James Heale

Today saw the first set of Sunday shows since the election was called on Wednesday. Rachel Reeves was interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg about Labour's fiscal plans if they win power on 4 July. The Shadow Chancellor said 'We won't increase income tax or National Insurance' but refused to rule out some public spending cuts as she vowed that there 'will not be a return to austerity' under a Labour government. Reeves also refused to put a timetable on raising defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030, though she said the party supported getting there eventually. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hWj3WlTwso Cleverly rules out jail for national service refuseniks The big announcement of the day is the Conservatives' plan to introduce a new form of national service.

Rishi Sunak tonight made his first stump speech, kicking off the Tory election campaign with an appearance at the Excel Centre in the East End of London. The Prime Minister took to the stage after James Cleverly served as his warm-up act, reliving the role he played in the last election as party chairman and Tory cheerleader. The contrast between the two men emphasised the message which Sunak wanted to land. While Cleverly's speech was relaxed and off the-cuff and relaxed, Sunak stuck to his autocue and talked up the importance of security in this election, using variations of the word eight times in his ten-minute speech to the 100-odd attendees.

Throughout the last 25 years of devolution in the UK, one thing has remained consistent: Welsh Labour's stranglehold on Cardiff Bay. But in recent weeks, the party's grip on the Senedd has been shaken by a series of controversies, culminating in today's news that Plaid Cymru is pulling out of their power-sharing agreement. The two parties signed up to the three-year deal in 2021. However the Welsh nationalists have this afternoon withdrawn with immediate effect – seven months before the agreement was due to officially end.

Today is one of those rare occasions in British politics – a day when Rishi Sunak’s government has a bit of good news. Figures released this morning show the UK economy grew by 0.6 per cent in the first three months of the year, thanks to stronger than expected growth in March. So it is no surprise then that Labour want to take control of the news agenda by turning attention elsewhere. Sir Keir Starmer is in Dover this morning, proudly unveiling his latest Tory defector. Natalie Elphicke is intended to be Starmer’s ‘small boats bodyguard’ in the upcoming election, using her reputation as a migration hawk to deflect Tory attacks.