UK basic election newest – dwell updates after Sunak calls snap vote

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Election campaigns get under way today with politicians dashing across the country to secure votes for their parties after Rishi Sunak called a vote for July 4.

Mr Sunak is set to embark on a whistle-stop tour of all four nations of the UK, while his rival Keir Starmer heads to the south east for Labour’s first major event in a traditional Conservative heartland.

It comes after the Prime Minister sprung a surprise on the steps of Downing Street last night by triggering a contest in the pouring rain after a day of frenzied speculation that a date had been set.

Follow MailOnline’s live coverage below

Rishi Sunak – Vote for me to deport migrants to Rwanda

The Prime Minister is touring the broadcast studios this morning and has urged voters to re-elect him if they want to see deportation flights to Rwanda take off.

Speaking to GB News from Derby in the East Midlands, Rishi Sunak said:

If you elect me, if I’m Prime Minister on July 5, those flights will go off to Rwanda and we will begin to put in place the deterrent that we need to stop the boats.

Because there is no way to stop this problem unless you can have a deterrent, unless it’s clear that if someone comes to our country illegally they won’t be able to stay and they will be removed.

Meanwhile, in a separate interview on BBC Breakfast, Mr Sunak denied suggestions he called an election because inflation is expected to rise again this year.

No, that’s not the real reason.

And when it comes to the economy, of course I know there’s more work to do. I know that people are only just starting to feel the benefits of the changes that we’ve brought.

Good morning

MailOnline will be reporting live updates on day one of the general election campaign with parties hunting for votes.

It comes after the Prime Minister sprung a surprise on the steps of Downing Street last night by triggering a contest in the pouring rain after a day of frenzied speculation that a date had been set.

We will bring you the latest political news, reaction and analysis throughout the day.

Key Updates
  • Rishi Sunak – Vote for me to deport migrants to Rwanda

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