Sir Ed Davey has reacted to the news that Michael Gove has stood down as an MP ahead of the election, saying: "It's very interesting that a lot of senior Tories in seats that we think we can win are standing down.
I think they've seen both the local election results where we're doing really well in those areas and they're seeing the fact that lots of former Conservatives are switching to the Liberal Democrats."
Report by Kennedyl.
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Sir Ed Davey says he has written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer setting out five principles for the reform of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The Liberal Democrat leader says the Conservatives left the SEND system as a âtotal disasterâ, and that parents âhave no clarityâ over the current governmentâs proposed reforms. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey says a âreturns agreement is whatâs neededâ to deal with small-boat Channel crossings, but that ânot enough people will be sent backâ under the deal agreed between the UK and France. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The Conservativesâ Chris Philp says he has âno faith whatsoeverâ in the governmentâs âone in, one outâ illegal migrant deal with France, describing it as a âgimmickâ. The shadow home secretary adds the agreement âwonât be a deterrent at all.â Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Kemi Badenoch has accused defectors to Reform UK of acting âlike they do in banana republicsâ. Hitting back at Sir Jake Berry, she said some politicians âjust want to play the gameâ and chase polls. Speaking at the Centre for Social Justice, the Tory leader said only parties with âserious, credibleâ 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
Shadow Paymaster General Richard Holden has criticised the governmentâs welfare reforms, accusing Sir Keir Starmer of âU-turnsâ and lacking clarity on funding. He warned the plans will fail to cut welfare costs and predicted tax rises in the autumn to cover the changes Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride describes Wednesdayâs inflation figures of 3.4% as âpretty disappointingâ saying it is âof this governmentâs makingâ after putting up National Insurance for employers in the last budget. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge says the Conservative Party would âin principleâ support US military action against Iran âif they took the view, that on the basis of the intelligence it was necessaryâ. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Economic secretary Emma Reynolds said victims of grooming gangs must be âfront and centreâ as the government delivers âtruth and justiceâ. She accused the Tories of wasting time and said they should apologise, adding Labour is focused on action, not âscoring political pointsâ. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The shadow chancellor says it is "deeply disappointing" that the economy shrunk by 0.3% in April, a figure higher than expected. Mel Stride adds, "this is a budget that's spiralling ever-upwards and this government is failing to get a grip on". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats Daisy Cooper backs the governmentâs stance of âde-escalation and diplomacyâ regarding the conflict between Iran and Israel but urges ministers to âpublish any legal advice they may have receivedâ. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
MP for Richmond Park Sarah Olney welcomed the spending reviewâs investment into social care but said she remains concerned about the lack of money for police in London.
It comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced policing will get more cash to allow Labour to fulfil its manifesto pledge of introducing 13,000 extra police officers in England and Wales. Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Around 70 firefighters have been called to a grass fire on Wanstead Flats in east London. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has issued warnings over the risk of wildfires and tragedies in water amid the hot weather. The risk of wildfires in London is currently rated at âsevereâ by the Natural Hazards Partnership. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper hails the new âone in, one outâ agreement with France on illegal migrant Channel crossings, following âsix-seven years of small-boats chaosâ. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn