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Election latest: Labour to release manifesto today

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Election latest: Labour to release manifesto today

Keir Starmer appeared to freeze when called ‘a political robot’

Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to make wealth creation the “number one priority” should he win the general election as the Labour Party is set to announce its manifesto three weeks into the campaign trail.

The Labour leader promised his time in Downing Street would be distinctly “pro-business and pro-worker” as he seeks to win over disaffected Tory voters angry at a flatlined economy under prime minister Rishi Sunak.

Labour’s manifesto announcement is expected to include a pledge to cap corporation tax at its current rate of 25 per cent to give businesses long-term certainty – the latest in a series of promises not to raise tax.

But Sir Keir’s possible tax policies came under question during a televised Sky News interview and Q&A on Wednesday night.

The Labour leader was pressed about whether his party would consider hiking fuel duty or capital gains tax to raise more cash for the public purse, after he already ruled out raising income tax, national insurance, or VAT in the next parliament.

“There are no surprises in our manifesto, because our manifesto is a manifesto for growth,” he responded.

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Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer were grilled by Beth Rigby and her audience during Wednesday evening’s Sky News debate. As they stood on stage in Grimsby, the two leaders were challenged on their general election plans and promises ahead of next month’s vote. Mr Sunak was grilled on Rwanda flights and strikes, while Sir Keir was quizzed on his plans for tackling the cost of living crisis. There were moments when both leaders drew groans and laughter from the audience as they tried to win over the public. Here, The Independent takes a look at the strongest audience reactions from the debate.

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Former local Tory chair applauded for challenging Sunak on Partygate: ‘People have long memories’

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A former local Conservative Party chair was applauded for reminding Rishi Sunak that the public has “long memories” during Wednesday’s general election debate. The woman, who introduced herself as Amy from Leeds, told the prime minister she was “ashamed” by actions from the Tory government and admitted she was now an undecided voter. After pressing Mr Sunak on his decision to leave last week’s D-Day commemorations early, she warned that the British public will not forget other Tory scandals – including Partygate. “I just think we have long memories in this country,” Amy said, drawing applause from the audience.

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Keir Starmer confuses Grimsby with Hull during election debate

Keir Starmer confuses Grimsby with Hull during election debate

Sir Keir Starmer appeared to confuse Grimsby and Hull during Wednesday evening’s general election debate. The Labour leader took questions from Sky News political editor Beth Rigby and members of the audience as he attempted to win over the public ahead of next month’s vote. At one point, Sir Keir noted that he was impressed with apprentices he had met “here in Hull” – despite standing on stage 35 miles away. In another awkward moment, he was described as a “political robot” by someone in the audience.

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Audience gasp as post-Brexit migration numbers revealed to Rishi Sunak

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