Steerpike

They may not command the power that they once did, but newspaper endorsements are still highly-prized by political parties. Labour is trying to convince voters that they have moved on since the Corbyn era, with the backing of Fleet Street's titles being a useful way of demonstrating this to their readers. The endorsement of the Sun this week comes after four years of effort by Keir Starmer's to show that his party has truly changed. Facing a landslide loss, the Conservatives meanwhile are getting only semi-enthusiastic support from the Tory press. The Daily Mail for instance is advocating tactical voting for the Tories to ensure it provides an effective opposition to a prospective Labour government, while conceding that the party is not realistically likely to win the election.

Uh oh. Amid the longstanding inquiry into Captain Sir Tom Moore's family, one rather damning conclusion has so far been reached. It has been revealed today that Captain Tom's daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and her husband have been disqualified from being charity trustees as part of an ongoing investigation by the Charity Commission. Talk about a fall from grace... Interest in the Captain Tom Foundation – set up in 2020 after the army veteran fundraised £38.9 million for the NHS during lockdown – piqued after concerns arose about the management of the charity and its independence from the ex-soldier's family. Sir Tom Moore passed away in February 2021, shortly after his 100th birthday and six months later, his daughter was made CEO of the charity.

'Sir Sleepy', it seems, is back. On the eve of taking up the most important job in the country, Keir Starmer has revealed that he will refuse to work around the clock should his party win Thursday’s election. Speaking to Virgin Radio this afternoon, the Labour leader contrasted himself with the current premier, well known for keeping long work hours. Starmer, who has two teenage children, said that he 'will not do a work-related thing after 6pm [on a Friday] pretty well come what may.' He claimed that spending time with his kids 'takes me away from the pressure [and] relaxes me', adding that the time away from work made him a better decision maker.

With a week to go until polling day, the Tories are stepping up their attacks on Reform. Following Channel 4's programme on Thursday, the Security Minister Tom Tugendhat has taken to the airwaves. Speaking to Times Radio today he warned that 'there is a real pattern of racist and misogynistic views' in Nigel Farage's pattern and that the conduct of some of their activists is 'horrific'. And Tugendhat – a Tory Remainer seen as being on the left of the party – is not alone. For Kemi Badenoch, the centre-right favourite to be the next Conservative leader, has today stepped up her attacks on Farage. The Business Secretary has previously displayed a wariness about engaging with the Reform leader – unlike rivals Suella Braverman and Robert Jenrick who would welcome him into the party.