Denyer and Southgate feeling the heat
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.
Hi, I’m Rachel Younger, juggling quizzing party leaders for ITV Tonight: The Leader Interviews with my day job as a news correspondent. That’s meant sandwiching Carla Denyer between Portuguese firefighters prepping for the wildfire season and England supporters in Euro fanzones.
If there is one common thread there, it’s surely that as June turns into July, they’re all starting to feel the heat. The Green Party’s co-leader arrived for our interview keen to talk party policy, which she knows back to front.
I was equally curious to hear what its like to be a 38-year-old proud bisexual woman, an engineer by trade, suddenly facing the glare of publicity. Turns out it’s quite a ride. Off-camera, Denyer was endearingly giddy about being grabbed for a selfie or two.
But by Monday, she was feeling the full fury of the Daily Telegraph. It picked up on an admission in our interview that she hadn’t yet had her gas boiler replaced by a more environmentally friendly alternative.
Denyer is passionate about a net zero manifesto that would seek to tackle the crisis in public services largely funded by taxing the UK’s wealthiest.
There's little doubt Denyer’s job of delivering four seats at the election is even tougher than Gareth Southgate’s. And there’s likely to be a fair few more fires to put out along the way.
For more analysis on the day’s events, check out Talking Politics, our daily podcast from the campaign live from 4pm on ITVX, hosted today by Presenter Nina Hossain, with Robert Peston and Carl Dinnen. Or watch on demand on ITVX or where you listen to your podcasts.
Thanks for reading and enjoy some of the best content brought to you by the rest of the ITV News team below.
Knife crime, immigration row and social care - Day 34 of the campaign
Sir Keir Starmer said today he would introduce Ronan's Law, named after 16-year-old Ronan Kanda who was murdered with a ninja sword bought online in 2022, should he get into No.10.
The Labour leader met bereaved families whose children lost their lives to knife crime, telling them "we've got the change the system".
Knife crime campaigner and actor Idris Elba also joined Starmer, saying he was there "as a concerned parent, concerned citizen".
Policing minister Chris Philp said: “When Keir Starmer was in charge of the Crown Prosecution Service convictions for weapon possession fell, and knife crime has risen by 20% in Labour-run London.”
Meanwhile, Home Secretary James Cleverly ramped up the rhetoric on immigration saying migrants are “queueing up in Calais” waiting for a Labour government to scrap the Rwanda asylum policy.
But shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper cited record numbers of people crossing so far this year, saying: “Look at the facts, people are not waiting, they are arriving.”
Nigel Farage took the the water to emphasise Reform UK’s stance on illegal migration. On board a vessel in the Channel, he said: “If ultimately it comes to picking people up at sea and taking them back to France, well, rather that than Dover.”
For the Liberal Democrats, Layla Moran launched their mini-manifesto on “fixing social care”.
Keep across the latest from the campaign trail on our website, on ITVX and on our social channels.
Tories withdraw support for two candidates over election betting scandal
Two Conservative Party candidates implicated in the election date betting furore have had support withdrawn from central office.
As nominations have closed, Craig Williams – who is standing in Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr – and Laura Saunders, who is running in Bristol North West, will both still be on the ballot paper as Conservative candidates.
However, the withdrawal of support on Tuesday means the party won't campaign for them, and is effectively therefore not standing candidates in those seats.
Mr Williams later said he had “committed an error of judgment, not an offence” and “I intend to clear my name”. It also emerged that five more police officers have been linked to bets placed on the timing of the election.
Last night, serving Cabinet minister Steve Baker told ITV's Peston programme that the PM should take more decisive action - "I would call them up and ask if they did it, if they did it, then they're suspended. But the PM will have to answer why he hasn't done it", he said.
Keep up with the latest developments on our website or on ITVX.
Yesterday, former Olympic rower and Tory candidate James Cracknell urged colleagues to “own up” over any bets placed. In an exclusive interview with ITV News, the gold medallist said: “I'm looking them (voters) in the eyes... how are they going to trust me if I’m saying something I don't believe?”
What will net zero mean for Aberdeen’s oil and gas fields?
The oil and gas industry was once a job for life but now it’s shrouded in uncertainty, writes ITV News Scotland Reporter Louise Scott.
Experts have warned the transition to renewable energy could lead to thousands of job losses.
Louise travelled to Aberdeen, long known as the oil capital of Europe after reserves were first discovered off the North Sea just over five decades ago.
But now, the once bustling main shopping area, Union Street, is littered with empty units.
So, with most parties committed to renewable energy, what does the future hold for the city - and the wider country?
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Conservatives set to lose half of their vote in Wales, ITV News poll reveals
An exclusive ITV News poll has indicated the Conservative Party has lost half of its support in Wales since the last UK General Election.
Only 19% of Welsh voters said they would vote Conservative, while nearly half of all voters (49%) plan to support the Labour Party.
The poll by Savanta shows that Reform UK looks set to match Plaid Cymru and win 12% of the vote in Wales.
ITV Wales Reporter Rhys Williams takes you through the results and the implications for Wales and the UK on ITVX.
It echoes a poll for ITV Wales conducted earlier in the campaign that suggested the Tories are set to lose all but one seat in Wales.
How to apply for emergency photo ID for the General Election
This will be the first General Election where voters will have to show a valid form of photo ID before being allowed to put their X in the box.
Only certain kinds of photo identification will be accepted at polling stations and those without the correct ID will be turned away.
People who do not have any of the right forms of ID need to apply for a voter authority certificate by 5pm on Wednesday.
This is also the deadline to apply for a proxy vote - asking someone to vote on your behalf.
You can check which forms of ID are acceptable on our website or apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate here.
What’s coming up…
Wednesday June 26: Deadline to apply for a Voter ID certificate or a proxy vote for General Election. A proxy vote is for someone to vote on your behalf.
Thursday June 27: Junior doctors in England to go on strike. It will be the 11th walk out in the long-running dispute.
Friday June 28: Office for National Statistics to confirm first quarter GDP figures.
Thursday July 4: General Election day - polls open 7am, close 10pm.
And finally… Drag Race star urges young people to vote ‘empowered’
For reality TV star River Medway, this General Election is all about getting young people to realise they have a voice
The RuPaul’s Drag Race star has joined other drag queens in a social media campaign urging younger voters to take part in the democratic process.
River - real name Dexter Clift - told ITV News Meridian: “I think it's really important for young people to realise that their voice is valid and their voice can be heard.”
You can watch what River has to say on ITV News Meridian’s Instagram channel here.