Tory party announces date new leader will be revealed

Tories: PM should reflect on previous trans comments

Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Richard Fuller says the prime minister “has created a lot of anxiety” over his comments on trans issues before the Supreme Court ruled on the legal definition of a woman last week. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories urge Welsh Government to reconsider steel requirement

A Tory minister has urged the Welsh Government to reconsider its requirements around steel as the UK Government races to avert the shutdown of Britain's last primary steelmaking plant. Shadow business minister Dame Harriett Baldwin said it's a "critical part of our national infrastructure" that the Scunthorpe plant is "kept going". Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

MSP Jamie Greene joins Lib Dems after quitting Tories

MSP Jamie Greene has defected to the Scottish Liberal Democrats, just a day after dramatically quitting the Tories. The West Scotland MSP was unveiled as a Lib Dem at the party’s spring conference in Inverness. He had left the Scottish Conservatives on Thursday, writing a stinging letter to party leader Russell Findlay which accused his former party of having a “Reform-lite agenda”. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories: We welcome defence boost but growth has flatlined

A shadow Treasury minister says he welcomes the chancellor's £2.2bn boost to defence spending, but adds, "to invest in defence you've got to have a strong economy as well" and that "growth has flatlined". James Wild says, "the threats that we as a country are facing are increasing and we need to step up with our allies to deal with those". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories defend local record ahead of elections

Conservative co-chairman Nigel Huddleston says the party has a strong track record of delivering value for money through better services at lower costs. He praised local Tory councillors for their commitment to community issues like road maintenance and social care, while downplaying defections as a normal part of politics. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

PM: England faces a never-ending fight for our flag

Sir Keir Starmer says England faces a "never-ending fight for our flag and what it represents", during a speech to mark St George’s Day at 10 Downing Street. The prime minister shares his worries about the far-right claiming ownership of the English flag at a reception to mark the nation’s patron saint. Sir Keir also praises England for its diversity, pointing to the difference between his "working class" background and his predecessor Rishi Sunak, "an English Hindu", who both become prime minister. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn