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Rishi Sunak is delivering a pre-election speech in a move to pitch to voters after this month’s local election blow.
The Prime Minister has told voters the world is closest to nuclear war since the Cuban missile crisis.
Speaking from London, he has pledged that “more will change in the next five years than in the last thirty” if the Conservatives get re-elected.
Mr Sunak, who has branded Sir Keir Starmer “unprincipled” over Elphicke’s defection, has told voters they face a stark choice between the future and the past as he warned the country would be “less safer” under a Labour government.
Touting his leadership in areas such as security, he is seeking to draw a dividing line with Labour over defence spending following his commitment to hike it to 2.5% of gross domestic product by 2030.
It comes as his Conservative Party dropped behind Labour in the polls suffering a mauling in local and regional elections earlier this month.
Mr Sunak’s worries worsened with the astonishing defection of MP Natalie Elphicke in protest against his record on housing and stopping small boat Channel crossings.
Key Points
- Mr Sunak warned world closest to nuclear escalation
- The PM has set out the challenges the UK is facing
- PM slams Jeremy Cornyn for trying to scrap the army
- Sir Keir Starmer under pressure to investigate Elphicke’s ‘lobbying’ claims
In full: ‘War has returned to Europe,’ Rishi Sunak warns of nuclear escalation
In his long-waited speech, Rishi Sunak has highlighted the UK’s threats from authoritarian states including Russia, Iran, North Korea and China.
He added they are working to “undermine” the UK’s values.
Specifically focusing on Vladimir Putin, he said the Russian president’s “recklessness has taken us closer to a dangerous nuclear escalation than at any point since the Cuban missile crisis”.
More support for Rishi Sunak: Former Conservative leader weights in
Former Conservative Party leader Lord Michael Howard has agreed with Rishi Sunak the UK would be less safe under Labour.
In a BBC Radio 4 interview he said Sir Keir Starmer is not ready to tackle the challenges the UK is facing.
Lord Howard said: “He is not prepared to face up to the dangers that the country faces and that lie before us.
“The Prime Minister was setting out this morning the clear choice which the country faces and it is a very clear choice.”
Rwanda deportations should not apply in Northern Ireland, Court rules
A judge has ruled that parts of the Illegal Migration Act, which allows to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, should not be enforced in Northern Ireland.
Mr Justice Mumphreys said they undermine human rights protections guaranteed in the region following post-Brexit agreements.
They are all stated in the Windsor Framework jointly agreed by the UK and EU.
It states there can be no diminution of the rights provisions contained within Northern Ireland’s Good Friday peace agreement of 1998.
In response, Dr Tony McGleenan KC, representing the Government, said he will consider an appeal.
It comes just hours after Rishi Sunak stressed he would not let the European Court of HumanRights derail his Rwanda asylum plan.
In full: Support for Ukraine will last for as long as it is necessary, PM vows
Another key takeaway from the Prime Minister’s speech is his stance on the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The Prime Minister would not be drawn on whether the UK was now in favour of Ukraine accepting a peace deal.
Instead, he reinforced the UK’s support for Kyiv and defence spending.
Read the full story here
UK needs to wake up, ex-Cabinet minister says
Former Cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke has said the British society has become unserious in the wake of the dangerous threats it is facing.
Backing Rishi Sunak’s claims, the ex-levelling up secretary said the UK needs to wake up.
Salma Ouaguira13 May 2024 13:43 1715603209Starmer defends Natalie Elphicke despite calls for probe
Sir Keir Starmer defends Tory defector Natalie Elphicke despite calls to launch an independent investigation.
The Labour leader said: “Natalie Elphicke has disputed and denies the allegations that are put about her.
“I have to say, if the Tories put as much time and energy into running the country properly as they do into attacking Natalie Elphicke we wouldn’t be in the mess that we are in.”
It comes as reports claimed Ms Elphcike asked a former justice secretary to interfere in husband’s sex offence trial.
Salma Ouaguira13 May 2024 13:26 1715602117Sir Keir Starmer denies UK would be less safe under his leadership
Sir Keir Starmer has hit back at Rishi Sunak following PM’s remarks the UK would be less safe under his government.
Speaking to Sky News, the Labour leader vowed national security would be the party’s first priority.
He adds: “We would not be less safe under a Labour government.
“A Labour government has always understood, and I understand very well having worked on national security in my previous role when I was director of public prosecutions - I know firsthand the importance of national security, which is why I’ve made such a commitment to the national security of our country.
“But in order to make that happen, you need a credible plan for the future.
“This government talks about national security. But what’s its record? It’s hollowed out our armed forces, it is wasted billions of pounds on procurement and doesn’t have a credible plan for the future.”
Meanwhile in the civil service: 'A war on woke’
Conservative MP Esther McVey has declared a “war on woke” for civil servants.
The right-wing politician said the Tories will implement a ban on rainbow lanyards.
Speaking earlier today at the Tory Centre for PolicyStudies, she said: “I want a very simple but visible change to occur to the lanyards we use to carry our security passes [which] shouldn’t be a random pick and mix.
“Working in the civil service is all about leaving your political views at the building entrance. Trying to introduce them by the back door via lanyards should not happen.
“The focus should be on a happy and inclusive working environment and increased productivity.”
Read the full story here
A Boris Johnson comeback?
Rishi Sunak has suggested Boris Johnson could make an appearance at the general election campaign.
He said the former Prime Minister would be welcome on the campaign trail, in a bid to create a united Tory front.
Mr Sunak added: “I have been clear about this as well in the past. I want every Conservative who shares the vision that I do to be part of that campaign, to fight for the things that we believe in.
“Ultimately look of course the Conservative family is a broad church but we are united by a set of values and that set of values that I talked about earlier on are founded in innate optimism about our country and what it can achieve.”
Watch: Rishi Sunak says Tories not responsible for 14 years of problems
In case you missed it, here’s the moment Rishi Sunak claims the Tory government can’t be blamed for 14 years of problems.
He also accused the Labour Party for running a negative campaign towards the Conservative Party.
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