talks on releasing israeli hostages. the group is also said to have dropped its demand that israel first commit to a permanent ceasefire in gaza. calls for president biden to end his re—election bid are gathering momentum. the leader of the democrats in the us house of representatives, has scheduled a virtual meeting with party members to discuss mr biden�*s candidacy. and, england fans are overjoyed after the team beat switzerland to make it to the semi—finals at euro 2024, but only after penalties. england will now play the netherlands. let's go back to the general election, and that huge and historic win for sir keir starmer after years of labour losses.

his promise to people in the uk — government can get things done. yesterday he made his first speech as prime minister emphasising the high moral standards of the cabinet and promising to rebuild britain brick by brick and saying that his government can get things done. as the new government embarks on its mission to get britain working, the new business and trade secretary has been talking to laura kuenssberg about his plans to negotiate a deal with tata steel to protectjobs. we with tata steel to protect “obs. we have with tata steel to protectjobs. - have seen this as a major priority. i have already spoken to tata steel about it, as has the new prime minister. i will be talking to them again today and asking representatives of the workforce and the community and gmb to talk to me next week about it. it is not about underwriting, loss—making, and business in the way we may have thought about industrial policy in the past. it's about being a partner for investment in the future. there is more money available for the steel industry under our plans for government but that is making sure we meet this transition with the

private sector together, and recognising, sharon used the phrase it is a good example of how we need to make sure that decarbonisation is not deindustrialisation, and we need to do that together. there is a better deal available for the steel industry as a whole. robertjenrick has quit as the ministerjust before christmas but he hung his newark seat. in the sunday times today blends the conservative failure to deliver. there are so many brilliant, dedicated public servants, my former colleagues, who lost theirjobs and i feel desperately sorry for them. but my argument is that the reason that we lost the trust of millions of people across the country is not because we were too left—wing or right—wing, or had this slogan or that slogan, but fundamentally

because we failed to deliver on the promises that we made to the british public. 50 promises that we made to the british ublic. �* promises that we made to the british ublic. , ., �* ., ., promises that we made to the british ublic. ,, �* ., ., i. public. so you didn't do what you said ou public. so you didn't do what you said you would _ public. so you didn't do what you said you would do? _ public. so you didn't do what you said you would do? in _ public. so you didn't do what you said you would do? in 2019 - public. so you didn't do what you said you would do? in 2019 we i said you would do? in 2019 we promised _ said you would do? in 2019 we promised we _ said you would do? in 2019 we promised we will _ said you would do? in 2019 we promised we will get - said you would do? in 2019 we promised we will get brexit . said you would do? in 2019 we i promised we will get brexit done said you would do? in 2019 we - promised we will get brexit done and that we would deliver a strong economy, a strong nhs, and secure borders. although there are many things that i will fiercely defend about the record of our party in government, and we did get brexit done, we did not deliver the level of growth and taxation that conservatives expect. the quality of service in the nhs for the public. and, above all, the secure borders and controlled and reduced migration that we promised, and which we need to deliver. 50 that we promised, and which we need to deliver. , ., , that we promised, and which we need to deliver. , , ., , , to deliver. so you broke promises ou made to deliver. so you broke promises you made to _ to deliver. so you broke promises you made to the _ to deliver. so you broke promises you made to the public _ to deliver. so you broke promises you made to the public and - to deliver. so you broke promises you made to the public and that's| you made to the public and that's why you were booted out? i you made to the public and that's why you were booted out?- why you were booted out? i think there are many _ why you were booted out? i think there are many things _ why you were booted out? i think there are many things we - why you were booted out? i think there are many things we should | why you were booted out? i think. there are many things we should be proud of as a government, but we will only begin the long road of winning back the trust and the faith of the public if we are honest, and thatis of the public if we are honest, and that is why i am being painfully honest today and in the article i wrote in the sunday times about what

has gone wrong. as a party, we have got to have a shared diagnosis of what happened. we have got to have a common set of principles that we can unite around. the conservative party has got to have a common creed and if we can do that in the weeks and months ahead, then we can begin that long road of regaining trust and confidence and holding the labour party to account. but confidence and holding the labour party to account.— confidence and holding the labour party to account. but why didn't you kee those party to account. but why didn't you keep those promises _ party to account. but why didn't you keep those promises question - party to account. but why didn't you keep those promises question markj keep those promises question mark was it because you were too busy arguing about brexit? was it because there were questions about the behaviour of ministers in government, and all the things that happened under borisjohnson and his relationship with the truth? what was it that stopped you? you know, who better responsible as he for your failure to keep those promises which you have outlined? i your failure to keep those promises which you have outlined?— which you have outlined? i don't think it is about _ which you have outlined? i don't think it is about any _ which you have outlined? i don't think it is about any one - think it is about any one individual. we are all responsible for what happened. in politics, you win or you lose as a team, but what we have got to learn is, why did we not deliver on those central

promises? above all, immigration, but not exclusively immigration. it was a number of things. we did not have a good enough diagnosis ofjust how broken some of our public services were. and we did not have the willingness to take the tough decisions that were necessary to deliver for the british decisions that were necessary to deliverfor the british public. when we said, for example on immigration, that we would do whatever it takes, we didn't do whatever it takes. and it is only by showing the public that going forwards the conservative party understand that we didn't do what was necessary on those crucial issues, and making clear that if we were ever fortunate enough to be in government again, we will do that and i think then we can begin to earn trust again. and of those things, it is crucial that we understand that migration was at the heart of it. two thirds of the constituencies that sadly we lost on the general election, the majority is, the margins of defeat, that was

less than the reform vote. that's the case in the north, the south, scotland, wales, everywhere, including in seats that we lost to the liberal democrats. on that issue, not exclusively, but above all that is due, we have got to make sure the conservative party takes a different approach. you sure the conservative party takes a different approach.— sure the conservative party takes a different approach. you said you are bein: different approach. you said you are being painfully _ different approach. you said you are being painfully honest, _ different approach. you said you are being painfully honest, so _ different approach. you said you are being painfully honest, so can - different approach. you said you are being painfully honest, so can you l being painfully honest, so can you being painfully honest, so can you be honest about your own ambition question what do you think you have what it takes? i question what do you think you have what it takes?— what it takes? i don't think three da s on what it takes? i don't think three days on from _ what it takes? i don't think three days on from a — what it takes? i don't think three days on from a general- what it takes? i don't think three days on from a general election | days on from a general election which we have just lost so many of our friends and colleagues that it is right to have self—indulgent conversations like this. the reason i came on your programme is because i came on your programme is because i care about the conservative party, i've been a member of the party since 1997 when i was 16 years old and i have been with it through thick and thin. i want to ensure that it has the right diagnosis of what has gone wrong, and that diagnosis is not about personalities, it is about principles and ideas, not individuals.— principles and ideas, not individuals. ~ ,, . ., individuals. with respect, i think it's clear to _ individuals. with respect, i think it's clear to most _ individuals. with respect, i think it's clear to most of _ individuals. with respect, i think it's clear to most of our - individuals. with respect, i think it's clear to most of our view - individuals. with respect, i think it's clear to most of our view is l it's clear to most of our view is that you and victoria atkins are

both partly hit because you have ambitions and you want to at least be considered to be in the running for the party leadership. i think our viewers will know that very clearly, even though both of you are being coy this morning. do you believe in principle that you might have what it takes to be party leader? i have what it takes to be party leader? ., have what it takes to be party leader? . ., , , ., ., ., leader? i am honestly not going to net into leader? i am honestly not going to get into that _ leader? i am honestly not going to get into that because _ leader? i am honestly not going to get into that because that - leader? i am honestly not going to get into that because that is - get into that because that is self—indulgent. i think the first step for the party is to have a proper, honest diagnosis about what has gone wrong. does proper, honest diagnosis about what has gone wrong-— has gone wrong. does that mean a lona has gone wrong. does that mean a long campaign. — has gone wrong. does that mean a long campaign. a _ has gone wrong. does that mean a long campaign, a long _ has gone wrong. does that mean a long campaign, a long handover? l has gone wrong. does that mean a long campaign, a long handover? i would support a long campaign. we as a party have to think carefully about what has happened, and once we have that, unite behind that common set of true conservative principles and move forward. above all, hold keir starmer to account. the country needs the conservative party right now to provide a strong opposition. lastly, the liberal democrats also did very well, given that their historic performance and they

celebrated winning more than 70 seats. here's what its leader ed davy had to say about it. it was an amazing result for the lib dems. we got 72 seats with the last one coming injust dems. we got 72 seats with the last one coming in just yesterday. we are very excited by this opportunity. we fought the campaign putting health and care of the top of our list, and we are going to fight in parliament, campaign for health and care. i have already called for an emergency budget for health and care this month so we can start rescuing our nhs which is on its knees because of the conservatives. you nhs which is on its knees because of the conservatives.— the conservatives. you were very energetically _ the conservatives. you were very energetically in — the conservatives. you were very energetically in the _ the conservatives. you were very energetically in the campaign - energetically in the campaign criticising the conservatives. are you going to bejust as criticising the conservatives. are you going to be just as energetic and going after the labour party? well, we will be constructive opposition. we fought the election on health and care in the cost of living, on ending the sewage scandal and we will focus on those issues in parliament. we will urge the government to go further and we have started at by calling for an

emergency budget on health and care, and i want to make sure they respond. one thing i was disappointed in labour �*s manifesto is a did not mention family carers, unpaid carers, who are critical. i've made very clear that the lib dems will be the voice of carers and we will challenge the government to make sure they deliver for the millions of people looking after their loved ones. but millions of people looking after their loved ones.— millions of people looking after their loved ones. but when labour has this enormous _ their loved ones. but when labour has this enormous majority, - their loved ones. but when labour has this enormous majority, how i their loved ones. but when labour i has this enormous majority, how are you actually going to make them pay any attention to you question what they don't have to, they are not under any obligation and they have raw power now. they don't have to pay attention to the lib dems. weill. pay attention to the lib dems. well, b the pay attention to the lib dems. well, by the strength _ pay attention to the lib dems. well, by the strength of _ pay attention to the lib dems. well, by the strength of our _ pay attention to the lib dems. -ii by the strength of our arguments. we have managed over a number of years to persuade people to steal our policies, and that's a really good idea. so even in opposition, it was the liberal democrats who argued for a windfall tax on the huge profits of the oil and gas companies made on the back of president putin and his illegal invasion of ukraine. it was the lib dems making that argument to help people with their energy bills

and three months after we made it, the labour party still that idea. so i am hoping, the labour party still that idea. so iam hoping, as the labour party still that idea. so i am hoping, as we argue for health and care, we argue for ending the sewage scandal, we argue for action on the cost of living, that the labour government will realise that we actually have the best arguments, the best policies, and take them and that would be great.— that would be great. reform uk got many more — that would be great. reform uk got many more votes _ that would be great. reform uk got many more votes than _ that would be great. reform uk got many more votes than you, - that would be great. reform uk got many more votes than you, but - that would be great. reform uk got| many more votes than you, but have ended up with far, far fewer seats. is that fair? well, you know, laura, that the lib dems have long argued for their votes and long argued for electoral reform and proportional reputation macro representation. we want to improve our democracy because it is broken and we will continue to make that case. there might be people elected to be don't agree with and that has been the case with first past the post because there are many in the conservative party who seem to share the values of reform. in conservative party who seem to share the values of reform.— the values of reform. in terms of our the values of reform. in terms of your belief _ the values of reform. in terms of your belief in _ the values of reform. in terms of your belief in reforming _ the values of reform. in terms of your belief in reforming the - the values of reform. in terms of| your belief in reforming the voting system, if you did so under

proportional representation, which you have long argued for, would you then be happy to see reform uk being then be happy to see reform uk being the third biggest party and not the liberal democrats?— the third biggest party and not the liberal democrats? well, i believe in democracy. _ liberal democrats? well, i believe in democracy, and _ liberal democrats? well, i believe in democracy, and i _ liberal democrats? well, i believe in democracy, and i believe - liberal democrats? well, i believe in democracy, and i believe in - in democracy, and i believe in taking forward your ideas of political reform. people will get voted in her you don't agree with under first past the post people have also got elected, and people in the conservative party who were close to reform. that is democracy, thatis close to reform. that is democracy, that is allowing the people to express their will. ed that is allowing the people to express their will.— that is allowing the people to express their will. ed davey, the lib dems leader. _ express their will. ed davey, the lib dems leader. let's _ express their will. ed davey, the lib dems leader. let's look - express their will. ed davey, the lib dems leader. let's look at i express their will. ed davey, the i lib dems leader. let's look at what is next for the conservative party. joining me now is sam white, the former chief of staff to sir keir starmer and caroline slocock, former private secretary to conservative prime ministers margaret thatcher and john major and the director of the think tank civil exchange. sam, you worked with a keir starmer in his early years. he has travelled

a very, very long way in a relatively short space of time, and when you started working with him probably in the early days of the pandemic, did you ever think he could win with such a massive majority in one go?— could win with such a massive majority in one go? well, i went to work for keir _ majority in one go? well, i went to work for keir starmer _ majority in one go? well, i went to work for keir starmer three - majority in one go? well, i went to work for keir starmer three or - majority in one go? well, i went to work for keir starmer three or four| work for keir starmer three or four days after he got elected leader of the labour party and at the time, my motivation was i thought we had had a longer period of really poor government in the uk and a period with a labour party that had largely exited the pits of serious politics. you know, arguably labour can win any election it chooses to, itjust has to choose to do it. i wanted to help keir bring the party back from the brink of a near extinction level, as the tories have extinct macro experience this week, back to being a credible alternative government. i did believe it was possible. i went back to work from him a second time in 2021 is the chief of staff, and i remember meeting donors who said to me it's

all very well, but he's not going to win, is he? you are losers, you won't come back from this. you can't really believe it. i said no, we have left ourjobs, we have come to do this because there is a narrow route back. it is like that bit in the avengers movie where doctor strange looks into all the different futures and there's like 1 million futures and there's like 1 million futures and there's like 1 million futures and they win in one of them, a narrow path of self sacrifice and bravery, and that is the path we decided to take. dig bravery, and that is the path we decided to take.— bravery, and that is the path we decided to take. ok! we will come back to that _ decided to take. ok! we will come back to that thought _ decided to take. ok! we will come back to that thought in _ decided to take. ok! we will come back to that thought in a _ decided to take. ok! we will come back to that thought in a moment. caroline, let me bring you in. are you surprised by the distance travelled first of all, and there is a huge change, isn't there, in the direction of government that will happen now, both for the ministers and for civil service? yes. happen now, both for the ministers and for civil service?— and for civil service? yes, of italy it is an historic— and for civil service? yes, of italy it is an historic moment - and for civil service? yes, of italy it is an historic moment and - and for civil service? yes, of italy it is an historic moment and they| it is an historic moment and they are now— it is an historic moment and they are now setting out to deliver some of the _ are now setting out to deliver some of the things they have promised. i think— of the things they have promised. i think the _ of the things they have promised. i think the most fundamental thing is

trust and _ think the most fundamental thing is trust and keir starmer made a very bil trust and keir starmer made a very big pitch _ trust and keir starmer made a very big pitch in — trust and keir starmer made a very big pitch in his speech on the steps of 10 _ big pitch in his speech on the steps of 10 downing street to restore trust. _ of 10 downing street to restore trust, calling it a wound that needs to be _ trust, calling it a wound that needs to be healed. we are now looking for the actions. — to be healed. we are now looking for the actions, notjust to be healed. we are now looking for the actions, not just the words. actually— the actions, not just the words. actually on— the actions, not just the words. actually on that day civil society leaders. — actually on that day civil society leaders, experts and others wrote to him to— leaders, experts and others wrote to him to say, _ leaders, experts and others wrote to him to say, you know, these are the actions _ him to say, you know, these are the actions that — him to say, you know, these are the actions that you need to take to restore — actions that you need to take to restore trust. they included setting up restore trust. they included setting up that— restore trust. they included setting up that new ethics and integrity commission that he has promised, and sticking _ commission that he has promised, and sticking to _ commission that he has promised, and sticking to really high standards, committing to the rule of law and actually— committing to the rule of law and actually respecting key democratic institutions, which have recently been _ institutions, which have recently been really trashed. unicom institutions like the civil service, civil society itself, the bbc and others — civil society itself, the bbc and others. really, having stronger parliamentary accountability is so important — parliamentary accountability is so important when you have such a big

majority, _ important when you have such a big majority, including not sidestepping parliament through the abuse of secondary legislation to avoid proper— secondary legislation to avoid proper scrutiny. and bringing the country— proper scrutiny. and bringing the country together in real partnership. you can do these things without— partnership. you can do these things without massive resources. they are easy to _ without massive resources. they are easy to do _ without massive resources. they are easy to do in — without massive resources. they are easy to do in lots of ways, and if you do— easy to do in lots of ways, and if you do them well and restore that trust. _ you do them well and restore that trust. you — you do them well and restore that trust, you will unlock a lot of resources _ trust, you will unlock a lot of resources within society. it is not 'ust resources within society. it is not just the _ resources within society. it is not just the civil— resources within society. it is not just the civil service, big resources though they are, and the money— resources though they are, and the money that— resources though they are, and the money that they may pour into it, but it _ money that they may pour into it, but it is— money that they may pour into it, but it is also— money that they may pour into it, but it is also the wider resources of society— but it is also the wider resources of society as a whole, including voluntary — of society as a whole, including voluntary organisations, for example, across the country, and if we can— example, across the country, and if we can create a shared purpose they will work _ we can create a shared purpose they will work together and make some of these _ will work together and make some of these things real. lots will work together and make some of these things real.— these things real. lots of demands on the new — these things real. lots of demands on the new government. _ these things real. lots of demands on the new government. sam, - these things real. lots of demands on the new government. sam, the | on the new government. sam, the question many people want to know is who is keir starmer? tell me about the person that you worked with and that you know. how would you describe him?—

that you know. how would you describe him? yes, i absolutely well. i totally _ describe him? yes, i absolutely well. i totally agreed _ describe him? yes, i absolutely well. i totally agreed on - describe him? yes, i absolutely well. i totally agreed on those l well. i totally agreed on those points about rebuilding trust and about how this is not something the government can do by itself to rebuild britain, it will be with the voluntary sector. adults are bringing back private investment and confidence in the country as a good proposition as an investment to get growth going again. in terms of what keir is like, there are elements to his personality. i remember one visit we did, i can't remember where we were and we were using a pub as a base of operations and on the way out to a visit he bumped into a local football team coming into out to a visit he bumped into a localfootball team coming into the front door and his demeanour changed, his body language relaxes, he animates and he chatted in great detail about the football and would have stayed there all day if he could. he has this normal bloke having a pint and talking football quality but on the other side, driven by a sense of public service. that is in his bones. that is coupled with another interesting duality. he is driven by compassion

of people, but he is able to be ruthless when it is required. i think that is a brilliant quality combination for a leader of any major country. the combination for a leader of any major country-— combination for a leader of any major country. the question that some people _ major country. the question that some people might— major country. the question that some people might ask - major country. the question that some people might ask is, - major country. the question that some people might ask is, you l major country. the question that - some people might ask is, you know, politically, where is he? he said in his press conference yesterday that he is not tribal, something he has had before. he doesn't like the partisan ship westminster and he busily had a big career as a lawyer before coming into politics. but is he on the soft left, or in the centre? where is he if you are going to place him on a tony blair— gordon brown or ed miliband spectrum? those political instincts is what we will see play out in response to events. i will answer your question in a way that i think you might find unsatisfying. my experience of working with keir is that he is one of the most evidence—based, evidence driven politicians i've worked with and i'm excited about that. when the

civil service and government work well together, the politicians are able to respond to the evidence often presented by the civil service about what works. have you actually solve this problem? keir is so driven by i don'tjust want to talk about it, i want the thing that is actually going to unlock it and he often gets criticised along this route saying he has changed his views on this or that, but my experience is that you are sitting in a room, talking to the evidence and he says write that scaly not going to work, let's do that instead. the politicians who terrify me are those that can't change their minds in the face of evidence. but when ou minds in the face of evidence. but when you are _ minds in the face of evidence. but when you are presented with evidence and say three potential policy solutions to cutting nhs waiting times, there are still different choices, aren't there? to solve that one enormous problem. i suppose what i'm asking is instinctively where is he politically on that? you know, what instincts will govern which policy choices he goes down the

route of when provided with different solutions?- route of when provided with different solutions? yes, values -wise, different solutions? yes, values -wise. his _ different solutions? yes, values -wise, his values _ different solutions? yes, values -wise, his values are _ different solutions? yes, values -wise, his values are evident. different solutions? yes, valuesl -wise, his values are evident and —wise, his values are evident and strong and they are about things like public services, integrity in public life and making society fairer. gb news had an interview with him, sorry sky news, sorry to mention competitors, where keir talked about his father being a toolmaker. that is true, and they laughed at him when he said his dad worked in a factory. he was genuinely angry in this gb news clip and said his father would say this to people at social events and they would pause after was because i didn't know what to say to him and he felt disrespected because of the place he sat in society. the reason i bring that up is because with keir it was genuine anger, it hit a nerve. there a sense that society is

snobby, it is a bit... there is less chance for social mobility and people arejudged on chance for social mobility and people are judged on where they have come from and disrespected for doing manual work, factory work, all these important things actually make our country a success. these are the values you will see instinctively come out in his approach to politics but they will be tempered by what actually works full stop we are not here to be the party of protest, we are here to actually try and change the country from one that is one of its worst inheritances certainly in my lifetime to one where we install trust back in the public.— trust back in the public. caroline, in terms of _ trust back in the public. caroline, in terms of the _ trust back in the public. caroline, in terms of the public _ trust back in the public. caroline, in terms of the public demand . trust back in the public. caroline, l in terms of the public demand now from this government, obviously there are a lot of huge problems. in your experience, how long does it actually take to deliver the kind of change that people might expect to see? that is a tough question. i'll be looking at the end of the parliament or four be looking at the end of the parliament orfour or be looking at the end of the parliament or four or five years, is it likely that governments can bring

change on public services within a couple of years? i change on public services within a couple of years?— couple of years? i think it is a long-term — couple of years? i think it is a long-term project _ couple of years? i think it is a long-term project to - couple of years? i think it is a long-term project to do - couple of years? i think it is aj long-term project to do some couple of years? i think it is a i long-term project to do some of long—term project to do some of these _ long—term project to do some of these things. for example, the nhs. you can— these things. for example, the nhs. you can put— these things. for example, the nhs. you can put in extra resources which they are _ you can put in extra resources which they are planning to do in terms of appointments, and you can make some reforms, _ appointments, and you can make some reforms, but _ appointments, and you can make some reforms, but the deeper reforms means— reforms, but the deeper reforms means investing in prevention and that could — means investing in prevention and that could take a lot of the strain off the _ that could take a lot of the strain off the nhs and put in place a better— off the nhs and put in place a better system of social care. these things _ better system of social care. these things do _ better system of social care. these things do take time. we are probably looking _ things do take time. we are probably looking at— things do take time. we are probably looking at two terms for really fundamental change. what you can do is change _ fundamental change. what you can do is change the style of government very quickly, back to my point earlier— very quickly, back to my point earlier and _ very quickly, back to my point earlier and i think you can start to unlock— earlier and i think you can start to unlock resources in society. the change — unlock resources in society. the change will _ unlock resources in society. the change will happen, but to get the bin, change will happen, but to get the big, deep— change will happen, but to get the big, deep changes that we need, we are looking — big, deep changes that we need, we are looking at at least until the end of— are looking at at least until the end of five years and possibly two terms. _ end of five years and possibly two terms, which of course is the idea behind _ terms, which of course is the idea behind the — terms, which of course is the idea behind the mission driven government. the decade of renewal. what you _ government. the decade of renewal. what you really need when you are

achieving _ what you really need when you are achieving change, from my experience of working _ achieving change, from my experience of working for margaret thatcher who had three _ of working for margaret thatcher who had three terms, is you really do need _ had three terms, is you really do need to— had three terms, is you really do need to keep your eye on the ball. you know. — need to keep your eye on the ball. you know, there are massive distractions out there. she did not read the _ distractions out there. she did not read the newspapers, she just got a brief summary every morning. she focused _ brief summary every morning. she focused on — brief summary every morning. she focused on driving through the things— focused on driving through the things that she really wanted to achieve, — things that she really wanted to achieve, and that is what keir starmer— achieve, and that is what keir starmer needs to do, and not be distracted — starmer needs to do, and not be distracted by a pretty hostile media and many— distracted by a pretty hostile media and many things which are thrown at you as _ and many things which are thrown at you as you _ and many things which are thrown at you as you go along as a prime minister~ — you as you go along as a prime minister. really try to get the fundamentals right. a lot of that is happening — fundamentals right. a lot of that is happening not at the top of government, but actually at the front _ government, but actually at the front line — government, but actually at the front line of services. he needs to really— front line of services. he needs to really unlock that potential there, i really unlock that potential there, i think _ really unlock that potential there, i think do — really unlock that potential there, i think. i. ~ , i think. do you think they were cau~ht i think. do you think they were caught short. _ i think. do you think they were caught short, the _ i think. do you think they were caught short, the labour - i think. do you think they were | caught short, the labour team, i think. do you think they were - caught short, the labour team, about the early announcement in terms of being ready on policy question mark we had for example some of the people who had previous government experience are a bit more prepared and have done a bit more in terms of

working up wallasey detail, but not necessarily everybody. they need to get going on that immediately, don't they? get going on that immediately, don't the ? , ., �* ~' get going on that immediately, don't the? , ~ , they? yes. i don't think the party was caught— they? yes. i don't think the party was caught unexpectedly. - they? yes. i don't think the party was caught unexpectedly. i - they? yes. i don't think the party - was caught unexpectedly. i happened by pure coincidence to be at the party hq the night before the election was called and i spent three hours talking strategy with sweeney, campaign director. i think if he thought there was going to be an election the next day he might have spent his time slightly differently than he and i shooting the breeze thinking about the summer, but what i experience then was someone who was so ready and so itching to get started on the campaign that there was almost nothing left to do. so calling the election at that point was brilliant. in terms of policy development, with opposition you have to set out your direction of policy, your mission is and that was a keir word, set out what you are trying to achieve but i don't think

you have to do all the detailed policy work of the sort you do with the benefit of the civil service, that giant machine. secondly, consultation of businesses and civil society, of affected parts of the public realm. that is a really important part of taking your policy from the ground idea that is often shaped in the manifesto to the specific implementation. i was a special adviser in the trade and industry after the 2005 election where we translated a set of changes that we wanted to make to employment law from the sort of way you talk about it in a campaign and a manifesto, to how you actually executed it through legislation and specific policy that can be permitted by businesses. i have seen how that happens, and they say campaign in poetry, govern in prose and be are deftly into the prose phase of getting the detail right.

sam white and caroline, thank you both forjoining us this morning. good to speak to you. let's have a look at the weather forecast. hello again. we've had some pretty heavy showers this morning — they are going to continue through the afternoon as well. some of those could be thundery in places, but really quite dramatic clouds in staffordshire this morning, some very dark and menacing clouds bringing those showers. and you can see the showers are quite speckled and scattered across the uk this afternoon. look at some of the green blobs, indicative of the heaviest downpours, with the risk of some lightning and thunder. but there will be sunny spells in between the showers as they rattle through. maximum temperatures 15—17, maybe 18, so feeling quite cool for the time of year. at silverstone it could be interesting for some tyre choices, with showers moving through, some sunny spells in between. temperatures around 17

through the afternoon. tonight, the showers will gradually ease away and then we are looking at clear skies overnight. so with lighter winds and clear skies it could turn chilly — temperatures in the countryside down to around 5—8, in towns and cities 6—9. it means monday morning starts off chilly but plenty of sunshine to start off the week. we will see heavy thundery showers for scotland, northern ireland, northern england, and with lighter winds these will be slow—moving. further south, cloud increasing from the south—west, with outbreaks of rain in southern england and south wales as the day goes on. maximum temperatures about 18—20, a degree or so higher than today, and it might feel more humid through into the early part of next week. low pressure moves north, the rain spreads into parts of central and southern scotland on tuesday and into northern ireland, being replaced by sunny spells and showers. but low pressure in charge means unsettled.

keep the umbrella handy through tuesday. perhaps the north and west of scotland faring best, with the greatest amount of sunshine through the day. those showers could be heavy and thundery further south. maximum temperatures about 16—20, again below the average for the time of year. that continues through the week. but as we go through friday into next weekend, it looks a little more settled, with drier and brighter weather, so perhaps feeling a bit more like summer.

live from london. this is bbc news. the polls are open — voters in france cast their ballots in the second round of a snap election, with the far—right national rally hoping for an historic victory.

the new prime minister, keir starmer, will visit edinburgh today, at the start of a tour of the uk's nations. what next for the conservatives after the losses in the uk general election? a former minister says the party failed on what it said it would deliver for the country. we didn't have a good enough diagnosis ofjust how broken some of our public services were, and we didn't have the willingness to take tough decisions that were necessary to deliver for british public. the gaza health ministry says an israeli strike on a school has killed at least 16 people and wounded more than 50. and england will face the netherlands in the semi finals of euro 2a, after beating switzerland after extra time and penalties. hello i'm geeta guru—murthy. polls are open in france as people across the country

cast their ballots in the second round of parliamentary elections.