sit in westminster, things, if you sit in westminster, those levers will only reach the borders of england. there will be decisions taken in those policy areas in edinburgh for scotland in cardiff or wales. not that the powers of those three are identical. you do get a sense of that all the time. you get curious uses of words like country, nation and state. they all have particular definitions, but they are used often interchangeably as if they all mean the same thing. talking about constitutional affairs, the piece that you wrote about the snp election launch in edinburgh was fascinating for all the important policy things, but the thing i really remember is the bit that the road at the start saying this election took them by surprise.

0h, this election took them by surprise. oh, my goodness, it was actual... it was quite _ oh, my goodness, it was actual... it was quite chaotic, i must say. this was quite chaotic, i must say. this was in _ was quite chaotic, i must say. this was in the — was quite chaotic, i must say. this was in the grass market. if anyone is familiar— was in the grass market. if anyone is familiar with edinburgh, it is down — is familiar with edinburgh, it is down underneath the castle. ancient part of— down underneath the castle. ancient part of the _ down underneath the castle. ancient part of the city. we had so little notice — part of the city. we had so little notice. ., part of the city. we had so little notice-_ just - part of the city. we had so little notice._ just sort - part of the city. we had so little notice._ just sort of l part of the city. we had so little l notice._ just sort of an notice. how little? just sort of an hour at the _ notice. how little? just sort of an hour at the venue. _ notice. how little? just sort of an hour at the venue. it's _ notice. how little? just sort of an hour at the venue. it's not - notice. how little? just sort of an hour at the venue. it's not reallyl hour at the venue. it's not really fair to— hour at the venue. it's not really fair to go— hour at the venue. it's not really fairto go into hour at the venue. it's not really fair to go into this. maybe it is! i would _ fair to go into this. maybe it is! i would say— fair to go into this. maybe it is! i would say before i do that i've had tusstes _ would say before i do that i've had tussles with other officers. gf tussles with other officers. of course. tussles with other officers. of course- i _ tussles with other officers. of course. i said _ tussles with other officers. of course. i said on _ tussles with other officers. of course. i said on this - tussles with other officers. 0f| course. i said on this occasion, listen, course. i said on this occasion, listen. it's _ course. i said on this occasion, listen, it's going _ course. i said on this occasion, listen, it's going to _ course. i said on this occasion, listen, it's going to be - course. i said on this occasion, listen, it's going to be a - course. i said on this occasion, i listen, it's going to be a very long six weeks — listen, it's going to be a very long six weeks if— listen, it's going to be a very long six weeks if we get in our's notice. we've _ six weeks if we get in our's notice. we've got— six weeks if we get in our's notice. we've got people up in the highlands coverihgm _ we've got people up in the highlands covering... they were running in as i covering... they were running in as i was _ covering... they were running in as i was saying — covering... they were running in as i was saying this, with a yellow tecterh —

i was saying this, with a yellow lectern. then they couldn't sort out the sound _ lectern. then they couldn't sort out the sound in— lectern. then they couldn't sort out the sound in time. i think it looked 0k in— the sound in time. i think it looked 0k in the _ the sound in time. i think it looked 0k in the end. and then it is ok in the end. and then it is a question— 0k in the end. and then it is a question as _ 0k in the end. and then it is a question as to how ready you are to have _ question as to how ready you are to have everything... they have grids. both— have everything... they have grids. both of— have everything... they have grids. both of you — have everything... they have grids. both of you will know more about the grades _ both of you will know more about the grades than i do. political parties always— grades than i do. political parties always have grids. to be fair, they did say— always have grids. to be fair, they did say since day one, they didn't know they— did say since day one, they didn't know they would call an election. | know they would call an election. wasn't know they would call an election. i wasn't using this as an opportunity to discard working professionals. we onlyjust had our oui’ our new graphics ready there and then. it was interesting, how these days work, it was rishi sunak doing all the breakfast news programmes and answering loads of questions. today, it was keir starmer doing all the breakfast programme. there was

one question that pretty much every programme asked, and it was all along the lines of who are you really. here is how keir starmer answer that question.— answer that question. after the dama . e answer that question. after the damage that's _ answer that question. after the damage that's been _ answer that question. after the damage that's been done - answer that question. after the damage that's been done to - answer that question. after the | damage that's been done to the economy, — —— having — — having costed —— having costed bringing down waiting — —— having costed bringing down waiting lists, _ —— having costed bringing down waiting lists, i'm _ —— having costed bringing down waiting lists, i'm left— —— having costed bringing down waiting lists, i'm left with - —— having costed bringing down waiting lists, i'm left with a - waiting lists, i'm left with a political— waiting lists, i'm left with a political choice. _ waiting lists, i'm left with a political choice. i— waiting lists, i'm left with a political choice. i can't- waiting lists, i'm left with a political choice. i can't do. waiting lists, i'm left with a - political choice. i can't do both. i've political choice. i can't do both. we choseh _ political choice. i can't do both. i've chosen that _ political choice. i can't do both. i've chosen that we _ political choice. ican't do both. i've chosen that we will- political choice. i can't do both. i've chosen that we will deal. political choice. i can't do both. i i've chosen that we will deal with the waiting — i've chosen that we will deal with the waiting lists _ i've chosen that we will deal with the waiting lists and _ i've chosen that we will deal with the waiting lists and put - i've chosen that we will deal with the waiting lists and put the - i've chosen that we will deal with the waiting lists and put the nhsl the waiting lists and put the nhs back on— the waiting lists and put the nhs back on its— the waiting lists and put the nhs back on its feet. _ the waiting lists and put the nhs back on its feet.— back on its feet. chris, give us our back on its feet. chris, give us your review — back on its feet. chris, give us your review on _ back on its feet. chris, give us your review on that _ back on its feet. chris, give us your review on that morning . back on its feet. chris, give us - your review on that morning round. i was struck by one word, which was caution. that was my word, not his. very aware of any kind of fortune,

very aware of not saying anything that would set particular here's running. trying to explain away that familiar line of questioning which won't go away in this campaign, which is look at that list of things that you campaigned on. therefore, why can we trust what you're promising now. that state sentence of these questions. i've asked those questions myself. his argument is about how things have changed since then. it was also talking to a different electorate, labour party members rather than the wider country. but he has to find an answer to that question that is sufficiently convincing to if sufficiently convincing to if sufficient number of people, that is not something they are put off from. the other thing is not to do, how do

you do the whole change thing, which is the word you see on every red placard and every lectern. how do you do the change thing that sounds like it is something worth changing to from the perspective of a voter, while at the same time being sufficiently reassuring that voting labour isn't any way frightening. but can sometimes be change that might come. that's a tricky kind of balancing act. the chaos of the last few years, assuming there is a relatively small contingent of people who are pro—chaos. i think thatis people who are pro—chaos. i think that is kind of where he finds

himself. i was intrigued by his interview. he was asked by mishal husain if you be inclined to follow some of the european leaders who have said that their countries would recognise the state of palestine. he began argument that sounded like the answer was yes. what he was saying very carefully was that the logic in advocating to state solutions, we would get to the point that there would get to the point that there would be a palestinian state because that would be the other state alongside israel. he was very careful to say it would be a safe and secure israel. i deferred to jeremy bowen to commentate on the middle east. therefore, getting there, even though the answers but yes, was probably in the short term

amounted to a no. i’m yes, was probably in the short term amounted to a no.— amounted to a no. i'm so sorry, i have to cough! — amounted to a no. i'm so sorry, i have to cough! james _ amounted to a no. i'm so sorry, i have to cough! james is - amounted to a no. i'm so sorry, i have to cough! james is having . have to cough! james is having on air coughing _ have to cough! james is having on air coughing moment. _ have to cough! james is having on air coughing moment. get - have to cough! james is having on air coughing moment. get that. have to cough! james is having on i air coughing moment. get that man have to cough! james is having on - air coughing moment. get that man a glass of water. don't worry. this is how the sausage is made! it's interesting you mention his interview. i thought maybe that was keir starmer being slightly too thoughtful and honest, because he was trying to answer his questions which led you down some sort of cul—de—sac. i thought normally at this point, if listen to the question and talk about one of your key campaign pledges. i thought he was being a little bit too thoughtful. i was being a little bit too thoughtful.— was being a little bit too thoughtful. was being a little bit too

thou~htful. , , �*, ., thoughtful. i suppose it's an intriguing — thoughtful. i suppose it's an intriguing observation. - thoughtful. i suppose it's an| intriguing observation. when thoughtful. i suppose it's an - intriguing observation. when you're summarising the line of questioning, it's also what are you all about self. people tend to go up much less about you than they know about the other person. a prime minister is more prominent than the leader of the opposition. you have to use the campaign as a canvas on which to paint an campaign as a canvas on which to paintan image campaign as a canvas on which to paint an image of yourself. probably, that means on occasion, you have to do that thing where you are willing to show an element of your workings in public and how you work through it through an argument. i think he would make the case that that's the kind of thing from his past. just to set up the logic of

argument. do that and kind of a longform way. find argument. do that and kind of a longform way-— argument. do that and kind of a lonuformwa . �* �* , , , longform way. and there'll be plenty more interviews _ longform way. and there'll be plenty more interviews with _ longform way. and there'll be plenty more interviews with all _ longform way. and there'll be plenty more interviews with all the - longform way. and there'll be plenty more interviews with all the party i more interviews with all the party leaders to look forward to. including some in—depth ones on prime time. james? just including some in-depth ones on prime time. james?— including some in-depth ones on prime time. james? just in terms of the caution. — prime time. james? just in terms of the caution, there _ prime time. james? just in terms of the caution, there were _ prime time. james? just in terms of the caution, there were a _ prime time. james? just in terms of the caution, there were a couple - prime time. james? just in terms of the caution, there were a couple of| the caution, there were a couple of things— the caution, there were a couple of things that — the caution, there were a couple of things that struck me, and one was about— things that struck me, and one was about policy and the other was behind — about policy and the other was behind the scenes. the first one is that in— behind the scenes. the first one is that in terms of policy, caution, you can — that in terms of policy, caution, you can understand why sir keir starmer— you can understand why sir keir starmer thinks caution is sensible, but that— starmer thinks caution is sensible, but that lends differently in different parts of the uk. if you're looking _ different parts of the uk. if you're looking at— different parts of the uk. if you're looking at scotland where he is, you might _ looking at scotland where he is, you might argue, trying to win a lot of left-wing — might argue, trying to win a lot of left—wing voters and he's saying things— left—wing voters and he's saying things like they're going to stick to the _ things like they're going to stick to the tory spending plans, they're going _ to the tory spending plans, they're going to _ to the tory spending plans, they're

going to bring down immigration, he doesn't _ going to bring down immigration, he doesn't say— going to bring down immigration, he doesn't say like the conservatives, but like _ doesn't say like the conservatives, but like the — doesn't say like the conservatives, but like the conservatives. and we are going — but like the conservatives. and we are going to continue some of the controversial welfare policies. you -et controversial welfare policies. you get to _ controversial welfare policies. you get to the — controversial welfare policies. you get to the point where caution might tregin— get to the point where caution might begin to _ get to the point where caution might begin to be a bit damaging for you and allow— begin to be a bit damaging for you and allow his opponents to suggest that he's— and allow his opponents to suggest that he's use this in disguise. the behind _ that he's use this in disguise. the behind the — that he's use this in disguise. the behind the scenes thing is the morning — behind the scenes thing is the morning round as you were saying of interviews, _ morning round as you were saying of interviews, he did them from this building — interviews, he did them from this building. bbc scotland headquarters here~ _ building. bbc scotland headquarters here i_ building. bbc scotland headquarters here. i think he did six and they were _ here. i think he did six and they were all— here. i think he did six and they were all programmes in england. good morning _ were all programmes in england. good morning scotland wanted to get in the load _ morning scotland wanted to get in the load of details, and his team said no — the load of details, and his team said no. the presenters of good

morning — said no. the presenters of good morning scotland were delighted because... he morning scotland were delighted because... �* ., ., morning scotland were delighted because. . .— he i because... he didn't go on? he didn't do _ because... he didn't go on? he didn't do any — because... he didn't go on? he didn't do any longform - because... he didn't go on? he didn't do any longform scottish| didn't do any longform scottish interviews that i know of. labour say he _ interviews that i know of. labour say he will — interviews that i know of. labour say he will at some point. the newspaper reporters at the event it was at. _ newspaper reporters at the event it was at. i_ newspaper reporters at the event it was at, i hesitate to call it an interview _ was at, i hesitate to call it an interview i_ was at, i hesitate to call it an interview. i was told you can have one question. i thought interview! —— that's not an interview. we know how it _ —— that's not an interview. we know how it works — —— that's not an interview. we know how it works. this is not unique to labour~ _ how it works. this is not unique to labour~ the — how it works. this is not unique to labour. the newspaper reporters actually— labour. the newspaper reporters actually had quite a long time in a room: _ actually had quite a long time in a room, maybe 40—45 minutes. they were saying _ room, maybe 40—45 minutes. they were saying that's _ room, maybe 40—45 minutes. they were saying that's all very well, but they— saying that's all very well, but they have _ saying that's all very well, but they have one question each as well. it they have one question each as well. it wasn't _ they have one question each as well. it wasn't like — they have one question each as well. it wasn't like anyone can pursue. it's it wasn't like anyone can pursue. it's quite — it wasn't like anyone can pursue. it's quite interesting how these things— it's quite interesting how these things are controlled. all political

parties _ things are controlled. all political parties to— things are controlled. all political parties to a certain extent to try to do— parties to a certain extent to try to do that _ and a reminder the newscast team will be here every day during the election campaign. you can catch up if you miss an episode on bbc sounds or watch on the bbc iplayer. we've had some breaking news from parliament. the leasehold belt will be passed in parliament tomorrow. the other breaking election news in the last hour. the cabinet minister michael gove has announced that he is to stand down at the election — he has served under david cameron, theresa may, borisjohnson and rishi sunak and has been an mp since 2005. in his statement on social media he said "after nearly 20 years serving the wonderful people of surrey heath and over a decade in cabinet across five government departments, i have today taken the decision to step down as a member of parliament." he said the chance to serve is "wonderful", "but there comes a moment when you know

that it is time to leave. that a new generation should lead. " in the statement, which is around two—and—a—half pages long, mr gove says being asked to serve as a minister has been i have today taken the decision to step down as a member of parliament." he said the chance to serve is "wonderful", "but there comes a moment when you know that it is time to leave. that a new generation should lead." in the statement, which is around two—and—a—half pages long, mr gove says being asked to serve as a minister has been "the honour of my life", but adds "i also know the toll office can take, as do those closest to me". he then talks through the achievements he is most proud of from his time in office. he says that he "undoubtedly made mistakes" but tried to "fight for greater social justice" during his time in politics. in his statement he backs rishi sunak�*s leadership. his announcement means 120 mp5 standing down but the statement from michael gove, who will not stand as an mp and the general election. stay with us here on bbc news, because rajini vaidyanathan is here with the context with all the political

activity of today. hello, i'm rajini vaidyanathan. you're watching the context on bbc news. we considere that, in conformity with obligations under the genocide convention, israel must immediately halt its military offensive and any other action in rafah. israel says it is acting precisely as it should, and it rejects this notion that what it is doing in rafah is somehow bolstering south africa's case. the convention is crystal clear on this issue, - so israel has to abide by the decisions and i the demands from the icj.

coming up on the programme — the un's highest court, the icj, rules that israel should immediately halt its military offensive in rafah. israel's finance minister says no power on earth would stop his country going after hamas. we'll be live injerusalem with the latest. and we're talking elections — we'll bring you a special report on the upcoming contest in south africa and in the uk: memes, viral videos, and more — what does a campaign look like in 202a? we'll analyse how the major parties are seeking out votes online. we start with the latest on the israel—gaza war.