UK Politics

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsWatch again as Rishi Sunak kicked off Tory general election campaign in Derbyshire on Tursday (23 May).Mr Sunak began the first full day of the general election campaign with a visit to a distribution centre in Derbyshire to answer questions from staff.Speaking to around 50 staff at the warehouse, the prime minister repeated his message that the Conservatives would offer economic stability and “a clear plan”, while Labour would take the UK “back to square one”.After the astonishing announcement on Wednesday, political parties have wasted no time in launching their campaigns.Mr Sunak kicked things off touring broadcast studios this morning before visiting all four nations in the UK in two days. During an interview on BBC Breakfast, he announced Rwanda flights won’t take off before the July general election, insisting they will go “if I am re-elected”.Sir Keir Starmer is also officially launching Labour’s campaign and is heading to the south east of England to turn around key Conservative seats. 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

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailNot another one! Rishi Sunak’s big election announcement was something of a washout as the prime minister swapped the £2.6 million Downing Street press briefing room for the Great British Outdoors. Standing outside No 10, Labour’s 1997 theme Things Can Only Get Better by D:Ream was blasted from Tory arch nemesis Steve Bray’s amplifier – sheltering under the dignity of an EU umbrella.As the first verse kicks in and the penny drops as to what is about to happen, Mr Sunak tries to raise his voice to boast of his inflation achievements.He said: “For some it may still be hard to look at your bank balance… but this is only the beginning.”Of course social media users leapt on the moment and with a general election, Euro 2024, Glastonbury and Love Island coming up, the memes are going to be in full flow this summer.Here are some of the best jokes, memes and quips so far.Conservative peer and former party chairwoman Baroness Warsi tweeted a photograph of a drenched Rishi Sunak, saying: “Drowned and out.“Not good look to kick off a #GeneralElection campaign.”The general election represents a chance to change the country for the better, Sir Keir Starmer said.Labour insiders are reportedly aghast the Conservatives allowed Rishi Sunak to announce the election in those conditions.Responding to the announcement of an election, Sir Keir Starmer said: “Tonight, the Prime Minister has finally announced the next General Election, a moment the country needs and has been waiting for and where, by the force of our democracy, power returns to you.“A chance to change for the better your future, your community, your country.“It will feel like a long campaign, I am sure of that, but no matter what else is said and done, that opportunity for change is what this election is about.” More

Rishi Sunak took a question from an audience member at a campaign event in Derbyshire this morning – who turned out to be a Conservative councillor.The prime minister was speaking at a McVitie’s warehouse when he called upon someone who appeared to be a member of the public, dressed in a high-vis jacket.Ross Hills, Leicestershire County Councillor for Mallory, then asked the PM about his Rwanda bill.Mr Sunak thanked Mr Hills for asking an “important question.”A Tory source told The Independent: “We do not control who asks questions – anyone can try and ask one.”Mr Hills’s office has been contacted for comment. More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailRishi Sunak has admitted there will be no Rwanda deportation flights before the general election.The morning after calling a snap contest on 4 July, the prime minister said asylum seekers will be deported to the east African nation only “if I am re-elected”.Pressed repeatedly on whether any deportation flights would take off before voters go to the polls, Mr Sunak repeatedly said the scheme would only get up and running after the election.Rishi Sunak has promised to get Rwanda flights in the air by the second week of July More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailA senior Conservative MP has said he won’t cancel his holiday plans for his party’s general election campaign despite admitting he will likely lose his seat.Steve Baker, MP for Wycombe, said he would stick to his plans after admitting he was widely expected to lose his seat in July.Prime minister Rishi Sunak launched the Conservative Party’s general election campaign in London on Wednesday, with the country set to head to the polls on 4 July.Follow live updates hereWhen challenged by LBC if he would be putting his plans on hold, Mr Baker said: “I’m not going to announce any of my plans, but I can tell you I’m going to keep to my plans. Steve Baker said he would be sticking to his holiday plans despite admitting it was likely he would lose his seat in July More

Those responsible for blasting New Labour’s 1997 anthem “Things Can Only Get Better” as Rishi Sunak made his general election annnouncement on Wednesday, 22 May, have been unmasked.Anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray posted footage of himself and a group of people gathered round a speaker outside Downing Street as it played the D:Ream track while the prime minister spoke.Mr Sunak was drenched in the rain as he spoke over the music, confirming he had spoken with King Charles III to request the dissolution of parliament for the general election to be held on 4 July 2024. More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailFollowing months of speculation, Rishi Sunak has called a snap general election which will take place on July 4.Speaking outside of Downing Street, the prime minister announced that King Charles had granted his request to dissolve Parliament and promised to “fight for every vote” in the coming weeks.In his speech, Mr Sunak reflected on his time in office, saying: “In the last five years our country has fought through the most challenging times since the Second World War.“As I stand here as your prime minister, I can’t help but reflect that my first proper introduction to you was just over four years ago. I stood behind one of the podiums upstairs in the building behind me.Responding to the news, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said “it’s time for change,” adding “by the force of our democracy, power returns to you. A chance to change for the better your future.”The next seven weeks will see fervent campaigning from all parties, as they vie for votes up and down the country.To cast your vote on July 4, there’s a few things you will need to be aware of. Here’s everything you need to know about voting in the next general election.How to register to voteRegistering to vote can be done online or with a paper form.In England and Northern Ireland you can register to vote from 16, while in Wales and Scotland it’s 14. However, you must be 18 on polling day to vote in a general election.The deadline to register to vote in the July 4 general election is June 18 at 11.59pm, the Electoral Commission has confirmed.You must be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen, and also be resident at an address in the UK or registered as an overseas voter.You will cast a single vote for the person that you want to represent your constituency as a Member of Parliament (MP). They will either represent a political party or be standing as an independent candidate.MPs are elected using the first past the post voting system – whoever gets the most votes, wins. How to apply for a postal voteIf you’ll be away from home or abroad during the general election, you can apply for a postal vote. This means you will complete your ballot paper remotely, and post it back to your polling station.You can apply for a postal vote on the government’s website. You must first be registered to vote.You should receive your ballot paper by post around three weeks before polling day. It must be completed and sent back to the polling station in time for them to receive it no later than 10pm on polling day, so it is advisable to return it as soon as possible after you receive it.If you are unable to do so, you are allowed to take your completed postal vote directly to your local polling station before this deadline. You can hand in your own and up to five other people’s. It is an offence for a political campaigner to hand yours in if they do not know you personally.How to apply for a proxy voteA proxy vote is when someone votes on your behalf at the polling station. Similar to a postal vote, a proxy vote is for someone who is not able to physically be at the polling station on polling day.However, it is only allowed under certain circumstances.These are: being away on polling day, being registered as an overseas voter, having a medical issue or disability, and not being able to vote in person due to work or military service.You must apply for a proxy vote by 5pm, six working days before the election.However, if you are unable to vote on polling day due to circumstances such as a medical emergency or losing your photo ID, you can apply for an emergency proxy vote. You will have until 5pm on polling day to apply.What about voter ID?Following the introduction of new election laws in 2023, the July general election will be the first ever where people will be required to present a form of identification to vote.Many standard forms of ID are valid, including passports and driver’s licences. However, there are some omissions such as veteran cards, or travel passes for younger people.If you don’t possess an accepted form of ID, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate from the government. They are free and do not expire, but must be ordered with time to arrive before the election date.Read our guide to find out more about the new voter ID laws. More