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 behind me — has started. the general election is exactly six weeks today, on the 4th ofjuly. and politicians are wasting no time in launching their campaigns. mr sunak has started a tour of all four nations, in deryshire. sir keir starmer has kicked off his campaign in gillingham in kent. the prime minister is currently en route to another campaign event, but let's hear some of what he had to say at his first major event of the day in derbyshire. even though there's more work to do and i know it will take time for you all to see the benefits of that, the plan is working and we have the economic stability back. but, with that economic stability comes a choice. do we want to turn those foundations

into a more secure future for you, your families and our country? do we want to build on that stability? or do we want to risk all that progress and, as maggie said, go back to square one with more uncertainty and no plan? that's the choice at this election. now, when it comes to economic security, you know that i want to do that for you, that's why we are cutting taxes, cutting all of your taxes on average by about £900. the only certainty you get with the labour party when i talk about certainty, is that they will run out of your money and they will put your taxes up, as clear as night follows day. we just wejust ran we just ran the calculations the other week. we just ran the calculations the otherweek. if we just ran the calculations the other week. if you title that up it amounts to £2000. £2000 of tax rises. that's what i mean when i say want to get your taxes down and give

you financial security. you know that the world is more uncertain and dangerous than it has been in decades. you see what china, iran, russia and north korea are doing. notjust abroad, our proxies are firing missiles at airships and interfering with democracy at home, poisoning people on our streets, using migration as a tool of war to threaten the integrity of our borders, damaging our energy security, and these uncertain times call for bold action, a clear plan so that we can chart a course to a clear future. so that we can chart a course to a clearfuture. that's so that we can chart a course to a clear future. that's what i'm about delivering for all of you and our country. delivering for all of you and our count . , ,, ., ~ delivering for all of you and our count . , ,, .,~ , delivering for all of you and our count . , ,, , ., country. rishi sunak this morning sa in: country. rishi sunak this morning saying stick— country. rishi sunak this morning saying stick with _ country. rishi sunak this morning saying stick with us _ country. rishi sunak this morning saying stick with us because - country. rishi sunak this morning saying stick with us because our. saying stick with us because our plan is working. labour leader sir keir starmer also spoke to supporters this morning, he was in gillingham.

at long last, the election has been called. the time has come, and the wait is over. and that means, through the power of our democracy, the voters now get to choose the power of the vote, the power each and every one of you has to change our country, our community, and your future for the better. whether you are a family dealing with the cost of living, struggling with the cost of living, struggling with behaviour and seen chaos under this government, whether you have served your country in whatever way, this election is for you because you now have the power, the chance, to end the chaos, to turn the page and to rebuild britain. and we have had

14 years of going round and round in circles, getting absolutely nowhere. chaos and division, feeding chaos and division. and that has a cost. a human cost. in milton keynes, i met will who was a fireman. he has a simple dream. not an unreasonable dream. he wants to own his own home. he has two extra jobs on top of being a fireman, but he still can't afford it because the chaos and division of this government has robbed him of that dream. that is the price he is paying. i’m robbed him of that dream. that is the price he is paying.— robbed him of that dream. that is the price he is paying. i'm going to seak to the price he is paying. i'm going to speakto ian _ the price he is paying. i'm going to speak to ian watson, _ the price he is paying. i'm going to speak to ian watson, our - the price he is paying. i'm going to speak to ian watson, our political. speak to ian watson, our political correspondent in just a moment. speak to ian watson, our political correspondent injust a moment. i want to run you through the state of play right now in terms of what the

numbers tell us. with an election not far away, let's take a look at what the polls are telling us. what you can see here is the average level of party support across recent polls. the labour party are on 45% — a significant lead over the conservatives on 235. reform uk are on 11% — with the liberal democrats on 9%. the greens are on 6 per cent with the scottish national party on 3 per cent. joining me now is our political correspondent iain watson. we were talking earlier about that labour message being all about change, but if you look at the polls, if theyjust do nothing, just stay where they are, that can be enough to get star made the keys to

number ten. i think there are opportunities in labour dangers for labour. the opportunities as they would see it, the opportunity to win back a win overfor the first time, the opportunity to win back a win over for the first time, often through focus groups and behind closed doors, they have discussions. the key reason that people may change their vote and vote labour this time when they didn't in 2019 is this desire for change, the idea it is time for a change. that is why they are emphasising that message quite so much. that's the word that keir starmer uses quite so much. at the football club, he used the word chaos. change seems a good thing and chaos. change seems a good thing and chaos seems a bad thing. you try to

pin chaos and the conservatives. incidentally, the former prime minister lizjust made a guest appearance in keir starmer�*s remarks. she was in good their role as long as this election campaign is going to last. that said, people are only beginning to tune into the general election now that it has been called. people that don't live and breathe politics, and who could blame them. every day of their lives. there will be some questions where they will be saying, 0k, lives. there will be some questions where they will be saying, ok, you want change, but from what and to what exactly? so there will be some pressure on labour to set out the policies again to be very clear if that. we got a taste of that from keir starmer today, some very specific qualities, nhs and recruitment of more teachers for example, but the hope is that scrutiny of these policies will somehow put the heat on labour, and

they will begin to wilt. but as you are pointing out, he has got a very big question of a poll lead which is impressive going into this general election. from a conservatives point of view, i think we are going to see, notjust third discussion of policy but also about personalities. we will also be putting keir starmer very much in the firing line of their own campaigns for. really good to talk to yom _ their own campaigns for. really good to talk to you. as _ their own campaigns for. really good to talk to you. as i _ their own campaigns for. really good to talk to you. as i said, _ their own campaigns for. really good to talk to you. as i said, is _ their own campaigns for. really good to talk to you. as i said, is six - to talk to you. as i said, is six weeks, a very long time in politics i would or could change, couldn't it? joining me are claire pearsall, former conservative advisor and sam white, former political advisor to sir keir starmer.

just looking at the polls, the labour leader is the biggest it has been all year. why is he choosing to do it now? it’s been all year. why is he choosing to do it now? �* , . been all year. why is he choosing to do it now? 3 . , been all year. why is he choosing to do it now? �*, ., , do it now? it's a very good question- _ do it now? it's a very good question. westminster - do it now? it's a very good - question. westminster yesterday do it now? it's a very good _ question. westminster yesterday was full of people who are either quite depressed, angry or confused or a combination of all of those. the timing is strange, i understand that your desire to miss out a winter election is very high, and i thoroughly agree with that. but it does seem as though all he has done is grasp hold of some good news, some good financial news that came out, not the best news but better than we have had previously. so he's taken the economic news, run with it and decided it is now to go to the country. i can kind of see the reasoning behind it, this is good news, if you leave the campaigners later here, there is the potential that things could get worse or immigration plans are pretty scrappy to say the least. you're not

guinness get a flight. more votes will come in the summer. i think all of that concerned would lead to going earlier and i hope for the best. —— going earlier and hope for the best. i best. -- going earlier and hope for the best. ., . ., the best. i notice all the balling banners were _ the best. i notice all the balling banners were there _ the best. i notice all the balling banners were there for- the best. i notice all the balling banners were there for temp i the best. i notice all the balling. banners were there for temp one the best. i notice all the balling - banners were there for temp one -- i banners were there for temp one —— i notice all the banners with ever keir starmer this morning. but it's very different being in opposition and then facing the scrutiny of a election campaign. is labour ready for that scrutiny?— for that scrutiny? yes, labour is absolutely _ for that scrutiny? yes, labour is absolutely ready _ for that scrutiny? yes, labour is absolutely ready for _ for that scrutiny? yes, labour is absolutely ready for this - for that scrutiny? yes, labour is i absolutely ready for this campaign. far from _ absolutely ready for this campaign. far from complacent, labour has a lon- far from complacent, labour has a long history— far from complacent, labour has a long history of not sealing the deal in an election, so i have spoken to some _ in an election, so i have spoken to some of— in an election, so i have spoken to some of the — in an election, so i have spoken to some of the senior team who are itching _ some of the senior team who are itching to — some of the senior team who are itching to go and campaign, but they know that _ itching to go and campaign, but they know that not a single vote can go without _ know that not a single vote can go without being one. the party is already— without being one. the party is already assuming that there is a chance — already assuming that there is a chance of— already assuming that there is a chance of an election this year so they've _ chance of an election this year so they've known that for some time,

but the _ they've known that for some time, but the calling yesterday was surprising for some people and the reason _ surprising for some people and the reason you — surprising for some people and the reason you have so many people trying _ reason you have so many people trying to — reason you have so many people trying to explain that scratching their— trying to explain that scratching their heads, but there is only one reason, _ their heads, but there is only one reason, and — their heads, but there is only one reason, and i've done 25 years as political— reason, and i've done 25 years as political commentary, there's only one reason— political commentary, there's only one reason to call one now than in six months — one reason to call one now than in six months is _ one reason to call one now than in six months is because you think things— six months is because you think things are — six months is because you think things are gonna be worse in six months — things are gonna be worse in six months than they are now. if you think— months than they are now. if you think that — months than they are now. if you think that on balance this is as good _ think that on balance this is as good as— think that on balance this is as good as it's going to get, my plan is not _ good as it's going to get, my plan is not really working, then have a run, _ is not really working, then have a run. go _ is not really working, then have a run. go now _ is not really working, then have a run. 90 nova— run, go now. that's interesting, . iven run, go now. that's interesting, given what _ run, go now. that's interesting, given what we _ run, go now. that's interesting, given what we have _ run, go now. that's interesting, given what we have heard - run, go now. that's interesting, given what we have heard from | run, go now. that's interesting, - given what we have heard from rishi sunak. he says, my plan is working and stick with me, stick with my plan. but your assessment is actually that it gets worse and not better. ., , , ., , ., better. honestly, after 25 years of olitical better. honestly, after 25 years of political strategy _ better. honestly, after 25 years of political strategy and _ better. honestly, after 25 years of political strategy and advice, - better. honestly, after 25 years of| political strategy and advice, there is no _ political strategy and advice, there is no one _ political strategy and advice, there is no one saying to the prime minister. _ is no one saying to the prime minister, your plan is working on things— minister, your plan is working on things will— minister, your plan is working on things will be better in six months so have _ things will be better in six months so have a — things will be better in six months so have a election now. there is no logic—

so have a election now. there is no logic to _ so have a election now. there is no logic to that — so have a election now. there is no logic to that. the only reason to do it now— logic to that. the only reason to do it now is _ logic to that. the only reason to do it now is that — logic to that. the only reason to do it now is that you know your plan is not working. — it now is that you know your plan is not working, it's only going to get worse _ not working, it's only going to get worse. immigration is going up, livihg _ worse. immigration is going up, living standards are still down, and public— living standards are still down, and public services at still crumbling. things— public services at still crumbling. things are — public services at still crumbling. things are not going very well. | things are not going very well. i was interested as well in the way thatjust was interested as well in the way that just these early statements that just these early statements that we have had from rishi sunak on that we have had from rishi sunak on that campaign trail in ilkeston this morning, i'm very keen to sort of... it seems like he wanted to distance himself from the conservative party. he has laid out his pitch, his experience as chancellor during the pandemic. he talked about his record. he did not talk much about the conservatives record. it’s record. he did not talk much about the conservatives record.— the conservatives record. it's one of these very _ the conservatives record. it's one of these very difficult _ the conservatives record. it's one of these very difficult things. - of these very difficult things. whenever you go out to start an election campaign, the candidates themselves want to get their name out there. they want to be recognisable within the local area, and i think that is pretty much what

the conservative party are doing. we heard recently, the defence secretary had suggested to candidates that they take that view when they are doing their election literature. so i can understand where the conservatives are coming from and i can see what richey is trying to do —— i can see what rishi sunak is trying to do. he is trying to make this a popularity contest between himself and keir starmer. he wants it to be a binary choice for people, saying, stick with me, i have a plan, it's going to work. don't go with other guy because you'll be back to square one. so i think that is what he is doing, he is trying to say, ignore everyone else, it's between the two of us and i'm better. �* , ., else, it's between the two of us and i'm better-— i'm better. and why would voters cive him i'm better. and why would voters give him more — i'm better. and why would voters give him more time? _ i'm better. and why would voters give him more time? he - i'm better. and why would voters give him more time? he lay - i'm better. and why would voters| give him more time? he lay down i'm better. and why would voters - give him more time? he lay down his five pledges, didn't he? i think by everyone's calculations, he's probably met one of them which is

bringing inflation back down towards target, back down to us 2%. if he is not going to achieve those pledges and the time he's already had, why would people back him? i and the time he's already had, why would people back him?— and the time he's already had, why would people back him? i think he is auoin to would people back him? i think he is going to say — would people back him? i think he is going to say that _ would people back him? i think he is going to say that there _ would people back him? i think he is going to say that there have - would people back him? i think he is going to say that there have been i going to say that there have been difficulties, we always harp on about the war in ukraine, covid—19 pandemic, and in fact the prime minister didn't mention their fellow scheme yesterday which he was in charge of when he was chancellor. so i think what he's going to do is try to turn it around and say what i'm doing is working. but people aren't stupid. they kill see their cost of living crisis is hitting very hard. their gas and electric bills are still enormous. and their mortgage bills are going down either. so unless there are some fundamental changes in the pound in your pocket feels as though it's worth a lot more, this is a thin stream to base your campaign. more, this is a thin stream to base yourcampaign. i more, this is a thin stream to base your campaign. i hope to see him

pushing back on labours economic policy which is incredibly weak. but people want promises to be kept, and i think trust in politicians and politics as a whole is at an all—time low. going into an election fighting on these frames is going to be very difficult indeed. and fighting on these frames is going to be very difficult indeed.— be very difficult indeed. and when we look at the _ be very difficult indeed. and when we look at the current _ be very difficult indeed. and when we look at the current poll - be very difficult indeed. and when i we look at the current poll numbers, it's very easy to think labour have got this in the back. we know a lot can change in the six weeks before we go to the polls. the other issue here is that the swing that labour needs to even just secure a pretty modest majority to get it to number ten is 12.7%. that is significantly greater than the swing that tony blair got back in 1997. that was just over 10%. can labour do that and pull off a swing of such historic proportions? i and pull off a swing of such historic proportions? i think your riaht to historic proportions? i think your right to note _ historic proportions? i think your right to note the _ historic proportions? i think your right to note the sheer— historic proportions? i think your right to note the sheer scale i historic proportions? i think your right to note the sheer scale of. historic proportions? i think your l right to note the sheer scale of the mountain— right to note the sheer scale of the mountain that labour have to climb to form _ mountain that labour have to climb to form a _ mountain that labour have to climb to form a government with a majority _ to form a government with a majority. it is a huge swing that

they— majority. it is a huge swing that they need _ majority. it is a huge swing that they need. the fact that man —— the fact that _ they need. the fact that man —— the fact that keir — they need. the fact that man —— the fact that keir starmer has done so much _ fact that keir starmer has done so much over— fact that keir starmer has done so much over the last four years, the real contention to fight this election, tells you the quality of the change that has taken place, and ithink— the change that has taken place, and i think he _ the change that has taken place, and i think he is— the change that has taken place, and i think he is often underestimated for his— i think he is often underestimated for his tenacity and determination and his— for his tenacity and determination and his politics. it is no small feat _ and his politics. it is no small feat to— and his politics. it is no small feat to have taken them from where they are _ feat to have taken them from where they are to — feat to have taken them from where they are to the selection right now. the campaign isjust the beginning. i'm the campaign isjust the beginning. i'm making— the campaign isjust the beginning. i'm making one solid prediction. there _ i'm making one solid prediction. there will— i'm making one solid prediction. there will be ups and downs and unexpected things that happen. there will be _ unexpected things that happen. there will be polls that show it tightly in polls — will be polls that show it tightly in polls that show it getting better, _ in polls that show it getting better, but labour continued to hold their nerve _ better, but labour continued to hold their nerve and repeat their message and tau— their nerve and repeat their message and tap into — their nerve and repeat their message and tap into the deep—seated sentiment in the country and i think your vox— sentiment in the country and i think your vox popsjust before this section— your vox popsjust before this section reflect that. there is a deep — section reflect that. there is a deep sense in this country that in 14 years — deep sense in this country that in 14 years nothing has got better and everything still seems to be getting

worse _ everything still seems to be getting worse it's— everything still seems to be getting worse. it's time for change and it's time _ worse. it's time for change and it's time to— worse. it's time for change and it's time to try— worse. it's time for change and it's time to try something different. rcatty— time to try something different. really good to have you both with us this morning. we will talk again i'm sure. but it'sjust this morning. we will talk again i'm sure. but it's just a one of what could be a very long campaign. really nice to have you with us this morning to look at some of those issues. all the party leaders getting out this morning. let's have a look at what is happening with the deputy leader of reform. we are expecting him to speak in just a moment. he is making his way up to the podium. let's listen to the leader of reform uk. notably on the morning when nigel faraj says he will not stand as part of reform uk. goodness me, yesterday, i mean, seriously. we had the prime minister

drenched in rain, his voice drowned out by the boogie blaster of the ramona ring chief no less. you couldn't make it up. it typifies the utter incompetence and uselessness of this conservative government. now, everyone thought he was going to go for october or november. the truth is that he has bottled it. he's cut and run, why? because he was absolutely terrified is ben quite rightly alluded to, to the fact that reform uk is going up and “p fact that reform uk is going up and up in the polls with our common sense policy to save britain, whilst the tories have been sinking in the polls. and he was terrified as to where this may end up. i'm absolutely delighted, during the selection campaign, that my good friend nigel faraj will be helping

out significantly in campaigning to drive home the message of reform uk and how we can save britain. i can also confirm with great excitement, that we will be standing in 630 seats across the whole of england, scotland and wales. no ifs and no buts. applause and personally, iwill applause and personally, i will be standing in the constituency in skegness. contrary to what the commentators say, we are going to win seats. we are going to win seats. so what is our message? this great country of ours, this incredible united kingdom of england, scotland, wales and northern ireland, so much potential, so much opportunity, and yet, sadly,

so much opportunity, and yet, sadly, so badly run, so badly led, so badly governed. apparently, we've got all the experts in the treasury, in the 0b are, in the bank of england, all these experts, if they are so expert, ijust want these experts, if they are so expert, i just want you to think about the number 70, if they are so expert, how can we have ended up with the highest taxes for 70 years? the hayes government spending, much of it wasted, with the worst public sector outcomes for 70 years? the higher waiting lists, since records began some 70 years ago? the highest national debt for some 70 years? the lowest growth death that decade for 70 years? you're getting the picture. and the longest recession

per person for 70 years. yes, per person is what matters. that per person for 70 years. yes, per person is what matters.— person is what matters. that is where we _ person is what matters. that is where we will _ person is what matters. that is where we will leave _ person is what matters. that is where we will leave the - person is what matters. that is where we will leave the leader| person is what matters. that is l where we will leave the leader of reform uk as he sets out the plans for reform uk. it's worth saying, and you will see this at the bottom of your screen, nigel farage ruling himself out of standing as part of reform uk. he says his choice between labour and conservatives is uninspiring and he says only reform uk have the radical agenda to end the decline in this country. those of the words of nigel farage who has ruled himself out of standing in the selection. instead he has said he would prefer to go to the united states and help donald trump get re—elected in the us election in november. let's talk about is what some of their big issues for voters will be in this election. good

morning to you. we talked thereabout so many issues the politicians will be lining up on their campaign trail to talk to voters about, what they think they can deliver if they get the keys to number ten. what is it that your research tells you will be the main issues in this election? irate the main issues in this election? we seak the main issues in this election? - speak to voters every month on bass than what they think the biggest issues are facing britain today. we have been doing that for over 50 years in britain, and they tell us spontaneously, we don't tell them what we think they are and then asked for their responses. consistently, there have been four orso consistently, there have been four or so issues over the past 12 months that have kept themselves up in that top bracket, and they change in order, but ultimately, they are the economy, the nhs, cost of living and immigration. those of the top four, and on all of those issues, there is quite a negative sentiment and lack of satisfaction on how the

government is currently performing. there are ones where labour have a strong lead in terms of the public thinking they would do a betterjob, particularly the nhs and the cost of living. but on the economy, whilst labour lead, it is not a sizeable lead. eight points which is quite low compared to the other view. 0n migration, it's neither here nor there between the two parties really. voters are somewhere in the middle. �* , ., ,, really. voters are somewhere in the middle. �* , .,~ ., middle. and when we break down those election issues. — middle. and when we break down those election issues, we _ middle. and when we break down those election issues, we often _ middle. and when we break down those election issues, we often say _ middle. and when we break down those election issues, we often say there i election issues, we often say there is a bit of a cliche that elections are won and lost on the state of the economy, and all the suggestion yesterday was that the prime minister had started to do it because inflation was heading in the right direction, potentially using some of the constant living issues later in the year. it might be that this election takes place before any of us feel better. therefore, i

would question how much of an issue the electing in bf if it takes place before we have more cash in our pockets. before we have more cash in our ockets. , ., ., pockets. yes, i would agree with ou, pockets. yes, i would agree with you. however. — pockets. yes, i would agree with you, however, one _ pockets. yes, i would agree with you, however, one of _ pockets. yes, i would agree with you, however, one of the - pockets. yes, i would agree with you, however, one of the other. you, however, one of the other pieces we will look at is our economic optimism, and if you are feeling more positive about how the economy is going to be over the next 12 months, less positive on whether it's going to stay the same. and on economic optimism, whilst we are generally in need should in a pessimist about the economy, we've seen quite a shift under move and how optimistic people are starting to feel. people are less pessimistic than they were. it's a very short run trend so far so we have to see how it goes over a longer period, so it's interesting how the messaging can feed into how the public feel it might be going in the future. we also had some migration figures out recently which were also more favourable to how the conservative party have been talking about their

messages and immigration. so you've had both in the economy and immigration which are two areas, and the gap between lemon labour less significant. i the gap between lemon labour less siunificant. ., �* ,, ., the gap between lemon labour less siunificant. ,, ., significant. i don't know if you look at this — significant. i don't know if you look at this specifically, i significant. i don't know if you look at this specifically, but . significant. i don't know if you | look at this specifically, but he took thereabout the messages we will get on this campaign trail. it seems there is a pretty stark choice on there is a pretty stark choice on the messaging and labour saying it's all about change and conservative saying it's all about sticking with the plan. how does that work especially in polling when they say it's a really clear message where you can divide the parties on to word. i you can divide the parties on to word. .., you can divide the parties on to word. .. ., . ., word. i find the call for change from labour— word. i find the call for change from labour is _ word. i find the call for change from labour is going _ word. i find the call for change from labour is going to - word. i find the call for change l from labour is going to resonate quite substantively with voters. we have three people and four in the population saying it is time for a change at the next election. that has been rising over the last eight or nine months. that is a rising

settlement. that messaging may be quite simplistic but on the service with —— on the surface with the nation it does resonate. but when they come to vote, they vote on policies, the leader of the person in charge and they also vote for parties. when you get into the devil in the detail over the next six weeks, that the voters will really start to scrutinise some of the messaging, what does change mean and what the staying the same mean, they will be making their own messages about how they feel about the parties and the leaders on that basis. �* , ., ., basis. and we might get some detail on exactly what _ basis. and we might get some detail on exactly what that _ basis. and we might get some detail on exactly what that looks _ basis. and we might get some detail on exactly what that looks like i basis. and we might get some detail on exactly what that looks like in i basis. and we might get some detail on exactly what that looks like in a l on exactly what that looks like in a potential televised debate. no confirmation just yet but whether the leaders will go ahead in a televised debate. talk to me about what that could do to the numbers and how these leaders are perceived ljy and how these leaders are perceived by the public, based on something like a televised debate. irate by the public, based on something like a televised debate.— like a televised debate. we have looked at this _ like a televised debate. we have looked at this over _ like a televised debate. we have looked at this over the _ like a televised debate. we have looked at this over the years, i like a televised debate. we have. looked at this over the years, and in the majority of cases, it doesn't

shift the dial too much. you might see a tiny blip from some of the poles that are reading it immediately after, but you don't see it feeding through into the main voting intention polls and a sizeable way. some say there is key moments in campaign trails and debates etc, but often there are other wider factors, what's happening on the doorstep, how they are acting on the ground, that were more likely have an impact.- more likely have an impact. really aood to more likely have an impact. really good to talk _ more likely have an impact. really good to talk to _ more likely have an impact. really good to talk to you. _ more likely have an impact. really good to talk to you. thank - more likely have an impact. really good to talk to you. thank you i more likely have an impact. really good to talk to you. thank you for| good to talk to you. thank you for being with us this morning. really interesting to see how this is going to shake down and how people will perceive this as is the campaign gets under way. here with me is political journalist alicia fitzgerald. we are starting to get a sense of what this campaign will look like. voters have a pretty interesting

choice. labourare voters have a pretty interesting choice. labour are ahead voters have a pretty interesting choice. labourare ahead in voters have a pretty interesting choice. labour are ahead in the polls and a lot can change in six weeks. there is all to play for. what has been quite striking as this could get quite personal. it what has been quite striking as this could get quite personal.— could get quite personal. it really is and i think— could get quite personal. it really is and i think labour— could get quite personal. it really is and i think labour are - could get quite personal. it really is and i think labour are very i could get quite personal. it really| is and i think labour are very keen to do a bit of damage control at the moment. you can see all of the top players in the labour party coming forward and saying this wasn't a done deal. they may be 20 —ish points ahead in the opinion polls and it does seem likely we will see and it does seem likely we will see a labour government. they are very much saying this is all to play for. i think a lot of the conservative party feel a bit deflated at the moment, especially with the news yesterday that the election will be sooner. lots of mps hoping they had a bit more time to try to win over some of the electorate, some of those disenfranchised conservative voters who just feel like the party has got in the wrong direction. you rememberjust a couple of weeks ago conservative mp natalie elphicke, someone towards the right of the party, although she does say she is

towards the centre, she actually said that the conservative party had swung too far towards the right and it was for that reason she was defecting to the labour party. i think the struggle now will be the conservatives trying to convince the public that they do have a clear message. where are they on the political spectrum? keir starmer is dominating that centre ground. it is auoin to be dominating that centre ground. it is going to be fascinating. thank you, i know you will stay with us as we get more detail from the i know you will stay with us as we get more detailfrom the campaign trail is more of those leaders get out there to meet voters and start answering some of those questions. we have talked about some of the key issues. let's see what the issues could be in scotland. thank you for being i want to start with the timing of all this the simply had new leader and it is not the best timing? new leader and it is not the best timin: ? ., ., �* ., new leader and it is not the best timinu? ., ., �* ., . timing? you don't get to choose when ou are timing? you don't get to choose when you are invaded. _ timing? you don't get to choose when you are invaded. this _ timing? you don't get to choose when you are invaded. this is _ timing? you don't get to choose when you are invaded. this is the _ you are invaded. this is the nonsense of the uk system, that one

person gets to decide from his own