it been conservative. we have seen it happen time and time again in the past few months, so it's not to say labour cannot do it this time around, too.— labour cannot do it this time around, too. ~ , ,., ., , around, too. the key battlegrounds, burnle , around, too. the key battlegrounds, burnley. my — around, too. the key battlegrounds, bumley. my home — around, too. the key battlegrounds, burnley, my home town, _ around, too. the key battlegrounds, burnley, my home town, needs - around, too. the key battlegrounds, burnley, my home town, needs the| burnley, my home town, needs the tiniest shift to turn red once again, where are the key focuses for this campaign? fine again, where are the key focuses for this campaign?— this campaign? one of the biggest electoral battle _ this campaign? one of the biggest electoral battle grounds _ this campaign? one of the biggest electoral battle grounds will- this campaign? one of the biggest electoral battle grounds will be - electoral battle grounds will be scotland. the snp set on a lot of the scottish sheets that are predicted to swing back towards the labour party. the snp have not had the best year or so, quite a lot of turbulence within the party. lots of those seats are expected to go back to the labour party, so that will be a big one. we need to look towards the west country in the south—west, lots predicted to go towards the liberal democrats. we have not heard a lot of them over the past few years, they haven't had a lot of seats in this parliament but a lot of those constituency expected to

leave conservative rule and be back in the hands of the liberal democrats. those are the two key areas to watch. it democrats. those are the two key areas to watch.— areas to watch. if you look at the oll areas to watch. if you look at the poll numbers. — areas to watch. if you look at the poll numbers, it _ areas to watch. if you look at the poll numbers, it is _ areas to watch. if you look at the poll numbers, it is all— areas to watch. if you look at the poll numbers, it is all to - areas to watch. if you look at the poll numbers, it is all to play - areas to watch. if you look at the | poll numbers, it is all to play for, so nothing is a done deal. but it is interesting, i was talking to andy burnham and i talk to iain duncan smith about it, why has rishi sunak called the election for six weeks today? some suggestion that the inflation figures were good yesterday and the economy heading in the right direction but it will take time for people to feel better. the immigration issue, not resolved, no aeroplanes will take off that we understand, untilafter aeroplanes will take off that we understand, until after the election. is he thinking now is his best opportunity to get back inside number ten? this best opportunity to get back inside number ten?— best opportunity to get back inside number ten? , , . , number ten? this is always the risk, do ou sit number ten? this is always the risk, do you sit and _ number ten? this is always the risk, do you sit and write, _ number ten? this is always the risk, do you sit and write, or— number ten? this is always the risk, do you sit and write, or do _ number ten? this is always the risk, do you sit and write, or do you - do you sit and write, or do you hoped something could get slightly better but you also run the risk of things getting worse and the people getting agitated and more fed up. rishi sunak has chosen to bank on

the one bit of good news he had yesterday. pretty much the first bit of good news this conservative government have had in quite some time. inflation falling to 2.3% so he has chosen to run with that run his election on the economy saying he is a stable pair of hands and he will help boost the economy and keep the momentum up from what we saw yesterday. obviously lots of conservatives not happy with this decision, it was assumed election would be in the autumn, lots saying there is so much unfinished business in so many things they wanted to take off before the end of the six week period, but they don't have the power to decide. {line week period, but they don't have the power to decide.— power to decide. one thing the conservatives _ power to decide. one thing the conservatives have _ power to decide. one thing the conservatives have accused - power to decide. one thing the - conservatives have accused labour government of squatting at number ten. there was growing square chelation that was one of the reasons. after the euphoria of the sporting events and all the things planned for the summer, if rishi sunak was still in number ten without having called an election,

those allegations would resurface? it is rare to have a summer election, we haven't had a july election, we haven't had a july election since 1945. it is rare to do that, for basic reasons, lots of politicians think it is a bad time, lots of people are away, school holidays and busy and these things factor into the turnout and the amount of voters arriving at the ballot box on that day. but you are right in saying he did have the choice, he would have been accused ofjust choice, he would have been accused of just waiting choice, he would have been accused ofjust waiting it out choice, he would have been accused of just waiting it out a choice, he would have been accused ofjust waiting it out a bit choice, he would have been accused of just waiting it out a bit too long and there where some chances we could hear bad news over the summer, small boats always increase and there are a wonder scheme is something rishi sunak has put so much importance on since he entered number ten so he ran the risk of thatjust coming into fruition and maybe not going to plan. we heard today that not a single flight will take off before the general election, so he has had the chance to kibosh that before it potentially got a bit worse. for to kibosh that before it potentially got a bit worse-— to kibosh that before it potentially got a bit worse. for now, thank you so much, got a bit worse. for now, thank you so much. i — got a bit worse. for now, thank you so much, i know— got a bit worse. for now, thank you so much, i know you _ got a bit worse. for now, thank you so much, i know you will _ got a bit worse. for now, thank you so much, i know you will stay - got a bit worse. for now, thank you so much, i know you will stay with i so much, i know you will stay with me here and there is so much to talk

about. the other big story we are following, you can see it on the screen, the post office inquiry. the ex—boss, paula vennells beginning her second day of evidence into the horizon it scandal. yesterday was the first time she has spoken publicly about her role in that scandal in nearly a decade. she broke down in tears at some point when facing questions about why she made a misleading statement to mps. let's go there live now as the evidence continues and the questioning continues. let's listen to some of the evidence. i questioning continues. let's listen to some of the evidence.— questioning continues. let's listen to some of the evidence. i was told that, and i— to some of the evidence. i was told that, and i knew, _ to some of the evidence. i was told that, and i knew, i— to some of the evidence. i was told that, and i knew, ithink, _ to some of the evidence. i was told that, and i knew, ithink, becausel that, and i knew, ithink, because we had agreed to support thejfsa, and if i remember the time, they had been asked to keep thejfsa happy. and i don't think we had any problem with that. not until the team began

to raise these questions that perhaps because of that second sight, were not looking at the post office work, but i'm probably now speculating too much, to be fair. did you tell second sight they were being _ did you tell second sight they were being unfair on the post office by not taking — being unfair on the post office by not taking account of the evidence the post— not taking account of the evidence the post office was giving to them? i the post office was giving to them? i didnt— the post office was giving to them? i didn't have regular conversations with second sight, i was running the organisation, i wasn't closely involved in the detail of this work. i am sure... i'm not sure if i spoke to them at this time, but i would have had no problem sharing that piece of information. did have had no problem sharing that piece of information.— piece of information. did you tell second sight _ piece of information. did you tell second sight about _ piece of information. did you tell second sight about the - piece of information. did you tell second sight about the post - piece of information. did you tell. second sight about the post office's concerns _ second sight about the post office's concerns about its approach or alleged — concerns about its approach or alleged approach of keeping the jfsa happy? _ alleged approach of keeping the jfsa happy? i_ alleged approach of keeping the jfsa ha - ? ., �* , alleged approach of keeping the jfsa ha“ ? .,�* , ., happy? i don't believe i spoke to second sight- — happy? i don't believe i spoke to second sight. did _ happy? i don't believe i spoke to second sight. did anyone, - happy? i don't believe i spoke to

second sight. did anyone, to - happy? i don't believe i spoke to. second sight. did anyone, to your knowledge. _ second sight. did anyone, to your knowledge. so — second sight. did anyone, to your knowledge, so you _ second sight. did anyone, to your knowledge, so you are _ second sight. did anyone, to your knowledge, so you are not - second sight. did anyone, to your| knowledge, so you are not treating us fairly. _ knowledge, so you are not treating us fairly, you are trying to keep the sub—postmaster is happy and you're _ the sub—postmaster is happy and you're not— the sub—postmaster is happy and you're not looking at our evidence? i you're not looking at our evidence? i would _ you're not looking at our evidence? i would hope the post office team... sorry, first of all i don't think the post office team would have said you were trying to keep the sub—postmaster is happy. i may be wrong on that because that feels too strong of you in one direction because this whole point was to look at their cases. but the team would have said to second sight, there is more information here to be taken account of. can more information here to be taken account of-— more information here to be taken account of. ., ., , , account of. can we look more deeply at the move — account of. can we look more deeply at the move to _ account of. can we look more deeply at the move to select _ account of. can we look more deeply at the move to select a _ account of. can we look more deeply at the move to select a small - account of. can we look more deeply | at the move to select a small number of cases_ at the move to select a small number of cases by— at the move to select a small number of cases by looking at this document. this is the previous month. if you look_ this is the previous month. if you look at _ this is the previous month. if you look at page two, please. scroll

down _ an e—mail between simon baker and second _ an e—mail between simon baker and second sight. not you at this stage, but it— second sight. not you at this stage, but it is_ second sight. not you at this stage, but it is about a meeting. i think this is— but it is about a meeting. i think this is the — but it is about a meeting. i think this is the meeting we have just seen _ this is the meeting we have just seen the — this is the meeting we have just seen the post office was going to try and _ seen the post office was going to try and get cancelled. just to ensure — try and get cancelled. just to ensure that we are on the same page, paula _ ensure that we are on the same page, paula would _ ensure that we are on the same page, paula would like to say we have agreed — paula would like to say we have agreed the following with second sight _ agreed the following with second sight. can you confirm you agree? the investigation reports on a couple — the investigation reports on a couple of— the investigation reports on a couple of empty's cases by summer recess _ couple of empty's cases by summer recess by— couple of empty's cases by summer recess by using those cases you will answer— recess by using those cases you will answer the — recess by using those cases you will answer the question, have systemic defects— answer the question, have systemic defects in_ answer the question, have systemic defects in the horizon system resulted — defects in the horizon system resulted in the wrongful conviction or suspension of sub—postmaster is?

by by this stage, had their proposal we saw at _ by this stage, had their proposal we saw at the _ by this stage, had their proposal we saw at the first thing this morning to examine — saw at the first thing this morning to examine a representative sample of cases— to examine a representative sample of cases been abandoned? not to examine a representative sample of cases been abandoned?— to examine a representative sample of cases been abandoned? not on my understanding- _ how did it come about that by late may, _ how did it come about that by late may, the — how did it come about that by late may, the post office was proposing that by— may, the post office was proposing that by looking at two, three cases second _ that by looking at two, three cases second sight could answer the very bil second sight could answer the very big question have systemic defects in the _ big question have systemic defects in the horizon resulted in the

suspension of sub—postmaster is? i'm not sure but when the report was produced, one of the conclusions were so far that no systemic defects had been found. so whether a result of the broader work, second sight... repeat the answer, please? yes. of the broader work, second sight... repeat the answer, please? yes, when the second sight _ repeat the answer, please? yes, when the second sight interim _ repeat the answer, please? yes, when the second sight interim report - repeat the answer, please? yes, when the second sight interim report was - the second sight interim report was published, one of its initial conclusions was that so far no systemic issues had been found with the horizon system. just systemic issues had been found with the horizon system.— the horizon system. just stop it there, the horizon system. just stop it there. that _ the horizon system. just stop it there, that is _ the horizon system. just stop it there, that is two _ the horizon system. just stop it there, that is two months - the horizon system. just stop it there, that is two months after| there, that is two months after this? _ there, that is two months after this? |— there, that is two months after this? ., , ., ., , , ., this? i am trying to answer your question. _ this? i am trying to answer your question. if— this? i am trying to answer your question. if i — this? i am trying to answer your question, ifi may. _ this? i am trying to answer your question, ifi may. to _ this? i am trying to answer your question, ifi may. to have - this? i am trying to answer your. question, ifi may. to have reached question, if i may. to have reached that conclusion, which, in a sense is what jr refers to, referring back to point number two. you couldn't reach that conclusion on two to three cases, so how could you do it? because of the other work they had done, they were working through

different themes, as i understood it. so potentially through that work. second sight had been working on this for ten months now, they hadn'tjust done... while they hadn'tjust done... while they hadn't done two to three cases in that time. ~ , ., , hadn't done two to three cases in that time-— hadn't done two to three cases in that time. ~ , , ., ., that time. why was the proposal to limit the report _ that time. why was the proposal to limit the report to _ that time. why was the proposal to limit the report to determining - limit the report to determining whether— limit the report to determining whether systemic defects in horizon had resulted in wrongful convictions on the _ had resulted in wrongful convictions on the basis of two or three cases? i on the basis of two or three cases? i don't _ on the basis of two or three cases? idon't know. — on the basis of two or three cases? i don't know, i wasn't involved in the conversation. i believe from other documentation i have seen, the recommendation was to choose two or three, i don't think this is the word, but hardest cases. so not cases that would have presented the post office in the best light, but cases which could have been used to challenge the horizon system and then do that work through. there is some documentation on this somewhere

else. ., . ., ., some documentation on this somewhere else. ., .., ., ., some documentation on this somewhere else. ., ., ., , , else. how could two or three cases ossibl else. how could two or three cases possibly answer — else. how could two or three cases possibly answer the _ else. how could two or three cases possibly answer the question, - else. how could two or three casesj possibly answer the question, have systemic— possibly answer the question, have systemic defects in horizon generally resulted in the wrongful convictions?— generally resulted in the wrongful convictions? , ., , , convictions? they could not possibly do that. convictions? they could not possibly do that- and — convictions? they could not possibly do that- and i— convictions? they could not possibly do that. and i wasn't _ convictions? they could not possibly do that. and i wasn't involved - convictions? they could not possibly do that. and i wasn't involved in - do that. and i wasn't involved in this conversation, but by this stage there was an urgency to have a report produced that show that some work was at least in progress and... you say you weren't involved in that conversation, this e—mail says, "you want _ conversation, this e—mail says, "you want to— conversation, this e—mail says, "you want to say— conversation, this e—mail says, "you want to say this..." "paul, would like _ want to say this..." "paul, would like to— want to say this..." "paul, would like to say— want to say this..." "paul, would like to say the following..." want to say this. "paul, would like to say the following. .."- like to say the following. yes. did ou like to say the following. yes. did you want _ like to say the following. yes. did you want to _ like to say the following. yes. did you want to say _ like to say the following. yes. did you want to say that - like to say the following. yes. did you want to say that by - like to say the following..." jazz did you want to say that by looking at two. _ did you want to say that by looking at two, three cases we can answer the entire _ at two, three cases we can answer the entire question of whether systemic— the entire question of whether systemic defects had resulted in the wrongful— systemic defects had resulted in the wrongful conviction of sub—postmaster is? |

wrongful conviction of sub-postmaster is? wrongful conviction of sub-ostmaster is? ., , , sub-postmaster is? i was absolutely not, to be completely _ sub-postmaster is? i was absolutely not, to be completely clear, - sub-postmaster is? i was absolutely not, to be completely clear, trying l not, to be completely clear, trying to drive a conclusion from second sight, that they would not have given. sight, that they would not have liven. �* , ., sight, that they would not have tiven. �* , ., ., sight, that they would not have tiven. �* , ., . ' given. answer to a different question? _ given. answer to a different question? i— given. answer to a different question? i realise - given. answer to a different question? i realise that, - given. answer to a different| question? i realise that, but given. answer to a different i question? i realise that, buti don't recall... _ question? i realise that, buti don't recall... i _ question? i realise that, buti don't recall... i didn't - question? i realise that, buti don't recall... i didn't write i question? i realise that, but i i don't recall... i didn't write this e—mail, i wasn't copied in this e—mail, i wasn't copied in this e—mail, i wasn't copied in this e—mail, i don't recall a conversation where i consciously said it would be possible, because it wouldn't be possible, to come to a conclusion on systemic defects as a conclusion on systemic defects as a result of two to three cases. is that what happened, the second sight report— that what happened, the second sight report addressed a very small number of cases _ report addressed a very small number of cases it _ report addressed a very small number of cases. it contained the sentence about— of cases. it contained the sentence about no— of cases. it contained the sentence about no systemic defects and then for ever— about no systemic defects and then for ever after, the post office paraded _ for ever after, the post office paraded that conclusion? it for ever after, the post office paraded that conclusion? it did come to that conclusion _ paraded that conclusion? it did come to that conclusion in _ paraded that conclusion? it did come to that conclusion in its _ paraded that conclusion? it did come to that conclusion in its interim - to that conclusion in its interim report. there is no way the post

office... festival, there is no way i would have wanted to persuade second sight and something they were not prepared to say and i don't think second sight would have agreed to that. if they came to that conclusion in their interim report, thatis conclusion in their interim report, that is their conclusion. isn’t conclusion in their interim report, that is their conclusion.— that is their conclusion. isn't that what the post _ that is their conclusion. isn't that what the post office _ that is their conclusion. isn't that what the post office wanted - that is their conclusion. isn't that what the post office wanted to i that is their conclusion. isn't that i what the post office wanted to drive them _ what the post office wanted to drive them to _ what the post office wanted to drive them to and isn't that the evidence to such _ them to and isn't that the evidence to such driving? the them to and isn't that the evidence to such driving?— to such driving? the post office certainly wanted _ to such driving? the post office certainly wanted the _ to such driving? the post office | certainly wanted the reassurance that the horizon system could be relied upon. that has been the objective all the way through this. at no stage did i get the sense that anybody in the post office was going to be able to influence second sight over what conclusions they came to. i will be very surprised if that was the case here. did i will be very surprised if that was the case here.— the case here. did you receive all the case here. did you receive all the board receive _ the case here. did you receive all the board receive any _ the case here. did you receive all the board receive any advice - the case here. did you receive all the board receive any advice as i the case here. did you receive all| the board receive any advice as to the board receive any advice as to the appropriate scope of an investigation by second sight as to

the nature and extent of any investigation that would be required investigation that would be required in order— investigation that would be required in order to _ investigation that would be required in order to determine whether there was systemic defects in horizon? the onl was systemic defects in horizon? iie: only information... studio: we are going to step away from the post office inquiry. if you want to continue watching that, you can do so on the bbc news website, the stream will stay there throughout the day as paula vennells continues her testimony, second day of evidence she is giving to that post office horizon it inquiry. but in downing street, we will return to our top story, the first day of campaigning getting under way on the general election. we now know it will take place on the 4th ofjuly, exactly six weeks today. we have seen this morning, party leaders travelling around the country and they are pitching for your votes. let's look at the parliamentary seats across the country right now. if you cast your mind back to the

last general election in 2019, he was called by the prime minister, borisjohnson. it was a bid to get his brexit deal through parliament. after the votes had been counted, let me show you what the picture looked like across the country. the conservatives won 365 seats in the commons and that gave them a majority of 80. but of course, a lot has changed and there have been by—elections and defections, so things look a little different fall and a half years later. this is the current state of play right now. the conservatives are down to 344 mps. that reduces their majority to 38 seats. but what are the poll saying about what could happen next? professorjohn curtice has been taking a look at the numbers. has taking a look at the numbers. is things stand at the moment on average in the polls, that a difference between the pollsters, but on average they have put the conservatives 21 points behind at the moment. even the best of them

put them at least around 16 points behind. howeveryou put them at least around 16 points behind. 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, apart from john major in 1997, no prime minister has called an election so far behind and so he is going to have to beat the records if he's going to win this election. ., , , ., election. the man with his eye on all the numbers, _ election. the man with his eye on all the numbers, professor- election. the man with his eye on all the numbers, professorjohn l all the numbers, professorjohn curtice and we will hear from him as the selection gets under way. now, we know the election will take place on the 4th ofjuly. it will be fought across 650 constituencies. this time round there are some boundary changes that could change things somewhat, but they have been approved by parliament. we have been

speaking to voters across england to find out what they make of it all. good news, bout time we had a change of government and we have had tories for 40 odd years and the country seems to be just going backwards. for 40 odd years and the country seems to bejust going backwards. it seems to be just going backwards. it is about time. i don't think they have _ is about time. idon't think they have got— is about time. i don't think they have got a — is about time. i don't think they have got a cat in hell's chance. i have _ have got a cat in hell's chance. i have voted _ have got a cat in hell's chance. i have voted tory all my life but i will never — have voted tory all my life but i will never trust them again, they have _ will never trust them again, they have let — will never trust them again, they have let us — will never trust them again, they have let us down. | will never trust them again, they have let us down.— have let us down. i wish it was a bit late in _ have let us down. i wish it was a bit late in the — have let us down. i wish it was a bit late in the year— have let us down. i wish it was a bit late in the year because - have let us down. i wish it was a bit late in the year because then j bit late in the year because then rishi _ bit late in the year because then rishi sunak— bit late in the year because then rishi sunak would _ bit late in the year because then rishi sunak would have - bit late in the year because then rishi sunak would have more i bit late in the year because then - rishi sunak would have more chance to convince _ rishi sunak would have more chance to convince us— rishi sunak would have more chance to convince us that... _ rishi sunak would have more chance to convince us that... you _ rishi sunak would have more chance to convince us that... you know, - to convince us that... you know, keep— to convince us that... you know, keep him — to convince us that... you know, keep him a — to convince us that... you know, keep him a bit— to convince us that... you know, keep him a bit longer. _ to convince us that... you know, keep him a bit longer. hopefullyj to convince us that... you know, i keep him a bit longer. hopefully he knows _ keep him a bit longer. hopefully he knows what — keep him a bit longer. hopefully he knows what he's _ keep him a bit longer. hopefully he knows what he's doing. _ keep him a bit longer. hopefully he knows what he's doing. i— keep him a bit longer. hopefully he knows what he's doing.— knows what he's doing. i think it will be a landslide _ knows what he's doing. i think it will be a landslide for _ knows what he's doing. i think it will be a landslide for labour. i i will be a landslide for labour. i think labour will sweep the floor with him — think labour will sweep the floor with him i— think labour will sweep the floor with him. ~ , .,, ., ., , with him. i think people are ready for a change _ with him. i think people are ready for a change and _ with him. i think people are ready for a change and people _ with him. i think people are ready for a change and people feel - with him. i think people are ready for a change and people feel what has been — for a change and people feel what has been going _ for a change and people feel what has been going on— for a change and people feel what has been going on for— for a change and people feel what has been going on for the - for a change and people feel what has been going on for the last - has been going on for the last decade — has been going on for the last decade or— has been going on for the last decade or more _ has been going on for the last decade or more isn't- has been going on for the last decade or more isn't working. j has been going on for the lastl decade or more isn't working. i has been going on for the last decade or more isn't working. i hope rishi sunak — decade or more isn't working. i hope rishi sunak gets _ decade or more isn't working. i hope rishi sunak gets in _ decade or more isn't working. i hope rishi sunak gets in again. _ decade or more isn't working. i hope rishi sunak gets in again. it - decade or more isn't working. i hope rishi sunak gets in again. it will- rishi sunak gets in again. it will be a tood rishi sunak gets in again. it will be a good day. _ rishi sunak gets in again. it will be a good day, it _ rishi sunak gets in again. it will be a good day, it is _ rishi sunak gets in again. it will be a good day, it is time - rishi sunak gets in again. it will be a good day, it is time we - rishi sunak gets in again. it willj be a good day, it is time we had rishi sunak gets in again. it will be a good day, it is time we had an election. _ be a good day, it is time we had an election, really. idon't be a good day, it is time we had an election, really. i don't think we have _ election, really. idon't think we have been— election, really. i don't think we have been too happy with the

government we have had. we have been too happy with the government we have had. we get them in, they start — government we have had. we get them in, they start over... _ government we have had. we get them in, they start over... not _ government we have had. we get them in, they start over... not bothered. - in, they start over... not bothered. the will in, they start over... not bothered. they will tell _ in, they start over... not bothered. they will tell you _ in, they start over... not bothered. they will tell you the _ in, they start over... not bothered. they will tell you the same - in, they start over... not bothered. they will tell you the same story, l they will tell you the same story, different story, sorry, but the same message. it different story, sorry, but the same messate. , ., , ., message. it is about time, they have been in power— message. it is about time, they have been in power long _ message. it is about time, they have been in power long enough. - message. it is about time, they have been in power long enough. we - message. it is about time, they have| been in power long enough. we need some change- _ been in power long enough. we need some change- it _ been in power long enough. we need some change. it is _ been in power long enough. we need some change. it is about _ been in power long enough. we need some change. it is about time - been in power long enough. we need some change. it is about time he - some change. it is about time he tets out, some change. it is about time he gets out. he _ some change. it is about time he gets out, he does _ some change. it is about time he gets out, he does not _ some change. it is about time he gets out, he does not know - some change. it is about time he gets out, he does not know whatj some change. it is about time he i gets out, he does not know what it is like to be an everyday working person. yes, he has hisjob and does what he does but he's not doing it well. 50 what he does but he's not doing it well, ,., , what he does but he's not doing it well. ,., , ., what he does but he's not doing it well. , ., well. so some views from across entland. well. so some views from across england- iitut _ well. so some views from across england. but let's _ well. so some views from across england. but let's get _ well. so some views from across england. but let's get the - well. so some views from across| england. but let's get the picture across the other nations of the uk. we have reporters following every twist and turn. let's go to south wales. give as your assessment about what the key issues will be for the welsh voters in the selection? i think the key issues will be around the cost of living and the nhs. the interesting thing about the nhs and health is that it is devolved to the

welsh government. so how will that play out between the major parties as they fight for seats across wales? no doubt today, not a great start for welsh labour as those new nhs figures out that show there is a record high of people waiting for hospital treatment in wales. ambulance performance times have declined again. although a&e times have improved slightly. the welsh tories have already attacked welsh labour for their record on tories have already attacked welsh labourfor their record on health and they will continue to attack some of the other key areas such as education. the rebuff will no doubt be, we are not getting enough money from westminster to fund these public services. the other key issue, i mentioned the cost of living, everyone is still feeling the squeeze. there will be that debate around finances, plaid cymru will make the point they can spend the money and get the money that the people of wales they need. it will be about the boundary changes you

have spoken about, many political experts have said in wales it will actually benefit labour more so than the other parties, who are going down from 40 seats to 32 this time around. so will be interesting to see how that impacts everyone and who comes out on top.— see how that impacts everyone and who comes out on top. thank you from south wales- — who comes out on top. thank you from south wales. we _ who comes out on top. thank you from south wales. we can _ who comes out on top. thank you from south wales. we can take _ who comes out on top. thank you from south wales. we can take you - who comes out on top. thank you from south wales. we can take you to - south wales. we can take you to scotland and northern ireland. let's go first to glasgow and our reporter there. katie, give us your assessment, the snp have got a new leader, what does that timing mean? scotland could play a pivotal role in what happens in westminster? absolutely and what a difference 24 hours makes. this time yesterday morning there were rumours of a general election and now it is full steam ahead. all the parties in scotland, not surprisingly are saying they are raring to go, ready for the selection and bring it on. you mentioned the boundary changes,

there are 57 seats up for grabs in scotland. when we are talking about westminster, the snp, as you mention, have a new leader injohn swinney. they have been dominant in elections in scotland since 2015. in the last general election, labour one just a the last general election, labour onejust a single the last general election, labour one just a single seat. but if you look at the polls, it suggests the gap between the snp and labour is closing and the most recent poll suggests that labour is ahead. in scotland, labourwas suggests that labour is ahead. in scotland, labour was once the dominant party. especially in seats in glasgow and the west of scotland. we had an interesting by—election last year in rutherglen where there was a swing from the snp to labour. if that were replicated in a general election it would be good news for labour, not such good news for the snp but by—elections come with all sorts of health warnings, they are just by—elections. general elections are a very different beast. john

swinney, just in the job, he are a very different beast. john swinney, just in thejob, he has are a very different beast. john swinney, just in the job, he has a general election to fight now. we are expecting various visits from uk party leaders to scotland over the next six weeks and we are expecting the prime minister rishi sunak here at some point later today. we the prime minister rishi sunak here at some point later today.— at some point later today. we will kee- our at some point later today. we will keep our eye _ at some point later today. we will keep our eye on — at some point later today. we will keep our eye on that _ at some point later today. we will keep our eye on that and - at some point later today. we will keep our eye on that and katie, i keep our eye on that and katie, thank you. let's go to ireland and belfast. sarah, it is fair to say ireland played a crucial role in those brexit negotiations and the fallout here in westminster of getting that deal over the line for boris johnson. i wonder what difference northern ireland will make in the westminster election injuly? yes. westminster election in july? yes, the have westminster election in july? yes, they have been — westminster election injuly? isis they have been kingmakers, the dup have been described for previous conservative governments. will it be this time around? we'll have to wait and see. and there will be a lot of issues for voters in northern ireland to think about and consider.

the issue of political instability has been a massive one in northern ireland over the past few years. the devolved government here has only been back up and running again for a matter of months after a two—year hiatus. that meant locally lots of things were not done, decisions were not made and that impacted people's lives. how voters feel about that, local politics will spill over into the general election and how they voted there as well. of course, as it is across the uk, the issue of the cost of living will be a massive one and the health service, too. waiting lists in northern ireland are the highest across the uk. as we speak now we are in the midst of a 48—hourjunior doctors work out that is affecting already stretched services. we are saying thatjuly the 4th election will fall off the northern ireland's school holiday so we will see how it impacts. and

northern ireland's westminster seats are split between the two main parties, the democratic unionist party, that has eight and sinn fein that has seven. there are 18 seats up that has seven. there are 18 seats up for grabs in so far the party leaders have been welcome aiming of a general election. some of them have said they are surprised and others saying they were waiting for this patiently. we haven't had a lot of detail about what they are promising yet, how they are wanting to attract northern ireland voters to attract northern ireland voters to give them their vote in the general election. but now we know there are just six weeks to go and we are expecting to get a lot more detail on that in the next few days. i know you will keep us updated. good to have you with us, all of you, right around the uk. for now, thank you. it is worth saying we will be here in downing street in the hours to come, looking at this,

day one in what could be a long election campaign. six weeks today, the uk will go to the polls. flagging up, well we follow the twists and turns of that, the post office inquiry continues. you can see the qr code on the screen if you want to get more details or follow it live. paula vennells, the ex post office boss giving her second day of evidence of that inquiry. yesterday she broke down whilst talking about what she knew and didn't know about the state of the horizon it system and the fallout that had for so many across the country. we will be here in downing street in the hours to come and we will stay across those two main stories on bbc news. but from a much brighter, less rainy downing street, let's look at the weather around the country and helen willetts has the details. hello.

it's been a really wet 24 to 36 hours for many parts of the uk, resulting in a month's worth of rain. cumbria worth of rain. is the wettest place i have seen cumbria is the wettest place i have seen with hundred and ten millimetres falling already. that amount of rainfall meant the rivers responded very quickly. early on today we had a severe flood warning in cumbria. flood warnings now in force, that one has laps but there are flood warnings on the rivers around the area and part of scotland. the rain is continuing to fall here and it will sew across the eastern side of northern ireland, heavy rain for parts of shetland and drizzling rain and heavy burst for the north west of england and north wales. furthersouth the north west of england and north wales. further south it is drier thanit wales. further south it is drier than it was yesterday. it is brighter and less windy here, but we have a keen north north—westerly wind with the rain across scotland, northern ireland into northern parts of england wales. 11 or 12 out and about. 17 or 18 is higher than

yesterday further south. evening and overnight, we have rain close to the low precious and there are yellow weather warnings for another 20 to 30 millimetres of rain for the rest of today and overnight. keeping the temperature up for most, but we will notice it quite a bit cooler further south and east and tomorrow night looks even chillier. tomorrow looks drier, low pressure around so quite a bit of cloud, drizzling rain and mystic and murky conditions over the hills but the cloud will lift, break and reveal a bit more sunshine so temperature is considerably higher at 16 and 17 for many parts. that is because the low pressure is filling and drifting away, allowing a ridge of high pressure to come in. toward saturday we have the next weather system waiting on the wing so although the bank holiday weekend for many looks set to start mostly dry and bright, withjust for many looks set to start mostly dry and bright, with just the out shower, the showers will become more numerous to sunday and monday, we think. at this stage, difficulty put

the detail on. looks like the south and west will see most of the showery rain and on saturday looks dry with warm sunshine around for many areas. at the showers will pop up many areas. at the showers will pop up more widely during the course of sunday and monday. it will still feel warm in the sunny spells.

live from downing street. this is bbc news. campaigning for the general election on the 4th ofjuly is under way. the party leaders start making their pitch to voters — rishi sunak says the conseratives are prepared to take bold action and make difficult decisions. i want to build a britain, the country where you will can have confidence, restored confidence and pride in our communities, in our society, in our nature —— our nation.

sir keir starmer says labour will deliver change, promising to stabilise the economy and put the nhs back on its feet. you now have the power, the chance to end the chaos, to turn the page and to rebuild britain. in the first full day of campaigning, we are following leaders around the country and rishi sunak as he begins campaigning. meanwhile, nigel farage says he will not stand as a candidate for reform but rather wants to focus on getting donald trump re—elected in the us. and this is the scene at the post office it inquiry — where former boss paula vennells is appearing for a second day. welcome to downing street. the battle for your votes —

and the keys to the door