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Nigel Farage has been accused of playing “dog whistle politics” on immigration, but a new YouGov poll shows his Reform Party has overtaken the Conservatives.
Mr Farage claimed immigration was impoverishing the country, but Plaid Cymru leader Rune ap Iowelt hit back, arguing the Reform leader was pursuing “dog whistle” politics.
Meanwhile, Conservative candidate Penny Mordaunt praised the education system, while Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner said only her party could be trusted when it came to the NHS.
Stephen Flynn, from the Scottish National Party, also argued that there were not enough immigrants in Scotland.
In a live televised debate between seven people ahead of the general election, senior Conservative and Labour leaders were grilled about their plans for governing.
Earlier in the programme, Mr Farage declared that the Reform Party was “now Labour’s opposition party”, after a YouGov poll for The Times put the party one percentage point ahead of the Conservatives.
“Just before we go on air we have overtaken the Conservatives in the national opinion polls,” Mr Farage said in his opening speech at the ITV debate. “We are now the opposition to Labour.”
Denier says politics is about choosing the future for our children.
She questions whether the two major parties are bringing about real change.
She says the Green Party is on the verge of a breakthrough.
Vote for us for real hope and change, she added.
Matt MathersJune 13, 2024 22:04
Plaid said recent scandals had left people “fed up” and losing trust.
Politicians need to be held to a higher standard, he added.
Matt MathersJune 13, 2024 22:02
Mr Flynn said more powers needed to be given to the people of Scotland.
He says Westminster is not working for people north of the border.
Matt MathersJune 13, 2024 22:01
Mr Farage agrees with the Green Party that the voting system should be changed.
He says the House of Lords is a disgrace and needs reform.
And a further referendum is needed, he added.
Matt MathersJune 13, 2024 22:00
Denier said the Green Party would adopt a proportional representation system.
She says the current voting system is not fair.
Matt MathersJune 13, 2024 21:59
Mordaunt replied, and the audience laughed again.
She says the Conservatives are the only party that won’t raise taxes.
Matt MathersJune 13, 2024 21:58
Mr Rayner said Labour would be honest about what it could and could not do.
The Conservative Party has undermined credibility through Partygate and other scandals.
Matt MathersJune 13, 2024 21:57
Cooper says the Liberal Democrats will devolve power to local governments
She was asked how she would improve trust in politics.
Matt MathersJune 13, 2024 21:56
Rune ap Iowelt asked Mr Rayner what Labour was going to do to reduce poverty.
She says economic growth is key to doing so.
She added that she would not make cost-free spending promises after the Conservatives bankrupted the economy.
Matt MathersJune 13, 2024 21:56
Cooper asks Mordaunt why the NHS should be left in the hands of the Conservatives, given the party’s track record.
“We have plans to reduce waiting lists and train more doctors,” she added.
Matt MathersJune 13, 2024 21:55
