UK politics live: Boris Johnson tries to defend £350m bus as he is quizzed over Brexit ‘betrayal’
Tory leadership rivals Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch criticised over their campaign rhetoric
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Boris Johnson has tried to defend his infamous Brexit campaign bus that claimed Britain paid £350m a week to the EU.
Speaking at his book launch event for his new memoir, Unleashed, the former prime minister was questioned about “the big bullsh***ing bus”, to which he responded: “That’s what other people call it.”
He added: “The £350m bus the whole point of that was it was 100% accurate, that was the gross figure. As far as it was inaccurate, it was an understatement of the gross figure.
“I think that’s a significant sum and people were right to ask what they were getting for it and that was only a tiny fraction of the argument.”
His comments come as both Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch face a rebuff from a centrist faction of the Conservative party.
The Tory Reform Group (TRG), representing One Nation Conservatives, has declined to endorse either leadership candidates criticising their campaign rhetorics.
In a statement, the group said it had “engaged extensively” with all leadership hopefuls but was left unimpressed by the two finalists, accusing them of adopting a narrative that diverges from the principles that define the Tories.
Tory civil war erupts again less than two hours after MPs pivot to the hard right
Tory MPs pivot to the right as centrist James Cleverly knocked out of leadership race
Rachel Reeves told she needs £25bn in tax rises to avoid austerity
Starmer warned EU reset plan to ‘make Brexit work’ not enough to save economy
‘It is leave or remain, and I am for leave,’ Robert Jenrick
Robert Jenrick is harking back to the Brexit days, setting up a stark “leave v remain” choice for voters on the ECHR.
The Tory leadership hopeful believes the European Convention on Human Rights prevents Britain from being able to control illegal migration.
And, channelling Brexit, he said: “It is leave or remain, and I am for leave.”
Kemi Badenoch has not outright backed leaving the convention, but has said she would consider it if she deemed it necessary.
Robert Jenrick: ‘We had a plan with the Rwanda policy’
Robert Jenrick is promising that the government’s Rwanda deportation plan would have worked had it been strengthened.
The plan, to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda, was aimed to creating a deterrent to those crossing the English Channel.
But despite the government spending £700m on the policy, just four asylum seekers were sent to the east African nation - all of whom volunteered to go.
Immigration was the first topic Mr Jenrick touched upon, repeating his promise to leave the ECHR. It sets the stage for the issue to be a key dividing line with Kemi Badenoch in the race, and then with Sir Keir Starmer if Mr Jenrick wins.
Robert Jenrick: ‘It’s great to be in the final two’
Robert Jenrick is on stage at the Policy Exchange think tank promising to talk to supporters about “the real choice our country faces”.
He has said it is “great to be in the final two”, but is already turning toward how he will oppose Labour and Sir Keir Starmer as leader of the opposition.
Ignoring his rival Kemi Badenoch completely, he has said “our job is to send Keir Starmer packing”.
The right-winger has promised to be constructive where possible, but said Tories “must stand up for common sense for the British people on every issue”.
MPs to vote on Employment Rights Bill on 21 Oct
The Employment Rights Bill, which proposes to end zero-hour contracts and ban fire and rehire practices, will receive its second reading on 21 October, Commons Leader Lucy Powell announced.
Ms Powell also told MPs that the second reading of the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill will take place on 15 October. This Bill will end the automatic right of hereditary peers to sit in the Lords.
The second reading of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, which aims to ensure premises and events are better prepared to respond to terrorist attacks, will take place on 14 October, Ms Powell said.
On 23 October, a motion to approve the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 2024 and a motion to approve the Iran (Sanctions) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 will be presented to the Commons.
Coming up: Robert Jenrick to deliver speech at the Policy Exchange
The Tory leadership contender is preparing to address an audience at the Policy Exchange think tank.
His speech has the title: “The Choice We Face”.
Sadiq Khan grilled over police escort for Taylor Swift
Sadiq Khan has come under scrutiny regarding allegations that he sought a police escort for pop superstar Taylor Swift.
In a tense exchange during a City Hall debate, the Mayor of London denied the claims, adding he never interfered in “operational matters” concerning the police.
The questioning, led by his former Conservative rival Susan Hall, focused on whether Mr Khan had lobbied Scotland Yard for a special escort for the chart-topping singer.
Ms Hall pressed him to “categorically state” that he played no party in arranging the escort or influencing the Metropolitan Police’s decision.
Mr Khan responded by reiterating: “Operational matters are matters for the police, not matters for the Mayor.”
ICYMI: Unite union says Labour’s workers’ bill has ‘more holes than Swiss cheese’
Labour’s new workers’ rights legislation is under fire, with one union boss claiming the legislation has “more holes than Swiss cheese”.
While others have hailed the Employment Rights Bill as bringing a “seismic shift” for workers, Sir Keir Starmer has still been urged to go further in his bid to shift the balance of power between employers and employees.
The legislation, being published on Thursday, will include plans to ban exploitative zero-hours contracts and “unscrupulous” fire and rehire practices which it said will benefit millions of workers.
Our political correspondent Millie Cooke has the full story below:
Union says Labour’s workers’ rights bill has ‘more holes than Swiss cheese’
Unite has responded most critically to the legislation, accusing the government of tying itself “up in knots trying to avoid what was promised”
Starmer, Zelensky and Nato’s chief discuss ‘plan for victory'
As we reported this morning, Sir Keir Starmer met with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky at Downing Street to discuss their “plan for victory” in the ongoing conflict.
The meeting comes as the UK solidifies its support for Ukraine amid rising tensions in Eastern Europe.
Alongside Zelensky, Sir Keir welcomed Mark Rutte, former Dutch prime minister and current Nato secretary general.
During their bilateral meeting, the PM highlighted the importance of the discussions, claiming they had been “meeting all morning” to strategise on Ukraine’s path to success.
He said: “We’ve obviously just been with president Zelensky. If the Ukraine conflict shows us one thing, it’s that Nato is as important today as it was on the day it was founded.”
Mr Rutte thanked the UK for being one of the key players in the alliance and playing a leading role in supporting Ukraine with training and “military aid going in”.
Tories hit out at Labour’s delay on free speech legislation
Shadow education secretary Damian Hinds has branded the government’s decision to pause the implementation of freedom of speech bill as “chilling”.
Mr Hinds referred to Conservative MP Suella Braverman who posted to X today that she was due to speak at the University of Cambridge but said the event was cancelled “because of militant pro-Palestinian protesters”.
Mr Hinds told the Commons: “This evening, a member of this House was due to speak at an event at Cambridge University. It will not go ahead as planned because of safety concerns.
“Now, it is absolutely not for us to question operational decision making, but it absolutely is for us to question this Government about legislation and the effects direct, indirect and chilling, of the decisions that they have made since coming to office.
“Last year, the Higher Education Freedom of Speech Act became law. In the end having attracted cross party support after extensive working with students and academics, it passed all stages in Parliament, it received royal assent.
“The act is about protecting free speech on campus, including for visiting speakers, and it’s about academic freedom to challenge conventional wisdom and put forward unpopular or controversial opinions but in July this year, the new Secretary of State decided not to commence it. She decided that without any parliamentary debates.”
Keir Starmer hails ‘biggest upgrade’ to workers’ rights reforms
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