now is the moment for britain to choose its future. to decide whether we want to build on the progress we have made or risk going back to square one with no plan and no certainty. fin square one with no plan and no certain . ., . , square one with no plan and no certain . ., g , i. certainty. on the 4th ofjuly you have the choice, _ certainty. on the 4th ofjuly you have the choice, and _ certainty. on the 4th ofjuly you have the choice, and together, | certainty. on the 4th ofjuly you i have the choice, and together, we can stop _ have the choice, and together, we can stop the chaos, we can turn the page. _ can stop the chaos, we can turn the page. we _ can stop the chaos, we can turn the page. we can — can stop the chaos, we can turn the page, we can start to rebuild britain — page, we can start to rebuild britain and change our country. the summer fruits are out here at the birmingham wholesale market and some election is on the way so i have come to find out how traders think the economy is going any how that could affect had who they vote for. throughout the programme this morning we'll bring you reaction from across the uk, and speak to some of the politicians fighting for your vote, including prime minister rishi sunak. the other main stories this morning.

i fully accept now that the post office, excuse me... former chief executive of the post office paula vennells breaks down in tears while giving evidence to the inquiry into the horizon it scandal, and admits she "made mistakes" tributes are paid to the former british olympic swimming champion david wilkie, who's died at the age of 70. a number of flood warnings are starting to rise after relentless rain, more to come for some today but something a bit brighter across the south. will that become more extensive as we head towards the bank holiday weekend? it's thursday 23rd may. our main story. the uk will go to the polls six weeks today after the prime minister announced there will be a general election on the 4th ofjuly. on the steps of downing streetjust

over 12 hours ago rishi sunak vowed to "fight for every vote" while labour leader sir keir starmer said it was "time for change". our political editor chris mason has this report on how the surprise events unfolded. the lectern in place after a downpour of anticipation. cameras, reporters, brollies, the downpour 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 4th ofjuly. music blaring from campaigners in nearby whitehall, rain tumbling onto the prime 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'm 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'll be able

to decide whether he stays or whether he goes. and so the arguments, the persuasion begins. 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. now, 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've 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's been in surrey. well, 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 and they want to vote for someone who champions them, their family and their community to sort out the crisis in the nhs, to get our economy back on track and to end environmental scandals like the sewage scandal. it's a welcome opportunity to remove the tory government and to put scotland first and that's what i'll 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 summer school holidays. 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, 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. chris mason, bbc news. we'rejoined now by our chief political correspondent henry zeffman. good morning, henry. good morning. art in general— good morning, henry. good morning. art in general elections _ good morning, henry. good morning. art in general elections are _ good morning, henry. good morning. art in general elections are about - art in general elections are about set piece moments and the announcement itself is a big deal. you were right here in this position, the lectern was just here, tell me what that moment was like. let me make the most obvious point first. it was really wet. it was so wet that i was standing under massive golf umbrella but my suit is still a little bit wet so i don't know how that worked, but it was a drenching for the prime minister and he was clearly determined to

persevere actually because i think they think, his team, that it displays a message about his strong willingness to make some tough decisions. , ., ., ., decisions. there is a lot of choreography _ decisions. there is a lot of choreography here. - decisions. there is a lot of choreography here. we i decisions. there is a lot of| choreography here. we had decisions. there is a lot of - choreography here. we had the decisions. there is a lot of _ choreography here. we had the rain, there was also noise from protesters just at the end of downing street. pro—eu protest is blaring out things can only get better which is the anthem last time there was a change from conservative to labour in 1997, it is the new labour anthem. the truth is that here in downing street, if you are watching one of the speeches, you can often not here very well even if there is not a boom box blaring out dzream. but the question for the prime minister and his team is how it would go over to the general public, and they had thought quite heavily about how they

portrayed him. the first few minutes were reminding the public how they became aware of rishi sunak, the prime minister, i think they wanted to remind people that he was mr furlough before trying to persuade people to give him another five years in downing street. 50 people to give him another five years in downing street. so what do ou think years in downing street. so what do you think the _ years in downing street. so what do you think the campaign _ years in downing street. so what do you think the campaign will - years in downing street. so what do you think the campaign will focus i years in downing street. so what do j you think the campaign will focus on they really want to hammer home their view that he has got a better plan than sir keir starmer. stronger lan plan than sir keir starmer. stronger [an was plan than sir keir starmer. stronger plan was in — plan than sir keir starmer. stronger plan was in everything _ plan than sir keir starmer. stronger plan was in everything he _ plan than sir keir starmer. stronger plan was in everything he said - plan was in everything he said yesterday here and the mini rally he did in east london later, they want to make this a presidential campaign, that's where you are interviewing him, it's quite unusual to have the leader of the campaign interviewing on the first day. they want to make this a presidential style contest, he said it in his speech, either him or keir starmer will be prime minister onjuly five and that is what they are campaigning on.- and that is what they are campaigning on. and that is what they are camaiaunin on. , , ~'

campaigning on. this sounds like it will be quite _ campaigning on. this sounds like it will be quite personal, _ campaigning on. this sounds like it will be quite personal, is— campaigning on. this sounds like it will be quite personal, is that - campaigning on. this sounds like it will be quite personal, is that you | will be quite personal, is that you are your impression? i will be quite personal, is that you are your impression?— will be quite personal, is that you are your impression? i think you'll be uuite are your impression? i think you'll be quite personal. _ are your impression? i think you'll be quite personal. both _ are your impression? i think you'll be quite personal. both of- are your impression? i think you'll be quite personal. both of the - be quite personal. both of the leaders, rishi sunak and sir keir starmer will take direct props at each other, that often happens in a general election but it will happen here because the stakes are very high for both parties. rishi sunak is trying to keep the conservatives in office after ia years. they want a fifth term, if they won it, it will be the first time a political party has ever done that in britain's democratic history. for sir keir starmer the stakes are massive because labour have lost four times in a drop.— massive because labour have lost four times in a drop. what about the ke issues four times in a drop. what about the key issues that _ four times in a drop. what about the key issues that really _ four times in a drop. what about the key issues that really hit _ four times in a drop. what about the key issues that really hit home - four times in a drop. what about the key issues that really hit home for l key issues that really hit home for people with make the economy, household budgets, the nhs, what about those big issues? in household budgets, the nhs, what about those big issues?— about those big issues? in the first few da s about those big issues? in the first few days of — about those big issues? in the first few days of a _ about those big issues? in the first few days of a general _ about those big issues? in the first few days of a general election - few days of a general election campaign you get both campaign 2a in the campaign. within a few days as the campaign. within a few days as the general public and the voters as

we all now are, tune in, they want to know how things will affect their lives. rishi sunak, speaking to his team yesterday, they are adamant they have policies to offer that the public has not heard from him in government that they want a direct mandate for. keir starmer almost felt like an election campaign launch last year where he had his six first steps will change, one of them was about the nhs, one about schools, anti—social behaviour, those six steps they think are where the public are in terms of what their priority are. to the public are in terms of what their priority are.— the public are in terms of what their priority are. to 30 seconds to tell people — their priority are. to 30 seconds to tell people what — their priority are. to 30 seconds to tell people what happens - their priority are. to 30 seconds to tell people what happens next, - their priority are. to 30 seconds to i tell people what happens next, what happens next? bath tell people what happens next, what happens next?— happens next? both leaders will cam aiun happens next? both leaders will campaign today _ happens next? both leaders will campaign today and _ happens next? both leaders will campaign today and i _ happens next? both leaders will campaign today and i think - happens next? both leaders will campaign today and i think we l happens next? both leaders will. campaign today and i think we will get more of a sense of what their messages are. sir keir starmer�*s messages are. sir keir starmer�*s message was very striking, one word, change. that is labour's slogan for the election, that was on the lectern yesterday, that is the slogan, one word slogan. i don't think we have seen that before. we are going to get a lot of that from the labour party today. you are going to get a lot of that from

the labour party today.— the labour party today. you will hel me the labour party today. you will help me have — the labour party today. you will help me have a _ the labour party today. you will help me have a little _ the labour party today. you will help me have a little look- the labour party today. you will help me have a little look at - the labour party today. you willj help me have a little look at the papers and the who is making what of the situation. papers and the who is making what of the situation-— the situation. every newspaper icture the situation. every newspaper picture editor _ the situation. every newspaper picture editor has _ the situation. every newspaper picture editor has chosen - the situation. every newspaper picture editor has chosen the l the situation. every newspaper - picture editor has chosen the rishi sunak drenched. the picture editor has chosen the rishi sunak drenched.— sunak drenched. the soaked shoulders- — sunak drenched. the soaked shoulders. irresistible, - sunak drenched. the soaked - shoulders. irresistible, obviously, every newspaper— shoulders. irresistible, obviously, every newspaper will _ shoulders. irresistible, obviously, every newspaper will have - shoulders. irresistible, obviously, every newspaper will have it. - shoulders. irresistible, obviously, every newspaper will have it. bet| every newspaper will have it. bet the house is right, that is an accurate sense of how it looks. speaking to conservative mps yesterday, shocked, it was a real gamble. even rishi sunak�*s team acknowledge it was a gamble. you could have gone untiljanuary 2025. let's have a look at the next one. the daily mirror, the panel on the front page. the daily mirror, the panel on the front page-— front page. pretty good, a lot of --eole front page. pretty good, a lot of people were _ front page. pretty good, a lot of people were copying _ front page. pretty good, a lot of people were copying each - front page. pretty good, a lot of people were copying each other| front page. pretty good, a lot of - people were copying each other with the things can only get wetter pun, but the mirror had drown and out. this is a staunchly labour paper and

keir starmer has an article inside, expect them to campaign particularly on the nhs. find expect them to campaign particularly on the nhs. �* expect them to campaign particularly on the nhs. . , ., ., on the nhs. and the guardian, sunak's big _ on the nhs. and the guardian, sunak's big gamble. _ on the nhs. and the guardian, sunak's big gamble. that - on the nhs. and the guardian, sunak's big gamble. that is - on the nhs. and the guardian, l sunak's big gamble. that is what on the nhs. and the guardian, - sunak's big gamble. that is what it is. some rumblings _ sunak's big gamble. that is what it is. some rumblings today - sunak's big gamble. that is what it is. some rumblings today about. is. some rumblings today about whether conservative mps will try to sort of, you know, try and stop rishi sunak calling the election, i should say, that's not possible, that's not going to happen. there are voices that _ that's not going to happen. there are voices that are _ that's not going to happen. there are voices that are not _ that's not going to happen. there are voices that are not happy - that's not going to happen. there are voices that are not happy about the timing, is that right? definitely, i bumped into a senior government minister yesterday as i was trying to dry off on my walk back from downing street, and they were absolutely furious. they said they had no idea why richey simic had done this. —— rishi sunak at done this. he said, if you are going to remind people that you are mr covid, why not do it in the briefing room inside? and they left that me

with these words, labour mps are happy and we are not and that tells the story. we happy and we are not and that tells the sto . ~ . happy and we are not and that tells thesto .~ . ,, happy and we are not and that tells thesto . ~ . ,, ., the story. we are speaking to the prime minister _ the story. we are speaking to the prime minister later. _ the story. we are speaking to the prime minister later. you - the story. we are speaking to the prime minister later. you are - the story. we are speaking to the i prime minister later. you are going to be in and out, listening, have the phone on?— let's take a closer look at one of the key battlegrounds in this election. bury north in greater manchester is the uk's most marginal seat, changing colour many times through the years. our uk editor ed thomas has been to hear about the issues that matter most to voters there. it doesn't exactly feel like it right now, but a summer election is just weeks away. and i have never been prouder to be british. yeah, general election. what's your reaction? thank god, about time. summer general election, sooner the better, please. and bury north is up for grabs. yeah, i'm fluid. whoever checks the most boxes for me, they're for me. just 105 votes separated labour and the conservatives here in 2019.

steve is undecided. in your life right now, what matters to you? grandkids, you're looking at knife crime, way too much of that. my parents, my mother went into a care home. so whichever party speaks to you on those issues... yeah. ..you potentially could go with? yeah, yeah, you've got to be fluid on it. you've got to do what's best for your family rather than just yourself. what matters to me is the immigration, yeah? when you say immigration, what do you mean? do you mean boats coming over, you mean... no, i mean people coming in legally, yeah? i think the country can't take any more. and that's the biggest single issue for you? for me, yeah. i9—year—old lauren will be voting in her first general election. issues matter. i'd probably say, you know, knife crime because we have lost a few people due to stuff like that. people you know, because of knife crime? yeah, of course, yeah, yeah, yeah. and if you get a party, conservative or labour

or lib dem or anyone, and they've got a really strong offering on knife crime, could that make you think, yeah, i'm going to vote for you? yeah, probably, yeah, definitely, yeah. but what to do about voters like cath? what is your faith like in politics right now? i've got no faith in politics. for her, trust is at an all time low. over the last couple of years i've not, i've just not voted. can you believe you're saying that that you just don't feel like you're going to vote? i know my dad would be annoyed with me if he was still here. one question as you come in here. go on, one question. but sharif doesn't have the answers on who to believe in or if he'll even vote. i have no faith whatsoever. i think they're all the same. we see poverty every day. we see people come in here, they're struggling. it really is a massive struggle. who has been here asking for your vote? tony blair, david cameron, borisjohnson, rishi sunak. bury north matters then, doesn't it? that's what he tells you. that's because whichever party

wins here usually gets the keys to number ten. i literally, really, really i'm unsure who to vote for. feeling a bit forgotten in the north at the moment, yeah. just want the country to get in a better place than what it is at the moment. election time is coming and in bury north, it's all to play for. ed thomas, bbc news. so, day one of the general election campaign — so, day one of the general election campaign. ourfocus so, day one of the general election campaign. our focus very much will be campaign. our focus very much will he on _ campaign. our focus very much will he on voters — campaign. our focus very much will be on voters and what people think and what _ be on voters and what people think and what they need, the questions they want— and what they need, the questions they want to ask. this and what they need, the questions they want to ask.— and what they need, the questions they want to ask. this morning also of course we _ they want to ask. this morning also of course we are _ they want to ask. this morning also of course we are talking _ they want to ask. this morning also of course we are talking to - they want to ask. this morning also of course we are talking to all- they want to ask. this morning also of course we are talking to all of. of course we are talking to all of the major political parties. let's go back to nina in the studio now. one question you might be wondering this morning is what happens next following the prime minister's announcement. we can speak now to hannah white, who's the chief executive of the institute of government,

about how the election campaign will unfold. crucially, hannah, what happens now to running the country? ilrrui’eilii! to running the country? well! parliament — to running the country? well! parliament has _ to running the country? well! parliament has to _ to running the country? well! parliament has to finish - to running the country? well! parliament has to finish of. to running the country? well! parliament has to finish of itsj parliament has to finish of its business is the first thing that has to happen. and anything that is going on in government that needs to get done before all the mps head off, cease to become mps and head of the campaign, needs to get done very quickly. there are i6 government bills still in parliament and the parties will have to decide what happens to them. then next week, as rishi sunak told us yesterday, the king has agreed to dissolve parliament, that happens on thursday. and then we will have 25 working days, 35 actual days, of campaigning. and then we come to the election on the ath ofjuly. there election on the ath ofjuly. there are some bills _ election on the ath ofjuly. there are some bills that _ election on the ath ofjuly. there are some bills that decisions - election on the ath ofjuly. there are some bills that decisions will| are some bills that decisions will have to be made on in the week ahead? , . �* , ., ahead? yes, that's right. there are bills at different _

ahead? yes, that's right. there are bills at different stages _ ahead? yes, that's right. there are bills at different stages going - ahead? yes, that's right. there are bills at different stages going to . bills at different stages going to the house. the government will want as many as possible to get onto the statute book, including the prime minister's tobacco and vapes bill which is designed to create a smoke—free generation, a victim is bill which will give effect to the compensation scheme for the blood scandal, so important legislation but they will have to do deals with the opposition parties because some bills are controversial. there is a data protection bill which has some controversial provisions about data collection during elections so the parties will be deciding which of those gets rushed onto the statute book. , , , ._ , book. this time yesterday, the big sto we book. this time yesterday, the big story we were _ book. this time yesterday, the big story we were talking _ book. this time yesterday, the big story we were talking about - book. this time yesterday, the big story we were talking about was i book. this time yesterday, the big l story we were talking about was the post office horizon scandal, infected blood scandal, lots of our audience will be worrying that education around that will be rushed, compensation schemes rushed or kicked into the long grass, should they be reassured? there seems to be _ should they be reassured? there seems to be cross-party - should they be reassured? ii—ii” seems to be cross—party agreement

around the blood scandal scheme, i anticipate a deal will be done to make sure that goes forward, there was a lot of agreement on that in the house of commons earlier this week. the public inquiries that are under way will continue to be under way, we will not see any parliamentary committees sitting. the house of lords continues to exist, members of the house of lords stay as members but they will not do any business during this short campaign. those processes will resume after an election. itruihat campaign. those processes will resume after an election. what do ou make resume after an election. what do you make of _ resume after an election. what do you make of the _ resume after an election. what do you make of the timing? - resume after an election. what do you make of the timing? politics | you make of the timing? politics aside, about whether it is the right time for the conservatives to call an election, why might he have wanted to get this done quickly? generally speaking politicians prefer to campaign in the summer, there was a lot of talk about whether a winter election would be a good thing. we haven't seen a july election since i9a5, though. may or june a much more common. it means a new government coming in, whether it

is led by rishi sunak or keir starmer, will have to make decisions about what parliament is going to do over the summer, will they come back and then immediately break again for the summer, or are they going to put their nose to the grindstone and get going with things? so their nose to the grindstone and get going with things? 50 a their nose to the grindstone and get going with things?— going with things? so a very busy week ahead _ going with things? so a very busy week ahead in _ going with things? so a very busy week ahead in westminster - going with things? so a very busy week ahead in westminster and l going with things? so a very busy i week ahead in westminster and that is before campaigning even properly begins. hannah white from the institute for government, thank you for your time this morning.- for your time this morning. thank ou. here's matt with a look at the weather. it is to put it down on the prime minister yesterday, are things looking a bit brighter this morning? —— it tipped it down. it did! it is a grim 2a and was also part of the uk, we have seen rain and rivers responding this morning, 20 flood warnings in force including one severe flood warning in parts of northern cumbria, they will likely rise as the rain continues. not grim

everywhere, a bit more brightness showing through in devon, similar skies in much of southern england and the far south of rails. —— wales. it is still raining in northern ireland, the north west and western scotland. the rain will come and go in these areas, it will ease, the ember weather warning lapses in north wales and north west england. still further rain at times and that rain will start to set in across shetland in the afternoon where it could become a little bit heavier. overall the rain is turning right at patchy edge into northern parts of scotland, not especially warm, and still breezy in western areas. a wetter day to the east of northern ireland, western areas should be drier and brighter. ireland, western areas should be drierand brighter. part ireland, western areas should be drier and brighter. part of the south and east midlands, lincolnshire, east anglia, southern counties of england, a drier day, an

isolated shower possible, many should be fine and feeling warmer. tonight the rain continues to sit across some areas but it will fizzle out across central and northern parts of the uk, a cooler light in the south with clearer skies, but friday looking overall dry with cloud around into the bank holiday weekend after some drier weather on saturday, then sunshine and showers on sunday and bank holiday monday. that sunshine was short lived, back with sunshine and showers! the former chief executive of the post office, paula vennells, will continue to give evidence at the public inquiry into the horizon it scandal today. between 1999 and 2015 hundreds of sub—postmasters were wrongly prosecuted due to faulty software. on wednesday, vennells made an emotional apology to those affected but denied there'd been any kind of cover—up. it's the first time the former boss had publicly spoken about her role in the scandal for nearly a decade.

and i imagine that, i'm sorry... i imagine that i was probably... rather than trying to talk through, 'ust rather than trying to talk through, just pause. rather than trying to talk through, 'ust ause. , one person has died in a mudslide on the edge of the north york moors national park. police say that it happened near the village of carlton—in—cleveland, south of middlesbrough, yesterday afternoon. the area had seen almost a month's worth of rain in around 12 hours. police have said nobody else was hurt but have asked the public to avoid the area. the police service of northern ireland is facing a possible fine of £750,000 for a major data breach last year. the information commissioner's office says the force failed to protect the personal information of its entire workforce, allowing details to fall into the hands of dissident republicans. the breach happened when the police responded to a freedom of information request. the covid inquiry will reconvene in london today for a special session to hear

evidence from britain's top civil servant. simon case didn't give evidence last year due to ill health, but his whatsapp messages expressing concerns about the decision—making at the heart of borisjohnson's government were presented to the inquiry. the report isn't expected until next summer. citizens advice is calling for new rules to ensure that energy companies fix faulty smart meters quickly or provide compensation. more than half of british homes now have a smart meter but official figures say one in ten don't function properly. british olympic swimming champion david wilkie has died at the age of 70. his family have released a statement confirming he had cancer. the scot won 200m breaststroke gold in montreal in 1976 as well as two olympic silver medals and three world titles.

we will be back with charlie in downing street shortly. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. good morning from bbc london, i'm alison earle. scotland yard has referred itself to the independent police watchdog after a man officers were pursuing died on a tube line. the met says officers were called to reports of a fight outside colindale station in the early hours of sunday morning. a man they tried to detain ran on to the tracks and was fatally injured. a primary school in north london where staff went on strike this week has announced it will close for three more days over the next month due to industrial action. it's over plans to turn byron court primary in wembley into an academy after it was rated "inadequate" in its last ofsted inspection. the national education union has announced walkouts on the ath 5th and 6th ofjune. the department for education said strikes are "damaging to pupils�* learning

and disruptive for parents". five ambulance services across london and the south are teaming up to help improve care to patients. they'll pool resources in areas such as buying equipment and training staff with the aim of reducing costs. called the southern ambulance services collaboration — it's hoped the move helps to address the growing pressures on the nhs as well as recruitment and retention issues. a photographerfrom lewisham who's spent decades taking pictures of stars like madonna and the rolling stones, has swapped the entertainment world to capture the extraordinary of everyday life. duncan rayban has been documenting the stories of those all around him. 'just say hello' started out as a small project to tackle loneliness and has now gained a huge following. just say hello was born out of curiosity. i'm interested, passionately interested, in people. people say, "oh, i can't meet people", but they're everywhere. you've just got to say hello with a compliment. and so i go out of my way every day, like a cheetah, hunting for people.

travel now and lets see how the tube is looking at the moment. there's a good service on all lines. now onto the weather with kawser. good morning. well, after all the wet weather we've had in recent days, today is a much drier and brighter day. it will be largely dry out there with some decent spells of sunshine developing, especially during the course of the afternoon. still a fair amount of cloud to start the day, but this will thin and break much more in the way of sunshine. and whilst it is largely dry, there just may be the odd isolated shower in one or two spots and temperatures generally reaching around the mid to high teens. now during the evening should be dry too, with more in the way of clearer skies during the course of the night. but by the end of the night, a bit more in the way of cloud building from the northwest and temperatures dipping to around 7 to 9 celsius. looking ahead to friday and into the start of the weekend, then will stay largely dry and settled with high pressure in charge.

there is a chance we'll start to see more in the way of scattered showers developing, though, for the second part of the bank holiday weekend. but at least for the next few days, largely dry, with some decent spells of sunshine and temperatures climbing up to around the low twenties and saturday, but more in the way of showers for sunday and bank holiday monday. there's more on our website on the general election and why the vote may not be decided here in london. that's it for now, i'm back in around half and hour. welcome back. we now have the date of the jack —— next general election, july the ath, thatis next general election, july the ath, that is the date for your diaries. let's take you back to event yesterday, around 12 hours ago. we saw the lectern being set up, and

then a few minutes later, the prime minister, rishi sunak came out in very heavy rain, you will have seen some of the pictures this morning and made the announcement that so many people had been expecting on the day. it was a surprise, but a whirlwind of speculation that morning had intensified and we heard about ministers cancelling visits and then we had the moment of the announcement itself. some conservative mps were taken very much by surprise and we will talk may be about this later on, but first, let's hear back to some of what the prime minister said. these uncertain times _ what the prime minister said. these uncertain times call _ what the prime minister said. these uncertain times call for _ what the prime minister said. these uncertain times call for a _ what the prime minister said. these uncertain times call for a clear- uncertain times call for a clear plan and bold action to chart a course to a secure future. 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 champion —— our children.

having heard from rishi sunak here, there was noise behind him but we knew the date. that was the announcement itself and immediately after we heard from the other party leaders. . ., , after we heard from the other party leaders. .., , ., ., , leaders. over the course of the last four years. — leaders. over the course of the last four years. we _ leaders. over the course of the last four years, we have _ leaders. over the course of the last four years, we have changed - leaders. over the course of the last four years, we have changed the i four years, we have changed the labour party and 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. i’ee and return britain to the service of working people-— working people. i've never seen a government _ working people. i've never seen a government so — working people. i've never seen a government so divided _ working people. i've never seen a government so divided and - working people. i've never seen a government so divided and that's| working people. i've never seen a i government so divided and that's why we have _ government so divided and that's why we have a _ government so divided and that's why we have a message of hope today from the liberal— we have a message of hope today from the liberal democrats because we think— the liberal democrats because we think we _ the liberal democrats because we think we need to get rid of this divided — think we need to get rid of this divided conservative party who are governing — divided conservative party who are governing our country. i�*m divided conservative party who are governing our country.— governing our country. i'm looking forward enormously _ governing our country. i'm looking forward enormously to _ governing our country. i'm looking forward enormously to leading i governing our country. i'm looking forward enormously to leading myj forward enormously to leading my party _ forward enormously to leading my party into — forward enormously to leading my party into this _ forward enormously to leading my party into this election _ forward enormously to leading my party into this election campaign i party into this election campaign and i_ party into this election campaign and i stepped _ party into this election campaign and i stepped forward _

party into this election campaign and i stepped forward knowing l party into this election campaign. and i stepped forward knowing we would _ and i stepped forward knowing we would have — and i stepped forward knowing we would have a _ and i stepped forward knowing we would have a westminster - and i stepped forward knowing we i would have a westminster election soon and _ would have a westminster election soon and it's— would have a westminster election soon and it's a _ would have a westminster election soon and it's a little _ would have a westminster election soon and it's a little bit _ would have a westminster election soon and it's a little bit sooner- soon and it's a little bit sooner than _ soon and it's a little bit sooner than i — soon and it's a little bit sooner than i thought— soon and it's a little bit sooner than i thought but— soon and it's a little bit sooner than i thought but it _ soon and it's a little bit sooner than i thought but it is - soon and it's a little bit sooner. than i thought but it is welcome. let's get reaction now from the green party. i'm joined by the co—leader carla denyer. thank you for your time this morning and can i first ask what you made of the announcement as it came as a surprise to many. it the announcement as it came as a surprise to many.— surprise to many. it did, although there was always _ surprise to many. it did, although there was always a _ surprise to many. it did, although there was always a possibility i surprise to many. it did, although there was always a possibility this was going to happen and i think it is clear rishi sunak knows absolutely that the tories are out at the next general election and is trying to make the best of a bad situation. at the greens we have been saying it's long overdue to have a general election so we welcome it and we are excited and we think voters are excited too about the opportunity to vote for fresh new ideas for a party that offers hope and action. we just had a fantastic set of local election results substantially positive local election results, so we go into

these general elections feeling really grateful for the level of support we've had from voters across the country and we will work hard to get a handful of new green mps elected. $5 get a handful of new green mps elected. �* , ,. . get a handful of new green mps elected. ~ , , ., ., ., ., ., elected. as you are well aware from revious elected. as you are well aware from previous elections, _ elected. as you are well aware from previous elections, local _ elected. as you are well aware from previous elections, local and - previous elections, local and national, it's not a given that a good result locally translates into a good general election campaign. you are right, it's not a given, local and general elections are different but we can look to similar situations overseas to see the direction of travel. for example, if you look at canada where the green party was also on one mp for a couple of general elections in a row, but in the most recent general election they jumped row, but in the most recent general election theyjumped up and they now have a handful of green mps elected and i think that shows increasing levels of awareness and motivation about environmental issues but also

shows that targeting of green party focusing its efforts in a place where we have a good chance of winning bears out results, so we will focus on a handful of seats where we have chance of getting elected including in my home city of bristol but also making sure we stand candidates everywhere and we are aiming to stand a full slate across england and wales, and that would be the first time we've done so with 95% of candidates selected meaning everyone across the country will have the chance to vote green and send a message to westminster that they want a party that offers hope and action.— that they want a party that offers hope and action. people will be well aware that at _ hope and action. people will be well aware that at the _ hope and action. people will be well aware that at the moment _ hope and action. people will be well aware that at the moment you i hope and action. people will be well aware that at the moment you any i aware that at the moment you any have one mp, caroline lucas, who is leaving parliament. give us a sense as you say you are concentrating on four seats in particular. tell us more about those and why you concentrate there.— more about those and why you concentrate there. that's right. there are _ concentrate there. that's right. there are a _ concentrate there. that's right. there are a few— concentrate there. that's right. there are a few locations i concentrate there. that's right. | there are a few locations across concentrate there. that's right. i there are a few locations across the country where we have a large number of local councillors and a good

level of support from voters who want to see a green mp elected so we are looking to defend the seat of brighton pavilion, caroline lucas's seat with sian berry the former london assembly member and one of my predecessors as green party co—leader and over on the norfolk and suffolk border in waveney valley, that is where my co—leader adrian ramsay is standing in that constituency contains the council of mid suffolk where the greens took overall control last year and that council has since won the council of the year award so it's a brilliant sign of how people think the greens can get done in government and then finally in the rural seat of north herefordshire early chance is standing and although there is a variety in terms of who the incumbents are and whether it is a rural urban area what unites these places as there is a strong, hard working group of green councillors

so a lot of people who already have the experience of voting green at local level and getting green elected and seeing how hard we work for them and the fact we are there and ask the questions no one else does and putting forward the proposal that the other parties on bringing to the table and we know from having thousands of conversations with people that there's a lot of appetite for getting the greens elected at the next level of government. you will be well aware _ next level of government. you will be well aware as _ next level of government. you will be well aware as co-leader - next level of government. you will be well aware as co-leader of i next level of government. you will be well aware as co-leader of the | be well aware as co—leader of the green party of a familiar refrain from some politicians and some voters that voting for a green party and the general election is a wasted vote and you won't party that you support to be in power, don't vote for a minority party, so how do you counter that? i for a minority party, so how do you counter that?— counter that? i would say it's not a wasted vote- _ counter that? i would say it's not a wasted vote. if _ counter that? i would say it's not a wasted vote. if you _ counter that? i would say it's not a wasted vote. if you vote _ counter that? i would say it's not a wasted vote. if you vote for - counter that? i would say it's not a wasted vote. if you vote for the i wasted vote. if you vote for the party _ wasted vote. if you vote for the party whose policies you agree with, that is— party whose policies you agree with, that is how _ party whose policies you agree with, that is how democracy works and to be honest. —

that is how democracy works and to be honest, in places like bristol, my home — be honest, in places like bristol, my home city, they are telling us that they— my home city, they are telling us that they are disgusted frankly with the direction the conservatives have been taking in the last ia years but are feeling — been taking in the last ia years but are feeling utterly uninspired by keir starmer's labour party who they feel are _ keir starmer's labour party who they feel are reneging on the principles and you _ feel are reneging on the principles and you turning on policies every few weeks— and you turning on policies every few weeks before they get into power and as— few weeks before they get into power and as labourand few weeks before they get into power and as labour and the conservatives io and as labour and the conservatives go closer— and as labour and the conservatives go closer and closer to one another on policies — go closer and closer to one another on policies it becomes more obvious that if— on policies it becomes more obvious that if they— on policies it becomes more obvious that if they want to get politicians elected _ that if they want to get politicians elected who can stand up for them and represent their values and views in westminster it is the green party for them _ in westminster it is the green party for them. we in westminster it is the green party forthem. ~ . ,, . ., in westminster it is the green party forthem. ~ . ,, .. for them. we appreciate your time this morning- _ for them. we appreciate your time this morning. the _ for them. we appreciate your time this morning. the co-leader i for them. we appreciate your time this morning. the co-leader of i for them. we appreciate your time j this morning. the co-leader of the this morning. the co—leader of the green party. we will of course be speaking to as many of the parties as we can and we will speak live to the prime minister rishi sunak later in the programme. it is also hugely

important to speak to people to see how they feel. it is day one of the election campaign and early days but ben is at a wholesale market in birmingham. where better to get a first taste of what people are thinking? first taste of what people are thinkin: ? ., . ., ., , thinking? you are right. normally ower thinking? you are right. normally power resides _ thinking? you are right. normally power resides where _ thinking? you are right. normally power resides where you - thinking? you are right. normally power resides where you are, i thinking? you are right. normally power resides where you are, at i power resides where you are, at downing street, but with the election being called, the power goes out across the country into the hands of voters like the people at the wholesale market. i am having a nose around, a box of tomatoes, £5, box of courgettes, £8. but the prices are a big factor, cost of living and how people feel and how well off they feel how they vote on july the ath. tommy is one of the wholesalers at george perry fruit and veg. good to see you. what are the main factors is how you will decide to vote if you vote at all?

it's got to be who can give things rightly— it's got to be who can give things rightly for— it's got to be who can give things rightly for us personally, with the cost of _ rightly for us personally, with the cost of living and also from a business _ cost of living and also from a business perspective. can they lower the business rates and can the energy— the business rates and can the energy prices come down and from a home _ energy prices come down and from a home perspective, who is going to keep— home perspective, who is going to keep more — home perspective, who is going to keep more money in our own pockets? the timing _ keep more money in our own pockets? the timing of— keep more money in our own pockets? the timing of the election announcement camejust the timing of the election announcement came just as inflation slowed to 2.3%, a lot lower than it has been a rishi sunak says the economy has turned the corner. what is your experience personally and speaking to customers? i is your experience personally and speaking to customers?— speaking to customers? i think it has stayed _ speaking to customers? i think it has stayed the _ speaking to customers? i think it has stayed the same _ speaking to customers? i think it has stayed the same and - speaking to customers? i think it has stayed the same and figures| speaking to customers? i think it i has stayed the same and figures can blind a _ has stayed the same and figures can blind a lot— has stayed the same and figures can blind a lot of people when you are on the _ blind a lot of people when you are on the front line as we are and you see the _ on the front line as we are and you see the produce coming in and you see the produce coming in and you see it _ see the produce coming in and you see it going — see the produce coming in and you see it going to supermarkets, the price _ see it going to supermarkets, the price points and all that sort of stuff, — price points and all that sort of stuff, it— price points and all that sort of stuff, it is— price points and all that sort of stuff, it is all down to cost of living — stuff, it is all down to cost of living and _ stuff, it is all down to cost of living and who can get the cheapest deals _

living and who can get the cheapest deals. ~ ., ., living and who can get the cheapest deals. . ., ., ,., living and who can get the cheapest deals. ~ ., ., ., ., , ., ., deals. who do you normally vote for and will you — deals. who do you normally vote for and will you stick— deals. who do you normally vote for and will you stick with _ deals. who do you normally vote for and will you stick with them? - deals. who do you normally vote for and will you stick with them? i've i and will you stick with them? i've alwa s and will you stick with them? i've always voted _ and will you stick with them? i've always voted conservative but, as i said, _ always voted conservative but, as i said. it _ always voted conservative but, as i said, it depends who can give us the best personally and from who can keep— best personally and from who can keep money in my pocket and keep my family— keep money in my pocket and keep my family supported. it might sway the vote _ family supported. it might sway the vote. �* , ._ family supported. it might sway the vote. �* , ., ., vote. and it might sway what we hear later in the morning _ vote. and it might sway what we hear later in the morning and _ vote. and it might sway what we hear later in the morning and the - vote. and it might sway what we hear later in the morning and the prime i later in the morning and the prime minister is on breakfast and if he has been watching him i take on some of the comments you have made. let's take in the bigger picture. rob meier is the political editor for the west midlands for the bbc. what is the sense of the key things that will affect voters in the west midlands when you go out and speak to them in birmingham and beyond? absolutely the cost of living is huge — absolutely the cost of living is huge for — absolutely the cost of living is huge for people both on a personal basis _ huge for people both on a personal basis and _ huge for people both on a personal basis and within business as well at the moment. i heara lot basis and within business as well at the moment. i hear a lot about crime in the _ the moment. i hear a lot about crime in the west— the moment. i hear a lot about crime in the west midlands. we have the highest _ in the west midlands. we have the highest rate of knife crime per 100.000 _ highest rate of knife crime per 100,000 people in the country. west midlands _ 100,000 people in the country. west midlands police is in special

measures at the moment and the nhs comes— measures at the moment and the nhs comes up— measures at the moment and the nhs comes up a _ measures at the moment and the nhs comes up a lot although wildly different experiences with some people — different experiences with some people who don't feel they are getting — people who don't feel they are getting seen quickly and a good service — getting seen quickly and a good service and others very much not so. and there _ service and others very much not so. and there is — service and others very much not so. and there is a — service and others very much not so. and there is a lot of scepticism around — and there is a lot of scepticism around the levelling up agenda. we are still— around the levelling up agenda. we are still close to where the new hst station _ are still close to where the new hst station is _ are still close to where the new hst station is being built and that's quite _ station is being built and that's quite a — station is being built and that's quite a divisive issue. a lot of people — quite a divisive issue. a lot of people in— quite a divisive issue. a lot of people in the city centre are disappointed that's not going ahead to manchester and people outside the conurbation are happy it has been cancelled — conurbation are happy it has been cancelled but are sceptical about whether— cancelled but are sceptical about whether the money is really going to transport _ whether the money is really going to transport projects elsewhere to make their lives _ transport projects elsewhere to make their lives better. one transport projects elsewhere to make their lives better.— their lives better. one of the reasons we _ their lives better. one of the reasons we are _ their lives better. one of the reasons we are in _ their lives better. one of the reasons we are in the - their lives better. one of the reasons we are in the west i their lives better. one of the - reasons we are in the west midlands is some of the constituencies form part of the so—called red wall that the conservatives took of labour in the conservatives took of labour in the last general election. what is yoursense the last general election. what is your sense of feeling among people. is there a chance of the conservatives hanging onto those seeds or are labour likely to sweep back in? haste

seeds or are labour likely to sweep back in? ~ . ~ seeds or are labour likely to sweep back in? ~ . ,, ., back in? we were talking about laces in back in? we were talking about places in the — back in? we were talking about places in the black _ back in? we were talking about places in the black country i back in? we were talking about places in the black country like | places in the black country like walsalt — places in the black country like walsall on the outskirts of birmingham and places like stoke—on—trent up the road where lahour— stoke—on—trent up the road where labour really need to come back if they are _ labour really need to come back if they are going to win an election. you get _ they are going to win an election. you get a — they are going to win an election. you get a sense of scepticism around that levelling up agenda, in particular when you talk to people and whether that is enough for people — and whether that is enough for people to change their vote, that's the lrig _ people to change their vote, that's the big question of the next six weeks. — the big question of the next six weeks. do _ the big question of the next six weeks, do they see enough in keir starmer— weeks, do they see enough in keir starmer to— weeks, do they see enough in keir starmer to change their vote based on the _ starmer to change their vote based on the scepticism about what the government is up to at the moment. the other— government is up to at the moment. the other big reason we have, here is there was a really interesting result in the recent local elections with the conservatives, despite having a personally popular candidate in andy street, they lost the mayoralty of birmingham. what do you think that tells us and what can we read into the votes for that that we read into the votes for that that we can translate to the bigger

picture? it we can translate to the bigger icture? . . we can translate to the bigger icture? . , . , , we can translate to the bigger icture? . , , . ., picture? it was incredibly close and there were — picture? it was incredibly close and there were 600,000 _ picture? it was incredibly close and there were 600,000 people - picture? it was incredibly close and | there were 600,000 people across picture? it was incredibly close and i there were 600,000 people across the west midlands that cast their vote and it— west midlands that cast their vote and it was— west midlands that cast their vote and it was decided by less than 1500 votes. _ and it was decided by less than 1500 votes. 03% — and it was decided by less than 1500 votes, 0.3% so a tiny margin of victory— votes, 0.3% so a tiny margin of victory for— votes, 0.3% so a tiny margin of victory for labour and the conservatives incredibly disappointed andy street could not .et it disappointed andy street could not get it over the line as he was their ace card~ — get it over the line as he was their ace card. one factor to consider in an area _ ace card. one factor to consider in an area with— ace card. one factor to consider in an area with incredibly diverse and in some _ an area with incredibly diverse and in some places very young community is the _ in some places very young community is the issue _ in some places very young community is the issue of gaza. there was an independent candidate in the election who came third and took a lot of— election who came third and took a lot of votes. — election who came third and took a lot of votes, we think from labour and he _ lot of votes, we think from labour and he stood on a pro—palestinian ticket _ and he stood on a pro—palestinian ticket and — and he stood on a pro—palestinian ticket and labour will undoubtedly face challenges from independents in some constituencies across the region— some constituencies across the region and it will be interesting to see if— region and it will be interesting to see if that — region and it will be interesting to see if that makes a dent in their election— see if that makes a dent in their election results.— see if that makes a dent in their election results. really interesting to net our election results. really interesting to get your analysis _ election results. really interesting to get your analysis and _ election results. really interesting to get your analysis and thanks i election results. really interesting to get your analysis and thanks for speaking to us this morning. i will be here throughout the morning and we will speak to traders, may be

some customers if they are about but very busy people are willing to produce around to stock up for their shops so we will try to grab those later that it is back to you charlie, in downing street. the important _ charlie, in downing street. the important point _ charlie, in downing street. the important point that life goes on, people still goes to work and everything is pretty much normal, but if we go back 12 hours to this time yesterday there was so much speculation amongst people at westminster, reporters and others but people were becoming aware that something different was happening yesterday and we heard ministers were being brought back from their juices to attend their cabinet meetings and then the announcement later in the days so the bbc deputy political editor has been taking a look at how the day unfolded. westminster woke to what had become familiar speculation about the results of the general election. i’m results of the general election. i'm not results of the general election. i“n not normally excitable about these things but that leaves me a little

twitchy than i would be at 30 seconds to nine o'clock. fih twitchy than i would be at 30 seconds to nine o'clock. oh dear, the political _ seconds to nine o'clock. oh dear, the political editor _ seconds to nine o'clock. oh dear, the political editor of _ seconds to nine o'clock. oh dear, the political editor of the - seconds to nine o'clock. oh dear, the political editor of the bbc i seconds to nine o'clock. oh dear, the political editor of the bbc is i the political editor of the bbc is getting — the political editor of the bbc is getting twitchy about an election. that rishi sunak could call an election— that rishi sunak could call an election today... _ that rishi sunak could call an election today. . .— that rishi sunak could call an election toda , ., election today... during the morning room is that — election today... during the morning room is that ministers _ election today... during the morning room is that ministers were - room is that ministers were cancelling meetings for the fire. do we expect one question might know, is the short answer and i've asked quite a few senior people at the centre and they've poured a bucket of cold water on this. share centre and they've poured a bucket of cold water on this.— centre and they've poured a bucket of cold water on this. are you going to call an election, _ of cold water on this. are you going to call an election, prime _ of cold water on this. are you going to call an election, prime minister? j to call an election, prime minister? downing street didn't issue the normal— downing street didn't issue the normal denial so opposition mps asked _ normal denial so opposition mps asked the — normal denial so opposition mps asked the prime minister direct. mr asked the prime minister direct. speaker, asked the prime minister direct. mr speaker, speculation is rife, so i think— speaker, speculation is rife, so i think the — speaker, speculation is rife, so i think the public— speaker, speculation is rife, so i think the public deserve - speaker, speculation is rife, so i think the public deserve a - speaker, speculation is rife, so i think the public deserve a clear. think the public deserve a clear answer— think the public deserve a clear answer to— think the public deserve a clear answer to a _ think the public deserve a clear answer to a simple _ think the public deserve a clear answer to a simple question, . think the public deserve a clear. answer to a simple question, does the prime — answer to a simple question, does the prime minister— answer to a simple question, does the prime minister intend - answer to a simple question, does the prime minister intend to - answer to a simple question, does the prime minister intend to call. answer to a simple question, does the prime minister intend to call a| the prime minister intend to call a summer— the prime minister intend to call a summer general— the prime minister intend to call a summer general election - the prime minister intend to call a summer general election or- the prime minister intend to call a summer general election or is- the prime minister intend to call a summer general election or is hel summer general election or is he afraid? _ summer general election or is he afraid? ,, , ., ., , afraid? spoiler alert, there is auoin to afraid? spoiler alert, there is going to be — afraid? spoiler alert, there is going to be a _ afraid? spoiler alert, there is going to be a general - afraid? spoiler alert, there is| going to be a general election afraid? spoiler alert, there is i going to be a general election in the second half of this year. itruihat the second half of this year. what do we know. _ the second half of this year. what do we know, and _ the second half of this year. what do we know, and why _ the second half of this year. what do we know, and why has - the second half of this year. what do we know, and why has this become such an _

do we know, and why has this become such an issue — do we know, and why has this become such an issue today? the do we know, and why has this become such an issue today?— such an issue today? the first thing toda is to such an issue today? the first thing today is to be _ such an issue today? the first thing today is to be completely _ such an issue today? the first thing today is to be completely honest i such an issue today? the first thing i today is to be completely honest and say there's _ today is to be completely honest and say there's about _ today is to be completely honest and say there's about eight _ today is to be completely honest and say there's about eight people - today is to be completely honest and say there's about eight people that l say there's about eight people that know and _ say there's about eight people that know and unfortunately _ say there's about eight people that know and unfortunately none - say there's about eight people that know and unfortunately none of. say there's about eight people that. know and unfortunately none of them are sitting _ know and unfortunately none of them are sitting around _ know and unfortunately none of them are sitting around the _ know and unfortunately none of them are sitting around the table. - know and unfortunately none of them are sitting around the table. next, i are sitting around the table. next, news filtered _ are sitting around the table. next, news filtered out _ are sitting around the table. next, news filtered out that _ are sitting around the table. next, news filtered out that the - are sitting around the table. news filtered out that the foreign secretary lord cameron was cutting short a trip to albania, dashing home to attend a cabinet meeting and tjy home to attend a cabinet meeting and by the time that was under way in number ten, everybody knew what was coming. the surprise was that they sent the prime minister out for his big moment in the pouring rain. but dozens of tory mps who are not standing at this election, there are shocked that their time here and when will end on friday. i shocked that their time here and when will end on friday.- when will end on friday. i was surprised. _ when will end on friday. i was surprised. i— when will end on friday. i was surprised, i had _ when will end on friday. i was surprised, i had to _ when will end on friday. i was surprised, i had to say. - when will end on friday. i was surprised, i had to say. we i when will end on friday. i was i surprised, i had to say. we heard rumours in the tea room but that is from monday but that's what we thought they were, just rumours. former minister damon tracey crouch said she felt emotional and sad because she still had important issues to raise on behalf of constituents. rishi sunak successfully kept his decision under wraps but it's left many of his own mps wondering why he has gone for a summer election.

let's pick up on some of those thoughts in downing street this morning. sonia sodha from the observer and the spectator�*s political editor, katy balls are there we were just hearing about where there was a lot of head scratching and the thought of why now? people are asking the question, so what do you think? it’s are asking the question, so what do ou think? �* . . are asking the question, so what do ou think? �* , . , you think? it's an interesting ruestion you think? it's an interesting question because _ you think? it's an interesting question because walking i you think? it's an interesting i question because walking around parliament yesterday in the hours before number ten eventually confirmed through the prime minister giving that speech and the time after and there were a lot of perplexed tory mps who thought, why now in a slightly disparaging way as they would rather have the election in the autumn and the conventional wisdom would there will be more 2.2 in terms of the economy and rate cuts to help with mortgages and perhaps migration figures but i think speaking to people in number

ten around rishi sunak there is a sense that he felt with the inflation figures yesterday there was enough of a positive economic message to tell and there was some concern that things will get worse if they waited longer but it not be something they said out loud. i something they said out loud. i completely agree with that, this speaks — completely agree with that, this speaks of a prime minister who is almost _ speaks of a prime minister who is almost given up, really because there _ almost given up, really because there is— almost given up, really because there is no— almost given up, really because there is no reason to go to the polls— there is no reason to go to the polls when— there is no reason to go to the polls when you are 20 points behind unless _ polls when you are 20 points behind unless you _ polls when you are 20 points behind unless you really think there's a good _ unless you really think there's a good chance that things could get worse _ good chance that things could get worse and hence you will get out early _ worse and hence you will get out early and — worse and hence you will get out early and try and run it as a damage limitation— early and try and run it as a damage limitation exercise and i think that is a problem for sue nack, trying to frame _ is a problem for sue nack, trying to frame it— is a problem for sue nack, trying to frame it as — is a problem for sue nack, trying to frame it as the positive choice the country— frame it as the positive choice the country can— frame it as the positive choice the country can make and there's a lot of insecurity— country can make and there's a lot of insecurity and why did you not pick us. — of insecurity and why did you not pick us. and _ of insecurity and why did you not pick us, and we stand for security and stability at the conservative party. _ and stability at the conservative party. but — and stability at the conservative party, but the message i think that underpins — party, but the message i think that underpins this as we know we are far behind _ underpins this as we know we are far behind in _ underpins this as we know we are far behind in the polls but things could .et behind in the polls but things could get worse — behind in the polls but things could get worse from here. that question,

who can you — get worse from here. that question, who can you trust, _ get worse from here. that question, who can you trust, rishi _ get worse from here. that question, who can you trust, rishi sunak- who can you trust, rishi sunak placing that in front of the electorate, what do you make of that? i electorate, what do you make of that? “ electorate, what do you make of that? 4' ., , electorate, what do you make of that? ~ ., , , , , . that? i think it was the best pitch he could make. _ that? i think it was the best pitch he could make. he _ that? i think it was the best pitch he could make. he can't - that? i think it was the best pitch he could make. he can't come i that? i think it was the best pitch l he could make. he can't come here and say— he could make. he can't come here and say to— he could make. he can't come here and say to the country, we are going to you _ and say to the country, we are going to you because we are worried things could _ to you because we are worried things could get— to you because we are worried things could get worse, so it's the best thing _ could get worse, so it's the best thing he — could get worse, so it's the best thing he can say. i think the problem _ thing he can say. i think the problem for him is he is saying, look. _ problem for him is he is saying, look, things are starting to turn a corner— look, things are starting to turn a corner and — look, things are starting to turn a corner and if you look at the economy. _ corner and if you look at the economy, inflation is down and nhs waiting _ economy, inflation is down and nhs waiting lists are coming down a look at my— waiting lists are coming down a look at my pledges, i'm making headway towards _ at my pledges, i'm making headway towards them. the problem is that is not how— towards them. the problem is that is not how people really feel in the country — not how people really feel in the country when he speak to them and people _ country when he speak to them and people have faced price rises of 20% and those _ people have faced price rises of 20% and those are now baked in, whatever happens _ and those are now baked in, whatever happens to— and those are now baked in, whatever happens to inflation, prices are still going up but more slowly and if you _ still going up but more slowly and if you look— still going up but more slowly and if you look at the nhs there are still millions of people and nhs waiting — still millions of people and nhs waiting lists so he is trying to thing — waiting lists so he is trying to thing -- _ waiting lists so he is trying to thing —— pitch that things are getting — thing —— pitch that things are getting better when that is not what people _ getting better when that is not what people are feeling on the ground.

katie. _ people are feeling on the ground. katie. you — people are feeling on the ground. katie, you will pay attention to what everyone has said, with the prime minister say what keir starmer is saying, say what messages are you seeing in terms of what lies ahead that people will try and work out, what do we believe and know? keir starmer say _ what do we believe and know? keir starmer say it's _ what do we believe and know? i;;e: " starmer say it's time for what do we believe and know? i;9: :' starmer say it's time for change, but save change, whereas rishi sunak will say, don't risk this, look at the economic progress and do you know what he stands for and they will push the idea that rishi sunak has brought stability, whether it be liz truss or her mini budget but he has calmed things down and if you think inflation was around 11%, but also the sense you do not know what keir starmer will do as prime minister, so would you want to give him a huge majority given he's changed position a few times. one of the reasons they have called the election is frustration in downing street that the public are not listening to anything we do as a government, so there's a hope in a

short campaign people might focus but that in itself is a gamble and and whether people like what they hearin and whether people like what they hear in that period. shah and whether people like what they hear in that period.— hear in that period. an interesting oint that hear in that period. an interesting point that you _ hear in that period. an interesting point that you make _ hear in that period. an interesting point that you make because i hear in that period. an interesting point that you make because we i hear in that period. an interesting i point that you make because we are broadcasting to people in their homes this morning about question about how engaged people will be and how fired up they will be by this campaign, and we are in the wrong place ina campaign, and we are in the wrong place in a way to answer the question but that is a big question. if you look at levels of trust in politics — if you look at levels of trust in politics and engagement, they have been tailing off in recent years and i'm been tailing off in recent years and i'm not— been tailing off in recent years and i'm not sure — been tailing off in recent years and i'm not sure a six week general election— i'm not sure a six week general election campaign when you have stuff like — election campaign when you have stuff like wimbledon, the euro football. — stuff like wimbledon, the euro football, other stuff going on and if you _ football, other stuff going on and if you look— football, other stuff going on and if you look at scotland and northern ireland. _ if you look at scotland and northern ireland, the schools have broken up by the _ ireland, the schools have broken up by the 6th— ireland, the schools have broken up by the 6th ofjuly so lots of families— by the 6th ofjuly so lots of families have booked their summer holidays _ families have booked their summer holidays for when the election is. it holidays for when the election is. it will— holidays for when the election is. it will properly get more attention than a _ it will properly get more attention than a general election campaign in the run-up— than a general election campaign in the run—up to christmas which was the run—up to christmas which was the other— the run—up to christmas which was the other possibility people were talking _ the other possibility people were talking about but i don't think there's—

talking about but i don't think there's necessary level of excitement in the country shall we say at _ excitement in the country shall we say at the — excitement in the country shall we say at the prospect of six weeks of general— say at the prospect of six weeks of general election campaigning. the prime general election campaigning. ti9: prime minister general election campaigning. ti9 prime minister will general election campaigning. tt9 prime minister will be talking to us alive, and this is front foot forward, day one, and the prime minister who will be seeking votes will be, he's going to make it personal and is putting himself front and centre, so is this how the campaign is going to be, these two leaders and we will talk to all the parties who have things to say but do you think starmer and sue nack, that will be something we've not seen before in terms of personalities. i seen before in terms of personalities.— seen before in terms of ersonalities. ,, ., , personalities. i think potentially and ou personalities. i think potentially and you won't — personalities. i think potentially and you won't hear— personalities. i think potentially and you won't hear the - personalities. i think potentially and you won't hear the word i and you won't hear the word presidential because it makes the leaders sound egocentric but given they want to attack and for his character you imagine it forget personal and rishi sunak's polling is not better than the tories although it used to be and there's the question about how many debates and head to heads weaving gap between the two. we do know that

number ten as with any election, if you're 25 points behind, number ten will say rishi sunak would do any battle with keir starmer whereas those around him will be thinking, do we need to actually put our guy out that many times, so that's not what really has been agreed to. i think we will talk again in the six weeks that lie ahead. six weeks today when people will be voting. thank you very much. as matt will know very well, right here, yesterday, it tipped down on the prime minister. how is it looking for everyone today? abs, prime minister. how is it looking for everyone today?— for everyone today? a lot better down there _ for everyone today? a lot better down there with _ for everyone today? a lot better down there with you _ for everyone today? a lot better down there with you today i for everyone today? a lot better down there with you today and i for everyone today? a lot better- down there with you today and across much of the size of the uk but elsewhere the rain continues but what a spell of wet weather it has been. look at the rain totals. many of these spots have seen well in excess of the month of rainfall and the wettest in cumbria and the

rivers are starting to respond as well with one severe flood warning in northern cumbria at the moment but it's not the same picture everywhere but where we've seen the heaviest rainfall it is still raining now and the met office amber warning is in force across parts of north wales and north—west england and the rain is easing off a bit but we have heavy rain in north lancashire, cumbria, extending into the far west under start to the east of northern ireland but south of that we have some bright, sunny weather coming through southern counties and even in south wales and a few showers pushing to the channel islands and many will have a dry day but the rain elsewhere will come and go and it will peter out a little bit for some of you but the odd heavier burst is still possible but not quite as relentless as it has been during the last 2a hours. a little bit breezy compared with yesterday and eastern scotland is the centre of the low pressure but the centre of the low pressure but the wind is whipping round elsewhere and it makes it feel cool where the rain is falling but with more sunshine across the south this is

where it should be a warmer day, 18 or19 where it should be a warmer day, 18 or 19 celsius possible. tonight, low cloud and outbreaks of rain across wales and northern england and central and eastern scotland as well as northern ireland, but again turning a bit lighter and punchier with temperatures holding up where you have the cloud but was clear skies in the south and east it will be a cooler night tonight with temperatures in single figures so a fresher commuter tomorrow, bright start across southern areas and a few fog patches and the greater chance of an isolated shower in the south but still some heavier showers possible across northern england, scotland and northern ireland but nowhere near as wet as it has been in the last couple of days and temperatures should start to lift accordingly with some brightness towards the north of scotland to see friday out and of course the end of friday, the start of the bank holiday weekend and i know you will want a big improvement after what we've seen over the last 2a hours and we can offer it to a certain extent with a low pressure fizzling out and the wind is starting to go in a southerly direction and that

will boost the temperature and you will boost the temperature and you will notice this approaching and it is a slight fly in the ointment this weekend but for many of you it will feel warmer and after a bright start we will see sunshine and showers widely through sunday and monday but saturday will be the driest of the three days for the vast majority. a small chance of a little bit of rain pushing on to the east coast of england and rain coming to the south—west across ireland and later in the day but in between isolated showers, morning mist and fog but most will have a dry day and the sunniest conditions will be in the north of scotland on sunday and monday, lots of sunshine and showers. nina and charlie will have all of the headlines in a few moments but now it's time for the news, travel and whether where ever you are. good morning from bbc london, i'm alison earle. londoners will go to the polls in exactly six weeks' time after rishi sunak called a general election. campaigning is now under way with mr sunak saying he'll

"fight for every vote". meanwhile labour leader sir keir starmer said it was an opportunity to "stop the chaos". people in the capital have been giving their reaction. it's about time, yeah, it's about time. he needs to go out. politicians will say the same things. so i live in a world where we just have to go with the flow sometimes. he's actually doing something, well, based on my perspective, _ l i think he's doing is in the right. direction, but i do not know how... especially with a labour comeback, i i think he could he could survive. i i think this current prime minister is as far away from the public as you possibly can be. scotland yard has referred itself to the independent police watchdog after a man officers were pursuing died on a tube line. the met says officers were called to reports of a fight outside colindale station in the early hours of sunday morning. a man they tried to detain ran on to the tracks and was fatally injured.

a photographerfrom lewisham who's spent decades taking pictures of stars like the rolling stones has swapped the entertainment world to capture the extraordinary of everyday life. duncan rayban has been documenting the stories of those all around him. just say hello started out as a small project to tackle loneliness and has now gained a huge following. just say hello was born out of curiosity. i'm interested, passionately interested, in people. people say, "oh, i can't meet people", but they're everywhere. you've just got to say hello with a compliment. and so i go out of my way every day, like a cheetah, hunting for people. travel now and let's see how the tube is looking at the moment. there's a good service on all lines. now onto the weather with kawser. good morning. well, after all the wet weather we've had in recent days, today is a much drier and brighter day.

it will be largely dry out there with some decent spells of sunshine developing, especially during the course of the afternoon. still a fair amount of cloud to start the day, but this will thin and break much more in the way of sunshine. and whilst it is largely dry, there just may be the odd isolated shower in one or two spots and temperatures generally reaching around the mid to high teens. now during the evening should be dry too, with more in the way of clearer skies during the course of the night. but by the end of the night, a bit more in the way of cloud building from the northwest and temperatures dipping to around 7 to 9 celsius. looking ahead to friday and into the start of the weekend, then will stay largely dry and settled with high pressure in charge. there is a chance we'll start to see more in the way of scattered showers developing, though, for the second part of the bank holiday weekend. but at least for the next few days, largely dry, with some decent spells of sunshine and temperatures climbing up to around the low twenties on saturday, but more in the way of showers for sunday and bank holiday monday. there's more coverage on the general election on our website including why the vote may not be decided here in london. that's it, i'm back

in around half an hour. and nina warhurst in salford. our headlines today. the election campaign begins. voters across the uk will go to the polls onjuly ath to decide who will occupy the building behind me. the timing of the announcement took

many here in westminster by surprise, but today party leaders will be out across the country setting out their policies. now is the moment for britain to choose its future. to decide whether we want to build on the progress we have made or risk going back to square one with no plan and no certainty. on the ath ofjuly you have the choice, and together, we can stop the chaos, we can turn the page, we can start to rebuild britain and change our country. good morning. i have come to birmingham wholesale market where traders are trying to grab the attention of their customers, but what will it take for politicians to grab the attention of voters? i will be finding out what will affect how people here choose to vote. throughout the programme this morning we'll bring you reaction from across the uk, and speak to some of the politicians

fighting for your vote, including prime minister rishi sunak the other main stories this morning. i fully accept now that the post office, excuse me... former chief executive of the post office paula vennells breaks down in tears while giving evidence to the inquiry into the horizon it scandal, and admits she "made mistakes". tributes are paid to the former british olympic swimming champion david wilkie, who's died at the age of 70. it's thursday 23rd may. our main story. the uk will go to the polls six weeks today after the prime minister announced there will be a general election on the ath ofjuly. outside 10 downing street yesterday evening rishi sunak vowed to "fight for every vote" while labour leader sir keir starmer said it was "time for change".

our political editor chris mason has this report on how the surprise events unfolded. the lectern in place after a downpour of anticipation. cameras, reporters, brollies, the downpour 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 ath ofjuly. music blaring from campaigners in nearby whitehall, rain tumbling onto the prime 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'm 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'll be able to decide whether he stays or whether he goes. and so the arguments, the persuasion begins. 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. now, 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've 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's been in surrey. well, 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 and they want to vote for someone who champions them, their family and their community, to sort out the crisis in the nhs, to get our economy back on track and to end environmental scandals like the sewage scandal. it's a welcome opportunity to remove the tory government and to put scotland first and that's what i'll 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 summer school holidays. 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, 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. chris mason, bbc news.

we'rejoined now by our chief political correspondent henry zeffman. this is day one. you just told me ofall using a cliche, sleeves rolled off. t ofall using a cliche, sleeves rolled off. . . ofall using a cliche, sleeves rolled off. . , ., , ofall using a cliche, sleeves rolled off. . , .g ., , off. i was telling off the leaders, it is one of _ off. i was telling off the leaders, it is one of those _ off. i was telling off the leaders, it is one of those election - off. i was telling off the leaders, | it is one of those election cliches, they will be rolling up their sleeves, kissing babies, in seaside towns eating fish and chips, talking about how much they love football, even though rishi sunak and sir keir starmer are both untested and a general election setting, quite unusual to have two leaders who are not the last time.— unusual to have two leaders who are not the last time. what did you make of what you — not the last time. what did you make of what you heard _ not the last time. what did you make of what you heard in _ not the last time. what did you make of what you heard in the _ not the last time. what did you make of what you heard in the rain - not the last time. what did you make of what you heard in the rain here i of what you heard in the rain here and then from sir keir starmer, what were your initial thoughts, where are they placing their feet? we should are they placing their feet? 9 should briefly say it is chaotic, it was extremely wet, there was noise coming from protesters down there, i don't think that is what they will have wanted in rishi sunak's campaign team. the big thoughts were

that he cast himself as the underdog, that is quite unusual for a prime minister to do, aseven prime minister, but it reflects reality, we have seen that in the polls and in the local elections a few weeks ago, we have seen it in by—elections, and also that he is trying to force this into a presidential style campaign. he said onjuly five, the day presidential style campaign. he said on july five, the day after the general election, either he rishi sunak or sir keir starmer will be prime minister and i think the clearer sign that the conservative campaign will be all about rishi sunak is the fact that on day one he is speaking to you in 20 minutes. he is speaking to you in 20 minutes. he is doing the rounds today. he has front foot forward. so, sir keir starmer, towhat extent they were taken by surprise, you know the rumours were going on that day, but the moment is here, it is what they have been once and for a long time. they were preparing for an early election but they were taken by surprise. a lot of them thought rishi sunak might call a general

election for may, and once that moment pass, they lifted a ban that they had in place for some time for labour party staff, labour party officials were finally going online and booking flights. but they had a grid ready, they had a video ready, keir starmer released a video very quickly and gave that speech. notice the word that was on the lectern of keir starmer's speech, change. that wasn't the holding pattern while they work out what their slogan will be, that was the labour party slogan for the campaign, very unusual, one word slogan, change, it will be on the left turn, the manifesto, on the side of the bus, one word change which they think captures the mood of the country. which they think captures the mood of the country-— which they think captures the mood of the country. people watching and listenin: to of the country. people watching and listening to you _ of the country. people watching and listening to you this _ of the country. people watching and listening to you this morning, i listening to you this morning, thinking, we have got six weeks to the day, because it will be six weeks of the day, they are thinking, here we go, oh. they might be a little bit weary almost already even

though people may be wanted to have their say. what are the issues that people are going to want to hear more from politicians?— people are going to want to hear more from politicians? nothing is more from politicians? nothing is more important _ more from politicians? nothing is more important than, _ more from politicians? nothing is more important than, during - more from politicians? nothing is more important than, during the | more from politicians? nothing is - more important than, during the next few weeks, hearing what both parties have to say about so many of the issues that people in this country are confronting in their everyday lives. most politicians are going to have to give the public answers about what they will do with the economy and how they intend to grow the economy, how they intend for people's finances to be less pressured after what have been very difficult few years for people, they have got to talk about the health service, what they want to do in schools, anti—social behaviour, immigration will certainly be a big theme of the campaign, both legal and illegal immigration. these are the weeks where people will get a sense of what both parties are offering and that is why, never mind that the rc tracks and the fireworks and slogans, that's why it really

matters to what those politicians have to say. matters to what those politicians have to say-— matters to what those politicians havetosa. ., ~ , . matters to what those politicians havetosa. ., , . ~ have to say. thank you very much. we have to say. thank you very much. we have a little — have to say. thank you very much. we have a little bit _ have to say. thank you very much. we have a little bit of— have to say. thank you very much. we have a little bit of sunshine _ have to say. thank you very much. we have a little bit of sunshine today, - have a little bit of sunshine today, a stark contrast, is it not? thank you very much. we will talk throughout the programme. we are speaking to rishi sunak a little later on this morning in about 15 or 20 minutes. the leader of the liberal democrats, sir ed davey, said that it's a chance to "deliver the change the public is crying out for". let's speak now to the party's deputy leader, daisy cooper. good morning to you, daisy cooper. thank you for your time this morning. just give us a sense of what the liberal democrat offering to the nation, as they start to engage on day one of the general election campaign? 1 engage on day one of the general election campaign?— election campaign? i think the country is _ election campaign? i think the country is crying _ election campaign? i think the country is crying out _ election campaign? i think the country is crying out for - election campaign? i think the i country is crying out for change. the fact is that the conservative party has given our nhs and social care and driven it into the ground and left people stranded with a crippling cost of living crisis, and they have allowed big water

companies to pump sewage into our rivers. liberal democrats have been campaigning on all three of these issues. people quite rightly feel like they are getting a raw deal and the liberal democrats are promising a fair dealand a the liberal democrats are promising a fair deal and a future full of hope. a fair deal and a future full of ho e. ., a fair deal and a future full of ho e, ., , ., a fair deal and a future full of hoe. ., _, _, , a fair deal and a future full of hoe. ., , , hope. now, you yourself in this election are _ hope. now, you yourself in this election are in _ hope. now, you yourself in this election are in a _ hope. now, you yourself in this election are in a battle - hope. now, you yourself in this election are in a battle is - hope. now, you yourself in this election are in a battle is a - election are in a battle is a smaller party with new parties like reform, what are your concerns in this election as to where people will put their votes?— will put their votes? liberal democrats _ will put their votes? liberal democrats are _ will put their votes? liberal democrats are absolutely i will put their votes? liberal. democrats are absolutely clear will put their votes? liberal - democrats are absolutely clear that we are targeting 80 seats where we are in second place to the conservatives. areas we call the blue wall where we are the key challenges and the clear choice to beat the incumbent conservative mp. we will be standing a candidate in every single seat and fighting for every single seat and fighting for every single seat and fighting for every single vote but we will be channelling resources into those areas where we are best placed to beat conservative mps in this election. ., , ., , ., beat conservative mps in this election. ., , ., . ., election. can you give us a clear idea? i am _ election. can you give us a clear idea? i am looking _ election. can you give us a clear idea? i am looking at _ election. can you give us a clear idea? i am looking at some - election. can you give us a clear- idea? i am looking at some comments we have heard from your party leader

sir ed davey, talking about a fair dealfor people. just sir ed davey, talking about a fair deal for people. just expand on that a bit for me, in a practical sense, what does that mean? we a bit for me, in a practical sense, what does that mean?— a bit for me, in a practical sense, what does that mean? we were the ve first what does that mean? we were the very first party _ what does that mean? we were the very first party to — what does that mean? we were the very first party to call— what does that mean? we were the very first party to call for— what does that mean? we were the very first party to call for a - very first party to call for a windfall tax. we saw before anybody else did that it was outrageous that peak oil and gas companies were raking in billions of pounds in profits whilst ordinary folk could not afford to heat their homes and put food on the table. again on the sewage scandal, liberal democrats have been campaigning and leading this campaign for the last three years to highlight the fact that big water companies again have been raking in billions of pounds in profits, paying out dividends, all whilst effectively asset stripping our water companies and are now asking consumers to pay higher energy bills. time and time again the british public think they are getting a raw deal, these big companies are raking in billions in profits will alter and refocus struggling. liberal democrats have led the charge on every occasion

saying that is unfair and it is a raw deal and we will tackle that by looking to these big companies to pay more money in order that everybody else can get the public services we deserve. haifa everybody else can get the public services we deserve.— everybody else can get the public services we deserve. how much of a concern is — services we deserve. how much of a concern is it — services we deserve. how much of a concern is it as _ services we deserve. how much of a concern is it as we _ services we deserve. how much of a concern is it as we start _ services we deserve. how much of a concern is it as we start this - concern is it as we start this campaign for the liberal democrats that sir keir starmer and the labour party, you have seen it yourself, you have seen it on the lectern, there word change. if people want to change, this is the message the labour party will have, vote labour, don't put your vote elsewhere. how much of a concern is that for you? i think we all know that the country is absolutely crying out for change. we all know that, we feel it in our bones. but there are places around the country, around 80 seats where the country, around 80 seats where the liberal democrats can deliver that change. where liberal democrats are the key challenges to the conservatives and it's in those areas that we are really going after conservative mps because we are best placed to beat them in this general

election. i placed to beat them in this general election. ., ,, . ., , ., , election. i appreciate it is only da one election. i appreciate it is only day one of _ election. i appreciate it is only day one of the _ election. i appreciate it is only day one of the campaign - election. i appreciate it is only day one of the campaign but l election. i appreciate it is only day one of the campaign but i | election. i appreciate it is only . day one of the campaign but i will ask you the inevitable. the 2019 election results, you won 11 seats, what is your target? we election results, you won 11 seats, what is your target?— what is your target? we will never ut a what is your target? we will never put a number _ what is your target? we will never put a number on _ what is your target? we will never put a number on it _ what is your target? we will never put a number on it because - what is your target? we will never put a number on it because we - what is your target? we will never| put a number on it because we are not going to take voters for granted in that way. there are millions of people who have not decided how they are going to vote and many more who may not have even registered to vote right now. i can tell you that we will be fighting for every single vote and we hope we can win over the trust and support of many voters particularly in the blue wall areas where liberal democrats are best to beat the conservative mp and deliver the change that the country really wants. we the change that the country really wants. ~ ., ~ ., ., wants. we were talking to our olitical wants. we were talking to our political correspondent - wants. we were talking to our political correspondent early l wants. we were talking to our. political correspondent early on, saying that there is a sense it is turning into a very presidential election campaign between rishi sunak and sir keir starmer. where does your leader sir ed davey fit within that framework? if it becomes personal people are suggesting that, that they are pitching one another�*s

personalities against one another, where does sir ed davey fit within that context?— where does sir ed davey fit within that context? let's remember that while ed was _ that context? let's remember that while ed was a _ that context? let's remember that while ed was a minister— that context? let's remember that while ed was a minister he - that context? let's remember that while ed was a minister he almost| while ed was a minister he almost quadrupled renewable energy in this country and was leading the climate agenda. in the last four years he was the first leader to call for a windfall tax on the big oil and gas companies, the first leader to call for the energy price hike to be scrapped, the first party leader to call for action in tackling these appalling water companies that have been pumping raw sewage into our rivers. in many cases it has been ed daveyin rivers. in many cases it has been ed davey in the liberal democrats who have been leading the campaign, and winning the battle of ideas in parliament. but i do think that in many places around the country, what people will be looking for is a local champion. people know that liberal democrat mps work incredibly hard, we never take voters for granted in an election or between elections, we work all year round and in many cases they will see that

and in many cases they will see that a local liberal democrat mp will be the hard—working mp that they really wants to see in their community. we appreciate your time for us this morning, daisy cooper, deputy leader of the liberal democrats. we are speaking to the prime minister in just a few minutes' time. so we will be putting many of the issues we have been discussing to him then. let's go back to nina in the studio now to get more on what this election means. let's take a look at the parliamentary seats across the uk. cast your mind back to the last general election in 2019. it was called by the then prime minister borisjohnson in a bid to get his brexit deal through parliament. after all the votes had been counted, this was the picture. the conservatives won 365 seats in the house of commons. that gave them a majority of 80.

in the time since there have been by—elections and defections, and this is how things look now, four and a half years later. the conservatives are down to 344 mps reducing their majority to 38 seats. what are the polls saying about what will happen next? professorjohn curtice has been taking a look. as things stand at the moment, on average in the polls, and there are differences between the pollsters, but on average, they put the conservatives 21 points behind at the moment. even the best of them put them at least around 16 points behind. and however you look at it, that is an outcome that would result in labour being elected with an overall majority.

so the challenge facing rishi sunak is to try to overturn that very, very substantial labour lead. and frankly no government, apart from john major in 1997, no prime minister has called an election so far behind. so he's going to have to beat the psephological records if indeed he's going to win this election. the election will take place on the lith ofjuly and will be fought across 650 constituencies with some boundary changes, which have been approved by parliament. we've been speaking to voters across england to find out what they think. good news, yeah, it's about time we had a change of government. we have had tories for 1h odd years and the countryjust seems to be going backwards. it's about time. i don't think they have got a cat in hell's chance. so, i have voted tory all my life but i will never trust them again. they have just let us down. i wish it was a bit later-

in the year because i think that rishi would then have more chance i of convincing us that, you know, i keep him a bit longer. hopefully he knows he's doing. i think it's going to be a landslide for labour. an absolute laden landslide. i expect labour will sweep the floor with him. but i think people are ready for a change, and people feel what's been going on for the last decade or more isn't working. i hope rishi sunak gets in again. i think it will be a good day. i think it's time that we had an election, really. i don't think we've been too happy with the government that we've had. we're going to remain the same, they'll do this, that, and the other, not bothered. i've become too old and long in the tooth, they all tell you the same story. different story, the same message. it's about time, i think. they've been in power long enough. it's hopeful for the country, i think you need some change. we haven't seen any in years. it's about time he gets out, he does not know what it's like to be an everyday working person. yes, he's got hisjob, he does what he does but he's not doing it well.

yeah, we need to change and we need it. we needed it a year ago. i'm probably going to go labour this time. i last time i was with conservatives. i usually go with whoever is got the best thing going. _ we will vote for reform, because both parties are exactly the same. whoever gets in, i hope they do a better, i hope they do a good job. because i'm not too keen on what they're doing at the moment. even if you're not so happy with whatever policy was coming, if there is stability in that policy, at least you know how to plan for the future. not enamoured at all. not looking forward to whoever might be coming in. _ it's a bit of a sad state. thank goodness. earlier the better, get it over with. it was inevitable it was going to happen sooner, they were just trying to get ahead of the ever decreasing polls. that's good news, that'll be a laugh. the world is in such a mess, so i suppose they've - got to do something. it's a black hole, isn't it? but it's an open canvasi for whoever takes over. so let's hope it's the right

person that's voted in. . a range of voices from across england yesterday. we will be hearing later in the programme from voters in wales, scotland and northern ireland, and i look forward to hearing from many more of you in the six weeks ahead. here's matt with a look at the weather. the prime minister was not the only one getting covered in rain yesterday? one word summed it up for many of us, grimmer. one word summed it up for many of us. grimmer-_ one word summed it up for many of us. grimmer-— ltl us, grimmer. grim, bleak, wet. it look similar— us, grimmer. grim, bleak, wet. it look similar this _ us, grimmer. grim, bleak, wet. it look similar this morning - us, grimmer. grim, bleak, wet. it look similar this morning for- us, grimmer. grim, bleak, wet. it| look similar this morning for some of us but there are some improvement on the way. the rain continues, this is the view in the scottish border from our weather watcher a few hours ago but let's give little bit of sunshine, some in southern counties where we had heavy infantry downpours including in london, this is the view now. the sunshine

overhead, blue skies ahead, southern counties will be fine for much of the day. the rainfall is continuing across many areas. where we have got an amber weather warning in the north of wales and parts of north—west england, rain starting to ease off a little bit about heavy rain continues into western scotland, he parts of northern ireland, a wetter day to come, further west it should be drier and brighter but all of the southern counties should be dry and bright. this afternoon we will see some brightness potentially to the west of northern scotland but overall fairly cloudy, shetland turns wetter. rain across scotland will come and go, heavier bursts but turning lighter and patchy, as it will do for eastern northern ireland and northern england, the east of the pennines could brighten up through the afternoon, bright across the midlands, the sunshine best in the midlands, the sunshine best in the english channel coast. patchy

rain and drizzle in central and northern areas, cooler in the south. dry on rider, it is fine on saturday but sunshine and showers for sunday and bank holiday monday. let's ta ke let's take a look at the other stories today. the former chief executive of the post office, paula vennells, will continue to give evidence at the public inquiry into the horizon it scandal today. between 1999 and 2015 hundreds of sub—postmasters were wrongly and i imagine that, i'm sorry... i imagine that i was probably... ms vennells, rather than trying to talk through, just pause. sorry, yes, ok. between 1999 and 2015 hundreds of sub—postmasters were wrongly prosecuted due to faulty software. on wednesday, vennells made an emotional apology to those affected but denied there'd been any kind of cover—up. it's the first time the former boss had publicly spoken about her role in the scandal for nearly a decade. i would just like to say, and i'm

gratefulfor i would just like to say, and i'm grateful for the opportunity to do this in person, how sorry i am for all that sub—postmasters and their families and others have suffered as a result of all of the matter is that the inquiry has been looking into for so long. one person has died in a mudslide on the edge of the north york moors national park. police say that it happened near the village of carlton—in—cleveland, south of middlesbrough, yesterday afternoon. the area had seen almost a month's worth of rain in around 12 hours. police have said nobody else was hurt but have asked the public to avoid the area. the police service of northern ireland is facing a possible fine of £750,000 for a major data breach last year. the information commissioner's office says the force failed to protect the personal information of its entire workforce, allowing details to fall into the hands of dissident republicans. the breach happened when the police responded to a freedom of information request. the covid inquiry will reconvene in london today

for a special session to hear evidence from britain's top civil servant. simon case didn't give evidence last year due to ill health, but his whatsapp messages expressing concerns about the decision—making at the heart of borisjohnson's government were presented to the inquiry. the report isn't expected until next summer. citizens advice is calling for new rules to ensure that energy companies fix faulty smart meters quickly or provide compensation. more than half of british homes now have a smart meter but official figures say one in ten don't function properly. british olympic swimming champion david wilkie has died at the age of 70. his family have released a statement confirming he had cancer. the scot won 200m breaststroke gold in montreal in 1976 as well as two olympic silver medals and three world titles.

ajudge in tennessee has halted the auction of elvis presley's estate great land. a bank was seeking to sell the property the late daughter lisa marie had put it up as collateral for a [i lisa marie had put it up as collateral for a 11 million baht dollar loan but a singer 's granddaughter challenged the sale saying the loan documents were fraudulent. they are now being checked to see if they are thought and authentic. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. good morning from bbc london, i'm alison earle. londoners will go to the polls in exactly six weeks' time after rishi sunak called a general election. expect to see campaigning from today with mr sunak saying he'll "fight for every vote". meanwhile, labour leader sir keir starmer said it was an opportunity to "stop the chaos".

people here have been giving their reaction. it's about time. yeah, it's about time. he needs to go out. politicians all say the same thing. he's actually doing something , based on my perspective, - i think he's doing is in the right direction, but i do not know how, especially with a labour comeback, i i think he could he could survive. i a primary school in north london where staff are striking this week is to close for three more days over the next month due to industrial action. it's over plans to turn byron court primary in wembley into an academy after it was rated "inadequate" by ofsted inspectors. walkouts are due to take place injune. the department for education said strikes are "damaging to pupils�* learning and disruptive for parents". five ambulance services across london and the south have announced they're are teaming up. they'll pool resources in areas such as buying equipment and training staff to reduce costs. it's hoped the move helps to address the growing pressures on the nhs

a photographerfrom lewisham who's spent decades taking pictures of stars like the rolling stones, has swapped the entertainment world to capture the extraordinary of everyday life. duncan rayban has been documenting the stories of those all around him. 'just say hello' started out as a small project to tackle loneliness and has now gained a huge following. just say hello was born out of curiosity. i'm interested, passionately interested, in people. people say, "oh, i can't meet people", but they're everywhere. you've just got to say hello with a compliment. and so i go out of my way every day, like a cheetah, hunting for people. travel now, and let's see how the tube is looking at the moment. there's a good service on all lines. now onto the weather with kawser. hello. good morning. well, after all the wet weather we've had in recent days, today is a much drier and brighter day. it will be largely dry out there with some decent spells of sunshine developing, especially during the course of the afternoon.

still a fair amount of cloud to start the day, but this will thin and break much more in the way of sunshine. and whilst it is largely dry, there just may be the odd isolated shower in one or two spots and temperatures generally reaching around the mid to high teens. during the evening should be dry too, with more in the way of clearer skies during the course of the night. but by the end of the night, a bit more in the way of cloud building from the northwest and temperatures dipping to around 7 to 9 celsius. looking ahead to friday and into the start of the weekend, we stay largely dry and settled with high pressure in charge. there is a chance we'll start to see more in the way of scattered showers developing, though, for the second part of the bank holiday weekend. but at least for the next few days, largely dry, with some decent spells of sunshine and temperatures climbing up to around the low twenties and saturday, but more in the way of showers for sunday and bank holiday monday. there's more coverage on the general election on our website including why the vote may not be decided here in london. that's it — i'm back in around half and hour.

welcome back. welcome back to breakfast, live from downing street. about 1a hours ago, prime minister rishi sunak stood just behind me here, in the pouring rain as he announced there will be a general election onjuly 4th. a slightly drier prime minister joins me live from derbyshire. good morning to you and thank you for your— good morning to you and thank you for your time — good morning to you and thank you for your time this _ good morning to you and thank you for your time this morning. - good morning to you and thank you for your time this morning. can- good morning to you and thank you for your time this morning. can i. for your time this morning. can i first_ for your time this morning. can i first ask— for your time this morning. can i first ask you _ for your time this morning. can i first ask you why _ for your time this morning. can i first ask you why did _ for your time this morning. can i first ask you why did you - for your time this morning. can i first ask you why did you decidel for your time this morning. can i. first ask you why did you decide to call a _ first ask you why did you decide to call a general— first ask you why did you decide to call a general election— first ask you why did you decide to call a general election now? - first ask you why did you decide to call a general election now? thanks for havin: call a general election now? thanks for having me _ call a general election now? thanks for having me and _ call a general election now? thanks for having me and it _ call a general election now? thanks for having me and it is _ call a general election now? thanks for having me and it is certainly - for having me and it is certainly drier here this morning. it's been a difficult few years for the country and the news we've had in the last few weeks shows we have restored economic stability. inflation is now back to normal, the economy growing at a healthy pace and wages have been rising sustainably for months and energy bills coming down and now is the right moment to think about

ourfuture and whether we is the right moment to think about our future and whether we want to build on the progress we have made and ensure we can have a secure future for everyone and their families or we go back to square one with more uncertainty with the labour party. i believe the world is in a more uncertain place than it has been in decades and we have the right plan and we are prepared to take bold action and that is what my track record says and that is how we deliver a secure future for everyone and their family deliver a secure future for everyone and theirfamily in the deliver a secure future for everyone and their family in the country. that is what this election is about and it's what i look forward to talking to your viewers about in the next few weeks. aha, talking to your viewers about in the next few weeks.— talking to your viewers about in the next few weeks. a lot of people are sun caestin next few weeks. a lot of people are suggesting the _ next few weeks. a lot of people are suggesting the real _ next few weeks. a lot of people are suggesting the real reason - next few weeks. a lot of people are suggesting the real reason you - next few weeks. a lot of people are l suggesting the real reason you chose to hold a general election sooner rather than later if you are concerned that the inflation figures you were talking about will rise again before the end of the year and it might look worse. on top of which, your plans in relation to migration, those figures may also look worse as we go into the summer months. that is the real reason.

that is not the real reason. i know with the economy there is more work to do and i know people are only just starting to feel the benefits of the changes we have brought out when some people look at their bank balance at the end of the month it will still be difficult but we've undeniably made progress and stability has returned. inflation has returned back to normal and wages have been rising for months and we are going faster than our competitors and energy bills are coming down so there is progress and there is stability and that is why we can think about the future and in an uncertain world i believe i'm the one prepared to take bold action and we have a clear plan and that is how we have a clear plan and that is how we deliver a secure future for everyone and their families. you mention migration, and there is a clear choice at this election. i think illegal migration is unfair and undermines the sense of fairness thatis and undermines the sense of fairness that is central to the character of our country, people coming here jumping the queue and putting pressure on services and endangering their own lives. i got a plan to fix

that and it requires bold action like that rwanda scheme and we return people to sew their own country. all 32 said states you need a resolution to do that but there is a resolution to do that but there is a choice because so keir starmer doesn't believe that he will scrap that scheme, so if you want border security and restore fairness to the migration system, you have a clear choice because i have a clear plan i will deliver for you and your family. will deliver for you and your famil . . , , i. will deliver for you and your famil . ., , , y., family. the reality is, if you look at the figures, _ family. the reality is, if you look at the figures, is _ family. the reality is, if you look at the figures, is in _ family. the reality is, if you look at the figures, is in the - family. the reality is, if you look at the figures, is in the first - at the figures, is in the first three months of 2024, there have in 5435 illegal crossings, a new record forjanuary and march. we are coming into the summer months. the reality is you have not achieved your goals. the boats. that is your reality check. ., ., , the boats. that is your reality check. ., ., ., ., ,

check. you have picked a few months to look at and — check. you have picked a few months to look at and if _ check. you have picked a few months to look at and if you _ check. you have picked a few months to look at and if you look _ check. you have picked a few months to look at and if you look at - check. you have picked a few months to look at and if you look at the - to look at and if you look at the last 12 months or all of last year what you'll see is that the numbers were down by around a third and it shows we can make progress on the situation. we send something like 20,000 people back last year and raided more people and the law enforcement agencies work incredibly hard and we have a new channel where we are working with the french and we are working with the french and we have a new deal with albania to return thousands of people and it shows that a deterrent works. the key thing is looking to the future and who you trust to solve the problem. i believe the only way to fully solve the problem is have a deterrent and make it crystal clear if you come to our country illegally will not be able to stay and we can remove you to a safe third country alternative. it's notjust me saying that, it's 15 other european countries who agree this is an important part of solving the problem but the one person who doesn't agree is keir starmer who will scrap the scheme and often an amnesty and make us the soft touch

of europe and be a magnet for illegal migrants from everywhere, so if you think the issue is important and you want security for boarders and you want security for boarders and our country and ourfamilies then i am the one prepared to take then i am the one prepared to take the bold action and have the clear plan i am working to. if the bold action and have the clear plan i am working to. ii i the bold action and have the clear plan i am working to.— plan i am working to. if i may, prime minister, _ plan i am working to. if i may, prime minister, you _ plan i am working to. if i may, prime minister, you have - plan i am working to. if i may, prime minister, you have said| plan i am working to. if i may, - prime minister, you have said that, so if i may, you might meet someone on the doorstep who will ask you specifically about the rwanda project. can you tell us today, on day one of the election campaign, when will the first flight go? i address this in detail a little while — address this in detail a little while ago in a press conference. the first flights _ while ago in a press conference. the first flights will go in july and we've — first flights will go in july and we've already put the preparations in place. _ we've already put the preparations in place, we hired hundreds of caseworkers and identified the cohort— caseworkers and identified the cohort and as people have been watching — cohort and as people have been watching on their tv screens, we have _ watching on their tv screens, we have started detaining people and we have started detaining people and we have higher ds cults and have an airfield _ have higher ds cults and have an airfield on— have higher ds cults and have an airfield on standby and have booked the flights so all of the work is ongoing — the flights so all of the work is ongoing and then the choice at this

election— ongoing and then the choice at this election is— ongoing and then the choice at this election is clear because if i am re-elected _ election is clear because if i am re—elected as prime minister on the 5th of— re—elected as prime minister on the 5th ofjuly. — re—elected as prime minister on the 5th ofjuly, these flights will go and we — 5th ofjuly, these flights will go and we will get there when the scheme — and we will get there when the scheme up and running and ensure we have a _ scheme up and running and ensure we have a deterrent and that is how we will break— have a deterrent and that is how we will break the cycle of these gangs and decide who comes to our country and decide who comes to our country and that's— and decide who comes to our country and that's the approach that 15 other— and that's the approach that 15 other european countries have said that they— other european countries have said that they think is an important part of the _ that they think is an important part of the solution but if keir starmer is prime _ of the solution but if keir starmer is prime minister, we won't have the scheme _ is prime minister, we won't have the scheme and — is prime minister, we won't have the scheme and we won't have a deterrent, and thatjust means there won't _ deterrent, and thatjust means there won't be _ deterrent, and thatjust means there won't be any change and we won't have _ won't be any change and we won't have security for our borders or your— have security for our borders or your family. we won't tackle illegal migration— your family. we won't tackle illegal migration and that is the choice at this election, and on that issue like so — this election, and on that issue like so many others, there is a clear— like so many others, there is a clear difference on offer. i am the one with — clear difference on offer. i am the one with the clear plan prepared to take hold _ one with the clear plan prepared to take bold action because i believe in delivering a secure future for you your— in delivering a secure future for you your family. in delivering a secure future for you your family-— in delivering a secure future for you your family. people will not have missed — you your family. people will not have missed the _ you your family. people will not have missed the fact _ you your family. people will not have missed the fact that - you your family. people will not have missed the fact that the i you your family. people will not i have missed the fact that the date you are talking about is after the general election, but i want to move other issues. a moment ago i think

you said that you believe that people at home and there are people at home watching you right now, are feeling the benefit of your time in office. what evidence do you have for that? ~ . , ~ for that? what i said is i think eo - le for that? what i said is i think people are — for that? what i said is i think people are starting, - for that? what i said is i think people are starting, starting i for that? what i said is i think| people are starting, starting to feel the benefits of the changes we have brought to the economy because it has been an incredibly tough few years. covert, the impact on energy bills, that will not change overnight —— covid. but we are making progress and the inflation news is evidence of that, inflation back to normal faster like our major rivals like america and the euro zone and the economy growing at a healthy pace with wages rising at a price is almost a year and energy bills falling, all signs that the economic plan is working, so the question at this election and i know there is more to do, because there is more to do to make sure people feel the full benefits but the question going forward is, do we

build on the progress, now we have this hard earned economic stability that's taken a lot of hard work and collective sacrifice, do we build on it to deliver more security for your family or do we put it at risk and go back to square one because all the labour party offices uncertainty and that puts the security and that stability we have at risk. i don't want to see it happen and i want to stick to our plan and continue being bold and that is how we will deliver security for people and when it comes to the economy we have a plan to cut taxes. we've cut them by £900 and raise the state pension to give people that financial security to reward their hard work and the labour party doesn't believe in those things. it opposes those tax cuts and there is a difference on offer at this election. net zero is another area where i want to deliver energy security. another area where i want to deliver energy security-— energy security. prime minister, there is a delay _ energy security. prime minister, there is a delay on _ energy security. prime minister, there is a delay on the _ energy security. prime minister, there is a delay on the line - energy security. prime minister, | there is a delay on the line here. we have a delay on the line, so i'm

sorry about the interruption, but i want to ask, and the tax issue specifically, your government has been a tax—raising government. that is what you have done. you are talking about a plan for the future. if people are looking at your history, your history as chancellor and in consecutive conservative governments, is raising taxes, and thatis governments, is raising taxes, and that is a fact. mr; governments, is raising taxes, and that is a fact-— that is a fact. my history as chancellor _ that is a fact. my history as chancellor is _ that is a fact. my history as chancellor is making - that is a fact. my history as chancellor is making sure i that is a fact. my history as i chancellor is making sure that that is a fact. my history as - chancellor is making sure that we got the country through one of the most difficult periods in our history, the pandemic and that is what i did as chancellor and stood up what i did as chancellor and stood up and announce the fellow scheme and made sure we protect in 10 millionjobs and we and made sure we protect in 10 million jobs and we got the country through it on the nhs through it and a vaccine roll—out that was fully funded and that is what i did as chancellor and when the energy crisis hit i made sure we stepped in and supported people with their energy bills. that is my record and those are my values and i will also make sure we protect peoples. those are once in a century shocks and most fair—minded people will accept that those things need to be paid for and i had

that those things need to be paid forand i had to that those things need to be paid for and i had to make difficult decisions. i'm not going to shy away from that because that is what leadership is about. the labour party opposed all the difficult decisions i took to get debt and borrowing under control and got inflation down but those were the right decisions i took the country and that is why we are able to cut taxes and the tax rate for an average owner is at this point below its it —— lowest it has been in decades because i want to make sure that everybody�*s hard work is rewarded. someone earning £35,000 will get a tax cut of £900 in the state pension is going up by £900 and i want to give people a clear difference at this election that i have a plan we are working to and that plan is working and people can see that and i'm prepared to take bold action even when it's difficult if it is right for the country and if it is right for the country and if we stick with that i can make sure everybody has a secure future. if i may, prior mr... sure everybody has a secure future. if i may, prior mr. . .— ifi may, prior mr... that is the choice _

ifi may, prior mr... that is the choice at _ ifi may, prior mr... that is the choice at this _ ifi may, prior mr... that is the choice at this election -- i ifi may, prior mr... that is| the choice at this election -- if if i may, prior mr... that is. the choice at this election -- if i the choice at this election —— if i may, prime minister. the choice at this election -- if i may, prime minister.— may, prime minister. let's talk about the _ may, prime minister. let's talk about the nhs _ may, prime minister. let's talk about the nhs and _ may, prime minister. let's talk about the nhs and the - may, prime minister. let's talk about the nhs and the issue i may, prime minister. let's talk about the nhs and the issue ofj may, prime minister. let's talk - about the nhs and the issue of the pledge in 2019 to build 40 new hospitals by 2030. you are asking people to trust you and the conservative party on a number of issues including the nhs. where are you with that pledge to build 40 new hospitals, specifically that, if you would. we hospitals, specifically that, if you would. ~ . , ., would. we are fully committed to the 40 hospitals- — would. we are fully committed to the 40 hospitals- l— would. we are fully committed to the 40 hospitals. i haven't _ would. we are fully committed to the 40 hospitals. i haven't got _ would. we are fully committed to the 40 hospitals. i haven't got the - 40 hospitals. i haven't got the numbers right in front of me but i believe the majority have got planning permission and there are spades and the ground and we know where they are and we have made sure that we have prioritised the hospital is impacted by... mr; hospital is impacted by... my . uestion hospital is impacted by... my question is — hospital is impacted by... my question is will they be built by 2030? , ., , , , 2030? yes, of course they will. yes. the all 2030? yes, of course they will. yes. they all will — 2030? yes, of course they will. yes. they all will be _ 2030? yes, of course they will. yes. they all will be built _ 2030? yes, of course they will. yes. they all will be built by _ 2030? yes, of course they will. yes. they all will be built by 2030? - 2030? yes, of course they will. yes. they all will be built by 2030? yes, |

they all will be built by 2030? yes, the hospitals _ they all will be built by 2030? yes, the hospitals will _ they all will be built by 2030? yes, the hospitals will be _ they all will be built by 2030? 1a: the hospitals will be built and they all will be built by 2030? ia: the hospitals will be built and i was just the hospitals will be built and i wasjust explaining the hospitals will be built and i was just explaining the stage of progress we were on to give people confidence that will happen but my overall point is that i come from an nhs family. my dad was a gp, my mum wasa nhs family. my dad was a gp, my mum was a pharmacist and i grew up working in that pharmacy and we will do a range of things to make sure people get the care they need. we have the first long—term workforce plan in the history of the nhs and training more doctors and nurses than ever before and we are making sure pharmacies can do more, so if you have a sore throat or a infection, you don't have to see your gp, you can go to your pharmacist to get that care. and we are using innovative ways to get down the waiting list and after a difficult year last year with the strikes, the waiting lists have come down by 200000 and if it wasn't for the strikes it would have been down by half a million more so we are making progress there too. i know when i was on your show previously we talked about my plan to bring in a smoke—free generation ending the biggest cause of death, disability and in hat —— ill health in our

country and that evidence i'm prepared to take bold action and have a clear plan because that is how we deliver better security for our country. i how we deliver better security for our country-— how we deliver better security for our count . ., ~ ., ., ,~' i. our country. i would like to ask you about your — our country. i would like to ask you about your comments _ our country. i would like to ask you about your comments about - our country. i would like to ask you about your comments about sir- our country. i would like to ask you | about your comments about sir keir starmer. you said he has no conviction, no courage and no plan. some people are suggesting that you are prepared in this general election to make it personal between you and sir keir starmer. is that something you are prepared to do is to to talk about the issues, as we've been doing on this show and i welcome the opportunity. i we've been doing on this show and i welcome the opportunity.— welcome the opportunity. i want to talk about who _ welcome the opportunity. i want to talk about who has _ welcome the opportunity. i want to talk about who has the _ welcome the opportunity. i want to talk about who has the best - welcome the opportunity. i want to talk about who has the best plan i welcome the opportunity. i want to j talk about who has the best plan to solve illegal migration, who has a plan to pursue energy security and not pursue net zero to put pressure on bills, who has a plan to cut peoples taxes and reward them and give them financial security and who is prepared to take bold action to make sure our country is safe in the most uncertain times, as we do, with

our plans to raise defence spending. who has a plan to reform our welfare system to support people into work and make it sustainable and fair, those are the issues i want to be talking about, and on all of those issues, i am clear in saying i don't know what keir starmer believes and i don't think anyone knows because he changes his mind the whole time. he's had for years to think about what he wants to do with the country but he cannot tell you what he wants to do with those key issues, and where he has had —— said something, he changes his mind the next day. if you don't have the courage to tell the country what your plan is, what will you do if you get thejob of prime minister, then i don't think it is right you should lead at such an uncertain time, and that is what i would do. people canjudge me by my record. i've been prepared time and again to do what i think is right for our country, even when it is difficult. that requires an ability to take bold action and an ability to take bold action and an ability to take bold action and an ability to stick to a plan even when it's tough and even as we've seen with ref inflation returning to

normal, economic stability returning, the plan is working and we can build on the progress and deliverfor we can build on the progress and deliver for everybody a secure future, for themselves, for their families, our country and that is what i will spend the next six weeks talking about. what i will spend the next six weeks talking about-— talking about. prime minister, rishi sunak, we appreciate _ talking about. prime minister, rishi sunak, we appreciate your- talking about. prime minister, rishi sunak, we appreciate your time - talking about. prime minister, rishi sunak, we appreciate your time on| sunak, we appreciate your time on day one of the election campaign. thank you very much.— day one of the election campaign. thank you very much. thank you very much for having _ thank you very much. thank you very much for having me. _ thank you very much. thank you very much for having me. i _ thank you very much. thank you very much for having me. i look— thank you very much. thank you very much for having me. i look forward i much for having me. i look forward to coming back. we'rejoined now by our chief political correspondent henry zeffman. could you hear everything? i could, and no doubt, this is rishi sunak's general election campaign and he is the one determined to make it pay off. i didn't feel he was running on the conservative party record of the last 14 years, he was running on rishi sunak's record over the last five years, first as chancellor, and you heard him emphasising his work on the furlough scheme as he did in

the speech yesterday and then as prime minister. he is trying to say to the british public, never mind everything that has happened over the last 14 years, never mind boris johnson, david cameron, boris johnson, david cameron, boris johnson, liz truss, he won't mention that name, he said trust me, rishi sunak, with anotherfive that name, he said trust me, rishi sunak, with another five years in downing street. $5 sunak, with another five years in downing street.— sunak, with another five years in downing street. as we try to block throu . h downing street. as we try to block through and _ downing street. as we try to block through and a _ downing street. as we try to block through and a little _ downing street. as we try to block through and a little bit _ downing street. as we try to block through and a little bit of- downing street. as we try to block through and a little bit of noise - downing street. as we try to block through and a little bit of noise in | through and a little bit of noise in the background, a truck delivery. as we plot through the areas with the prime minister, these specific areas, we talked about migration and hospitals for example, there is a consistent theme that seems to be it is on the way. it is just round the corner and the plan is working and if you can't feel it or see it yet, you will. that message is one that came through very clearlyjust then but it doesn't necessarily land with people sitting at home listening to us or the prime minister a moment ago. us or the prime minister a moment auo. ., ., , us or the prime minister a moment auo. . ., , ., us or the prime minister a moment auo. ., ., , ., ., ago. there are roughly two general election campaigns _ ago. there are roughly two general election campaigns any _ ago. there are roughly two general

election campaigns any british - election campaigns any british political party runs. one is that it is time for a change which is clearly what labour will do and the other is don't let the other lot come and mess it up and that is what rishi sunak is doing. that's what he's talking about when he is talking about planning. he was saying things are getting better, don't let the other lot risk it. and you mention migration, i want to pick up one on one thing that happened in the interview. you asked when the flight to rwanda would take off and he said earlyjuly. well, earlyjuly could be one or two or three days before the general election. i am sceptical. i think you will get on polling day or the day before polling day, rishi sunak will say to the british public, if you vote for the conservatives on july the 4th, a flight to rwanda takes off in the immediate aftermath, and if you vote labour, it doesn't. that is where we will get to with migration.— it doesn't. that is where we will get to with migration. henry, thank ou ve get to with migration. henry, thank you very much- _ get to with migration. henry, thank you very much. we _ get to with migration. henry, thank you very much. we are _ get to with migration. henry, thank you very much. we are here - get to with migration. henry, thank you very much. we are here in - you very much. we are here in downing street throughout the

morning, the location where just here, in the rain, henry was here, and it tipped down. the prime minister got very wet but we are moving on because it is important to talk to people and find out what they want to know from the prime minister and the other parties as well, who we will be speaking to today and throughout the rest of the campaign. ben is at birmingham wholesale market. good morning. morning, charlie. you are absolutely — good morning. morning, charlie. you are absolutely right, _ good morning. morning, charlie. you are absolutely right, the _ good morning. morning, charlie. you are absolutely right, the prime - are absolutely right, the prime minister saying he believes he can deliver a secure future, but that decision ultimately comes down to the voters about whether they agree with him or not. let's speak to a couple of the voters who will be making that decision. we have steve and layers who were watching the prime minister's interview live as it happened. what were your key impressions from what the prime minister said a few minutes ago? the olitical minister said a few minutes ago? the political sound bites are obviously out there — political sound bites are obviously out there already and we will be

hearing — out there already and we will be hearing what rishi sunak said this morning _ hearing what rishi sunak said this morning over and over again in the next _ morning over and over again in the next few— morning over and over again in the next few weeks and i have to say sounded — next few weeks and i have to say sounded pretty boring already. certainly — sounded pretty boring already. certainly by the way it is delivered and i'm _ certainly by the way it is delivered and i'm sure the leader of the opposition's sound bites will sound boring _ opposition's sound bites will sound boring as _ opposition's sound bites will sound boring as well, but that is their characters _ boring as well, but that is their characters. whatjumped out at me was energy, and i had an e—mail two days ago— was energy, and i had an e—mail two days ago telling the energy had gone up days ago telling the energy had gone up again. _ days ago telling the energy had gone up again, not down. i understand the legacy— up again, not down. i understand the legacy of— up again, not down. i understand the legacy of previous governments doesn't — legacy of previous governments doesn't help where we are now because — doesn't help where we are now because they've not built any nuclear— because they've not built any nuclear power stations, and they're not ready— nuclear power stations, and they're not ready to — nuclear power stations, and they're not ready to give us electricity at affordable prices and we are importing electricity which is why we had _ importing electricity which is why we had the problem and governments of all colours over the last 20 or 30 years. — of all colours over the last 20 or 30 years, it's their fault. what jumped — 30 years, it's their fault. what jumped out to me was the talk about illegal— jumped out to me was the talk about illegal immigration. 0k, they are having _ illegal immigration. 0k, they are having a — illegal immigration. 0k, they are having a battle about that, but what about _ having a battle about that, but what about the _ having a battle about that, but what about the numbers of illegal immigration, nearly three quarters of a million,, immigration, nearly three quarters ofa million,, how immigration, nearly three quarters

of a million,, how can you explain it? the _ of a million,, how can you explain it? the strain— of a million,, how can you explain it? the strain on health care, schools. _ it? the strain on health care, schools, transport, infrastructure. we can't _ schools, transport, infrastructure. we can't cope with it. lots schools, transport, infrastructure. we can't cope with it.— we can't cope with it. lots of questions — we can't cope with it. lots of questions remaining - we can't cope with it. lots of- questions remaining unanswered for you in that lengthy interview. can we bring in layers. can we bring you in? what resonated with you, what made you doubtful?— made you doubtful? we've all had e-mails this _ made you doubtful? we've all had e-mails this week _ made you doubtful? we've all had e-mails this week coming - made you doubtful? we've all had e-mails this week coming through made you doubtful? we've all had - e-mails this week coming through and e—mails this week coming through and everything _ e—mails this week coming through and everything that's — e—mails this week coming through and everything that's through _ e—mails this week coming through and everything that's through the - e—mails this week coming through and everything that's through the ports, i everything that's through the ports, from our— everything that's through the ports, from our european _ everything that's through the ports, from our european colleagues, - everything that's through the ports, from our european colleagues, they are up— from our european colleagues, they are up three — from our european colleagues, they are up three or— from our european colleagues, they are up three or 4% _ from our european colleagues, they are up three or 4% again _ from our european colleagues, they are up three or 4% again and - from our european colleagues, they are up three or 4% again and that i are up three or 4% again and that means— are up three or 4% again and that means the — are up three or 4% again and that means the grain— are up three or 4% again and that means the grain will _ are up three or 4% again and that means the grain will go _ are up three or 4% again and that means the grain will go up - are up three or 4% again and that means the grain will go up and i are up three or 4% again and thati means the grain will go up and the prices _ means the grain will go up and the prices will— means the grain will go up and the prices will go — means the grain will go up and the prices will go up _ means the grain will go up and the prices will go up again, _ means the grain will go up and the prices will go up again, so - prices will go up again, so everything _ prices will go up again, so everything we _ prices will go up again, so everything we sell, - prices will go up again, so i everything we sell, basically, prices will go up again, so - everything we sell, basically, we have _ everything we sell, basically, we have had — everything we sell, basically, we have had to _ everything we sell, basically, we have had to price _ everything we sell, basically, we have had to price increases- everything we sell, basically, we have had to price increases from| everything we sell, basically, we i have had to price increases from one sender— have had to price increases from one sender alone — have had to price increases from one sender alone this _ have had to price increases from one sender alone this week. _ have had to price increases from one sender alone this week. only - have had to price increases from onel sender alone this week. only pennies at the _ sender alone this week. only pennies at the moment, — sender alone this week. only pennies at the moment, but— sender alone this week. only pennies at the moment, but everybody- sender alone this week. only pennies at the moment, but everybody will. at the moment, but everybody will follow _ at the moment, but everybody will follow one — at the moment, but everybody will follow one-— at the moment, but everybody will follow one. ~ ~ , follow one. when the prime minister was sa inc follow one. when the prime minister was saying that _ follow one. when the prime minister was saying that people _ follow one. when the prime minister was saying that people are _ follow one. when the prime minister was saying that people are starting i was saying that people are starting to feel the benefits of what he has done with the economy, inflation has slowed down, it's a lot lower than it was, is that reflected in your day to day business and life? it’s

day to day business and life? it's very difficult to believe what we are being — very difficult to believe what we are being told _ very difficult to believe what we are being told when _ very difficult to believe what we are being told when we - very difficult to believe what we are being told when we are i very difficult to believe what we i are being told when we are getting price increases— are being told when we are getting price increases on _ are being told when we are getting price increases on our— are being told when we are getting price increases on our products i are being told when we are getting i price increases on our products that we selt _ price increases on our products that we selt as— price increases on our products that we selt as we _ price increases on our products that we selt as we say— price increases on our products that we sell. as we say it's _ price increases on our products that we sell. as we say it's hard - price increases on our products that we sell. as we say it's hard to- we sell. as we say it's hard to understand _ we sell. as we say it's hard to understand where _ we sell. as we say it's hard to understand where it - we sell. as we say it's hard to understand where it comes i we sell. as we say it's hard to- understand where it comes from. whether— understand where it comes from. whether it — understand where it comes from. whether it resonates _ understand where it comes from. whether it resonates five - understand where it comes from. whether it resonates five or- understand where it comes from. whether it resonates five or six i whether it resonates five or six months — whether it resonates five or six months down _ whether it resonates five or six months down the _ whether it resonates five or six months down the line, - whether it resonates five or six months down the line, it's i whether it resonates five or sixj months down the line, it's hard whether it resonates five or six i months down the line, it's hard to know _ months down the line, it's hard to know. ,, ., , ., ., ., , know. steve, how did you vote last time and have _ know. steve, how did you vote last time and have you _ know. steve, how did you vote last time and have you decided - know. steve, how did you vote last time and have you decided how- know. steve, how did you vote last| time and have you decided how you will vote this time? i time and have you decided how you will vote this time?— will vote this time? i first voted in the 1987 _ will vote this time? i first voted in the 1987 election _ will vote this time? i first voted in the 1987 election and - will vote this time? i first voted in the 1987 election and have i will vote this time? i first voted i in the 1987 election and have always voted _ in the 1987 election and have always voted conservative, and didn't even consider— voted conservative, and didn't even consider voting for the other main parties _ consider voting for the other main parties and — consider voting for the other main parties and at this forthcoming election— parties and at this forthcoming election i— parties and at this forthcoming election i shall be voting reform uk. ~ ., election i shall be voting reform uk. . ., ., election i shall be voting reform uk. ., ., , election i shall be voting reform uk. . .,, election i shall be voting reform uk. what was it that swung your vote awa from uk. what was it that swung your vote away from the _ uk. what was it that swung your vote away from the main _ uk. what was it that swung your vote away from the main parties? - uk. what was it that swung your vote away from the main parties? too i uk. what was it that swung your vote i away from the main parties? too many words, not enough _ away from the main parties? too many words, not enough action. _ away from the main parties? too many words, not enough action. we - away from the main parties? too many words, not enough action. we have i words, not enough action. we have powerless— words, not enough action. we have powerless police, and immigration are crazy— powerless police, and immigration are crazy numbers the country cannot sustain. — are crazy numbers the country cannot sustain. when the world is an unsafe

place, _ sustain. when the world is an unsafe place. our— sustain. when the world is an unsafe place, ourarmed sustain. when the world is an unsafe place, our armed forces are pitiful because _ place, our armed forces are pitiful because of— place, our armed forces are pitiful because of government policy over the years — because of government policy over the years. all the things that the conservative party stand for are now 'ust conservative party stand for are now just a _ conservative party stand for are now just a joke — conservative party stand for are now just aioke i— conservative party stand for are now just a joke. i say that with a heavy. _ just a joke. i say that with a heavy, heavy heart. i've been a member— heavy, heavy heart. i've been a member of— heavy, heavy heart. i've been a member of the conservative party, worked _ member of the conservative party, worked for— member of the conservative party, worked for the conservative party and i_ worked for the conservative party and i vote — worked for the conservative party and i vote for reform with a heavy heart _ and i vote for reform with a heavy heart but — and i vote for reform with a heavy heart but it's the only way i can send _ heart but it's the only way i can send a — heart but it's the only way i can send a message that this is not acceptable. send a message that this is not acceptable-— send a message that this is not accetable. , ., ., , ., acceptable. same question to you. how do you _ acceptable. same question to you. how do you vote — acceptable. same question to you. how do you vote and _ acceptable. same question to you. how do you vote and will - acceptable. same question to you. how do you vote and will you i acceptable. same question to you. how do you vote and will you vote | how do you vote and will you vote the same this time round because i've always voted conservative but unfortunately i won't be voting this time. won't be voting conservative or at all? that time. won't be voting conservative or at all? �* . �*, time. won't be voting conservative oratall? . �*, , , or at all? at all. it's because everybody — or at all? at all. it's because everybody is _ or at all? at all. it's because everybody is trying - or at all? at all. it's because everybody is trying to - or at all? at all. it's because everybody is trying to get i or at all? at all. it's because everybody is trying to get in | or at all? at all. it's because i everybody is trying to get in the middle — everybody is trying to get in the middle when— everybody is trying to get in the middle. when we _ everybody is trying to get in the middle. when we had _ everybody is trying to get in the middle. when we had maggie i everybody is trying to get in the - middle. when we had maggie thatcher on the _ middle. when we had maggie thatcher on the right— middle. when we had maggie thatcher on the right and — middle. when we had maggie thatcher on the right and jeremy _ middle. when we had maggie thatcher on the right and jeremy corbyn - middle. when we had maggie thatcher on the right and jeremy corbyn on i on the right and jeremy corbyn on the left, _ on the right and jeremy corbyn on the left, you — on the right and jeremy corbyn on the left, you always _ on the right and jeremy corbyn on the left, you always had _ on the right and jeremy corbyn on the left, you always had a - on the right and jeremy corbyn on the left, you always had a clear. the left, you always had a clear view, _ the left, you always had a clear view, so — the left, you always had a clear view, so now _ the left, you always had a clear view, so now everyone - the left, you always had a clear view, so now everyone is - the left, you always had a clearj view, so now everyone is trying the left, you always had a clear. view, so now everyone is trying to .et view, so now everyone is trying to get in _ view, so now everyone is trying to get in the — view, so now everyone is trying to get in the middle _ view, so now everyone is trying to get in the middle to— view, so now everyone is trying to get in the middle to please - get in the middle to please everyone _ get in the middle to please everyone. no _ get in the middle to please everyone. no one - get in the middle to please everyone. no one is- get in the middle to pleasel everyone. no one is making get in the middle to please i everyone. no one is making a get in the middle to please - everyone. no one is making a proper decision _ everyone. no one is making a proper decision. . , , ., decision. really interesting to get our decision. really interesting to get

your thoughts- — decision. really interesting to get your thoughts. steve _ decision. really interesting to get your thoughts. steve and - decision. really interesting to get your thoughts. steve and les, i decision. really interesting to get i your thoughts. steve and les, thank you. charlie, clearly the politicians want people to opt for their particular colour and the timing of the election, a lot of people in this market and about the country, they will be spending their attention on the euros, and they will have that battle as well as people fighting for attention for people fighting for attention for people coming and buying everyday things, and life goes on even though politicians want our attention on the election. politicians want our attention on the election-— politicians want our attention on the election. yes, it's a point very well made- _ the election. yes, it's a point very well made. of— the election. yes, it's a point very well made. of course, _ the election. yes, it's a point very well made. of course, hearing i the election. yes, it's a point very i well made. of course, hearing what real people think about what they are hearing on what they want from politicians is going to be crucial to our coverage across the next six weeks and in exactly six weeks from today people will be voting to see who takes over in number 10 downing street. some things change a lot,

but the weather can change sometimes as well. i can tell you here, it's really quite nice today. kind of mild, no rain and by stark contrast from yesterday. mild, no rain and by stark contrast from yesterday-— from yesterday. certainly a big difference _ from yesterday. certainly a big difference from _ from yesterday. certainly a big difference from yesterday. it's| from yesterday. certainly a big i difference from yesterday. it's been a different story elsewhere because let me show you what has been happening in the last 36 hours, this is the rainfall radar chart as it pushed across the country and sat in those areas but you will notice from the rainfall totals we've seen in some parts they have been well over a month of rain and that 36 hours and that's had an impact on some roads this morning. check your bbc local radio station before you head out and also the rail network including avante services between preston and glasgow. some big impacts from the weather and the rain is still there across parts of scotland, eastern northern ireland, north—west england and north wales and it will continue to fall in these areas through the day. the

rain will start to turn a little bit lighter and patchy as we go through the day but away from that, charlie mentions the brightest guys in london and in east anglia we see sunshine at times and one or two showers through the english channel but away from it, the rain will ease off at times but overall a rather grey and damp day for many in the north and west and it's in the west and across the south where the breezy as conditions will be found, and the latest wind in eastern scotland. temperatures probably up on yesterday but still overall a cooler day, but with sunshine across southern counties we could see temperatures of may be 19 degrees. in tonight, still a zone of cloud and outbreaks of rain and drizzle around for parts of wales, northern england, east of northern ireland and turning light and patchy continuously. there will be extensive low cloud in these areas but with clearer skies across east anglia and the south this is where we will see temperatures down in

single figures put a fresh start and are dry and bright day with a small chance of showers in south wales in the south—west of england. occasional rain in northern parts of wales and parts of northern england and scotland but also overall dryer compared with the last few days and a bit brighter in the far north of scotland as well. temperatures on friday afternoon, because we are starting to lift the gloom, should be up a touch at around 19 or 20 and in the sunniest spot in the south and east. and heading into the bank holiday weekend, we are keeping an eye on what is happening with the low pressure in the west but at least to begin with things are quiet and one area of low pressure will see wind going in a southerly direction and that southerly direction and that southerly direction means the bank holiday weekend will see temperatures start to rise a bit but as we go through the bank holiday weekend be prepared there will be an increasing chance of showers. a look at saturday first, probably the driest of the three days for the majority. we will

see cloud and rain spreading to the south—west and across ireland or south west wales and a chance of cloud bringing showers into eastern england but most dry and bright and temperatures between 15 and 18 but more in the way of storms and showers through the weekend. headlines coming up in a few moments with nina and charlie but now a look at the weather, travel and news where you are this morning. good morning from bbc london, i'm alison earle. scotland yard has referred itself to the police watchdog after a man they were pursuing died on a tube line. the met says officers were called to reports of a fight outside colindale station in the early hours of sunday. a man they tried to detain ran on to the tracks and was fatally injured. a primary school in north london where staff are striking this week is to close for three more days over the next month due to industrial action. it's over plans to turn byron court primary in wembley into an academy after it was rated "inadequate" by ofsted.

walk—outs are due to take place injune. the department for education said strikes are "damaging to pupils�* learning and disruptive for parents". five ambulance services across london and the south are teaming up to help improve care to patients. they'll pool resources in areas such as buying equipment and training staff with the aim of reducing costs. it's hoped the move helps to address pressures on the nhs and recruitment and retention issues. travel now and let's see how the tube is looking at the moment. there's a good service on all lines. now onto the weather. some sunny spells, but there is the chance of a shower. mainly dry this evening. expect temperatures today of up to 19 degrees. there's more on our website on the election and why the vote may not be decided in london. that's it for now, i'm back in around half and hour.

good morning, welcome to breakfast with charlie stayt in downing street and nina warhurst in salford. our headlines today. the election campaign begins. voters across the uk will go to the polls onjuly 4th to decide who will occupy the building behind me. the timing of the announcement took many here in westminster by surprise, but today party leaders will be out across the country setting out their policies.

now is the moment for britain to choose its future. to decide whether we want to build on the progress we have made or risk going back to square one with no plan and no certainty. on the 4th ofjuly you have the choice, and together, we can stop the chaos, we can turn the page, we can start to rebuild britain and change our country. throughout the programme this morning we'll bring you reaction from across the uk, and speak to more of the politicians fighting for your vote. the other main stories this morning. i fully accept now that the post office, excuse me... former chief executive of the post office paula vennells breaks down in tears while giving evidence to the inquiry into the horizon it scandal, and admits she "made mistakes".

tributes are paid to the former british olympic swimming champion david wilkie, who's died at the age of 70. it's thursday 23rd may. our main story. the uk will go to the polls six weeks today after the prime minister announced there will be a general election on the 4th ofjuly. outside 10 downing street yesterday evening rishi sunak vowed to "fight for every vote", while labour leader sir keir starmer said it was "time for change". our political editor chris mason has this report on how the surprise events unfolded. the lectern in place after a downpour of anticipation. cameras, reporters, brollies, the downpour 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 4th ofjuly. music blaring from campaigners in nearby whitehall, rain tumbling onto the prime 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'm 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'll be able to decide whether he stays or whether he goes. and so the arguments, the persuasion begins. 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. now, 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've 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's been in surrey. well, 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 and they want to vote for someone who champions them, their family and their community, to sort out the crisis in the nhs, to get our economy back on track and to end environmental scandals like the sewage scandal. it's a welcome opportunity to remove the tory government and to put scotland first and that's what i'll 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 summer school holidays. 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, 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. chris mason, bbc news. we'rejoined now by our chief political correspondent henry zeffman. morning, henry. the stuff that really matters _ morning, henry. the stuff that really matters is _ morning, henry. the stuff that really matters is the _ morning, henry. the stuff that really matters is the stuff i morning, henry. the stuff that really matters is the stuff that| really matters is the stuff that people care about, the nhs and incomes for the home. but well for the moment if you would about the set piece announcement itself. in some ways it is a matter, does it,

but it became a curious event in the moment. i but it became a curious event in the moment. ~' ., , ., moment. i think it does matter in the sense that _ moment. i think it does matter in the sense that it _ moment. i think it does matter in the sense that it is _ moment. i think it does matter in the sense that it is the _ moment. i think it does matter in the sense that it is the moment i the sense that it is the moment where the person calling the election rishi sunak gets to frame what they think the choice is and explain why they are calling the election. i'm afraid i think what a lot of people will remember from that moment was the driving rain soaking his suitjacket and the noise of labour's 1997 general election and the things can only get better coming out of a boom box at the end of the street. the better coming out of a boom box at the end of the street.— better coming out of a boom box at the end of the street. the elect was set u - , the end of the street. the elect was set up. -- — the end of the street. the elect was set up. -- lectin — the end of the street. the elect was set up, -- lectin was _ the end of the street. the elect was set up, -- lectin was set _ the end of the street. the elect was set up, -- lectin was set up, - the end of the street. the elect was set up, -- lectin was set up, did i set up, —— lectin was set up, did anyone talk about that? set up, -- lectin was set up, did anyone talk about that?- anyone talk about that? some conservative _ anyone talk about that? some conservative mps _ anyone talk about that? some conservative mps saying i anyone talk about that? some conservative mps saying it i anyone talk about that? some | conservative mps saying it has anyone talk about that? some i conservative mps saying it has been a chaotic start to the campaign, not just that moment but the campaign rally last night in east london, not surrounded by party activists or young people but by the cabinet who

were as surprised as we were yesterday. a lot of that will not be remembered two weeks let alone six weeks into the campaign. remember, this is quite a while, 40 days, roughly the length of a liz truss premiership, before the general election takes place, and that is the time rishi sunak wants to use to change the narrative. let’s the time rishi sunak wants to use to change the narrative.— change the narrative. let's talk about that. _ change the narrative. let's talk about that, we _ change the narrative. let's talk about that, we spoke - change the narrative. let's talk about that, we spoke to - change the narrative. let's talk about that, we spoke to him i change the narrative. let's talk about that, we spoke to him in| change the narrative. let's talk i about that, we spoke to him in the last half an hour, front foot forward, it is day one and he is doing the rounds talking to broadcasters like us, what you make of his approach and the messages, and are you picking any particular things out?— things out? this is rishi sunak's aeneral things out? this is rishi sunak's general election _ things out? this is rishi sunak's general election campaign i things out? this is rishi sunak's general election campaign and i things out? this is rishi sunak's i general election campaign and that was really clear yesterday when he tried to get the voters to think about who they want in downing street on july five, him about who they want in downing street onjuly five, him or sir keir starmer, not conservatives or labour, he was saying him or sir keir starmer. also the fact he is out there doing the rounds himself on day one is itself quite telling, it is his gamble, and he wants to be

the man who makes that gamble pay. one very particular he said to you which i think we should dwell on, a proper scoop you got out of him, you asked him about flights going to rwanda, that has been the government flagship immigration and asylum policy for more than two years, three prime ministers, and rishi sunak has put it at the heart of his agenda to come in his words, stop the boats. we asked him when there's flights would take off and he said, earlyjuly, if people vote conservative. so i think what he is saying there is, no flights before the general election, and that is clearly going to be a choice that he wants to be at the heart of the election campaign because remember that labour's view is it is an unworkable gimmick and they would repeal the scheme. haste unworkable gimmick and they would repeal the scheme.— unworkable gimmick and they would repeal the scheme. we heard from sir keir starmer. — repeal the scheme. we heard from sir keir starmer, an _ repeal the scheme. we heard from sir keir starmer, an immediate _ repeal the scheme. we heard from sir keir starmer, an immediate reaction, | keir starmer, an immediate reaction, he has not done a set piece event yet that we have seen, tell me a little bit about what we have heard from them. ., , .,

little bit about what we have heard from them-— little bit about what we have heard from them. ., , ., . from them. one word you will hear from them. one word you will hear from them. one word you will hear from the labour _ from them. one word you will hear from the labour party _ from them. one word you will hear from the labour party again - from them. one word you will hear from the labour party again and i from the labour party again and again, change. that was the word on sir keir starmer 's lectin. it has a dual purpose, wants people to see that he has changed the labour party since jeremy that he has changed the labour party sincejeremy corbyn was leader but he also wants to change the country. that one word of labour's general election slogan, that is not a holding pattern, it will not be longer than that, that is the word that will be on their manifesto, it will be on the macro —— lectern, on the side of the bus. will be on the macro -- lectern, on the side of the bus.— the side of the bus. how is day one auoin ? the side of the bus. how is day one uuoin? i the side of the bus. how is day one going? i am _ the side of the bus. how is day one going? i am enjoying _ the side of the bus. how is day one going? i am enjoying it, _ the side of the bus. how is day one going? i am enjoying it, how- the side of the bus. how is day one going? i am enjoying it, how are i going? i am en'oying it, how are ou? it's going? i am enjoying it, how are you? it's funny _ going? i am enjoying it, how are you? it's funny how— going? i am enjoying it, how are you? it's funny how quickly i going? i am enjoying it, how are you? it's funny how quickly you | going? i am enjoying it, how are i you? it's funny how quickly you get used to it- — you? it's funny how quickly you get used to it. people _ you? it's funny how quickly you get used to it. people listening - you? it's funny how quickly you get used to it. people listening to - you? it's funny how quickly you get used to it. people listening to you | used to it. people listening to you this morning, it is the first day, and we will see what lies ahead. thank you very much. we're getting reaction to rishi sunak's announcement from political parties throughout the morning. let's speak now to labour's campaign co—ordinator, pat mcfadden. thank you very much for your time

this morning, mr mcfadden. if i can get a thought from you in relation to the timing issue, people are asking questions about it, i think what labour had said it is you were ready to go whenever, does this suit you? ready to go whenever, does this suit ou? , ., , ., ., you? yes, we were ready to go whenever— you? yes, we were ready to go whenever but _ you? yes, we were ready to go whenever but we _ you? yes, we were ready to go whenever but we were - you? yes, we were ready to go whenever but we were also - you? yes, we were ready to go whenever but we were also a i you? yes, we were ready to go l whenever but we were also a bit surprised by the timing announcement yesterday because what is the prime minister had been saying to the country was that he had a plan and the economy was turning round and we would see the fruits of that turning round over the summer months. and all the indications were that the election was going to be in the autumn. so i think the timing is interesting. and i think the timing doesn't show strength, it shows weakness. and it shows a lack of faith on the part of the prime minister in that case he was making that the plan is working. because if he really believed it was working, he really believed it was working, he would have let this spin out for another five or six months. he would have let this spin out for anotherfive or six months. and it begs the question, if he doesn't

believe his plan is working, if he doesn't have faith in what he's been saying in recent months, then why should the british public? figs saying in recent months, then why should the british public?- should the british public? as he will be aware, _ should the british public? as he will be aware, we _ should the british public? as he will be aware, we have - should the british public? as he will be aware, we have spoken l should the british public? as he l will be aware, we have spoken to should the british public? as he will be aware, we have spoken to the prime minister this morning and he says there is a clear plan and it is working, there is a time issue. i need to ask you about your slogan. people will have already seen sir keir starmer with that one word slogan on the front of the lectern, which is change. whyjust the one word? it doesn't people much other thanif word? it doesn't people much other than if it is not rishi sunak, it is keir starmer.— than if it is not rishi sunak, it is keir starmer. there is a mood for chan . e keir starmer. there is a mood for chance in keir starmer. there is a mood for change in the _ keir starmer. there is a mood for change in the country _ keir starmer. there is a mood for change in the country and - keir starmer. there is a mood for change in the country and we - keir starmer. there is a mood for| change in the country and we want keir starmer. there is a mood for. change in the country and we want to meet that mood, and that has been at the heart of our strategy over the last couple of years. we are also a change labour party from the one that fought the last election. and we will embody that message of

change in the policy programme that we put forward in this election. just a week ago today, we published the six first steps that will be at the six first steps that will be at the heart of the plan around economic stability, the nhs, cracking down on a tshituka behaviour, secure border control, —— on anti—social behaviour, secure border control, setting upjeebie border control, setting up jeebie energy border control, setting upjeebie energy and employing more teachers at the schools. this will be at the heart of the plan if people vote for it on the lith ofjuly. it’s heart of the plan if people vote for it on the 4th ofjuly.— it on the 4th ofjuly. it's early da s it on the 4th ofjuly. it's early days especially _ it on the 4th ofjuly. it's early days especially for _ it on the 4th ofjuly. it's early days especially for people - it on the 4th ofjuly. it's early days especially for people on | it on the 4th ofjuly. it's early - days especially for people on day one who are not familiar for what the labour of free is. already people are asking the question, you are calling it change, you say people are asking for change but in reality they are thinking, change, not that much different, though, really. how much of a change genuinely would a labour administration be? give me one key

area which will actually feel genuinely different. if area which will actually feel genuinely different.- area which will actually feel genuinely different. if you go throuuh genuinely different. if you go through the _ genuinely different. if you go through the things _ genuinely different. if you go through the things i - genuinely different. if you go through the things i have - genuinely different. if you go | through the things i have just genuinely different. if you go - through the things i have just spoke to you about a minute ago, if you are a young person waiting to buy your first home, are a young person waiting to buy yourfirst home, you are a young person waiting to buy your first home, you want to know that your government is going to put stability first. that's not what we saw from the conservatives, that is a massive change. what we saw from them was huge reckless ideological irresponsibility. if you are waiting in pain on an nhs waiting list, and we say we will have 2 million more operations per year, 40,000 more per week, that is going to make a difference to your life. if you are living in a town that is blighted by anti—social behaviour, and we say we want to bring back neighbourhood policing with new powers to crack down on anti—social behaviour, that's going to make a difference to your life. if you have children at school, who too often are taught by

supply teachers and temporary teachers and we say we will have thousands more qualified to permanent teachers in the schools to make sure your child get the best start in life, that is change worth having. these are changes where having. these are changes where having and changes is worth voting. white and they sound like changes that could be very expensive. so when do we see the clear figures? when do we see the breakdown, which people will want to know, whether what you are pledging can be paid for, when do we see those numbers? when we published the 61st steps last week, we met that test and we said not only what we say we will do it and how we will fund it. in every case we will do that. we know this test of trust with public money is one that people want to see from anyone who wants to form a government and that's why we have knocked on the irresponsible thing that the conservatives have done which is to promise £46 billion per

year of unfunded tax cuts if they win the election, we are not in the business of making unfunded promises. where we talk about more teachers, where we talk about reducing nhs waiting lists, we do say how we will pay for it and that is a test that we will meet. i say how we will pay for it and that is a test that we will meet.- is a test that we will meet. i want to 'ust, if is a test that we will meet. i want to just. if you _ is a test that we will meet. i want to just, if you were _ is a test that we will meet. i want to just, if you were to _ is a test that we will meet. i want to just, if you were to come - is a test that we will meet. i want to just, if you were to come a - is a test that we will meet. i want i to just, if you were to come a focus for a moment on some of the comments rishi sunak made about sir keir starmer. the phrase he used was that keir starmer has no conviction, no courage and no plan. it felt like a very personal attack on your party leader. is that what you see? we think the leader. is that what you see? - think the tories will throw everything at this election. they have had 14 years, all they are offering is five more years of the same as what we have had in the last 14, more chaos, if the conservatives were to win do we even know if rishi sunak would remain as prime

minister? we would be subject to one of the bouts of leadership challenges which always takes them over. we are not surprised they would throw personal attacks at keir starmer. i have worked with him a lot in the last few years and i think during the course of this six—week campaign, when people are looking at politics more than they normally would, in their lives, and they are ready to make that decision about the government for the next five years, they are going to see a patriotic leader devoted to public service, and really devoted to making sure that if the country's economy does grow, that people in every part of the country and from every part of the country and from every background feel the benefits for that. every background feel the benefits forthat. i'm every background feel the benefits for that. i'm very confident that we have got a great candidate to be prime minister and our party leader and i think the public are going to see that over the next six weeks. 15 see that over the next six weeks. is the very real danger that given the way that you are so far ahead in the polls as it stands, and we can in a

way leave that one side, it is an election campaign and it is day one, is there a danger that there is a sense of complacency within labour that all you have to do is say, it's not the tories. and a lot of people watching at home will say, that is not enough, we need more than that. i would encourage people to ignore the polls and i encourage the labour party candidate and staff and volunteers that i work with to ignore them, because not a single vote has been cast in this election. no one knows what the outcome will be. we make no predictions about the outcome. we do have belief in the case we are making, we have confidence in the policies that i have been talking to you about this morning. i think there is a mood for change in the country, but that change in the country, but that change will only come if people actually vote for it. so not only is there no complacency, but i think it's deeper than that. i think in

the labour party there is a real understanding of the responsibility that we have when we ask for people's trust to govern the country. we have been through a lot in the recent years, people have had a lot of broken promises and people are sceptical about what politicians say to them, they have a prime minister who says they have a plan and it is working but by the way i will call an election because they do not believe in it themselves. they want to know what we will do, how we will do it and how we will pay for it and we will meet that test because we understand the responsibility that we have as we ask for people's vote onjuly responsibility that we have as we ask for people's vote on july four. pat ask for people's vote onjuly four. pat mcfadden, thank you very much for your time this morning. so we are here this morning in downing street this morning. it's important that we take this story to where people live and into people's homes and their neighbourhoods. bury north in greater manchester is the uk's most marginal seat,

changing colour many times through the years. 0ur uk editor ed thomas has been to hear about the issues that matter most to voters there. it doesn't exactly feel like it right now, but a summer election is just weeks away. and i have never been prouder to be british. yeah, general election. what's your reaction? thank god, about time. summer general election, sooner the better, please. and bury north is up for grabs. yeah, i'm fluid. whoever checks the most boxes for me, they're for me. just 105 votes separated labour and the conservatives here in 2019. steve is undecided. in your life right now, what matters to you? grandkids, you're looking at knife crime, way too much of that. my parents, my mother went into a care home. so whichever party speaks to you on those issues... yeah. ..you potentially could go with? yeah, yeah, you've got to be fluid on it. you've got to do what's

best for your family rather than just yourself. what matters to me is the immigration, yeah? when you say immigration, what do you mean? do you mean boats coming over, you mean... no, i mean people coming in legally, yeah? i think the country can't take any more. and that's the biggest single issue for you? for me, yeah. 19—year—old lauren will be voting in her first general election. issues matter. i'd probably say, you know, knife crime because we have lost a few people due to stuff like that. people you know, because of knife crime? yeah, of course, yeah, yeah, yeah. and if you get a party, conservative or labour or lib dem or anyone, and they've got a really strong offering on knife crime, could that make you think, yeah, i'm going to vote for you? yeah, probably, yeah, definitely, yeah. but what to do about voters like cath? what is your faith like in politics right now? i've got no faith in politics. for her, trust is at an all time low. over the last couple of years i've not, i've just not voted.

can you believe you're saying that that you just don't feel like you're going to vote? i know my dad would be annoyed with me if he was still here. one question as you come in here. go on, one question. but sharif doesn't have the answers on who to believe in or if he'll even vote. i have no faith whatsoever. i think they're all the same. we see poverty every day. we see people come in here, they're struggling. it really is a massive struggle. who has been here asking for your vote? tony blair, david cameron, borisjohnson, rishi sunak. bury north matters then, doesn't it? that's what he tells you. that's because whichever party wins here usually gets the keys to number ten. i literally, really, really i'm unsure who to vote for. feeling a bit forgotten in the north at the moment, yeah. just want the country to get in a better place than what it is at the moment. election time is coming and in bury north, it's all to play for.

ed thomas, bbc news. election time is coming, it is exactly six weeks from today. we are broadcasting from downing street throughout the morning this morning. under those stories of what people want to hear, listening to people, will be crucial to our coverage during that time. of course talking to all the political parties as well. let's take a break from all that now. now it's time for a look at the weather with matt. thank you, charlie. he has some drier weather after the heavy rain yesterday in downing street. the dry story continues elsewhere, this is the south coast, west sussex, but in cumbria it is in keswick. in the hills around keswick we have seen 100 millimetres of rain fall in the

last 24 hours alone. thoroughly wet start having an impact on travel. check bbc radio before you go out. in northern ireland, north—west england and western scotland. an amber warning will lapse at midday but the rain will turn lighter and patchy. heavy bursts in southern scotland and cumbria. away from that a dry story towards the south and east, the small chance of a shower. could see a little bit of brightness breaking through into parts of the western isles, a wetter afternoon through shetland, rain around for the afternoon across southern scotland, eastern northern ireland. turning a little less wet in north—west england, the eastern pennines, brightening up with the best of the sunshine. into tonight, further patchy rain and drizzle around at times, wales and northern

england, northwoods, clearest conditions to the south and east, temperatures into single figures. saturday is the better of the three days of the weekend, lots of heavy showers to come through sunday and monday. nice and clear for cup final day. yes, if you are heading there, should be dry.— the former chief executive of the post office, paula vennells, will continue to give evidence at the public inquiry into the horizon it scandal today. and i imagine that, i'm sorry... i imagine that i was probably... ms vennells, rather than trying to talk through, just pause. sorry, yes, 0k. between 1999 and 2015 hundreds of sub—postmasters were wrongly prosecuted due to faulty software. on wednesday, vennells made an emotional apology to those affected but denied there'd been any kind of cover—up. it's the first time the former boss had publicly spoken about her role in the scandal for nearly a decade. i would just like to say,

and i'm gratefulfor the opportunity to do this in person, how sorry i am for all that sub—postmasters and their families and others have suffered as a result of all of the matters that the inquiry has been looking into for so long. one person has died in a mudslide on the edge of the north york moors national park. police say that it happened near the village of carlton—in—cleveland, south of middlesbrough, yesterday afternoon. the area had seen almost a month's worth of rain in around 12 hours. police have said nobody else was hurt but have asked the public to avoid the area. the police service of northern ireland is facing a possible fine of £750,000 for a major data breach last year. the information commissioner's office says the force failed to protect the personal information of its entire workforce, allowing details to fall into the hands of dissident republicans. the breach happened when the police responded to a freedom of information request.

the covid inquiry will reconvene in london today for a special session to hear evidence from britain's top civil servant. simon case didn't give evidence last year due to ill health, but his whatsapp messages expressing concerns about the decision—making at the heart of borisjohnson's government were presented to the inquiry. the report isn't expected until next summer. citizens advice is calling for new rules to ensure that energy companies fix faulty smart meters quickly or provide compensation. more than half of british homes now have a smart meter but official figures say one in ten don't function properly. there's to be a formal investigation into prices charged by vets. the competition and markets authority has said pet owners may be overpaying for treatment, and might not be getting clear information from practices about the costs they face. the cma says it launched its probe because more than half of practices are owned byjust half a dozen companies.

british olympic swimming champion david wilkie has died at the age of 70. his family have released a statement confirming he had cancer. the scot won 200m breaststroke gold in montreal in 1976 as well as two olympic silver medals and three world titles. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. good morning from bbc london. i'm alison earle. londoners will go to the polls in exactly six weeks time after rishi sunak called a general election. campaigning has begun, with mr sunak saying judge him on his record. meanwhile labour leader sir keir starmer said it's an opportunity to "stop the chaos". people here have been giving their reaction.

it's giving their reaction. about time. it's about time. i needs it's about time. it's about time. he needs to go out. to it's about time. it's about time. he needs to go out.— needs to go out. to be honest, politicians _ needs to go out. to be honest, politicians say _ needs to go out. to be honest, politicians say the _ needs to go out. to be honest, politicians say the same - needs to go out. to be honest, politicians say the same thing. | needs to go out. to be honest, - politicians say the same thing. he's doinu politicians say the same thing. he's doing something, _ politicians say the same thing. he's doing something, based on my perspective. _ doing something, based on my perspective, he's _ doing something, based on my perspective, he's going - doing something, based on my perspective, he's going the - doing something, based on my. perspective, he's going the right direction — perspective, he's going the right direction which _ perspective, he's going the right direction which i _ perspective, he's going the right direction which i do _ perspective, he's going the right direction which i do not - perspective, he's going the right direction which i do not know- perspective, he's going the right . direction which i do not know how, especially— direction which i do not know how, especially the _ direction which i do not know how, especially the labour— direction which i do not know how, especially the labour comeback. . direction which i do not know how, especially the labour comeback. ii especially the labour comeback. i think_ especially the labour comeback. i think he _ especially the labour comeback. i think he could _ especially the labour comeback. i think he could survive. _ a primary school in north london where staff are striking this week is to close for three more days over the next month due to industrial action. it's over plans to turn byron court primary in wembley into an academy after it was rated "inadequate" by ofsted inspectors. walkouts are due to take place injune. the department for education said strikes are "damaging to pupils�* learning and disruptive for parents". five ambulance services across london and the south have announced they're teaming up. they'll pool resources in areas such as buying equipment and training staff to reduce costs. it's hoped the move helps to address the growing pressures on the nhs and recruitment. a photographerfrom lewisham who's spent decades taking pictures of stars like the rolling stones,

has swapped the entertainment world to capture the extraordinary of everyday life. duncan rayban has been documenting the stories of those all around him. it started out as a small project to tackle loneliness and has now gained a huge following. just say hello was born out of curiosity. i'm interested, passionately interested, in people. people say, "oh, i can't meet people", but they're everywhere. you've just got to say hello with a compliment. and so i go out of my way every day, like a cheetah, hunting for people. travel now, and let's see how the tube is looking at the moment. there's a good service on all lines. now onto the weather with kawser. hello. good morning. well, after all the wet weather we've had in recent days, today is a much drier and brighter day. it will be largely dry out there with some decent spells of sunshine developing, especially during the course of the afternoon.

still a fair amount of cloud to start the day, but this will thin and break much more in the way of sunshine. and whilst it is largely dry, there just may be the odd isolated shower in one or two spots and temperatures generally reaching around the mid to high teens. during the evening should be dry too, with more in the way of clearer skies during the course of the night. but by the end of the night, a bit more in the way of cloud building from the northwest and temperatures dipping to around 7 to 9 celsius. looking ahead to friday and into the start of the weekend, we stay largely dry and settled with high pressure in charge. there is a chance we'll start to see more in the way of scattered showers developing, though, for the second part of the bank holiday weekend. but at least for the next few days, largely dry, with some decent spells of sunshine and temperatures climbing up to around the low twenties and saturday, but more in the way of showers for sunday and bank holiday monday. there's more coverage on the election on our website including why the vote may not be decided here in london. thats' it, i'm backjust after 9.

welcome back. you are watching bbc kadewere _ welcome back. you are watching bbc kadewere breakfast, _ welcome back. you are watching bbc kadewere breakfast, and _ welcome back. you are watching bbc kadewere breakfast, and we - welcome back. you are watching bbc kadewere breakfast, and we are - welcome back. you are watching bbc kadewere breakfast, and we are livel kadewere breakfast, and we are live in downing _ kadewere breakfast, and we are live in downing street, _ kadewere breakfast, and we are live in downing street, the _ kadewere breakfast, and we are live in downing street, the setting - in downing street, the setting yesterday _ in downing street, the setting yesterday in _ in downing street, the setting yesterday in the _ in downing street, the setting yesterday in the rain - in downing street, the setting yesterday in the rain behind . in downing street, the setting. yesterday in the rain behind me in downing street, the setting - yesterday in the rain behind me —— bbc kadewere _ yesterday in the rain behind me —— bbc kadewere breakfast. - yesterday in the rain behind me —— bbc kadewere breakfast. out- yesterday in the rain behind me -- bbc kadewere breakfast. and came to the lack turn and told the nation when the general election would be. we know the date now. we are trying to get reaction from the new uk —— from the uk. tomos morgan in south wales, sara girvin in belfast and katy hunter in glasgow. it is day one, so there is a long way to go. let's start with you. give us the picture from wales and how it looks as we start the campaign. how it looks as we start the campaign-— how it looks as we start the campaign. how it looks as we start the camaiun. , . , campaign. yes, i am here in barry island, the — campaign. yes, i am here in barry island, the constituency _ campaign. yes, i am here in barry island, the constituency at - campaign. yes, i am here in barry island, the constituency at the - island, the constituency at the moment but all of them in wales by one will change slightly because the

boundary troupe —— rules have changed. this is more or less the same to some degree and it's been in tory hands for a number of years and it will be a key seat because the last time it was in labour hands was when labour were in power so this will be a target seat as well. also the seat of a former welsh secretary and there might be some concerns for the former welsh secretary and current welsh secretary because all of those boundary changes have affected them and they could be target seats for labour. and the question will be can they capitalise and come they maybe take some seats in the areas where the boundaries have changed ever so slightly. does it help them in any way? for many people the key questions will be around the nhs which is devolved to the welsh government, so how will that be played out by welsh labour and uk labour and also the cost of living. we've been talking to the people of wales and getting their

reaction to the news that broke last night. i reaction to the news that broke last niuht. ~ , ., , reaction to the news that broke last niuht. ~ , .,, ., , night. i think people need to be heard because _ night. i think people need to be heard because i _ night. i think people need to be heard because i don't _ night. i think people need to be heard because i don't think- night. i think people need to be - heard because i don't think anything is being _ heard because i don't think anything is being done that should be done. none _ is being done that should be done. none of— is being done that should be done. none of them do any good. promise, promise, _ none of them do any good. promise, promise, nothing~ _ none of them do any good. promise, promise, nothing. i'm— none of them do any good. promise, promise, nothing. i'm not— none of them do any good. promise, promise, nothing. i'm not voting - none of them do any good. promise, promise, nothing. i'm not voting any| promise, nothing. i'm not voting any more _ promise, nothing. i'm not voting any more i'm _ promise, nothing. i'm not voting any more i'm not— promise, nothing. i'm not voting any more i'm not to— promise, nothing. i'm not voting any more. i'm not to vote. _ promise, nothing. i'm not voting any more. i'm not to vote. i— promise, nothing. i'm not voting any more. i'm not to vote.— more. i'm not to vote. i know it alwa s more. i'm not to vote. i know it always happens. _ more. i'm not to vote. i know it always happens, a _ more. i'm not to vote. i know it always happens, a government| more. i'm not to vote. i know it - always happens, a government goes in, and then they think the others will do better but they don't always, sadly. i will do better but they don't always, sadly.— will do better but they don't always, sadly. will do better but they don't alwa s, sadl . ., , ., always, sadly. i thought they would hold on for longer, _ always, sadly. i thought they would hold on for longer, hold _ always, sadly. i thought they would hold on for longer, hold on - always, sadly. i thought they would hold on for longer, hold on until- hold on for longer, hold on until the end — hold on for longer, hold on until the end of— hold on for longer, hold on until the end of the year, possibly. but i guess— the end of the year, possibly. but i guess there is too much pressure. you can— guess there is too much pressure. you can see — guess there is too much pressure. you can see the townies run down, there _ you can see the townies run down, there needs — you can see the townies run down, there needs to— you can see the townies run down, there needs to he _ you can see the townies run down, there needs to be spending - you can see the townies run down, there needs to be spending —— - you can see the townies run down, there needs to be spending —— thel there needs to be spending —— the town— there needs to be spending —— the town is— there needs to be spending —— the town is run— there needs to be spending —— the town is run down. _ there needs to be spending —— the town is run down. i'm“— there needs to be spending -- the town is run down.— town is run down. i'm looking forward to — town is run down. i'm looking forward to it _ town is run down. i'm looking forward to it and _ town is run down. i'm looking forward to it and we - town is run down. i'm looking forward to it and we need - town is run down. i'm looking forward to it and we need a l town is run down. i'm looking - forward to it and we need a change in government in westminster for sure. talking about those boundary changes as well, in wales, the experts seem to believe that that will benefit labour more than the other parties and could make things very difficult for the smaller

parties, i say the smaller parties, but the parties with fewer seats in westminster for wales. but the parties with fewer seats in westminsterforwales. i but the parties with fewer seats in westminsterfor wales. i mentioned the nhs and we are getting some statistics later so it will be interesting to see how that is performing and how it will be used in the battle. the welsh tories have come out fighting, attacking welsh labour's record on the nhs and education, the key devolved policy areas. how will labour frame the argument? will they look to push keir starmer centre stage, that will probably be the tactic and when it comes to clyde comrie, they will argue they are the only party who can fight for wales —— and can do anything different here plaid cymru —— plaid cymru. northern ireland is represented by 18 mps in the house of commons. we can now go to sara girvin

who is in belfast for us. tell us more about what matters to people there. tell us more about what matters to people there-— people there. lots of issues under consideration _ people there. lots of issues under consideration in _ people there. lots of issues under consideration in northern - people there. lots of issues under consideration in northern ireland. | consideration in northern ireland. political instability is certainly one of them. northern ireland's devolved government only got up and running again a number of months ago after a two—year hiatus which meant for a long time decisions weren't being made. things simply won't being made. things simply won't being done and that really impacted lives and how voters feel about all of that will really feed into the general election this time around. as it is across the rest of the uk, the cost of living is a really big issue here and also the health service. waiting lists in northern ireland are the highest across the uk and as we speak, we are in the mix ofajunior uk and as we speak, we are in the mix of a junior doctor's strike, a 48—hour one having a really big impact on services and we have heard a lot about the scottish summer holidays but the northern ireland

school holidays will have started by july school holidays will have started by july the 4th so it will be interesting to see how it things. lots of people to consider but we've been speaking to some in belfast to get their reaction to yesterday's announcement. i get their reaction to yesterday's announcement.— get their reaction to yesterday's announcement. i don't think the conservatives _ announcement. i don't think the conservatives being _ announcement. i don't think the conservatives being removed i announcement. i don't think the conservatives being removed is| announcement. i don't think the - conservatives being removed is going to be conservatives being removed is going to he a _ conservatives being removed is going to he a had _ conservatives being removed is going to be a bad thing for all of the uk. ithink— to be a bad thing for all of the uk. i think the — to be a bad thing for all of the uk. i think the actions of the local politicians _ i think the actions of the local politicians will— i think the actions of the local politicians will be _ i think the actions of the local politicians will be more - i think the actions of the local - politicians will be more important than the — politicians will be more important than the general— politicians will be more important than the general election, - politicians will be more important than the general election, but. politicians will be more important than the general election, but i. than the general election, but i guess— than the general election, but i guess only— than the general election, but i guess only time _ than the general election, but i guess only time will _ than the general election, but i guess only time will tell. - than the general election, but i guess only time will tell. i'm i than the general election, but i. guess only time will tell. i'm not too sure — guess only time will tell. i'm not too sure. , ., . ., too sure. things need to change. so a aeneral too sure. things need to change. so a general election _ too sure. things need to change. so a general election gives _ too sure. things need to change. so a general election gives power - too sure. things need to change. so a general election gives power to i a general election gives power to the people. it’s a general election gives power to the people-— a general election gives power to the ..eole, �*, ., . ., the people. it's about time. we had a tory government _ the people. it's about time. we had a tory government for— the people. it's about time. we had a tory government for a _ the people. it's about time. we had a tory government for a long - the people. it's about time. we had a tory government for a long time. | the people. it's about time. we had| a tory government for a long time. i think a tory government for a long time. think now a tory government for a long time. i think now that i am 18 i would need to find _ think now that i am 18 i would need to find out— think now that i am 18 i would need to find out more _ think now that i am 18 i would need to find out more obviously- think now that i am 18 i would need to find out more obviously because| think now that i am 18 i would need i to find out more obviously because i would _ to find out more obviously because i would like _ to find out more obviously because i would like to — to find out more obviously because i would like to make _ to find out more obviously because i would like to make my— to find out more obviously because i would like to make my vote - to find out more obviously because i would like to make my vote useful. would like to make my vote useful rather _ would like to make my vote useful rather than — would like to make my vote useful rather than voting _ would like to make my vote useful rather than voting blindly. - would like to make my vote useful rather than voting blindly. it’s - would like to make my vote useful rather than voting blindly.- rather than voting blindly. it's the sort of thing _ rather than voting blindly. it's the sort of thing you _ rather than voting blindly. it's the sort of thing you can't _ rather than voting blindly. it's the sort of thing you can't predict - sort of thing you can't predict because any election has been so far you thought it would be a time for change and then people don't vote for change. i hope there is change.

in terms of the political picture, most of the northern ireland westminster seats are split between the two biggest parties, the democratic unionist party and sinn fein. and so far all of the party leaders have been unanimous in welcoming a general election and have been fiercely critical of the conservative government. some are saying that they were very surprised ljy saying that they were very surprised by yesterday's announcement with others saying they have been very patiently waiting but with now only six weeks to go, we expect them to outline their plans and draw the battle lines in the next few days. sarah, thank you very much, the situation in northern ireland. let's turn the focus for a moment to scotland. westminster boundary changes mean that scottish voters will return 57 mps this time. let's cross to glasgow and our reporter katie hunter. just give us a sense of how people

have reacted to the news, the announcement made yesterday. goad announcement made yesterday. good mornin: announcement made yesterday. good morning from — announcement made yesterday. good morning from a _ announcement made yesterday. (13mg. morning from a slightly damp glasgow. and let's start by talking about timings and the 4th ofjuly is near the start of the scottish school holidays and they don't all break up at the same time that the first couple of weeks are a popular time forfamilies to first couple of weeks are a popular time for families to go away on holiday or abroad. this timing of the election has come as a surprise here in scotland. we have been used to surprises in scottish politics over the last few weeks. if we go back to this time last month, humza yousaf was first minister and now john swinney is in the top job and his new deputy, kate forbes, they have an election to fight and elections are all about voters and we have been out and about asking for their reaction to yesterday's

announcement.— for their reaction to yesterday's announcement. ., ' announcement. kind of indifferent if i'm bein: announcement. kind of indifferent if i'm being honest. _ announcement. kind of indifferent if i'm being honest. how— announcement. kind of indifferent if i'm being honest. how many - announcement. kind of indifferent if i'm being honest. how many primel i'm being honest. how many prime ministers _ i'm being honest. how many prime ministers have we been through in the last— ministers have we been through in the last few years? | ministers have we been through in the last few years?— ministers have we been through in the last few years? i suppose we are all a bit fed — the last few years? i suppose we are all a bit fed up _ the last few years? i suppose we are all a bit fed up with _ the last few years? i suppose we are all a bit fed up with it. _ the last few years? i suppose we are all a bit fed up with it. there's - all a bit fed up with it. there's been — all a bit fed up with it. there's been a — all a bit fed up with it. there's been a lot— all a bit fed up with it. there's been a lot of— all a bit fed up with it. there's been a lot of changes - all a bit fed up with it. there's been a lot of changes in - all a bit fed up with it. there's- been a lot of changes in leadership at westminster— been a lot of changes in leadership at westminster and _ been a lot of changes in leadership at westminster and holyrood, - been a lot of changes in leadership at westminster and holyrood, so l been a lot of changes in leadership at westminster and holyrood, so i| at westminster and holyrood, so i guess— at westminster and holyrood, so i guess it _ at westminster and holyrood, so i guess it is — at westminster and holyrood, so i guess it is time _ at westminster and holyrood, so i guess it is time to— at westminster and holyrood, so i guess it is time to give _ at westminster and holyrood, so i guess it is time to give the - at westminster and holyrood, so i guess it is time to give the votersl guess it is time to give the voters a say _ guess it is time to give the voters a say his— guess it is time to give the voters a sa . �* , . guess it is time to give the voters a sa . . , ., ., a say. as we are getting older, thins a say. as we are getting older, things are _ a say. as we are getting older, things are getting _ a say. as we are getting older, things are getting worse. - a say. as we are getting older, things are getting worse. they| a say. as we are getting older, . things are getting worse. they say it is for the better, but for a lot it is for the better, but for a lot it is for the better, but for a lot it is not. the health service, the school system, everything, it's not the way it should be. i’ue school system, everything, it's not the way it should be.— the way it should be. i've no confidence _ the way it should be. i've no confidence in _ the way it should be. i've no confidence in any _ the way it should be. i've no confidence in any of - the way it should be. i've no confidence in any of them. l the way it should be. i've no confidence in any of them. i | the way it should be. i've no - confidence in any of them. i feel it is lona confidence in any of them. i feel it is long overdue, _ confidence in any of them. i feel it is long overdue, to _ confidence in any of them. i feel it is long overdue, to be _ confidence in any of them. i feel it is long overdue, to be honest. - is long overdue, to be honest. nothing — is long overdue, to be honest. nothing seems _ is long overdue, to be honest. nothing seems to _ is long overdue, to be honest. nothing seems to be - is long overdue, to be honest. i nothing seems to be changing. if anything. — nothing seems to be changing. if anything. things— nothing seems to be changing. if anything, things are _ nothing seems to be changing. if anything, things are getting - nothing seems to be changing. ifl anything, things are getting worse all the _ anything, things are getting worse all the time, — anything, things are getting worse all the time, so _ anything, things are getting worse all the time, so i _ anything, things are getting worse all the time, so i would _ anything, things are getting worse all the time, so i would welcome i anything, things are getting worse| all the time, so i would welcome a general— all the time, so i would welcome a general election. _ all the time, so i would welcome a general election. we _ all the time, so i would welcome a general election.— general election. we heard about boundary changes _ general election. we heard about boundary changes that _ general election. we heard about boundary changes that will - general election. we heard about boundary changes that will affect| boundary changes that will affect things in scotland but in terms of the westminster picture, the snp has

been dominant at westminster since 2015. at the last general election labour only won one seat. but polls suggest the gap between the parties has been closing and recent polls suggest the labour party are ahead of the snp, and don't forget labour were dominant in scotland for decades, especially in areas like this in glasgow and the west of scotland and they do feel that they are back in the game and eyeing up dozens of seats across scotland and as for the conservatives, big battlegrounds for them in the north—east of scotland and the south of the country but all of the parties here saying they are up for the fight, bring it on, as you would expect, and i'm sure we can expect to see a lot of uk party leaders coming to scotland in the next six weeks and as i said earlier, for the first minister, john swinney, new in thejob and now first minister, john swinney, new in the job and now a general election to fight. the job and now a general election to fiuht. . ., ~ ,., the job and now a general election to fiuht. . . ~ ,. y to fight. katie, thank you very much, to fight. katie, thank you very much. and — to fight. katie, thank you very much, and now— to fight. katie, thank you very much, and now we _ to fight. katie, thank you very much, and now we can - to fight. katie, thank you very much, and now we can speak| to fight. katie, thank you very i much, and now we can speak to to fight. katie, thank you very - much, and now we can speak to john much, and now we can speak tojohn

swinney, the leader of the snp, thank you for your time this morning. ijust want thank you for your time this morning. i just want to thank you for your time this morning. ijust want to pick up on the timing issue, the general election and the announcement yesterday. election and the announcement esterda . ~ . election and the announcement yesterday-— election and the announcement esterda . ~ . .,~ ., yesterday. what did you make of that? obviously _ yesterday. what did you make of that? obviously the _ yesterday. what did you make of that? obviously the election - yesterday. what did you make of that? obviously the election has| that? obviously the election has been called sooner than expected and i shall reporter said it will happen once the school holidays have started in scotland so what that means is people have to be organised if they are going away on holiday, they've got to be ready to get a postal vote arranged so they can exercise their democratic choice in the election. my campaign teams around the country will make sure that our supporters are encouraged to get a postal vote if they are going to be away on holiday. share to get a postal vote if they are going to be away on holiday. are you fully prepared. _ going to be away on holiday. are you fully prepared. as — going to be away on holiday. are you fully prepared, as we _ going to be away on holiday. are you fully prepared, as we speak - going to be away on holiday. are you fully prepared, as we speak on - going to be away on holiday. are you fully prepared, as we speak on day l fully prepared, as we speak on day one? we fully prepared, as we speak on day one? ~ ., ., ., , one? we have our 57 candidates in lace in one? we have our 57 candidates in place in the _ one? we have our 57 candidates in place in the manifesto _ one? we have our 57 candidates in place in the manifesto is _ one? we have our 57 candidates in place in the manifesto is well - place in the manifesto is well advanced and we are hitting the road today to start the election campaign so we are ready to go and i will be

out and about around the country and intend to take my message to every part of the country as i am the first minister of all of scotland and i intend to be present in every part of scotland and take a positive message about the fact that westminster has inflicted significant damage on the people of scotland through austerity, brexit and the cost of living crisis and the way out of that is for scotland to be a country that takes our own decisions as an independent country and people know they can rely on the snp to put scotland first and that is what will be central to the election campaign.— is what will be central to the election campaign. you mentioned independence. _ election campaign. you mentioned independence. how _ election campaign. you mentioned independence. how high _ election campaign. you mentioned independence. how high in - election campaign. you mentioned independence. how high in the - independence. how high in the priorities in your campaigning will it be? is it front and centre of the offering to voters this time? mr; offering to voters this time? my messa . e offering to voters this time? ii message is very offering to voters this time? ii1: message is very clear. there's offering to voters this time? ii1 message is very clear. there's been some really damaging things inflicted on scotland by the westminster system in the last few years. 14 years of austerity, a brexit we never voted for in scotland and a cost of living crisis. they've all been inflicted

in scotland by westminster and if we want to stop these things happening and be in control of our own future, we can only do it through independence and independence will only come about if people vote for the snp because they know they can rely on the snp and depend on them. they can depend on me to put scotland first and that will be the core of the message. you scotland first and that will be the core of the message.— core of the message. you will be well aware _ core of the message. you will be well aware of _ core of the message. you will be well aware of the _ core of the message. you will be well aware of the criticism - core of the message. you will be well aware of the criticism of - core of the message. you will be | well aware of the criticism of your party around issues of health. one of the key issues, and anyone will know watching this, that is one of the core issues and your party has come in for criticism about your track record in relation to that. does it make your message harder because people might look at you and say, why do we want more of the same? �* , ., ., say, why do we want more of the same? �*, ., ., ., same? let's have a look at the issue. if same? let's have a look at the issue- if you — same? let's have a look at the issue. if you look _ same? let's have a look at the issue. if you look at _ same? let's have a look at the issue. if you look at accident i same? let's have a look at the l issue. if you look at accident and emergency performance, scotland has the best accident and emergency performance of any health service in the uk, consistently for a nine year

period, so yes, it's tough on the health service and i accept that but that's because of westminster austerity. that is making it more difficult, westminster austerity plus the loss of key health service staff because of brexit and the people who went back to europe because of the loss of free movement, that inflicting the difficulties on scotland but when you come down to core accident and emergency, scotland performs every other part of the uk and that's a record i'm happy to talk about with the public. i know there are challenges in the health service but they are challenges created by foolish decisions made at westminster by austerity and brexit. the way is to take control of our own affairs and put scotland first and in the driving seat. irate own affairs and put scotland first and in the driving seat.— own affairs and put scotland first and in the driving seat. we are day one in this — and in the driving seat. we are day one in this election _ and in the driving seat. we are day one in this election campaign - and in the driving seat. we are day one in this election campaign on i and in the driving seat. we are day. one in this election campaign on the things you say will come under increased scrutiny through the campaign. when we were talking to

our reporter a moment ago she was talking about labour in scotland. how clearly do you see that as your primary risk? the how clearly do you see that as your primary risk?— primary risk? the snp has had a touh primary risk? the snp has had a tough time _ primary risk? the snp has had a tough time in — primary risk? the snp has had a tough time in the _ primary risk? the snp has had a tough time in the last _ primary risk? the snp has had a tough time in the last 12 - primary risk? the snp has had a tough time in the last 12 months primary risk? the snp has had a i tough time in the last 12 months or so and i've been snp leaderfor two and a half weeks and honestly bringing fresh leadership to the party and i brought it together so it is a united political party and we are uniting to lead scotland and united to campaign for scottish independence, sol united to campaign for scottish independence, so i brought my party back together again in two short weeks and now i'm going to use the unity to take a positive message around the country to say to people, if you want scotland to be protected from foolish and foolhardy decisions in westminster like austerity and brexit and the cost of living crisis, all you can do is vote snp to protect scotland and that message, i think, to protect scotland and that message, ithink, will to protect scotland and that message, i think, will resonate to people the length and breadth of the country. we have challenges in the

election campaign, i accept it. in some polls we are behind the labour party and in others it is narrow so we have to go out there to win leadership in scotland and that will be at the heart of the campaign. {line be at the heart of the campaign. one ofthe be at the heart of the campaign. one of the key issues, _ be at the heart of the campaign. one of the key issues, and a lot of parties are using this emblem of change. you are in a curious position because you yourself, i know you are not new to the snp, but as a leader you are new and she referenced it yourself a moment ago and in a way you are command —— continuity because the snp has been in charge for a long time. so there is a trick on you presenting yourself as something different while at the same time people know full well that the snp has been pulling the levers for a long time in scotland. pulling the levers for a long time in scotland-— pulling the levers for a long time in scotland. , ., ., , in scotland. yes, and there are very ood in scotland. yes, and there are very good things — in scotland. yes, and there are very good things that _ in scotland. yes, and there are very good things that have _ in scotland. yes, and there are very good things that have happened - in scotland. yes, and there are very good things that have happened in i good things that have happened in scotland in the years of snp government. early learning and child care provision has more than doubled in scotland since we came to power

and i talked about accident and emergency performance where we outperformed other parts of the uk for nine years and we have measures in place which are keeping 100,000 children out of poverty and they are only available in scotland so there's lots of things that the snp has to be proud of but what is also clear is the snp has fresh and new leadership and i intend to take that message around the country, demonstrating that the snp has moved on and we are united and able to speak up for scotland and put scotland first, and that is exactly what we will do in this election. thank you very much for your time this morning. there is a long time ahead, and we have five weeks and i'm sure we will talk again. thank you for the moment. let's look then in more detail at how the day unfolded — there was the moment here yesterday

at the lectern and the prime minister emerged and the rain came down. and it came after hours of rumour and speculation. not that uncommon but yesterday was different. here's our deputy political editor vicki young. westminster woke to what had become familiar speculation about the date of the general election. i'm not normally excitable about these things, but that leaves me just a little twitchier this morning than i normally would be. oh, dear. the political editor of the bbc is getting twitchy about an election. that rishi sunak could call an election... during the morning, rumours that ministers were cancelling meetings fuelled the fire. are we expecting one? no is the short answer. and since i was coming on here then i've asked a couple of quite senior people at the centre and they poured a bucket of cold water on this. are you going to call- an election prime minister? downing street didn't issue the normal denials, so opposition mps asked the prime minister direct. mr speaker, speculation is rife, so i think the public deserve a clear answer

to a simple question. does the prime minister intend to call a summer general election or is he feared? spoiler alert, there is going to be a general election in the second half of this year. what do we know and why has this become such an issue today? well, i think the first thing to say. is to be completely honest and say there's probably about eight people that know and unfortunately, nonel of them are sitting around this table. i next, news filtered out that the foreign secretary, lord cameron, was cutting short a trip to albania, dashing home to attend a cabinet meeting. and by the time that was under way in number 10, everyone knew what was coming. the surprise was that they sent the prime minister out for his big moment in the pouring rain. but dozens of tory mps who aren't standing at this election there's shock that their time here in westminster will end on friday.

i was surprised, i have to say we heard rumours in the tea room, but that's from monday. but that's what we thought. they were just rumors. former minister dame tracey crouch said she felt emotional and sad because she still had important issues to raise on behalf of constituents. rishi sunak successfully kept his decision under wraps, but has left many of his own mps wondering why he's gone for a summer election. vicki young, bbc news, westminster. so a lot may happen over the next six weeks. let's talk about it with the guardian's city editor, anna isaac. good morning to you. a little lighter today.— good morning to you. a little lihtertoda . , ., ., ., lighter today. yes, no rain today. what are you _ lighter today. yes, no rain today. what are you hearing? _ lighter today. yes, no rain today. what are you hearing? tell - lighter today. yes, no rain today. what are you hearing? tell us i lighter today. yes, no rain today. i what are you hearing? tell us some of your thoughts. it's day one and people at home are used getting to the fact that we are in election mode. . , ,., , the fact that we are in election mode. i , ,., , i ,

the fact that we are in election mode. i , i , mode. absolutely. and the six weeks of fever is ramping _ mode. absolutely. and the six weeks of fever is ramping up _ mode. absolutely. and the six weeks of fever is ramping up seriously - mode. absolutely. and the six weeks of fever is ramping up seriously and i of fever is ramping up seriously and we are rattling through the launch events for the different parties to set out their stall to let the electorate know what they have to offer and there is one event today likely to attract the interest of the people inside their but more are generally a lot of marginal constituencies and that is an event which has been because the nerves in the tory party when they tried to work out how much of their vote share in marginal constituencies reform might take from them and they've been looking to see what nigel farage, who is an effective campaigner, might choose to do. there are reports, the daily telegraph has reported that nigel farage might attend a reform election event today which will be a big set piece that everyone will be having a look at to see what it might do. because the famous perterer —— poler, john curtice, said it could have a significant

shift on the five or 6% reform might take from the tory party, particularly 2019 voters of the tory party is my take. that is a big event to look out for. flat party is my take. that is a big event to look out for. put that in eo - les event to look out for. put that in peoples living — event to look out for. put that in peoples living room. _ event to look out for. put that in peoples living room. you - event to look out for. put that in peoples living room. you talk i event to look out for. put that in i peoples living room. you talk about technical things, percentages and vote swings, but in peoples living rooms and they hear people lay their policies, reform, their positioning is a threat to all parties and we have spoken to the conservatives and labour and the lib dems and the green party this morning, and in various ways they will all be looking out the new guy, effectively.— looking out the new guy, effectivel. , . ., effectively. absolutely. what we have to think— effectively. absolutely. what we have to think about _ effectively. absolutely. what we have to think about is _ effectively. absolutely. what we have to think about is how- effectively. absolutely. what we have to think about is how manyi have to think about is how many people voted in which direction in the 2019 election and how people cast their votes then. and a lot of that was focusing on tory promises around immigration and getting that under control but all of those

voices that thought they might have traditional policies to the right of a centrist tory party and that is what reform is looking out and they are looking to take the ground that people might have associated with ukip when we were more focused on the eu referendum. and those votes could eat into the tory share but they are important votes for labour. they will need to win over some of those 2019 tory voters. labour have to have a tremendous groundswell to get the numbers they need. people talk about a big majority but they have to be on the right places but there will be constituencies that are door—to—door and it might be tighter than some people realise. reform have a big part to play because those small ships could be the difference between a traditional two horse race between the conservatives and labour. band two horse race between the conservatives and labour. and it noes conservatives and labour. and it goes straight _ conservatives and labour. and it goes straight into _ conservatives and labour. and it goes straight into the _ conservatives and labour. and it goes straight into the economy, | goes straight into the economy, because we all know that elections, by and large will be decided by who

people, and i do not know whether it is with a trust or believe in, or in this case, who they are tired of hearing promises from. give us a picture in terms of the economy and the various parties.— the various parties. what is interesting _ the various parties. what is interesting is _ the various parties. what is interesting is is _ the various parties. what is interesting is is some - the various parties. what is - interesting is is some chancellors are better known than others and people have recognition ofjeremy hunt, but if you look at figures, a lot of people don't know who rachel reeves is, so who are people trusting with their monies? it might be hard to give rachel reeves the exposure to get more exposure of her, and as we know, in the last few years, we have lost the buying power. about one in every £5 you head, that is enormous. that is what people will listen to, the economic messages about growth but also getting inflation truly under control. that had a big part in the timing we have seen and when we saw

the inflation figures we saw 2.3%, and that's the target the bank of england has to keep interest rates at bay. but the problem is that doesn't match with what people expect the bank of england to immediately do. there's not going to be this immediate rate cut people are hoping for over the summer and the feel—good factor when people were looking to renew their mortgages and people don't expect a rate cut any more there isn't going to be the easy narrative. the bank of england will cut rates and you will feel like you can manage your household finances better. we will talk more i — household finances better. we will talk more i am _ household finances better. we will talk more i am sure. _ household finances better. we will talk more i am sure. thank - household finances better. we will talk more i am sure. thank you i household finances better. we will. talk more i am sure. thank you very much. we've been here in downing street all morning, and just in the last ten minutes or so, the sun has come out, in stark contrast. i've said this every hour but given the

pictures everyone saw yesterday, it's a very different one today than it's a very different one today than it was down here.— it's a very different one today than it was down here. certainly is. many looking enviously _ it was down here. certainly is. many looking enviously but _ it was down here. certainly is. many looking enviously but let's _ it was down here. certainly is. many looking enviously but let's take - it was down here. certainly is. many looking enviously but let's take a i looking enviously but let's take a looking enviously but let's take a look at where the rain has been in the last 24 hours. this chart on the left shows where the rain has fallen and notice how it starts in the south—east and works north and west where it sat in place for a good part of the time and look at some of the rainfall totals we have seen, a few spots seeing well over a month of rain and a big impact on travel, especially in north—west england, south—west scotland and mainline services on the west coast between england and scotland are currently badly affected, so check before you travel. bbc local radio is also a good port of call. the rain will sit in similarareas good port of call. the rain will sit in similar areas today but there is good news in that it will turn later at times and maybe not quite as heavy or relentless but similar areas where we have it at the moment. the west of northern ireland will be dry but a cloudy and wet a

day to the east of northern ireland. we saw the sunshine with charlie and southern counties, south—east england, otherthan southern counties, south—east england, other than the isolated shower most will be dry, but a bit breezy than yesterday but temperatures in the sunshine towards the south and east could hit around 18 or 19 degrees where is it will be a bit cooler where you have the cloud and outbreaks of rain further north and west. as we go into thursday evening and overnight, you will see still rain at times across parts of scotland, northern england, eastern northern ireland on the far north and west of wales. the south and east, clearer conditions and temperatures will drop a bit further than last night, down into single figures or we head into the friday rush hour so it might feel fresh heading to the bus or the train but they should be sunny spells and a bit like today there will be one or two showers are most towards the channel islands and the south—western lots of clever wales and northern england and still some outbreaks of rain and there could be heavy downpours later but overall a

drier picture than today and the gloom should lift and that will help lift the temperatures a bit, maybe into the middle or high teens more widely with 20 degrees possible in the south—east corner but we are heading into the bank holiday weekend and we will see the weather front bring showers, especially through sunday or monday but to begin with with the wind coming in from the south we will see the temperatures lifting across many parts of the country and it should feel warm up this bank holiday weekend with saturday the drier of the two days with sunshine and showers on sunday and monday. that is how the weather is looking. me and charlie will have the headline shortly so stay tuned but for now we will see you in a bit.

live from london, this is bbc news. the prime minister sets a date. the uk will go to the polls onjuly the 4th. rishi sunak explains the timing of the announcement. it took many in westminster by surprise. he tells the bbc economic stability is important. the bbc economic stability is important-— the bbc economic stability is imortant. ., ., , ., important. inflation is back to normal and — important. inflation is back to normal and the _ important. inflation is back to normal and the economy - important. inflation is back to normal and the economy is i important. inflation is back to - normal and the economy is growing at a healthy pace and energy bills are coming down and now is the right moment, therefore, to think about ourfuture and whether we moment, therefore, to think about our future and whether we want to build on the progress that we have made and ensure that we can have a

secure future for everyone and their families. ., ., , families. the labour leader says the election is the _ families. the labour leader says the election is the moment _ families. the labour leader says the election is the moment the - families. the labour leader says the election is the moment the country | election is the moment the country has been waiting for. fin election is the moment the country has been waiting for.— has been waiting for. on the 4th of jul we has been waiting for. on the 4th of july we have _ has been waiting for. on the 4th of july we have the — has been waiting for. on the 4th of july we have the choice _ has been waiting for. on the 4th of july we have the choice and - has been waiting for. on the 4th of. july we have the choice and together we can— july we have the choice and together we can stop the chaos, we can turn the page. _ we can stop the chaos, we can turn the page. we — we can stop the chaos, we can turn the page, we can start to rebuild britain _ the page, we can start to rebuild britain and — the page, we can start to rebuild britain and change our country. we will be britain and change our country. will be live britain and change our country. - will be live across the country for you this morning with the leaders as they begin their election campaigns. we will have all the reaction and the analysis here on bbc news. good morning and welcome to downing street. a very different day here today than that whether that beset the prime minister yesterday when he announced the date for the general election. the uk will go to the polls onjuly election. the uk will go to the polls on july the 4th.

election. the uk will go to the polls onjuly the 4th. there was a