'Reasonable chance' ex-minister Mel Stride to enter Tory leadership race

Mel Stride says Conservative party 'has changed'

Mel Stride has said the Conservative Party has changed in a speech delivered on Thursday. The shadow chancellor admitted the 2022 mini-budget "was a mistake". "The Conservative Party is needed now more than ever but to win the fight, we will need thoughtfulness," Mr Stride added. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Mel Stride admits mini-budget was 'a mistake'

Mel Stride admitted the mini-budget was "a mistake". The shadow chancellor made the remarks ahead of a speech he is set to deliver on Thursday. Mr Stride also warned the Labour Party is "not fiscally credible" and is "making a lot of mistakes". Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Conservatives react to ‘pretty shocking’ inflation figures

Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride describes April’s rise in inflation to 3.5% as “pretty shocking” and says they are “down to government choices”, citing public sector pay rises and increases in employers' National Insurance. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Stride: UK ‘far from out of the woods’ despite growth

Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride welcomed the UK’s 0.7% growth but warned it’s "no time to pop champagne corks." He pointed to signs of a slowdown in March and rising pressures on businesses from tax and regulatory changes. Stride said wider forecasts still predict weaker growth ahead, warning the economy faces "stress and strain" despite this short-term boost. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Bank of England cuts interest rates to 4.25%

The Bank of England has cut interest rates from 4.5% to 4.25%. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride reacted to the news, claiming Labour's policies have prevented higher cuts to interest rates. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

UK-China embassy row sparks espionage fears

Both Labour and Conservatives have raised red flags over a proposed Chinese super-embassy in London. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the US was right to be concerned, claiming Labour is “cosying up to China” at the cost of national security. Meanwhile, Technolgy Secretary Peter Kyle says the UK has longstanding, secure processes in place to monitor foreign diplomatic sites, adding the public should feel reassured. Report by Etemadil. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Philp: Reform offers ‘Truss on steroids’

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp says the Conservative Party has learned from past mistakes but warns that Reform UK's pledges are like “Truss on steroids,” with over £100bn in unfunded promises. Report by Etemadil. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Scottish Labour: People are sick of SNP and reject Reform

Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar has hailed his party’s shock victory in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-elections, saying the results sent a “clear message” from the Scottish people, who he says are “sick of the SNP” and “reject the poison of Farage”. Scottish Labour stunned the SNP to win the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election by just 602 votes, whilst Reform UK beat the Conservatives into third place, just 800 votes shy of the SNP in second. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories push for UK to leave ECHR to 'control borders'

The Conservatives are pushing for the UK to leave the ECHR, claiming it is limiting the government’s abilities to control borders. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp says the government should be able to do “what the public want”. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Scottish Labour's shock victory in Hamilton by-election

Scottish Labour stunned the SNP to win the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election by just 602 votes, whilst Reform UK beat the Conservatives into third place, just 800 votes shy of the SNP in second. Newly-elected Davy Russell celebrated the victory, claiming the SNP had "let down" the Scottish people and that the 'poison' of Reform was not welcome in Scotland. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn