Nigel Farage has dismissed claims his resignation as Reform UK leader is a publicity ploy, stating a by-election for his Clacton seat is 'only fair'. Reform UK has suggested an August polling date, enabling Farage to contest the constituency.
Shadow Housing Secretary Sir James Cleverly asserted the Conservatives remain the UK's dominant right-wing party, despite Reform UK securing over 1,450 council seats and 14 councils in recent local elections. Cleverly criticised Reform as a 'cult of personality' without coherent policy, contrasting it with the Tories' platform of tax reduction, border protection, and military funding.
Anas Sarwar has confirmed his intention to remain as Scottish Labour leader, even after the party secured its lowest ever number of seats in a Scottish Parliament election. Labour lost four seats, concluding with just 17 of the 129 available, and Sarwar has reiterated his call for Sir Keir Starmer to resign as Prime Minister.
