A lesser of two evils for Starmer...
Welcome to the daily ITV News digest direct from the campaign trail. Each afternoon we'll bring you analysis and insight from across the nation as the General Election 2024 gathers pace.
Afternoon, everyone. Robert Peston, ITV News Political Editor here, on the day Labour leader Keir Starmer revealed Diane Abbott would be able to run as a Labour candidate.
His choice of words that she is “free to go forward” is not the most enthusiastic endorsement - it has the resonance of a disappointed teacher.
It’s an embarrassment for him that pressure from her, Labour’s left and his deputy Angela Rayner has forced him to give her the right to decide whether she is on the ballot.
Being forced to capitulate is not a great look but he clearly decided it was the lesser of two evils.
Don’t forget, you can listen to our daily take from the campaign on our Talking Politics podcast here, hosted by ITV News presenters Tom Bradby and Julie Etchingham with me and Anushka Asthana, deputy political editor.
Thanks for reading and enjoy some of the best content brought to you by the rest of the ITV News team below.
ITV to broadcast first election debate between Sunak and Starmer
ITV will the broadcast the first head-to-head General Election debate between Rishi Sunak, leader of the Conservative Party, and Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer.
The debate will take place live in front of a studio audience and will be broadcast on ITV1, ITVX and STV and STV Player on Tuesday June 4 at 9pm.
“They want to convince you they’re the right person to lead the country - but what’s their big plan?” - Julie
ITV News presenter Julie Etchingham will moderate the hour-long debate. Julie has moderated General Election debates on ITV in 2015, 2017 and 2019.
See where to watch and how to ask your question here.
ITV has also announced that its General Election multi-party debate will take place on Thursday, June 13 at 8.30pm. It will be broadcast on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.
Leaders or senior representatives from the following parties will participate; Conservative Party, Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, SNP, Reform UK, Green Party and Plaid Cymru.
This debate will also be moderated by Julie Etchingham.
Quiz the leader: ITV News puts Ed Davey on the spot
In the first of a series where we put party leaders on the spot, ITV News Westminster Producer Lewis Denison quizzed Sir Ed Davey on a range of issues close to younger voters’ hearts.
How can people trust the Liberal Democrats after they allowed university tuition fees to rise in coalition? What would the Lib Dems do about high rents?
You can see what Ed Davey had to say by checking out our ITV Politics TikTok account.
Starmer launches GB Energy (by jet) - as Tories focus on fly-tippers
Sir Keir Starmer has set out Labour’s energy offer to the public as he visited Scotland.
Under the plans, Labour would set up a new Scottish-based publicly-owned company, Great British Energy, with the aim of investing in homegrown energy sources and providing cheaper prices to consumers. But he ran into criticism by flying there from Wales by private jet.
Meanwhile, people caught fly-tipping will get points on their driving licence and could face prison time under new plans put forward by the Conservatives.
The plans build on previously announced measures to hand out £1,000 fines for fly-tippers, ban nitrous oxide and force offenders to clean up their own graffiti.
Our ITVX streaming platform brings you the latest news from the campaign trail.
Trump criminal conviction fallout looms over campaign hustings
Donald Trump has become the first former US president to be criminally convicted following the conclusion of his hush money trial.
But there’s still every chance he will be the next president - and someone with whom the next prime minister will be expected to work closely.
But, most party leaders were keen to avoid commenting in detail. PM Rishi Sunak told reporters: “You wouldn’t expect me to comment on another country’s domestic politics or judicial processes.”
Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer said he respected the court’s decision, adding: “We will work with whoever is elected president… that’s what you’d expect.”
And Nigel Farage, Reform UK’s honorary president, was more forthright, writing on X: “This verdict is a disgrace. Trump will now win big.”
You can watch our coverage of Trump on Trial and what happens next on ITVX.
Sorting the facts over the fakes…
How do you know what's real and what's not when it lands on your election feed on socials?
Is that clip of Rishi Sunak standing under a pair of ‘Mickey Mouse ears’ genuine? Did Keir Starmer really that about his tax plans?
Just how old is that video from the campaign trail - was it really filmed today?
Our Here’s The Story team has been investigating how you can sort fact from fiction…
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Party leaders waste no time campaigning in Wales but picture is hazy for all of them
The main political parties have wasted no time in starting their election campaigns here in Wales, but at the end of the first full week the picture is hazy for all of them, writes ITV Wales Political Editor Adrian Masters.
All bar Reform UK launched their pitch for Welsh votes this week, to varying receptions.
There’s still a long way to go in this election campaign. A lot can change. There’ll be a new Barn Cymru poll from ITV Cymru Wales and Cardiff University next week that might tell us more.
Sunak quizzed on ‘propping up’ the NHS
Rishi Sunak has defended his government's record on the NHS, insisting that the Tories had a plan to deliver new hospitals to replace crumbling buildings - including some held up by props.
Speaking in Milton Keynes to ITV News Anglia Correspondent Matthew Hudson, he was quizzed about the Tories' credentials in ensuring the NHS was fit for the 21st century, given high-profile examples such as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn, where more than 3,000 props stop the roof from collapsing.
See the full story and watch the exchange with Matthew here.
What’s coming up…
Tuesday June 4: ITV hosts the first head-to-head leaders’ debate, featuring Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer - from 9pm.
Friday June 7: Deadline for confirming constituency candidates.
Thursday June 13: ITV hosts the ‘Election Debate’, featuring leaders or senior figures in most parties - from 8.30pm.
Monday June 18: Midnight deadline for registering to vote.
Tuesday June 19: Deadline for new postal vote applicants or amending existing absent voting arrangements.
And finally … the election has been called, are you registered to vote?
Now that the prime minister has set a date, the countdown begins in what will be the first UK General Election where all voters will have to show a valid form of photo ID before casting a ballot.
How do you register to vote, when is the deadline and what sort of ID do you need to have? ITV News explains all.