Labour signs off manifesto with pledge to recognise Palestinian state
Recognition of Palestinian statehood as part of any Middle East peace process is a Labour manifesto pledge, Sir Keir Starmer confirmed as party figures signed off on the final policy document.
The Labour leader suggested that such a move should not be blocked by a neighbouring country, saying it was an “inalienable right” of Palestinians and not in “the gift of Israel”.
It came as shadow ministers, union representatives, MPs and members arrived on Friday at the party’s secretive Clause V meeting, where they set the seal on Labour’s election manifesto in the afternoon.
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Sir Keir Starmer
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Party representatives begin to arrive
Penny Mordaunt, Angela Rayner, Daisy Cooper, Stephen Flynn and Carla Denyer have arrived at New Broadcasting House ahead of the debate.
Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Daisy Cooper arrives
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The SNP’s Stephen Flynn arrives
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Co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales Carla Denyer arrives
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Britain’s Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt arrives
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Angela Rayner arrives for the seven-party UK Election Debate
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Holly Valance decides against standing for Reform UK
Rumours spread hours before the 4pm deadline for candidates on Friday that former Neighbours star Holly Valance was considering standing for Reform UK.
The actress and singer was reported to be considering standing against Tory party chairman Richard Holden in a bid to be elected as an MP for Basildon and Billericay in the July 4 poll.
But she told GB News that she ultimately decided against standing.
She said: “It’s not going to work for me – it was very difficult logistics wise.”
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Youtube/GB News screenshot
Tories drop candidate hours before nominations close
The Conservatives dropped one of their parliamentary candidates hours before nominations closed on Friday after receiving a complaint about his conduct.
Jaymey McIvor had been due to fight the Hemel Hempstead seat for the Tories in the General Election, but announced on Friday afternoon that he was withdrawing from the contest “for personal reasons”.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, just 50 minutes before the 4pm deadline for submitting nominations, the Epping Forest councillor said he was “sad” to announce he was no longer a candidate.
He added: “I’m incredibly proud of my campaign and the people I’ve met along the way. Especially the members who put their faith in me.”
Welcome to our live coverage
Welcome to the Evening Standard’s live coverage of the BBC election debate.
Leading figures from seven UK political parties are preparing to go head-to-head at 7pm on Friday evening.
The 90-minute broadcast will not feature Prime Minister Rishi Sunak or Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, with Penny Mordaunt representing the Tories and Angela Rayner deputising for Labour.
Angela Rayner and Penny Mordaunt will represent Labour and the Tories
