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. If I’m elected, I’m going to get those flights off.” When asked by the BBC if these flights would commence post-election, Sunak confirmed, “Yes.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to halt Sunak’s Rwanda plan, suggesting that no asylum seekers might ever be deported under this scheme. The UK has already paid Rwanda £220 million for the initiative.
Labour suspects Sunak might attempt a surprise move by authorizing a flight to Rwanda shortly before polling day.
Additionally, Sunak’s decision to call a snap election means that legislation to phase out smoking is unlikely to be passed before Parliament is suspended on Friday.
Elsewhere, the US plans to sue Live Nation makes the front page. The paper says the move will break up Ticketmasters ‘chokehold’ on the entertainment industry.
The latest business news
-
Cliff Notes ‘I want to create the Nike of lingerie’: How a former singer turned Instagram page into a £17m business Less than 20% of all active UK companies are led by women, and the pace of new business registrations is slowing down. That’s according to analysis of Companies House data by Prowess, which also
-
Cliff Notes: JLR is a mess – will it make a u-turn? Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is initiating a phased restart of manufacturing operations following a cyber attack, with early payments for qualifying suppliers to ease disruptions. The company is set to resume production at several key sites, including its Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre and
-
Cliff Notes – Takaichi set to become Japan’s first female Prime Minister Japanese stocks, particularly the Nikkei 225 Index, surged by 4.6%, marking a historic high above 46,000 points. The yen depreciated significantly, hitting 149.76 against the dollar and a record low against the euro, following Sanae Takaichi’s election to lead the ruling party. Takaichi,
-
Cliff Notes Yadi Zhang, a 47-year-old Chinese national, pleaded guilty to money laundering in connection with the UK’s largest-ever cryptocurrency seizure of over 61,000 Bitcoin, valued at more than £5bn. She was arrested after years of evading authorities, having allegedly orchestrated a £5bn investment scam in China that defrauded 130,000 investors. The seized Bitcoin is
-
Cliff Notes The UK Economy recorded zero growth in July, with significant declines in manufacturing offsetting modest growth in the services and construction sectors. Concerns are rising due to the slowing labour market, elevated inflation, and impacts of the US trade war, prompting discussions about the upcoming budget and potential tax increases. The Chancellor aims