Election latest: Protester climbs on to Tory battle bus (2024)

Farming minister Sir Mark Spencer has denied Greenpeace activists' claims that the Tories scored the worst of all parties on the environment.

Asked about the protester climbing the Conservative battle bus, he said it was ironic that "I'm here in my electric rechargeable vehicle and they turned up in their diesel van to protest about the environment".

Sir Mark said: "I think they made their point. I mean, I'm sympathetic to some of the points they made.

"You know, I think in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs we're doing a lot to lower our carbon footprint and improve the environment."

He said the criticism of the Tories' record on the environment was not "fair at all".

"We've made huge strides in making sure that we are both energy secure but lowering our carbon footprint as as a nation."

Sammy Wilson, the East Antrim candidate for the Democratic Unionist Party, has condemned a "senseless attack" on his constituency office.

The DUP said a "number of shots" were fired at the window of his office in Carrickfergus overnight.

Mr Wilson said this is a "senseless attack" - but he "won't be deterred" from speaking his mind.

He added: "Whilst we do not know what sort of weapon was used in the attack it could have caused injury to anyone who happened to be in the area at the time.

"Throughout my years as a public representative, I have never been deterred from putting forward by views and I won't be deterred now."

The other candidates in East Antrim are:

• Mark Bailey, Green Party
• Danny Donnelly, Alliance
• Margaret Anne McKillop, SDLP
• Oliver McMullan, Sinn Fein
• John Stewart, UUP
• Matthew Warwick, TUV

If you don't have any photo ID, today is the deadline to apply for an ID certificate you can use at the general election.

This is called a Voter Authority Certificate - and you have until 5pm to apply online.

That's also the deadline to apply for someone to vote on your behalf if you can't make it to the ballot box on 4 July - known as a proxy vote.

Tap here if you need to do that.

Remind me... what are these certificates all about?

This is the first time people voting at a UK general election will need to provide photo ID.

There are 22 different types of ID you can use - including passports, driving licences, and other travel passes.

You can find a full list below:

But if you don't have one, get a Voter Authority Certificate.

To apply online here, you must have already registered to vote.

You also need a recent photo and your National Insurance number, or some other way of proving your identity - like a bank statement.

Remember, you have until 5pm. Don't forget!

Amy Rugg-Easey, the Greenpeace protester who climbed on to the roof of the Conservative battle bus, has criticised the prime minister's record on climate.

She had sat atop the bus in Nottinghamshire for a matter of minutes, before climbing down holding a flag reading: "We need clean power, not Paddypower."

The woman was one of four people charged with with criminal damage after a protest on the roof of Rishi Sunak's home in August last year.

She pleaded not guilty to the charge, with a trial set to take place in July.

Today, Ms Rugg-Easey said: "Fourteen years of Conservative governments has left this country broken.

"(Rishi) Sunak has gone backwards on climate action, ditching key pledges and promising to 'max out' the climate-wrecking oil and gas that are the cause of the cost of living crisis and our unaffordable bills.

"Our rivers are awash with sewage and our economy, NHS and public services are on their knees.

"Enough is enough. We've climbed onto Sunak's battle bus today to remind the British public that it is the Conservative government's consistent failure to deliver greener, fairer policies that has created the mess we're in.

"Don't back the wrong horse - a vote for the climate is a vote for a better future."

The prime minister was not travelling on the Conservative battle bus on Wednesday.

Our live poll tracker collates the results of opinion surveys carried out by all the main polling organisations - and allows you to see how the political parties are performing in the run-up to the general election.

It shows a drop in support in recent days for Labour and the Tories - with a jump for Reform and the Liberal Democrats.

Read more about the tracker here.

A Greenpeace protester climbed on top of the Conservative battle bus while it was parked up in Nottinghamshire this afternoon.

Our political correspondent Darren McCaffrey was at the scene, where climate protesters were stressing the need to vote with the climate in mind.

Asked about the method of their demonstration, one man said: "I think it's an important way to make our point."

The protester - a young woman named as Amy Rugg-Easey - was on top of the bus for a matter of minutes, before climbing down holding a sign reading: "Clean power not Paddypower".

This banner is likely a reference to the Conservative betting scandal, which has seen the party withdraw support from a number of candidates over allegations of informed betting on the date of the election.

The general election is next Thursday, but smaller parties are still launching their manifestos to make a bid for votes - and seats - on 4 July.

The latest comes from the Ulster Unionist Party, which launched its manifesto, titled "Making Northern Ireland work", this morning.

Here are the key points of the UUP's election pledges:

• Its manifesto details that the Ulster Unionist Party is committed to defending and promoting Northern Ireland's place within the UK;
• On the economy, the party has said it is committed to fiscalresponsibility and effective financial stewardship. It aims to work with the Westminster to graduallyreduce Corporation Tax in Northern Ireland to15%;
• The UUP also vows to "commit to our long-standing policy of maintaining pay parity" in the health service in Northern Ireland;
• It also commits to engage with Executive colleagues in order to ensure independent pay recommendations are funded and delivered as quickly as possible;
• And the party vows to increase Northern Ireland's police force by 7,500.

Josh Greally, 28, has admitted a public order offence at after throwing items at Reform UK leader Nigel Farage on 11 July.

Greally, from Chesterfield, was arrested in Barnsley town centre after he threw what looked like a coffee cup and another object at Mr Farage, who was campaigning on the top deck of his battle bus.

Neither of the objects hit the politician.

Greally pleaded guilty in a short hearing when appearing atBarnsley Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

He will be sentenced on 28 August.

A man arrested in north London in connection with the Westminster honeytrap scandal was a Labour Party member, Sky News understands.

Met Police said they had taken a man in his mid-20s into custody in Islington this morning.

He was arrested on suspicion of harassment and committing offences under the Online Safety Act.

Labour said they had administratively suspended a member after police notified them of the arrest.

The honeytrap scandal saw a number of MPs and parliamentary staffers received suspicious messages from unnamed senders.

The investigation by theMet's Parliamentary Liaison and Investigation Team began on 6 April following reporting, first published by Politico, of unsolicited messages being sent to MPs and people with links to parliament.

Those looking to drive to polling stations can park for free this general election.

JustPark are offering drivers 30 minutes of free parking near polling stations on 4 July.

They will need to pre-book online or via the JustPark app, however.

"We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to vote, but know that on the day it isn't always that straightforward," Mary Corrie, managing director of Just Park UK, said.

"By offering free parking on election day, we hope to make it easier for all voters, especially those with mobility issues or who are short on time, to find a place to park near their polling station.

"This is the second time we have offered this service, following its great success in the 2019 election, and we are confident it will help to get people to the polls once again."