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The bar for “worst-ever day for the Conservatives” has been set rather high in recent years. But yesterday — with Nigel Farage’s last-minute decision to stand as a Reform UK candidate followed swiftly by a poll placing the Tories on 140 seats — must be a contender.
It is remarkable that after so many years, Farage still has the ability to pop up at a hastily-assembled press conference and send the Tories into chaos. But his influence is clear to see. Indeed, by the evening Rishi Sunak had proposed a new annual cap on visas to ensure that immigration falls each year over the next parliament.
That net migration has hit such high numbers represents an uncomfortable status quo for all political leaders. They want to reduce and be seen to have reduced the numbers, but at the same time are concerned about the impact on business, the wider economy and sectors such as universities and healthcare.
Ultimately, the return of a political entrepreneur as skilled as Farage — whether for five years as he suggests or merely five weeks of a campaign — is likely to have a significant impact on the future direction of the Conservative Party and therefore the country.
Safety starts in schools
“Text me when you get home.” It is something practically every woman is so accustomed to saying or hearing that they do not think twice about it. But it is symptomatic of a city in which far too many do not feel safe, or as safe as they should. The Evening Standard’s Show Respect campaign is laser-focused on tackling violence against women and girls.
That is why, in partnership with The London Community Foundation, which manages the Dispossessed Fund, we have announced that 12 groups will be awarded grant funding to carry out healthy relationships workshops in schools of up to £37,500 each over two years, with programmes starting in September.
School is where a lot of toxic behaviours are learned and reinforced. It is our intention to demonstrate it is also where it can be stopped until we reach a point that women and girls feel safe wherever they are.
The real election choice
Voters tonight face a clear choice: between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer on ITV, or scantily clad men and women parading around a Mediterranean island on ITV2. There is no wrong answer — we can only hope that the costume departments deliver to the correct studio.
