Jenrick or Badenoch to be crowned Tory leader - but whoever wins contest faces daunting task

Jenrick: France could stop small boats 'tomorrow'

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick says France could halt Channel crossings “tomorrow” if it used UK funding properly. He welcomes a potential returns deal but warns Britain has been “led up the garden path” before. Jenrick calls for rapid deportations and human rights reform to create a “sovereign deterrent” against illegal migration. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Stride distances himself from Jenrick's claims about Reeves

Mel Stride has appeared to distance himself from Robert Jenrick, who earlier posted a video on social media claiming Rachel Reeves' career as chancellor was "dead". The shadow chancellor adds, "everybody has their own particular way of conducting their politics". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Jenrick: 3% defence spend needed by end of Parliament

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick says Labour’s plan to boost defence spending isn’t believable unless action is taken now. He welcomed the government’s pledge to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence, but said it must reach 3% by the end of this Parliament, not in 2034. Jenrick criticised Chancellor Rachel Reeves, saying she has already broken key promises and questioned how the extra funding would be found. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Holden backs Jenrick over London fare dodging video

Richard Holden has supported Robert Jenrick’s call for action on fare dodging in London. Jenrick shared a video confronting people jumping ticket barriers at a London Underground station. Holden criticised Mayor Sadiq Khan, saying he is more focused on “virtue signalling” than tackling crime and transport problems. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

James Cleverly joins Badenoch's shadow cabinet

Sir James Cleverly has returned to the Conservative frontbench as Kemi Badenoch announced changes to her shadow cabinet. Addressing the reshuffle during a visit to a housing site, Ms Badenoch said Mr Cleverly is "a very experienced member of the parliamentary party" who agrees with her position on the ECHR. "I wouldn't bring someone into the shadow cabinet if they didn't agree with me," she added. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Badenoch: Tories wouldn't nationalise water industry

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has criticised Reform UK, during a visit to the The Royal Welsh Show at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd, saying ''Nigel Farage wants to borrow more to nationalise, he wants to borrow more for more welfare. Who is going to pay that? It's going to be your children.'' Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer defends rising inflation figures at PMQs

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “We just heard that inflation is up again, the worst in the G7. We left him with 2% inflation. We have borrowing up, unemployment up, taxes are up (..) his budget last year had high taxes. That’s why the economy is contracting.” Sir Keir Starmer replied: “I think of the working people across this country who put in every day and don’t get back what they deserve, and that’s who we’re working for. That’s who we’re fixing the country (for).” Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Badenoch blasts Tory defectors to Reform UK

Kemi Badenoch has accused defectors to Reform UK of acting “like they do in banana republics”. Hitting back at Sir Jake Berry, she said some politicians “just want to play the game” and chase polls. Speaking at the Centre for Social Justice, the Tory leader said only parties with “serious, credible” plans would win public trust at the next election. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Conservatives 'cautiously' welcome Cunliffe water report

Shadow environment minister Robbie Moore ''cautiously'' welcomes the Sir Jon Cunliffe’s much-anticipated report by the Independent Water Commission – which makes 88 recommendations including a proposal to bring multiple water regulators together. Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn