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Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer were grilled by the public as the election campaign enters the final stretch.
The prime minister and Labour leader took questions from the public on their plans for government with just over a week to go until polling day.
Mr Sunak and Mr Starmer faced each other on The Sun’s Never Mind the Ballots election special programme.
Earlier, Nigel Farage was in Kent on the campaign trail and doubled down on widely criticised claims about Nato’s role in the build-up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Reform leader hit back at Boris Johnson’s criticism over his comments branding the former prime minister the “worst PM of modern times” as he unveiled a giant version of the i newspaper frontbage with the headline “Boris blames EU for war in Ukraine”.
Voices: This will be the first Labour backbench rebellion – and Starmer’s first U-turn
The policy is so toxic even Suella Braverman wants to get rid of it. It’s a matter of when, not if, it will be abolished, and Starmer’s best bet is to sort it out sooner rather than later, writes Andrew Grice
One in 5 young voters prefer TikTok and Instagram for election news, poll reveals
As the country gears up for a general election in under two weeks, young voters are relying less and less on traditional media to access the news.
A substantial 21 per cent of 18- to 34-year-olds say that TikTok and Instagram have been their main source of information during the election campaign, an exclusive Techne poll for The Independent can reveal.
Perhaps most surprising is that Twitter and Facebook are the least-preferred source for young voters – being chosen by just 4 per cent.
Alicja Hagopian reports
What are Labour and the Conservative positions on transgender rights ahead of the 2024 general election?
Labour has clarified its position on transgender rights as Wes Streeting says the party would “modernise and reform” gender laws if it comes into power on July 4.
The shadow health secretary has said Labour’s policy aims to allow transgender people to “live their lives with freedom, dignity and respect”. His comments come after all the major parties unveiled their manifestos over the past few weeks, outlining their visions for the country.
Each covers transgender policy, with the issue becoming a major cultural talking point over the past few years.
Albert Toth reports.
Watch: Nigel Farage claims Donald Trump has ‘learned a lot’ from studying his speeches
Ask a Green Party candidate anything in exclusive Q&A session
The Independent is giving readers the chance to chat directly with candidates from some of the major political parties in a special general election series of Ask Me Anything events.
In one of the sessions, our community will be able to chat exclusively with Dr Ellie Chowns, who is hoping to be elected MP in North Herefordshire for the Green Party.
Serving as the party’s housing and communities spokesperson, Dr Chowns served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the West Midlands for the party from 2019 to 2020.
She has also been a councillor on Herefordshire Council since 2017, representing the Bishops Frome & Cradley ward, and is leader of the council’s Green group.
If you have a question about the Green Party’s manifesto, pledges or policies submit it here now.
One in five young voters prefers TikTok and Instagram for election news, poll reveals
As the country gears up for a general election in under two weeks, young voters are relying less and less on traditional media to access the news.
A substantial 21 per cent of 18- to 34-year-olds say that TikTok and Instagram have been their main source of information during the election campaign, an exclusive Techne poll for The Independent can reveal.
Full report:
Nigel Farage under fire for ‘cuddling up to the Kremlin’ as IFS accuse Reform of poisoning election debate
Nigel Farage has come under fire for “cuddling up to the Kremlin” as a leading think tank accused his Reform party of poisoning the election debate.
On another torrid day for the ex-Ukip leader, military experts queued up to criticise his claim the West provoked Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Full report:
Kemi Badenoch hints at another Tory leadership run after general election
Kemi Badenoch has hinted she could make another run for the Tory leadership, if the party loses the election next month.
During a debate hosted by the Institute of Directors and Bloomberg on Monday, the Business Secretary was asked about her intentions if Rishi Sunak is ousted on 4 July.
She claimed there was “no better job” than Business and Trade Secretary, which she described as being “a lot easier and a lot less pressured than being prime minister”.
Starmer grilling over
Starmer’s grilling by Sun readers has now finished.
The Labour leader was tackled on his previous support for Corbyn, the economy, immigration and the NHS, among other issues.
Our manifesto is fully costed – Starmer
Starmer says his priorities will be to stabalise the economy and cut NHS waiting lists.
He is asked if he will be more radical in government.
Everything in our manifesto is fully costed, he adds.
Source: independent.co.uk
