Rishi Sunak shocked Westminster with the decision to hold a snap general election on July 4. As the parties launch their campaigns, Lucy Fisher assembles the Political Fix team to look ahead to the next six weeks. The FT’s Robert Shrimsley, political editor George Parker, columnist Stephen Bush and Political Fix regular Miranda Green have the inside track on how the race to Number 10 might unfold.

Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher

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Key moments ahead in the UK election campaign

Sunak suffers a series of setbacks on the first day of UK election campaign

How Rishi Sunak shocked Westminster with a snap general election

Improving UK economy does little to lift Tory hopes of victory in July election

Tories scout for post-election jobs as UK parties dial up campaign mode

TV debates can change election campaigns. Leaders should choose wisely

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Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Audrey Tinline with Leah Quinn. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Sir Keir Starmer has unveiled his party’s six core pledges ahead of the general election – in the same week that Rishi Sunak claimed the country would be less safe under a Labour government. As both parties kick off their election campaigns, the FT’s Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher is joined by Jim Pickard and Miranda Green to examine the battle lines being drawn up. Plus, the FT’s public policy editor Peter Foster outlines the dangers facing the UK’s university sector if the government decides to axe the graduate visa route that allows foreign students to stay on after graduation.

Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Miranda @greenmiranda, Jim @PickardJE, Peter @pmdfoster

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Keir Starmer unveils 6 election ‘first steps’ for a Labour government

Sunak claims UK will be less safe under Labour in pre-election speech

The think-tank laying the groundwork for a Labour government

Union leader urges backing for Keir Starmer over diluted worker rights

Sketchy Politics: Sunak’s sinking feeling

England’s universities face ‘closure’ risk after student numbers dive

The State of Britain

Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award.

Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Audrey Tinline with Leah Quinn. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As politicians and commentators digest the disastrous Tory local election results, FT experts answer subscribers’ questions about what this might mean for the forthcoming general election – and beyond. The FT’s Lucy Fisher is joined by colleagues Stephen Bush, George Parker and Camilla Cavendish for their take on the upcoming general election and the government that will take shape after it. The team tackle your toughest questions during a special FT Political Fix Inside Politics subscriber webinar.

Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher

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Are Labour and the Conservatives adopting ‘Heevesian’ economics?

Labour defends decision to admit ex-Tory MP Natalie Elphicke

What we learn from Andy Street’s narrow loss in the West Midlands

Rishi Sunak told to show some vision as local polls leave Tories in a hole

We’ve made this subscribers-only FT webinar free to everyone and you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/zp0UXwc7DTs?si=E3w2xBAEYfug00U6

Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award.

Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Audrey Tinline. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Andrew Georgiadis and Rod Fitzgerald were the studio engineers. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.