Author: News Desk

Sunak makes faltering election start after Rwanda and smoking setbacks The prime minister cannot introduce signature policies on asylum and smoking before July 4 Summary Rishi Sunak encountered several challenges on the first full day of the general election campaign. He had to acknowledge that he could not implement key policies on asylum and smoking before the July 4 polling day. On Thursday, the Prime Minister conceded that deportations of asylum seekers to Rwanda, a policy proposed by the Tories over two years ago, would only happen if he wins the election. Sunak emphasised, “The election is about the future.…

This week’s Economist asks: Is America dictator-proof? The many vulnerabilities, and enduring strengths, of America’s Republic.

Five pieces of economic news that could affect the UK election result There is no bias in the title provided. From unemployment to inflation, the key data the Tories and Labour must explain to votersRishi Sunak’s slim chance of pulling off a victory against the odds in July’s general election depends on voters buying the argument that tough decisions taken since he became prime minister are paying off.That claim will be tested over the next six weeks – with every piece of economic news more closely scrutinised than usual for evidence that the UK’s tentative economic recovery is gaining momentum…

The Metro – General Election Day 1: Rishi’s bumpy take off The Metro leads on the general election, as the first day of campaigning got underway. The paper says the election announcement had the feel of a 90s romcom. Rishi Sunak stood outside 10 Downing Street in the torrential rain, sharing his feelings and begging voters for one last chance to make things right. The pint-sized Prime Minister was drenched and humiliated as D: Ream’s hit song – and New Labour anthem – Things Can Only Get Better, blasted so loud from a nearby protestor’s speaker that he was drowned…

Manchester Arena bombing victim’s mother ‘feels misled’ after Sunak meeting There is no bias in the title provided. 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 emailsThe mother of a Manchester Arena bombing victim who walked 200 miles to Downing Street has said she feels “misled” by Rishi Sunak after he promised to pass a law in her son’s name.Figen Murray, the mother of Martyn Hett, had talks with the PM on Wednesday in which he promised to introduce Martyn’s Law to parliament…

The Independent – It never rains but it pours, Rishi, so you’ll need one of these The Independent front page leads on Rishi Sunak saying the outlook looks gloomy for the prime minister as he was forced to announce the Rwanda flights won’t take off before the election. The paper says social media reacted more or less as you’d expect to news of a “snap” summer election – the first July poll since 1945 – by finding the funny. Users of X (formerly Twitter) quickly coined the term “genny lex” – which, like “platty jubes” and “statey funes” before it,…

The Guardian – Sunak begins election campaign by abandoning flagship policies The Guardian leads on the first day of the general election campaign. Rishi Sunak has dropped flagship policies on deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda and banning smoking for young people on the first full day of his election campaign, leaving his legacy increasingly threadbare, the paper writes.  Sunak is pictured on the front page stepping off a plane – as he touched down in Wales for a whistlestop tour. Elsewhere, the paper reports on Post Office boss Paula Vennells who appeared at the Post Office Inquiry yesterday. The paper…

Western Mail – NHS waiting lists hit record high The Western Mail leads on newly released NHS figures showing more people are waiting for healthcare treatment in Wales than ever before. NHS data released by the Welsh Government showed rises in the number of people on waiting lists, longer waits in A&E, fewer cancer patients starting treatment within the two-month target and ambulances taking longer to get to the most urgent calls. The figures released on Thursday show winter pressures and strike disruption have been extremely disruptive for the NHS. There were around 591,600 individual patients on waiting lists for…

The National – Scottish Lib Dem candidate gave £25k to Boris The National’s lead story is an exclusive on Lib Dem candidate and businessman Angus MacDonald who donated £25,000 to the Conservatives under Boris Johnson. MacDonald hopes to rekindle the Lib Dem vote in their former Highland heartlands by taking the new Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire seat from the SNP, the paper writes. But there are questions about his commitment to his new party’s stated pro-EU stance after The National revealed his previous support for the Tories in the run-up to the 2019 election. Boris Johnson’s 2019 campaign was…

The Herald (Scotland) – FM’s election launch marred by police move on SNP fraud probe The Scottish Herald’s leading story reports that police in Scotland have launched a formal investigation into potential criminality involving SNP fundraising. The force, which has been assessing a fraud allegation from a member of the public since late March, said it had escalated its work after consulting with prosecutors. The paper notes the situation has been a blow to John Swinney’s bid to kick off the SNP’s general election campaign.  Elsewhere, a large image of PM Rishi Sunak on the campaign trail is featured on…