🚨 ELECTION ANNOUNCED: LIVE REACTION WITH ALASTAIR AND RORY

Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell react to the shock news that the UK will go to the polls on the 4th July.
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[@kevinpugh3291]

May I say, how refreshing it is to see two people speaking, agreeing and disagreeing in a respectful and polite manner.

[@jannorth7060]

I’m just feeling such a huge sense of relief it’s felt like the Country has been held hostage by the squatting PM. Bring it on Labour any day rather than these incompetent fools

[@davidcooks2379]

No, how are islmaists better than incompetents? They will destroy the country to the point of no return

[@jp7357]

Was a Tory for 40 years - Can't wait to see them go.

[@dawnlizreads]

Been saying for a while now that even Tory voters must be going "I sure as hell didn't vote for this shower of shoes"

[@jp7357]

@@dawnlizreads I didn't vote for these b****** to take away my European passport. I'm still p***d off.

[@SB-hm4iw]

Well done sir!

[@Odd_pictures]

I don’t think these are tories though, these are crooks and chancers. I don’t like the tories, but I hope they come back.

[@flam9002]

@@dawnlizreadsThey kind of did though. We all knew Johnson was terrible.

[@jtaylor8606]

Whoever arranged Things Can Only Get Better during the speech should be knighted by Starmer!! What a hilarious shambles of a goodbye speech

[@R08Tam]

Sunak could only get wetter

[@Charlieb6308]

Really, although I think the Tories gave been a shambles in the last 2 years, Liebour will show you what a carastrophe is. Starmer, went against Brexit, supported Corbyn, changed policies constantly, took the knee and doesn't know what a woman is. He's a clown. Diane Abbot FFS

[@JoBroughton-yw7un]

@@Charlieb6308 do you feel better for that, and only been awake for 2yrs

[@yellowletters9465]

It was Steve Bray (stop brexit man)

[@JimmyIsTheBest1]

@@Charlieb6308 lol I love the tory attack 'starmer doesn't know a woman is'. What a complete non-argument and just shows how easily suckered in some people are to distraction tactics. Open your eyes buddy

[@PeteLoughlin]

"Labour hasn't got a plan" says the man without an umbrella

[@Somaliland44]

It is summer. Surely, he could've waited for a sunny day, or a few hours at least. When it rains, it pours. Sums up this current government.

[@sophiemaya3153]

They are desperate to win the Muslim vote. God help the British voter. Things are going to get bloody worse.

[@XmasEve64]

I find it funny that the Tories took a few plans from Labor the last 14 years as well.

[@davidboskett5581]

Labour does not need a plan - this one election that they cannot lose

[@w-james9277]

Thanks to you both for being voices of sanity in this crazy time!

[@PassiveAgressive319]

It’s not about turning around the economy etc people are just sick to the back teeth of the Tory party. I don’t understand why Tories are unable to grasp this. We are fed up of 14 years of treachery. They need to go NOW

[@jewelstar7537]

I'm sick of both Tory and Labour. I don't think that any one party should hold all the power and perhaps cross party running would be better.. I also hate that they get mixed up with the people they're supposed to serve and not the millionaire donors to their parties. We can't have governments controlled by the elite

[@Banyan314]

So Starmer take note.....don't mistake a victory for Labour as an endorsement. It's just a huge anti Tory vote.

[@chr1srugby]

​@@jewelstar7537 If power was split between lots of parties, you'd probably get nothing done. There's too much grandstanding and rhetoric in politics to allow for mature agreements and working together for the good of the country.

[@scottstuart6716]

Of course it is the economy screwed every tory Gov in history has done that.Its their thing,its called capitalism.

[@scottstuart6716]

​@jewelstar7537 Do you pay for health care dentistry child care care homes.Is your water beaches rivers clean.Is you gaz bill affordable.Is your electricity affordable.Are there homes for your children.Are there enough police.ARE YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS HAPPY AND SECURE.If not then vote Labour the tiny amount of things I've mentioned are cast in concrete in the Labour movement.

[@timbeaton5045]

As someone in the Guardian put it... "Things can only get Wetter!"

[@JimmyIsTheBest1]

Brexit was seen as a done deal for remain. People were complacent, especially younger generations who often didn't bother to vote. Please play the tories at their own game - get your ID ready, get out and exercise your democratic right to vote!!

[@harrylewin9162]

Then give us policy we care about. I'm 20 I'm in university and to be quite honest I don't feel like voting because there each as bad as the other. They don't give me policy to hope about I liked the whole green new deal I don't understand why he would shoot himself in the foot by getting rid of it. The reason we are not bothered because neither side has given us anything. It's why you saw young voters go to Corybn because Corbyn gave us something.

[@normanchristie4524]

@@harrylewin9162Sorry but this is not a valid reason for not voting. People campaigned and died to give you that vote.

[@colincampbell4261]

They're.... Good luck.

[@JimmyIsTheBest1]

@@harrylewin9162 'All as bad as each other' is an easy way out, but fundamentally completely wrong. Each parties' policies affect everyone, it's not just for 20 year olds who think the world them owes them something (I'm 34 btw). If you are 20, you will soon leave Uni and enter the workforce so think about which party offers better economic stability, which party supports renters and potential homeowners. If Green policies are important to you, you could vote Green or Labour who have plans for green energy, or on the flipside vote Reform who think it is all a hoax. I accept Starmer did reel back his green pledge, which in my view this is because he needs to carefully to weigh up how best to spend what little money the tories have left. Like someone has said, you have a demoncratic right to vote and frankly there is no excuse not to use it, especially when one of the options is 'NONE' :)

[@adamboh393]

I hate this cop out answer and the cynicism in this country. There’s clear ideological differences in the parties, at least in their general aims. People who say this just can’t be bothered to make a decision.

[@requiem1723]

The best meme about it I saw was a quote from Withnail & I, "We've called an election by mistake".

[@hans.vbaalen]

This way his kids can start the new school year in California....

[@qeitkas594]

Was exactly my thought and it shows where his priorities are. It is even understandable in his position.

[@stevenclarke5606]

Good riddance to this Evil Cancer

[@Veni_Vidi_Vortice]

Soggy Sunak is an enduring image that will remain with me. He can't get anything right at all.

[@adamcummings20]

hahahahahaha

[@Nemothewonderfish]

"Tory wet" screams ghost of Thatcher

[@waterdragon2340]

I astonished myself by feeling sorry for him. Surely downing St owns a brolly

[@CM73878]

It will go down as the defining moment of the election launch - haunting him like Theresa May’s conference speech where the letter fell off the wall. And things didn’t get better - witness Sky News later where the correspondent was kicked out of the Conservative election rally. It was a disastrous start to what will be a miserable campaign by current Tory MPs who are shocked and numb by this decision.

[@lizdocherty3067]

​@@waterdragon2340wanted the electorate to see him as a strong man and the rain doesn't bother him. Or he was trying to show sympathy with the many homeless people.

[@mikedee171]

The state of the Tory party is exemplified by the fact that sane Tories like Rory are no longer in the party

[@debb6393]

Similar to Republicans in USA , interesting 🤔 both relying on culture wars?

[@andrewelder8212]

He is the only Tory I would ever have voted for.

[@jester2126]

Lol sane tory, Rory was for the dementia tax

[@susanvadencourt1241]

No, Rory was a green supporter before joining the tories. He once explained ( on air) why he left the greens to become a tory.....it made no sense whatsoever. I would like to think better of him but his thought processes are shot full of holes, unlike Alastair.

[@ChuckY229]

He's too wet, even for the Blairite Consocialists

[@KevinThomas-kxtphotography]

The biggest problem Sunak has is the amount of money that the Govt has wasted and how much money they have pocketed. The brazen way they have shifted the burden onto the people in taxation and the lack of protection from the bills. The waste on HS2 and the mess they made with the water industry, Rail and everything they have touched.

