest” or “not honest at all”, totaling 24 per cent and 31 per cent respectively, when it came to revealing their tax policies.

Just six per cent said they believe that Labour had been “very honest”, while 28 per cent said the party had been “mostly honest”, according to a BMG Research poll which surveyed 1,560 people.

Starmer’s party has repeatedly ruled out increases to income tax, National Insurance, and VAT. However, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is understood to be considering raising inheritance tax (IHT), capital gains (CGT), fuel tax, and taxes on pensions.

High-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) are believed to be in the firing line of this oncoming tax raid as Starmer and Reeves attempt to fill a £22billlion “black hole” in the public finances.

The poll, commissioned by the i newspaper, found that possible increases in fuel duty or raising inheritance tax could in fact hit workers and potentially breach Starmer’s election promises, where he vowed not to raise taxes on “working people”.

Almost 60 per cent of voters view a rise in fuel duty as a tax on working people, and 43 per cent believe that raising inheritance tax would amount to a tax on working people than do not (35 per cent).

In a speech to the nation earlier this week, Starmer said that tax hikes and spending cuts will be introduced in just a matter of weeks admitting that “things are worse than we ever imagined” and that a “painful” budget in October was in the works.

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He explained Britons will have to “accept short-term pain for long-term good” and said his Government did not account for the huge hole in public finances before the election.

Starmer said: “It's not the position I want to be in but we have to end the politics of the easy answer that solves nothing.

“I said change would not happen overnight.

“When there is a deep rot at the heart of a structure, you can't just cover it up... you have to overhaul the entire thing, tackle it at root. Even if it's hard work or takes more time.”

He pledged to make boosting wealth and growing the economy the “number one priority of this Labour Government”.

The Prime Minister also insisted that his team has done more for the country in seven weeks than the Conservatives managed in seven years.

Responding to the results of the poll, Cllr. Matthew Goodwin-Freeman, said: “We warned you...as Rishi said: "As night follows day, Labour will raise your taxes.”

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Eton College warns parents fees likely to rise by 20% over VAT change

Parents whose children are taught at Eton College have been told fees are "likely" to rise by 20% in January to about £63,000 a year because of VAT changes.

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‘Grow a spine!’ Lee Anderson furiously slaps down Matthew Stadlen in heated migrant crisis row

Reform UK MP and GB News star Lee Anderson was embroiled in a tense row with leftist political commentator Matthew Stadlen.

The pair went to war while discussing the migrant crisis as Lee suggested the Labour Government are unlikely to tackle the problem effectively.

Stadlen took a swipe at the Ashfield MP by suggesting the issue was prevalent while he was chairman of the previous party of government, the Conservatives.

Lee said: “The real problem is the undocumented migrants coming over on boats.

“Just pick them up and send them back to France, I will keep saying that until I am blue in the face. If we start doing that, they will stop coming.”

Stadlen snapped back: “There are few people in this country who were keener for this to happen than your old boss, Rishi Sunak, who not that long ago appointed as you as deputy chair of the ruling Tory Party.

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“He said he was going to stop the boats but he failed to do so. The reason he failed is because it’s much harder than Reform say it is. I think if you were in government, you wouldn’t be able to do what you say because it requires co-operation.”

Shaking his head, Lee waded in to say it requires a government with a “backbone” to tackle the crisis head-on.

“We have always prided ourselves on border security and our great Navy”, he said.

“We should pick these people up, rescue them and take them back to France. We can do it.”

Political commentator Emma Woolf waded in on the discussion to say communities are being broken by high levels of immigration - a comment that appeared to leave Stadlen seething as he branded it “unhelpful”.

“There are riots on our streets, Matthew”, she angrily retorted.

“We had far-right criminals acting in totally unacceptable ways, that doesn’t mean communities are falling apart”, he responded.

“I live in Notting Hill, where there is some wealth and a huge amount of inequality”, he said.

“We would all like to live in Notting Hill”, Lee quipped, suggesting Stadlen is not in touch with the societal problems Britain is grappling with.

The commentator hit back to say suggestions society is falling apart as a result of mass migration is a “plain lie”.

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Former journalist to be leader of Ulster Unionist Party for second time

Mike Nesbitt will become the new leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) after he was the only candidate to put their name forward.

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‘He’s fearful!’ Nigel Farage accuses Keir Starmer of cynical plot after latest ‘far-right’ attack

Nigel Farage says Sir Keir Starmer is “fearful” of Britons’ frustrations with immigration.

The Reform leader accused the Prime Minister of plotting to ensure those concerned about mass migration are tarnished as “far-right”.

“I think he is very worried about the Labour vote, especially in the Midlands and Wales, places like that”, he said.

“1100 people crossed the Channel in the past two days, he knows that absolutely enrages people and he knows his smash the gangs idea won’t work.

“There are also genuine concerns in Britain about the growing population.

“I think this is an attempt to try to put out there that if somehow you think immigration is an important issue, you shouldn’t be thinking like that.

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“He is trying to say this ‘this is the territory of the bad dudes’.”

