Who is the Tory MP that backed Liz Truss for PM but has now defected to Labour?

Government unconvinced by Starmer’s ‘16th relaunch’

Conservative Party chairman Richard Holden downplayed Labour’s key election campaign as being “Keir Starmer’s sixteenth relaunch in a few months.” Responding to Sir Keir Starmer’s speech, in which the Labour leader unveiled a pledge card with six “first steps” his party would take if it were to win power, Holden described Starmer as a “serial promise-breaker who doesn’t have the courage or conviction to stick to a single pledge he has ever made.” Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Rachel Reeves accuses government of 'gaslighting' the public

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has accused the government of "gaslighting" the British public over the state of the economy. Ms Reeves told business leaders in a speech on Tuesday the government's claims its economic plan is working are "deluded". Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

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

Labour says it will back no-confidence motion in SNP

Labour's Rachel Reeves has said voting to bring down the SNP government and forcing an election in Scotland is the right thing to do for the people of Scotland. “We will back the motion of no-confidence in Humza Yousaf, but we've gone further and tabled a motion of no confidence in the whole Scottish government and if Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour are successful with that amendment the government will fall and there will be fresh elections," the shadow chancellor said. It comes as Humza Yousaf is facing confidence votes in himself and his government following his decision to sack the Greens from government. "The chaos and division at the heart of the SNP Is having a real impact on public services and the lives and communities across Scotland and we now have two broken governments - The SNP in Scotland and the Conservatives in Westminster. It is time for fresh elections in Scotland and across the UK," Ms Reeves added. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Reeves: People still worse off despite fall in inflation

Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves insists people are still worse off under a Tory government despite inflation falling to 3.2%, adding the reason for the fall was due to changes in global markets. Report by Alibhaiz. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Labour unveils plan to clamp down on retail crime

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper claimed Labour would bring in 13,000 more police officers in a bid to revive high streets. Ms Cooper claimed the government had "finally done a U-turn" as it now backed a previous Labour proposal to bring in a new law covering attacks on retail staff. The shadow home secretary was joined by deputy party leader Angela Rayner and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves on a visit to the north east where they met with retail staff. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Labour insists its policies will be fully funded

Shadow science secretary Peter Kyle has insisted every one of Labour's policies will be “fully costed and fully funded” after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt accused Labour of resorting to "playground politics". Report by Ajagbef. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer emphasises AI regulation to safeguard jobs

Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer highlights the potential of AI while stressing the need for regulation to mitigate risks and manage job changes. "I do think it's got huge potential," he stated, noting the importance of a strong regulatory framework. Starmer believes the UK can effectively balance opportunities and risks, benefiting from advancements while protecting the workforce. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer channels Blair & Miliband to launch election pledges

Sir Keir Starmer has unveiled a pledge card with six "first steps" the Labour Party would take if it were to form a government after the next general election. The steps include measures to invest in the NHS, education and policing, to set up a new national energy company and an elite border force, and to promote economic stability. The move, unveiled during a campaign speech in Essex, is reminiscent of Tony Blair’s five pledges ahead of Labour’s landslide victory in 1997, and less favourably of Ed Miliband’s promises carved into stone in 2015. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Mr Sunak, 'are you part of the deep state?'

William Wragg, chair of the public administration and constitutional reform committee, asked the prime minister if he is “part of the deep state,” referring to comments made by Liz Truss who claimed her mission to cut taxes were “sabotaged” by the “deep state.” Mr Sunak wryly responded: “I probably wouldn't tell you if I was, Will, would I?” Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Elphicke defection shows country is 'crying out for change'

Labour's Catherine McKinnell said Tory MP Natalie Elphicke's defection to Labour "sends a signal that the country is crying out for change." Ms Elphicke became the second Conservative to defect to Labour in two weeks, saying Rishi Sunak's "Conservatives have become a byword for incompetence and division". Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Ashworth: Elphicke shows Conservative shift to Labour

Labour's Jonathan Ashworth says Natalie Elphicke's defection to his party shows how tens of thousands of other Conservatives are doing the same, as they are fed up of 14 years of failed government. Report by Etemadil. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Labour: Government is disintegrating after Tory defections

Nick Thomas-Symonds welcomes Natalie Elphicke to the Labour Party and says her and other recent Conservative Party defections show the government is "frankly disintegrating". Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn