General election LIVE: Rishi Sunak hit by exodus of Tory MPs on first day of campaign

Sir Keir Starmer pitched the General Election as a vote between "two different countries, two different futures" for the UK as he launched Labour’s campaign with a stinging attack on the Tories.

Speaking at Gillingham Football Club on Thursday morning, the Labour leader said: "This election is about a choice: Two different countries, two different futures.

"Decline and chaos continuing under the Tories, or rebuilding our country under Labour.”

Five Conservative MPs have today confirmed they will not be on the ballot on July 4. Sir Michael Ellis became the fifth Conservative to say he would not seek re-election on Thursday after the Prime Minister called the general election. They included Transport Minister Huw Merriman.

Earlier, Rishi Sunak fired a deeply personal salvo at his Downing Street rival as general election battle lines were drawn on the first day of campaigning.

The Prime Minister headed to Derby as he started a whistlestop tour of all four nations of the UK.

Mr Sunak set the tone for the election early by attacking Sir Keir as a man lacking “conviction”, “courage” and with no “plan” on key issues including the economy and immigration.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, the PM said: “I don’t know what Keir Starmer believes, I don’t think anyone knows because he changes his mind all the time.

“If you don’t have the courage to tell the country what your plan is, what do you want to do if you get this incredible job of being Prime Minister, then I don’t think that it’s right that you can lead, particularly at such an uncertain time.

“That is what I will do. People can judge me by my record.”

But the PM will face accusations that he has failed on several of his five key pledges including on “stopping the boats”, bringing down NHS waiting lists, cutting the nation’s debt.

He has succeeded in halving inflation and getting the economy growth again.

Meanwhile, Reform UK’s honorary president Nigel Farage has said he is not standing in the General Election, but will “do my bit to help in the campaign”.

Follow latest updates below.

Key Points

• Nigel Farage says he will not be running in General Election

• Rishi Sunak concedes flights to Rwanda will not take off before election

• Sir Keir Starmer launches election campaign

• 'Never has a Government deserved to lose more than Rishi Sunak's' says Scottish First Minister

Nigel Farage: I was preparing to stand as an MP before snap July 4 General Election announced

19:44 , Anthony France

Nigel Farage has said he was preparing to launch a campaign next week to stand as an MP before the Prime Minister announced the General Election date.

On Thursday morning, the GB News host announced in a statement that he would not stand as a Reform UK candidate in the upcoming election but that he will “do my bit to help” the party in the UK campaign.

Appearing on GB News as a guest during his typical show slot on Thursday, he said: “I have always said that there will be a moment when I throw my hat in the ring fully into British politics. I’ve also said aged 60, I’ve got one more card to play and it’s about when I play it.

“I had, to be honest with you, put in place some preparations to launch next week.

“I wonder whether the Conservative Party found out about it. I think the sense of panic that we saw yesterday, the badly-prepared speech, might perhaps have prompted it a little bit.”

Asked to clarify that he was referring to launching a campaign to stand as an MP, he confirmed saying: “Yes, absolutely.”

Farage, who is cancelling his show on the channel to free up time for campaigning, said it had not been decided which constituency he would run in as there were “a variety of options” which he felt he could have gone for.

That's five (more) Tory MPs to confirm they're not going to fight reelection

19:40 , Tom Davidson

Five Conservative MPs have today confirmed they will not be on the ballot on July 4 (including two serving ministers).

They are:

Jo Churchill, Dame Eleanor Laing, Huw Merriman, Michael Ellis and James Grundy.

Sir Michael Ellis lists his lasting legacy achievements as he steps down

19:37 , Anthony France

Conservative former minister Sir Michael Ellis has announced he will not be standing for re-election.

The Northampton North MP, who has served in several prominent ministerial positions including as attorney general, said it was an “extremely difficult decision” not to stand again.

Among his “lasting legacy” achievements, he counted the “Diamond and Platinum Jubilee gifts I arranged for the late Queen” on the Parliamentary estate, and a plaque to commemorate former prime minister Spencer Perceval, a Northampton MP, and the only premier to have ever been assassinated.

Former Attorney General stepping down

19:25 , Tom Davidson

Michael Ellis, former attorney general, paymaster general, and solicitor general, has made the "extremely difficult position" to leave parliament.

In a letter to the chair of his Northampton North constituency, he wrote that it has been "the honour of [his] life" to represent his home town.

But he said boundary changes "will now alter the constituency in a significant way", and so it is now time for another candidate to to seek election.

Put London at heart of economic plans to lead Britain to growth, say business leaders

19:01 , Tom Davidson

London business leaders called on the Government elected on July 4 to put the capital back at the heart of its economic strategy to help drive the country’s growth.

Many senior executives complain that the interests of London have been downgraded at the expense of the Northern and Midland pro-Brexit “red wall” towns and cities that delivered Boris Johnson his 80-seat majority in December 2019.

Read more here.

18:24 , Tom Davidson

The Prime Minister toured a port near Inverness with Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross.

He then spoke with port workers, discussing apprenticeships and the transition from old industries such as oil and gas to new ones such as renewable energy.

Row erupts after Lib Dems accuse Rishi Sunak of 'lying' over 40 new hospitals pledge

17:46 , Tom Davidson

A row erupted on Thursday over the Government’s pledge to build 40 new hospitals as Rishi Sunak began his election campaign.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, the Prime Minister said the Tories would fulfil their 2019 manifesto commitment to build the hospitals by 2030 despite concerns over funding and the timeline of the project.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, he said “the majority” of the hospitals planned for construction had already received planning permission and that “spades were in the ground”.

Asked if they would be built by 2030, he replied: “Yes, of course they will.”

Responding to the interview, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader and Health Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP accused Mr Sunak of “lying like Boris Johnson”.

Read more here.

Former Labour minister not standing

17:16 , Tom Davidson

Labour former minister Kevan Jones has announced he will not stand at the General Election.

The North Durham MP said it would be “impossible” for him to fight the campaign as he is undergoing surgery and treatment in early June for “an ongoing condition”.

He described his decision not to stand as “difficult”, adding: “I am sad to be leaving the House of Commons but would like to thank the people of North Durham and my supporters who gave me the opportunity to serve them.”

How have Labour and the Tories pledged to fix the NHS? Key policies explained

16:59 , Tom Davidson

Fixing the NHS is a key concern for voters ahead of the general election on July 4.

Since the end of the Covid pandemic, the health service has grappled with record demand while simultaneously attempting to clear a backlog in treatment that has swelled to 7.54 million.

The latest British Social Attitudes Survey – a long-running poll tracking the views of the public – found that only 24 per cent of the public are satisfied with the NHS. However, 91 per cent believe it should remain free of charge.

A survey conducted last week by Ipsos for the Standard found that 63 per cent of adults felt that improving the health service was one of the three or four issues a Labour government, if elected, should focus on in the first six months.

Labour have accused the Tories of running down the NHS during their 14-year period in Government, but the Conservatives insist that the disruption in the health service is a natural consequence of the pandemic.

The Standard looks at the main issues facing the NHS in the near future, and how both parties have promised to fix it.

Read our full story here.

Outgoing transport minister Huw Merriman jokes: “I am sitting in the political departure lounge”

16:47 , Anthony France

Transport minister Huw Merriman is the latest Conservative MP to announce he will not seek re-election.

The Bexhill and Battle MP did not specify a reason for his departure but thanked his staff, local Conservative association and the Prime Minister, and paid tribute to his constituency.

In a letter posted on X, he wrote: “I wish my successor well in their role as Member of Parliament.

“To both the next MP for Bexhill and Battle and to a future rail minister: if these roles bring even half the amount of happiness as they have brought me, then it will make you very proud.”

In a transport-themed sign-off, he added: “Thank you to all of the amazing people I have met on my journey. I will miss everything but, as I sit in the political departure lounge, I am looking forward to a new journey (whatever that might be).”

Rishi Sunak scores own goal with football gaffe on campaign trail in Wales

16:47 , Tom Davidson

Rishi Sunak may have scored the first outright gaffe on the still-young general election campaign.

Read more here.

Tory MP Huw Merriman will not stand for reelection in Bexhill and Battle

16:34 , Sami Quadri

Transport minister Huw Merriman is the latest Conservative MP to announce he will not seek re-election.

The Bexhill and Battle MP did not specify a reason for his departure but thanked his staff, local Conservative association and the Prime Minister, and paid tribute to his constituency.

In a letter posted on X, he wrote: “I wish my successor well in their role as Member of Parliament.

“To both the next MP for Bexhill and Battle and to a future rail minister: if these roles bring even half the amount of happiness as they have brought me, then it will make you very proud.”

In a transport-themed sign-off, he added: “Thank you to all of the amazing people I have met on my journey. I will miss everything but, as I sit in the political departure lounge, I am looking forward to a new journey (whatever that might be).”

Davey vows to deliver change under the Lib Dems as election campaigning begins

16:01 , Sami Quadri

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey vowed his party would win seats from the Conservatives as he promised he would deliver the change the country desperately needs.

Sir Ed was in the ultra-marginal seat of Cheltenham for the first full day of campaigning after Rishi Sunak called a General Election for July 4.

During an election rally with party activists, Sir Ed said: “For far too long people across the UK have been let down and taken for granted by this Conservative Government and this out-of-touch Conservative Party.

“But with this election we have the chance to win the change the country so desperately needs.

“As I go around the country, I might meet people who are working really hard, they’re raising their families, they’re caring for their loved ones, they’re doing everything right, playing by the rules.

“But they’re finding it harder and harder to make ends meet.

“The people seeing their bills go up, pensioners and families seeing rocketing food bills, energy bills, rent and mortgages.

“The Conservatives have just made it worse.

“The NHS is on its knees under the Conservatives. They promised to build lots of hospitals, and they have not delivered and people are waiting hours just for an ambulance, they’re waiting weeks for a GP appointment and months for urgent cancer treatment...it really is time for change, and that means the Conservatives have to go.”

Conservative chairman says voting for Lib Dems could open door to Labour government

15:42 , Sami Quadri

Richard Holden responded to Sir Ed Davey’s campaign launch in Cheltenham by stating that voting for the Liberal Democrats “cannot deliver anything apart from” a Labour government.

The chairman of the Conservative Party said: “A vote for the Liberal Democrats cannot deliver anything apart from a Keir Starmer-led Labour Government which would increase taxes on hard-working families by £2,094, taking us back to square one. Sir Keir Starmer wants people to vote for the Liberal Democrats because he knows this means more seats for Labour in Parliament.

“The choice at the election is clear: stick with the plan in an increasingly uncertain world by choosing bold action for a safer, more secure and more prosperous future with Rishi Sunak, or go back to square one with Sir Keir Starmer and the same old Labour.”

Margaret Hodge to leave Parliament after 30 years

15:16 , Jacob Phillips

Veteran Barking MP Margaret Hodge will leave Parliament tomorrow after 30 years.

She said in a statement: “It's been the privilege of my life to serve as Barking's MP, working alongside my constituents to improve the lives of everyone in the community.“A bittersweet moment as this journey ends. My thanks to everyone.”Read her full letter below.

Sunak makes Wales football blunder

15:03 , Jacob Phillips

Rishi Sunak faced an awkward moment while on the campaign trial in Wales while trying to make conversation about the European Championships.

The Prime Minister asked pub goers “Are you looking forward to all the football?” before someone politely pointed out that Wales have not qualified for the Euros.

Man who posed question to Sunak actually a Tory councillor

14:34 , Jacob Phillips

A man who questioned Rishi Sunak wearing a hi-vis jacket at one of his first campaign events appears to actually be a Tory councillor.

The prime minister kicked off a whistle stop tour of the UK with a visit to a distribution centre in Derbyshire to talk to staff.

Conservative Leicestershire County Councillor Ross Hills asked Mr Sunak a question about his Rwanda scheme.

A Labour spokesperson told the Standard Mr Sunak was “running scared”.

“Rishi Sunak spent months dodging the verdict of voters and even nowhe’s still running scared.

“The reality is that 14 years of Tory chaos have cost the country dearly and have left working people worse off.

“It’s time to stop the chaos, turn the page and start to rebuild. And the only way to bring about change is by voting the Conservatives out andelecting a new Labour government.”

Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney said: "Rishi Sunak's campaign start has been one embarrassment to another.

“Since the public has long given up on this failed Rwanda policy, he has now left it to Conservative councillors to help him out. What a mess."

'I'll be going hammer and tongs to put Scotland first'

14:29 , Jacob Phillips

While Labour and the Tories will be fighting each other, Mr Swinney said, the SNP will be fighting to "put Scotland first".

"I expect over the next six weeks we'll see the Tories and Labour really going at it," he said.

"They'll be going hammer and tongs to discredit each other.

"I'll also be going hammer and tongs, not against anyone, but I'll be going hammer and tongs to put Scotland first."

He added that was what "SNP MPs always do at Westminster", adding it was "in our DNA".

Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, he said, along with his MPs, "do that job every week with real passion and commitment".

'Never has a Government deserved to lose more than Rishi Sunak's'

14:22 , Jacob Phillips

No Government has deserved to lose more than Rishi Sunak's, Scottish First Minister John Swinney has said.

Speaking directly to voters, who he told "I am listening to you", the First Minister said: "Most of you want to see the back of this disastrous Tory government."

He added: "Never has a Government deserved to lose more than Rishi Sunak's."

Scots, he said, want "higher living standards", a country where people can "lead secure, happy, healthy lives", as well as a "National Health Service you can rely on", and they think Brexit was a "terrible mistake".

King approves order to prorogue Parliament

14:04 , Jacob Phillips

The King has approved an Order in Council to prorogue Parliament ahead of the General Election.

Charles held a quickly convened Privy Council at Buckingham Palace on Thursday morning where he undertook his duties in preparation for the country going to the polls on July 4.

The order, which was published on the Privy Council's website, showed that the monarch ordered that Parliament be "prorogued on a day no earlier than Friday the 24th day of May 2024 and no later than Tuesday the 28th day of May 2024, to Friday the 31st day of May 2024, to be then holden for the despatch of divers urgent and important affairs".

Smoking ban bill set to be shelved due to election

14:03 , Jacob Phillips

Rishi Sunak’s bill to eventually ban smoking is set to be shelved after he called the General Election, according to reports.

Parliament will be shut down before the bill will be able to be passed.

The ban is expected to be in the Conservative manifesto.

Labour has also said it will bring in the ban if it wins the election.

The ban would mean no one born in or after 2009 would be able to legally buy cigarettes.

Epping Forest MP not seeking re-election

13:41 , Jacob Phillips

Deputy Commons Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing has announced she will not seek re-election.

The Conservative MP for Epping Forest, who has served for 27 years, said in a post on X that she had informed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak "several days ago".

Dame Eleanor said: "It is very difficult to give up a job that you love. I have come to conclusion, however, that it is now time for me to move aside and give others the opportunities that I have been so fortunate to have."

She added: "I will wholeheartedly continue to support the work of the association and, whomever my successor might be, I will do all that I can to help in the forthcoming campaign."

Pictured: Sunak tours brewery in South Wales during campaign trail

13:38 , Sami Quadri

Rishi Sunak toured a brewery in South Wales with Wales Secretary David TC Davies and Vale of Glamorgan MP Alun Cairns.

The Prime Minister, himself a teetotaller, was shown brewing processes on the second stop of his tour of the UK’s four nations as he sought to seize the initiative at the start of the General Election campaign.

He told staff they were “part of a proper industry that we’re keen to support”, mentioning a “Brexit pubs guarantee” and support with business rates.

Jeremy Corbyn to stand against Labour in Islington North

13:13 , Sami Quadri

Jeremy Corbyn will announce that he is standing as an independent candidate against Labour, according to reports.

The former Labour leader is set to imminently launch his campaign to defend his North London seat, which he has represented for over 40 years.

His decision poses an unwelcome distraction for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and risks deepening the rift between Labour leadership and the party's left wing.

Labour HQ has had to fast-track the selection process for Islington North following the Prime Minister’s surprise decision to call a snap election.

Tice claims Sunak ‘absolutely terrified’ of threat posed by Reform UK

12:59 , Sami Quadri

Rishi Sunak decided to “cut and run” by calling a summer election because he was scared of the threat from Reform UK, Richard Tice has claimed.

The Reform UK leader said the Prime Minister had “bottled it” by calling a summer election instead of holding on for the autumn.

At the launch of Reform’s campaign, Mr Tice said the Prime Minister was “absolutely terrified” by his party’s upward progress in the polls at a time when the Tories have slumped.

“He was terrified as to where this may end up,” Mr Tice said.

Reform is averaging around 11% in the polls, ahead of the Liberal Democrats.

The party will stand in 630 seats across England, Scotland and Wales “no ifs, not buts”, Mr Tice said.

Nigel Farage cancels GB News show

12:48 , Sami Quadri

Nigel Farage is cancelling his GB News show to free up time to campaign for Reform UK.

The party’s honorary president and presenter on the broadcast channel retweeted a journalist’s post reporting the development, just hours after he announced he will not be standing in the upcoming General Election.

The Prime Minister has arrived in Wales

12:08 , Jacob Phillips

The Prime Minister has arrived in Wales for the second leg of his whirlwind campaigning tour of the UK's four nations.

After answering questions from workers at William West Distribution in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, Rishi Sunak is making a campaign stop in South Wales before heading up to Scotland later on Thursday.

Downing Street says Rwanda flight preparations continue

12:00 , Jacob Phillips

Preparations for Rwanda deportation flights continue, Downing Street said, after Rishi Sunak admitted they will not take off before the election.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "The Civil Service serves the Government of the day and continues to deliver existing Government policies. And so that work will continue."

He said the timetable "hasn't changed" and that "we've always said those early weeks of July".

The spokesman denied the timeline has been affected by a recent court ruling in Belfast that provisions of the UK's Illegal Migration Act should be disapplied in Northern Ireland.

Minister begins canvasing in one of London's closest seats

11:49 , Jacob Phillips

A minister fighting for one of the closest seats in London has been canvasing outside seven Tube stations hours after the election was announced.

Greg Hands faces a battle to hold onto his seat at the next general election to avoid a threatened Tory wipe-out in central London for the first time ever, according to political experts.The Kensington seat is a super marginal, won by Tory Felicity Buchan by just 150 votes in 2019.

Rishi Sunak finally handed an umbrella

11:41 , Jacob Phillips

Rishi Sunak has finally been handed an umbrella following his soggy election announcement on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister posted a picture with Conservative MP Maggie Throup while on the campaign trail.

'It will be the biggest political upset ever if we win' - Nickie Aiken

11:31 , Jacob Phillips

Cities of London & Westminster MP Nickie Aiken told BBC London that it was absolutely the right decision to call a General Election but it was “ridiculous” to make the announcement in the pouring rain.

The London MP, who is stepping down, said: “I have no problem with him calling the election. To be honest I think it is the right thing to do, we have got to get the speculation over, we have got to give the British people a clear choice... but don’t do it in the pouring rain.”

When quizzed if she was leaving Westminster because keeping her seat would be difficult she responded: “I don’t think it is going to be easy I think this whole general election is going to be a tough one.”

She explained she did not know that a General Election was going to be called.

The MP said the Tories chances of staying in power will be “tough”.

She added: “It will be the biggest political upset ever if we win. What I have noticed is that people are angry with us and I think a lot of that goes back to Covid and the parties, party gate.

“I absolutely understand that, I was furious. I did not see my dad for two years and he had Alzheimer's by the time I got to see him he was completely gone.”

The MP said she is leaving politics due to family reasons as her husband has got a job abroad and her children are growing older.

The King could wake up in a Labour constituency for the first time on July 5

11:08 , Jacob Phillips

The King will wake up in a Labour constituency on July 5 if as the polls suggests the Cities of London and Westminster seat goes red.

“Buckingham Palace, the City and the Houses of Parliament could easily end up in a Labour constituency,” explains Professor Tony Travers, of the London School of Economics. Former Westminster council leader Nickie Aiken won the seat for the Conservatives in 2019 with a majority of 3,953.

The Cities of London and Westminster seat has been held by the Tories since it was created in 1950.

But the flagship Tory town hall was seized by Labour in the May 2022 local election. The new seat of Kensington and Bayswater is likely to be on an “absolute knife edge”, according to Prof Travers, but Labour would be “doing badly” if they do not win itRead the full story here.

Starmer drops a second sleek campaign video

11:02 , Jacob Phillips

Sir Keir Starmer has released a second campaign video detailing his personal journey into politics.

In it he speaks about his parents and his mother’s illness before talking about his work in Northern Ireland on the Good Friday Agreement and in the Crown Prosecution Service.

It follows a video put out by Rishi Sunak following his speech on Wednesday evening. It is he promises that he will prove to voters that he is the right person to lead the country.

He wraps up by saying: “I’m guided by doing what is right for our country not what is easy.”

Liberal Democrats rule out deal with Tories

10:50 , Jacob Phillips

The Liberal Democrats have "ruled out doing any deal whatsoever" with this Conservative Government, the party's deputy leader said.

Asked if they would consider any deals, Daisy Cooper told Sky News: "We have ruled out doing any deal whatsoever with this Conservative Government because it is really quite clear that there are lifelong Conservative voters who can no longer stomach voting for this Conservative Party, they simply don't recognise it anymore.

"The fact of the matter is though that we have got the race of our life on our hands. This is the campaign of a lifetime, and we'll be fighting every single second of every single day to win the trust and support of voters and we won't let up until 10pm on polling day."

Put to her that Sir Nick Clegg said the same thing before doing agreeing to form a coalition with the Conservatives to make David Cameron prime minister in 2010, Ms Cooper said: "A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then."

On whether the party has ruled out a deal with Sir Keir Starmer, she said: "We're not thinking about what happens the day after the polling day, we're determined to win over the trust and support of as many voters as possible between now and 10pm on polling day."

Liberal Democrats will target 80 seats

10:31 , Jacob Phillips

The Liberal Democrats will be targeting 80 seats where they are in second place to the Conservative Party ahead of the General Election, the party's deputy leader has said.

Daisy Cooper told BBC Breakfast: "We Liberal Democrats are absolutely clear that we are targeting those 80 seats where we are in second place to the Conservatives, areas that we call the Blue Wall, where we are the key challengers and the clear choice to beat the incumbent Conservative MP.

"We'll be standing a candidate in every single seat, we'll be fighting for every single vote, but we will be channelling our resources in those areas where we are best placed to beat Conservative MPs in this General Election."

In south west London Richmond Park MP Sarah Olney has said there is a clear choice between the Liberal Democrats and the “out-of-touch Conservatives.”

She said: “At this election, there is a clear choice: the Liberal Democrats who are fighting for our communities or the out-of-touch Conservatives who have taken us for granted. Labour are out of the race here and just can’t win this time.

“It’s clear this Conservative Government has failed Richmond and Kingston. After years of struggling to get a GP appointment, soaring rents and mortgages and our rivers being polluted by filthy sewage, it’s time for this Government to be kicked out of office.”

Next Prime Minister faces tough choices on immigration

10:21 , Jacob Phillips

Whoever wins the General Election will face "tough choices on immigration", the Institute For Public Policy Research (IPPR) has said in the wake of the latest net migration estimates.

Marley Morris, IPPR associate director for migration, trade and communities, said: "Net migration remained exceptionally high in 2023 but is set to fall, possibly quite sharply, in the year ahead.

"The reality is there are some tough choices on immigration which will need to be grappled with, whoever wins the upcoming election. Crude cuts could exacerbate staff shortages in health and care and imperil university finances.

"Sharp falls in visa grants will require the Government to urgently address the structural issues underpinning recent high migration - both our model for higher education and poor conditions in the social care sector.”

Labour will pay compensation to infected blood victims, Starmer says

10:19 , Jacob Phillips

Sir Keir Starmer said Labour remained committed to paying compensation to the victims of the infected blood scandal, amid concerns a Bill underpinning the scheme risks being cast aside as a result of Parliament being dissolved.

Speaking to reporters in Gillingham, the Labour leader said: "We have made the commitment to pay the compensation in relation to infected blood. It was an awful scandal and we will stick to that commitment, of course we will.

"But everything that we have put forward, everything we will put forward, are proposals that are ready to go, fully costed and fully funded."

'Decline and chaos under the Tories or rebuild with Labour'

10:08 , Jacob Phillips

Launching his bid to be Prime Minster Sir Keir Starmer said: “We have had 14 years of going round and round in circles getting absolutely nowhere.

“Chaos and division feeding chaos and division and that has a cost. A human cost.”

The Labour leader described how his family struggled to pay the bills while he was growing up.

He added: “But they had a comfort, a belief, a confidence, that the country would be better for their children.

“That things would be better for the next generation and that kept them going, it comforted them as it did so many over people.”

He went on: “For a Government to leave after 14 years a country with living standards worse than way they started is absolutely unforgiveable.”

Sir Keir pitched the General Election as a vote between "two different countries, two different futures" for the UK.

He added: "This election is about a choice: Two different countries, two different futures.

"Decline and chaos continuing under the Tories, or rebuilding our country under Labour.

"The power of the vote is with you. If you want change, you have to vote for it.

"And if you vote Labour, it is a vote to stop the chaos, it is a vote to turn the page and it is a vote to rebuild our country together."

Sir Keir could later be heard to say "Up the Gill" and joked that at least his speech was not taking place in the rain, as the Prime Minister's on Wednesday was.

Keir Starmer launches election campaign

09:57 , Jacob Phillips

Sir Keir Starmer has launched his election campaign at Gillingham Football Club in Kent.

In a speech he told voters "this election is for you" to end the chaos.

The Labour leader gave his first speech on the campaign trail Club, flanked by supporters and deputy leader Angela Rayner.

Speaking at the event, Sir Keir said: "This election is for you, because you now have the power, the chance to end the chaos, to turn the page and to rebuild Britain."

He said what the Tories have done to the country is "unforgivable" and voters "do not need to put up with it".

Migration estimated down 10 per cent

09:42 , Jacob Phillips

Estimated net migration to the UK stood at a provisional 685,000 in the year to December 2023, down 10 per cent from a revised record of 764,000 for the year to December 2022, according to provisional figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The total for 2022 has been revised upwards by 19,000 from the initial estimate of 745,000, now that more complete data for the year is available.

Net migration is the difference between the number of people arriving and leaving the country.

Some 1.22 million people are estimated to have arrived in the UK in the year ending December 2023, while 532,000 are likely to have left.

This compares with 1.26 million who arrived in the UK in the year to December 2022 and 493,000 who left.

The rise in the number of people emigrating from the UK long-term has been driven largely by increased emigration from non-EU nationals, particularly among those who initially arrived on a study visa, the ONS said.

Rishi Sunak begins election campaign with visit to Derbyshire

09:31 , Jacob Phillips

Rishi Sunak began the first full day of the General Election campaign with a visit to a distribution centre in Derbyshire to answer questions from staff.

Speaking to around 50 staff at the warehouse, the Prime Minister repeated his message that the Conservatives would offer economic stability and "a clear plan", while Labour would take the UK "back to square one".

Sunak threw 'very personal attack' at Starmer

09:23 , Jacob Phillips

Labour's national campaign co-ordinator Pat McFadden questioned whether Rishi Sunak would remain as prime minister if the Conservatives were to win the General Election.

Put to him while speaking to BBC Breakfast that Rishi Sunak's comments about Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday were a "very personal attack", Mr McFadden said: "We think the Tories will throw everything at this election".

Mr McFadden added: "They've had 14 years, all they're offering is five more years of the same as what we've had in the last 14, more chaos.

"I mean, if the Conservatives were to win, do we even know if Rishi Sunak would remain as prime minister, be subject to one of the bouts of leadership challenges that always takes them over? So we're not surprised that they will throw personal attacks at Keir Starmer."

'Lack of respect' to hold election during Scottish school holidays

09:21 , Jacob Phillips

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney said Rishi Sunak's decision to hold the General Election during the Scottish school holidays shows a "lack of respect" for Scotland.

He told BBC Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "I don't really think the arrangements in Scotland for the school holidays have really been anywhere near the calculations made by the Prime Minister."

Asked whether he would expect them to be, he said: "I think it would be respectful if that was the case but it's pretty typical of the lack of respect shown to Scotland that we're an afterthought from the Westminster establishment and particularly the Conservative establishment.

"What it means is that people who are going to be on holiday at the start of the school holidays in late June, early July have got to arrange a postal vote so that they can exercise their (right to) vote and be participants in our democracy, so that's got to be put in place pretty quickly by folk."

Nigel Farage confirms he is not standing in General Election

09:19 , Jacob Phillips

Nigel Farage has said he will not be standing in the General Election for Reform UK.

In a post on X he said he was “fully supportive of Richard Tice’s leadership and urge voters to put their trust in him and Lee Anderson”.

The former UKIP politician added that he intends to help with a grassroots campaign in the US adding “the contest in the United States of America on November 5 has huge global significance”.

Rumoured letters of no confidence 'ridiculous' - former minister

09:14 , Jacob Phillips

Former defence minister and MP for Bournemouth East, Tobias Ellwood, responded to reports that Tory rebels have submitted letters of no confidence in Rishi Sunak by saying "how ridiculous is that".

Put to him while speaking to Sky News that some MPs have submitted letters of no confidence in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to try and oust him before Parliament is dissolved, Mr Ellwood said "how ridiculous is that", adding: "If there's one thing that will put the electorate off, it's an absence of sense of purpose, an absence of drive, an absence of passion, an absence of unity."

He added: "Let's go into this fight showing that we're determined. If we go in there with any form of defeatist attitude, it will be felt by the electorate, and it will impact on whether we narrow in the polls, close in towards a hung parliament, lose well or lose badly, that is up to us, to all those people that are even considering putting in letters, I mean how daft is that."

Put to him that the options he listed for the outcome did not include winning the General Election, he said: "No, absolutely. But it's going to be difficult. Let's put our hands up. You know, given the breach of trust that we've had in the last couple of years, we've got to be honest about that. Rishi Sunak has done well to repair us, to repair that, move us into calmer political waters."

Mr Ellwood said it is "going to be the toughest election that I have ever fought", adding: "But let's go into this with a positive attitude that we can do well, if we go in there with the attitude that we're going to lose, we're going to lose."

He said the electorate will now learn more about both parties, which is the "good thing about a campaign", adding "perhaps because we've grabbed headlines for the wrong reasons, Labour hasn't come under scrutiny, and that will now actually happen so better understand what they stand for."

Rishi Sunak insists he is 'not a fair-weather politician' after speech in the rain

09:08 , Jacob Phillips

Rishi Sunak admitted it was "a bit wet" when he announced the July 4 General Election, but that he did not regret delivering the statement outside No 10 in the rain.

The Prime Minister told LBC Radio: "I'm not going to deny that it was a bit wet.

"I'm not a fair-weather politician.

"I believe very strongly in the traditions of our country. And when you're making a statement of that magnitude as Prime Minister, I believe in just doing it in the traditional way, come rain and shine, in front of the steps of Downing Street."

Liberal Democrats accuse Sunak of 'already lying like Johnson'

09:04 , Jacob Phillips

The Liberal Democrats have accused the Prime Minister of lying on day one of the election campaign.

During an interview with BBC Breakfast Rishi Sunak said he was “fully committed” to his manifesto pledge to build 40 new hospitals, adding that spades were in the ground and that they will be ready by 2023.

Responding to the interview Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader and Health Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: “It's day one of this campaign and already Rishi Sunak is lying like Boris Johnson.

“People will see right through this swindle. The Conservatives promised 40 new hospitals five years ago and instead we’ve seen them left to crumble.

“It is an insult to voters that some of these supposed new hospitals don't even have planning permission yet, let alone spades in the ground.

“The Liberal Democrats would stand up for our NHS, including making sure hospitals get the repairs they need.”

Prime minster clashes with Nick Robinson on Today programme

08:57 , Jacob Phillips

The Prime Minister has continued to clash with Nick Robinson on the Today programme.

The pair began arguing over a question about whether he will take shots at Sir Keir Starmer and say that he is a “principle threat to UK security”.

The Prime Minister said that the Labour leader had changed his mind on “almost every major issue that I have had to debate him over in the past 18 months”.

He continued: “He does not have the courage to tell the country what he is going to do on all the key issues you and I have been talking about and he does not have a plan and he is assuming he can waltz into Downing Street and take the British public for granted.”

When Robinson pointed out that the Prime Minister had not answered whether he would portray Sir Keir as a threat, he replied: “I’m trying to answer the question and you are already interrupting me.”

The two later spoke over each other before the Prime Minister added: “This is really important. You asked a personal question. You asked a question about trust and security. That is an incredibly fundamental question so let me answer it.”

The presenter later quipped: “Forgive me we have to have quesitons as well as answers”.

Prime Minister becomes animated on Today programme

08:39 , Jacob Phillips

Rishi Sunak has clashed with Nick Robinson on the Today’s programme over his Rwanda flight scheme.

The Prime Minister sounded animated after Robinson highlighted that other countries are planning to process asylum applications abroad rather than put people on flights.

Mr Sunak interrupted the broadcaster and said: “That is simply not right. I literally just got back from Austria where that is not at all what the Austrian chancellor said and by the way if you read the statement that was put out by all these European countries they are very clear about returning illegal migrants to safe third countries as part of a plan to stop the incentive for them coming in the first place.

“It’s crystal clear in black and white that my bold action is now being followed across Europe.”

'There is still work to do' says Sunak

08:27 , Jacob Phillips

Rishi Sunak conceded “there is still work to do” when asked if he is cutting and running by Nick Robinson on the BBC’s Today programme.

He said: “We have been through a difficult few years. I am the first to say that. The pandemic, the impact it had, then a war in Ukraine driving up energy bills, which impacts the UK…

“That’s why I took the decisions I did to bring inflation back down. That is why it is a milestone that we got there. That is why it is encouraging that the economy is growing at a healthy rate, wages are rising, energy bills are falling, that stability is back.

“This election is about the future and it is about the choice of the future that we want and how do we deliver in very uncertain times.”

No guarantee that infected blood victims will get compensation authorised

08:22 , Jacob Phillips

The Prime Minister could not guarantee that infected blood victims would get compensation authorised or that Martyn's Law and the Renters Reform Bill would be passed before Parliament is prorogued ahead of the General Election.

On infected blood payments, Rishi Sunak told LBC radio: "It's because it requires a conversation with parties across Parliament, that's why. But I will do absolutely everything in my power to make sure that we do get that through."

It was put to him that on Wednesday, just a few hours before he called the election, he told the mother of a Manchester Arena bombing victim that Martyn's Law in her son's name would be introduced before the summer recess.

Mr Sunak said: "Again, these are all conversations that need to be had with other parties across Parliament.

"When Parliament dissolves, there are procedures in place to govern what can and cannot be passed...

"You have a couple more days to get the last bits of legislation through. I can't force those through on my own."

"It's the same answer on all of these questions," he said when challenged over whether the Renters Reform Bill would be completed by the end of the so-called wash-up period.

Flights to Rwanda will take off after the election

08:18 , Jacob Phillips

Rishi Sunak admitted on Thursday that no deportation flights would take off for Rwanda before the July 4 general election.

He insisted that the Conservatives would get their flagship immigration scheme working after the country goes to the polls.

But his admission comes after one of his five key pledges was to “stop the boats” crossing the Channel.

Mr Sunak was grilled on LBC Radio about this promise and when the first plane would take off before the election.

He said: “The first flights will go in July...and there will be a drumbeat of flights over the summer to build a deterrence.”

Read the full story here.

'We have not made as much progress on NHS waiting lists' - Sunak

08:16 , Jacob Phillips

The Prime Minister was also was quizzed by Nick Ferrari on his pledge to cut NHS waiting lists on LBC on Thursday morning.

When asked why he had failed to make inroads to waiting lists, Rishi Sunak replied: “We have not made as much progress on NHS waiting lists as I would have liked. This matters to me personally because I come from a NHS family.

“As we have discussed my mum was a pharmacist, my dad was a GP. I wish we had made more progress but we are now making progress.

“The waiting lists have now fallen by about 200,000 and actually what the NHS have said is if it wasn’t for the industrial action that we had it would have fallen by almost half a million more than that too, then we would have got them down as I wanted to.”

He points out that the UK is training more doctors at home and that people can go and see their pharmacists without having to see their GP if children have a sore throat or an ear infection, and how the next generation will grow up smoke free.

Sir Keir Starmer pictured at home

08:00 , Jacob Phillips

Sir Keir Starmer has been seen leaving his north London home.

Labour begins the campaign in a strong position, with a 20-point lead over the Conservatives, but with a stiff challenge after suffering its worst defeat in decades in 2019.He will head to south-east England on Thursday in a sign he wants to make inroads in Tory areas.

Sunak hits out at Starmer on GB News

07:57 , Jacob Phillips

Rishi Sunak runs through his track record on GB News saying it’s only the Conservative party who have a record of “bold action” to deliver a secure future for the country.

He highlights the Rwanda scheme and how “multiple countries across Europe have realised our approach is the right one”.

He then hits out at Sir Keir Starmer who he believes wants an “amnesty to illegal migrants to make us the soft touch of Europe.”

The Prime Minister adds: “It would make us a magnet for thousands of migrants coming from everywhere”.

'Starmer changes what he thinks by the week' - Sunak tells GB News

07:57 , Jacob Phillips

Rishi Sunak continued to hit out at Sir Keir Starmer during his interview on GB News.

He wraps up the interview by saying: “It’s either me or someone who doesn’t have any convictions, changes what he thinks by the week, doesn’t have the courage to tell the country what he is actually going to do and he certainly doesn’t have a plan and if you don’t have those things there is no way you can deliver any change for our country.”

Sky News crew ejected from Sunak's campaign launch

07:56 , Jacob Phillips

A Sky News reporter was “forcibly removed” from Rishi Sunak’s first election campaign rally while he was live on air.

Broadcaster Darren McCaffrey and his crew were escorted from the ExCel centre by two security guards, with the political correspondent saying they had not been allowed in due to broadcast pooling arrangements.

Sky cut to the reporter while he was being pushed along a corridor by two members of security in red hi-vis jackets.

Read the full story here.

Sunak appears to say first Rwanda flights will not take off before General Election

07:54 , Jacob Phillips

Rishi Sunak appeared to admit the Rwanda flights will not take off before the General Election.

"The first flights will go in July," he told BBC Breakfast, before adding: "If I'm re-elected as Prime Minister on July 5, these flights will go, we will get our Rwanda scheme up and running."

Sunak denies reason for election was because inflation is expected to rise

07:48 , Jacob Phillips

The Prime Minister tells the BBC that he wants to build on the progress of the last few years rather than “go back to square one with more uncertainty”.

He runs through his record and again highlights that the economy is growing and energy bills are dropping.

Rishi Sunak denied that the real reason for calling a summer election is that inflation is expected to rise again and there is likely to be a spike in small boat arrivals over the summer.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, the Prime Minister said: "No, that's not the real reason.

"And when it comes to the economy, of course I know there's more work to do. I know that people are only just starting to feel the benefits of the changes that we've brought.

"And for some people when they look at their bank balance at the end of every month it will still be difficult, but we have undeniably made progress and stability has returned."

Prime Minister jokes about his rain-soaked announcement

07:45 , Jacob Phillips

The Prime Minister jokes “it is certainly drier here this morning” as he begins his interview with BBC Breakfast from inside a warehouse in Derbyshire.

Sunak: 'No way to stop the boats without a deterrent'

07:37 , Jacob Phillips

When asked why he has set an election for July 4 on GB News, and whether he wants to see the first flights to take off for the Rwanda scheme before the election, Rishi Sunak said: “If I am Prime Minister on the fifth of July those flights will go off to Rwanda and we will begin to put in place the deterrent that we need to stop the boats, because there is no way to stop this problem unless there is a deterrent.”

He repeats again that the reason why he has called a General Election is because “economic stability allows us now to look to the future”.

Rishi Sunak tells GB News 'now is the moment to look to the future'

07:21 , Jacob Phillips

Appearing on GB News the Prime Minister has said “now is the moment to look to the future”.

He said: “I think after a difficult few years I’m pleased economic stability is now returning to the country. We’ve just seen inflation has returned to normal, the economy is growing at a healthy rate again, wages have been rising sustainably for several months now.

“Although I know not everyone is feeling the full benefits of that yet it is clear that we have turned a corner.

“So now is the moment to look to the future and the world is clearly in a more uncertain place than it’s been in decades and the question for the country is, the choice at this election is, who has got the boldest ideas and clearest plan to provide a future for you and your family.”

How did the papers react to the news of a General Election?

07:15 , Jacob Phillips

Newspapers hit the stands on Thursday morning with pictures of a drenched Rishi Sunak announcing the General Election.

The Telegraph and The Guardian labelled the decision a “Gamble” with the right wing broadsheet adding “things can only get wetter”.

Elsewhere the Daily Mail said now is the time for Britain to “choose its future”.

The i, The Times and the Financial Times also say Mr Sunak has taken a risk, with the Tories currently trailing Labour by 20 percentage points in the polls.“Drown and out” is the headline on the Daily Mirror as Mr Sunak braved a downpour to make the announcement outside No 10.

Election campaign sets off

07:08 , Jacob Phillips

The General Election campaign has begun, with political correspondents on a train out of London as the Prime Minister embarks on a whistlestop tour of all four nations of the UK.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer is expected in the south-east of England for Labour's first major event in a traditionally Conservative-voting part of the country.