'Aspects of Margaret Thatcher': Tory members react to Kemi Badenoch's leadership win

Tories: Starmer is no Margaret Thatcher

The shadow financial secretary has dismissed comparisons between Margaret Thatcher and Sir Keir Starmer, who likened his government to the ex-prime minister's. Criticising the Labour government's budget, Gareth Davies claimed Chancellor Rachel Reeves's budget has created an environment "not conducive to economic growth". The Tory MP's comments come as Reeves announced government support for Heathrow expansion in a major speech, in which the chancellor said a third runway could increase potential GDP by 0.43% by 2050 and could create over 100,000 jobs. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Former minister describes aid cut as ‘shameful’

Conservative MP Andrew Mitchell describes the government’s decision to cut international aid to 0.3% of GDP as “shameful” and “wrong”. The former international development secretary says he was “astonished” to hear about the decision, which will fund extra defence spending, insisting “there are many other ways you can raise that money”. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Badenoch suggests 'repurposing' aid budget to boost defence

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch says UK defence spending should go beyond a target of 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030, suggesting "short-term repurposing" of some of the 0.5% dedicated to development aid. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

CUTS: Badenoch speech

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch delivers a foreign policy speech in Westminster Report by Chinnianl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories 'disappointed' US didn't back UN Ukraine motion

The Conservatives have voiced disappointment at the US decision not to support a UN resolution condemning Russia's war against Ukraine – even though it was co-sponsored by the UK. However, Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins says it is still important to support President Trump in his wish to bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflict, despite the US siding with Russia in last night’s vote. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Kemi Badenoch praises Zelenskyy ahead of summit

Kemi Badenoch has praised Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It comes amid a wave of support for the President from world leaders following a tense exchange in the Oval Office with US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. "President Zelenskyy is a hero. He represents the Ukrainian people's strength and their resistance to an authoritarian regime which is destroying them. He needs all the support he can get," she said. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Badenoch takes aim at ECHR in conference speech

Kemi Badenoch says loopholes in liberalism like the European Convention on Human Rights have been "hacked", as she addresses the centre-right Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference in London. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn