a deal with hamas to ensure the release of the remaining hostages in gaza. the palestinian armed group is reported to have accepted a us proposal to begin talks of a release. 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 — lets ta ke

lets take you to france because president emmanuel macron is going to cast his vote in the short we saw, just a few moments ago. he is there with the _ saw, just a few moments ago. he is there with the presidential - there with the presidential entourage of course and this is the decisive second round in an election that has been called very quickly, surprising the whole country and the french political class, it seems, by emmanuel macron. it is the first time that the anti—immigration national rally of marine le pen has a chance. of running the government had taken control of the national assembly although current projection seems to suggest they will not win an outright majority. we will not know until all the votes are cast. the other possibility is a split vote, a hung parliament, it is not clear what that would mean in terms of the functioning of the

government, of the parliament, with emmanuel macron still remaining president. he is there and we are hearing also that voter turnout in the second round was higher than in the second round was higher than in the last election of 2022 by midday, thatis the last election of 2022 by midday, that is according to the interior ministry. they say that turnout at midday in france stood at 26.3%, up from 18.9% in 2022 according to the french interior ministry. higher turnout than before. and you can see brigitte macron they are in the shot with the president. it is just coming into short, i think, with the president. it is just coming into short, ithink, and with the president. it is just coming into short, i think, and we are on these pictures because this is an absolute crucial political election for france. it has taken the country, it has taken many

across europe by shock because the possibility of the national rally forming the national front —— formerly the national front, forming the national front —— formerly the nationalfront, being in any kind of power, is something that people are not necessarily expecting at this stage. the leadership, of course, has moved to try and make the party more appealing and there have been many difficult issues that have been discussed as part of this election campaign, immigration a key concern for many in france who are supporting the national rally. but we have also seen president emmanuel macron�*s party, we can see the president there with his wife to vote, and we have seen the centralist and the far left parties come together in an alliance, drawn up come together in an alliance, drawn up very, very quickly in response to the calling of this election to try and keep at the far right.

therefore, it is a question now to see how that vote will split, but the vote continues all day today and we will bring you the results live when we get them. we'll move away from those pictures for now. we might go back to france as we see president emmanuel macron go into actual casas vote. let's go back to the general election — and that huge and historic win for sir keir starmer after years of labour losses . yesterday, he made is first speech as prime minister, emphasising his expectations of high moral standards of his cabinet and promising to rebuild britain, �*brick by brick�* and that his government can get things done. as the new government embarks on its mission to — in its words — �*get britain working', the new business and trade

secretary has been talking to laura kuensssberg, about his plans to negotiate a deal with tata steel to protects jobs. here's what he had to say. we see this as a major priority. i have already spoken to tata steel about it, as has the new prime minister made time for that conversation. i will be talking to them again today, asking representatives of the workforce, sharon and unite, also community and gmb, to talk to me next week about that. it is not about underwriting loss—making businesses in perhaps a way we might have thought of industrial policy in the past. it is about being a partner for investment in future. there is more money available for the steel industry under our plans for government. but that is about making sure we meet this transition with the private sector together and recognise — i think sharon used the phrase — it is a good example of how we have to make sure that decarbonisation is not deindustrialisation, and we've got to do that together. but there is a better deal for port talbot and the steel industry as a whole, i am sure of that. after labour's landslide on thursday, the conservatives were left with 121 mps in the commons. robertjenrick quit as rishi sunak�*s immigration minister just before christmas. but he hung on to his newark seat.

in the sunday times today, he blames the conservative defeat on their failure to deliver. he spoke to laura kuenssberg this morning and told her why he though the tories were defeated on thursday this was the worst for our party since 1832 and there are so many brilliant dedicated public servants, my former colleagues who lost their jobs, and ifeel my former colleagues who lost their jobs, and i feel desperately my former colleagues who lost their jobs, and ifeel desperately sorry for them. 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 the slogan that slogan, but fundamentally, because we failed to deliver on the promises that we made to the british public. we are keeping an eye on the french election because president emmanuel macron is there to vote, you can see him in the shot, you can see his wife there too. that is why we are

showing you those images from france. back to the uk election. the tailwinds were also in favour of the liberal democrats, who have celebrated winning more than seventy seats. here's what it's 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 in just yesterday. we are very excited by this opportunity. we fought the campaign putting health and care at 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 were very energetically in the campaign 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 and 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 that 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 it 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 when labour has this enormous majority, how are you actually going to make them pay any attention to you? 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. well, 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. the labour party stole 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. 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 fair 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 who we 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 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 the third biggest party and not the liberal democrats? well, i believe in democracy, and i believe in taking forward your ideas of political reform. people will get voted in who 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, that is allowing the people to express their will. ed davey, the lib dems leader. we are showing you pictures from france where you can see emmanuel macron casting their votes in the key parliamentary elections, snap elections that emmanuel macron called, it is possible that they could be an extraordinary result by

the end of today. it is the first time that the national rally, formerly the national front could potentially be in a position of being in government. it is not clear whether they will get an outright majority, the could be part of the split or a hung parliament. it is not yet clear but the voting is continuing, a record turnout in france and that is why we are showing you these pictures live from france, brigitte macron and emmanuel macron casting their vote. the election is being watched across europe, across the world. politics in france and italy and the us has seen a real turn towards some might say extreme or populist politics. but here, of course, the uk took a different direction with a general election on thursday. earlier i spoke to sam white, he is the former chief of staff to sir keir starmer and caroline slocock

who is former private secretary to conservative prime ministers margaret thatcher and john major and the director of the think tank civil exchange. i started by asking sam white if he ever thought he could win such a big majority. i went to work for a few three or four days after getting elected for the labour party during covid—19, and my motivation was i thought we'd had a long period of really pure government in the uk and a period where the labour party had largely accepted serious politics. arguably, labour can win any election it chooses to, it has to choose to do it. i wanted to help keir ring the party back from near extinction, as the tories have experienced this week, back to being a credible alternative government. and they did believe it was possible. and they went back to work for him in second time in 2021, 2022 as chief of staff, and i make donors who said to me, yes, it's all very well, but he's not going to win, is he? you

are losers, you're not going to come back from this, you can't believe it. and we said, no, with better jobs, we have come to do this because there is a narrow route back. in the avengers, they are fighting santos and doctor strange looks into all the different features, and there are 1 looks into all the different features, and there are1 million futures, and they win in one of them, a narrow parcel of self—sacrifice and bravery, and that is part we decided to take. imilli is part we decided to take. will come back _ is part we decided to take. will come back to _ is part we decided to take. will come back to that thought at the moment, caroline, let me bring in. are you surprised by the distance travelled, first of all, there was a huge change, in the direction of government that will happen now both foreign ministers and for civil servants. , foreign ministers and for civil servants-_ foreign ministers and for civil servants. , ., , , �*, ., servants. yes, obviously, it's a historic moment. _ servants. yes, obviously, it's a historic moment. they - servants. yes, obviously, it's a historic moment. they are - servants. yes, obviously, it's a i historic moment. they are known setting _ historic moment. they are known setting out— historic moment. they are known setting out to try and deliver some of the _ setting out to try and deliver some of the things that they promised, and i_ of the things that they promised, and i think— of the things that they promised, and i think the most fundamental thing _ and i think the most fundamental thing is _ and i think the most fundamental

thing is trust. keir starmer made a bil thing is trust. keir starmer made a big pitch _ thing is trust. keir starmer made a big pitch in — thing is trust. keir starmer made a big pitch in his speech on the steps of number— big pitch in his speech on the steps of number ten big pitch in his speech on the steps of numberten to big pitch in his speech on the steps of number ten to restore trust. it's a wound _ of number ten to restore trust. it's a wound that needs to be healed. we are now— a wound that needs to be healed. we are now looking for the actions. not only the _ are now looking for the actions. not only the words. actually, on that day, _ only the words. actually, on that day, civii— only the words. actually, on that day, civil society leaders, experts and others — day, civil society leaders, experts and others wrote to him to say, you know, _ and others wrote to him to say, you know. these — and others wrote to him to say, you know, these are the actions that you need _ know, these are the actions that you need to— know, these are the actions that you need to take to restore trust. and they include setting up the new ethics _ they include setting up the new ethics and integrity commission he has promised. and sticking to it really— has promised. and sticking to it really high standards. committing to the rule _ really high standards. committing to the rule of— really high standards. committing to the rule of law and actually respecting key democratic institutions which have recently been _ institutions which have recently been really trashed, like the civil service, — been really trashed, like the civil service, civil society itself, the bbc_ service, civil society itself, the bbc and — service, civil society itself, the bbc and others. really having a stronger— bbc and others. really having a stronger parliamentary accountability, so important when you have — accountability, so important when you have such a big majority, including _ 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. bringing the country— proper scrutiny. 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 and lots of ways. but if you do _ easy to do and lots of ways. but 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 in society. it is not only government, civil service, big resources _ government, civil service, big resources though they are, and the n1oney— resources though they are, and the money that— resources though they are, and the money that they may pour into it, it is also _ money that they may pour into it, it is also the _ money that they may pour into it, it is also the wider resources of society— is also the wider resources of society as _ is also the wider resources of society as a whole including voluntary organisations, for example, across the country, who, if we can _ example, across the country, who, if we can create — example, across the country, who, if we can create a shared purpose, will work _ we can create a shared purpose, will work with _ we can create a shared purpose, will work with them and make some of these _ work with them and make some of these things real. lots work with them and make some of these things real.— work with them and make some of 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 that many people want to know, who is keir starmer? tell me about the person you worked with and no. how would you describe him? i totally agreed on those points about rebuilding trust and how this is not

something the government can do by itself to rebuild britain, it is going to be with the voluntary sector and importantly bringing back private investment and confidence in this country as a place to interface to get growth going. in terms of what keir is like, there are elements to his personality. i remember one make the visit we did, i do not remember where, we were using a pub as a base of operations, on the way out, keir bumped into the local football team coming on the way out, keir bumped into the localfootball team coming on the front door, and his whole demeanour changes, his body language relaxes, he animates, he is chatting in detail about football, he would have stayed there old if he could. he's got this normal bloke football having a paint quality, but on the other side, absolutely driven by a sense of public service, it is in his bones. and that is coupled with another interesting duality, he is very driven by compassion and people but can be ruthless when it's

required. that is a brilliant quality combination for a leader of any major country. the quality combination for a leader of any major country.— quality combination for a leader of any major country. any ma'or country. the question some --eole any major country. the question some peeple might — any major country. the question some peeple might ask. _ any major country. the question some people might ask, politically, - any major country. the question some people might ask, politically, where i people might ask, politically, where is he? he said in his press conference yesterday that he is not tribal, something he said before, he does not like the partisanship of westminster, he obviously had a big career as a lawyer before coming into politics. is he on the soft left? you see in the centre? where is he if you're going to place them on a blair brown miliband spectrum? they are political instincts which we will see play out in response to events. �* ., ., ., , , ., events. i'm going to answer your ruestion events. i'm going to answer your question in — events. i'm going to answer your question in a — events. i'm going to answer your question in a way _ events. i'm going to answer your question in a way you _ events. i'm going to answer your question in a way you might - question in a way you might think unsatisfying. my experience as he is an based evidence driven politician. i'm excited about that. when the civil service and government work well together, it is where

politicians are able to respond to the evidence presented by the civil service about what actually works, how do you actually solve this problem. he is so driven by, i don't want to talk about it only, the thing which is going to unlock it, and he gets criticise along this route of saying, keir, he's changed his views on this or that, my experience was he sat in a room and you to come through the evidence base and you said, right, that's not going to work and let's do this instead. the politicians that terrify me are the ones who can't change their mind on the face of evidence. ~ ., , ., �* evidence. within that, when you're resented evidence. within that, when you're presented with _ evidence. within that, when you're presented with evidence, - evidence. within that, when you're presented with evidence, three - presented with evidence, three potential policy solutions to cutting nhs waiting times, there are still different choices, aren't there? to solve that one enormous problem. i'm asking, instinctively, where is he politically on that? what instincts will govern which policy chalices —— policy choices he goes down the route when provided

with different solutions? his values, with different solutions? his values. it's _ with different solutions? h 3 values, it's evident and strong, public service, integrity in public life, making society more fair. i don't know if you saw gb news who had an interview with him, sky news, sorry to mention competitors, keir talked about his father being a toolmaker, it's true, you didn't hear it from me, but it's true. they laughed at him when he said my dad worked in a factory. he was genuinely angry in this gb news clip and he said my father would say this to people at social events and they would pose afterwards. they 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, there was genuine anger, it hit a nerve, there is a sense that society is snobby, there is less chance for

social mobility, people are judged on where they come from, people are disrespected for doing manual work, factory work, all sorts of what makes our country a success. these are the values that you will see instinctively come out in his approach to politics. but they will be tempered by what actually works. we are not here to be the party of protest, is not performative politics, we are here to try and change the country from one of its worst inheritances in my lifetime, to something where we restore trust backin to something where we restore trust back in the public.— back in the public. caroline, in terms of— back in the public. caroline, in terms of the _ back in the public. caroline, in terms of the public _ back in the public. caroline, in terms of the public demand i back in the public. caroline, in i terms of the public demand now back in the public. caroline, 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? i know that's a tough question. do you think, are we looking at the end of the whole parliament, four or five years? is it likely governments can bring change public services

within a couple of years? i can bring change public services within a couple of years?- within a couple of years? i think it's a long-term _ within a couple of years? i think it's a long-term project - within a couple of years? i think it's a long-term project to - within a couple of years? i think it's a long-term project to do i within a couple of years? i think. it's a long-term project to do some it's a long—term project to do some of these _ it's a long—term project to do some of these things, for example, the nhs, _ of these things, for example, the nhs, you — of these things, for example, the nhs, you can put in extra resources which _ nhs, you can put in extra resources which they— nhs, you can put in extra resources which they are planning to do in terms _ which they are planning to do in terms of— which they are planning to do in terms of appointments, and you can make _ terms of appointments, and you can make some — terms of appointments, and you can make some reforms, but the deeper reform _ make some reforms, but the deeper reform is— make some reforms, but the deeper reform is to — make some reforms, but the deeper reform is to invest in prevention which _ reform is to invest in prevention which would take a lot of the strain off the _ which would take a lot of the strain off the nhs and put in place a much better— off the nhs and put in place a much 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 fundamental change _ looking at two terms for fundamental change. what you can do as you can change _ change. what you can do as you can change the — change. what you can do as you can change the style of government very quickly _ change the style of government very quickly. back to my point earlier, you can _ quickly. back to my point earlier, you can start to unlock resources in society _ you can start to unlock resources in society. change will happen. but to -et society. change will happen. but to get the _ society. change will happen. but to get the big deep changes that we need to— get the big deep changes that we need to see, we're looking at at least to— need to see, we're looking at at least to the end of five years and possibly — least to the end of five years and possibly two terms, which is of course — possibly two terms, which is of course the _ possibly two terms, which is of course the idea behind mission driven— course the idea behind mission driven government. the decade of renewal _ driven government. the decade of renewal. what you really need when you are _ renewal. what you really need when you are achieving change from my

experience — you are achieving change from my experience of working for margaret thatcher— experience of working for margaret thatcher who had three terms, is you really _ thatcher who had three terms, is you really do _ thatcher who had three terms, is you really do need to keep your eye on the hall _ really do need to keep your eye on the ball. 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's what keir starmer— achieve. and that's what keir starmer needs to do, and just not be distracted _ starmer needs to do, and just not be distracted by a pretty hostile media — distracted by a pretty hostile media. and many things which are thrown _ media. and many things which are thrown at — media. and many things which are thrown at you as you go along as a prime _ thrown at you as you go along as a prime minister. and really try to -et prime minister. and really try to get the — prime minister. and really try to get the fundamentals right. a lot of that is— get the 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 services. he needs to really— front line services. he needs to really unlock that potential there i think _ really unlock that potential there i think. �* really unlock that potential there i think. ~ ,,., really unlock that potential there i think. ~ . ., ~ think. and sam white, do you think the labour team _ think. and sam white, do you think the labour team were _ think. and sam white, do you think the labour team were cut _ think. and sam white, do you think the labour team were cut short - think. and sam white, do you think the labour team were cut short by. the labour team were cut short by the labour team were cut short by the early announcements of being ready on policies, some of the people had previous government experience are more prepared, have done a bit more in terms of trying to work up policy detail. but not

necessarily everybody. the 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 in party hq the night before the election was called, and i spent close to three hours talking strategy, with the campaign director. i think if he had thought there was going to be an election the next day he might have spent his time slightly differently than him and i shooting the breeze and how to manage the summer, but what i experience that was someone who was so ready, so desperate to get started on the campaign, they almost had nothing left to do, calling the election at that point was brilliant. in terms of policy development, with opposition, you have to set out your direction of policy, you have to set out some of the missions, that was the keir word, not a word foisted upon him, set out what you are not trying to achieve, but you do not have to do all the detailed policy work of the

sort that you have to do with the benefit of the civil service, the giant machine, and secondly consultation of businesses, consultation of businesses, consultation of businesses, consultation of civil society and affected parts of the public realm, because that is a really important part of taking a policy from the grand idea that is often shaped as a manifesto to the specific implementation, i'm thinking, i was a special adviser on public trade and industry after the 2005 election, shortly after that, where we translate a set of changes we wanted to make to employment law from the way you talk about it in a campaign and a manifesto how you actually execute it through legislation and specific policy that can be implemented by businesses. i have seen how it happened, campaigning, poetry, prose, maybe we didn't campaign so much in poetry even then, but we are into the prose phase of getting the detail right.

that was sam white, former chief of staff to keir starmer. let's get the weather now with simon king. 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. president emmanuel macron is among voters in france, casting their ballots in the second round of a snap election. new prime minister, keir starmer, will visit edinburgh today at the start of a tour of the uk's nations.

demonstrations across israel, urging the government to reach a deal with hamas — the palestinian armed group is reported to have accepted a us proposal to begin talks of a release. and england will face the netherlands in the semi finals of euro 2a, 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. in the last hour president macron has cast his vote in le touquet. turnout so far has been significantly higher than in the second round of the last election in 2022, according to the interior ministry. final opinion polls suggest marine le pen's far—right national rally will secure the most votes, but it's thought it's

unlikely to win an outright majority in the national assembly.