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    Reporter ‘forcibly removed’ from Sunak’s first election campaign rally live on air

    A Sky News reporter appeared to be kicked out of from Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party general election campaign launch event on Wednesday, 22 May.Footage broadcast live on the channel showed political correspondent Darren McCaffrey being led away by security staff.”We were told because there were pool arrangements in place, we’re not allowed to be here,” the journalist explained. Mr Sunak was holding a rally in London’s ExCel Centre after confirming 4 July as the election date.The Independent has contacted Mr Sunak’s office for comment. More

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    Labour shadow minister reveals general election falls on wedding anniversary

    A Labour shadow minister has revealed he’ll be spending his wedding anniversary campaigning – as it falls on the date Rishi Sunak announced as the general election.The prime minister announced that the public will go to the polls on 4 July after months of speculation.Many in Westminster had expected the election to be held in October or November.Speaking to Sky News on Wednesday, 22 May, shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “I wasn’t planning to be in Dukinfield town hall getting my election count on that day.” More

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    Rishi Sunak explains why he chose July general election date

    Rishi Sunak has explained why he has chosen 4 July as the date for the general election.In an Instagram clip posted after he made the announcement outside 10 Downing Street, the prime ministerHe appeared to be dry after getting soaked at the lectern as he made his speech to the public.Speaking into the camera, Mr Sunak said though the public are “only just starting to feel the benefits” of Tory plans, “this hard won economic stability was only ever meant to be the beginning.”And that’s why I’ve called an election.” More

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    Starmer outlines three reasons public should vote Labour in July general election

    Sir Keir Starmer set out three reasons he believed why the public should vote for Labour on 4 July as he responded to Rishi Sunak’s general election date announcement on Wednesday, 22 May.The opposition leader vowed that Labour would “stop the chaos” and deliver a “long-term plan to rebuild Britain,” declaring it was “time for change.”In a speech shortly after the prime minister confirmed the election date, Sir Keir described the vote as a chance to change the country “for the better”.Today’s announcement came after months of Mr Sunak hinting that the election would be in the “second half of the year.” More

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    Key takeaways from Rishi Sunak’s general election announcement

    Rishi Sunak has announced the general election will take place on Thursday 4 July.The prime minister fired the starting gun during a speech outside Downing Street on Wednesday 22 May, naming the summer polling date.He made the economy and combating the global security threats facing the UK the key elements of his first pitch to the nation, saying that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer could not be trusted to lead the country through “uncertain” times.Following the snap election announcement, The Independent takes a look at some of the key takeaways from Mr Sunak’s speech. More

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    Keir Starmer shares one-word message in response to Rishi Sunak’s snap election announcement

    Sir Keir Starmer said it was time for “change” as he responded to Rishi Sunak’s snap general election announcement.The prime minister confirmed the public will go to the polls on Thursday 4 July – earlier than many in Westminster expected.Within minutes, Sir Keir shared a video on social media – captioning it with one word – “change”.“Britain is a great and proud country, but after 14 years under the Tories, nothing seems to work anymore,” the Labour leader said.“The answer is not five more years of the Tories, they have failed… Britain deserves better than that.”He added that a “changed” Labour Party will “serve working people” and bring “economic stability”. More

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    Watch: Keir Starmer responds to Rishi Sunak’s general election announcement

    Sir Keir Starmer responded to Rishi Sunak’s snap general election announcement in a short press conference on Wednesday evening (22 May). The prime minister has confirmed the public will go to the polls on Thursday 4 July – earlier than many in Westminster expected. He made the announcement outside Downing Street in the pouring rain. Within minutes, Labour leader Sir Keir addressed the nation and called on Britons to vote for “change” and “turn the page”.”It will feel like a long campaign, I’m sure of that. But no matter what else is said and done, that opportunity for change is what this election is about,” he said. More

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    Watch: Blair’s landslide victory song interrupts Sunak election announcement

    Rishi Sunak’s general election announcement speech was drowned out by someone loudly playing Tony Blair’s campaign song.Labour used D:Ream’s “Things Can Only Get Better” during the party’s successful campaign which ended with their landslide victory in 1997.The prime minister was drenched in the rain on Wednesday (22 May) 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.“Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future, to decide whether we want to build on the progress we have made or risk going back to square one with no plan and no certainty,” Mr Sunak said. More