Scottish Labour leader defends his party’s stance on public spending and health, amid SNP

Anas Sarwar, leader of Scottish Labour, has vehemently dismissed the Scottish National Party’s (SNP) claims that a Labour government would impose significant public spending cuts on Scotland, labelling the accusations as “ludicrous”. Sarwar accused the SNP of being “out of tune” with public sentiment in Scotland, suggesting their attacks on Labour reflected their growing desperation rather than a genuine concern for the country’s future.

The SNP’s First Minister John Swinney had warned that Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour would deliver harsh cuts if it won the upcoming General Election. These claims came after the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) predicted tough financial decisions for the next government, regardless of whether Labour or the Conservatives win.

Sarwar, speaking in Glasgow, stated: “The SNP are more focused on attacking the Labour Party than on removing the Tories from power. This is a distraction from the real issue – which is the need to rid Scotland of the corrupt Tory government.”

Sarwar emphasized that his party’s focus was on offering a viable alternative to the current government, one that would prioritise public health, education, and the economy. He also pointed to his commitment to supporting Scotland’s life sciences sector, which he hailed as a “Scottish success story”.

At the University of Glasgow’s School of Health and Wellbeing, Sarwar unveiled Labour’s plans to put Scotland at the forefront of global medical research, accusing both the SNP and Conservatives of failing to capitalise on the sector’s potential. “This incredible industry is being undermined by two incompetent governments,” Sarwar argued.

In addition to his focus on healthcare, Sarwar called for a fundamental overhaul of the UK’s immigration system, which he deemed “fundamentally broken” under the Conservatives. He argued for a system that aligns more closely with Scotland’s specific needs, offering flexibility to address regional challenges, including in areas such as Aberdeen and the Western Isles.

In response, the Scottish Conservatives hit back at Sarwar’s claims. Shadow finance secretary Liz Smith pointed to the SNP’s own financial mismanagement, accusing them of imposing damaging cuts despite receiving substantial funding from the UK government.

Meanwhile, Drew Hendry, SNP General Election candidate for Inverness, Skye, and Ross-Shire, criticized Sarwar’s dismissal of the IFS’s assessment. Hendry noted that the IFS had forecasted £18 billion in cuts across both the Labour and Conservative plans, implying that Labour would not deviate from Tory austerity measures.

Hendry suggested that Sarwar’s criticism of independent figures like the IFS was unlikely to resonate with voters, stating, “Most people will trust the IFS over Anas Sarwar’s assertions.”

Sir Ed Davey combines serious policy with lighthearted fun to connect with voters.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey embraced a more playful side during his campaign trail by heading to Thorpe Park after unveiling the party’s election manifesto. In a bid to show voters that he can be both a serious politician and someone who knows how to have fun, Davey took to the theme park’s rides, including the teacups and log flume.

Speaking at the theme park in Chertsey, Surrey, he joked that “politics can be a rollercoaster ride,” inviting the public to join in the experience. “We’ve had our serious manifesto launch this morning, focusing on issues like health and social care, particularly our plan to rescue the NHS,” Davey explained. “Now, we thought we’d have some fun too.”

When questioned about balancing serious policy with lighthearted moments, he explained that while he takes voters’ concerns seriously, it’s important not to take himself too seriously. “You want to show you’re a normal person,” he added, referring to his personal background as a carer, which shaped much of his approach to policy. “Even when my mum was dying, we had laughs together.”

After launching the manifesto, Davey tackled the park’s Rush ride, which swings passengers 75 feet high at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour, and Colossus, the world’s first rollercoaster with 10 loops. He was joined by Sarah Olney and Munira Wilson, both former MPs and candidates, though Wilson skipped the splashy Tidal Wave ride.

Despite the fun, Sir Ed remained focused on his party’s key messages, showing a lighter side to politics while promoting serious proposals.

The party vows to deliver justice for the wronged subpostmasters in their election manifesto.

The Liberal Democrats have pledged to compensate the victims of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal, an issue that has affected their leader, Sir Ed Davey. The scandal, which spanned from 1999 to 2015, saw hundreds of subpostmasters wrongly prosecuted due to a faulty IT system that made it appear as though money was missing from their branches.

Sir Ed, who served as postal affairs minister between 2010 and 2012 under the coalition government, has faced criticism for his role during the crisis. He has been accused of not doing enough to assist the wrongfully convicted subpostmasters at the time. The issue has resurfaced recently, with Davey set to give evidence at the Horizon IT inquiry on July 18.

