Markus Andrews

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailRishi Sunak hopes to rescue his party’s hopes of remaining in government with a record number of election TV debates. Sources have made clear that the prime minister is prepared to go head-to-head with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer during every week of the campaign.That could result in six debates, the highest number ever agreed. But broadcasters admit the sheer number of football fixtures over the next month is proving a headache – as football fans eagerly await the start of the Euros. Rishi Sunak on the campaign More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailJersey is to move ahead with allowing assisted dying for terminally ill people after the island’s parliament has voted in favour of drawing up laws to establish a service.Following the impassioned debate over the divisive issue on Wednesday, an assisted dying service could be in place for residents as early as three years’ time.It follows a report published in March setting out how such a service might work for adults resident in Jersey, with a voluntary, settled and informed wish to end their own life.Protesters while States of Jersey Government Ministers were entering the States Assembly building to debate the Assisted Dying Law on Wednesday More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailMonths of speculation surrounding the date of the upcoming general election has ended and voters are set to decide if it’s time to end the Conservative Party’s 14-year rule sooner than anticipated.Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s decision to call an early election on July 4 has divided his party. While he has argued the Tories can provide stability in uncertain times, the Labour Party has promised change after years of political and economic turmoil under the Conservatives.Mr Sunak’s announcement on Wednesday caught many by surprise. He made the call in a rain-soaked broadcast outside 10 Downing Street. Most had expected the election later in the year, as the prime minister had previously indicated.UK elections are held every five years, but the prime minister can choose the date. Mr Sunak had until December to call the election — and his announcement coincided with a drop in UK inflation to 2.3%, fulfilling a key pledge.The Conservatives, in power since 2010, last won an election in December 2019. Since then, they’ve faced economic downturns, scandals, and multiple leadership changes. Mr Sunak became prime minister in October 2022 after Liz Truss’s brief, tumultuous tenure. Truss replaced Boris Johnson, who resigned following a mass revolt by ministers over his leadership.With Labour leading in the polls, the biggest question is whether Mr Sunak can turn the tide for the Tory party. Is now the right time for a general election? Can Rishi Sunak use the next six weeks to reverse the fate of the Tory party, as it trails Labour by 20 points? Or is it too little too late?Share your thoughts by adding them in the comments — we’ll highlight the most insightful ones as they come in.All you have to do is sign up and register your details — then you can take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking ‘log in’ on the top right-hand corner of the screen.Make sure you adhere to our community guidelines, which can be found here. For a full guide on how to comment click here.Join the conversation with other Independent readers below. More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailA man who questioned Rishi Sunak wearing a hi-vis jacket in a warehouse is a Tory councillor asked to attend the event. The prime minister kicked off a two-day trip around the UK with a visit to a distribution centre in Derbyshire to talk to staff.Speaking to around 50 people, he was asked about his flagship plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. He was told that the “biggest issue is going to be immigration over this election campaign” before he was asked whether “your Rwanda plan is going to see results and stop the small boats coming?”Broadcasters showed Prime Minister thanking the man for his “important question.”Prime Minister Rishi Sunak takes part in a Q&A with workers during a visit to West William Distribution in Ilkeston, Derbyshire More