the 4th ofjuly you have the choice and together we can stop the chaos, we could _ and together we can stop the chaos, we could turn the page, we can start to rebuild _ we could turn the page, we can start to rebuild britain and change our country — to rebuild britain and change our country. thank you. applause. i�*m country. thank you. applause. i'm reall country thank you. applause. rm really pleased to hear we have in a general election. i think it's about time that people bother to go out and vote that's a big thing, people need to get to their voting stations. need to get to their voting stationa— need to get to their voting stations. ~ ., ., ., ., i, , stations. we will have more analysis and reaction — stations. we will have more analysis and reaction throughout _ stations. we will have more analysis and reaction throughout the - stations. we will have more analysis and reaction throughout the speciall and reaction throughout the special programme as five weeks of campaigning began. hello and welcome from downing street. in the last few hours rishi sunak announced that they will be a general election onjuly sunak announced that they will be a general election on july the sunak announced that they will be a general election onjuly the 4th. he stood here in the pouring rain, i'm afraid the weather has not been kind to us today. made a speech of the

few minutes setting out familiar priorities, fairly downbeat in the news some might say given that the rain coming down on him, he didn't have probably to protect them. but he kicked a surprisejuly vote, june— july campaign which is taken many of his parties by surprise was that there's been some criticism of whether the timing was right, should be avoided to the autumn? let's get more reaction for the panda miller is at a conservative party campaign eventin is at a conservative party campaign event in east london. —— cannot. we've had some criticism of whether the election timing should be so quickly. what is the message there from supporters? it quickly. what is the message there from summers?— from supporters? it was noticeable earlier how — from supporters? it was noticeable earlier how much _ from supporters? it was noticeable earlier how much more _ from supporters? it was noticeable earlier how much more smiles - from supporters? it was noticeablei earlier how much more smiles they were from the labour side after this election was called then be

conservative mps, wandering around parliament. this is definitely going to be the moment, the first campaign event since rishi sunak announced the general election on the lrth of july. an opportunity for smiles, photographs, vote conservative banners. we're told they are about 100 members here for this event and we're expecting him to speak for around 15 to 20 minutes about his plans for the election campaign. the banners that we've seen, i can't say we necessarily seen the whole thing but the pictures we've seen seem to suggest that the message is going to be a clear plan, secure future. it seems that that is going to be one of the conservative slogans throughout this election campaign. it definitely ties in with what we're hearing from the prime minister on downing street this afternoon when he talked about his record but notjust as prime minister but also as chancellor. he talked about inflation coming down

today to 2.3% and suggesting that people will eventually start to feel better off as a result of god. he said those things are proof of the plan of priorities he set out that those things are working. he talked about wanting to stick with the plan rather they go into what he calls labour with no plan and leading to uncertainty of course the labour party would deny that they have no plan and they will be looking to set out their policies over the coming days, particularly once the manifestos are published without the other thing he said which was interesting in terms of how the election will be framed is, is this election will be framed is, is this election will be framed is, is this election will take place at a time of the world is more dangerous than it has been since the end of the cold war. that idea of playing on peoples fears about what's going on, whether it's in ukraine, the middle east, immigration again trying to drive home the message that he is

someone that can be trusted. he would say as opposed to sir keir starmer. the members that have been arriving here this evening, i think many, we've not had a chance to speak to them but i got the sense this event had been arranged quite last minutes. they turned up ready for this election campaign but not necessarily thinking they would be here tonight. there's definitely a sense that the battle is on for the general election for the one conservative mps suggested to me earlier that it is going to be an uphill battle for the conservatives. they know they are behind in the polls. i think we can expect to hear from rishi sunak this evening a rousing message to his supporters to members to try to get them out on the streets campaigning for the conservative party and taking his message to voters in an attempt to turn around those poles. i message to voters in an attempt to turn around those poles.— turn around those poles. i don't know if you've _ turn around those poles. i don't know if you've managed - turn around those poles. i don't know if you've managed to - turn around those poles. i don't. know if you've managed to speak turn around those poles. i don't - know if you've managed to speak to anyone in the tory party event there yet but did you manage to get a

sense of reaction to that announcement, the way it was delivered, it was here behind me, it stopped raining at the moment but rishi sunak was absolutely drenched. the music of tony blair campaign music blaring in the background. he spoke for a few minutes, he looked absolutely soaked one has to wonder if that's the first image you want to announce an election when it's already an up hill struggle? fist already an up hill struggle? git least we know that tonight this event he is going to be inside surrounded by supporters. he's not getting drenched again. that is definitely something that has been discussed that i've heard people talking about that of sense of that being the first image. but the overarching sense that they have some understanding, the people that here tonight about why has chosen to go now, the sense that the inflation

figure gives the good news story and it is not necessarily worth waiting to see if there is further good news. might as well go for it at this point. and someone else suggested that at least now it won't clash with the us election in november. i think there is an understanding among members here about why the prime minister has chosen this moment. certainly going to put on a brave face and convince people to vote for their party. does touch with the _ people to vote for their party. does touch with the euros _ people to vote for their party. does touch with the euros and _ people to vote for their party. does touch with the euros and football in when think potentially for them in terms of the number of conservative foot soldiers that are now going to be available, willing, enthusiastic, funded to go knock on doors, any information about that, and a sense of that? was the laudatory mps announcing they are standing down and not retain their seats. the mood

within the conservative _ and not retain their seats. the mood within the conservative party - and not retain their seats. the mood within the conservative party going l within the conservative party going into this election certainly has been off the back of the local election results fairly bleak. i think in terms of the people who have turned up tonight, many of them will be realistic about things. we asked a few questions on arrival, how many people here, what exactly are we expecting the prime minister say, all the usual things and what things look like over the coming days and got relatively little information. even sometimes you'll end up in a position well they'll say please don't broadcast this but we know, x, y, z. i know very little in terms of the plans are what they're looking to do. the information it hasn't really been shared with us. you get the sense that this event has been hastily arranged. there's a lot of people here who are helping out, volunteering, sorting things out whether it's for the media or

helping with security, getting members through. you get the sense that many people there... rishi sunak is going _ that many people there... rishi sunak is going to _ that many people there... rishi sunak is going to speak. -

we're looking at pictures of all the cabinets, including david cameron, jerry hunt, there is speculation on whether he was going to lose his job as chancellor. no, he is there. they are all there preparing to greet the prime minister. ——jeremy hunt. grant shapps also in vision. all the members of the cabinet who gathered this afternoon, after rishi sunak announced to the king that he was actually going to stand down and call in election. michael gove is

well in the corner. the mood amongst the tory senior team will be very interesting. of course they will have to show support for the prime minister. his wife also in the audience. james cleverly is going to start with an introduction. let’s start with an introduction. let's listen in. thank _ start with an introduction. let's listen in. thank you, _ start with an introduction. let's listen in. thank you, thank- start with an introduction. let's| listen in. thank you, thank you. this is it! this is the moment, this is it. election has been called. elections are about choices. and we're going to present the british people with a choice. and it is a clear choice, it is a simple choice and it's a choice about leadership, about decisiveness, about integrity and it's a choice about what happens next for our country. that's what elections are about. let me just

briefly before i cede the stage of the prime minister, let me briefly remind us all why this choice matters so very much today we had fantastic economic figures for the inflation is now back where it should be. normal inflation levels. not by accident because of choices. difficult choices because of choices, choices made when rishi sunak was chancellor and choices he made when he was prime minister. applause. and getting inflation back where it should be that of mark's tax cuts for hard—working people. we've already seen some of those to the national insurance contribution rejections families that deserve to

get the money they earn, pensioners who have worked hard for their pensions, keeping more of their pensions. that is about choices that ritchie sunak has made. of course in a time of turbulence when there is danger across the globe, whether it's in the middle east or asia pacific region whether it's in cyberspace we need a leader at the head of a government who is willing to make the right choices. just as he did when i was prime minister he decided to give our friends in ukraine the support they needed to defend themselves against putin aggression. as we present our case to the

british people let's remind ourselves the other choice available to. which is a labour party led by one of the various keir starmer entities... i say that because i don't know who is turning out. i don't know who is turning out. i don't know who is turning out. i don't know what we're getting with a keir starmer led labour party. is it a keir starmer who backed relentlessly, not once but twice jeremy corbyn to be prime minister? is it that keir starmer or is it the keir starmer that promised to be continuity corbin when running for libra ship to tickle the tummy of the left wing voter block in the labour party? or the keir starmer that denounced jeremy corbyn or the keir starmer who is now worried about the left ranking is labour party and starting to flirt once again with the language that is used

in the past? i genuinely don't know. i hope he does, i'm not completely convinced. so the choice is really simple, and a leader who has been tested through some of the most challenging circumstances, who brought in furlough to make sure that we not only save lives but also sale of livelihoods during covid. the chancellor who is bold in saying now is the time to ease those restrictions and start rebuilding our economy to the person the leader who made it difficult decisions to help ring and fishing and down and down again. ladies and gentlemen, this election is about a choice, and the choice is clear, eweek, indecisive, completely contradictory keir starmer at the head of a labour party beholden to

the extreme left or a man of courage and integrity, a man who is been decisive and effective and works tirelessly on behalf of the british people and has shown that the tough decisions he has been willing to take are making a difference. that is what this is about. it is about a plan for a better future or a is what this is about. it is about a plan for a betterfuture or a labour government that would ruin all the hard work, take us back to square one. i know why i am out camping and, i suspect you did too, so give me a huge welcome to our party leader, our prime minister, and the person who is going to lead us into the the next election back to number ten, ladies and gentlemen, the prime minister. b.

friends, thank you, it is great to be with you all this week —— evening. be with you all this week -- evening-— be with you all this week -- evenina. .. .. , ., .. be with you all this week -- evenina. .. .. , ., ., .. evening. you are the lifeblood of our incredible _ evening. you are the lifeblood of our incredible party _ evening. you are the lifeblood of our incredible party and - evening. you are the lifeblood of our incredible party and i - evening. you are the lifeblood of our incredible party and i can - evening. you are the lifeblood of our incredible party and i can tell by this— our incredible party and i can tell by this reception that you are up for this— by this reception that you are up for this general election. the last few years have been tough, i the last few years have been tough, i know _ the last few years have been tough, i know that, — the last few years have been tough, i know that, you know that, we have dealt _ i know that, you know that, we have dealt with— i know that, you know that, we have dealt with coronavirus which upended are we _ dealt with coronavirus which upended are we of— dealt with coronavirus which upended are we of life and a huge spike in ourenergy— are we of life and a huge spike in our energy is caused by putin invasion— our energy is caused by putin invasion of ukraine, but as we learned — invasion of ukraine, but as we learned this morning, we have got inflation _ learned this morning, we have got inflation down from 11% to 2% and delivered — inflation down from 11% to 2% and delivered on my first priority, to drive _ delivered on my first priority, to drive inflation back to normal.

we have shown the country that it is only this _ we have shown the country that it is only this conservative party that can deliver the economic stability and foundation of our national success — and foundation of our national success. the economy is growing again. _ success. the economy is growing again, faster than germany and france — again, faster than germany and france and _ again, faster than germany and france and the united states and wages _ france and the united states and wages have risen faster than prices for ten _ wages have risen faster than prices for ten months now. the economy has turned _ for ten months now. the economy has turned a _ for ten months now. the economy has turned a corner, friends, our plan is working — but with this hard—won economic stability— but with this hard—won economic stability comes a choice. who do you trust to— stability comes a choice. who do you trust to turn — stability comes a choice. who do you trust to turn that foundation into a secure _ trust to turn that foundation into a secure future for you and your family— secure future for you and your family and _ secure future for you and your family and our country? now is the momenl— family and our country? now is the moment for— family and our country? now is the moment for britons to choose its future _ moment for britons to choose its future and — moment for britons to choose its future and decide whether we want to build on _ future and decide whether we want to build on the progress that we have

made _ build on the progress that we have made or— build on the progress that we have made or risk going back to square one with — made or risk going back to square one with no — made or risk going back to square one with no plan and no certainty. we all— one with no plan and no certainty. we all know — one with no plan and no certainty. we all know that the only certainty with labour is that they would run out of— with labour is that they would run out of money and raise your taxes. applause — applause _ . and as jeremy showed us the applause . and as jerem showed us the other . and as jeremy showed us the other week, the labour _ . and as jeremy showed us the other week, the labour party _ . and as jeremy showed us the other week, the labour party would - . and as jeremy showed us the other week, the labour party would cost . week, the labour party would cost every _ week, the labour party would cost every working half sold more than £2000 _ every working half sold more than £2000 extra in texas. this election takes _ £2000 extra in texas. this election takes place — £2000 extra in texas. this election takes place at a time when the world is more _ takes place at a time when the world is more dangerous than it has been at any— is more dangerous than it has been at any point — is more dangerous than it has been at any point since the end of the cold _ at any point since the end of the cold war — at any point since the end of the cold war. russia is waiting —— waging — cold war. russia is waiting —— waging a _ cold war. russia is waiting —— waging a brutal war in ukraine and he will— waging a brutal war in ukraine and he will not — waging a brutal war in ukraine and he will not stop there if he succeeds. that war has made the risks— succeeds. that war has made the risks to _ succeeds. that war has made the risks to our— succeeds. that war has made the risks to our energy security. in middle — risks to our energy security. in middle east, the forces of islamist extremists force global security. china _ extremists force global security. china is— extremists force global security. china is seeking to dominate the zist

china is seeking to dominate the 21st century by seeking a lead in technology. these uncertain times call for— technology. these uncertain times call for a _ technology. these uncertain times call for a clear plan and bold action— call for a clear plan and bold action to _ call for a clear plan and bold action to chart the course to a secure — action to chart the course to a secure future. it is the conservative party and only us, who have that _ conservative party and only us, who have that plan and are prepared to take that _ have that plan and are prepared to take that bold action to ensure the better— take that bold action to ensure the better future for our country and our children. copy or applause ~- applause . just look at our plan to cut migration— . just look at our plan to cut migration and stop the boats with our role _ migration and stop the boats with our role in — migration and stop the boats with our role in the scheme. across europe. — our role in the scheme. across europe, the _ our role in the scheme. across europe, the penny is dropping that ours is— europe, the penny is dropping that ours is the — europe, the penny is dropping that ours is the right approach was stopped — ours is the right approach was stopped if the labour party becomes an ex—government they will scrap the rwanda _ an ex—government they will scrap the rwanda scheme and enact a de facto amnesty— rwanda scheme and enact a de facto amnesty scheme for asylum—seekers and make _ amnesty scheme for asylum—seekers

and make us a magnet for every illegal— and make us a magnet for every illegal migrant in europe, and every way, that— illegal migrant in europe, and every way, that labour party will make our country _ way, that labour party will make our country less — way, that labour party will make our country less secure. now, and labour want you _ country less secure. now, and labour want you to _ country less secure. now, and labour want you to think this election is over— want you to think this election is over before it even begun, but we will fights— over before it even begun, but we will fights and we will fight every day for— will fights and we will fight every day for our values and our vision and the — day for our values and our vision and the british people are going to show— and the british people are going to show the _ and the british people are going to show the labour party that they do not take _ show the labour party that they do not take kindly to being taken for granted — on the 5th ofjuly, either keir starmer— on the 5th ofjuly, either keir starmer or i would be prime minister. _ starmer or i would be prime minister, and he has shown time and time again— minister, and he has shown time and time again that he would take the easy way— time again that he would take the easy way out and do anything to get power~ _ easy way out and do anything to get power if_ easy way out and do anything to get power. if he was happy to abandon all the _ power. if he was happy to abandon all the promises he made to become the labour— all the promises he made to become the labour leader once he got the 'ob, the labour leader once he got the

iob, how— the labour leader once he got the job, how can you know he will not do the same _ job, how can you know he will not do the same thing if you are to become prime _ the same thing if you are to become prime minister? if you does not have the conviction to stick to anything he says. — the conviction to stick to anything he says. if— the conviction to stick to anything he says, if he doesn't have the courage — he says, if he doesn't have the courage to— he says, if he doesn't have the courage to tell people what you want to do. _ courage to tell people what you want to do. and _ courage to tell people what you want to do, and if he doesn't have a plan, — to do, and if he doesn't have a plan, how— to do, and if he doesn't have a plan, how can he possibly be trusted to lead _ plan, how can he possibly be trusted to lead our— plan, how can he possibly be trusted to lead our country, especially at this the — to lead our country, especially at this the most uncertain of times? we conservatives have got a clear plan with — we conservatives have got a clear plan with bold action to secure our future _ plan with bold action to secure our future we — plan with bold action to secure our future. we are working for a britain where _ future. we are working for a britain where we _ future. we are working for a britain where we have renewed confidence in ourselves— where we have renewed confidence in ourselves and our communities. a country— ourselves and our communities. a country where hard work is met with fear rewards — country where hard work is met with fear rewards and opportunities of enjoyed _ fear rewards and opportunities of enjoyed by the previous generations will be _ enjoyed by the previous generations will be there for a future ones. a country— will be there for a future ones. a country where our defence and security— country where our defence and security is _ country where our defence and security is assured. to state that

message — security is assured. to state that message and vision of a secure future — message and vision of a secure future to— message and vision of a secure future to every corner of our united kingdom, _ future to every corner of our united kingdom, and at the show the labour party that _ kingdom, and at the show the labour party that the british people would never— party that the british people would never be _ party that the british people would never be taken for granted. applause

rishi sunak there embracing members of the cabinet and his family after making his speech in the dry, i hope —— | making his speech in the dry, i hope —— i guess they hope this will

dominate the front pages tomorrow and the images that people will remember i'm very upbeats, laughing with all of his team who are, of course, remain in charge and government. he remains prime minister during the campaign, but they all know that this potentially spells the end of their time in government if the conservatives do not win stop that goes, of course, for all of those people who work for the conservatives, or those who work inside downing street. most of those people will not have known that the election would be called today. a very tight number of people tend to be in the loop of these things, even though there was some speculation in the last few hours yesterday evening and today. but rishi sunak leaving there, and addressing his supporters and i all of his top team, all of

his cabinet members, including david cameron who had to fly back and jeremy hunt, the chancellor, who is still very much in post, and we know now thatjuly four is going to be the dates. we heard familiar sieges from rishi sunak criticising the labour party and urging voters to vote for a plan and stability. you are watching bbc news, much more ahead. well, let's get some reaction to that from what we could hear of rishi sunak, he would be glad to be in the dry after this afternoons and announcement. what did you take away from that? you announcement. what did you take away from that? ., ., ., , ., from that? you heard, a short seech, from that? you heard, a short speech. but — from that? you heard, a short speech, but this _ from that? you heard, a short speech, but this was - from that? you heard, a short speech, but this was billed . from that? you heard, a short speech, but this was billed as| from that? you heard, a short. speech, but this was billed as the first sort of campaigning events of this election campaign, so pretty hastily arranged to stop what do you take away? the first thing is the image at the end, rishi sunak wanted

to show that he had all his cabinet here when he laid out the fact that here when he laid out the fact that he told them he wanted to call this election, not all of them knew that, and that was a few hours ago, he shipped them off the east london for this and to project that confidence and unity, but they did not all know, and we don't many in his party are not convinced, particularly backbench mps by the logic of going out, so that is the first thing. some senior members of the government, actually. potentially not impressed with the timing. senior long serving mps, senior people who held senior positions in the party, saying they are not convinced by the time you know. the second thing to take away is the election sieges he wanted to push, and you can see why he didn't know when he said inflation, inflation has come down, our plan is working, we brought it down, which can be a tricky message to sell because he's

talking about the war in ukraine pushed infection up, global events pushed infection up, global events pushit pushed infection up, global events push it up, a lot has been global events that pushed it up and the bank of england has pushed it down, rishi sunak has wanted credit for that and why he's launching this company now, and the message that they have a plan and they see the benefits no and stick with them, and that the labour party does not have a plan, but the labour party was so that they do have a plan, sir keir starmer has without the point of what she will do the first few months in office, he has to lay that out, so there'll be arguments about how much do you put store in that? is it something people would think is being —— ambitious enough to deliver it to change you want. and texas, he dashes a message, be aware that if you vote for labour, taxes will go up, his message has resonated in the past, against the backdrop know that we have the

highest taxes in living memory. taxes of reach that level after 14 years of conservative government, that would be an area where rishi sunak will try to turn the fire on labour, but you will get questions from his record as well.— from his record as well. whether voters will _ from his record as well. whether voters will vote _ from his record as well. whether voters will vote on _ from his record as well. whether voters will vote on the _ from his record as well. whether voters will vote on the relative . voters will vote on the relative issue, not even two years in office, or one year and issue, not even two years in office, or one yearand a issue, not even two years in office, or one year and a half since he has been prime minister, the last time we were all here for a general election went announcement, there's been a list of turbines in the uk, borisjohnson had one is huge tory majority and then came liz truss and then rishi sunak, unexpectedly, because he did not win the tory membership vote, he will be relying on tory members not to go out and camping for him. the on tory members not to go out and camping for him-— camping for him. the big thing to take over from _ camping for him. the big thing to take over from that _ camping for him. the big thing to take over from that is _ camping for him. the big thing to take over from that is if - camping for him. the big thing to take over from that is if you - camping for him. the big thing to take over from that is if you chart the trajectory of the conservative fortunes in the opinion polls, boris johnson had that big victory,

unexpectedly big, back in 2019, what turned the dial for the tories and turned the dial for the tories and turned their fortunes down to the parties that borisjohnson attended in the pandemic times, followed by the scandal, and then liz truss and her many budget, debauched many budget, and the chaos that followed that and her short—lived premiership month since those days, conservative fortunes plummeted and rishi sunak has tried many things to try to turn things around which is not really happened and it is against the backdrop of a big deficit in the policies taking the scandal. the public are effectively having to vote sense the mini budget. after the turbulence of the last few years. also people will look back, 14 years of government labour will

say a regular 14 years of tory leadership. david cameron not even elected for the pointing to the house of lords or foreign secretary. they share churn of being a government for a long time with one party you start to run out of good people, don't you?— party you start to run out of good people, don't you? rishi sunak wants to sa look people, don't you? rishi sunak wants to say look at — people, don't you? rishi sunak wants to say look at my _ people, don't you? rishi sunak wants to say look at my record, _ people, don't you? rishi sunak wants to say look at my record, his - to say look at my record, his record in less than two years that he has been at the helm. labour will want to say, look at 14 years of conservative government we heard keir starmer say it's been chaos, a time of stagnating wages and living standards, he wants people to focus on bat. labours messages time to change. rishi sunak messages, i've been stabilising things give me more time. one thing he points to of course is his rwanda policy. he's passed legislation for that. ritchie sunak and speak to other countries are emulating us, they are not. other countries are talking about

how they are processing offshore but