'Huge difference' between Labour and Tories, Starmer declares as he rejects 'cautious' criticism

Keir Starmer comforts emotional veteran during cafe visit

Sir Keir Starmer comforted an army veteran who became emotional when he explained how he set up a charity after the suicide of a fellow ex-serviceman. Dan Smith explained how he started the Darlington Veterans’ Community, a charity which helps local ex-servicemen suffering with the cost-of-living crisis, after his friend committed suicide during the pandemic. He became visibly emotional with the Labour leader, who reassured him to take his time. Sir Keir was joined in Darlington by Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves, during a visit to businesses ahead of next week's local elections. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Sir Keir Starmer vows to renationalise Britain's railways

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says his government would transfer the 10 remaining privately run rail networks to public ownership “well within the first term” by folding existing private passenger rail contracts into a new body as they expire. His comments come during a visit to a train manufacturer Hitachi in Newton Aycliffe, Co Durham. Report by Czubalam. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer: Govt's Rwanda gimmick won't stop smuggling gangs

Labour leader Keir Starmer has said the government's 'Rwanda gimmick' is not the way to regain control of borders and stop smuggling gangs. Report by Alibhaiz. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Labour MP brands Tory Minister embarrassing after TV blunder

Shadow Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds described a government minister's appearance on Question Time as "incredibly embarrassing" after he appeared to ask if Rwanda and Congo were different countries. When discussing the government policy of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda, policing minister Chris Philp responded to an audience member’s question during the BBC One programme by asking: “Rwanda is a different country of Congo, isn’t it?” Mr Reynolds said the Rwanda scheme has caused "significant damage to the reputation of the UK around the world." The government's Rwanda bill, which was passed in parliament last week, says any asylum seeker entering the UK "illegally" after 1 January 2022, from a safe country such as France, could be sent to Rwanda. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Labour pledge to renationalise railways within five years

Labour has pledged to renationalise the railways if it wins the next general election, with the shadow transport secretary saying that "today's broken model simply doesn't work". The party says it will also introduce a new watchdog focusing on passengers, and streamline tickets and timetables. The government insists the plan will "do nothing" to improve service reliability or affordability. Meanwhile, passengers at Manchester Piccadilly station expressed frustration with rail services, but little enthusiasm for Labour’s plans. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn