Zarah Sultana, co-founder of Your Party, has called for discussions on electoral alliances to prevent Nigel Farage from becoming prime minister. Speaking on the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, the Coventry South MP argued that the Labour Party has 'left the scene' and that voters need a choice on the left of politics.
Sultana praised the Green Party's new leader, Zack Polanski, saying she 'gets on really well' with him. However, she emphasised that Your Party remains distinct as a socialist party focused on representing the working class. 'There has to be conversations around electoral alliances,' she said, adding that the goal at the next election must be to stop Farage from getting the keys to Downing Street.
Meanwhile, the government has announced an £820m package to tackle youth unemployment, offering 55,000 six-month placements in construction and hospitality. Ministers hope to help nearly one million young people move off benefits and into work. However, the Work Foundation warned that the scheme could push people into unsuitable or insecure jobs if sanctions are threatened.
In other political news, Lady Kishwer Falkner, former head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, expressed confusion over Farage's refusal to apologise for alleged racist behaviour at Dulwich College. Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately suggested Farage is not giving 'straight answers' and needs to be honest with the public. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has predicted that Angela Rayner will return to the cabinet, calling her 'hugely talented'.