It comes after the PM vowed to tackle the “snake-oil” of the ideology, which he fears could rise in the UK.

He made the remarks in Germany, which has seen the AFD (Alternative for Germany) party surging in the polls ahead of the country’s federal elections next year.

Sir Keir told reporters: "There are a number of reasons for my concern, partly what's happening in the UK, partly what you can see happening in other European countries, including in France and in Germany.

"I think that the challenge has to be met by democracy and by progressives.

"We have to have a joint discussion about what that means across Europe, and beyond which I'm very keen to pursue with progressive parties."

While Starmer made no reference to any party in the UK, many have come to the conclusion that Reform pose a similar threat to the political establishment in Britain.

Farage has long denied the party are far-right, arguing they are simply concerned about high levels of immigration which they feel is re-shaping British life.

Starmer added: "Ultimately, I think that delivery and honesty is is the best way of dealing with the snake oil of populism and nationalism, which is why I set out the tough measures I did yesterday in my speech, but also why I'm absolutely determined that we're going to deliver on the promises that we've made."

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Beer garden baccy looks set to go up in smoke

Is it last orders for puffing with a pint? Almost certainly.

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‘In thirteen years I only feared for my life once - now it’s every day’: Ex-Labour minister fears for MP safety as Farage attacker swerves jail

Former Labour minister Bill Rammell says a new law should be introduced focused on protecting MPs.

He said that in his 13 years as an MP, he only feared for his life once, but things have now got so bad that MPs are fearing for their lives every day.

WATCH THE CLIP ABOVE

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Chancellor is under attack on two fronts - tax and fuel bills

Rachel Reeves's first budget on 30 October is still nine weeks away. But already she's facing a political onslaught on two fronts.

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‘You’re chucking her under the bus!’ Nigel Farage grills Kwasi Kwarteng over shocking claim Liz Truss considered cancer treatment cut

Nigel Farage has accused former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng of “throwing Liz Truss under a bus” after shocking new claims about her premiership.

It comes after respected political biographer Anthony Seldon claimed the former prime minister considered cutting cancer treatments to fund tax cuts.

Speaking on GB News, Kwarteng insisted this was never the case - but Nigel continued to probe Truss’s ex-political partner.

“Earlier on today you told The Independent, ‘I was never involved in any conversations about restricting healthcare, but that doesn’t mean the prime minister and her team didn’t discuss this’”, he said.

“You’re chucking her under the bus, aren’t you?”

Kwarteng rushed to shut down the claim, insisting this was not the case.

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“I was very careful in my wording. I didn’t have any of those conversations”, he said.

“But if those conversations took place in other parts of Government, I was not privy to them.”

Speaking on the original claim that Truss considered attempting to boost funds into the public black hole by restricting NHS treatments, the Chancellor insisted this was never on the cards.

He told Nigel: “We did look at savings, but we did not look at treatment of cancer.

“We looked at general capital projects, transport projects, I think the prime minister was very keen on general Government.

“This happened with Boris Johnson, we looked at Civil Service numbers. But I can categorically say we never talked about cutting cancer treatment.

“It would have been politically absurd.”

The claim was made by Britain’s leading political biographer, who also stated Truss’s allies feared her team could be targeted with a “cocaine” smear by unnamed figures at Tory HQ who wanted to stop her from becoming prime minister.

The book, Truss at 10: How Not to Be a Prime Minister, is deeply critical of Truss, who was forced to resign in 2022 after introducing a series of unfunded tax cuts which prompted an economic crisis.

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Matt Goodwin: Keir Starmer already looks lost

Keir Starmer looked “lost” in his latest speech where he failed to mention the “number one issue” amongst voters, according to polling guru Matt Goodwin.

Speaking on GB News, Goodwin took aim at the Prime Minister over his “gloomy” speech where he set out his aim to “root out 14 years of rot” under the Tories.

READ THE FULL STORY

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Keir Starmer vows to eliminate rot as he's hit with cronyism row

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to eliminate the “rot” the Tories left in power despite being accused of cronyism just 50 days into entering Downing Street.

The Prime Minister cancelled the appointment of a top general as National Security Adviser, sparking concerns Starmer could bring in a close political ally.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden yesterday admitted Labour donor Lord Alli was handed a pass to Downing Street but did not have it just a few weeks later.

Lord Alli handed £500,000 to Labour in 2020 and donated £55,000 to Starmer for clothes, glasses and private office costs.

Fellow donor Ian Corfield also stepped down from his civil service role as director of investment at the Treasury to serve as a ­temporary and unpaid adviser to the Chancellor’s investment summit in October.

GB News last week revealed Brexiteers remain apprehensive about Starmer top aide Sue Gray eyeing up ex-EU negotiator Sir Olly Robbins to replace Simon Case as Cabinet Secretary.

However, the Prime Minister is now discussing the “rot” left in the Downing Street rose garden by recent Tory Prime Ministers.

Writing for The Times, Starmer said: “Under the Conservatives, the rose garden at Downing Street became a symbol of the rot at the heart of their Government.

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“It came to represent their disrespect — not just for the office they held, but for the people they were supposed to serve.”

Starmer made reference to ex-No10 chief of staff Dominic Cummings' disastrous rose garden press conference after his trip to Barnard Castle when Covid restrictions were in place.

He also took aim at Boris Johnson after photographs showed the former Prime Minister enjoying cheese and wine with staff at the historic address.

Starmer added: “Rooting out that rot will be long, hard and difficult work. I won’t pretend otherwise.

“But the morning after the riots, I saw how communities came together. I watched with real pride as people spoke out against hatred, cleaned up the mess, and repaired the damage.

“That is what we need to do as a nation now. Work together to fix the foundation for the long term.

“So when parliament returns next week, we will be working to keep those promises I made. We’ll protect taxpayers’ money.

“We’ll reform our planning system to build the new homes we need. We’ll strengthen our border security.

“We’ll crack down on crime. And we’ll give our children the opportunities they need to succeed.”

However, Tory MPs have been left fuming as Starmer prepares to deliver a speech on sleaze in the Downing Street rose garden.

Conservative Chairman Richard Fuller said: “This is nothing but a performative speech to distract the public from the promises Starmer made that he never had any intention of keeping.

“In fewer than 100 days the Labour Party has dumped its ambition of public service and become engulfed in sleaze, handed out bumper payouts to its union paymasters with ‘no strings’ attached and laid the groundwork to harm pensioners and tax working people.”

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Politics LIVE: Tory hopeful Tom Tugendhat vows to 'bring in the Navy' to tackle small boats - 'Fight it like slavery'

Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat has vowed to bring in the Royal Navy to deal with the migrant crisis after it helped stop the slave trade.

The former Security Minister claimed the UK's security “demands the same level of commitment” the Royal Navy showed “in the fight against slavery almost 200 years ago”.

During a speech delivered to a Conservative association in West London, Tugendhat said: “Our national security today demands the same level of commitment the Royal Navy’s West Africa Squadron showed in the fight against slavery almost 200 years ago.

“The tools have changed but the focus remains - human trafficking is evil and we must be serious and invest in long-term commitments, not Labour’s short-term sticking plasters.”

He added: “The UK must show the same determination and commitment to fighting this evil trade as we did in fighting slavery. We need to see our military engaged in fighting this threat.”

The Tory leadership race will enter its next stage next week, with candidates soon facing a series of votes after the summer recess.

Conservative MPs will cut down candidates from six to four, with just two being put forward to members following the party's upcoming conference in Birmingham.

CHECK OUT THE FULL UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY BELOW

Scottish Tory urges party against lurching to right to win over Reform UK voters

Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser has urged Tory colleagues against lurching to the right to win back Reform UK voters.

Fraser, who was speaking after an opinion poll suggested the Tories risk losing seats to Reform UK, cautioned against trying to “embrace the Farage agenda”.

He said: “There is no doubt that the rise in the Reform vote presents a challenge to the Scottish Conservatives, although it would be wrong to assume that all their votes come from us.

“It would be unwise, in my view, to embrace the Farage agenda in response, as that risks losing more moderate voters.

"In my experience many Reform voters are disillusioned former Conservatives who just expect us to have honesty and integrity and deliver on our promises.

“The key to winning them back is to demonstrate as a party that we are listening to their concerns and are willing to change, not carry on as we are.”

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'Keir Starmer's speech has a clear indication and those hit by looming tax hikes are going to squeal,' says Nigel Nelson

Had Keir Starmer invited very rich people, top industrialists, some recognisable TV stars and a few pop idols to No10 in a few hours' time, they would most probably have dutifully come.

He didn’t. Instead, his audience for his keynote Rose Garden speech will be composed of the likes of apprentices, firefighters, and public service workers. The message the PM wants to send is that he is on the side of ordinary working people.

The Rose Garden is larger than you might think looking at No10 from the outside. Not big enough for a Royal garden party, but with adequate room for 50-odd people to take a late summer stroll without bumping into each other.

It’s not however the sort of place you might indulge in a spot of topless sunbathing, overlooked as it is by the Chancellor’s offices in No11 and a sizeable chunk of Whitehall.

But it is where PMs choose to hold symbolic occasions. I was there when Tony Blair stood alongside Bill Clinton so the then US president's stardust could fall on New Labour. And when David Cameron forged his coalition with Nick Clegg.

It was the place Dominic Cummings chose less successfully to explain his lockdown-breaking jaunt to Durham for an eye test, causing national hilarity.

Had Boris Johnson’s aide never heard of the advertising slogan “should have gone to Specsavers”? It was something the opticians gleefully and inevitably capitalised on.

So symbolism is what this is all about. If the PM had to make a ‘things can only get worse’ speech it’s best to do it in front of people most likely to benefit when they finally get better.

It’s a clear indication that Starmer has been stung by accusations that he is in hock to the unions by agreeing to so many pay claims.

This is to misunderstand what Labour is about. The party was born in 1900 out of the trade union movement and led by another Keir, the former child miner and union activist Keir Hardie. It came into existence to represent the Victorian urban working class.

They are now known as “working people” because references to class are considered divisive and old-fashioned in 21st Century Britain. But broadly it’s the same demographic.

So a pay settlement of 5.5 per cent for nurses and teachers following 11 per cent inflation should not have been unexpected nor caused the controversy it has.

That was the recommendation of independent pay review bodies and there’s not much point having them if governments simply ignore their advice.

The 14 per cent for train drivers is admittedly a deal with their union Aslef, but not so outrageous when you consider it’s over three years. Better to get Britain moving than grind to a halt because of strikes.

Starmer will tell his audience tomorrow: “That’s why I wanted to invite you here.

“To show that the decent, hard-working people who make up the backbone of this country belong here and that this government is for you.

“A garden and a building that was once used for lockdown-breaking parties, are now back in your service.”

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And in an admission that everything won’t always be hunky-dory under Labour, he will add: “This government won’t always be perfect.

“But I promise this: you will be at the heart of our government and in the forefront of our minds, at the centre of everything we do.“

This is the first shot at preparing us for what promises to be a bumpy budget on October 30. Rachel Reeves has hikes in capital gains tax, inheritance tax and maybe even council tax in her sights.

Those who are hit are going to squeal. None more so than equity fund managers who will have their profits taxed as income rather than at the lower CGT rate.

Abolishing the winter fuel allowance is going to cause vocal opposition when Parliament returns next week.

The least the PM could do is allow a debate and indicative vote rather than force this through under existing powers, even if some of his own MPs do rebel.

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PM to warn economy in perilous state as he vows to 'fix the foundations'

Sir Keir Starmer will vow on Tuesday to "reverse a decade of decline" and to "fix the foundations" of the UK economy.

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Britain will join one of world's largest trading blocs within months in major Brexit trade deal

Britain will join one of the world’s largest trading blocs, with more than 500 million people, within months.

As of Thursday last week, the UK received the final necessary national ratification formally to join the ‘Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership’ (CPTPP).

With the UK, the bloc will contain 590 million customers, 31 per cent more than the EU, according to Facts4EU.

The UK needed six of the 11 founding member countries of the trading bloc to ratify their previously signed agreement, in order for the UK to become the first non-founder member - although it only takes effect with regards to those countries that have ratified.

Peru made history on Thursday when the Peruvian Government ratified the accession of the UK to membership of the CPTPP.

It means the UK will embark on the largest trade deal in its history within the next three months, Facts4EU said.

The think-tank criticised the Labour Government for failing to announce the news on the UK Government website.

However, Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds celebrated the development in a newspaper article this weekend.

Writing for the Observer, he said: "It will mark a major milestone in our journey to full membership of a bloc that will boast a combined GDP of £12trn after the UK joins."

He said the accession was a "real win for big-hitting British exporters", but would also offer a boost for smaller businesses who are keen to break into these markets for the first time.

The CPTPP is a free trade agreement between 11 countries in the Asia-Pacific region: Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

The six countries which have now ratified the deal are Japan, Singapore, Chile, New Zealand and Peru.

The remaining five, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Malaysia and Mexico, have signed the deal but are yet to ratify it formally, as a result of their parliamentary or other procedures.

The UK is the first non-founder member to be allowed to join, and 99 per cent of UK goods exports to CPTPP will be eligible for zero tariffs, Facts4EU said.

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The Dept for Business and Trade previously said: ”CPTPP is one of the largest free trade areas in the world… This Free Trade Agreement (FTA) spans the Asia-Pacific and the Americas and includes some of the world’s largest current and future economies.

"CPTPP will also provide the UK with a stepping stone to trade with the wider strategically important Indo-Pacific. It is expansionary at its heart.

"As new members join, the UK will be able to benefit from its expansion and increased opportunities to trade.”

Last year, former Prime Minister and former International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said: "As Trade Secretary, I made our formal application to join CPTPP two years ago. I am delighted negotiations are completed, deepening UK access to some of the world's fastest-growing economies.

"This is Global Britain in action and an important counterweight to those who seek to undermine our values… This is a vital development as we seek to boost UK exports to new markets and deliver additional economic growth."

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POLL OF THE DAY: Should you be allowed to ignore work calls and emails out of hours? VOTE NOW

Workers will soon be able to ignore work calls and emails while outside of office hours, new plans by the Labour Government have suggested.

Keir Starmer’s Party have introduced the ‘right to switch off’ pledge which will allow workers the right to refuse to take on extra work at weekends.

A spokesman for Starmer said the plan was backed by the Prime Minister, saying: “This is about ensuring people have some time to rest.”

“Good employers understand that for workers to stay motivated and productive they do need to be able to switch off, and a culture presenteeism can be damaging to productivity.”

Although the pledge will not be enshrined in law, it will likely be recommended in the codes of practice for businesses.

Paul Nowak, General Secretary of The Trades Union Congress said: “No one should be pushed to the brink because of their job.

“Ever-increasing hours, pace and expectations at work are causing problems up and down the country. This is a recipe for burnt-out Britain.

