Badenoch says Tories who 'want to jump ship' to Reform 'welcome to do so'

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

Starmer confirms no rise in income tax, NI or VAT

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirms he stands by Labour’s manifesto pledge not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT. Asked by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch in Parliament if the promise still holds, Starmer simply replies: “Yes.” Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Badenoch pays tribute to Tory ‘icon’ Norman Tebbit

Tory former Cabinet minister Lord Norman Tebbit, who has died aged 94, was an “icon in British politics”, Kemi Badenoch said. The Conservative grandee was one of Margaret Thatcher’s closest political allies and played a key role in Tory politics for a generation. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer refuses to rule out wealth tax in Commons

Sir Keir Starmer declines to rule out a wealth tax after Kemi Badenoch accuses him of “flirting” with the idea. The prime minister avoids a direct answer, instead defending Labour’s economic record and criticising past Tory policies. Badenoch warns such a tax would hit savings, pensions and homes, calling it a “tax on aspiration”. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Farage dismisses UK-France returns deal

Nigel Farage says the UK-France migrant returns deal “won’t make any difference” and will be blocked by human rights laws. He warned the European Convention on Human Rights would prevent deportations, claiming “lawyers will have a field day”. Farage added that the plan undermines Brexit, saying no one who crosses the Channel illegally should be granted refugee status or leave to remain. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn