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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

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

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