this is bbc news. the headlines — britain's prime minister, rishi sunak, says a general election is likely to take place in the second half of this year. a shooting at a high school in the us state of iowa — police say there are multiple victims. prince andrew and bill clinton are among those named in newly—released court documents relating to sex offenderjeffrey epstein. elvis is back in the building — he's making a comeback in a new stage show made possible by artifical intelligence and lots of unseen footage. rishi sunak has been accused of "squatting" in downing street by his political opponents after he downplayed holding a general election in the spring. after he downplayed holding speaking in mansfield,

mr sunak said his working assumption is that a poll will be held in the second half of 202a. labour say he's delaying a vote because the tories are unpopular. here's mr sunak earlier. my working assumption is we will have a general election in the second half of this year, and in the meantime i have got lots that i want to get on with. this saturday, we will be introducing a significant tax cut for millions of people in work, worth on average £450 for an average worker, because we have halved inflation and we want to keep managing the economy well and cutting people's taxes. and i also want to keep tackling illegal migration. we cut the number of arrivals last year by over a third, but we have got more to do and we plan to get the rwanda scheme through parliament and up and running. so i have got plenty to get on with and that is what i am focusing on doing, delivering for the british people and it is great to be talking to people here in the east midlands about our progress today. we're ready for a general election. i think the country's ready for a general election. turn its back on this decline and usher in the hope and change

that a labour government can bring. the prime minister is now hinting, without setting a date, that it might be later in the year. what's he hiding? why can't he set a date? i mean, this, you know, squatting in downing street for months on end, dithering and delaying when the country wants change. what's he hiding? if you needed any confirmation this was an election here, that you have it. joining me live — mo hussein, former conservative party special adviser, and john mcternan, who used to advise the former labour prime minister tony blair. the prime minister is playing it safe, is equipment it would be wise for him not to go early when the

party is back in the polls but think about the audience here. the general ublic but about the audience here. the general public but also _ about the audience here. the general public but also his _ about the audience here. the general public but also his backbench - about the audience here. the general public but also his backbench mps - about the audience here. the general public but also his backbench mps as| public but also his backbench mps as he needs_ public but also his backbench mps as he needs them — public but also his backbench mps as he needs them also _ public but also his backbench mps as he needs them also to _ public but also his backbench mps as he needs them also to get _ public but also his backbench mps as. he needs them also to get his rwanda bill he needs them also to get his rwanda hill through— he needs them also to get his rwanda hill through and — he needs them also to get his rwanda bill through and get _ he needs them also to get his rwanda bill through and get his _ he needs them also to get his rwanda bill through and get his palm - bill through and get his palm entry agenda _ bill through and get his palm entry agenda through _ bill through and get his palm entry agenda through. if— bill through and get his palm entry agenda through. if they _ bill through and get his palm entry agenda through. if they are - bill through and get his palm entryl agenda through. if they are already worrying _ agenda through. if they are already worrying about _ agenda through. if they are already worrying about if— agenda through. if they are already worrying about if they _ agenda through. if they are already worrying about if they are - agenda through. if they are already worrying about if they are going - agenda through. if they are already worrying about if they are going toi worrying about if they are going to lose his _ worrying about if they are going to lose his seas— worrying about if they are going to lose his seas under— worrying about if they are going to lose his seas under the _ worrying about if they are going to lose his seas under the leadershipi lose his seas under the leadership which _ lose his seas under the leadership which many— lose his seas under the leadership which many of— lose his seas under the leadership which many of them _ lose his seas under the leadership which many of them are, - lose his seas under the leadership which many of them are, adding l lose his seas under the leadership - which many of them are, adding more fuel to _ which many of them are, adding more fuel to the _ which many of them are, adding more fuel to the fire — which many of them are, adding more fuel to the fire and _ which many of them are, adding more fuel to the fire and telling _ which many of them are, adding more fuel to the fire and telling them - fuel to the fire and telling them the election— fuel to the fire and telling them the election is— fuel to the fire and telling them the election is coming - fuel to the fire and telling them the election is coming in- fuel to the fire and telling them the election is coming in a - fuel to the fire and telling them . the election is coming in a matter of weeks — the election is coming in a matter of weeks or— the election is coming in a matter of weeks or two _ the election is coming in a matter of weeks or two or _ the election is coming in a matter of weeks or two or three - the election is coming in a matter of weeks or two or three months, i of weeks or two or three months, that would — of weeks or two or three months, that would make _ of weeks or two or three months, that would make that _ of weeks or two or three months, that would make that situation i of weeks or two or three months, i that would make that situation much worse _ that would make that situation much worse there — that would make that situation much worse there is _ that would make that situation much worse. there is a _ that would make that situation much worse. there is a bit _ that would make that situation much worse. there is a bit of— that would make that situation much worse. there is a bit of giving - worse. there is a bit of giving himself— worse. there is a bit of giving himself some _ worse. there is a bit of giving himself some flexibility- worse. there is a bit of giving himself some flexibility to - worse. there is a bit of giving - himself some flexibility to change them _ himself some flexibility to change them out — himself some flexibility to change them out if— himself some flexibility to change them out if he _ himself some flexibility to change them out if he wants _ himself some flexibility to change them out if he wants to. - himself some flexibility to change them out if he wants to. it- himself some flexibility to change them out if he wants to. it was i them out if he wants to. it was not a categorical— them out if he wants to. it was not a categorical ruling _ them out if he wants to. it was not a categorical ruling out _ them out if he wants to. it was not a categorical ruling out of - a categorical ruling out of going earlier— a categorical ruling out of going earlier lrut— a categorical ruling out of going earlier but i_ a categorical ruling out of going earlier but i think— a categorical ruling out of going earlier but i think he _ a categorical ruling out of going earlier but i think he was - a categorical ruling out of going earlier but i think he was trying | a categorical ruling out of going . earlier but i think he was trying to buy himself— earlier but i think he was trying to buy himself some _ earlier but i think he was trying to buy himself some time _ earlier but i think he was trying to buy himself some time and - earlier but i think he was trying to buy himself some time and just . buy himself some time and just play the safe _ buy himself some time and just play the safe outioh _ buy himself some time and just play the safe option. bu?— buy himself some time and “ust play the safe option.�* the safe option. buy himself some time but he _ the safe option. buy himself some time but he has _ the safe option. buy himself some time but he has quite _ the safe option. buy himself some time but he has quite a bit - the safe option. buy himself some time but he has quite a bit of - the safe option. buy himself some time but he has quite a bit of work to do if the polls are to be believed. the tory party has not been ahead of labour in a published opinion poll since december of 2021 or even within single digits of the opposition since 2022. what makes them think if he can turn it around

if he has six or 12 month? i’m them think if he can turn it around if he has six or 12 month?- if he has six or12 month? i'm not sure that he _ if he has six or12 month? i'm not sure that he thinks _ if he has six or12 month? i'm not sure that he thinks he _ if he has six or12 month? i'm not sure that he thinks he can turn i if he has six or12 month? i'm not sure that he thinks he can turn it| sure that he thinks he can turn it around _ sure that he thinks he can turn it around necessarily. _ sure that he thinks he can turn it around necessarily. i— sure that he thinks he can turn it around necessarily. ithink- sure that he thinks he can turn it around necessarily. i think this l sure that he thinks he can turn it| around necessarily. i think this is more _ around necessarily. i think this is more about— around necessarily. i think this is more about his _ around necessarily. i think this is more about his time _ around necessarily. i think this is more about his time as _ around necessarily. i think this is more about his time as prime - more about his time as prime minister _ more about his time as prime minister he _ more about his time as prime minister. he can— more about his time as prime minister. he can say- more about his time as prime minister. he can say that - more about his time as prime minister. he can say that he i more about his time as prime . minister. he can say that he did almost — minister. he can say that he did almost two _ minister. he can say that he did almost two years _ minister. he can say that he did almost two years as _ minister. he can say that he did almost two years as prime - minister. he can say that he did - almost two years as prime minister, and i_ almost two years as prime minister, and i think— almost two years as prime minister, and i think part— almost two years as prime minister, and i think part of— almost two years as prime minister, and i think part of this— almost two years as prime minister, and i think part of this is— almost two years as prime minister, and i think part of this is leading - and i think part of this is leading the physical— and i think part of this is leading the physical measures _ and i think part of this is leading the physical measures we will i and i think part of this is leading . the physical measures we will see, so the _ the physical measures we will see, so the tech — the physical measures we will see, so the tech changes _ the physical measures we will see, so the tech changes we _ the physical measures we will see, so the tech changes we are - the physical measures we will see, so the tech changes we are seeing | so the tech changes we are seeing saturday, — so the tech changes we are seeing saturday, we _ so the tech changes we are seeing saturday, we expect— so the tech changes we are seeing saturday, we expect more - so the tech changes we are seeing saturday, we expect more of- so the tech changes we are seeing | saturday, we expect more of those so the tech changes we are seeing. saturday, we expect more of those to come _ saturday, we expect more of those to come and _ saturday, we expect more of those to come and these — saturday, we expect more of those to come and these need _ saturday, we expect more of those to come and these need time _ saturday, we expect more of those to come and these need time to- saturday, we expect more of those to come and these need time to bet- come and these need time to bet him. the longer— come and these need time to bet him. the longer you — come and these need time to bet him. the longer you give _ come and these need time to bet him. the longer you give it _ come and these need time to bet him. the longer you give it for— come and these need time to bet him. the longer you give it for people - come and these need time to bet him. the longer you give it for people to - the longer you give it for people to feel the _ the longer you give it for people to feel the difference, _ the longer you give it for people to feel the difference, that _ the longer you give it for people to feel the difference, that might- the longer you give it for people to. feel the difference, that might make some _ feel the difference, that might make some impact — feel the difference, that might make some impact. the _ feel the difference, that might make some impact. the conservative - feel the difference, that might makej some impact. the conservative party is looking _ some impact. the conservative party is looking at — some impact. the conservative party is looking at the _ some impact. the conservative party is looking at the fact _ some impact. the conservative party is looking at the fact that _ some impact. the conservative party is looking at the fact that there - is looking at the fact that there are significant— is looking at the fact that there are significant numbers - is looking at the fact that there are significant numbers of- is looking at the fact that there . are significant numbers of people who are _ are significant numbers of people who are saying _ are significant numbers of people who are saying they _ are significant numbers of people who are saying they are - are significant numbers of people l who are saying they are undecided, that are _ who are saying they are undecided, that are not — who are saying they are undecided, that are not convinced _ who are saying they are undecided, that are not convinced by— who are saying they are undecided, that are not convinced by the - who are saying they are undecided, l that are not convinced by the labour party _ that are not convinced by the labour party and _ that are not convinced by the labour party. and could _ that are not convinced by the labour party. and could they— that are not convinced by the labour party. and could they be _ that are not convinced by the labour party. and could they be returning l party. and could they be returning as well? _ party. and could they be returning as well? the — party. and could they be returning as well? the more _ party. and could they be returning as well? the more time _ party. and could they be returning as well? the more time you - party. and could they be returning as well? the more time you have, j as well? the more time you have, these _ as well? the more time you have, these things — as well? the more time you have, these things can _ as well? the more time you have, these things can come _ as well? the more time you have, these things can come into- as well? the more time you have, these things can come into play, i as well? the more time you have, . these things can come into play, but ithink— these things can come into play, but i think the _ these things can come into play, but i think the prevalent _ these things can come into play, but i think the prevalent feeling - i think the prevalent feeling amongst _ i think the prevalent feeling amongst mps _ i think the prevalent feeling amongst mps and _ i think the prevalent feeling amongst mps and i'm - i think the prevalent feeling amongst mps and i'm sure i i think the prevalent feeling - amongst mps and i'm sure others is that it's _ amongst mps and i'm sure others is that it's all — amongst mps and i'm sure others is that it's all a — amongst mps and i'm sure others is that it's all a bit _ amongst mps and i'm sure others is that it's all a bit too _ amongst mps and i'm sure others is that it's all a bit too little _ that it's all a bit too little too late — that it's all a bit too little too late. . �* , that it's all a bit too little too late. ., �* , ,., that it's all a bit too little too late. ., �*, late. that's the point, here, john. all the accusations _ late. that's the point, here, john. all the accusations today - late. that's the point, here, john. all the accusations today from - late. that's the point, here, john. all the accusations today from his| all the accusations today from his political opponents as we touched on suggesting he is squatting in

downing street. jonathan ashworth, the shadow work invention secretary, saint rishi sunak is running scared of the verdict of the british people. the liberal democrat leader ed davey says rishi sunak has bottled it. hard to get away from these accusations given that as most suggest this mightjust be about him getting two years in downing street. yeah, i think that's right. you cannot delay an election without being scared of the election, can you? that's the reason that the accusations are being made by it rishi sunak puffing up on this is because as to the merit of being true. he is running from the voters. in the thing about politics is once you start running from the voters, it's hard to know when to stop. when will the news get better because effectively rishi sunak is betting that things will get better? but why would they? we know for a symbol that by next september, nhs waiting list are going to go over 8 million. they were 7.2 million went rishi sunak said they were going to cut the waiting list and we know the

summer is lovely to be a summer, a season when the boats start coming in and real numbers again. so it will be stopping the boats. we know we've got an economy that had patchy growth at the end of last year. maybe the interest rates rise coming through and squeezed on the economy which is the intention of the bank of england. there really is no good time in your fifth year to hold an election. you've only got into a fifth year of government because he could not choose an election in your fourth year and normally our elections are an your four because that's where there is maximum possibility and allows the prime minister to maximise the benefit of his party. therejust is not soon his party. there just is not soon to be any good news coming and i think one thing that's really clear if you asked voters went to they want an election, they cannot say it now and as soon as possible. and if you frustrate the voters and it comes into their mind that you're running away from them, i think thatjust sharpens their anger with you and we see it in by elections the way the

