UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and UK prime minister Rishi Sunak clashed on energy policy and the exodus of MPs announcing their departure from parliament grew as campaigning for the UK's July 4th General Election entered its second day.
Here are the key moments:
Power moves
Mr Sunak touted the fall in the energy price cap announced by the UK's energy watchdog Ofgem on Friday as evidence that his economic plans are working, though Labour said that even with a year-on-year decrease it will still be up £400 on 2021.
Meanwhile, Mr Starmer plugged his plans for a publicly owned Great British Energy company, promising it would bring bills down for good and invest in “clean, British power”.
The Conservatives said they would maintain the Ofgem cap to keep bills down and make price comparison services easier to use. They also said they would “reach net zero without punishing families with extra costs”.
Sunak’s spark faded by vapes Bill going up in smoke
Mr Sunak said he was “disappointed” that his flagship legislation banning young people from ever being able to legally smoke would not pass before parliament shuts down on Friday.
The shelving of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, as well as his admission that deportation flights to Rwanda would not take off before polling day, leaves the Tory leader’s legacy increasingly threadbare.
Critics were quick to note that he has only one person to blame for cutting short the parliamentary timetable by calling a summer election.
Islington North headache for Labour
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn announced he is standing as an Independent candidate in the General Election, posing a threat to his old party’s prospects in his long-held Islington North seat.
The veteran MP was promptly booted out of the Labour Party. Mr Starmer defended his decision to block his predecessor from standing for Labour after he failed to apologise for his handling of antisemitism within the party.
Sunak’s visit to the Titanic Quarter invites sinking ship comparisons
Mr Sunak’s trip to Belfast’s Titanic Quarter saw some unfortunate parallels drawn with his party’s fortunes.
The Tory leader insisted he is “pumped up” and enjoying himself on campaign day two when a Belfast Live reporter asked him: “Are you captaining a sinking ship going into this election?”
Picture of the day
Mr Sunak talks to journalists on his plane as he travels from Northern Ireland to Birmingham.
Social media moment of the day
Not coming to a debate near you. https://t.co/Uvg1WPAyea
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) May 24, 2024
Mr Sunak encountered the dangers of online fact-checkers when he shared a claim about Mr Starmer on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Repeating his claim that Mr Starmer would be ducking TV debates during the campaign, Mr Sunak posted imagery of the Labour leader with the caption: “Not coming to a debate near you.”
Beneath the post appeared a Community Note – a feature that allows users to add context to potentially misleading content – which read: “Starmer says he will agree to two debates. To say debates are not coming, is not correct.”
MPs leave in their droves
As of Friday, nearly 80 Conservative MPs have stepped down ahead of the General Election, a post-war record.
The total not seeking re-election on July 4th hit 76 on Friday, surpassing the previous record of 72 who quit prior to Sir Tony Blair’s 1997 landslide win for Labour.
It is not entirely the Conservatives though – grandees including Harriet Harman, Dame Margaret Beckett and Sir Ben Bradshaw have all said they will not fight their seats.
Sunak’s tour finale derailed by pro-Palestine crowds
The final stop of Mr Sunak’s two-day tour of the UK was temporarily derailed when pro-Gaza protesters picketed the surrounding area.
A crowd of demonstrators carried placards and Palestinian flags outside the venue in Staffordshire, where the Prime Minister insisted on continuing with his visit despite the commotion.
Quote of day
What’s happening on Sunday?
Mr Starmer will be taking his campaign to the Midlands while Mr Sunak, having completed his whistlestop tour of the four nations, will be in the North of England.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey will continue his trail in the so-called blue-wall, traditionally Conservative areas of southern England.
