Plus: Emotional scenes in the House of Commons
͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Labour's NHS pledge drowned out by Diane Abbott row
|
Sir Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting entered the seventh day of the general election campaign hoping to talk about the NHS.
The Labour leader and his shadow health secretary had an impressive pledge to show off - to clear the NHS waiting list backlog in England within five years.
But dominating the headlines was the party's dire handling of whether Diane Abbott can run for Labour on 4 July. Mr Streeting even mocked a journalist for having "spent so much time on Diane Abbott" rather than asking about his plans.
The Labour trailblazer confirmed she is barred from standing as a Labour candidate… with Sir Keir claiming just hours later that she is not.
Rather than taking the opportunity to clear up any confusion about Ms Abbott's future, Sir Keir appears to have ensured it will dominate another day. The Conservatives see opportunity, with even Tory chairman Richard Holden (no great fan of Ms Abbott) demanding answers.
Good luck to the shadow minister with tomorrow's big announcement.
|
|
|
On what day was the 1997 general election held? |
Answer at the bottom of today's email |
|
|
I have worked for The Independent long enough to remember when you had to pay to read our journalism, because the main way of getting hold of it was to buy a paper copy. Now a lot of what we do is free to read online, including one of my columns every Saturday. But it is as true today as it was then that good journalism costs money. I am extremely proud of what we do at The Independent, from scoops such as the prime minister's wife's non-dom status to our lively comment articles for the independent-minded. I wish we could pay for it all from advertising, and we have been brilliantly successful in building up a huge online audience. But advertising cannot pay for it all, which is why I urge you to become a subscriber. It is a bargain, unlocking ad-free premium articles and giving you the chance to take part in our exclusive events. If you like what we do, do take out a subscription and help support the best quality online-only journalism. And for a limited time only, you can enjoy 6 months completely free. |
|
| | The Labour leader said she has not been barred from standing as a Labour candidate |
|
|
| Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer will go head to head in an hour-long debate on ITV |
|
|
| Barking candidate apologised publicly for racist joke but privately described it as a 'smear campaign'' |
| |
What else you need to know today |
|
|
Can Keir Starmer really be called a socialist? |
|
|
From firm firebrands to Christian socialists, Labour leaders have redefined themselves in line with the times, says Sean O'Grady... Read more |
|
|
Tomorrow on the campaign trail |
Our political commentator John Rentoul on what to look out for |
The View from Westminster newsletter will continue on Mondays to Thursdays until 4 July: think of it as the View from the Election Campaign. In addition, there will be election editions of the Commons Confidential newsletter from me on Wednesdays, for Independent subscribers (sign up here for our six months free offer). From 00:01 tonight the current Parliament will dissolve. At dissolution, every seat in the House of Commons becomes vacant, meaning there will be no current MPs. |
|
|
"I have lived in Tunbridge Wells since 1997, slightly against my will… I've never liked the place. Still don't, and would happily live somewhere else."
Iain Dale, who quit as an LBC presenter this week to launch a bid to become the Tory MP for Tunbridge Wells |
|
|
Enjoy 6 months, completely FREE |
With the election date set, our mission to provide unbiased journalism has never been more important. As the only quality news source that refuses to take political sides, you can rely on our commentary and analysis to help you make sense of the key elections in the UK and US. |
You may cancel at any time. Offer ends 31 May |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quiz answer: Thursday, 1 May |
| |
Join the conversation or follow us |
|
| Download the free Independent app |
|
|
Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter. To unsubscribe from The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345
Read our privacy notice and cookie policy
|
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment
Keep a civil tongue.