“So we welcome these measures to tackle work intensity. Introducing a right to switch off will let workers properly disconnect outside of working hours.”

Should you be allowed to ignore work calls and emails out of hours? Vote now in the poll above and have your say in the comments below.

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Bank holiday travellers beware - getting to and from Europe is about to get a whole lot harder | Adam Boulton

The August bank holiday has arrived - the cue for millions to get back to work after whatever holidays they have managed to enjoy.

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Starmer says 'things will get worse before it gets better' as he continues attacks on previous government

Sir Keir Starmer will warn life in the UK is "going to get worse" before it improves in his first major speech as prime minister.

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Henry Bolton rages at leftist over UK riots after branding them 'far-right'

Labour and the Home Office have sparked an intense row about the recent spout of rioting across the country, as those involved in the street demonstrations were branded "criminals" on social media.

In a post about the action taken by police, the Home Office they have arrested over 1000 "violent criminals" as a result of the protests, and declared that "actions have consequences".

FULL STORY HERE.

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Labour are 'only interested in themselves' since winning the election, claims pensioner

The Labour Government has been accused of "turning their backs" on pensioners amid their plans to cut the Winter Fuel Payment.

Ofgem has also announced that household bills are to increase by almost £150 from October across England, Scotland and Wales.

FULL STORY HERE.

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RFK Jr stands down in battleground states in huge boost to Donald Trump

Longshot presidential hopeful Robert F Kennedy Jr has announced he will not stand against Donald Trump in key battleground states but will not completely drop out of the 2024 White House race.

Kennedy confirmed his intentions during an address to the nation in Phoenix, Arizona.

Speaking at his delayed event, Kennedy discussed "the present historical moment and his path forward".

Kennedy slammed the Democratic Party, which included his uncle and father as key figures in the 1960s, over its "undemocratic" primary race and alleged efforts to kill off his campaign.

The former environmental lawyer claimed the Democratic Party even shifted from opposing "authoritarianism, censorship, colonialism, imperialism and unjust wars" to "become the party of war, censorship, corruption, Big Pharma, big tech, and big money".

Kennedy also blasted Kamala Harris, accusing the Vice President of adopting a "smoke and mirrors" approach ahead of November 5.

In an update about the 2024 White House race, Kennedy said: "I want everyone to know that I am not terminating my campaign. I am simply suspending it and not not ending it."

He added: “My name will remain on the ballot in most states.

"If you live in a blue state, you can vote for me without harming or helping president Trump or vice president Harris.

"In about 10 battleground states where my presence would be a spoiler, I’m going to remove my name, and I’ve already started that process and urge voters not to vote for me."

Kennedy made his announcement after it was revealed the 70-year-old endorsed Trump in the swing state of Pennsylvania.

In the court filing for Pennsylvania, RFK Jr said: "Respondents Robert F Kennedy Jr and Nicole Shanahan as the We The People candidates for President and Vice President of the United States, as a result of today’s endorsement of Donald Trump for the office of President of the United States hereby withdraw their opposition to the Petition of Alexander Reber and Janneken Smucker’s."

Kennedy filed similar paperwork to withdraw from the November 5 ballot in Arizona.

Withdrawing in Arizona and Pennsylvania will likely hand Trump a major boost, given the ex-President lost by narrow margins in both states in 2020.

Trump trailed Joe Biden by 10,457 votes in Arizona and 80,555 ballots in Pennsylvania.

Kennedy's event tonight came shortly before Trump is scheduled to hold a rally in the Copper State, with the 45th President expected to introduce a "special guest".

Trump and Kennedy have exchanged more and more compliments over recent months as the 60-year-old's support slumped in the opinion polls.

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Keir Starmer branded 'anti-British' as PM accused of 'using riots to implement open borders' by Habib

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of being "anti-British", amid claims that the Labour Government are planning to implement a "mobility scheme" with the EU.

As part of the plan, Britons under 30 would be free to live and work within the EU, and vice versa.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra denied the claims and said the Government has "no plan" to implement such an agreement.

Hitting out at the Labour leader, former Deputy Leader of Reform UK Ben Habib scolded Starmer for being "anti-British", and claimed he "doesn't believe" Malhotra's denial of the plan.

Habib fumed: "I think this Government is ideologically committed to taking us as close as possible to the EU. And if they could get away with it, they take us back in. They'd give up our currency, they'd give up our borders to freedom of movement and they'd give up self-governance.

"People like Starmer, who are so enamoured by the EU, are basically anti-British, because if you give up your currency, your borders and your governance, you're not standing up for the United Kingdom, are you?"

When asked if he believes such an agreement should be implemented, Habib warned that the EU are "no friend" of the UK.

He explained: "We've got to be very careful what we do with the EU. The EU is antipathy to our country and it's high time our politicians stood up to it.

"We're dealing with a mercantilist, expansionist semi-imperial power. We have arrangements with Canada and New Zealand, but there's no risk of them wishing to govern our country and have their boot on our neck."

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In disagreement with Habib, Professor Tom Bewick claimed the former Deputy lead was an "isolationist", and the agreement was actually "proposed by Ursula von der Leyen".

Bewick told GB News: "It isn't a proposal of the British government, it's actually a proposal that Ursula von der Leyen tactically made in April of this year, before the General Election. It was a pretty gold-plated proposal.

"This is the EU cherry-picking our labour market. This is freedom of movement by the back door, however, I would not want to deny that opportunity to our under-30-year-olds who might want to go for a year."

Turning the discussion to Starmer's response on the recent UK riots, following an attack in Southport, Habib accused the PM of "politicising the riots" in order to benefit his "own political ideologies".

Habib raged: "The Prime Minister is guilty of politicising the criminal justice system, politicising the riots, politicising what people are saying online in order effectively to give to implement his own political ideology, which in my view is basically open borders.

"And he's managed to classify anyone who wants to bring rampant immigration down to manageable figures as far-right.

"And the only motive that I can see in doing that is to discredit their position. And he's successfully done it."

from GB News https://ift.tt/Xk493Vi

Bill Clinton appears an ‘old and diminished figure’ at Democratic convention: ‘It’s no longer his party’

Bill Clinton appears an "old and diminished figure" of the Democratic Party following his speech in Chicago on Wednesday, it has been claimed.

The former US President hailed candidate Kamala Harris and claimed he would be "so happy" if she was elected, taking aim at "old" Donald Trump.

Speaking to supporters on Wednesday, Clinton declared: "I will be so happy when she actually enters the White House as President because she will break my record as the President who spent the most time at McDonald's."

Calling out Trump, he swiped: "Two days ago, I turned 78. The oldest man in my family who is still living. And the only personal vanity I want to assert is that I'm still younger than Donald Trump.

"He is like one of those tenors opening up before they go out on stage like I did, trying to get his lungs to open up by saying ‘me, me, me, me'. He creates chaos, and then he sort of curates it, as if it were precious art."

Reacting to Clinton's appearance at the convention, US Journalist John Fund claimed the Democrats have "left Bill Clinton's policies behind" and it is "no longer his party".

Fund explained: "Bill Clinton cut the capital gains tax - Kamala Harris wants to raise it and raise the corporate income tax bill.

"Clinton abolished federal welfare without work requirements, and Kamala Harris and Joe Biden got rid of those requirements."

Noting the movement of the Democrats since Clinton left office, Fund added that the party is "far to the left of what it was 25 years ago when Bill Clinton was President".

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Offering his verdict on Clinton's personal appearance following his speech at the convention, Fund claimed the former President is presenting as an "older, much-diminished figure".

Fund told GBNA: "I think that as someone who's seen him recently in person, they will see an older, much-diminished figure.

"That doesn't mean that he can't deliver a good speech, but it will be a shock to people who haven't seen Bill Clinton for a while, and that he's not the Bill Clinton they remember."

Sharing his view on other endorsers of Harris, including the Obamas, Fund claimed the support of the former President and First Lady "won't be enough" to secure her the Presidency in November.

Fund said: "No, I don't think people in the United States vote that way. It'll obviously be a different story, and we'll have to look at the polls for that.

"But I don't think we have cults of personality that are quite that strong."

He added: "I think you can validate someone who, remember two months ago, was a failed Vice President. Two months ago, she was someone who had some of the lowest approval ratings of any Vice President in American history.

"So for her to come this far is a testimony to Barack Obama's ability to tell the Democratic establishment, we have to get rid of Joe Biden."

from GB News https://ift.tt/5d9IDgO

Labour plan not likely to stop small boats, says former Border Force chief

Labour's plan to increase detention capacity is unlikely to stop small boat crossings and the "only real solution" is a deal with the EU, the former head of the UK's Border Force has said.

from Political News - International and UK Politics | Sky News https://ift.tt/Btp3vwW

Obama and Biden feud rumours erupt as Harris campaigns miles away from DNC

Feud rumours between Barack Obama and Joe Biden have emerged after the 44th President and his wife Michelle delivered speeches at the Democratic National Convention yesterday.

Vice President Kamala Harris, who succeeded Joe Biden as the Democratic Party’s 2024 nominee, was meanwhile campaigning out of town to avoid bad optics following her boss’s decision to step aside.

Harris opted to hold a rally 90 miles away from DNC delegates in Chicago as she addressed supporters in Milwaukee last night.

The decision appears to indicate that the Harris campaign was looking to distance themselves from the Obamas.

“The Obamas are still not on the White House's good side,” a DNC insider told Fox News. “It would not be helpful to their relationships.”

Obama, who allegedly worked as the “puppet master” in the plot to oust Biden, last night branded his ex-running mate an “outstanding President” who “defended democracy at a moment of great danger”.

Complimenting Biden, Obama said: “At a time when the other party had turned into a cult of personality, we needed a leader who was steady and brought people together, and was selfless enough to do the rarest thing there is in politics - putting his own ambition aside for the sake of the country.

“History will remember Joe Biden as an outstanding president who defended democracy at a moment of great danger - and I am proud to call him my president but I am even prouder to call him my friend.”

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Voicing his support for Harris, the 44th President added: “Kamala Harris is ready for the job.

“This is a person who has spent her life fighting for people who need a voice.”

The Obamas made clear references to the successful 2008 campaign, saying “yes she can” and claiming Harris is demonstrating the “power of hope”.

Insiders close to Biden blamed the Obamas and ex-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for forcing him to drop out.

Harris and Trump have both spent time campaigning in swing Rust Belt states as the race tightens ahead of November 5.

While Harris was addressing supporters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Trump spent Tuesday in Howell, Michigan.

The latest swing state polling conducted by Redfield & Wilton revealed that Trump is leading in Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Nevada and North Carolina.

Harris is ahead in Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, with the pair tied in Georgia.

Such a situation would see both Trump and Harris require Georgia’s 16 electoral college votes to get them over the 270 threshold to win the keys to the White House.

from GB News https://ift.tt/ahMZ37Y

'It is identity politics!' Donald Trump appealing to Latino voters: 'Never happened in modern Republican history!'

Donald Trump is gaining appeal with Latino and black voters as he prepares to face Kamala Harris in this year's US Presidential election, it has been claimed.

The former US President has seen an increase in both Hispanic and black voters in recent months, with a new poll sharing the latest figures.

According to AP-NORC, four in 10 Hispanic voters see Trump positively, and 30 per cent of black voters hold a favourable view of Trump.

Speaking to GBN America, political commentator Tiana Lowe Doescher claimed that this year's battle between Trump and Harris has become the "identity politics election".

Sharing her thoughts on the recent polling, Doescher said that Trump's newfound appeal is something which has "never happened in modern Republican history".

She told GBNA: "This really is the identity politics election, which is kind of ironic because that's not borne out in the polling.

"Trump only won with 8 per cent of black voters back in 2020. And now, if you look at some polls, he's getting well into the double digits with black voters."

Noting the Latino Republican supporters, Doescher revealed that figures are "almost at a 60 to 40 split".

She added: "With Latino voters, it's even closer. It's coming closer to a 60 to 40 split, which has never happened in modern Republican history.

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"Even though there is this hyper-focus on categorising everyone based on race, this election is really breaking down more on gender lines."

Turning the discussion to another key issue in the election and the ongoing Democratic National Committee (DNC) convention, Doescher told GBNA that abortion is also a main talking point amongst US voters.

Kamala Harris was met with pro-abortion demonstrators in Chicago as she was officially declared the Democratic candidate at the convention. Members of the Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising took to the streets in protest of the Democrats and their proposed legislation.

Doescher claimed there is "not much that the Democrats can run against Trump with" in the election campaign, including abortion.

Doescher explained: "Because there isn't too much of a focus on the economy here, there's not a lot for these Democrats to really run against Trump with, especially when it comes to something like abortion.

"Donald Trump actually differentiated himself from the rest of the Republican primary field when he said he doesn't believe in passing a federal abortion restriction of any kind, early term or late-term."

Detailing the abortion rallies in Chicago, she added that protesters had tied in the issue of abortion with the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

She said: "At yesterday's abortion rally, there were posters that said Palestinian liberation is a reproductive justice issue. Voters specifically cite both Israel's war with Gaza, as well as the fact that Roe v Wade was overturned under Joe Biden's presidency.

"And they believe that Donald Trump's Project 2025 would somehow seek to enact more federal abortion restrictions, which the Trump campaign has said it won't. And so even though they pose both issues as existential, most of them that we've been interviewing at these protests will not vote for Harris."

from GB News https://ift.tt/aWFLzw5

Scotland’s shame: ‘Shocking’ report shows drug deaths surge by 10% - SNP legacy causing ‘huge harm’

The National Records of Scotland has reported a 10 per cent rise in the number of drug-related deaths in 2023 to 1,172.

There were echoes of hope when last year’s annual statistical summary reported 21 per cent fewer deaths in 2022 than in the previous year, the most significant reduction since records began in 1996.

However, 2023 saw 121 more Scots lose their lives to illegal drug poisoning than the previous 12-month period.

Drug deaths are defined by drug poisoning being recorded as the cause of death when a controlled substance listed by the Misuse of Drugs Act is found in the body.

Scottish men are more than twice as likely to die from drug poisoning, while addicts living in deprived areas around Scotland - particularly in Glasgow and Dundee - are 15 times more likely to die when compared to those living in more affluent areas, such as East Renfrewshire and Aberdeen.

Opioids and opiates - such as heroin - remain the deadliest drug in Scotland, a factor in eight out of every ten drug deaths, overwhelmingly affecting the 35-54 age bracket.

Visiting the Skylark IX Recovery Trust in Dumbarton, Health Secretary Neil Gray says the Government is committed to taking radical action.

He said: “There is a nervousness to taking a public health approach, but we know from international evidence that it works.

“That’s why we’re so committed to taking that radical action that families are calling for us to do.”

He is referring to the UK’s first Safe Drug Consumption Facility (SDCF), due to open in Glasgow in September.

Staffed by NHS care workers, it aims to minimise risk and reduce harm for some of Glasgow’s 400-500 opioid addicts who presently self-inject in public spaces.

“We’re halfway through the national mission,” said the Health Secretary, who promised the £250million in additional support aims to be broad in scope.

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“It’s not just on residential rehab,” he said, “it’s not just on community programs, it’s about ensuring that we have a health and justice system that is working together.”

Representing the Dumbarton constituency in the Scottish Parliament, Deputy Labour leader Jackie Baillie accused the SNP Government of “breaking its promises to families” destroyed by drug misuse.

She responded: “The SNP pledged to reduce drug deaths, but these distressing figures show just how far it has failed to live up to its promises.

“Each of these numbers represents a human tragedy and a family who are no doubt still grieving today.

“The SNP Government, which is still desperately trying to correct its own historic cuts to alcohol and drug services, must stop breaking its promises to families.”

Outgoing Scottish Conservative leader, Douglas Ross, called the report “shocking and shameful”.

He said: “Behind this heartbreaking increase in drug deaths are families grieving the loss of loved ones and my thoughts are with all of them.

“Scotland’s drug deaths rate is by far the worst in Europe and the SNP’s approach is simply not working.

“Several years ago Nicola Sturgeon admitted she took her eye off the ball on tackling this emergency but deaths have continued to increase since then.

“That legacy is still causing huge harm in our most deprived areas, where people living in those communities are 15 times more likely to die than those in the least deprived areas.”

Deaths remain lower than the mid-pandemic peak of 2020-2021 - when 1,339 deaths were recorded - but figures for 2023 remain 4.2 times higher than in 2000, adjusting for age.

After 17 years in power, the finger is firmly pointed at an SNP Government, so far unsuccessful in achieving the significant reduction necessary to begin the process of wiping away Scotland’s shame.

from GB News https://ift.tt/6U1ytQ3

Tory leadership contender took weight loss drug but 'didn't enjoy it'

Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick has admitted to using the weight loss jab Ozempic but said he "didn't particularly enjoy it".

from Political News - International and UK Politics | Sky News https://ift.tt/dzgNmsQ

Democrats urged to 'not protect Harris like Biden' ahead of Trump debate, warns former candidate

The Democrats have been urged not to "protect" presidential hopeful Kamala Harris, as the party prepare to unveil her as the official rival to Donald Trump.

Former Democratic candidate, Jason Palmer, told GB News that Harris is to face a "nail-biting" campaign trail in the build-up to the leadership debate in September, where she will battle Trump for the first time in person.

FULL STORY HERE.

from GB News https://ift.tt/IH9nwTx

Kamala Harris warned of 'nail-biting' election race against Trump ahead of key debate: 'It's the deciding factor!'

The Democrats have been urged not to "protect" presidential hopeful Kamala Harris, as the party prepare to unveil her as the official rival to Donald Trump.

Former Democratic candidate, Jason Palmer, told GB News that Harris is to face a "nail-biting" campaign trail in the build-up to the leadership debate in September, where she will battle Trump for the first time in person.

At the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Harris will be presented as the official candidate, with President Joe Biden set to deliver an emotional speech in tribute to his Vice President.

Discussing the election campaign, Palmer warned that the US election will be "tough" and "close to call", highlighting the importance of next month's debate.

Sharing his support for Harris, Palmer told GB News: "When I look back to 2019, Kamala Harris was the first candidate that I donated to.

"The main reason I entered the race was because I thought Biden should pass the torch to a younger generation of leaders, and that's exactly what he's done."

When quizzed on how well he believes Harris will fare in the debate against Trump, Palmer admitted: "It's actually going to be tough, in both the debates and the actual election.

"Polls keep coming out every day and it has Kamala up by two or three percentage points. Sometimes Trump is up by one or two percentage points. It's a nail-biter, it's a very close election."

Noting the significance of the debate on the election, given Biden's performance against his Republican rival, Palmer stressed that the leadership debate will be the "deciding factor".

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When asked by host Christopher Hope for his stance on Harris's running mate, Tim Walz, Palmer claimed he is "quite a compelling character" for the Democrats.

Palmer said: "Tim Waltz wasn't someone that I knew very well when she announced him, I was more of a Josh Shapiro kind of guy. But now that I've gotten to know him, I've seen him speak, he's actually quite a compelling character.

"It's like having the coach on the team and that gets people excited. They care a lot about sports and care a lot about winning."

Turning the discussion to what Harris needs to do to keep her election campaign prominent in the lead-up to the debate, Palmer urged the Democrats not to "protect" her from media appearances as they did with President Biden.

Palmer explained: "I've been encouraging that she should be out there doing those interviews every single day, especially prior to the debate. This is one of the reasons why Biden did so poorly in that debate - they were protecting him.

"They were not letting him be out there, they were not letting him work on his weaknesses. We need to make sure Kamala gets out there."

Palmer added: "This is something that she needs to do much more of in advance of the debate - this is kind of a honeymoon period.

"That's why I do think this is going to be a close election all the way up to the finish line."

from GB News https://ift.tt/AX258fR