Good morning, Annabel here, standing in for Arion for a few days.
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding - the sound of the boxing bell ringing after the first TV election debate with Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer. Tensions were high, voices were raised, but did either deliver a knockout blow? Heavyweight or lightweights? Many of the news pods focused on the Salford scrapes and are pulling no punches… OK, boxing puns over…
The Rest is Politics simply asks who won in their post-election debate special. Both Rory and Alistair were sceptical of the format but content wise had praise and criticism for both Number 10 candidates. Debate tactics were unpicked and insights revealed about how spin rooms work. Where does this campaign go from here and will round one move the dial?
Electioncast: Sunak v Starmer assembled the Newscast family to offer their post-game analysis. You’ll be hearing and reading a lot this morning about the figure of £2,000 after Sunak repeatedly claimed that’s how much Labour would put up taxes. Starmer said in the end that’s a “false readout”. So what’s going on? BBC Chief Economics Correspondent Dharshini David joins the team to explain.
Before publishing their debate episode asking whether we learnt anything, the News Agents team were having a day at the seaside. They were in Clacton-on-Sea following Reform party leader Nigel Farage’s launch (where he got pelted by a banana milkshake) and spoke to residents. Tasked with trying to unpick what he wants to do for the people there, the team also caught up with ex-leader Richard Tice and Conservative opponent Giles Whatling. Fish and chips for tea before the team hotfooted it to Salford.
Scotland got into the debate ring even sooner. Leaders had their first debate at the start of the week. On Holyrood Sources, hosts Calum Macdonald (who you may have heard grilling politicos over their cornflakes on Times Radio), Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver get stuck into post-match analysis with the deputy leaders of the parties. As Geoff says wisely, “you don’t win elections through debates but you can lose them if there’s a major gaffe”. Thankfully this trio is on gaffegate watch and unpacking why Scotland will be an important factor in determining whether Labour wins power at Westminster.
Meanwhile over at Politics at Jack and Sam’s they’re looking at Wales, asking whether the Welsh First Minister Vaughan Gething Faces a motion of no confidence.
Matt Forde, host of The Political Party has set himself a marathon election campaign task - he’s attempting to interview a candidate in every constituency. Today candidates in Bury North, Kilmarnock and Louden and Wishaw and Carluke.
Only 640 more to go…good luck!
The Guardian’s Today in Focus examines whether the Labour Party is purging leftwingers, in particular two women of colour. How does the candidate selection and deselection process really work? Get ready for that somewhat overused political phrase “a broad church” to come up but it’s important to unpack and Aletha Adu in particular is excellent at doing so.
Former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith joins Camilla and Kamal in the The Daily T studio. For a reminder of why voting and democracy is so important, it was great to hear some remarkable memories from the last-remaining D-Day veterans ahead of the 80th anniversary on Thursday.
Sky News Daily also spoke to veterans including Bill Gladden of the 6th Airborne Reconnaissance Regiment who flew into Normandy on a glider and radio operator Marie Scott. Every year fewer and fewer make it to these important commemorations. As host Niall says “we owe it to them to listen to their stories and never forget”.
Politics Without the Boring Bits asks Rory Stewart, yes him again, whether he’d rather be a podcast host or PM? And what is it like to run against Nigel Farage? Comedian Al Murray the Pub Landlord reminisces about 2015. Would he run again? Answers and a laugh included.
When It Hits the Fan says it’s not looking good for posh schools. David Yelland and Simon Lewis examine why private schools seem to be losing the PR battle over their VAT exemption. There are some nuggets in this, whichever side of this debate you’re on, proving the old adage, every day is a school day (no matter what type of school you went to). They also look at the tactics of the Liberal Democrats and “how you make a splash when you’re the underdog” (get your paddle board out?).
And now for something completely different
Famously Shania Twain sang “That Don’t Impress Me Much” and so if the above isn’t floating your boat, how about Great Company with Jamie Laing. In case you missed it, he’s sat down with the singer who’s sold 100 million albums worldwide and is getting ready to play the coveted legend slot at Glastonbury later this month. Find out what does impress her and let’s go girls..
Thanks for reading
Annabel Deegan