The party’s election manifesto, launched earlier this week, centred on health and care but included a promise on page 101 to ensure full and fair compensation for the victims of both the Horizon and Infected Blood scandals. Despite a government commitment to pay £600,000 to those whose convictions were quashed, many subpostmasters are still waiting for compensation.

Alan Bates, a key campaigner for justice for the subpostmasters, has criticised Sir Ed for initially refusing to meet with him in 2010, a revelation that has prompted some calls from Conservative MPs for Davey to step down and even return his knighthood.

In response, Davey expressed regret for not acting sooner and apologised for failing to see through the Post Office’s misleading claims. He emphasised that he, along with other ministers, was deceived by the Post Office on a large scale. Sir Ed defended his actions, stating that it was difficult to discern the truth in such a complex and busy government system. He also pointed out that he was not the only postal minister during the scandal and that it was unfair for him to be singled out.

Davey’s party has reiterated that his role as a minister was just one part of a broader issue involving successive postal ministers from all the major political parties.

The attack took place in the heart of Copenhagen, with no immediate word on the PM’s condition or details of the incident

Mette Frederiksen, Denmark’s Prime Minister, was assaulted in Copenhagen on Friday evening, according to reports from the Danish news agency Ritzau. Police confirmed the arrest of a man in connection with the attack, though details of how it occurred or the Prime Minister’s condition have not yet been disclosed.

The Prime Minister’s office expressed that Frederiksen was “shocked” by the assault, which took place at Kultorvet, a popular square in central Copenhagen. Following the incident, Frederiksen was escorted from the scene. The attacker was quickly apprehended by the police.

At this stage, there is no indication that the assault was linked to a political event, although Frederiksen had been campaigning for the upcoming EU parliamentary elections. The attack happened just days before voting was set to begin on Sunday, but reports suggest the incident was unrelated to her campaign activities.

Politicians from across Denmark and abroad have strongly condemned the attack. European Council President Charles Michel and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola described it as “appalling.” Sweden’s Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, stated that such an attack on a democratically elected leader also targets democracy itself.

Eyewitnesses noted that Frederiksen appeared visibly distressed after the attack, with one local barista remarking that she seemed “a little stressed” as she was led away from the area.

The attack took place ahead of the EU elections, with political leaders expressing shock and condemnation

The Liberal Democrats have pledged to create three new national parks in England as part of their manifesto commitment for the upcoming election. This would expand the current number of national parks from 10 to 13, with the party proposing an annual £50 million investment in maintaining these parks.

Among the areas under consideration for the new parks are the Chilterns in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, the Mendips, the Cotswolds, and the Quantocks. Other potential locations include the Surrey Hills, Northumberland coast, and Dorset.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey expressed his enthusiasm for the plan, stating: “Our National Parks are some of the most beautiful parts of our country, and that’s why I’m delighted that Liberal Democrats will create three new National Parks across England.” He also criticised the Conservative government for failing to follow through on their 2019 promise to establish a new national park.

Davey highlighted the importance of natural spaces for families and communities, stressing that National Parks make a significant difference in people’s lives and should be preserved for future generations. He added, “Liberal Democrats promise to create new National Parks, which could include areas like the Chilterns, as well as ensuring that our existing parks, beloved by people across the country, are protected for generations to come.”

Currently, England boasts 10 national parks, including popular sites like the Lake District, Dartmoor, and the Peak District. The Lib Dems’ proposal to create three new parks aligns with their broader environmental agenda, which also includes a commitment to plant 60 million trees annually, reversing the decline in tree planting that has occurred in recent decades.

In addition to expanding national parks, the Liberal Democrats have committed to banning onshore oil and gas drilling in national parks and other protected landscapes, further prioritising conservation efforts.

Rishi Sunak pledges to protect drivers from punitive measures and road taxes

The Conservative Party has vowed to reverse the expansion of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) if they win the upcoming general election. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a commitment to introduce a “Backing Drivers Bill” in the first parliamentary session after the July 4 election. This bill aims to halt the controversial pay-per-mile road taxes and eliminate blanket low traffic neighbourhoods that restrict local driving.

Sunak positioned the Conservatives as the party in support of drivers, accusing Labour of waging a “war on drivers,” particularly in London. He said, “We have a clear plan to keep motoring costs under control and ensure people have the freedom to drive as they need in their daily lives.” Sunak further emphasised that the Conservatives would empower drivers and residents to challenge traffic measures such as low traffic neighbourhoods, which he claimed were imposed without local consent.

The ULEZ expansion, which was extended by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to cover all of Greater London in August 2023, has been criticised by the Tories for making life difficult for thousands of drivers, particularly those who struggle with the cost of accessing essential services or workplaces. Mayor Khan has defended the policy, stating that he is not “anti-motorist” and clarified that he favours safer driving speeds, advocating for a reduction to 20mph zones to prevent accidents and reduce fatalities.

The Conservatives, however, argue that these restrictions are unnecessary and curtail people’s freedoms, with some local Labour politicians reportedly looking into implementing pay-per-mile taxes, which would charge drivers based on the distance they travel, the time of day, and the vehicle they use. In response, the Tories have promised to invest £8.3 billion, redirected from the HS2 project, to repair roads and address potholes, including an additional £235 million specifically for London’s infrastructure.

Mark Harper, the Transport Secretary, added, “We will reverse Sadiq Khan’s unfair ULEZ expansion and rule out any blanket 20mph zones because we are on the side of drivers.” He also reiterated that the Conservatives would not introduce pay-per-mile road taxes and would continue supporting drivers against what he described as Labour’s taxing policies.

Labour responded to the Conservatives’ proposals, with a spokesperson accusing the government of desperation. They pointed out that the Tories’ record on road maintenance, including potholes, has been abysmal, and car insurance costs have skyrocketed. Labour’s spokesperson stated, “We will tackle rip-off car insurance costs and remove planning barriers to improve transport infrastructure, leaving local communities, not Westminster politicians, to decide on safe school streets and local traffic measures.”

The debate surrounding ULEZ and other driving-related policies is expected to be a significant issue in the upcoming election, with both parties presenting contrasting visions for the future of transport in the UK.

Rishi Sunak promises rail fare cuts, enshrining veterans’ rights, and military qualifications recognition

On the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made a new election promise aimed at veterans, including measures to reduce rail fares and legally protect their rights. Sunak unveiled a proposal to lower the cost of the Veterans Railcard from £30 to £21, aligning it with the price paid by serving personnel for the HM Forces Railcard. The Prime Minister also announced plans to introduce a Veterans Bill, which would for the first time ensure military qualifications hold the same legal status as civilian ones.

Alongside these measures, the Conservatives are proposing to extend the national insurance holiday for employers hiring ex-military personnel. Sunak stressed that the election would present a clear choice: vote for the Conservatives, who plan to enshrine veterans’ rights in law and offer a dedicated veterans’ minister, or vote for Labour, who he claimed lacked a plan for veterans and would “take us back to square one.”

The announcement follows a week of D-Day commemoration events, with both major political parties seeking to connect with veterans and the armed forces community. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer pledged to introduce an armed forces tsar to represent military families and to fully enshrine the armed forces covenant in law, expanding support for the military community. This move comes as part of Starmer’s broader attempt to reframe Labour’s stance on defence, moving away from the policies of his predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn.

In response to Sunak’s pledge, Labour’s spokesperson criticised the Conservative record on veterans, accusing the party of delivering little despite years of promises. They pointed to the lack of a passed Veterans Bill since 2010, a low number of veterans receiving ID cards, and increasing rates of veteran homelessness.

The debate over veterans’ rights and support is expected to be a key issue in the upcoming election, with both parties competing to appeal to this important constituency.

First Minister of Wales Stands Firm Despite Setback and Criticism

Vaughan Gething, the First Minister of Wales, has vowed to continue in office despite losing a no-confidence vote in the Senedd on Wednesday. The motion, which passed with 29 votes against him and 27 in his favour, followed a series of issues within his leadership, including the collapse of the cooperation agreement between Labour and Plaid Cymru, as well as internal disputes.

Gething rejected calls for his resignation, describing the vote as a “transparent gimmick,” especially as it was influenced by the absence of two key Labour members, Hannah Blythyn and Lee Waters, due to illness. He claimed that if they had been present, the motion would not have succeeded.

While the no-confidence vote is non-binding, the result has sparked calls for Gething to step down. Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth and Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies both urged him to resign, citing instability in the Welsh government.

During the debate, Mr. Gething defended his record, saying there was no evidence to support the accusations against him, particularly over the controversial donation he received and the dismissal of Blythyn, which had raised questions.

Emotional after the vote, Mr. Gething said that the claims against him were based on unfounded “innuendo” and that he had followed all the necessary procedures. He reaffirmed his commitment to his role, stating he would be travelling to Normandy to participate in a D-Day commemoration event, signalling his determination to remain in office.