Scottish Labour launches its manifesto
Anas Sarwar, Scottish Labour leader, unveiled Scottish Labour’s election manifesto, declaring that a vote for his party is a “vote to change Scotland for this generation and the next”.
With a particular focus on the youth vote, the ‘National Recovery Plan’ pledges to “look after young people from cradle to career”.
Sarwar says the party manifesto sets out the six "ambitious" steps for change which are the "cornerstone of Labour's plans to transform our country and deliver a decade of national renewal.
The six steps are:
- Deliver economic stability with tough spending rules to grow the economy
- Cut NHS waiting times and fund 160,000 additional appointments every year in Scotland
- Set up Great British Energy, a publicly owned clean power company, headquartered in Scotland, to create good jobs and cut energy bills, paid for by a windfall tax on oil and gas companies
- Ban zero-hour contracts, end fire and rehire practices and deliver a genuine living wage
- Improve access to apprenticeships, support first-time buyers and create 69,000 Scottish jobs in the clean energy industries
- Maximise Scotland’s influence using the UK's global trade networks to promote Scottish businesses, boost exports and attract investment to create jobs
Return of Boris
In a signal that the government is feeling ever more threatened by the rise of Reform UK, the Conservatives are drafting in former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, to play a more active role in the campaign. Tens of thousands of letters signed by Johnson are due to be delivered urging voters to support the Conservatives on 4th July.
Following the Reform contract (manifesto) launch yesterday, the Conservatives issued a statement saying: “If you’re thinking about voting for Reform, and a generation under Labour scares you, there’s only one way to prevent it: vote Conservative”. Voters targeted are said to be wavering Tories who backed the party when Johnson was leader but are now tempted by Reform.
This comes after new polling from Deltapoll conducted between 14th to 17th June put Reform up by four points to 16% just three points behind the Tories who were down by two points to 19%.
Labour focus on banking hubs and pubs
Labour has set out plans for 350 banking hubs to be opened in towns and villages across Britain over the next five years, in a move which the party said would “breathe new life back into Britain’s high streets” following a recent trend of branch closures. It is understood that these plans are part of Labour’s pitch to small business and wider plans for UK highstreets.
Deputy leader Angela Rayner and Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves also took to the campaign trail last night to promote Labour’s five-point plan to stop pub closures, accusing the Conservatives over overseeing the shuttering of 10 pubs a week since 2010.
Conservatives focus on farming
Rishi Sunak campaigned in Devon today where he held a Q&A with farmers and fishermen. Environment secretary Steve Barclay, who accompanied Sunak, accused Labour of treating farmers with “contempt” as they argue Labour has a "secret plan" to abolish inheritance tax relief for the sector.
Farming minister Sir Mark Spencer pushed the party’s latest attack line on rural taxes on the broadcast round this morning and warned Labour could be in power for 20 years if voters “get this wrong”, claiming that Labour would “change the voting system” to boost its chances of staying in office.
Insights of the day
Starmer faced a rare Q&A with real life voters this morning on LBC Radio. The Labour leader answered questions from voters on Labour’s plans to apply VAT to private school fees, plans to recognise a Palestinian state, potential council tax rises, the two-child benefit cap and how the UK's relationship with Europe would change under a Labour government.
The BBC also held a special 90-minue edition of Women's Hour featuring an election debate between senior women from seven political parties. Sarah Jones represented Labour, Mims Davies represented the Conservatives and Daisy Cooper represented the Lib Dems. Issues of sex and gender, affordable childcare, women’s safety and maternity care were covered by panellists.
Moments of the day
Calling all Swifties… Labour appeared to take inspiration from an unlikely character today - Taylor Swift! At Labour’s election launch in Murrayfield, Labour handed out ‘change’ bracelets to attendees, copying ‘Swiftie’ friendship bracelets handed out a fortnight ago at her Edinburgh leg of the Eras Tour.
Coming in close second, Count Binface, who is challenging Rishi Sunak’s seat of Richmond and Northallerton, received a glowing endorsement from the Star — just one day after he announced his pledge to introduce national service for former prime ministers.
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