Nigel Farage ‘assessing’ return to politics amid warning Reform UK could pick off Tories - live

Reform UK leader Richard Tice said Nigel Farage was still assessing his political return but was “very confident” the party’s founder would play some role in the general election campaign.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday morning to launch Reform’s election campaign, Mr Tice also claimed a Labour government would usher in “Starmergeddon”.

He claimed Sir Keir Starmer would drag Britain back toward the EU as he branded the opposition and the Tories as both part of the same “socialist coin”.

Earlier, there was speculation over whether Nigel Farage would appear at the press conference. Mr Farage recently took part in I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here and rumours about his return to frontline politics have abounded ever since.

In the end, Mr Farage did not appear but Mr Tice said he was “very confident” that his predecessors would play some role in the general election campaign in the future.

politics03/01/2024

• Tice ‘very confident’ Farage will play role in election campaign

• Reform UK claims Tories and Labour are part of same ‘socialist coin’

• Speculation over Nigel Farage appearance at Reform press conference

• Party leader Richard Tice to claim Labour will ‘bankrupt Britain’

• 10 years in jail for people who defraud the government - Labour

18:13 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

We are now pausing updates on this live blog.

Sister of man who died on Bibby Stockholm thanks UK public for generosity- Part Three

18:02 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Home Secretary James Cleverly previously said that Mr Farruku’s sudden death would be “fully” investigated.

The Daily Telegraph, which first reported the deceased’s name, has stated that he paid 4,000 euro (£3,400) to cross the English Channel in a small boat to arrive in the country.

Ms Dushku, 33, who lives in Lombardy in Italy, told the newspaper: “When I spoke with him last time, he told me that the conditions in that boat were not bad but they were treated by the guards like animals.”

An impact assessment, which found the policy of housing asylum seekers on the Bibby Stockholm barge discriminated on the grounds of age and sex, was deleted from the Government’s website last month, two days after being published.

A note on the website said the impact assessment was “published in error”.

The assessment found that the policy of housing up to 500 single men on the barge was “directly discriminating in relation to age (and) sex” because the barge was only suitable for men aged 18 to 65.

The assessment argued that the greater need to house male asylum seekers within that age range in accommodation other than hotels justified discriminating on the grounds of age and sex.

It is understood that the Home Office only pays for repatriation following a death in detained detention, which it says does not cover the Bibby Stockholm as the residents are able to leave at will.

A Home Office spokesman said: “This was a tragic incident and our thoughts are with everyone affected.

“The welfare of all those in our care is of the utmost importance and we take this responsibility very seriously.”

Sister of man who died on Bibby Stockholm thanks UK public for generosity- Part Two

17:27 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Mr Farruku’s sister, Jola Dushku, posted: “I cannot thank enough all the people from the UK, the Albanian community in the UK, and all Albanians worldwide for their generosity in helping us to secure the necessary money by using GofundMe, to bring back home the body of my brother Leonard Farruku and for his funeral.

“Your kindness and generosity will be in my heart for the rest of my life and bring to our family the same sort of comfort now being able to repatriate his body.

“It’s a strong demonstration of the people’s humanity in the UK compared to the Home Office not willing to help for the body of my brother to be repatriated in Albania.

“All this was achieved in one day thanks to all of you and thanks to the PA news agency who supported our campaign, UK media, and Albanian media, in coordination with our family solicitor Mr Mark Scott, and the assistance of the Inquest organisation in London. Thank you from my heart. Jola.”

Sister of man who died on Bibby Stockholm thanks UK public for generosity- Part One

16:53 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The sister of an Albanian man who died on the Bibby Stockholm barge has thanked the UK public for its generosity after a fundraising appeal to repatriate his body has nearly doubled its target of £10,000.

Leonard Farruku was found unresponsive on board the accommodation vessel at Portland Port, Dorset, on December 12.

An inquest opened by Dorset coroner Rachael Griffin heard that a post-mortem examination found he had died from “compression of the neck” caused by “suspension by ligature”.

The hearing last month was told there were no suspicious circumstances and the case was adjourned for a full hearing to be held at a later date.

Mr Farruku’s family set up a GoFundMe page to raise £10,000 to repatriate the 27-year-old’s body, which remains in a Dorset mortuary.

By Wednesday, the campaign had reached £18,784.

Partygate peer Shaun Bailey accused of sexism over Carol Vorderman ‘boobs and bum’ remark

16:31 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Scandal-hit Tory peer Shaun Bailey has been accused of misogyny for telling Carol Vorderman she cannot talk about politics while posting pictures “of her bum and her boobs” on Instagram.

The failed London mayoral candidate, who attended a lockdown-breaking “jingle and mingle” Christmas party, said “she can’t be both”.

Speaking to GB News about the former countdown star, Lord Bailey said: “On one hand… she’s a serious political commentator, and then if you look at her Instagram it’s all pictures of her bum and of her boobs. So what is it here? She can’t be both.”

Tory peer Shaun Bailey accused of sexism over Carol Vorderman ‘boobs and bum’ remark

15:50 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Junior doctors strike outside London hospital as six-day industrial action begins

Reform UK rules out deal with the Tories as Nigel Farage ducks bid to become MP

15:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Reform UK has “categorically” ruled out a deal with the Tories at the 2024 general election as Nigel Farage appears to have ducked an eighth bid to become an MP.

In a move that piles yet more pressure on Rishi Sunak, Reform leader Richard Tice vowed to field candidates in every constituency in England, Wales and Scotland.

Speaking at the party’s election campaign launch on Wednesday, he insisted Reform would not do a deal with the Conservatives under any circumstances. In 2019 the group formerly known as the Brexit Party stood down hundreds of candidates to help Boris Johnson secure a majority.

Reform UK rules out deal with the Tories as Nigel Farage ducks bid to become MP

Statistics watchdog to investigate Sunak claims about clearing asylum backlog

15:08 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The Office for Statistics Regulation is investigating Rishi Sunak and James Cleverly’s announcement about clearing the asylum backlog, The Independent has learnt.

Mr Sunak claimed to have cleared the asylum backlog despite nearly 100,000 cases still waiting to be processed, including 4,500 legacy asylum cases.

Junior doctors start longest strike in NHS history

14:53 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The longest strike in NHS history “couldn’t come at a worse time”, experts said as they warned that elderly patients could put off seeking medical help due to the walkouts.

Hospital bosses said the health service is “in the grip of peak winter pressure” as junior doctors in England take to picket lines for six days.

NHS Providers said the “unprecedented” action will lead to delays in care for thousands of patients.

Junior doctors start longest strike in NHS history

14:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey launches ‘Tory removal service’ as he visits Tory seats

Reform is a ‘bigger threat to the country’- Lee Anderson

14:06 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson has claimed that Reform is a “bigger threat to the country” than Labour as he suggested his own seat was among those at risk from the party.

But the MP for Ashfield, in Nottinghamshire, said that Mr Farage was doing “fantastic things” and had to stand in the next election and become party leader for Reform to make inroads.

Mr Tice said: “Lee is very worried, he’s terrified that we’re going to basically put him out of the job.

“The honest truth is, there are quite a number of Tory MPs in a similar position - stop staying with the toxic Tories, stop defending the indefensible, be brave, be bold, come on over.”

Reform rules out Tory pact

13:41 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Reform UK has ruled out entering into any electoral pacts with the “terrified” Tories as Rishi Sunak came under fresh pressure from his political opponents to call a general election.

Richard Tice, the leader of the Nigel Farage-linked party, said he could be “absolutely categoric” there will be no deals despite the alleged pleading of some Conservatives.

The Liberal Democrats, meanwhile, demanded that the Prime Minister should launch a general election for May rather than “clinging on to power”.

Holding a press conference near Parliament, Mr Tice said the country wants to go to the polls “sooner rather than later” as voters want to “punish the Tories for breaking Britain”.

“The truth is the Tories are terrified,” he told an audience gathered at a plush hotel on Wednesday.

“Yes, in the new year the special pleading has already started: ‘Oh, please don’t stand here, please don’t stand there, I’m one of the nice guys, I believe in everything that you believe in.”’

No money for public service reform in Scotland budget - Cosla

13:23 , Matt Mathers

The Scottish government’s budget contains no money for public service reform, local council leaders have complained.They also hit out at increases in the government’s “internal costs” while their own budgets are disproportionately affected by cuts to capital funding.

Cosla, (the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) has been voicing its unhappiness with the budget following a meeting of council leaders in December. Deputy first minister Shona Robison’s budget offered £144 million to local authorities as compensation for freezing council tax.

However, Cosla said this would not fully fund the freeze, warning services would be at “breaking point” with “cuts in every community”.In a statement on Wednesday, Cosla said: “The budget as it stands leaves not a single penny for transformational public service reform – there is very limited scope for a focus on spend to save.

“The 2024-25 budget shows a clear difference between the treatment of local government and other public bodies, with local government disproportionately impacted by cuts to capital funding.”

‘Stop the boasts’ is a good soundbite on immigration, but what would Labour actually do?

13:10 , Matt Mathers

“Stop the boasts” is a good soundbite on immigration, but what would Labour actually do?

Would Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper really be any better at dealing with asylum applications, asks John Rentoul

Read John’s full piece here:

‘Stop the boasts’ is a good soundbite, but what would Labour actually do?

Reform UK leader Richard Tice warns of risk of ‘Starmergeddon’

12:45 , Matt Mathers

Richard Tice has warned of “Starmergeddon” if Keir Starmer’s Labour party win a 2024 election, Rhys Jones reports.

The Reform UK leader, 59, held a news conference on Wednesday 3 January, where he lashed out at both Rishi Sunak and the Labour leader.

“We are facing a catastrophic cocktail of economic incompetence and cultural pillage that will be a disaster for the United Kingdom,” Mr Tice said on a potential Labour government.

The party leader doubled down on his criticism, adding: “In every Labour Government, in every socialist way, they want more taxes, they want more of your money.

Watch the clip here:

Reform UK leader Richard Tice warns of risk of ‘Starmergeddon’

Labour considering tax cuts - report

12:15 , Matt Mathers

Cuts to national insurance or income tax are being considered by Labour as part of the party’s offer at the general election.

Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, wants to show voters that Labour is on the side of “opportunity and aspiration”.

She is facing pressure from frontbenchers to make a “retail” offer on tax to voters who are struggling with the cost of living crisis, The Times reports.

Richard Tice wraps up Reform UK press conference

11:53 , Matt Mathers

Richard Tice has wrapped up Reform UK’s press conference, after criticising Labour and the Tories.

The party’s leader doubled down on his pledge to fight in every seat in the UK at the next election and warned against what he described as “Starmageddon” - claiming Labour’s plans for the country would bankrupt the country.

He accused Rishi Sunak of failing on four out of his five pledges and urged the prime minister to call an election sooner rather than later.

Despite rumours before the press conference, Nigel Farage did not make an appearance at the event although Mr Tice said he was “very confident” the party’s founder would have a role to play in the election campaign.

‘We will not step aside in any circumstances,’ Tice says

11:40 , Matt Mathers

Richard Tice has said “categorically” that the party will not do any deals with the Conservatives ahead of the next general election, Archie Mitchell reports.

In 2019 Reform UK, then the Brexit Party, stood hundreds of candidates down to help the Tories win a majority.

But Mr Tice told a press conference in London: “I can be absolutely categoric that we are not doing any deals with the Tories. We will stand everywhere in England, Scotland, Wales, absolutely under any circumstances.”

Tice: I’m ‘very confident’ Farage will play a role

11:34 , Matt Mathers

Richard Tice is “very confident” his predecessor as leader Nigel Farage will take a formal role for Reform UK in this year’s general election, he told a press conference in London, Archie Mitchell reports.

He said the former leader is still “assessing” what role he will play in the campaign, and that “nothing should be rushed”.

“Patience is a virtue,” he said. But Mr Tice said he is “very confident” Mr Farage will be involved.

Watch:

Nigel Farage is ‘giving a lot of thought’ to his role with Reform UK, Tice

11:30 , Matt Mathers

Nigel Farage is “giving a lot of thought” to his role with Reform UK, but is “still assessing” whether to take on a formal role with the party, Richard Tice said, Archie Mitchell reports.

Reform, formerly the Brexit Party, poses a threat to the Conservatives, and the prospect of Nigel Farage returning in a prominent role risks adding to the threat.

But, amid speculation he is considering a comeback, Mr Tice, who took over as leader of the party in 2021, said he looks forward to letting everybody know.

“A good poker player does not show their hand too early, Nigel is the master of political timing, but I am very clear, the job at hand is so big, to save Britain, the more help Nigel is able to give in the election campaign the better,” Mr Tice said.

It’s not sufficient to defeat the Tories… we have to get 12 seats in parliament

11:29 , Matt Mathers

Reform UK is aiming to win a dozen or more seats in parliament at this year’s general election, its deputy leader has said, Archie Mitchell reports.

Ben Habib, who will stand in the upcoming Wellingborough by-election, said it is “not enough” to defeat the Tories.

“We have to lead the way and get seats in parliament… we don’t need many, but if we can get a dozen or more seats in the next parliament,” Mr Habib said.

“The political environment is extremely bright, people are extremely upset,” he added.

Ben Habib is standing in the Wellingborough by-election

11:25 , Matt Mathers

The deputy leader of Reform UK will stand in a by-election in Wellingborough, sparked by the removal of Peter Bone from parliament, Archie Mitchell reports.

In the 20th by-election since the 2019 general election, Ben Habib will stand to replace Mr Bone.

Mr Habib is a former Tory donor who backed Brexit and was later elected as a Member of the European Parliament for the Brexit Party.

Tice: ‘Starmergeddon is a risk near you in 2024'

11:15 , Matt Mathers

The leader of Reform UK has claimed Labour and the Conservatives are both part of the same socialist coin in a bid to offer his party as an alternative, Archie Mitchell reports.

Richard Tice warned a Labour government would usher in “Starmergeddon”, claiming Sir Keir Starmer dragging Britain back toward the EU.

And he said Labour would oversee more government spending and “nanny state regulations”.

“Starmergeddon is a risk near you in 2024,” Mr Tice said.

Richard Tice: We will stand in every seat in England, Scotland and Wales

11:09 , Matt Mathers

Richard Tice has said the country never voted that it was “ready for Rishi”, but is now ready for the prime minister to call an election, Archie Mitchell reports.

The leader of Reform UK, which is setting out plans to wreak havoc for the Conservatives at the election, said Britain wants to “punish the Tories for breaking Britain”.

“I think the country wants to punish them, to oust them and replace them,” Mr Tice told a press conference in London.

He added: “The Tories are terrified… the special pleading has already started, ‘oh, please fon’t stand here’...

“You’ve all broken Britain. You’re all responsible. So there’s no special deals. We will stand in every single seat in England, Scotland and Wales.”

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK will ‘pick off’ Tory MPs, Lee Anderson warns

11:00 , Matt Mathers

Lee Anderson has warned that Nigel Farage’s Reform UK could “pick off” a lot of Conservative MPs and open the door for a Labour landslide.

The Tory deputy chairman said Mr Farage’s party, formerly the Brexit Party, is a “threat”, adding that they are a “bigger threat to the country at the moment than the Labour Party”.

Archie Mitchell reports:

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK will ‘pick off’ Tory MPs, Lee Anderson warns

2 million in London and South East will be pushed into higher tax bracket research

10:50 , Matt Mathers

Research by the Liberal Democrats says more than 2 million people in London and South East England are set to be pushed into a higher tax bracket.

The two regions will be hardest hit by the government’s decision to freeze income tax thresholds - which have been branded “stealth” taxes - rather than raise them in line with inflation.

About 1.1 million taxpayers in London and the South East will be pushed into the higher 40p rate of income tax by 2027-28, according to the research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats, first reported by the Financial Times.

Just under 1mn people in the two regions will be dragged into paying income tax at the lower 20p rate, the research found. The analysis did not include numbers for the highest 45 per cent rate of tax.

Farage could take up role as Reform election campaign chief - report

10:45 , Matt Mathers

Nigel Farage could take up a role as chief of Reform UK’s election campaign if he is to return to frontline politics.

He is unlikely to return to replace Richard Tice as the party leader, according to the i, which said that an election would take place if Tice were to step away.

Mr Farage has also not ruled out joining the Conservative Party.

Government should get back ‘around the table' with doctors - Labour

10:35 , Matt Mathers

Government ministers should get back “around the table” and negotiate with doctors to secure a pay settlement and prevent strikes, a Labour frontbencher has said.

Nick Thomas-Symonds, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, accused the government of not engaging “at all” with public sector workers across the board and introducing “passive-aggressive legislation to make the situation worse”.

When by Sky News what Labour would do to end the stalemate, he said his party would not have passed anti-strike laws and would negotiate more with medics taking industrial action.

Watch some of the interview here:

Junior doctors start longest strike in NHS history

10:20 , Matt Mathers

The longest strike in NHS history “couldn’t come at a worse time”, experts said as they warned that elderly patients could put off seeking medical help due to the walkouts.

Hospital bosses said the health service is “in the grip of peak winter pressure” as junior doctors in England take to picket lines for six days.

Full report:

Junior doctors start longest strike in NHS history

ICYMI: Could Rishi Sunak gamble on a spring election?

10:10 , Matt Mathers

With a recession still possible, the prime minister might be tempted by an autumn election, says Sean O’Grady. But might he gamble on a quicker turnaround?

Read Sean’s full piece here:

Could Rishi Sunak gamble on a spring election?

10 years in jail for people who defraud the government - Labour

09:53 , Matt Mathers

Criminals who defraud the government face up to ten years in jail under plans being considered by Labour to crack down on “cronyism”.

Keir Starmer will make the pledge in a speech on Thursday to mark the beginning of the election year.

“After the sex scandals, the expenses scandals, the waste scandals, the contracts for friends – even in a crisis like the pandemic – people think we’re all just in it for ourselves,” he is expected to say, The Guardian reported.

“To change Britain, we must change ourselves – we need to clean up politics. No more VIP fast lanes, no more kickbacks for colleagues, no more revolving doors between government and the companies they regulate.

“I will restore standards in public life with a total crackdown on cronyism.”

Full report.

ICYMI: Nigel Farage will find it ‘very hard to resist’ political comeback, says ally

09:43 , Matt Mathers

Nigel Farage could soon stage a return to frontline politics by playing a leading role for the Conservatives’ right-wing rivals Reform UK, the party’s leader has said.

Richard Tice said the star of ITV’s I’m a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! would find it “very hard to resist” a big comeback ahead of the next year’s general election.

Adam Forrest reports:

Nigel Farage will find it ‘very hard to resist’ political comeback, says ally

What time is the Reform conference?

09:37 , Matt Mathers

Reform is holding a press conference this morning.

The event is scheduled to start at 10.30am at a hotel in central London, near Victoria station.

Richard Tice, Reform leader, will lead the event with other “guests” set to feature.

09:35 , Matt Mathers

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live politics coverage.

Reform UK is holding a press conference in central London this morning, with speculation growing over a potential appearance by Nigel Farage.

In remarks briefed out overnight, Reform leader Richard Tice will claim Keir Starmer’s Labour Party “will bankrupt Britain with a catastrophic cocktail of cultural and economic poison” if it wins the next general election.

We’ll have updates on this story and others throughout the day.

Stay tuned for all the latest news from Westminster and elsewhere.