Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer agree to suspend election campaigning due to Prince Philip’s death

Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer agree to suspend campaigning ahead of elections in May as mark of respect following the death of Prince Philip

  • The PM Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer spoke on the phone this afternoon
  • They agreed to suspend campaigning ahead of elections scheduled in May
  • Political parties across UK have said they will pause campaigns to show respect

Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer have agreed to suspend campaigning ahead of elections in May following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh

The Prime Minister spoke to the Leader of the Opposition this afternoon when they agreed on the move. 

Political parties across the UK have announced they will be pausing campaigning as a mark of respect. 

Sir Keir Starmer

Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer spoke this afternoon and agreed to suspend campaigning ahead of elections in May

A number of elections are due to take place on Thursday May 6 after many were postponed last year because of the pandemic.

There will be local elections in England as well as Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly elections.

There will also be mayoral elections, including in London, as well as ballots for police and crime commissioners.  

The Labour Party said: ‘As a mark of respect following the sad death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the Labour Party has today suspended all campaigning.’ 

Amanda Milling, co-chairman of the Conservative Party, tweeted: ‘In light of the sad news from Buckingham Palace all campaigning has been paused until further notice.’

Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: ‘As a mark of respect to the Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen and the Royal Family, the Liberal Democrats are suspending the national election campaign today.’ 

Scotland’s major political parties have suspended campaigning for the Holyrood election. 

The SNP tweeted: ‘We have suspended our election campaign with immediate effect.’ 

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said: ‘This is not the time for political campaigning. It is a time for national mourning. 

‘Out of respect for Prince Philip, Her Majesty The Queen and all of the Royal Family, we have now suspended our campaign until Monday.’