votes are just going to whichever party is best placed to chuck out the tory. and ifeel that's party is best placed to chuck out the tory. and i feel that's what's going to happen and if anybody gets an idea as most suggest that he is doing this because he wants to stay for a longer time and never ten, that kind of destiny plays into what keir starmer is saying. he is squatting, not doing anything so what is the programme for the next 6-9 what is the programme for the next 6—9 months? it's very thin. interested in that strategy because we know that rishi sunak laid out his five pledges and it was exactly a year ago today that he laid out the five things he wanted to achieve. having inflation, growing the economy, reducing the debt, cutting waiting list and stopping the boats. if you were being kind, we would say he's probably managed to have those. inflation is coming down but it's not really anything the government has done has its global forces. the government has done has its globalforces. and also the government has done has its global forces. and also the the government has done has its globalforces. and also the idea of waiting list being reduced and again it depends what numbers you look at. but wiping himself to the maths with

those five pledges as if proven it so hard to meet them?— those five pledges as if proven it so hard to meet them? he has aligned himself so closely _ so hard to meet them? he has aligned himself so closely to _ so hard to meet them? he has aligned himself so closely to these _ so hard to meet them? he has aligned himself so closely to these and - so hard to meet them? he has aligned himself so closely to these and i - himself so closely to these and i think— himself so closely to these and i think in— himself so closely to these and i think in some _ himself so closely to these and i think in some ways— himself so closely to these and i think in some ways it's - himself so closely to these and i think in some ways it's quite - think in some ways it's quite refreshing _ think in some ways it's quite refreshing and _ think in some ways it's quite refreshing and quite - think in some ways it's quite refreshing and quite unusual think in some ways it's quite . refreshing and quite unusual for think in some ways it's quite - refreshing and quite unusual for a prime _ refreshing and quite unusual for a prime minister— refreshing and quite unusual for a prime minister to— refreshing and quite unusual for a prime minister to do— refreshing and quite unusual for a prime minister to do that. - refreshing and quite unusual for a prime minister to do that. that i refreshing and quite unusual for a prime minister to do that. that is| prime minister to do that. that is what _ prime minister to do that. that is what you — prime minister to do that. that is what you have _ prime minister to do that. that is what you have secretaries - prime minister to do that. that is what you have secretaries of i prime minister to do that. that isi what you have secretaries of state who take _ what you have secretaries of state who take ownership _ what you have secretaries of state who take ownership of _ what you have secretaries of state who take ownership of difficult i who take ownership of difficult policy — who take ownership of difficult policy ideas _ who take ownership of difficult policy ideas but _ who take ownership of difficult policy ideas but he _ who take ownership of difficult policy ideas but he has - who take ownership of difficult policy ideas but he has done . who take ownership of difficultl policy ideas but he has done it. who take ownership of difficult i policy ideas but he has done it. and there _ policy ideas but he has done it. and there is— policy ideas but he has done it. and there is no— policy ideas but he has done it. and there is no rolling _ policy ideas but he has done it. and there is no rolling back when - policy ideas but he has done it. and there is no rolling back when you i there is no rolling back when you say these — there is no rolling back when you say these are _ there is no rolling back when you say these are the _ there is no rolling back when you say these are the metrics - there is no rolling back when you say these are the metrics that i want _ say these are the metrics that i want to— say these are the metrics that i want to he _ say these are the metrics that i want to be measured _ say these are the metrics that i| want to be measured against... say these are the metrics that i. want to be measured against... [5 want to be measured against... [£3 that a want to be measured against... that a strategy failure or a failure? ., , , ., that a strategy failure or a failure? , ., , ., ., that a strategy failure or a failure? ., , ., , ., ., ., failure? probably a combination of all of the above. _ failure? probably a combination of all of the above. it _ failure? probably a combination of all of the above. it was _ failure? probably a combination of all of the above. it was unusual i failure? probably a combination of| all of the above. it was unusual for him to— all of the above. it was unusual for him to do— all of the above. it was unusual for him to do that _ all of the above. it was unusual for him to do that. i— all of the above. it was unusual for him to do that. i think— all of the above. it was unusual for him to do that. i think he - all of the above. it was unusual for him to do that. i think he wanted l him to do that. i think he wanted to tweak— him to do that. i think he wanted to break from — him to do that. i think he wanted to break from the _ him to do that. i think he wanted to break from the past _ him to do that. i think he wanted to break from the past and i _ him to do that. i think he wanted to break from the past and i mean i him to do that. i think he wanted to break from the past and i mean you have to _ break from the past and i mean you have to remember— break from the past and i mean you have to remember that— break from the past and i mean you have to remember that he - break from the past and i mean you have to remember that he came i break from the past and i mean you have to remember that he came inl have to remember that he came in under— have to remember that he came in undera— have to remember that he came in under a disastrous— have to remember that he came in under a disastrous premiership i under a disastrous premiership before — under a disastrous premiership before him _ under a disastrous premiership before him and _ under a disastrous premiership before him and being - under a disastrous premiership before him and being hauntedl under a disastrous premiership i before him and being haunted but under a disastrous premiership - before him and being haunted but the -host before him and being haunted but the ghost of— before him and being haunted but the ghost of promise _ before him and being haunted but the ghost of promise trespass _ before him and being haunted but the ghost of promise trespass including . ghost of promise trespass including boris johnson _ ghost of promise trespass including borisjohnson. year— ghost of promise trespass including borisjohnson. year one _ ghost of promise trespass including boris johnson. year one for- ghost of promise trespass including borisjohnson. year one for rishi i borisjohnson. year one for rishi sunak— borisjohnson. year one for rishi sunak is— borisjohnson. year one for rishi sunak is lreing _ borisjohnson. year one for rishi sunak is being about— borisjohnson. year one for rishi sunak is being about stating i borisjohnson. year one for rishi sunak is being about stating thei sunak is being about stating the shipping — sunak is being about stating the shipping about _ sunak is being about stating the shipping about government i sunak is being about stating the shipping about government by. shipping about government by management— shipping about government by management in— shipping about government by management in dealing - shipping about government by management in dealing with. shipping about government by. management in dealing with what shipping about government by- management in dealing with what he would _ management in dealing with what he would say— management in dealing with what he would say are — management in dealing with what he would say are the _ management in dealing with what he would say are the legacy _ management in dealing with what he would say are the legacy issues i management in dealing with what he would say are the legacy issues he . would say are the legacy issues he was left _ would say are the legacy issues he was left so— would say are the legacy issues he was left so i— would say are the legacy issues he was left. so i think— would say are the legacy issues he was left. so i think he _ would say are the legacy issues he was left. so i think he wants- would say are the legacy issues he was left. so i think he wants more| was left. so i think he wants more time _ was left. so i think he wants more time to— was left. so i think he wants more time to actually— was left. so i think he wants more time to actually they _ was left. so i think he wants more time to actually they deliver- was left. so i think he wants more time to actually they deliver on i was left. so i think he wants morei time to actually they deliver on the

things— time to actually they deliver on the things that — time to actually they deliver on the things that are _ time to actually they deliver on the things that are more _ time to actually they deliver on the things that are more and _ time to actually they deliver on the things that are more and is - time to actually they deliver on the things that are more and is on- things that are more and is on making — things that are more and is on making a _ things that are more and is on making a not— things that are more and is on making a notjust _ things that are more and is on making a not just dealing i things that are more and is on making a not just dealing with things that are more and is on- making a not just dealing with other people's— making a not just dealing with other people's problems _ making a not just dealing with other people's problems with _ making a not just dealing with other people's problems with what - making a not just dealing with other people's problems with what he i making a not just dealing with other. people's problems with what he wants to see _ people's problems with what he wants to see the _ people's problems with what he wants to see the country _ people's problems with what he wants to see the country look _ people's problems with what he wants to see the country look like _ people's problems with what he wants to see the country look like going i to see the country look like going forward — to see the country look like going forward so— to see the country look like going forward so he _ to see the country look like going forward. so he sends _ to see the country look like going forward. so he sends off- to see the country look like going forward. so he sends off these i forward. so he sends off these targets — forward. so he sends off these targets and _ forward. so he sends off these targets and may _ forward. so he sends off these targets and may have - forward. so he sends off these targets and may have been i forward. so he sends off these targets and may have been a l forward. so he sends off these. targets and may have been a bit too forward _ targets and may have been a bit too forward leaning, _ targets and may have been a bit too forward leaning, to _ targets and may have been a bit too forward leaning, to direct— targets and may have been a bit too forward leaning, to direct and - forward leaning, to direct and setting — forward leaning, to direct and setting them _ forward leaning, to direct and setting them too _ forward leaning, to direct and setting them too ambitious i forward leaning, to direct and - setting them too ambitious without really _ setting them too ambitious without really thinking _ setting them too ambitious without really thinking about _ setting them too ambitious without really thinking about the _ really thinking about the consequences _ really thinking about the consequences are - really thinking about the l consequences are thinking really thinking about the - consequences are thinking about a lot of— consequences are thinking about a lot of the — consequences are thinking about a lot of the things _ consequences are thinking about a lot of the things are _ consequences are thinking about a lot of the things are not _ consequences are thinking about a lot of the things are not even i lot of the things are not even within— lot of the things are not even within the _ lot of the things are not even within the government's i lot of the things are not even. within the government's direct controt~ — within the government's direct controt~ but _ within the government's direct control. but we _ within the government's direct control. but we are _ within the government's direct control. but we are now - within the government's direct control. but we are now in i within the government's direct control. but we are now in a i control. but we are now in a situation _ control. but we are now in a situation where _ control. but we are now in a situation where he - control. but we are now in a situation where he will i control. but we are now in a i situation where he will rightly be measured — situation where he will rightly be measured by— situation where he will rightly be measured by them, _ situation where he will rightly be measured by them, and - situation where he will rightly be measured by them, and there i situation where he will rightly be i measured by them, and there will be consequent _ measured by them, and there will be consequent to — measured by them, and there will be consequent to said _ measured by them, and there will be consequent to said that _ measured by them, and there will be consequent to said that because - measured by them, and there will be consequent to said that because they are not— consequent to said that because they are not all— consequent to said that because they are not all going _ consequent to said that because they are not all going in _ consequent to said that because they are not all going in the _ consequent to said that because they are not all going in the right- are not all going in the right direction _ are not all going in the right direction by— are not all going in the right direction by any _ are not all going in the right direction by any means. - are not all going in the right| direction by any means. find are not all going in the right direction by any means. and today of course the day _ direction by any means. and today of course the day as _ direction by any means. and today of course the day as well— direction by any means. and today of course the day as well that _ direction by any means. and today of course the day as well that keir - course the day as well that keir starmer laid out some of his plans for what a labour government might look like if he gets the keys to downing street. somewhat overshadowed by the prime minister suggesting they could be a general election at the end of the year. what did you make of what you heard from him there because he wants to paint himself as a candidate of change but he is also quite clear on the fact there is not a lot of money and he cannot really start cutting

taxes and he cannot really deliver very much until in his view the economy starts to improve? so there is not a lot he can really offer to woo voters even though he says he is a candidate of change.— a candidate of change. look, i think it's interesting _ a candidate of change. look, i think it's interesting what _ a candidate of change. look, i think it's interesting what happened - a candidate of change. look, i think| it's interesting what happened today which is that keir starmer trust of the frame for the general election, this election year we are in because the election even if it's injanuary next year will be called during this year. and i think keir starmer was setting the terms. he said is a change election. labour are the change. but look i understand as leader of the party a lot of voters don't believe there can be any change. maybe change a prime her a but fine, the last six years nothing has gotten better. he has been appointed things in our politics where first people are sceptical about change and by addressing those issues and servicing them, he is able to move on and say i want to offer what liver most offer. he is

making a hook and change proposition, acknowledging people's dowson that's the right way to start the election because if he can start colouring and some of the policies and delivering that and what was interesting was because he was giving the speech, the prime minister had to respond. i normally it is the evolution they have to respond to government but the government has got all the control and the authority in all the money and the authority in all the money and it's got a grid it was to push out of the rishi sunak responding to keir starmer it shows the balances within the two parties at the moment. within the two parties at the moment-— within the two parties at the moment. ., ., ,., within the two parties at the moment. ., ., y., , moment. good to have you with us. john who moment. good to have you with us. john who used _ moment. good to have you with us. john who used to _ moment. good to have you with us. john who used to advise _ moment. good to have you with us. john who used to advise tony - moment. good to have you with us. john who used to advise tony blair. john who used to advise tony blair and also this is mo hussein of former special adviser to the conservative party and grateful to you both and what little he could be a busy year of elections, thank you. the names of dozens of people connected to the late sex offender jeffrey epstein have been made public in a release of court documents. high—profile figures including prince andrew and former us president bill clinton are among the associates, friends and alleged

victims named in the 900 pages which have been unsealed on the order of a judge in new york. the records form part of a case against ghislaine maxwell, epstein's british girlfriend who has been jailed for assisting him. our north america correspondent gary o'donoghue has more. jeffrey epstein was a billionaire financier, but he was also a serial abuser of underage girls. he knew some of the best—known faces on the planet, from british royalty to pop stars to former presidents. these latest court documents contain more than 60 references to prince andrew and some to bill clinton. back in 2002, donald trump described him as "a terrific guy and a lot of fun to be with". neither of the former presidents have been accused of wrongdoing in the epstein case, but prince andrew's long friendship with epstein was what ended

his public royal role. these latest documents contain testimony from one woman who said prince andrew touched her breast while holding the hand of a puppet of himself against her other breast. buckingham palace has in the past categorically denied all allegations. another of epstein's accusers, virginia giuffre, said she'd met andrew on a number of occasions and been forced to have sex with the prince when she was 17 years old. despite a photo showing them together, the prince said he had no recollection of meeting her. and i've said consistently and frequently that we never had any sort of sexual contact whatever. in 2022, the prince settled a civil case brought by virginia giuffre against him for an undisclosed amount and withdrew from public life. the documents also contain

some bizarre elements, including an e—mail to one—time girlfriend ghislaine maxwell, who's serving 20 years for sex trafficking. in the poorly spelt message, epstein offers to pay anyone who would deny that the late renowned physicist stephen hawking had taken part in an orgy on epstein's private island. this is the first release of documents in this particular case relating to epstein. there are more court files to come. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. bbc news, bringing you different stories from across the uk. sometimes a simple knock at the door and a friendly greeting mean more than we know. ronnie and paul first met through age uk's befriending scheme during lockdown. that meant phone calls at first, but face—to—face meetings soon followed. now they're firm friends, particularly since ronnie lost his wife earlier this year.

we're both in the same situation. he's very good to talk to. we can talk to each other about different stuff, you know? i was just saying the other day, if his concern faltered, we'd still be friends. i don't think we've ever had a cross word. i genuinely look forward to seeing ronnie, and there's no "i'm the volunteer" and befriending scheme and "somebody's feeling a bit vulnerable". so that has gone now. we have a relationship, and with ronnie is on an equal standing. for more stories from across the uk, head to the bbc website. you're live with bbc news. to music now, and two global superstars, albeit from very different generations. today, news that elvis is preparing to make a comeback even though he sang his last note in 1977. he'll perform a new stage show made

possible by artifical intelligence and lots of unseen footage. at the same time, though, pop star britney spears, very much alive, says she has no plans to ever perform again, warning she will "never return to the music industry". instead she'll concentrate on writing music for other performers. david sillito has more on the new elvis tour. # going to a partyi in the countyjail!# elvis never played the uk while he was alive, but 46 years after his death, plans have been announced for his show in london. with what the organisers say will be a convincing 3d computer—generated elvis. an ai elvis. i mean, is this entirely created by computers, then? the way of thinking about is the ai learns elvis's movements, elvis's face structure, all about elvis and generates a computer model, which then will enable us to produce a new performance of elvis.

using hours of home video and performance footage, the ai programme is studying his look, his movements and his expressions to recreate elvis. but this is far from the first holographic performance. # oh, i want to dance with somebody.# this an early version of a digital whitney houston. we've also seen a ghostly buddy holly and roy orbison back on stage, but the real breakthrough was abba's avatar show in london. i've been to see the show twice, and it's very strange the first time you see it. you go, "this is really, really weird." but eventually it's almost like you are thinking they are real. the technology that they had to have is astonishing, really. # you ain't nothing. but a hound dog...# and the attraction of holograms is obvious. many of the world's biggest acts

are getting on a bit. the band kiss announced a farewell tour in the year 2000, and a few weeks ago, showed the world that this really was the end by introducing their replacements — avatar kiss. david sillito, bbc news. so elvis is back but britney is bowing out. here is one mega fan of britney. i've been a fan of britney spears since hit me baby one more time. i mean, i was around seven or eight when it came out, and it was hard to ignore that it was a phenomenon even without having an understanding of what a phenomenon was at that age. that song, that video was everywhere. and she just felt like, you know, yourfriend's older sister, like the kind of cool girl

at school that you wanted to to know. and her music has always stuck with me and been a big part of my life ever since. but, you know, it is sad to know there's no immediate britney spears music coming out. but, of course, her mental well—being and her physical well—being is a top priority right now as she's gotten out of her conservatorship. and that's the issue, isn't it, because well—documented problems that britney has gone through. she seems like she's come out the other side. she's overcome them. so, actually, this could be a very healthy decision for her to say, "look, that's not for me any more. i'm stepping back. i'll focus on my love of music for other artists. but i don't need to be in the spotlight." yeah. and, i mean, it makes a lot of sense that she has no interest in being part of the music industry right now. she spoke in a lot in her memoir, the woman in me, as well as in the hearings to end her conservatorship, that she was being forced to work while being told that she couldn't be in control of her own decisions, of her own finances, of anything

in her life. she was doing the vegas residency. she was putting out albums, making music videos. she was being put on tv shows. she was being worked and being forced to work for the entire time she was told that she couldn't be in charge of any aspect of her own well—being. so of course she doesn't want to do anything or be a part of it. she lost a lot of that love over the years. and suddenly, as something becomes quite rare, when we find out there will be no new britney spears performances, does that mean her back catalogue suddenly becomes a lot more valuable? i think it's always been super valuable. even in, you know...in the last few years, we've seen younger fans really gravitate towards her music. we've seen so many artists, like, that have popped up even in the last two or three years and become super popular, like tate mcrae or sabrina carpenter, who owes so much to britney spears and owe so much to her influence. we're going to continue seeing that no matter what. and i think it's she's an artist that's always going to gain new and really fervent fans, even without her having to do anything actively to to keep that going. top song, brittany?

oh, i got it was a really hard one. ifeel like it's probably toxic. i think toxic is a perfect pop song. and it was a point in britney's career when she was taking a lot of control as an adult artist. stay with scientists have welcomed the discovery of an entirely new type of antibiotic raising hopes that it could control one of the most dangerous superbugs. the new drug is still at the experimental stage, but if human trials prove successful it would be the first new treatment against this type of bacteria in over 50 years. 0ur medical editor fergus walsh reports.

antibiotics they will thrive in hospitals against patients with weakened immune systems they have a 50% mortality rate. a life—saving drug that has - revolutionized medical science. since the discovery of the first antibiotic, penicillin, these precious drugs have saved countless lives. but there's been no new class of antibiotics against the most resistant bacteria, known as "gram—negative", in over 50 years. research in the journal nature explains the new compound was able to eradicate crab infections in petri dishes and in mice. but getting any new antibiotic from the lab to patients could take up to a decade of human trials. this could definitely save lives, because we urgently need

antibiotics, because if there are no antibiotics, particularly against gram—negative infections, we might see the end of modern medicine because any minor infection, people will die, because with drug—resistant infection people can die within weeks. this is vital research because antimicrobial resistance is linked to around 5 million deaths worldwide each year. the battle against superbugs is one humanity can't afford to lose. let's get more on the bad weather. flood—hit farmers are calling on the government to invest more in river defences in rural areas because the production of food is being put at risk. 0ur rural affairs correspondent claire marshall reports. here in oxfordshire, a glimpse of the struggle that some farmers have had to save their livestock. this is the area at first light today. another farmer has 60 acres under water.

so this is normally field? yes, yeah, this should all be planted in wheat. it should have been planted last autumn, but obviously it was just too wet, and now it's flooded. probably another eight weeks until we be able to get on it. that's if it doesn't rain again. tell me the impact that this kind of flooding has on you and your business. it'll cost thousands. i need every piece of land to pay, because i have to pay rent. i'm not the only farmer out here that's been flooded, but it all goes into the food chain. but not now. not now. storm henk has left water sitting on vast tracts of land. the national farmers' union is calling for the government to provide better protection. the environment secretary, steve barclay, told the bbc that the government was already investing heavily in flood defences. the work that the government has done has protected over 500,000 acres of farmland, and of course we are committing more money to future schemes as well, so over £5 billion of investment. but where is this money best spent? some believe it should go into changing how the land is used. should fields and landscapes

like this just be allowed to flood? with climate change the way it's going, we're not really going to have a choice. a little bit of dredging of the main river will not solve the challenges that the farms now have. but that can't be done unless there's proper value being paid. you are going to get farms going out of business if they're not being rewarded for that nature—based solution of holding the water back. as the earth gets hotter, our winters are likely to get even wetter, and scenes like this even more common. the question is whether enough will be done in time to help the most vulnerable. claire marshall, bbc news, oxfordshire. headlines coming up virtually at the top of the hour. the context is coming, but for me, good night. see you very soon. stay with us here on bbc news.

hello there. as we head towards our first full weekend of january, the weather story is on the change. somewhat drier conditions are expected by the weekend, but before that, we've got this area of cloud that's bringing some persistent rain across channel—facing coasts. so it arrived in the south—west, some of it quite heavy at times, accompanied by gale—force gusts of winds on exposed coasts in the channel. and that is going to continue to drift its way steadily eastwards. it means that there will be some difficult driving conditions if you're out and about on the roads over the next few hours. this was the isle of wightjust before darkness arrived, and you can see there are certainly some localised flooding in the area. now that rain will continue to drift its way south and east. it may lingerfor a time across the east midlands, lincolnshire, east anglia as well. a few scattered showers and stronger winds across eastern scotland and some coastal showers out to the west, but sandwiched in between the two, some clearer skies and we could have some patchy mist and fog forming by morning. now the low pressure still sitting up into the far north will give

stiff winds and showers into the northern isles and eastern scotland, but a ridge of high pressure is slowly building in. so there will be some showers out to the east, a legacy of cloud east of the pennines across england. further west, some brighter, sunnier spells with a few scattered showers driven in by that north—westerly wind. temperatures are likely to peak into single figures for many into the afternoon, so we're looking at around 4—9 degrees, pretty much where they should be for this time of year. but as we move out of friday into the start of the weekend, that high pressure's continuing to build in. the isobars open up, the winds falling light. again some patchy fog could be an issue first thing on saturday morning. we still keep a risk some showers and introduce some strong wind across the northern isles, but it's going to be a chilly start to saturday. low single figures in towns and city centres. just below, a touch of frost likely, away from the breeze. now high pressure is set to establish itself for the start of the weekend, and as the wind direction swings in a clockwise direction around that high, we're

either going to have an easterly or a north—easterly, which at times will drag in quite a lot of cloud off the north sea. so, yes, we're going to be chasing cloud amounts around, but look at this. it's going to be dry, settled with some sunshine at times, but we'll need to look out for overnight frost and fog.

hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones. you're watching the context on bbc news. i said, look, my working assumption is that we will have an election in the second half of this year, because in the meantime, i have got lots that i want to get on with, and that means cutting people's taxes. squatting in downing street for months on end, differing and ——squatting in downing street for months on end, dithering and delaying when the country wants change. what's he hiding? suggesting that it will be in the second half of the year rather than the first half. why is he doing that? well, he will hope to ease off some of the speculation and give himself some space to govern. here in the uk, for the first time the prime minister gives some idea when the next general election could be. in the second half of the year is rishi sunak�*s working assumption at the moment, he says.

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