General election: Starmer would tell Netanyahu ‘stop’ if he was PM amid Rafah horror

Rishi Sunak has argued his national service plan is “absolutely the right thing to do”.

The Prime Minister told reporters: “This modern form of national service will mean that young people get the skills and the opportunities that they need which is going to serve them very well in life.

“It’s going to foster a culture of service which is going to be incredibly powerful for making our society more cohesive and in a more uncertain and dangerous world it’s going to strengthen our country’s security and resilience.

“For all these reasons I think this is absolutely the right thing to do. Yes, it is bold, but that’s the kind of leadership I offer.”

Sir Keir Starmer has said the General Election amounted to a choice about “whose side are you on” as he promised to stand up for working people and restore trust in British politics.

The Labour leader said 14 years of Conservative “chaos” had led to a “crisis” in the national culture.

In his first major speech of the campaign, he sought to persuade voters that he could be trusted to deliver economic stability and protect national security.

SNP leader John Swinney has conceded his party “has a lot of ground to cover” to catch up with rivals Labour in the polls ahead of the General Election.

Mr Swinney, who took over as SNP leader from Humza Yousaf just three weeks ago, said the party was already united behind him and was “very focused on the election campaign”.

However, polls have shown the party, which for years has been the dominant force in Scottish politics, is now trailing behind Labour in the run-up to the July 4 voting day.

Rishi Sunak defended his national service plan, arguing it was the “right policy at the right time”.

He told reporters in Buckinghamshire: “This is the right thing to do because this is how we will deliver a secure future for everyone and our country.

“We are not going to do that without taking bold action and that’s the type of leadership that I offer.”

Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker has said the National Service plan was “sprung” upon Tory candidates.

Writing on social media, he suggested had it been a government policy, he would have had a say because of the particular sensitives around Northern Ireland.

He said: “Government policy would have been developed by ministers on the advice of officials and collectively agreed. I would have had a say on behalf of NI.

“But this proposal was developed by a political adviser or advisers and sprung on candidates, some of whom are relevant ministers.”

TUV leader Jim Allister has dismissed as “nonsense” speculation that he might switch constituencies to challenge the interim leader of the DUP in East Belfast.

The North Antrim MLA said while his party would be running in Gavin Robinson’s Belfast constituency, he said there had never been any consideration that he might be the candidate.

His comments came after Alliance Party leader and Stormont Justice Minister Naomi Long confirmed she would run against Mr Robinson in East Belfast.

Rishi Sunak has said 18-year-olds who sign up for the military section of his national service plan would be paid a stipend to help with living costs.

The scheme will cost £2.5 billion a year by 2029-30, according to the Conservatives’ figures.

The Prime Minister, answering questions on TikTok about the Tory policy, said: “As is the case in other countries, we will provide a stipend to help with living costs for those doing the military element alongside their training.

“Meanwhile, on the civic side, we will make sure organisations have funding for training and administration.”

He was answering questions on the Conservatives’ TikTok account.

The party is using the social media site even though security concerns have seen its use banned from Government devices.

The Labour MP for Worsley & Eccles South has resigned today.

Barbara Keeley made the announcement in a post on X.

The policy proposal, announced on Sunday by the prime minister, would see young people would be given a choice between a full-time placement in the armed forces for 12 months or spending one weekend a month for a year volunteering in their community.

At least 50 people have been killed and dozens more injured by an Israeli airstrike on tents for displaced Palestinians in Rafah, according to the Gaza health authorities.

The attacks came two days after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to end its military offensive in Rafah, where more than half of Gaza‘s 2.3 million population had sought shelter before Israel’s incursion earlier this month. Tens of thousands of people remain in the area while many others have fled.