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Sir Keir Starmer has said he was “shocked” by horrific scenes from Rafah overnight and that the Israeli offensive must stop.
At least 50 people have been killed and dozens more injured by an Israeli airstrike on tents for displaced Palestinians in Rafah, the majority of whom are women and children, according to the Gaza health authorities.
Asked what he would tell Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu if he were prime minister, the Labour leader said: “Stop.
“Those scenes, those reports, are horrifying and what makes it worse was this was a safe zone with women and children and families that have already fled a number of times.
“It’s horrifying to see that. I’ve been saying for some time the Rafah offensive should not take place.”
He added: “I was shocked by what I saw overnight, I think any human being would be shocked by what they saw. It’s got to stop.”
Sir Keir was pressed on the situation following his first major campaign speech where he promised Labour would make the country’s security the “cornerstone” of its manifesto.
Key Points
- Starmer would tell Netanyahu to ‘stop’ as horrific scenes from Rafah emerge
- Labour leader calls Sunak’s National Service plans ‘desperate’ in first major campaign speech
- Mandatory national service for 18-year-olds if Tories win election, Rishi Sunak vows
- Royal children would not be exempt from national service plans
- Teenagers won’t be jailed for refusing call-up, insists James Cleverly
Sunak argues national service plan is ‘right thing to do’
Rishi Sunak has argued his national service plan is “absolutely the right thing to do”.
The Prime Minister told reporters: “This modern form of national service will mean that young people get the skills and the opportunities that they need which is going to serve them very well in life.
“It’s going to foster a culture of service which is going to be incredibly powerful for making our society more cohesive and in a more uncertain and dangerous world it’s going to strengthen our country’s security and resilience.
“For all these reasons I think this is absolutely the right thing to do. Yes, it is bold, but that’s the kind of leadership I offer.”
Tara Cobham27 May 2024 15:01 1716818451Starmer: Trust me to end Tory ‘chaos’ and protect national security
Sir Keir Starmer has said the General Election amounted to a choice about “whose side are you on” as he promised to stand up for working people and restore trust in British politics.
The Labour leader said 14 years of Conservative “chaos” had led to a “crisis” in the national culture.
In his first major speech of the campaign, he sought to persuade voters that he could be trusted to deliver economic stability and protect national security.
David Hughes reports:
Starmer: Trust me to end Tory ‘chaos’ and protect national security
The Labour leader made his first major speech of the General Election campaign in Tory-held Lancing in West Sussex.
Tara Cobham27 May 2024 15:00 1716818252SNP has ‘ground to cover’ to catch up with Labour in polls, John Swinney says
SNP leader John Swinney has conceded his party “has a lot of ground to cover” to catch up with rivals Labour in the polls ahead of the General Election.
Mr Swinney, who took over as SNP leader from Humza Yousaf just three weeks ago, said the party was already united behind him and was “very focused on the election campaign”.
However, polls have shown the party, which for years has been the dominant force in Scottish politics, is now trailing behind Labour in the run-up to the July 4 voting day.
Katrine Bussey reports:
SNP has ‘ground to cover’ to catch up with Labour in polls, John Swinney says
The SNP leader was campaigning in Dumfries, part of the Dumfries and Galloway constituency won by Scottish Secretary Alister Jack in 2019.
Tara Cobham27 May 2024 14:57 1716818162Sunak defends national service plan: ‘Right policy at right time'
Rishi Sunak defended his national service plan, arguing it was the “right policy at the right time”.
He told reporters in Buckinghamshire: “This is the right thing to do because this is how we will deliver a secure future for everyone and our country.
“We are not going to do that without taking bold action and that’s the type of leadership that I offer.”
Tara Cobham27 May 2024 14:56 1716817559National Service plan was ‘sprung’ upon Tory candidates, says NI minister
Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker has said the National Service plan was “sprung” upon Tory candidates.
Writing on social media, he suggested had it been a government policy, he would have had a say because of the particular sensitives around Northern Ireland.
He said: “Government policy would have been developed by ministers on the advice of officials and collectively agreed. I would have had a say on behalf of NI.
“But this proposal was developed by a political adviser or advisers and sprung on candidates, some of whom are relevant ministers.”
Tara Cobham27 May 2024 14:45 1716816659TUV leader rubbishes speculation linking him to East Belfast election contest
TUV leader Jim Allister has dismissed as “nonsense” speculation that he might switch constituencies to challenge the interim leader of the DUP in East Belfast.
The North Antrim MLA said while his party would be running in Gavin Robinson’s Belfast constituency, he said there had never been any consideration that he might be the candidate.
His comments came after Alliance Party leader and Stormont Justice Minister Naomi Long confirmed she would run against Mr Robinson in East Belfast.
TUV leader rubbishes speculation linking him to East Belfast election contest
Jim Allister said his party will be contesting the seat held by the DUP’s Gavin Robinson but that he would not be the candidate.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain27 May 2024 14:30 1716816279Sunak pledges stipend to 18-year-olds signing up for military section of national service plan
Rishi Sunak has said 18-year-olds who sign up for the military section of his national service plan would be paid a stipend to help with living costs.
The scheme will cost £2.5 billion a year by 2029-30, according to the Conservatives’ figures.
The Prime Minister, answering questions on TikTok about the Tory policy, said: “As is the case in other countries, we will provide a stipend to help with living costs for those doing the military element alongside their training.
“Meanwhile, on the civic side, we will make sure organisations have funding for training and administration.”
He was answering questions on the Conservatives’ TikTok account.
The party is using the social media site even though security concerns have seen its use banned from Government devices.
Tara Cobham27 May 2024 14:24 1716815082Labour MP stands down
The Labour MP for Worsley & Eccles South has resigned today.
Barbara Keeley made the announcement in a post on X.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain27 May 2024 14:04 1716813011Ex-military chief says Rishi Sunak’s national service plan is ‘bonkers’
Rishi Sunak’s pledge to enforce national service for 18-year-olds has been described as “bonkers” by a former British military chief.
The policy proposal, announced on Sunday by the prime minister, would see young people would be given a choice between a full-time placement in the armed forces for 12 months or spending one weekend a month for a year volunteering in their community.
It is the Conservatives’ first major policy proposal since Mr Sunak hastily announced the general election in the pouring rain last week, with his party now scrambling to find some 190 candidates amid a post-war record exodus of Tory MPs.
Ex-military chief says Rishi Sunak’s national service plan is ‘bonkers’
Prime minister says plans would give young people ‘shared sense of purpose’
Maryam Zakir-Hussain27 May 2024 13:30 1716810280Israel condemned as ‘barbaric’ strike on Rafah refugee camp kills at least 50
At least 50 people have been killed and dozens more injured by an Israeli airstrike on tents for displaced Palestinians in Rafah, according to the Gaza health authorities.
The health ministry said that most of those killed and injured in Rafah were women and children, in an area where thousands of people had been instructed to take shelter in the southern region of the besieged enclave. “Numerous others were trapped in flaming debris,” said officials.
The attacks came two days after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to end its military offensive in Rafah, where more than half of Gaza‘s 2.3 million population had sought shelter before Israel’s incursion earlier this month. Tens of thousands of people remain in the area while many others have fled.
Israel condemned as ‘barbaric’ strike on Rafah refugee camp kills at least 50
Israel fires missiles into Rafah tents after Hamas launched first rockets deep into Israel, including towards Tel Aviv, since January
Maryam Zakir-Hussain27 May 2024 12:44 Newer1 / 13OlderDisclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
