hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. i think everyone can say we've had a difficult couple of years, but we really have turned a corner now, inflation down, wages rising, the economy growing and the choice for the country now is do we build on that progress or go back to square one? this is an election that is all about change, turning our back on 14 years of chaos and division, turning a page and rebuilding our country with labour, so i'm really pleased that angela has been vindicated. you know, across the country- there are so many seats where it's the liberal democrat vote, it's a powerful vote - to defeat the conservatives. the conservatives have promised a revamp of the triple lock for pensioners if they win the general election. not a tax cut so much as preventing a future tax rise. labour lays out its case to be

the party of business. the shadow chancellor has ruled out tax rises on labour's watch. but what if they need more money? and the lib dem leader makes a splash on the electoral trail in windermere. with us tonight our regional editors, who have been watching the campaign, judging the reaction. welcome to the programme. after a weekend talking up a new policy on national service another offer from the conservatives this morning. in staffordshire the prime minister pledged that pensioners would benefit from triple lock plus, if the conservatives are returned to government next month. in essense it means that those on the state pension would not be dragged into paying tax in 2027, when under the existing government policy pensions will rise above the tax free personal allowance. the cost is put at £2.1i billion. labour says the plan is not credible.

at the rolls royce factor in derby shadow chancellor, rachel reeves, was telling her audience that labour is now the "natural party for british business". in her hand she had a list of 121 businesses who say are supporting labour's plan for growth. there will be no tax rises in the next parliament, said labour, but if they stick by their pledge not to cuts to public services, then where is the money coming from? we will get to that shortly but lets begin with that conservative�*s pledge on pensions. ben chu has been taking a look at the details. first the context, a personal allowance is what someone can earn before having to pay income tax. it's been frozen around 12 thousand £500. that's an effective tax rates because as people's wages increase over time more of that income goes above the personal tax allowance and they pay more income tax than they would otherwise. 0ne they pay more income tax than they would otherwise. one group who would have been set to be hit by this rise

is people receiving the new state pension. in 2027 that's expected to rise above the level of the personal loans meaning people receiving the new state pension would pay income tax on some of it. the conservatives propose to raise the personal allowance for just pensioners propose to raise the personal allowance forjust pensioners to more than £30,000 per year. they say it would save some pensioners around £300 per year by 2029, and prevent pensioners who rely solely on state pensioners who rely solely on state pension from paying income tax, but it would only save this latter group around £25 per year. it's argued it's not so much a tax cut but preventing pensioners from feeling a tax rise. this new personal allowance would only be for pensioners. everyone else would still apparently be hit by the planned tax rise due to those frozen personal allowances. tim parker, political reporter, bbc radio leicester hannah miller, political

reporter, bbc news michael koehan, political reporter, bbc radio kent. lovely to see you all. hannah, if i could start with you, and how the other party has responded to the conservative plant today. when you were up in the north—west you are following the lib dems. they were highlighting hundreds of thousands of pensioners would be dragged into paying income tax under the conservative blonde. do they support what the conservatives have laid out today? it’s what the conservatives have laid out toda ? �* , , today? it's quite interesting actuall , today? it's quite interesting actually, listening _ today? it's quite interesting actually, listening to - today? it's quite interesting actually, listening to the . today? it's quite interesting - actually, listening to the reaction to it, _ actually, listening to the reaction to it, because they raised an eyebrow, _ to it, because they raised an eyebrow, they were saying that it was hypocritical pointing to the conservatives record. they were talking _ conservatives record. they were talking about their opinion that pensioners won't be convinced by this, _ pensioners won't be convinced by this, but— pensioners won't be convinced by this, but when i asked very directly. _ this, but when i asked very directly, would liberal democrat mps vote for— directly, would liberal democrat mps vote for this, they didn't really answer— vote for this, they didn't really answer the question. vote for this, they didn't really answerthe question. ed vote for this, they didn't really answer the question. ed davey

repeatedly throughout today in various — repeatedly throughout today in various interviews hasn't said exactly — various interviews hasn't said exactly yes or no as to whether or not, _ exactly yes or no as to whether or not. if_ exactly yes or no as to whether or not. if this— exactly yes or no as to whether or not, if this was a position right now, _ not, if this was a position right now. if— not, if this was a position right now. if it — not, if this was a position right now, if it was a vote taking place tomorrow. — now, if it was a vote taking place tomorrow, what exactly his mps would do. tomorrow, what exactly his mps would do but— tomorrow, what exactly his mps would do but he _ tomorrow, what exactly his mps would do. but he has said is that he wants to see _ do. but he has said is that he wants to see the income tax thresholds rise for— to see the income tax thresholds rise for all— to see the income tax thresholds rise for all groups in society, not 'ust rise for all groups in society, not just for— rise for all groups in society, not just for pensioners. that that is the liberat— just for pensioners. that that is the liberal democrat position, and that would — the liberal democrat position, and that would amount to a tax cut for everyone — that would amount to a tax cut for everyone. it's quite an easy position— everyone. it's quite an easy position for a politician to take, everyone — position for a politician to take, everyone would love to hear about tax cuts _ everyone would love to hear about tax cuts that they might potentially -et tax cuts that they might potentially get but _ tax cuts that they might potentially get but when i kind of sad, 0k, are you actually saying you would do this for— you actually saying you would do this for everyone, that you would raise _ this for everyone, that you would raise the — this for everyone, that you would raise the threshold effectively give everyone _ raise the threshold effectively give everyone a text, you are saying this is your— everyone a text, you are saying this is your policy, he smiled and said let's— is your policy, he smiled and said let's wait— is your policy, he smiled and said let's wait for the manifesto. we wait and — let's wait for the manifesto. we wait and see, but the economic reality— wait and see, but the economic reality of— wait and see, but the economic reality of it _ wait and see, but the economic reality of it means the liberal democrats are perhaps quite cautious

about _ democrats are perhaps quite cautious about committing to this at this point _ about committing to this at this point and — about committing to this at this point and might say that pensioners irohies _ point and might say that pensioners irohies ih _ point and might say that pensioners ironies in their view are more in relation — ironies in their view are more in relation to— ironies in their view are more in relation to nhs waiting times and social— relation to nhs waiting times and social care and things that perhaps heed _ social care and things that perhaps need money, the money that could be spent _ need money, the money that could be spent rather— need money, the money that could be spent rather than necessarily on giving _ spent rather than necessarily on giving a — spent rather than necessarily on giving a tax cut. gk, spent rather than necessarily on giving a tax cut.— spent rather than necessarily on giving a tax cut. 0k, well it's tim that has been _ giving a tax cut. 0k, well it's tim that has been in _ giving a tax cut. 0k, well it's tim that has been in market - giving a tax cut. 0k, well it's tim i that has been in market buzzwords with the prime minister, he's been judging the reaction of local people in his area. another day of rain for the prime minister as rishi sunak returned to the east midlands and this time to market bosworth bowling club with a promise to pensioners. on a personal note, it's great to be back in leicestershire. my mum's from 0adby. i spent a lot of my childhood here, but i'm here because this election is incredibly important. our country is at a pivotal moment. i don't take anyone's vote for granted, so i'm going to go to every part of our country talking about the future. i'm going to deliver a secure future for everyone.

and i can do that because i'm prepared to take bold action and i've got a clear plan. and after a difficult few years, it's clear that that plan is working. it might not have been the most difficult audience to win over here, but is the promise clear enough that pensioners will never have to pay tax on the state pension. being a pensioner, that is important because, you know, we're on a limited income, and if this tax thing happens, it will, you know, will help. he could have said it a couple of years ago and perhaps it i would have been a bit more - meaningful then because we don't know what's going to happen afterjuly the 4th. _ but if he does get into power, - i hope he lives up to that promise. most of leicestershire has been tory blue for years, so why return to an old battlefield at bosworth to rally support? i think everyone can see we've had a difficult couple of years, but we really have turned a corner now. inflation down, wages rising, the economy growing. and the choice for the country now is do we build on that progress or go back to square one? and my pitch to everyone

is pretty simple — it's i'm the one that's prepared to take bold action. i'm the one that's got a clear plan, and that's how we'll deliver a secure future for everyone, notjust here in leicestershire, but across the east midlands and the country. the prime ministerfaces much tougher battles ahead and not just with the weather. tim parker, bbc east midlands today, market bosworth. tim, hannah made a really good point that the liberal democrats are talking about raising the tax thresholds for all groups, one of the criticisms of the prime minister todayis the criticisms of the prime minister today is that by offering pensioners and another boost, he's giving up on younger voters after that policy earlier in the week, national service. is that something that's a fair criticism and has he responded to that? he fair criticism and has he responded to that? . , . fair criticism and has he responded to that? ., , ., ., ,~ fair criticism and has he responded to that? ., , ., ., ., to that? he has, and i asked about that today- — to that? he has, and i asked about that today. rishi _ to that? he has, and i asked about that today. rishi sunak _ to that? he has, and i asked about that today. rishi sunak has - to that? he has, and i asked about that today. rishi sunak has two - that today. rishi sunak has two young daughters himself, i asked him, would that be a service he

would push them into? and he told me that yes, they are excited about it and other young people he spoke to are excited about this. i can't say i've spoken to many young people myself yet who have said the same thing, but yes, he wanted to reflect today both the fact that young people are very much, the younger vote is very much a forefront of who he is trying to speak to but also that key crucial demographic for him, the older people in the, in parts of leicestershire, traditional tory voting in the past as i mentioned, but again questioning whether they should stick with the conservatives and stick with rishi sunak if they are going to get tax ports. as a reassurance today that he wants to...

ports. as a reassurance today that he wants to. . ._ ports. as a reassurance today that he wants to... ~ , ., ,, ., ., he wants to... why would the shadow chancellor and _ he wants to... why would the shadow chancellor and rishi _ he wants to... why would the shadow chancellor and rishi sunak _ he wants to... why would the shadow chancellor and rishi sunak both - he wants to... why would the shadow chancellor and rishi sunak both in - chancellor and rishi sunak both in the midlands, tim? —— why were they? do you see some very close battles in your region? i do you see some very close battles in your region?— in your region? i think so. i think certainly in _ in your region? i think so. i think certainly in nottinghamshire, - certainly in nottinghamshire, derbyshire, we've got seats in that category. and if you know lee anderson you know the area i'm talking about. even places in rural leicestershire, traditionally very tory and like some seats likely to remain so and the kind of bowling figures we're seeing at the moment, yet certain other parts of now really risk and bosworth where he was today, this being a very strong liberal democrat presence, they controlled the borough council there for years. controlled the borough council there foryears. it controlled the borough council there for years. it was split between the conservatives and liberal democrats, but north—west leicestershire as

well, the current mp voted in as a conservative, he may stand as an independent again, i believe he is. he's campaigning and ready to go, that seat is one, it used to be fairly confidently conservative over the years, could change. so fairly confidently conservative over the years, could change.— the years, could change. so some very competitive _ the years, could change. so some very competitive seats, _ the years, could change. so some very competitive seats, and - the years, could change. so some very competitive seats, and there | very competitive seats, and there are really two elements to this vote next month that will affect the tory�*s chances. first the extent to which people vote tactically, in the 650 constituencies, do people vote for whichever party they think has the best chance of beating the conservative candidate. and secondly whether the conservative lose votes on the right to reform, the party that backs brexit, and wants more control of immigration. today the honorary president of reform hit the trail. nigel farage, on the stage in dover, with a sign behind him that said rishi can't stop the boats. i have to say, the rwanda policy is something that was plucked out of the air by a desperate conservative government. launched just down the coast at the airport, two years and one month ago. and rishi sunak of course has

inherited that from boris johnson and keeps making promises that planes will go to rwanda. i am absolutely convinced that the overriding reason for calling a snap or early general election is because he knows those planes injuly, as he promised, would not be going to rwanda. let's have a quick look at the figures. so the home office said, almost 10,000 people have crossed the channel in small boats this year, those figure to the beginning of may. last year there were 29,000 arrivals, that was down 36% on the record year, 2022 when we had over 16,000 arrivals. so on that evidence, despite the rwanda plan, the numbers are ticking upwards again. here's our political editor chris mason. maybe you love him. sorry to keep you. maybe you really don't. but make no mistake, nigel farage is one of the most

influential politicians of his generation. i've got a brolly. he's never been an mp. he's not even standing himself at this election. but he's going to have plenty to say. welcome to dover. welcome to the front line of the great national debate on immigration. and it's the front line of this campaign that mr farage is attempting to get onto, arguing he was first to warn a few years ago about people crossing the channel in small boats. so i said that i thought unless something dramatic was done that there would be an invasion. now, of course, for using that word, i was called all the names under the sun. and he reckons millions have been let down. to brexit voters, what is happening in the english channel is a serious affront and they see, frankly, us allowing it to continue as being a betrayal. he claims immigration poses a national security emergency and he's been accused of islamophobia for saying war in the middle east is prompting

a small but growing number of people to vote based on religion. i never thought i'd see sectarian voting in england. i saw it in northern ireland and didn't like the look of it there very much. and it's happening because and there's no debate about it because and they're all cry foul at me because labour started mood this with a completely irresponsible immigration policy and the conservatives have accelerated it. take on the critique that says you're a divisive contributor. what do you say to those people directly? well, i'm willing to say things that others aren't. .. and which some find inflammatory. no, they find embarrassing and difficult and awkward. help out our viewer or listener who thinks, hang on a minute, one minute it seems that nigel farage is flirting with the conservative party. the next minute he wants to destroy it. which is it? i have not flirted with the conservative party. all right. many of their mps and peers and members have flirted with me because they want the conservative party to have the same ideas as i do.

nigel farage in the fray. the politics of small boat crossings prominent. we've got a bold plan, the rwanda scheme, to ensure that if you come here illegally, you will not be able to stay and you'll be returned. that's how you create a deterrent. i'm not going to comment on anybody else's campaign in this election. - what we've got in the labour- campaign is confidence, assurance. the lights are on, the lights are on. nigel farage has made it his life's work to disrupt, delight, dismay, horrify and he reckons he's not done yet. let's bring in michael who has also been following this today. it is reformed the new conservative movement, michael, listening to some of that today? what's interesting is nearing the public per trade and nigel for roche on the ground. shifter

public per trade and nigel for roche on the ground-— on the ground. after natalie elhicke on the ground. after natalie elphicke defected _ on the ground. after natalie elphicke defected from - on the ground. after natalie elphicke defected from the i elphicke defected from the conservatives to labour the conservatee party have lost their way somewhat locally, hearing that nigel faraj, it was the first place to root reenter that election campaign on a immigration policy, he knows all too well. , county counsellors in the room that would normally wear a blue rose at listening to the message he had to say and then afterwards saying to me they were considering perhaps defections. perhaps it would be the way to save their careers going forward. notjust from voters, but counsellors, too. trying to work out which way the public is blowing when it comes to immigration and most importantly the vote onjuly it comes to immigration and most importantly the vote on july the 4th. ., .,, , , , importantly the vote on july the 4th. ., , ,, ., , 4th. one of those stepping down, she announced yesterday _ 4th. one of those stepping down, she announced yesterday that _ 4th. one of those stepping down, she announced yesterday that she - 4th. one of those stepping down, she announced yesterday that she is - announced yesterday that she is supporting alan adams come out to be

the next mp and her constituency. you're someone who had the whip restored, diane abbott in the last few minutes, she has been given back the whip. bbc news night was reporting this morning, in fact they've got a report tonight that her investigation over comments she made on racism was in fact completed in december 2023, she was given a formal warning over her conduct and required to complete an anti—semitism awareness course. let's askjack why it's taking so long, and is the whip being restored, jack?— long, and is the whip being restored, jack? �* , , ., restored, jack? let's remember for 13 months ago _ restored, jack? let's remember for 13 months ago the _ restored, jack? let's remember for 13 months ago the long-standing i 13 months ago the long—standing labour mp diane abbott wrote an organ article for the observer where she suggested thatjewish, irish people have not been subjected to racism all their lives. we have not heard about that visitation for quite a long time, if she did not have the whip restored then she

wouldn't be allowed to stand again as a labour mp at the election, time is of the essence. that investigation concluded five months ago but diane abbott still had not been told whether she would have the labour whip restored and whether she should be allowed to stand again. this evening we understand that diane abbott has been offered the labour went back. the party had been trying to broker a deal whereby they gave her the whip back but she did not stand again at the next election. what is not clear this evening is whether diane abbott has accepted that offer of the labour with back or she will be standing at the election-— the election. interesting. been a lot of murmuring _ the election. interesting. been a lot of murmuring on _ the election. interesting. been a lot of murmuring on the - the election. interesting. been a lot of murmuring on the left - the election. interesting. been a lot of murmuring on the left of l the election. interesting. been a l lot of murmuring on the left of the party today with that report coming to light. jack, thank you very much for that. around the world and across the uk, you were watching bbc news. let's look at some of the other stories making headlines today. giving smooth peanut butter to babies and throughout early childhood could give protection

against peanut allergy, researchers say. the idea can horrify a generation of parents who were told to avoid this food. but the team at king's college london has discovered, royal mail owners are expected to recommend a fresh takeover offer for the 500—year—old organisation on wednesday. czech billionaire daniel kretinsky will firm up an offer of £5 billion, including assumed debts, for the company which employs more than 150,000 people. it's thought the offer will include retaining the brand, uk headquarters and tax residency. a survey suggests that very few people are in fact regularly using "much hyped" artificial intelligence products like chatgpt. and only 2% of british respondents saying they use such tools on a daily basis. asimilar a similar pattern in five other countries around the world. the labour party says there will be no budget until september if they win the election next month. the shadow chancellor rachel reeves, who was in derby today at the rolls royce factory,

said the party will not announce any additional tax measures beyond what it has already promised. they have ruled out increases to income tax, national insurance, corporation tax or any form of wealth tax, and rachel reeves said there would be no new measures proposed or "black holes" to fill. i want to lead the most pro—growth, the most pro—business treasury that our country has ever seen. with a laser focus on delivering for working people. the other big news on labour today is that deputy leader angela rayner has been cleared of criminal wrongdoing over claims she avoided tax on the sale of a home. she has welcomed the decision while criticising what she called the "desperate tactics" of conservative mps who urged police to investigate. in the statement, greater manchester police said any allegations that rayner should have paid capital gains tax or council tax would not fall under theirjurisdiction. that was a matter,

they said, for hmrc. they will not be taking the matter any further. here's our political correspondentjoe pike. i don't know if you got response to that today, but positive news for angela rayner, that that investigation has gone away. tim, can you hear me?— investigation has gone away. tim, can you hear me? yes, absolutely. i mean this is— can you hear me? yes, absolutely. i mean this is something _ can you hear me? yes, absolutely. i mean this is something i _ can you hear me? yes, absolutely. i mean this is something i think- can you hear me? yes, absolutely. i mean this is something i think that l mean this is something i think that labour —— at labour are going to drawa labour —— at labour are going to draw a huge sigh over. it's not something that rishi sunak has raised about, it's interesting to note how he reacts to this news in the coming days and it does reflect the coming days and it does reflect the fact, doesn't it, that already and this is an overlap from the pre—election period, already that kind of personality of politics is going to come to the fore. we know it's coming in the next 5.5 weeks or

so, that we've got left before polling day. b. so, that we've got left before polling day-— so, that we've got left before polling day. a lot of questions about the _ polling day. a lot of questions about the costing, _ polling day. a lot of questions about the costing, the - polling day. a lot of questions about the costing, the two - polling day. a lot of questions i about the costing, the two major policies we've got from the conservative party and the last two days, the big question overhanging labour at the moment and we await the details of the manifesto is that if there are no tax rises and they are committing to know public spending cuts, then where is the money going to come from, what are they saying about that? does money going to come from, what are they saying about that?— money going to come from, what are they saying about that? does the one thin that they saying about that? does the one thing that people _ they saying about that? does the one thing that people are _ they saying about that? does the one thing that people are waiting - they saying about that? does the one thing that people are waiting to - they saying about that? does the one thing that people are waiting to get i thing that people are waiting to get the answers— thing that people are waiting to get the answers for, _ thing that people are waiting to get the answers for, the _ thing that people are waiting to get the answers for, the manifesto - thing that people are waiting to get the answers for, the manifesto will| the answers for, the manifesto will be the _ the answers for, the manifesto will be the devil— the answers for, the manifesto will be the devil of— the answers for, the manifesto will be the devil of the _ the answers for, the manifesto will be the devil of the details, - the answers for, the manifesto will be the devil of the details, but - be the devil of the details, but when _ be the devil of the details, but when you — be the devil of the details, but when you get— be the devil of the details, but when you get out _ be the devil of the details, but when you get out to _ be the devil of the details, but when you get out to speak- be the devil of the details, but when you get out to speak to i be the devil of the details, but - when you get out to speak to people exactly what — when you get out to speak to people exactly what they're _ when you get out to speak to people exactly what they're looking - when you get out to speak to people exactly what they're looking for - when you get out to speak to people exactly what they're looking for in i exactly what they're looking for in terms _ exactly what they're looking for in terms july — exactly what they're looking for in terms july four. _ exactly what they're looking for in terms july four, there _ exactly what they're looking for in terms july four, there is - exactly what they're looking for in terms july four, there is a - exactly what they're looking for in. termsjuly four, there is a message of either— termsjuly four, there is a message of either help — termsjuly four, there is a message of either help or _ termsjuly four, there is a message of either help or change, _ termsjuly four, there is a message of either help or change, that's - termsjuly four, there is a message of either help or change, that's the| of either help or change, that's the kind of— of either help or change, that's the kind of delivery— of either help or change, that's the kind of delivery they're _ of either help or change, that's the kind of delivery they're looking - of either help or change, that's the kind of delivery they're looking fori kind of delivery they're looking for from _ kind of delivery they're looking for from a _ kind of delivery they're looking for from a party— kind of delivery they're looking for from a party going _ kind of delivery they're looking for from a party going forward - kind of delivery they're looking for from a party going forward and - kind of delivery they're looking for| from a party going forward and the costing _ from a party going forward and the costing of— from a party going forward and the costing of how— from a party going forward and the costing of how they— from a party going forward and the costing of how they are _ from a party going forward and the costing of how they are going - from a party going forward and the costing of how they are going to i from a party going forward and the. costing of how they are going to pay for it. _ costing of how they are going to pay for it. with _ costing of how they are going to pay for it. with the — costing of how they are going to pay for it, with the manifesto _ costing of how they are going to pay for it, with the manifesto being - for it, with the manifesto being issue _ for it, with the manifesto being issue for— for it, with the manifesto being issue for labour. _ for it, with the manifesto being issue for labour. what - for it, with the manifesto being issue for labour. what we - for it, with the manifesto being issue for labour. what we are i for it, with the manifesto being - issue for labour. what we are seeing issue for labour. what we are seeing is a blue _ issue for labour. what we are seeing is a blue line — issue for labour. what we are seeing is a blue line drawn— issue for labour. what we are seeing is a blue line drawn between- issue for labour. what we are seeing is a blue line drawn between the - is a blue line drawn between the two. _ is a blue line drawn between the two. between _ is a blue line drawn between the two, between the _ is a blue line drawn between the two, between the conservatives| is a blue line drawn between the - two, between the conservatives that say look. _ two, between the conservatives that say look. stick— two, between the conservatives that say look, stick with _ two, between the conservatives that say look, stick with this _ two, between the conservatives that say look, stick with this plan, - two, between the conservatives that say look, stick with this plan, we - say look, stick with this plan, we have _ say look, stick with this plan, we have fully— say look, stick with this plan, we have fully costed _ say look, stick with this plan, we

have fully costed this, _ say look, stick with this plan, we have fully costed this, we - say look, stick with this plan, we have fully costed this, we can . have fully costed this, we can understand the _ have fully costed this, we can understand the economy - have fully costed this, we can understand the economy and | have fully costed this, we can i understand the economy and we have fully costed this, we can - understand the economy and we turned that corner. _ understand the economy and we turned that corner. and — understand the economy and we turned that corner, and labour— understand the economy and we turned that corner, and labour are _ understand the economy and we turned that corner, and labour are making - that corner, and labour are making promises — that corner, and labour are making promises i— that corner, and labour are making promises italk— that corner, and labour are making promises. i talk to _ that corner, and labour are making promises. i talk to someone - promises. i talk to someone yesterday— promises. i talk to someone yesterday that— promises. i talk to someone yesterday that was - promises. i talk to someone yesterday that was talking . promises. i talk to someone - yesterday that was talking about the whole _ yesterday that was talking about the whole new _ yesterday that was talking about the whole new gb — yesterday that was talking about the whole new gb energy, _ yesterday that was talking about the whole new gb energy, they- whole new gb energy, they were making _ whole new gb energy, they were making huge _ whole new gb energy, they were making huge promising, - whole new gb energy, they were making huge promising, but- whole new gb energy, they were i making huge promising, but what whole new gb energy, they were - making huge promising, but what they were promising — making huge promising, but what they were promising is _ making huge promising, but what they were promising is fully— making huge promising, but what they were promising is fully costed - making huge promising, but what they were promising is fully costed but - were promising is fully costed but were promising is fully costed but we have _ were promising is fully costed but we have yet— were promising is fully costed but we have yet to _ were promising is fully costed but we have yet to see _ were promising is fully costed but we have yet to see that _ were promising is fully costed but we have yet to see that detail. i we have yet to see that detail. there — we have yet to see that detail. there was _ we have yet to see that detail. there was news _ we have yet to see that detail. there was news today - we have yet to see that detail. there was news today from . we have yet to see that detail. | there was news today from the we have yet to see that detail. - there was news today from the rn ally that they are spending time going out to save people on paddle boards, this is perhaps why. laughter liberal democrat leader ed davey on lake windermere, more in it than on it. he managed to capsize his paddleboard no fewer than five times. that aside, davey said he had a serious message to bring about water quality, pledging to scrap the current regulator 0fwat and hold water companies to account for dumping sewage. i don't know about the other

policies and how they pull, hannah, but i'm guessing the policy is pretty popular and whether lib dems were today. it’s pretty popular and whether lib dems were toda. �*, , pretty popular and whether lib dems were toda. �*. , . pretty popular and whether lib dems were toda. �*, , ., ., were today. it's exactly that that makes it such _ were today. it's exactly that that makes it such a _ were today. it's exactly that that makes it such a key _ were today. it's exactly that that makes it such a key policy - were today. it's exactly that that makes it such a key policy for i were today. it's exactly that that| makes it such a key policy for the liberal— makes it such a key policy for the liberal democrats. and this issue about— liberal democrats. and this issue about sewage being illegally dumped into sewer rivers and lakes by water companiesm — into sewer rivers and lakes by water companies... areas where they are hoping _ companies... areas where they are hoping to— companies... areas where they are hoping to pick up votes. it's not necessarily— hoping to pick up votes. it's not necessarily hugely controversial to say you _ necessarily hugely controversial to say you want clean water but kind of outline _ say you want clean water but kind of outline how — say you want clean water but kind of outline how you are planning to do that. _ outline how you are planning to do that, talking about the sewage taxes they do. _ that, talking about the sewage taxes they do, talking about wanting local environmental groups to hold water companies — environmental groups to hold water companies to account, they talk about— companies to account, they talk about water bosses potentially facing — about water bosses potentially facing criminal sanctions, is something they are putting up front and centre — something they are putting up front and centre of their campaign, as you saw there _ and centre of their campaign, as you saw there with ed davey going out on a paddleboard and lake windermere where _ a paddleboard and lake windermere where we _ a paddleboard and lake windermere where we know this has been an

issue _ where we know this has been an issue. ., ., ,., ,., where we know this has been an issue. ., ., y., ., issue. how about where you are michael, issue. how about where you are michael. just — issue. how about where you are michael, just quickly, _ issue. how about where you are michael, just quickly, down - issue. how about where you are michael, just quickly, down in i issue. how about where you are i michael, just quickly, down in the south—west, lots of lib dem conservative battleground states, his watery key issue? it}. conservative battleground states, his watery key issue?— conservative battleground states, his watery key issue? 0, huge. no bones about _ his watery key issue? 0, huge. no bones about it, _ his watery key issue? 0, huge. no bones about it, water— his watery key issue? 0, huge. no bones about it, water pollution - his watery key issue? 0, huge. no bones about it, water pollution is. his watery key issue? 0, huge. no| bones about it, water pollution is a huge issue — bones about it, water pollution is a huge issue. business _ bones about it, water pollution is a huge issue. business is _ bones about it, water pollution is al huge issue. business is complaining about— huge issue. business is complaining about the _ huge issue. business is complaining about the quality— huge issue. business is complaining about the quality of— huge issue. business is complaining about the quality of water, - huge issue. business is complaining about the quality of water, it - about the quality of water, it affecting _ about the quality of water, it affecting the _ about the quality of water, it affecting the quality, - about the quality of water, it affecting the quality, and - affecting the quality, and politicians _ affecting the quality, and politicians saying - affecting the quality, and politicians saying we - affecting the quality, and| politicians saying we hear affecting the quality, and - politicians saying we hear your concerns — politicians saying we hear your concerns and _ politicians saying we hear your concerns and we _ politicians saying we hear your concerns and we will— politicians saying we hear your concerns and we will raise - politicians saying we hear your. concerns and we will raise them politicians saying we hear your- concerns and we will raise them in westminister. _ concerns and we will raise them in westminister, it's— concerns and we will raise them in westminister, it's a _ concerns and we will raise them in westminister, it's a big _ concerns and we will raise them in westminister, it's a big issue - concerns and we will raise them in westminister, it's a big issue here in kent _ westminister, it's a big issue here in kent. . .. . westminister, it's a big issue here in kent. ., ., , . ., ., westminister, it's a big issue here in kent. ., .,, . ., ., ., in kent. fantastic, we are out of time. in kent. fantastic, we are out of time- lovely _ in kent. fantastic, we are out of time. lovely to _ in kent. fantastic, we are out of time. lovely to have _ in kent. fantastic, we are out of time. lovely to have our - in kent. fantastic, we are out of| time. lovely to have our regional political correspondence with us, tim parker, hannah miller, and michael, thank you very much for your time. we'll do that every tuesday and thursday, try to get out and about in the regions. the other side of the break we will talk about another election which is pending, next week the european parliamentary elections, we will bring you our regular series, your votes 202a. do you stay with us. —— europe votes

2024. hello. we've seen some pretty hefty downpours getting going today and we have more of the same to come over the next few days, although there will be some drier, sunnier gaps in between the showers. so not a complete wash—out, but certainly a very mixed weather story. now, on the earlier satellite picture, you can see a fair bit of clouds streaming in from the atlantic, bringing outbreaks of rain. and in this clearer slice here, yes, we did see a little bit of sunshine, but that also allowed some big showers and the odd thunderstorm to pop up. some of those showers continuing through the evening, into the night, most of them fading through the early hours of wednesday. so most places starting wednesday morning on a dry note — temperatures, 10, 11, 12 degrees. a fair amount of cloud, some showers from the word go, but most places seeing some spells of sunshine. now, as we go through the day, the showers will become more mood widespread across england, wales, northern ireland, perhaps most especially across scotland. here, we will see some slow—moving,

heavy, thundery downpours which could dump a lot of rain in a short space of time, leading to the risk of localised flooding and some travel disruption. some of those really intense showers perhaps getting into the far north of england as well. further south, not as many showers, temperatures climbing to 20 or 21 degrees towards the south—east of england. now, through wednesday night into thursday, this area of low pressure will still be close by. but as it shifts eastwards and a little bit further southwards, well, that will shift the focus for the showers southwards as well. so the most widespread showers by thursday afternoon across southern and southeastern parts of england. further north and west, not as many showers, some spells of sunshine, quite a brisk north or north—westerly wind. so that will make it feel a little bit on the cool side, but still in the best of the sunshine, highs of 19 degrees. by friday, cloud and still some showers down towards the south and the east. also, more cloud into the northern half of scotland. but in between, quite a lot of sunshine and certainly a drier end to the week. and that is a sign of things to come

for the weekend because this area of high pressure will be nosing its way in from the west. now, some big areas of cloud moving around the highs. so it's not going to be completely sunny, but it will be largely dry. and, actually, across northern areas, particularly parts of scotland, it is going to turn very warm indeed, with temperatures by sunday of 22 or 23 degrees.

you are watching the context. we are less than two weeks from another big election. it is time for europe votes 202a. welcome to the programme. yes, next week, 400 million voters across europe will be heading to the polls to elect their representatives to the european parliament. they will be choosing 720 politicians, from 27 countries. it matters in a whole range of policy areas, many we have already touched on in this series, from trade, to energy, migration, climate. and within the series, we have been criss—crossing the map, to hear the voters' persecpective. we have been to the netherlands, spain, france, germany, belgium. tonight, we are going to focus

on security, and through the prism of the baltic states.