From 5h agoKey events2h agoChannel crossing figures provide further blow to Sunak5h agoTories claim Sunak is not taking ‘day off’5h ago’Not unnatural’ for high-profile MPs to step down before election, says minister6h agoMichael Gove and Andrea Leadsom to stand down at general election6h agoSunak retreats from campaign trail after hapless start6h agoGood morningFilters BETAKey events (6)Rishi Sunak (9)Michael Gove (4)Keir Starmer (3)26m ago08.36 EDTHilary Osborne
It is a simple question – and it will be at the heart of the general election campaign. After 14 years of Conservative government, people are asking: am I any better off?
Are consumers any better off after 14 years of Conservative government? Read moreShare1h ago07.51 EDT
After the chancellor hinted at tax cuts for high earners, the shadow chancellor criticises the government’s plans for further “uncosted, unfunded tax cuts” and suggests they would cause a repeat of the mini-budget in 2022. Speaking on the campaign trail in west London, Rachel Reeves has said:
I want taxes on working people to be lower, but the Conservatives have now put forward a number of uncosted, unfunded tax cuts similar to what Liz Truss did just 18 months ago.
The Conservatives haven’t learned that lesson and putting forward unfunded commitments is something that I would never do, because when you play fast and loose with the public finances, it is ordinary working people that pay the price.
“We saw that with the Conservatives’ mini-budget, the risk of another five years of Conservatives is that they do exactly the same thing all over again.
Reeves adds that Labour’s manifesto is “ready” to be published.
ShareUpdated at 08.13 EDT1h ago07.35 EDTBen Quinn
After Jeremy Corbyn’s announcement that he’ll be standing as an independent candidate at this election, the Guardian headed to his Islington North constituency to gauge voters’ reaction.
Amid the pre-lunch clatter of pans at Islington’s Nag’s Head market, Danni Cane didn’t hesitate when asked if she still would be supporting Corbyn.
“Of course we’ll be voting for Jeremy. He’s the person who made it possible for my mum to get her own house. He’s loved around here,” said Cane, owner of the Avva Cuppa cafe and an example of the sort of deep personal connection with many voters that Corbyn has built up over the course of 40 years of representing the north London constituency.
View image in fullscreenDanni, a stallholder in Nag’s Head Market. Photograph: Alicia Canter/The Guardian
Islington North is a bedrock of support that could yet make Corbyn unbeatable for the Labour party, not least when his track record on other fronts – such as Palestine – is also finding a particular local resonance.
The conflict in Gaza was among factors cited by a group of men gathered at Majid Akguche’s Tagine 2 Go stall, who spoke of Corbyn in heroic terms.
“He has come here many, many times and is a man who listens to the people, whether…
2024-05-25 07:36:05
Post from www.theguardian.com