Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick just claimed his rival Kemi Badenoch made a “mistake” when she criticised him – only to then hit out at her, too.
Jenrick and Badenoch are the only two candidates left in the race to replace Rishi Sunak as party leader.
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Tory members have to cast their votes by the end of this month and the official winner will be announced on November 2.
On Sunday, Badenoch took a swipe at Jenrick by telling The Telegraph: “Integrity matters … with me you’d have a leader where there’s no scandal. I was never sacked for anything, I didn’t have to resign in disgrace or, you know, because there was a whiff of impropriety.”
This is presumably a reference to Jenrick’s involvement in a 2020 planning dispute when he was housing secretary under Boris Johnson, a role which he was later sacked from in a reshuffle.
Speaking to Times Radio on Monday morning, Jenrick criticised Badenoch for speaking “ill” of her rival.
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“I think it was a mistake by Kemi,” he said, alleging he thinks Tory members are “sick of the drama”.
He continued: “They want to end all these excuses. They want to stop the squabbling and the backbiting. They want the party to unite and to be a team. That is what I want to do.”
He added: “So I am not going to speak ill of fellow Conservatives. I think if we do that, that will be the end of the Conservative Party.”
But Jenrick then decided to dish out an insult of his own, adding: “If my rival, you know, starts to deal with personal insults, that is because she doesn’t really have any policies to talk about.
“And I want to be talking about policies. That is what this debate should be about.”
The former minister then said: “Let’s not go down the rabbit hole of drama and infighting. We’ve had way too much, that’s not my way, that’s not how I would conduct myself if I’m leader of the party.”
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He claimed ultimately they are “grown ups,” and recalled how the Conservative Party is “the world’s oldest political party”.
He said: “Hitherto, it’s most successful. It is not a Twitter account.”
The Tories suffered a noteworthy defeat in July’s general election, losing the highest number of seats of any UK party in history (251), meaning they now have just 121 representatives in parliament.
Foreign secretary David Lammy has warned Vladimir Putin that the UK is “coming after” Russia after its “clumsy, ineffective” means to stoke unrest among Brits.
The government unveiled a new raft of sanctions on Monday against three Russian agencies and three senior figures whom, it alleges, have been trying to “undermine democracy” and support for Ukraine.
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These new punishments come days after Putin dismissed any claims of Russian interference as “utter rubbish”.
According to the foreign office, a Russian PR firm, Social Design Agency (SDA) is funded by the Russian state along with partner company Structura.
Western officials believe these companies, along with several other PR firms, have “attempted to deliver a series of interference operations designed to undermine democracy and weaken international support for Ukraine”.
The companies reportedly attempted to incite protests in six European countries this year through bots and fake sites, although their efforts have “consistently struggled online”.
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SDA was then forced to “consider buying social media views”, according to the UK.
Lammy said: “Putin is so desperate to undermine European support for Ukraine he is now resorting to clumsy, ineffective efforts to try and stoke unrest.”
The senior cabinet minister said these sanctions “send a clear message” to Moscow that the UK “will not tolerate your lies and interference and we are coming after you”.
He added: “Putin’s desperate attempts to divide us will fail.
“We will constrain the Kremlin, and stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
The US, EU, Canada and Australia have also announced action against the SDA today.
He said: “While the Russian military grinds away on the battlefield at horrendous human cost, Putin’s henchmen are seeking to strike elsewhere in the misguided hope of weakening Western resolve.”
As a former cleaner, I notice the little details (like polished taps and doorknobs, or truly streak-free windows) that show an expert level of cleaning.
You don’t have to be a cleaner to meet those standards; I’ve even had clients whose homes were pro-looking spick and span before I turned up.
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Even in those houses, however, an important part of the bedroom was almost always ignored.
Freddie Garnham, Lighting Design Engineer at Dyson, shared that “unseen dust mites, allergens and dust contribute to an unhygienic environment” in our sleeping space in one neglected area in particular.
Which is?
People, you are meant to vacuum your mattress.
It makes sense when you think about it ― you may already vacuum your sofa, but for some reason, mattresses always seem to evade deep cleans.
That’s not a great idea, Garnham says.
“Regularly vacuuming your mattress will ensure a cleaner and more hygienic sleeping environment and a sleep undisturbed by allergies,” he said.
“While the frequency will depend on the mattress itself, it is recommended to be cleaned every six months with bedding changed once a week to keep dust and allergens at bay.”
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He’s not alone. Speaking to Ideal Homes, Jane Wilson, manager of Fantastic Cleaners, said: “Regular vacuuming of your mattress can help remove allergens, dust mites, and dirt, contributing to a cleaner and more hygienic sleeping environment.”
She added,“It’s generally safe and beneficial for most types of mattresses. This includes mattresses with materials such as foam, latex, innerspring, hybrid, and memory foam.”
How should I vacuum my mattress?
The good news is that you don’t need a specially designed tool for the task: a plain old Henry or other vacuum will do.
Mattress Online says you should get the nozzle on the bed part and begin “using small circular motions over the entire mattress to make sure you lift all of the dust, dirt, hair and dead skin.
“If you have one, you can also use an upholstery attachment to make vacuuming a little easier, but it’s not essential.”
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Once you’ve tried it, we can almost guarantee you’ll never go back.
“There are around 7.6 million people living with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK,” the British Heart Foundation writes ― around four million men and 3.6 million women.
“We estimate that in the UK more than half of us will get a heart or circulatory condition in our lifetime,” they add.
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Despite that, not all of us are familiar with the signs of heart issues ― though to be fair, the NHS says some, like high cholesterol, ”[does] not usually cause symptoms.”
Most of us will need a blood test to diagnose high cholesterol.
However, the British Heart Foundation says that “if you have familial hypercholesterolaemia, you may have visible signs of high cholesterol.”
What is “familial hypercholesterolemia” and what are its signs?
Tendon xanthomata: a type of swelling that can appear on the knuckles, knees, or the Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle. It results from an accumulation of excess cholesterol.
Xanthelasmas: small cholesterol deposits that develop in the skin around the lower eye area and on the eyelid. They typically have a pale yellow appearance.
Corneal arcus: a pale white ring surrounding the iris, the coloured part of the eye. If you’re under 50 and have corneal arcus, it could be an indication of FH.
Other signs that aren’t visible include having a heart attack or stroke (especially at a younger age), noticing high cholesterol in your routine blood test, having a family history of premature heart disease or stroke, or knowing a relative has the condition.
Not everyone with FH will have all of those symptoms;get a genetic test if you’re unsure.
How can I lower my cholesterol?
Some people with high cholesterol will be put on medications called statins, but all will be advised to improve their diet and exercise more.
“To reduce your cholesterol, try to cut down on fatty food, especially food that contains a type of fat called saturated fat,” the NHS says, adding: “You can still have foods that contain a healthier type of fat called unsaturated fat.”
Stopping smoking, cutting down on or not drinking booze, and exercising for at least 150 minutes a week can all help too, they say.
Speak to your doctor if you’re worried about your heart health.
The very drawn-out Conservative Party leadership contest is almost over – but who will be the victor?
The party members have until October 31 to cast their votes, and, having stayed on as a rather reticent caretaker leader for almost four months, Rishi Sunak will finally be able to hand over the reins of the party on November 2.
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Former home secretary James Cleverly, perceived as a moderate within the party, was unexpectedly ousted in the last round of the MPs’ ballots earlier this month.
The final two candidates are now right-wing, former ministers, Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick, both of whom are known for regularly causing a stir.
So, as a new era looms for the beleaguered Conservative Party, here’s a look at the most eye-catching moments from the last leadership hopefuls standing during a rather chaotic contest…
Kemi Badenoch
1. Her row with David Tennant
Badenoch launched her leadership bid by reminding Tory members how actor David Tennant had called for her to “shut up” over her belief on the trans community earlier this year.
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In a video promoting her plan to lead the Conservatives, Badenoch said: “No, I will not shut up.
“When you have that kind of cultural establishment trying to keep Conservatives down, you need someone like me, who is not afraid of Doctor Who or whoever, and who is going to take the fight to them and not let them try and keep us down.
“That’s not going to happen with me.”
2. Claiming maternity pay is “excessive”
The Tory leadership hopeful sparked a row at the Conservative Party conference when she told Times Radio: “Maternity pay varies depending on who you work for, but it is a function, where it’s statutory maternity pay. It is a function of tax.
“Tax comes from people who are working. We’re taking from one group of people and giving to another. This in my view is excessive.”
She later had to issue a “clarification” saying she was actually talking about “the burden of regulation on businesses”.
3. Alleging people are “too scared” to start businesses
Badenoch doubled down on her concerns over business during the conference.
At a fringe event, recalling how a constituent explained she had to close her business because she could not afford wages or maternity pay, Badenoch claimed: “We are overburdening businesses.
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“We are overburdening them with regulation, with tax. People aren’t starting businesses any more because they’re too scared.”
4. Suggesting young Tories get marked down at university because of politics
While at the conference, Badenoch said “socialism” has returned to the UK now Labour are in power.
She said young Conservatives are now “afraid to share their politics with other students, because they will be attacked, that they are marked down by lecturers because of their beliefs”.
5. Claiming a tenth of civil servants should be “in prison”
Again, while speaking to the party faithful, Badenoch said 10% of civil servants are “absolutely magnificent”.
But she added: “There’s about 5 to 10% of them who are very, very bad – you know, should be in prison bad – leaking official secrets, undermining their ministers, agitating – I have some of it in my department – usually union led.”
The audience laughed after she spoke, suggesting it may have been a joke.
6. Suggesting not all “cultures are equally valid”
Badenoch wrote an article for the Sunday Telegraph saying “we cannot be naive and assume […] all cultures are equally valid” as “they are not”.
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She added: “I am struck, for example, by the number of recent immigrants to the UK who hate Israel.”
7. Huge fan of Elon Musk
Badenoch revealed she is a supporter of the world’s richest man, Elon Musk.
She said: “I think Elon Musk has been a fantastic thing for freedom of speech. I will hold my hand up and say, I’m a huge fan of Elon Musk.”
Her comments came weeks after the X CEO suggested “civil war was inevitable” in the UK during the far-right riots and repeated the right-wing conspiracy theory of two-tier policing.
8. A controversial take on class
Speaking on Christopher Hope’s Political Podcast, Badenoch claimed: “I grew up in a middle class family, but I became working class when I was 16, working in McDonald’s.”
9. “I don’t make gaffes”
Shortly after that remark about class, Badenoch told the podcast: “I never have gaffes, or apologising for something that I said, [saying] ‘oh that’s not what I meant,’ I never have to clarify, because I think very carefully about what I say.”
10. Endorsing a pamphlet “stigmatising” autism
Badenoch wrote the foreword for the ‘Conservatism in Crisis’ report which said an autism diagnosis “offers economic advantages and protections”.
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She claimed “mental health has become something that society, schools and employers have to work around”.
Conservative leadership candidates Kemi Badenoch, from left, Robert Jenrick
via Associated Press
Robert Jenrick
1. A strong interest in Thatcher
The Tory leadership hopeful told the Conservative Party conference he gave his daughter “Thatcher” as a middle name in a reference to the late prime minister.
Jenrick told The Sunday Times that he wonders if the head of the NHS in England, Amanda Pritchard, is “the best person Britain has to run the NHS”.
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He said: “It’s nothing personal against her. I know she’s very professional. But I do think it’s time for someone new, who gets that NHS productivity has to improve.”
3. His remarks on the SAS
As part of his claim about the ways the ECHR restricts the UK, Jenrick used footage of an SAS soldier, who has since died, in northern Afghanistan in around 2002 in one of his campaign videos.
Jenrick sparked backlash when he claimed: “Our special forces are killing rather than capturing terrorists because our lawyers tell us that if they are caught, the European court will set them free.”
4. Wearing a ‘Hamas are terrorists’ hoodie
Jenrick was pictured wearing a “Hamas are terrorists” hoodie at a Conservative Friends of Israel meeting.
5. UK has to leave the ECHR or the Tories ‘die’
The former immigration minister suggested the UK had to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), or die, because of the way it restricts how immigration is tackled.
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He said: “This is more than just ‘leave or amend’: frankly, our party doesn’t have a future unless we take a stand and fix this problem. It’s leave or die for our party – I’m for leave.”
6. Installing the Star of David at UK ports
Jenrick told a fringe event at the Tory conference: “A small thing that I fought for when I was the immigration minister was to ensure that every Israeli citizen could enter our country through the e-gate, through the easy access.
“So that at every airport and point of entry to our great country there is the Star of David there as a symbol that we support Israel, we stand with Israel.”
7. Support for Trump
“If I were an American citizen, I would be voting for Donald Trump,” he said in August.
However he watered these comments down a bit later, saying he does not agree with everything the Republican candidate says and “respects” Kamala Harris.
8. Promoting “English identity”
In an article for the Daily Mail, Jenrick wrote: “The combination of unprecedented migration alongside the dismantling of our national culture, non-integrating multiculturalism and the denigration of our identity has presented huge problems.”
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He added: “It has had a clear impact on our culture, customs and cohesion. Taken together, the attitudes and policies of our metropolitan establishment have weakened English identity. They have put the very idea of England at risk.”
However, he was unable to explain exactly what he meant when pressed over his wording on Sky News.
9. Claiming anyone shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ in the street should be arrested
Speaking to Sky News about the August riots, Jenrick said: “I have been very critical of the police in the past, particularly around the attitude of some police forces to the protests since October 7 [Hamas’ attack on Israel.]
“I thought it was quite wrong somebody could shout Allahu Akbar on the streets of London and not be immediately arrested, or project genocidal chants onto Big Ben, and that person not be immediately arrested.”
He later defended himself, saying he was talking about “aggressive chanting” of the phrase.
10. Forgetting what he did while Home Office minister
Jenrick claimed the current PM Keir Starmer “signed us up to eight more years of uncontrolled levels of illegal migrants” after the government invited companies to manage the Western Jet Foil and Manston facilities.
Actually, the leadership hopeful signed off on those contracts himself when he was the immigration minister.
But if you’re anything like me, a delusional part of your brain probably also went: “That looks nice, I could do that.”
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Well, if you want to attempt the precarious pastry, it turns out that none other than GBBO’s former judge Mary Berry has a timeless recipe.
Sharing her know-how on BBC’s site, the Cordon Bleu-trained chef said: “These decadent pastries filled with praline and cream are like giant profiteroles, perfect for sharing.”
How does Mary make ’em?
She says you’ll need”a food processor, a piping bag, a star nozzle and a silicone mat” to perfect her recipe, which offers two Paris-Brests (a pair if you will).
She preheats her oven to 220C/200C, lines a baking sheet with baking paper, and draws four 10cm-ish circles on it before flouring the parchment.
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Then, she makes choux pastry by putting milk, salt, sugar, butter, and water into a pan, removing from the heat once it starts bubbling, and ― frankly ― beating the bejesus out of it “until it forms a dough that leaves the side of the pan clean.”
Then she places the mix back into the pan and heats it for five minutes or so.
Once cooled slightly, she beats eggs into the dough “until the dough is smooth and glossy,” and then place it in a piping bag.
She pipes four thick rings into the circles she drew earlier, then tops them with egg wash and almonds.
These should be baked for 10-15 minutes at full temp, and then a further 10 minutes at 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4; dry them out in an opened oven for three minutes afterwards.
Then, Mary makes a praline by spreading hazelnut-filled caramel onto a silicone mat, leaving it to cool, and whizzing it in a blender.
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She also makes vanilla whipped cream for the filling.
“Sprinkle half the praline onto the bottom halves of the choux rings, then pipe a generous amount of cream over the praline. Sprinkle the remaining praline over the cream and place the pastry lids on top. Dust with icing sugar and serve,” Mary says.
It was named after a bike race that runs between Paris and Brest, a port city; it was even designed to look like a bike.
The New York Times advises making your praline first, in direct contradiction with Mary Berry’s advice (should we make them cycle a race to determine the winner?).
Fall is in the air, and so are an increased number of viral pathogens.
Flu activity usually begins to pick up its pace in October, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and many of us will have already experienced the first trace of a sore throat or stuffy nose that heralds the beginning of the cold and flu season well before then. Clearly, now is the time to start building your defences. A healthy immune system depends on a lot, including quality sleep, solid hygiene, stress management and, not least of all, a well-balanced diet.
Up to 80% of the body’s immune cells are found in the gut, and experts increasingly understand that what you eat affects the unique mix of friendly bacteria in the GI tract known as the microbiome, which influences overall immunity.
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“The immune system is a complex network of organs, tissues and cells,” said Dr. Carlos Zambrano, a board-certified infectious disease physician and the head of the COVID-19 task force at Loretto Hospital in Chicago. “Clinical deficiencies of [some key] nutrients can weaken immunity and increase susceptibility to infections.”
Nearly half of American adults fail to meet the most basic dietary guidelines. “So even a little boost can help,” said registered dietician Toby Amidor. While she cautions that there is no “magic bullet” food or drink that will “boost your immune system through the roof,” the following are foods that nutrition and infectious disease experts keep stocked in their own pantries. Find out why and what to add to your grocery shopping list.
“It works to upregulate certain chemicals in the immune system responsible for fighting viruses and bacteria and also targets inflammatory cells,” said Dr. Tania Elliott, a spokesperson for the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
While heat can destroy some of those benefits, researchers at Penn State University found that crushing or chopping the cloves activates their main bioactive compound. So, if you want the benefits without the bite of raw garlic, chop it and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before cooking.
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Chilli peppers
While people default to citrus as a source of vitamin C, green or red chilies (serrano, jalapeño, poblano) have nearly as much of this potent antioxidant, which has antiviral properties and may stimulate antibody production, which may help fight off bacterial infections when you have the flu, according to Dr. John La Puma, author of ChefMD’s “Big Book of Culinary Medicine.”
“You should have vitamin C-containing foods twice daily so you can fully absorb it,” he said. As a bonus, Elliott said that spicy foods contain capsaicin, a compound that can thin out mucous, making it less habitable for inflammation-causing viruses and bacteria.
by Elena Veselova via Getty Images
“Ginger contains gingerol, compounds that act as anti-inflammatories,” Amidor said.
Ginger
Like garlic, this root has antiviral and antibacterial properties and may be especially good at warding off or soothing a sore throat. One in vitro study found that a ginger solution was effective against three pathogens that commonly cause throat infections, and another found a ginger solution comparable to antibiotics in treating the bacteria that cause strep throat.
“Ginger contains gingerols, compounds that act as anti-inflammatories,” Amidor said. Studies have tested ginger extract in amounts from 20g/100mL to 100g/100mL and indicate more is better, so grate or slice some fresh ginger into soups, smoothies, broths or tea for the benefits.
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Sunflower seeds
Amidor likes to keep these on hand for snacking because they are a potent source of vitamin E and several minerals related to immunity. Not having adequate vitamin E is associated with reduced activity of white blood cells, which normally keep invading viruses from spreading, Zambrano noted. Sunflower seeds also contain magnesium, and skimping on that mineral is associated with decreased immune cell activity, increased oxidative stress and increased inflammation, according to recent research.
Canned salmon or other fish
Most people struggle to get enough vitamin D, particularly in the colder months. “In winter, too little vitamin D is made in your skin because the angle of the sun is too low,” La Puma said.
Harvard researchers found that people with low levels of this nutrient were about 40% more likely to have had a recent respiratory infection compared with individuals who had plenty of vitamin D. This may be because vitamin D triggers the production of antimicrobial compounds that can help neutralise the activity of infectious agents, including the influenza virus.
Salmon is one of the best sources of this nutrient, with one 3.5-ounce serving to deliver two-thirds of your daily value of D per USDA data, and shelf-stable cans or pouches make adding some to a salad or spreading on crackers easy.
Raw Manuka honey
Zambrano’s sweetener of choice is a specific kind of honey produced by bees in New Zealand. Manuka honey has antibacterial properties and contains a natural compound that can help with cough as well or better than over-the-counter cold medicines, according to research.
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Sea salt
Too much salt in your diet can get a bad rap, but Elliott likes to have coarse sea salt on hand to soothe a sore throat. “Gargling with warm salt water when you are sick, especially sea salt, can have an anti-inflammatory effect,” she said. “It works by helping to wash away viruses, bacteria, allergens and mucus in your throat. The rougher the salt, the better.”
One study found that participants who gargled with sea salt reduced the duration of their colds by an average of nearly two days, reduced their use of over-the-counter cold medicine by more than one-third, and were less contagious to members of their household.
Tea
“Hydration is such an important part of supporting your immune system,” said Glassman, “and people often aren’t drinking as much as they do in the summer.” Her solution is to stock up on tea. She especially likes turmeric tea, which contains the compound curcumin, an anti-inflammatory.
One study found that consuming curcumin for 12 weeks reduced the time healthy Japanese adults experienced cold symptoms. La Puma likes green tea, which he says has been shown to lower the viral protein production of cells infected with the influenza virus. He explained, “Catechins in green tea change the physical properties of the viral membrane and block a protein, called hemagglutinin, from the flu virus so the virus cannot be absorbed into your cells.”