[@wrzlygummidge]

short answer: Sunak has had enough of the BS, he's off to California.

[@10whiten99]

My thoughts exactly. He’s fed up and wants to be in California by Christmas. I don’t think he wants to win.

[@jondarbyshire-s7k]

@@10whiten99 Neither do the Tories, remember 1992.

[@sarangistudent8614]

He’s made his millions from the gig, up £120MILLION from last year. He’s done what he had to.

[@PassiveAgressive319]

Once he confirmed his residency in the US, got his book deal signed off and his kids schooling etc he called the election. He’s out of here….😊

[@ukbackyardmma]

​@@sarangistudent8614grow up, he was an investment banker married to a billionaire's daughter. He would have made much more money staying out of politics in the first place, he did it for power not money

[@CM-hp5nk]

A pint for the madlad that blasted Things Can Only Get Better as Rishi got blasted by the gods.

[@caroldaviddaviejohnson2225]

The fabulous Steve Bray👏👏👏 Rain or shine he's there, and played a blinder today with blasting that song over the top of Sunaks speech!

[@doreenhollywood7459]

He has called the election when the schools in Scotland will be on holiday and lots of people will be away.. Please remind people to register for a postal vote

[@Amatureb]

Yes, and at the time when A level students in the UK will be celebrating the end of their exams and University students will be celebrating end of year etc. Younger people typically vote left.

[@Lostmissionary]

So pleased it's been called and about time. Now Sunak & cronies ....GET OUT!

[@stevenhoward3358]

The low tax, tough on crime tories have the highest tax take since 1948 and are releasing criminal from prison because there's not enough space! Oxymorons

[@rsfaeges5298]

Interesting: Rory & Phil are both such acute political analysts that both dismissed the idea of a July 4th Election because it's completely mad. 😂

[@___Rick___]

Perhaps Sunak knows some further bad news is coming down the line.

[@kiljaeden7663]

​@@___Rick___well yes. There's only bad news at the moment.

[@jondarbyshire-s7k]

@@___Rick___ Maybe Benny Netty will be invading Syria, Eygpt, Lebanon or Jordan or Putin marching into the Baltics states. Certainly not a financial or sex scandal we have them all the time under this government.

[@Nemothewonderfish]

​​@@___Rick___ they have both missed the news, inflation forecasted to go up and no way will Rwanda flights actually go so he is going to say they will go....

[@randomdaveUK]

​@@___Rick___ absolutely, because the Rwanda policy will fail at the courts. The euros are in June/July and he's hoping a lot of people don't care about the election enough, but the older demographic who vote in the majority by post will already be done and sent

[@seanpullen4031]

Is it so his kids can start with the new school year in California in September, rather than having to move mid-term

[@colinstewart1432]

Because they don't need any more disadvantages than they have already? 🤣

[@teholmes7444]

I’m in Kansas , but English from Norfolk. Recovering from an illness. Now my summer looks like it will be interesting, exciting, inspirational. My attitude to life turned around this morning. Love the podcast. Can’t wait to hear from you both.

[@ronaldchong]

...and then november? 😊

[@sharonharris9782]

How TF did you end up in Kansas of all places? 😂

[@teholmes7444]

@@sharonharris9782 I want to say ‘got on the wrong plane’ …or…’husband had a midlife crisis and wanted to moved to US’. Really more the second one. He didn’t like his boss in England so said he wanted to try US. I’d been to grad school in Kansas many, many years earlier and swore I would never set foot in the state again. Life didn’t turn out like I’d expected and I’m still stuck here.

[@sharonharris9782]

​@@teholmes7444my condolences. Of all places to get stuck living here, it had to be Kansas. I just realized that you must have to deal with a lot of MAGAs. If so, I'm sorry.

[@teholmes7444]

@@sharonharris9782 yep. And no sea or beach, no mountains, no countryside. Just bloody shopping. It’s rough.

