the skin today will become soaked to the skin today will become one of— soaked to the skin today will become one of those images, i doubt it will move _ one of those images, i doubt it will move lots— one of those images, i doubt it will move lots of votes, but there is a narrative — move lots of votes, but there is a narrative that is told after an election— narrative that is told after an election when winners write history. but there _ election when winners write history. but there will be, but the one thing that is_ but there will be, but the one thing that is certain in every election campaign _ that is certain in every election campaign is events happen, there is no unknown —— there are known unknowns — no unknown —— there are known unknowns and unknown ones and i promise _ unknowns and unknown ones and i promise you — unknowns and unknown ones and i promise you it will not be boring. there _ promise you it will not be boring. there will— promise you it will not be boring. there will be lots of macro conversations _ there will be lots of macro conversations about - there will be lots of macro conversations about small| there will be lots of macro - conversations about small things happening — conversations about small things happening and _ conversations about small things happening and ultimately, - conversations about small things i happening and ultimately, looking conversations about small things - happening and ultimately, looking at the trigger_ happening and ultimately, looking at the bigger picture _ happening and ultimately, looking at the bigger picture and _ happening and ultimately, looking at the bigger picture and the _ happening and ultimately, looking at the bigger picture and the macro - the bigger picture and the macro mood _ the bigger picture and the macro mood of— the bigger picture and the macro mood of the _ the bigger picture and the macro mood of the nation _ the bigger picture and the macro mood of the nation and - the bigger picture and the macro mood of the nation and how - the bigger picture and the macro mood of the nation and how thati mood of the nation and how that perhaps— mood of the nation and how that perhaps does _ mood of the nation and how that perhaps does not _ mood of the nation and how that perhaps does not shift, - mood of the nation and how that perhaps does not shift, but - mood of the nation and how that perhaps does not shift, but lotsi mood of the nation and how that i perhaps does not shift, but lots of small— perhaps does not shift, but lots of small things — perhaps does not shift, but lots of small things within— perhaps does not shift, but lots of small things within it _ perhaps does not shift, but lots of small things within it do _ perhaps does not shift, but lots of small things within it do and - small things within it do and ultimately. _ small things within it do and ultimately, the _ small things within it do and ultimately, the outcome - small things within it do and ultimately, the outcome is i ultimately, the outcome is determined _ ultimately, the outcome is determined by— ultimately, the outcome is determined by that. - ultimately, the outcome is determined by that. pi - ultimately, the outcome is determined by that.- ultimately, the outcome is determined by that. a lot of this election will _ determined by that. a lot of this election will not _ determined by that. a lot of this election will not be _ determined by that. a lot of this election will not be seen - determined by that. a lot of this election will not be seen by - election will not be seen by programmes like this, a lot of it will be targeted very closely with in constituencies and we will not see a lot of the adverts going out and a lot of messaging going out there and i thinkjournalists should really, really try hard to get to that. 0k. let's look at some of the front

pages tomorrow. i think we will start, they are on the screen. you can see them. the metro. election july 4th, thank you for that. so sorry, pollock at the nation's sympathy is in the post, paula vennells, former chief is negative on the post office shed tears a number of times today as she gave testimony to the public inquiry. the guardian, sunak�*s big gamble. the mirror, drown and out. the daily telegraph, sunak gambles on a snap poll. the daily mail, now is the moment for britain to choose its future. and the times, sunak bets the house. do you agree with that headline, sir craig?— headline, sir craig? yes, definitely. _ headline, sir craig? yes, definitely, it _ headline, sir craig? yes, definitely, it is _ headline, sir craig? yes, definitely, it is a - headline, sir craig? yes, definitely, it is a big - headline, sir craig? yes, | definitely, it is a big risk, headline, sir craig? yes, i definitely, it is a big risk, it headline, sir craig? yes, - definitely, it is a big risk, it is a big gamble and hoping by taking a big risk and gamble, he can destabilise the situation and who knows what will happen? in reality, i suspect he thinks he knows he is

going to lose, but he is trying to make it less bad for himself. i make it less bad for himself. i would love to know what david cameron orjawjaw —— or george osborne might have been whispering in his ear. i osborne might have been whispering in his ear. , ,, . ., osborne might have been whispering in hisear. ,,,. . in his ear. i suspect that most --eole in his ear. i suspect that most peeple would _ in his ear. i suspect that most people would say, _ in his ear. i suspect that most people would say, just - in his ear. i suspect that most people would say, just go - in his ear. i suspect that most i people would say, just go long. there is always the reality that something might turn up. and i have sneaking suspicion that byjuly 4th, it probably won't be as explosively big as everybody thinks, but a lot of people are going to say, you bet the farm and it went. i of people are going to say, you bet the farm and it went.— the farm and it went. i remember when craig _ the farm and it went. i remember when craig was — the farm and it went. i remember when craig was campaigning - the farm and it went. i remember| when craig was campaigning about the farm and it went. i remember - when craig was campaigning about the danger— when craig was campaigning about the danger of— when craig was campaigning about the danger of labour winning when craig was campaigning about the danger of labourwinning in when craig was campaigning about the danger of labour winning in 2015 and said it _ danger of labour winning in 2015 and said it would be chaos with ed mitihand _ said it would be chaos with ed miliband. isn't it interesting you are now— miliband. isn't it interesting you are now saying the best chance for sunak— are now saying the best chance for sunak is— are now saying the best chance for sunak is a — are now saying the best chance for sunak is a bit of chaos?— sunak is a bit of chaos? quite interesting. — sunak is a bit of chaos? quite interesting, i— sunak is a bit of chaos? quite interesting, i suppose! - sunak is a bit of chaos? quite interesting, i suppose! it- sunak is a bit of chaos? quite | interesting, i suppose! it does sunak is a bit of chaos? quite - interesting, i suppose! it does show how it has flipped _ interesting, i suppose! it does show how it has flipped around. _ interesting, i suppose! it does show how it has flipped around. if - interesting, i suppose! it does show how it has flipped around. if his - how it has flipped around. if his plan _ how it has flipped around. if his plan is — how it has flipped around. if his plan is working, why don't you see where _ plan is working, why don't you see where it— plan is working, why don't you see where it goes in the next few months? _ where it goes in the next few months? as you say, he's throwing a hand _ months? as you say, he's throwing a hand grenade. these are desperate moves _ hand grenade. these are desperate moves tiv— hand grenade. these are desperate moves by a — hand grenade. these are desperate moves by a desperate man. yes, hand grenade. these are desperate moves by a desperate man.- moves by a desperate man. yes, i think it is also _ moves by a desperate man. yes, i think it is also the _ moves by a desperate man. yes, i think it is also the case _ moves by a desperate man. yes, i think it is also the case that - moves by a desperate man. yes, i think it is also the case that the i think it is also the case that the problem for the labour party is what

is your message, what is your plan, what are you actually going to do? i suspect we will have six weeks of not finding out very much about that. . . not finding out very much about that. . , , ., , . that. there are big questions about what departments _ that. there are big questions about what departments will _ that. there are big questions about what departments will have - that. there are big questions about what departments will have to - that. there are big questions about. what departments will have to spend after an election and i have already been asking those questions of both main parties and there was no answer. that is a kind of thing voters should know about before an election, surely? i voters should know about before an election, surely?— election, surely? itell you this, if the question _ election, surely? itell you this, if the question labour— election, surely? itell you this, if the question labour faces - election, surely? itell you this, if the question labour faces in l election, surely? i tell you this, i if the question labour faces in this election— if the question labour faces in this election is, — if the question labour faces in this election is, what is the plan? no-one — election is, what is the plan? no—one would be happier than keir starmer— no—one would be happier than keir starmer because he wants to talk about _ starmer because he wants to talk about his — starmer because he wants to talk about his missions and labour's manifesto _ about his missions and labour's manifesto. we don't want to talk about— manifesto. we don't want to talk about nonsense like bacon sandwiches any more _ about nonsense like bacon sandwiches an more. . . any more. labour and the conservatives _ any more. labour and the conservatives do - any more. labour and the conservatives do not - any more. labour and the| conservatives do not want any more. labour and the i conservatives do not want to any more. labour and the - conservatives do not want to talk about spending cuts after the next election, which the ifs suggests whoever wins will have to do. the sendin: whoever wins will have to do. the spending cuts _ whoever wins will have to do. the spending cuts have been absolutely clear and _ spending cuts have been absolutely clear and built—in byjeremy hunt, salt of— clear and built—in byjeremy hunt, salt of the — clear and built—in byjeremy hunt, salt of the earth, £19 billion of spending — salt of the earth, £19 billion of spending cuts and it will be incredibly difficult if labour takes power~ _ incredibly difficult if labour takes power. last time labour took power, £1 power. last time labour took power, it hittion _

power. last time labour took power, it billion of— power. last time labour took power, £1 billion of spending cuts and pain between _ £1 billion of spending cuts and pain between 1979 and 1999, the screams of pain— between 1979 and 1999, the screams of pain were very loud. it will be very— of pain were very loud. it will be very difficult to is a very difficult _ very difficult to is a very difficult inheritance. i�*m very difficult to is a very difficult inheritance. i'm not sure that message — difficult inheritance. i'm not sure that message will _ difficult inheritance. i'm not sure that message will cut _ difficult inheritance. i'm not sure that message will cut through i difficult inheritance. i'm not sure l that message will cut through and win an _ that message will cut through and win an election _ that message will cut through and win an election and _ that message will cut through and win an election and that _ that message will cut through and win an election and that is - that message will cut through and win an election and that is a - win an election and that is a challenge _ win an election and that is a challenge the _ win an election and that is a challenge the labour- win an election and that is a challenge the labour party. win an election and that is a i challenge the labour party will face _ challenge the labour party will face when _ challenge the labour party will face. when they _ challenge the labour party will face. when they get _ challenge the labour party will face. when they get in - challenge the labour party will face. when they get in the i face. when they get in the nittv-grittv_ face. when they get in the nittv-grittv of _ face. when they get in the nitty—gritty of discussing l face. when they get in the i nitty—gritty of discussing on face. when they get in the - nitty—gritty of discussing on panels like this— nitty—gritty of discussing on panels like this over — nitty—gritty of discussing on panels like this over the _ nitty—gritty of discussing on panels like this over the course _ nitty—gritty of discussing on panels like this over the course of- nitty—gritty of discussing on panels like this over the course of the i like this over the course of the next _ like this over the course of the next six — like this over the course of the next six weeks _ like this over the course of the next six weeks what _ like this over the course of the next six weeks what they- like this over the course of the next six weeks what they are i like this over the course of the i next six weeks what they are going to do. _ next six weeks what they are going to do. the — next six weeks what they are going to do. the six— next six weeks what they are going to do, the six steps— next six weeks what they are going to do, the six steps but— next six weeks what they are goingi to do, the six steps but ultimately, what _ to do, the six steps but ultimately, what is _ to do, the six steps but ultimately, what is the — to do, the six steps but ultimately, what is the vision, _ to do, the six steps but ultimately, what is the vision, what _ to do, the six steps but ultimately, what is the vision, what is - to do, the six steps but ultimately, what is the vision, what is the i what is the vision, what is the hopeful— what is the vision, what is the hopeful vision _ what is the vision, what is the hopeful vision for— what is the vision, what is the hopeful vision for the - what is the vision, what is the hopeful vision for the country| what is the vision, what is the . hopeful vision for the country as well? _ hopeful vision for the country as well? rishi— hopeful vision for the country as well? rishi sunak— hopeful vision for the country as well? rishi sunak will— hopeful vision for the country as well? rishi sunak will be - hopeful vision for the country as well? rishi sunak will be trying i hopeful vision for the country as i well? rishi sunak will be trying his best to _ well? rishi sunak will be trying his best to betray— well? rishi sunak will be trying his best to betray what _ well? rishi sunak will be trying his best to betray what that _ well? rishi sunak will be trying his best to betray what that will - well? rishi sunak will be trying his best to betray what that will be. i well? rishi sunak will be trying his best to betray what that will be. [i best to betray what that will be. i also best to betray what that will be. also think further forward, what best to betray what that will bell also think further forward, what is amazing that keir starmer has done is he has turned round the labour party in a very short period of time. nobody can deny that was an extraordinary achievement. it is also partly because somebody has pressed fast—forwa rd also partly because somebody has pressed fast—forward in politics and things happen at an incredible pace and incredible speed and if you are looking at a leader that is already as low as he is, it is not looking great for the labour party at the next year or two. we great for the labour party at the next year or two.— next year or two. we are out of time, i am so _ next year or two. we are out of time, i am so sorry. _ next year or two. we are out of time, i am so sorry. but - next year or two. we are out of- time, i am so sorry. but newsnight

will be here every single night throughout this election campaign and half past ten on bbc two and bbc news. thank you so much for your time this evening and your insight. i am back tomorrow. we leave you with craig mackinlay, the conservative mp who returned to the commons floor today, having had all four limbs amputated, after recovering from sepsis. he got the most incredible reception. goodnight. well, i thank him for his brilliant work on connectivity in the border areas. cheering and applause

as you know, we don't allow the clapping, but this is the exception! further news on the momentous events of today. the uk general election will take place in six weeks on thursdayjuly 4th. the prime minister announced the date ending months of speculation. the surprise move came after official figures

showed inflation falling again. he says he will fight for every vote. labour leader sir keir starmer said the country was ready for change. chris mason has more. the lectern in place, cameras poised, and in the last hour the prime minister calling a general election. cameras, reporters, brollies, the downpours coming from the skies too. at teatime, this. earlier today, i spoke with his majesty the king to request the dissolution of parliament. the king has granted this request and we will have a general election on the lith ofjuly. music blaring from campaigners in nearby whitehall, rain tumbling onto the prime minister's sudden suit. minister's sodden suit. you must choose in this election who has that plan. who is prepared to take the bold action necessary to secure a better future for our country and our children? now, i cannot and will not claim that we have got everything right no government should. but i am proud of what we have achieved together. the bold actions we have

taken, and i am confident about what we can do in the future. over the next few weeks, i will fight for every vote. i will earn your trust, and i will prove to you that only a conservative government led by me will not put our hard—earned economic stability at risk, can restore pride and confidence in our country, and with a clear plan and bold action, will deliver a secure future for you, yourfamily and our united kingdom. so, this is it — a general election is on. power will leave this most powerful of streets, and you will be able to decide whether he stays or whether he goes. and so the arguments, the persuasion begins. on days like this, one lectern leads to another, and the thrust of labour's message hangs on one word.

a chance to change for the better. your future, your community, your country. it will feel like a long campaign, i'm sure of that. but no matter what else is said and done, that opportunity for change is what this election is about. over the course of the last four years, we have changed the labour party, returned it once more to the service of working people. all we ask now, humbly, is to do exactly the same for our country, and return britain to the service of working people. and of course, the next six weeks are about lots of parties, notjust labour and the conservatives. the liberal democrat leader has been in surrey. in so many parts of the country, it's the liberal democrats who can beat the conservatives,

and i think people are crying out for change. they want to vote for someone who championed them, theirfamily and community, to sort out the crisis in the nhs and care, to get our economy back on track and end environmental scandals like the sewage scandal. it's a welcome opportunity to remove the tory government and to put scotland first. that is what i will be saying to the public. but i also have to say that i think this is perhaps the latest act of disrespect from a conservative government, to call an election during the scottish school holidays. tonight, campaigning is already under way. prepare to see plenty of events like this. friends, friends, thank you, it is great to be with you all this evening. elsewhere, from norfolk to london, placards of a different colour, a different message. the promising and persuasion starts here. polling day is six weeks tomorrow.

here goes. chris mason, bbc news. parliament is going to be dissolved next week, with the election campaign getting into full swing. polling day is thursday the lith of july, votes will be counted through the night. the new parliament will meet for the first time the following tuesday. the official state opening of parliament with the p°mp state opening of parliament with the pomp and ceremony that comes with it is scheduled forjuly 17th. pomp and ceremony that comes with it is scheduled forjuly17th. it has been an eventful four and a half years since the last election, including three conservative prime ministers. we go to the big moments since the election in 2019. itruiith ministers. we go to the big moments since the election in 2019.— since the election in 2019. with a clear lan since the election in 2019. with a clear plan and — since the election in 2019. with a clear plan and bold _ since the election in 2019. with a clear plan and bold action, i since the election in 2019. with a clear plan and bold action, we i since the election in 2019. with a | clear plan and bold action, we will deliver a secure future for you, your family and our deliver a secure future for you, yourfamily and our united kingdom. announcing the election, the third prime minister since the country

last had a say. i prime minister since the country last had a say-— prime minister since the country last had a say. i am determined to deliver. last had a say. i am determined to deliver- his _ last had a say. i am determined to deliver. his predecessor _ last had a say. i am determined to deliver. his predecessor lasted i last had a say. i am determined to | deliver. his predecessor lasted just deliver. his predecessor lasted “ust 49 da s in deliver. his predecessor lasted “ust 49 days in the fi deliver. his predecessor lasted “ust 49 days in the job. i deliver. his predecessor lasted “ust 49 days in the job. thanki deliver. his predecessor lasted “ust 49 days in the job. thank you i deliver. his predecessor lasted just 49 days in the job. thank you all i 49 days in the 'ob. thank you all very much. — 49 days in the job. thank you all very much- the _ 49 days in the job. thank you all very much. the one _ 49 days in the job. thank you all very much. the one before i 49 days in the job. thank you all very much. the one before was. 49 days in the job. thank you all| very much. the one before was in office a little _ very much. the one before was in office a little longer. _ very much. the one before was in office a little longer. in _ very much. the one before was in office a little longer. in 2019, i office a little longer. in 2019, borisjohnson swept office a little longer. in 2019, boris johnson swept to power with the biggest majority for the party in decades. we the biggest ma'ority for the party in decades. ~ ~ the biggest ma'ority for the party in decades.— the biggest ma'ority for the party in decades. ~ ~ . in decades. we did it! we pulled it off, didn't in decades. we did it! we pulled it off. didn't we? _ in decades. we did it! we pulled it off, didn't we? he _ in decades. we did it! we pulled it off, didn't we? he pulled - in decades. we did it! we pulled it off, didn't we? he pulled togetheri off, didn't we? he pulled together tory voters _ off, didn't we? he pulled together tory voters are — off, didn't we? he pulled together tory voters are some _ off, didn't we? he pulled together tory voters are some unexpected l tory voters are some unexpected corners of the country under the banner of brexit.— corners of the country under the banner of brexit. with this mandate and majority — banner of brexit. with this mandate and majority we _ banner of brexit. with this mandate and majority we will _ banner of brexit. with this mandate and majority we will at _ banner of brexit. with this mandate and majority we will at last - banner of brexit. with this mandate and majority we will at last be i banner of brexit. with this mandate and majority we will at last be able| and majority we will at last be able to do what? get and majority we will at last be able to do what?— and majority we will at last be able to do what?_ for l to do what? get brexit done! for labour, to do what? get brexit done! for labour. it — to do what? get brexit done! for labour. it was — to do what? get brexit done! for labour, it was a _ to do what? get brexit done! for labour, it was a dismal - to do what? get brexit done! for labour, it was a dismal result, i labour, it was a dismal result, losing in their traditional heartlands.— losing in their traditional heartlands. , , heartlands. this is the worst labour defeat in decades, _ heartlands. this is the worst labour defeat in decades, why _ heartlands. this is the worst labour defeat in decades, why are - heartlands. this is the worst labour defeat in decades, why are you i heartlands. this is the worst labour defeat in decades, why are you not| defeat in decades, why are you not resigning _ defeat in decades, why are you not resigning todav? _ defeat in decades, why are you not resigning today?— defeat in decades, why are you not resigning today? right, are we here? his to- resigning today? right, are we here? his top team — resigning today? right, are we here? his top team was _ resigning today? right, are we here? his top team was buoyed _ resigning today? right, are we here? his top team was buoyed by - resigning today? right, are we here? his top team was buoyed by victory. l his top team was buoyed by victory. i want to thank you all for your hard work in getting this government re—elected and backed by 109 new

conservative mps. but re-elected and backed by 109 new conservative mps._ re-elected and backed by 109 new conservative mps.— re-elected and backed by 109 new conservative mps. but it wasn't long until the covid _ conservative mps. but it wasn't long until the covid pandemic _ conservative mps. but it wasn't long until the covid pandemic became i conservative mps. but it wasn't long| until the covid pandemic became the country's priority, taking lives and liberties. , , liberties. some this evening, i must live the liberties. some this evening, i must give the british _ liberties. some this evening, i must give the british people _ liberties. some this evening, i must give the british people a _ liberties. some this evening, i must give the british people a very - give the british people a very simple instructions. you must stay at home. . . ., , at home. then the chancellor, rishi sunak played _ at home. then the chancellor, rishi sunak played a _ at home. then the chancellor, rishi sunak played a central— at home. then the chancellor, rishi sunak played a central role - at home. then the chancellor, rishi sunak played a central role in i at home. then the chancellor, rishi sunak played a central role in the i sunak played a central role in the government response, crafting the furlough and eat out to help out schemes. as well as will is being made, they were also being broken. the scandal around downing street parties was instrumental in boris johnson's down. has parties was instrumental in boris johnson's down.— parties was instrumental in boris johnson's down. after a contest, conservative party members picked liz truss over rishi sunak to be the next leader and the country's next prime minister. thank ou for country's next prime minister. thank you for putting _ country's next prime minister. thank you for putting your— country's next prime minister. thank you for putting your faith _ country's next prime minister. thank you for putting your faith in - country's next prime minister. thank you for putting your faith in me. i you for putting your faith in me. her tenure — you for putting your faith in me. her tenure was short—lived after the economic turmoil caused by the mini

budget. enter rishi sunak, attempting to bring stability. l attempting to bring stability. i understand too that i have work to do, to restore trust after all that has happened. he do, to restore trust after all that has happened-— has happened. he set out his riorities has happened. he set out his priorities with _ has happened. he set out his priorities with promises i has happened. he set out his priorities with promises on i has happened. he set out his i priorities with promises on small boats, the economy and the nhs. but so far, it seems they have failed to revive his party's a link political fortunes. still, the third conservative prime minister since the last general election has decided it's time the country does have its day. what are tomorrow's papers making of this huge announcement? the daily mailfront page. now is this huge announcement? the daily mail front page. now is the this huge announcement? the daily mailfront page. now is the moment for britain to choose its future. and of course, the mail, traditional conservative supporters, they say there are tory jitters conservative supporters, they say there are toryjitters over his shock timing, he seizes the

initiative and voters must decide between two very different visions. some might dispute how far apart the labour and tory parties are, given the economic constraints, but of course they do have totally different political traditions, and their leaders would say very different priorities at present. the mirror, again that tends to be more left—wing supporting. drown and out. a clear message there in terms of what they say... they will no doubt support labour when it comes to endorsing... most of the newspapers decide to endorse a head of an election, the mirror is the one paper that is definitely traditionally labour supporting. a rain—soaked sunak in an absolute downpour. i was there, he obviously

had no shelter, no brolly, no nothing. it has made a very striking opening image for the campaign, with some questions about whether that was the right way to open it. of course, no one can control the british weather! the telegraph, sunak gambles on snap polls. again, can't get away from the moment that actually happened and how difficult the optics might have been. but he obviously decided that this was the day it was going to happen, on the back of those inflation figures. we know quite a few tory mps, i've heard myself, even a couple of senior members of the party, not totally impressed with the timing of this. the political calculation had been that there might be some economic improvement, possibly energy prices coming down. insulation obviously coming down at the moment. might be a better backdrop for calling and election, and the calculation by many in

westminster was for it to be held in the autumn. of course, as soon as this election was called, mps potentially lose their jobs this election was called, mps potentially lose theirjobs if they don't hold onto their seats. ministers lose theirjobs and it upends everybody. it has taken a lot of people in westminster by surprise. well, since the last election in 2019, westminster has of course been through very turbulent times. let's look back on some of those memorable moments. and i want you to know how sad i am to be giving up the bestjob in the world. got them's the breaks. fiat;

world. got them's the breaks. pay taxes here — world. got them's the breaks. pay taxes here in _ world. got them's the breaks. pay taxes here in london, in london... world. got them's the breaks. pay l taxes here in london, in london... i have therefore spoken to his majesty the king _ have therefore spoken to his majesty the king to _ have therefore spoken to his majesty the king to notify— have therefore spoken to his majesty the king to notify him _ have therefore spoken to his majesty the king to notify him that _ have therefore spoken to his majesty the king to notify him that i - have therefore spoken to his majesty the king to notify him that i am i the king to notify him that i am resigning — the king to notify him that i am resigning as _ the king to notify him that i am resigning as leader— the king to notify him that i am resigning as leader of _ the king to notify him that i am resigning as leader of the - resigning as leader of the conservative _ resigning as leader of the conservative party. - resigning as leader of the conservative party. find i resigning as leader of the conservative party. resigning as leader of the conservative pa . . . conservative party. and we will have a aeneral conservative party. and we will have a general election _ conservative party. and we will have a general election on _ conservative party. and we will have a general election on the _ conservative party. and we will have a general election on the 4th - conservative party. and we will have a general election on the 4th of i a general election on the 4th of july. amazing moment and a very big day. here is a election cast with adam and laura. hello, it's adam in the studio. and it's laura at home. oh, laura, how many years since we did an electioncast? no, not that many. actually, it's actually, it's nearly five.

that's not true, so 44 and four and a half. that's not true, so four and a half. and also to help us out, we're joined from westminster by ourfriend, political correspondent alex forsyth. hi, alex. hello. and also there with alex is economics editor for the bbc faisal islam. hi, faisal. hi. am i not your friend? i've got the title. he didn't. i quite like it. oh, sorry. ok, we're off to a bad start already. laughter we're all friends here. it's just you don't want to overuse that word. ok, fine. anyway, let's not fall out. we've got 43 days to go. he'sjust very picky about his friends. this is the behind the scenes you didn't want to know anyway, right? what i was actually going to do, i was actually going to dig up faisal and say, well, there's a huge, big economic backstory to why we're even discussing the election today, which he's going to dig into. so, you know any more, are you? well, no, i'll have to know, laura.

0k. watching today unfold, just give me your big thoughts. were you surprised? because actually, i'm not sure how much money was on today being the day. well, in the big picture, i'm not that surprised because remember, a few weeks ago, we talked a lot about whether or not there was a plan afoot to go for a summer election after all the. well, they weren't will they wouldn't they. and however, from sort of early this morning, somebody i trust said to me, yes, it is actually going to be today. and so when you hear that, you go, what?! so, you can talk about in the abstract, but when you actually hear it, you think, "wow, here we are." is it a surprise? it always feels like a huge moment. the biggest sense of it on the page going into an election campaign when you're 20 points behind seems absolutely crackers. however, the case for a summer election has been won by oliver dowden. as i understand it, the deputy prime minister and sort of right—hand man of the pm and his chief of staff, and sort of right—hand man of the pm, his chief of staff, liam booth smith, is also thought to have been in favour, although there have been other powerful voices against. and if you just make a very quick list case for a summer election,