Claire Coutinho Laughed At In The Commons For Trying To Lecture Labour Over Honesty

Posted on 26/07/2024 by Boris Clair

Claire Coutinho was mocked in the Commons today after advising Labour not to use numbers “for which you have no basis” while in government.

The former net zero and energy security secretary, who now serves in the shadow cabinet, was trying to call Labour out over its supposed claim that each household would see its energy bills cut by £300 by 2030.

She claimed Labour had been advertising that number everywhere in their election campaign, but now they are in power, their ministers have barely mentioned it.

Coutinho said: “When you get into government, and you speak in the House, you cannot use numbers for which you have no basis.

“They will learn this. They will learn this.”

The top Tory seemed to forget that her own party was widely accused of dishonesty when in government.

The Conservatives failed repeatedly to live up to their own pledges, whether that was to build 40 hospitals or to reduce migration.

The party also drew a lot of heat during their recent election campaign for claiming a Labour government would mean a £2,000 tax rise for every working family in the country – a claim widely debunked, and based on multiple assumptions.

And when it comes to dishonesty in the House, former Conservative leader and ex-PM Boris Johnson was found to have deliberately misled his colleagues over partygate by the parliamentary privileges committee last year.

But back in the Commons, Coutinho ignored the laughter coming from all of the other parties.

She said: “But, madame deputy speaker, their voters – they laugh, but their voters won’t forget that they made them that promise.

“Their online clips and their social media accounts won’t go away. They all know that their leadership have sold them down the river on this one.”

“That’s not us being ‘evil Tories’ on this side of the house,” she claimed.

She even claimed the government’s GB Energy plan will “add huge costs to people’s bills”, pointing to worries from the GMB union about future blackouts over the switch to renewable energy.

While Labour did use talk about savings on energy bills, they promised to save households “up to £300” – although some top figures in the party did forget to say “up to” during their election campaigns.

Tories Planned To Spent £10bn On Rwanda Scheme, Yvette Cooper Claims

Posted on 22/07/2024 by Boris Clair

The home secretary has claimed the Tories intended on spending £10 billion on the now-scrapped Rwanda deportation scheme.

In the Commons on Monday, Yvette Cooper said the full expense of the plan to send asylum seekers who arrive to the UK in small boats to Rwanda was not fully disclosed to parliament.

The policy, which Labour dropped when it got into power earlier this month, has already cost the British taxpayer £700m over the last two and a half years, according to Cooper.

In that time, only four volunteers were deported to the African country, she said.

Cooper continued: “Those costs include £290m payments to Rwanda, chartering flights that never took off, detaining hundreds of people and then releasing them, and paying for more 1,000 civil servants to work on the scheme.

“A scheme which sent four people. It is the most shocking waste of taxpayer money I have ever seen.”

Cooper also said if the scheme had ever “got going” it would only cover a “minority” of arrivals and the taxpayer would still have to pay out “no matter how many people were relocated”.

The cabinet minister added: “Over the six years of the migration and economic development partnership forecast, the previous government had planned to spend over £10bn of taxpayers money on the scheme – they did not tell parliament that.”

Cooper dubbed it a “costly con” which has been paid for by the taxpayer.

Even before Labour were elected, the Rwanda scheme was blocked repeatedly with legal challenges which stopped any flights with forced deportations from ever getting off the ground.

The Conservatives ended up suggesting the UK leave the European Convention on Human Rights to prevent European judges blocking any flights.

But on Monday, new PM Keir Starmer said: “Let me be clear, there is no need to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights.”

A “hear, hear” rang out around the chamber at that.

Starmer continued: “That is not consistent with the values with that blood bond, so we won’t withdraw – not now, not ever.

“Because, Mr Speaker, the basic fact of the priorities of the British people do require us to work across borders with our partners.

“And a government of service at home requires a government of strength abroad.

“That is our role, it’s always been our role – Britain belongs on the world stage.”

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Keir Starmer: \"Let me be clear, there is no need to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights… not now, not ever… Britain belongs on the world stage.\" pic.twitter.com/58lWXA6Pmr

— Haggis_UK 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 (@Haggis_UK) July 22, 2024

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Keir Starmer: “Let me be clear, there is no need to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights… not now, not ever… Britain belongs on the world stage.” pic.twitter.com/58lWXA6Pmr

— Haggis_UK 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 (@Haggis_UK) July 22, 2024

Labour MP Forced To Swear In Again After Getting It Wrong The First Time

Posted on 16/07/2024 by Boris Clair

A Labour MP has been forced to swear in again after getting the words wrong first time round.

Clive Lewis, who is a republican, refused to pledge allegiance to King Charles’ “heirs and successors” when he went through the process last week.

But he was notified that he could be at risk of losing his seat if he failed to do it properly.

That meant he had to return to the House of Commons chamber today to do it all again, using the right words.

As other MPs looked on, he said: “I was elected to parliament to represent my constituents and our country to the best of my ability, to defend democracy and uphold human rights.

“And one day I hope all members of parliament will be entitled to swear an oath of allegiance based on those values.

“I do solemnly and sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.”

Posting a video of it on X, the Norwich South MP said: “After omitting to swear allegiance to King Charles’ ‘heirs and successors’ last week, I’ve had to take the oath again in order to sit in the House of Commons.

“The majority of the public are committed to democracy, and so I hope one day MPs can swear an oath based on those values.”

After omitting to swear allegiance to King Charles’ “heirs and successors” last week, I’ve had to take the oath again in order to sit in the House of Commons. The majority of the public are committed to democracy, and so I hope one day MPs can swear an oath based on those values. pic.twitter.com/h7fTDdEjxX

— Clive Lewis MP (@labourlewis) July 16, 2024

According to the Parliamentary Oaths Act, any MP who does not swear in properly can be fined £500 every time he sits in a debate or votes “and in addition his seat shall be vacated in the same manner as if he were dead”.

In a letter to Lewis, an official in parliament’s journal office told him: “There is accordingly a risk that someone could bring a legal action.

“It would ultimately be for the courts to decide, but it could result in you losing your seat. The safest course would be to remake the affirmation in the words prescribed by law.”

Lewis said: “This should change, so MPs have the choice to swear allegiance to our constituents and democracy.”

Why Is The New Government Facing Backlash From Its Own MPs Over Puberty Blockers?

Posted on 15/07/2024 by Boris Clair

Just ten days after being elected, the government is already facing some internal turmoil over its stance on trans rights – specifically, over its restrictions on puberty blockers.

Here’s why Labour MPs are calling out the health department, why it matters, and how health secretary Wes Streeting has responded.

What has happened?

Streeting has decided to extend a ban – first implemented by the Conservatives – on puberty blockers prescribed to children for gender-related issues.

Puberty blockers are used to help children who start puberty very early.

And, for the last 30 years, they have also been used for those under 18 who are unsure of their gender identity and want to delay reaching sexual maturity.

It prevents physical signs of puberty appearing, like facial hair.

But, then-health secretary Victoria Atkins announced using puberty blockers for young people experiencing gender-related problems would be banned in both in the NHS and the private sector.

She announced the news in May, just before the dissolution of parliament – the emergency ban was implemented in England, Wales and Scotland.

That decision is now being legally challenged in the High Court by The Good Law Project and pro-trans group, TransActual.

The campaigners say the ban did not undergo sufficient parliamentary scrutiny before it was passed, and a statutory committee was not consulted.

According to the government’s legal department in the ongoing case, the government “is minded to renew the emergency banning order with a view to converting it to a permanent ban, subject to appropriate consultation.”

Why did the Conservative government – and now its Labour successor – ban the puberty blockers?

Atkins’ decision came after the Cass review – by paediatrician Dr Hilary Cass – into the NHS services for trans children and young people was published earlier this year.

The review said the evidence for the long-term safety of using puberty blockers was weak, and called for more research into its use.

Who within the Labour Party has criticised this?

Labour, which has struggled to unite the party over its stance on trans issues in the past, is now facing internal backlash over its decision to extend the controversial Tory ban.

Stella Creasy – a frontbencher under Ed Miliband – said: “Cass review recommended caution, not exclusion, for any treatment and drew attention to shortcomings of previous GIDs service.

“To those asking will always be MP who listens to demand for better research & evidence base for help for those with gender dysphoria, not abandons them.”

Cass review recommended caution, not exclusion, for any treatment and drew attention to shortcomings of previous GIDs service. To those asking will always be MP who listens to demand for better research & evidence base for help for those with gender dysphoria, not abandons them.

— stellacreasy (@stellacreasy) July 13, 2024

Backbencher Zarah Sultana lashed out at Streeting on X, saying their party’s manifesto vowed to “remove indignities for trans people who deserve recognition & acceptance”.

She added: “That entails ending the Tories’ ban on puberty blockers. Young people – cis & trans – must have access to healthcare they need. I’ll always stand with the trans community.”

Fellow backbencher Nadia Whittome said: “Only a small number of young people are prescribed puberty blockers.

“Those who are often describe them as lifesaving. I know the distress the puberty blockers ban is causing them. No matter what happens in court, I will continue fighting for the government to scrap it.”

Clive Lewis, who ran in the 2020 leadership contest, wrote on X: “I’ve met young people who’ve been prescribed puberty blockers. Some told me they’d helped lift them from depression & probably saved their life. A blanket ban is wrong & not what Cass recommended. Careful, clinical provision is the way forward, not this politicisation.”

I’ve met young people who’ve been prescribed puberty blockers. Some told me they’d helped lift them from depression & probably saved their life.
A blanket ban is wrong & not what Cass recommended. Careful, clinical provision is the way forward, not this politicisation.

— Clive Lewis MP (@labourlewis) July 14, 2024

LGBT+ Labour also wrote to Streeting, saying the Cass review also called for a cut in waiting lists for trans youth and long-term staffing issues to be addressed.

It demanded “comprehensive training for NHS staff on how best to support and work sensitively with trans and questioning young people, and better address the current toxicity of public debate which is actively harmful to young people”.

The group called for Streeting to set out a timeline of a clinical trial for the puberty blockers, adding: “We hope that, under this new Labour government, progress can be made to reset the public discussion on trans rights, centring on the humanity of, and compassion for, each individual trans person.”

Campaigners protesting the ban on puberty blockers

How has Streeting responded to criticism?

In a thread on X (formerly Twitter), Streeting acknowledged there’s “lots of fear and anxiety” around the decision he has made, but the “safety of children must come first”.

He argued the Cass review did not find enough evidence about puberty blockers’ long-term impact, adding: “The evidence should have been established before they were ever prescribed.”

The health secretary said the NHS is setting up a clinic trial with National Institute for Health and Care Research so the effects can be “safely monitored” to prove the evidence required.

He said puberty blockers’ use in children who start puberty much too early has been “extensively tested” and met safety requirements – but the same is yet to be said for gender dysphoria.

Streeting explained: “This is because the puberty blockers are suppressing hormone levels that are abnormally high for the age of the child.

“This is different to stopping the normal surge of hormones that occur in puberty. This affects children’s psychological and brain development.”

He added: “I am determined to improve the quality of, and access to, care for trans people.”

Some of the public statements being made are highly irresponsible and could put vulnerable young people at risk.

I know there’s lots of fear and anxiety. I am determined to improve the quality of, and access to, care for trans people.

8/9

— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) July 14, 2024

Keir Starmer Leads Tributes To Diane Abbott Weeks After Selection Row

Posted on 09/07/2024 by Boris Clair

Keir Starmer has led tributes in the Commons to Diane Abbott, just weeks after she was at the centre of a row over whether she would stand for Labour at the election.

The veteran left-winger has become the mother of the House of Commons as the longest-serving female MP.

But just two months ago, it looked as though she would not even be a Labour candidate over a long-running feud with party bosses.

Abbott, who was first elected MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington in 1987, was stripped of the Labour whip in April last year over allegations of anti-Semitism.

She eventually had the whip restored at the end of May, but senior Labour sources said she would not be allowed to stand as an election candidate for the party.

However, after a furious backlash, Labour bosses finally relented and she was re-elected last week with a majority of 15,080.

As MPs returned to parliament today for the first time since the election, Starmer and Rishi Sunak both praised Abbott’s contribution to British politics.

Addressing the re-elected Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle, the prime minister said: “I hope you will not begrudge me for a slight departure from convention to also pay tribute to the new mother of the house, Diane Abbott, who has done so much in her career over so many years to fight for a parliament that truly represents modern Britain. We welcome her back to her place.”

Sunak said: “We have our differences on policy, but no one can deny the right honourable lady’s important role in this house and the inspiration for so many young women of colour that she has provided.

“The right honourable lady is truly, in every sense of the word, a trailblazer.”

Abbott said: “When I was a new member in 1987, there were only 40 female members of parliament. Today we have 264, and some of us are glad that we have lived to see this.

“And I can’t speak about the increased numbers of female members of parliament without referencing my predecessor, Baroness Harriet Harman, who did so much to work to have an equal and diverse house.”

Keir Starmer’s Newly-Assembled Government: 5 Surprise Appointments – And 1 Snub

Posted on 07/07/2024 by Boris Clair

Keir Starmer has wasted no time in assembling his new top team for the government – but there have been a few surprising decisions.

Most of the cabinet is made up of top Labour MPs who covered the same portfolio while in Opposition, including a record eleven women.

But, the new PM has also introduced a few non-political ministers into the mix and brought back a few names from the New Labour era.

1. Patrick Vallance

Vallance became a well-known name during the Covid pandemic, as the UK’s then-chief scientific adviser.

He regularly appeared in briefings alongside then-PM Boris Johnson and the chief medical officer for England, Chris Whitty, although he left this role in April 2023 once his fixed five-year term was over.

He was knighted two years ago and will now receive a peerage so he can go to parliament.

He supported Labour’s flagship manifesto pledge to introduce a publicly owned energy company earlier this year.

Starmer has decided to appoint him as a science minister under science, innovation and technology secretary Peter Kyle.

2. Richard Hermer

A KC from Matrix chambers – which was co-founded by Tony Blair’s wife Cherie – Hermer has been appointed as the attorney general.

That means he will oversee the government’s legal department, serious fraud office and the crown prosecution service.

He will get a life peerage so he can sit in the cabinet.

Hermer was among many Jewish lawyers who warned that Israel’s retaliation to the October 7 attack from Hamas should be within the confines of international law.

He has also spoken at Labour conference and donated £5,000 to Starmer’s campaign.

His appointment means Emily Thornberry – who was shadow attorney general – has now lost out on a place in cabinet.

It’s an especially interesting choice considering the Labour vote was squeezed by pro-Gaza independent candidates in many constituencies, and even ousted former shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth from his seat.

3. Jacqui Smith

Smith held six roles in Blair’s government, and was promoted to be the first female home secretary under Gordon Brown.

Smith resigned in 2009 over a series of expenses scandals and in the 2010 general election her seat went to the Conservatives.

Starmer is now giving her a life peerage so that she can return to government as a higher education minister, reporting to education secretary Bridget Phillipson.

This is the same role Smith held under Blair, 25 years ago.

I am incredibly proud to be returning to @educationgovuk working with the enormously impressive @bphillipsonMP in a job which is crucial for ensuring opportunities for all and contributing to the government’s central mission to deliver growth. 😀 https://t.co/r0ppaXCqtG

— Jacqui Smith (@Jacqui_Smith1) July 6, 2024

4. Douglas Alexander

Alexander held multiple ministerial roles in the New Labour years, including transport secretary and Scotland secretary under Blair, and international development secretary under Gordon Brown.

He was the shadow work and pensions secretary and shadow foreign secretary under Ed Miliband, too.

However, he has not been in parliament for the last nine years as he lost his seat in 2015 when the SNP swept through Scotland.

He was just elected in a new seat – Lothian East– last week and is now a business minister in Starmer’s government.

It is a huge privilege to be asked to serve and I’m really looking forward to getting down to work… https://t.co/uid9Fw5JZz

— Douglas Alexander (@D_G_Alexander) July 6, 2024

5. James Timpson

Rehabilitation campaigner and CEO of the Timpson Group – which regularly employs former prisoners – James Timpson is now the prisons minister.

Starmer praised the businessman in his news conference on Saturday, saying he had invested “a huge amount over many years” into rehabilitating offenders and that he was “very pleased” to appoint him as a minister.

Timpson is also chair of the Prison Reform Trust charity which looks to reduce imprisonment and improve conditions for inmates and families.

The role will be under the spotlight as British prisons continue to struggle with serious overcrowding at the moment.

6. Emily Thornberry

The Labour MP has been on the party’s front benches for years, under both Jeremy Corbyn and Starmer, and ran to be leader in 2020.

So the decision not to include Thornberry, a former criminal barrister, in the cabinet in some capacity therefore came as a surprise.

Putin’s Foreign Minister Had Quite The Bizarre Take On Labour’s Landslide Victory

Posted on 07/07/2024 by Boris Clair

Vladimir Putin’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov offered the BBC a very strange response when asked what he thought of the UK general election.

Shortly after Labour secured a landslide victory and the Conservatives endured a historic loss, the BBC’s Russia editor, Steve Rosenberg asked one of Putin’s top aides what this could mean for international relations between the two countries.

“Ah, it’s you!” Lavrov said with a chuckle upon seeing the famous BBC journalist.

Rosenberg replied: “It’s me, yes… Do you think anything will change in UK-Russian relations?”

“Diplomacy is not an art of guessing,” Lavrov said, staring back at the reporter.

There was a pause while Rosenberg waited for further explanation, before he said: “What is it?”

Lavrov replied: “You know the saying about the pudding? You understand that this is a pudding when you eat it.”

The UK has been resolutely on Ukraine’s side ever since Putin chose to invade the country back in 2022.

And, like many Western countries, it has tried to hit Russia’s economy by weaning itself off Russian oil and gas exports, and imposing sanctions.

Lavrov’s comments come after Putin’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, said he does not think Labour’s victory will alter anything between the two countries.

He told Sky News: “This is domestic affairs for Great Britain, so as far as we understand it, it can hardly influence the Russian-Britain relationship.”

Asked if thought Putin would ever “welcome” Keir Starmer to the Kremlin, Peskov said: “It is very much unlikely.”

Pressed over what it would take for Starmer to get an invitation, Peskov said: “Putin is open to contact. This is Britain, this is London, that insists there shouldn’t be any continuation of dialogue.”

Peskov said he did not think the Russian president would be phoning Starmer to congratulate him on his win any time soon, saying: “Britain is quite hostile towards our country. Why should we do it?”

Who Is In Keir Starmer’s New Cabinet? PM Appoints UK’s First Ever Female Chancellor

Posted on 05/07/2024 by Boris Clair

Hours after getting into No.10 as the first Labour prime minister for 14 years, Keir Starmer started to announced his new cabinet today.

The PM had a victorious night, taking 412 seats in a landslide victory – but he did lose his party’s attack dog and shadow Paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth to a pro-Palestine candidate in one of the election’s most surprising results.

The shadow culture secretary Thangam Debbonaire also lost her seat to the Greens in Bristol Central, meaning Starmer was on the hunt to replace her.

Political pundits were keenly watching to see who would take on these two roles – and wondering if Starmer would have any shock appointments up his sleeve…

Here’s what the UK’s new cabinet looks like so far.

1. Angela Rayner

The deputy party leader since Starmer was elected in 2020, Rayner was the first to find out her new role today – she was appointed as the deputy PM.

She also became the levelling up, housing and communities secretary – a job she previously held in the shadow cabinet.

2. Rachel Reeves

Having been shadow chancellor since 2021, Reeves has just become the first woman to officially head up the Treasury as the chancellor in its 803-year history.

3. Pat McFadden

McFadden is now the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, having held the same role in opposition.

4. David Lammy

Lammy has become the new foreign secretary, despite brief speculation he could be moved away from the brief.

5. Yvette Cooper

Now the home secretary, she has retained her brief after serving as the shadow home secretary before the election.

6. John Healey

After four years acting as the shadow counterpart, Healey has now officially become the defence secretary.

7. Shabana Mahmood

Mahmood now holds the same role she had in the shadow cabinet – the Lord chancellor and Justice secretary.

She replaces the Tory’s Alex Chalk, who was one of the 11 cabinet ministers to lose their seats last night.

8. Wes Streeting

The new health secretary held the same role in the shadow cabinet for years before today’s appointment.

His seat ended up being surprisingly marginal, as he won by just 528 votes over the independent pro-Gaza candidate Leanne Mohamad in Ilford North.

9. Bridget Phillipson

Phillipson – like her colleagues – holds the same job she had in the shadow cabinet, education secretary.

10. Ed Miliband

Miliband – former Labour leader – is holding an identical brief now he’s in government, as the climate change and net zero secretary.

9 Key Takeaways From A Very Eventful Election Night

Posted on 05/07/2024 by Boris Clair

Labour won by a landslide while the Tories had some of their worst ever results – but this election also painted a very complex picture for Westminster.

Five independents were elected, while the rise of the Liberal Democrats, Reform UK and the Green Party show that last night was not just a tale of two parties.

Here’s a look at all the main stories from overnight.

1. Huge Labour victory

With a couple more seats still to be counted, the party took a whopping 412 seats, only six fewer than it did when Tony Blair was the helm in his famous landslide of 1997.

That works out to a gain of at least 211 seats compared to the 2019 general election.

It means a comfortable majority is ahead for Keir Starmer, as Labour were the largest party in England, Scotland and Wales.

The so-called “red wall” in the North of England was completely restored, too.

However, it’s not all plain sailing – Starmer comes to office on the smallest share of the vote of any winning party in UK history as the votes were widespread across many constituencies but not particularly high in number in any seats.

Only 33.7% of voters backed the supposedly reformed Labour, just 1.6% higher than his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn secured in 2019 when he famously lost.

That seems to reflect the general sentiment that support for Labour was more of an anti-Tory tactic rather than an endorsement of Starmer and his party.

Labour leader and incoming Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and wife Victoria enter 10 Downing Street

2. Drop in Muslim support for Labour

The party’s flip-flopping over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza has had a profound effect on its Muslim supporters.

In constituencies with a large Muslim demographic, support declined by around 23 points to 39%.

But this gave way to the rise of the independents, like ousted Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn who was re-elected into his constituency of Islington North.

In fact five pro-Gaza independent candidates were elected in total, outnumbering the total Reform UK candidates.

3. Worst Tory defeat in history

Rishi Sunak may have comfortably held onto his seat in North Yorkshire, but he was easily the biggest loser of the night.

He led the Conservative Party into its worst electoral defeat ever seen, losing 250 seats.

The Tories secured just 121 constituencies as the party’s vote share fell by 19.9 percentage points to 23.7%.

For comparison, John Major’s Conservatives won 30% of the vote share when they endured a huge defeat in 1997.

They will now have zero seats in Wales, and only one in the North East of England and one in the North West.

Many previously “safe” Tory seats were lost overnight, including four of the five constituencies were the last five Conservative leaders were elected.

David Cameron’s Witney went to the Lib Dems as did Theresa May’s Maidenhead.

Meanwhile Boris Johnson’s Uxbridge and South Ruislip, and Liz Truss’s South West Norfolk both went red for Labour.

And then there were 11 shock defeats for serving cabinet ministers – and the ousting for former PM Truss.

The share of the vote particularly fell in areas where high numbers backed leaving the EU.

The dramatic night means there’s likely to be a brutal battle to shape the party now, as Tories struggle to decide whether to pull it further right or into the centre.

Outgoing Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunal

4. Best Lib Dem result since 1923

The party has secured 71 seats – a whopping increase compared to the 2019 election, where they had only eight, and beating their 2005 record of 62.

They’ve won both new seats and old constituencies back – and ousted four cabinet ministers – albeit on just 12% of the vote share.

The Lib Dems also secured constituencies once held by former PMs David Cameron and Theresa May in their campaign where they targeted Tory areas.

It’s a far cry from the 2019 result when the party leader Jo Swinson unexpectedly lost her seat.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey is greeted by supporters

5. SNP in chaos

The Nationalists, who have completely dominated Scottish politics since 2014, secured just nine seats in a major blow to the project for independence.

That’s a drop of 38 representatives in Westminster, with many of their seats going to Labour and a handful going to both the Lib Dems and the Tories.

The SNP’s share of the vote has therefore fallen by 15 points – while Labour’s has increased by 17 in Scotland.

But it’s not a complete wipeout, considering the party still commanding a minority government in the Scottish parliament in Holyrood.

Yet, those seats could soon be at risk in the 2026 devolved election, depending on how Labour’s first few years in parliament goes.

Labour will also have to grapple with the increase of independence supporters among their voters.

6. Reform get a foothold in the Commons

The populist party took votes from the collapse of the Conservative support in many places, secured its first four elected MPs ever.

Party leader Nigel Farage won a seat for the first time (after seven failed attempts over the years) and Tory defector Lee Anderson – the party’s first ever representative in the Commons – was re-elected.

Reform chair Richard Tice and Rupert Lowe were elected, too.

Considering how quickly Reform has managed to gather support – Farage only entered the race two weeks after the election was called – the populists claim they will be able to put serious pressure on Labour in the next five years.

Farage has previously said he wants his party to be the main opposition to Keir Starmer’s party by the time of the next election, and last night said: “We’re coming for Labour, be in no doubt about that.”

7. Green Party get most MPs ever

With four MPs in Bristol Central, Waveney Valley, North Herefordshire and Brighton Pavilion, the Greens had their best set of results ever.

Until now, the party has only ever held the East Sussex constituency of Brighton Pavilion, giving them just one seat in parliament.

But last night, the party’s co-leader Carla Denyer overturned Labour’s shadow culture secretary Thangam Debbonaire with a 10,000 majority.

The other co-leader Adrian Ramsay defeated a 22,000 Tory majority in Waveney Valley, with a swing to the Greens of 32.1%.

Overall, it is expected to take 7% of the overall vote share – more than double what it secured in the 2019 election.

Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer after casting her vote in the 2024 General Election at Redland Park United Reformed Church in Bristol.

8. Sinn Fein hold on

The Republican party held onto its seven seats in Westminster, although it does not take them in protest to Northern Ireland being part of the UK.

It means most of the NI seats in Westminster will remain empty.

Sinn Fein is already the largest in local government and in the devolved government of Stormont.

And while the Democratic Unionist Party lost three of its eight seats, with supporters moving to other unionist parties, there was not a noteworthy shift in the vote share between Unionists and Nationalists.

9. Fall in overall voter turnout

This was the second lowest turnout ever recorded with only 60% of the electorate turning up, rivalled only by the 59% seen in 2001.

That suggests apathy and frustration may be more prevalent among the electorate than politicians realise.

Here’s What Is Going On With Postal Votes – And What You Can Do If You Have Not Received A Ballot

Posted on 02/07/2024 by Boris Clair

Concerns that postal ballots are not arriving at some voters’ doors have triggered a blame game between the Royal Mail and the government.

Here’s what happened, why it matters for Thursday’s general election – and what to do if you are yet to receive your own postal ballot.

What’s happened?

There have been widespread reports that thousands of postal ballots have not being delivered in time by their local councils.

According to The Telegraph, more than 90 constituencies across England and Scotland – including seats where cabinet ministers are standing for re-election – have expressed fears that ballots have still not been delivered.

Why does this matter?

Postal voters have until Wednesday to cast their ballot by mail, otherwise they can take their ballot to the address on their postal voting pack during office hours before 5pm on polling day.

In 2019, 21% of voters sent their ballot by post – but for this election, it’s expected to have shot up to 25%.

There were 1.3m postal vote applications made between May 22 and June 19, according to the Local Government Association, which represents councils.

It said: “This unprecedented increase adds more pressure to an already complex process and overburdened system.

“Councils and electoral staff across the country have been doing their utmost to ensure the smooth running of this election and that people can vote.

“We are aware of reports of incidents where delays have happened.

“The postal vote system could benefit from review and more could be done to support Royal Mail and printers to be ready to deliver elections.”

This delay with the postal votes is a particular issue in Scotland because school summer holidays have already begun – and some families have already left the country.

The SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said his party had warned the government this could happen if an election was held in July.

He told BBC Breakfast: “If their postal vote didn’t land in time then they’re now disenfranchised in this election.”

He told Sky News the blame “lies at Sunak’s doorstep”.

What does the government say?

On Tuesday, Conservative minister Maria Caulfield told Sky News the government is “urgently” looking into why some voters are still waiting to receive their postal ballots.

She said postal affairs minister Kevin Hollinrake is taking this “very seriously” and speaking to Royal Mail.

Caulfield added: “I know there’s extra resources going into this to try and do a sweep of all the sorting offices and make sure they’re out there.”

Hollinrake has publicly pressed Royal Mail to “do all they can” to ensure postal votes get to voters on time, while warning of a “resourcing issue”.

He told the Telegraph: “They have recruited extra people and I welcome that but they’ve got to make sure they’ve got the right number of people to deliver the mail at busy times like this.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Electoral Commission – which oversees UK elections – said there were pressures on the postal voting system due to the holiday season”.

It said it intends to carry out a review after the election, adding: “The vast majority of postal votes have been delivered, with tens of thousands landing on doorsteps over the weekend. We are not aware of any outstanding large-scale issues.”

What does Royal Mail say?

The organisation says it is delivering the postal ballots as soon as they can, and said where specific concerns have been raised, their investigations have confirmed they are “being delivered as soon as they arrive in our network”.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We have no backlog of postal votes and, whilst we are not complacent, we remain confident that postal votes handed to us on time will be delivered prior to polling day.”

It is now calling for a review into the timetable of how the printing and administration of the ballots are handled before they are given to Royal Mail for distribution.

PM Rishi Sunak praised the organisation’s approach, saying: “It’s right that the Royal Mail have said that they will look at any concerns where they’re raised, because obviously we want to make sure everyone can vote because this is an important election.”

What happens if you receive your postal vote late?

If you have not yet received your postal ballot, you are advised to contact your local authority for a replacement.

You can take your postal vote to your local polling station on Thursday if you receive it late.

It is no longer possible to apply for a proxy vote – where someone else votes for you – as that deadline has passed.

Some Scottish councils have set up emergency voting centres for those going on holiday who are yet to receive a postal ballot.