[@clairestickley7554]

I read your Guardian article today, Rory, and although i'm a Labour supporter, I've always had time for you as you've always come across as a thoughtful, compassionate Conservative and a lot of other readers had commented similarly on the article. I would encourage you to return to politics because I think a lot needs to change in our politics. Although, as you pointed out in your article that so much of British politics now is short term thinking, I think we do need a more level (less extreme) politics and the only way to achieve that, is from within

[@djtimgee]

I’ve checked the weather forecast and it’s sunny for the next 3 days. Great call all round 😂😂😂😂

[@VinceLammas]

My perception is the 'six first steps", "five missions" and rebuilding the country are significant enough and certainly more positive than anything being said by the Conservatives about their alleged "plan". Sunak has had nothing serious to say or to offer the country other than to try to repair the worst of the damage done by Johnson and Truss.

[@alexandraward1248]

Lets face it, Rishi doesn't need the job 😆

[@philipmulville8218]

Rory on top form - good to see. Love the podcast, gents.

[@hollycook7497]

I've just finished uni. My last exam was today. My graduation is in July. If the Tories get in again I think I'll jump ship and move to a different country

[@debb6393]

Yes, my daughter went to Canada and I’m really pleased because it offers them a better life than here. I miss her but she’s better off.

[@azena.]

I live and work in the UK, my child is established in school, family have moved close to us, moving would be the most disruptive thing I could possibly do. And yet, I fear that if the Tories get in then I'd also move country.

[@AlanLogan-x5c]

@@debb6393Ditto mine to Australia and no regrets.

[@philspur1882]

Seeing and listening to you, Alastair, brings back memories of us and others playing three card brag after putting the Sunday Indy to bed 🙂

[@ianfraser6161]

Maybe Sunak had a moment of epiphany, realising he should put country before party. Oh wait. He’s a Conservative. Perhaps that is being a little unfair. He knows it’s hopeless. Maybe national interest has been niggling at him. Had the Tories waited until November, the extra four months would have been a time of economic uncertainty. Business decisions would have been put on hold, the political parties would have been tempted to enter unrealistic bidding wars, the country would have been listless and lacking direction. Until today’s decision, a long and depressing campaign was in prospect. Perhaps we should be grateful to Sunak for sparing us that.

[@jaisriram295]

As opposed to mass uncontrolled immigration from the Labour party? Benefits Britain...yeah Labour are loads better 😂😂😂

[@noctorious6]

What's hilarious is you actually believe that.

[@shehryar_]

@@jaisriram295 Ah yes, because immigration reached 1million under labour...oh wait, this was under the tories. Knobhead

[@sherlockgnomes8971]

@@jaisriram295Yes, Labour allowed so many incredible hard working legal immigrants in to our country who worked as Nurses/Doctors/retail/ plumbers / construction workers and fruit and vegetable pickers. When YOU voted Brexit, so many of these hard working people went back to their home countries in Eastern Europe etc. SINCE Brexit, the “ control of our borders” under the Tory government has been the worst in our history. Illegal immigration has been at an all time high SINCE Brexit and under the Tory governments.

[@carolinechappell7468]

First time I have watched you two. Always listen to podcast. Cannot believe how much Alistair appears to check his phone whilst Rory opines. 😮

[@PeterRamselaar]

So the man with a plan didn't plan for an umbrella

[@annphillips1086]

Another pair of expensive trousers shrunk.

[@steveholmes11]

Even Steve McLaren had a brolly.

[@caroldaviddaviejohnson2225]

​@@annphillips1086😂😂😂👍

[@joannemead6609]

Thank you for doing the podcast. You both look very tired from a long day but still full of enthusiasm and with bags of interest.

[@robc7162]

This timing is all about catching Reform out. They won't have time to get all their candidates in place and supporters knocking on doors. So it will stop the loss of the Tory vote to Reform where they are not standing. No need for a 2019 Brexit party type stand down. Just to be clear, I'm not for Reform, just calling it as I see it.

[@adam7802]

If they aren't stupid surely they should of been ready for it to happen anytime?

[@smudger304]

Sound theory to be fair, damage limitation.

[@atlantismedia826]

This is the most convincing of all the arguments I've heard on the timing

[@sunseeker9581]

​@@adam7802 theyve only just got through the locals. They simply dont have the numbers needed to compete nationally

[@andyking7621]

I reckon that's a significant part of it.

[@t.p.mckenna]

I kinda know what Rory is getting at, when he says about the Labour bench not being that impressive, but if he was honest, would be able to name the last impressive appointment to the current cabinet. They are all highly questionable figures with the integrity of mobsters. "NOT THE TORIES" will see Labour over the line, while six weeks of being rubbished by Sunak will make it even more certain.

[@nuru0nuru]

00:45 Guess you forgot that the Tory Party's entire platform since 2016 has been complete insanity. This is fully on-message for 'em ^_^

[@smoozerish]

My gut feeling is that the Tories will be beaten far heavier than the polls currently show

[@julianshepherd2038]

Long campaign and plenty of money

[@infinitesam5880]

Let's hope so

[@stephenmcdonald7908]

I hope your guts are right.

[@sunseeker9581]

We already saw in the local elections what will happen

[@hughmarcus1]

It’s possible but as Alistair is always saying, there’s guaranteed to be banana skins. All it takes is a whiff of scandal in the wrong place or a big incident somewhere etc etc. too early to make big predictions. Everyone said Major would do down in flames in 92, he proved them wrong

[@KK-AA1]

FINALLY AN ELECTION Economy does or doesn't do better, inflation be damned, everyone needs to vote the Tories out

[@alanmswin]

Thanks for making politics watchable again

[@Halcyon-12]

I think the country breathed a collective sigh, get the Tories out, get the crooked ones in prison

[@davecap2641]

Rory we do not want exciting we want competent.

[@billywhizz6483]

No matter your stance... our relationship with Europe and the single market will be a factor in the election.

[@karenbarton3626]

Just waking up in Australia 🇦🇺 to this bonkers news 🤣🤣🤣 yeah 👍 it’s time to change 😊 things can only get better

[@trixiepickle8779]

I've started to think that Sunak isn't very good at politics. Can''t think why, just a feeling!

[@maryconnor6173]

🤔😂😂😂

[@LovethisLife785]

I think Sunak needs to leave toxic Tory party as he is too good for them. Tories is a party for toxic and self- centred people like Suella, Nigel Farage, and others like them. Rishi should have let Liz Truss and co do their useless gimmics and let people understand the real meaning of Brexit= Broken Britain.

[@ClareLatimer-kh3dw]

I haven't seen Alistair so happy in years!

[@btthomas89]

Great analysis, look forward to more over the next few weeks!

[@paulmartin1255]

Fond memories of Tom and Gavin and happy times in Dorset when I was setting up my art gallery. They were great supporters of my fledgling business Thomas Henry Gallery which still flourishes today.

[@KarlBraveman]

Or maybe Sunak was backed into a corner with it getting close to enough letters in to the 1922 committee that he had to go now...

[@buzzukfiftythree]

I have my suspicions.

[@elss8717]

That is my guess

[@jase4131]

That's what I thought. So he felt he would take his chances with an election, them removing another leader would have been political suicide.

[@criticsatlarge0073]

Things can only get better playing during the speech and it raining whilst Sunak making his party political broadcast during an election announcement was hilarious

[@BrianTaylor-e6d]

I'm looking forward to this because we desperately need some adults in

[@davecap2641]

You are right Rory, Sunak has had enough of playing at PM, does not need the money just wants to enjoy the spoils of his corrupt tenure in No. 10.

[@matthewhackett1710]

A surprise election.... he certainly seems to have caught his own ministers by surprise. Labour have apparently been "pre-prepared" a few days ahead of time.

[@philipliptrot9860]

I have listened to Tory MPs reacting on TV to Sunak calling a general election and the sense of entitlement oozing out of their mouths is truly breathtaking ! They still think it’s all going to be fine and they will win on July 4th because even though Britain is broken and nothing works anymore they are so contemptuous of the voting public that they smugly think no one blames them for it

[@ianmurray250]

Yesterday Sunak must have accepted a job in America and has to have left his present office by early July. He will then go on holiday and recover before starting his new job. Why else announce today?

[@Woke_White_Woman]

“Not Being Tory” works for me #GetTheToriesOut

[@sianscountrylife4925]

Thank goodness!

[@andyainsworth9804]

Agree massively on the point around policy: I want to read details on where the money will go to improve our lives: More specific issues: for example How to improve maternity & paternity rights? How will we push failing schools up in standard ? How we will access more medical specialists / reduce time for scans? Prison reform and plans to reduce reoffending stats? How will a nationalised energy firm reduce costs to the consumer? How will a nationalised train system reduce delays and costs to the consumer? How will we increase green energy schemes? There's lots of these specific questions that we need to get into more detail on. I don't want to hear bylines on stability and attacks on parties. Can we talk about the real ways our lives can be made better.

[@andyevans8585]

Imagine a labour majority with a lib dem opposition. How much better would it be to see the tories forced out of both 😆

[@johncbattersby]

Watching Sunak announcing the election I kept thinking of something my father would say of people he thought were dumb, "He does not have the sense to get in out of the rain.'

[@JamesMillar-rn3rs]

In November we would have 1, Worsening NHS crisis. 2, Full impact and cost of Brexit border checks hitting. 3, Elderly (tory best demographic) less likely to venture out in the cold.

[@AlanLogan-x5c]

And cost of the contaminated blood scandal plus paying off junior doctors- provoking dangerous levels of inflation…….

[@rmatenchuk]

The announcement together with what Senior Tories have said privately show what an absolute mess this government is in. More of a resignation today than a start of an election drive.

[@johnbutcher2587]

Rory could of been PM , wow life could of been so much better

[@kayess2634]

Maybe he still can be?

[@pip1723]

Wasn't keen on his voting record.

[@johnbutcher2587]

@@kayess2634 I am a Labour supporter and love to hear his opinions, he would of been 1000 per cent better than Boris and would love conservatives to let him back in and follow him but it’s not happening , probably suella and maybe worse

[@kayess2634]

@@johnbutcher2587 Apparently the Conservatives are battling to find people to stand as MP’s (I guess we’re not surprised) yet they won’t let somebody like Rory back in, to my mind a quality candidate, and as you say, better than last few PM’s. I hope that Labour will do better, I’m sure they will.

[@heliotropezzz333]

Could have or could've for short

[@MrOhdead]

If this had been called in November, it would be when folks are dreading turning their central heating on.

[@macsmiffy2197]

Locally, there’s a lot of noise about Bagge upsetting Truss’s seat. The family are well known for raising charitable funds. It’ll still be like having a Tory though despite having to stand as an independent.

[@bi1iruben]

Thank you for the articulate discussion and debate, I suspect we will get little of that in the main media to come.

[@t5kcannon1]

Here's to a Labour win! But I'm nervous: Labour should not rely too much on not being the Tories; I'd like to see Labour provide more positive and inspiring reasons, so that a more solid electoral support basis is built. Relying on not being the Tories hands too much initiative to the Tories (though they face the incumbency factor: when bad stuff happens, the party in power tends to get it in the neck).

[@BanterRanterr]

The main priorities for now should be cheaper energy and food, as well as soft Brexit, since no one voted for the extreme tory no-deal Brexit 🤷‍♂️.

[@t5kcannon1]

@BanterRanterr Labour should prioritise economic growth and its equitable distribution (fiscal stability must be emphasised), increasing NHS spending and reform, building more houses, energy security, increasing defence spending, reducing pollution but in line with what people can afford (ie, Row back on net zero), and border control/security. A side reference to the security of women in public spaces would not hurt. Of course there is more one could add. As to Brexit, leave well alone. Yes, the May/Johnson deal is poor, but now is not the time to open that toxic can of worms.

[@DylanSargesson]

Rwanda flights can't happen now, even if they were to be legal. Election period purdah would surely prevent officials and ministers from taking those decisions, especially with how vociferous Labour's opposition to the policy has been.

[@buzzukfiftythree]

Rwanda is now finished as a policy.

[@JoBroughton-yw7un]

Tories been pissing on we the people 14yrs, Sunak and retirement speech both pissed on, weather got it right for once

[@skinwalker_]

I’m not a labor support myself, but I actually think the labor front bench is pretty strong, especially when you compare it to the Tories over the last 13 years.

[@heliotropezzz333]

Labour (UK spelling).

[@sunseeker9581]

Dunno about that Streeting is terrible. Their chancellor also sounds like a Blair tribute act.

[@VertexXander]

Only thing that makes sense to me is he thinks if he waited then he could've been kicked out and replaced by the 1922 committee.

[@PassiveAgressive319]

*1922

[@markjones4704]

fucking hell typo i assume u mean 1922 the conservative party is the oldest in the world but not over 200 years old but nearly

[@VertexXander]

@@PassiveAgressive319 cheers for your amazingly insightful contribution

[@VertexXander]

@@markjones4704 cheers for your amazingly insightful contribution

[@PassiveAgressive319]

@@VertexXander 😳

[@harveysaunders2479]

"I never give a prediction, but I'm nearly always right" classic 😅

[@oldguygoeswild547]

James Cleverley is an appalling constituency MP. He’s hardly ever in his constituency, doesn’t reply to e mails that his constituents send him and doesn’t attend local civic events. He doesn’t know how to conduct himself in Parliament (the Shithole comment) talked about drugging his wife, he is only interested in furthering his own career. He swaps allegiances at the drop of a feather and has no principles. He would be a disasterous leader of the Conservatives and an even worse opposition leader. Rory needs to look beyond the military service and remember what that man did to get his safe seat, acting as Boris’s hatchet man on the LFCDA.

[@OrangeBananaPear]

100%

[@albertbrammer9263]

Labour should: A proper code of conduct for MPs. Deal with dividends when companies are massively in debt. Taxation on those earning over a million.

[@nigelstefani]

Wish AC would come back into front line politics - he’s a complete legend.

[@BjørjaBear]

Big thanks to Mr. Sunak for putting us all out of our misery

[@KK-AA1]

Hell no to James Cleverly as a leader

[@matthewtaylor9621]

Can I just thank you AC for how Gordon Brown left Downing Street. Dignity, holding hands with his kids. While Nick Clegg was doing the dirty with the Tories.

[@matthewtaylor9621]

And then you disappoint. Why would the Lib Dems take Moggs' seat? Labour take that

[@davidwhite8045]

The Economy is booming, we have additional food banks🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽💩🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽

[@robnicholson4942]

Brilliant chaps. We're in for quite a long conversation over the next few weeks!!

[@jezlawrence720]

They're going now, because there's a few things that won't have fully got going yet - rwanda flights and the impacts of latest brexit related checks, and the wrecked agricultural output this year thanks to the wet spring, for example. Thus, when those things die on their arse, raise prices, and cause shortages respectively... they will spend the next five years blaming labour for all of them. I mean I don't blame Tories for the weather, in fairness. But for the absolute state of farming that means not only will we get shortages but a ton more farms will fully go under...? Yeah, the Tories own that for sure.

[@getinthevantim]

A busy morning here in Australia but I've managed to fit in the TRIP emergency podcast just before last night's BBC news comes on here at midday. I'm so looking forward to the imagery of a sopping wet Sunak. What a prize clot !

[@EarthCitizen3]

I'm observing from across The Pond. I saw a PM whose staff didn't erect an awning...on a rainy day...in England. And I saw a PM who's not smart enough to come in out of the rain. Not a good look. 😲

[@jonathangammond3019]

Politicians like to talk about fixing the roof when the sun is shining, but the reality is that the roof was blown off in 2016, (it had already lost a lot of slates after 2008) and despite it raining almost continuously since then, the current UK government has made almost no real effort to replace the roof. Instead they decamped to their second home, leaving the rest of us to endure the 'weather.'

[@roderickmain9697]

I have a lot of confidence in the Labour front bench actually. (I've never voted for either of your parties though - lol). But I think it is necessary to say "Register to vote, Get ID to vote, and on the day, get out and Vote". Say it lots.

[@sunseeker9581]

Unless youre in Streetings constituency

[@philgalpin9284]

Deep chuckle from here in France. Get out the popcorn.

[@simonpeacock8714]

Love Rory's gurning while Alistair talks 😬

[@SmileyandTheUnderclass]

Tor-Es and whizz

[@julianshepherd2038]

​@SmileyandTheUnderclas😅s

[@julianshepherd2038]

​@@SmileyandTheUnderclasshe is a fan of King Charlie

[@Brokout]

MP for Guernsey over here

[@nicolaiqbal6823]

Rory, amongst many other things, is a great fidgeter.

[@kamcg1049]

Sunak said in the announcement of general election "restore pride and confidence in our country". This is the party that's been in power after 14 1/2 years. The good news is Jeremy Hunt and Mel Stride last week were telling the public there are plenty of jobs........ good news for Tory MP's come the 5th of July!

[@peterdunn6133]

At question time Starmer looked and sounded like the Prime Minister with his opening remarks it was obvious from the faces of Sunak and Dowden that something was up! They looked like rabbits in the headlights!

[@alexlaw5323]

PMQs*

[@lairddougal3833]

The Tories have been hoping something would turn up for 14 years. They thought Brexit would do it, if only as an excuse. Didn’t that go well?

[@julianshepherd2038]

Things can only get marginally less bad

[@DarkFire515]

To be fair, at the moment I'll take marginally less bad over another disasterous 5 years of tory-induced failure and chaos.

[@davidpeacock40]

Back to square one and beyond with Labour works well for most people

[@michaeladkins6]

@@DarkFire515 You didnt like the bi-weekly by-elections?

[@DarkFire515]

@@michaeladkins6 They were great! Now I want to see that replicated 500 times.

[@ProffyChaos]

Thanks for sharing your insights.

[@Gaza-vu6gl]

He doesn’t want it. He’s defeated and now he’s off

[@KevinMole-cj3kl]

As a country we have just totally had enough of this party they are out whatever....

[@markendicott6874]

Somebody told Rishi-Washout it's always sunny in California.

[@Mil-w6d]

“That’s not going to happen, because I am not running” says Rory when AC suggests he could be Tory leader. Even if you were running you’ll have no chance !

[@danmayberry1185]

How many of the 100 departing MPs were among the 100 MPs who saved Rishi from a party leadership vote?

[@chrisslaterwalker]

I would like to see Labour get rid of "Voter ID." It's a solution without a problem. Also I've taken a day off from work on 5th July so I can stay up and watch the results.

[@peterdollins3610]

I suspect little Rishi will lose his seat as he seems to be hated by everyone. Tories included. Hoping for less than 30 Tory Seats held.

[@wendyknight9574]

He has a very safe, deeply rural constituency (I live here), with not even middle sized towns. It would be amazing, but I’m not holding my breath. I

[@stevewhite1538]

The Sicilian mafioso had more integrity than this political system/government/opposition, they have made organised crime look like a palatable alternative. In my opinion

[@benglishman]

Next stop: "become a tech brother"

[@traceyhordern222]

Aussie here (though like many of my compatriots, I have lived in the UK), as soon as I awoke to the news of your upcoming general election I wondered if there would be an emergency TRIP podcast? And of course there is, thanks boys! Txx