Thursday, 2 May 2024

Tory leadership LIVE: Why Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt have just HOURS to secure victory

Ballots are now on their way to Tory members who will decide the next prime minister. Frontrunner Mr Johnson and his rival Mr Hunt have made fresh pledges in a final attempt to win voters. The former London mayor has promised to recruit an extra 20,000 police officers while Foreign Secretary Mr Hunt admitted he would push to legalise fox hunting if he becomes prime minister, before later backtracking on the comments.

The pair will go head-to-head today in the latest hustings event in Yorkshire and Humber.

Tory members will receive their postal ballots between July 6 and 8.

Voting closes on July 22 and the winner is expected to be announced the next day.

FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES:

8.45pm update: Johnson “proud” to have sausage named after him

Boris Johnson said he was “insanely proud” to have a new sausage named after him after he arrived at a leading production plant saying he had only had a KitKat for his lunch.

The Tory leadership frontrunner picked up specially made “Boris Bangers” at Heck Food in North Yorkshire, before enthusiastically accepting a string of sausage links around his neck, saying: “It’s like being welcomed to India.”

Mr Johnson was told that the Boris Bangers were made on Thursday morning, based on what the chefs had been told was his favourite meal – mashed potato, mustard and red wine.

He agreed that was his top choice and he had been “ruthlessly consistent” on this point, unlike Tony Blair, who chopped and changed his culinary favourite.

Brandishing the packets, he told staff: “I’m insanely proud. That’s fantastic.”

7.45pm: Johnson does not rule out new taxes as he commits to £8billion social care overhaul

Boris Johnson has committed to a green paper on a free at the point of need social care overhaul, costing an estimated £8 billion.

He said he found the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee report published on Thursday “extremely interesting” and “thought-provoking”.

“There’s no question that they’re putting their finger on an issue that we have to address,” he told a Tory leadership hustings in York. “It simply cannot be fair that Alzheimer’s or dementia are not properly funded in the way that other illnesses at the end of life are under the NHS.”

Pressed by moderator Hannah Vaughan Jones whether he would commit to a green paper on the topic, he said: “I will certainly commit.”

He was asked how he would fund the proposal.

“I’ve seen the figures,” he said, citing an £8billion cost to the public purse. “That’s obviously a big expenditure but you know we are going to have to find a way forward, we are going to have to find a way forward in a way that is equitable.”

He did not rule out taxation to fund the scheme.

7.11pm update: Hunt talks of “unfinished business”

Health and social care services would also be integrated around the needs of individuals and families, Mr Hunt added.

Mr Hunt said: “Britain is known throughout the world for its compassion and decency, and I want to lead a government that walks the talk on that.

“That’s why guaranteeing older people dignity and respect in their final years is unfinished business for me.

“I famously refused to move from health because I passionately believed we needed a long-term plan and funding settlement for the NHS.

“I fought hard for the same for social care – putting money into health without social care is too often like running bath water without the plug in – but in the end it was a stretch too far for the Treasury to commit any more than the £20 billion I won for the NHS.

7.09pm update: Hunt will encourage people to save for social care needs

People will be encouraged to save for social care needs like they do for pensions under plans set out by Jeremy Hunt in the Tory leadership race.

The former health secretary said he wanted to complete “unfinished business” as he pledged to shake-up the system if he became prime minister.

In return for people being incentivised to save for their needs, the state would pledge to cap the cost of care and guarantee no-one would have to sell their home to cover costs.

Tax breaks for home adaptations and extensions would be introduced to aid families looking after elderly relatives, and more money would be made available to bring health and social care together under the initiative.

The initiative would see a 10-year funding plan for the social care system, including additional state funding for local councils from the £26 billion “headroom” reserves Chancellor Philip Hammond has set aside.

6.38pm update: Johnson vows to start work on social care reforms “immediately” if he becomes Tory Party leader

Tory leadership frontrunner Boris Johnson has said he would immediately start work on social care reforms if he wins the Tory leadership race.

During a campaign visit to Heck Food near Ripon, he said: “The way forward has got to be to get everybody together to say look, it affects every family in the land.

“Two key principles – no-one should face eviction from their home to pay for the cost of their care, and everybody’s got to have dignity and security in old age.

“I think we can get going on it right away, if I’m lucky enough to be elected.

“It’s politically controversial, as you know, but we’ve got to do something to give people dignity and security plus make sure they don’t feel the threat of losing their home.

“But it can be done.”

6.15pm update: “Scotland has excelled at promoting ideas”

Writing in The Times newspaper, Mr Hunt said: “I have a vision to restore Scotland’s economy to its historic strength by looking to the industries of the future.

“The entire country can become a green Silicon Valley and an exporting powerhouse that leads the UK, not the other way around.

“Historically, Scotland has excelled at promoting ideas and inventions globally.

“Where there is an existing market advantage – in Fintech, BioTech, or the food and drink industry – I will seek to drive that home.”

6.13pm update: Hunt pledges to help “Scotch whisky boom”

Prime ministerial hopeful Jeremy Hunt will pledge to conduct a review of spirits duty to help the “Scotch whisky boom” continue after Brexit.

The Foreign Secretary, who is up against rival Boris Johnson in the contest to succeed Theresa May, said the move formed part of his “vision” to restore Scotland’s economy to its “historic strength”.

Mr Hunt has already won the backing of Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson and more than half of the party’s MSPs.

Both candidates will use a leadership hustings in Perth on Friday to try to win over rank and file members – with a poll having already warned more than half (53%) of Scots could vote for independence if Mr Johnson becomes the next PM.

6.03pm update: Boris Johnson COULD prorogue Parliament says Attorney-General

Attorney General Geoffrey Cox has once again floated the controversial possibility of temporarily suspending Parliament to force through a no deal Brexit.

Mr Cox told the Commons the circumstances for prorogation were a matter for the prime minister and the Queen, before also insisting he believes Brexit must take place on October 31, as well as confirming his view that Article 24 of the World Trade Organization’s General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) could not be invoked unilaterally.

MPs challenged Mr Cox over the constitutional impact of proroguing Parliament, given his role as the Government’s chief legal adviser and support for Boris Johnson as the next Tory leader.

Mr Johnson last week said he neither wanted nor expected to prorogue Parliament – but has kept the option on the table.

5.14pm update: “There’s all to play for,” claims Hunt

Jeremy Hunt has claimed it is “all to play for” as he and Boris Johnson enter the final stages of the Tory leadership campaign.

Mr Hunt told Laura Kuennsberg, the BBC’s political editor: “I think at the start of the campaign the people around me thought this was a very long shot.

“Now it feels like much more of a contest.

“We’ve had some surprises – we had the surprise of Trump, we had the surprise of Brexit, I think we could have the surprise of the Conservative party leadership election too. I think there’s all to play for.”

“It’s just a question of whether we’ve done enough in the short time we’ve had, but I think it’s completely doable,” he said.

4.02pm update: Government “possesses Crown prerogative”, says Redwood

Mr Redwood added: “Could Parliament instruct the Prime Minister to request a delay? That too would be difficult with a determined Prime Minster.

“The Government controls the Order Paper, moves money resolutions and possesses Crown prerogative. These are all necessary for the passage of legislation.

“Nor could Parliament require delay, as it is a deal between the UK Government and the EU.

“They can only require the Prime Minister to seek a delay, not mandate a delay. My conclusion is that a determined Prime Minister can get us out.”

4pm update: Redwood calls for Brexit “determination” from leadership contenders

Eurosceptic MP John Redwood has said neither Boris Johnson nor Jeremy Hunt could be prevented by Parliament from taking Britain out of the EU by October 31 – if they are determined enough.

Writing on the Brexit Central website, Mr Redwood said: “We are now close to the Conservative Party electing a new leader who will be committed to our exit by 31st October.

“Boris Johnson – who has my support and is likely to win – has told us we will leave then, “do or die”.

“Jeremy Hunt has shifted closer to saying we must leave by that date. Yet there are still some in the Remain-supporting media who trot out the falsehood that as there is no majority for a so-called no-deal exit, Parliament will not allow such a departure.”

3.28pm update: Johnson’s approach to police numbers “simple”

Former Foreign Secretary Mr Johnson said the £1.1 billion move, a similar pledge to that made by former candidate Sajid Javid, would have a particular focus on rural areas that have seen the biggest reductions in police funding in recent years.

Sir Thomas, when asked by reporters whether he welcomed the pledge, said: “Yes. High risk, high harm crimes are on the increase. Street violence is a very significant problem.

“Police are having to cope with new patterns of crime and complexity.”

But asked if it was too simplistic a proposal, he said: “It’s certainly simple but it may not be the most effective way of spending on policing.

“I’m not for a moment saying we don’t need more cops and police staff.

“I’m sure Boris Johnson doesn’t expect people to believe there will be 20,000 police officers on the streets by Christmas.”

3.24pm update: Johnson’s police pledge “may not be the most effetctive way of spending money”, says senior officer

Boris Johnson’s pledge to boost police numbers by 20,000 in three years “may not be the most effective way of spending on policing”, the chief inspector of constabulary has said.

Sir Thomas Winsor welcomed the Tory leadership frontrunner’s proposal but said it was “simple” and may not solve all the problems faced by forces.

Mr Johnson has vowed to swell the police service to more than 140,000 officers by mid-2022 if he wins the race for Number 10.

Police officer numbers in England and Wales have dropped by more than 20,000 since 2009 with Home Office figures showing a reduction from 144,353 to 122,395 in 2018.

2.40pm update: Farage warning over Brexit to Hunt and Johnson

Speaking outside the European Parliament, Nigel Farage fired a warning to Mr Johnson and Mr Hunt.

He said: “If they don’t deliver Brexit on that date they’re toast and you will then see a turquoise takeover.

2pm update: Raab flips interview on Peston – orders him to show evidence for question

ITV’s Robert Peston was challenged by Dominic Raab to justify suggestions about Mr Johnson potentially overspending on his policy pledges.

Mr Peston said research by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) predicted the Government under Mr Johnson would spend over £26 billion on his policy pledges.

But the former Brexit secretary, a backer of Mr Johnson, questioned the claim as he insisted the Tory leadership hopeful would be able to deliver his plan if he becomes prime minister.

1.15pm update: Johnson ‘determined’ to deliver Brexit

In an interview with The Spectator, Mr Johnson said: “Years of watching this thing decay, three years of drift and dither, have filled me with not just an understanding of government but also a very clear picture of how to get it done.

“My determination burns with a magnesium brightness to get it done and to deliver.”

12.30pm update: Andrew Neil to interview Tory leadership candidates

Mr Johnson and Mr Hunt will be interviewed by Andrew Neil in a special BBC One programme on Friday July 12 at 7pm.

The show will see the two candidates grilled for half an hour each.

11.45am update: No-deal Brexit could trigger recession – Barclay

In an interview with Sky News, Brexit secretary Steve Barclay was asked if he could rule out a recession if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

He replied: “Well, no. As a former Treasury minister no one can ever rule out what could happen in the future.”

11.10am update: Tory MP slams “guff” over fox hunting

Sharing an article on Twitter about Mr Johnson’s pledge to boost police numbers, Tory MP for Solihull Julian Knight branded his rival Mr Hunt’s fox hunting comments “guff”.

He said: “This what we need not some guff about fox hunting.”

10.45am update: Tories top general election poll as Hunt and Johnson battle for leadership

The Tories have taken the lead in a new general election survey by The Times and YouGov, with 24 percent of votes.

Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party is just behind with 23 percent.

The Lib Dems are third on 20 percent, while Labour take just 18 percent in fourth place.

10.30am update: Hunt sparks backlash over fox hunting comments

One person tweeted: “@Jeremy_Hunt Sorry Jeremy, there is no place in modern day Britain for bloodsports, heritage or not, it is barbaric, cruel and elitist! #keeptheban”

Another Twitter user said: “Fox hunting is not ‘part of the countryside’. It’s sick and cruel. #KeeptheBan”

One more wrote: “Wow. Jeremy Hunt with an attitude towards fox hunting that would make me reconsider thinking he’s the lesser of two evils. #keeptheban”

9.50am update: Hunt dodges fox hunting question three times in BBC interview

The Foreign Secretary refused to say whether he thought fox hunting was “cruel” during an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, with presenter Mishal Husain accusing him of “swerving” the question.

Mr Hunt said: “I think this is just because I was giving a straight answer to a straight question.

“The law is not going to change on fox hunting. There isn’t a majority in the House of Commons and I don’t see there ever being one.

“I was restating the position in our 2017 manifesto that there should be a free vote if it ever looked like that majority would change. But, it wouldn’t be my priority as Prime Minister.”

9.25am update: Justice Secretary’s veiled attack on Johnson

David Gauke has attacked “populist politicians” in an apparent dig at Tory favourite Mr Johnson.

The Justice Secretary also admitted he “might only have three weeks” left in the job.

In a speech to the annual judges’ dinner in the City of London yesterday, he said: “There is no doubt in my mind that the forces of populism are much stronger in this country and internationally than has been the case for some time.

“A willingness by politicians to say what they think the public want to hear, and a willingness by large parts of the public to believe what they are told by populist politicians, has led to a deterioration in our public discourse.

“This has contributed to a growing distrust of our institutions – whether that be parliament, the civil service, the mainstream media or the judiciary.”

8.50am update: Hunt ‘best person’ to beat Corbyn

Tory leadership hopeful Mr Hunt has insisted he is the best person to beat Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Writing in The Telegraph, he said: “The Labour Party is offering a candidate for Prime Minister who is a profound and real danger not just to that office but to everything our country stands for.

“And that is the risk we take if we fail to deliver Brexit, as the British people have told us to do – opening the door to the most anti-Western, anti-British leader this country has ever seen.

“Because I will negotiate a deal to get us out of the EU without triggering an election, I am the best person to avert that real and present danger.”

8.30am update: Johnson pledges 20,000 extra police

Tory favourite Mr Johnson has promised to boost police numbers by 20,000 in three years if he becomes prime minister.

He said he will increase the police service to more than 140,000 officers by mid-2022 if he wins the race for Number 10.

Police officer numbers in England and Wales have dropped by more than 20,000 since 2009, with Home Office figures showing a reduction from 144,353 to 122,395 in 2018.

8.15am update: Hunt wants to bring back fox hunting

The Foreign Secretary said fox hunting should be made legal again because it is ”part of the countryside”.

He told The Telegraph: “I would as soon as there was a majority in Parliament that would be likely to repeal the fox hunting ban, then I would support a vote in Parliament.”

While he does not take part in the bloodsport himself, he added: “I would vote to repeal the ban on fox hunting.

“It is part of the countryside. And we have to recognise that in terms of the balance of the countryside. You know, it’s part of our heritage.”

Source: Read Full Article

Related Posts