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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has confirmed that a general election will take place on 4 July.

Standing in the rain outside Downing Street, Sunak touted his record during “this most uncertain of times,” and said he hopes his record “shows that we have a plan and are prepared to take bold action necessary for our country to flourish”.

Follow the latest politics news live as general election confirmed

Confirming an election will be held this summer, the prime minister said “now is this moment for Britain to choose its future”.

Here is the Prime Minister’s speech in full:

In the last five years, our country has fought through the most challenging times since the Second World War.

As I stand here as your Prime Minister, I can’t help but reflect that my first proper introduction to you was just over four years ago.

I stood behind one of the podiums upstairs in the building behind me. I told you that we faced a generation-defining moment and that we as a society would not be judged by some government action, but by the small acts of kindness that we showed one another.

You met that challenge and then some, and I have never been prouder to be British. And when I introduced the furlough scheme, I did so not because I saw a country simply in need of desperate help, albeit we were, but because I saw a country whose future hung in the balance.

I could be bold and trust in the tens of millions of you at home that you would rise to the moment. Or I could accept the inevitable millions of job losses and pick up the pieces. In truth, it was no choice at all. I have never and will never leave the people of this country to face the darkest of days alone. And you know that because you’ve seen it.

As I did then, I will forever do everything in my power to provide you with the strongest possible protection I can. That is my promise to you.

Rishi Sunak delivers a speech calling a general election.
Pic Reuters
Image:
Pic: Reuters

Because for so many of us, it’s easy to forget the scale of what we’ve been through. We were hit by a pandemic that upended normal life. Who would have thought that the government would ever tell us how many times a day we could leave our homes? Then, just as we were recovering from COVID, war returned to Europe, with Putin’s invasion of Ukraine sending your energy bills spiralling.

I came to office, above all, to restore economic stability. Economic stability is the bedrock of any future success, whether that is rising wages and good jobs, investment in our public services, or the defence of the country. And because of our collective sacrifice and your hard work, we have reached two major milestones in delivering that stability, showing that when we work together, anything is possible.

Our economy is now growing faster than anyone predicted, outpacing Germany, France and the United States. And this morning it was confirmed that inflation is back to normal. This means that the pressure on prices will ease, and mortgage rates will come down. This is proof that the plan and priorities I set out are working.

General Election 2024: What happens now an election has been called

I recognise that it has not always been easy. Some of you will only just be starting to feel the benefits, and for some it might still be hard when you look at your bank balance. But this hard-earned economic stability was only ever meant to be the beginning.

The question now is how, and who do you trust, to turn that foundation into a secure future for you, your family and our country? Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future.

To decide whether we want to build on the progress we have made or risk going back to square one with no plan and no certainty.

Rishi Sunak.
Pic: Reuters
Image:
Pic: Reuters

Earlier today, I spoke with His Majesty the King, to request the dissolution of Parliament. The King has granted this request, and we will have a general election on 4 July.

This election will take place at a time when the world is more dangerous than it has been since the end of the Cold War. Putin’s Russia is waging a brutal war in Ukraine and will not stop there if he succeeds. That war has also made it all too clear the risk to our energy security.

In the Middle East, the forces of Islamist extremism threaten regional and ultimately global stability. These tensions are exploited by extremists who seek to undermine our values and divide our society here at home.

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China is looking to dominate the 21st century by stealing a lead in technology, and migration is being weaponised by hostile states to threaten the integrity of our borders. These uncertain times call for a clear plan and bold action to chart a course to a secure future. You must choose in this election who has that plan.

Who is prepared to take the bold action necessary to secure a better future for our country and our children. Now, I cannot and will not claim that we have got everything right. No government should.

But I am proud of what we have achieved together. The bold actions we have taken. And I’m confident about what we can do in the future.

Rishi Sunak issues a statement outside 10 Downing Street.
Pic: PA
Image:
Pic: PA

We’ve tackled inflation, controlled debt, cut workers taxes, and increased the state pension by £900. We’ve reduced taxes on investment and seized the opportunities of Brexit to make this the best country in the world to grow a business, put record amounts of funding into our NHS and ensured it is now training the doctors and nurses it needs in the decades to come.

We’ve reformed education, and our children are now the best readers in the Western world. We prioritised energy security and your family finances over environmental dogma and our approach to net zero.

We fully funded an increase in defence spending to 2.5% of GDP. We made a decision to invest more in local transport that you actually use rather than endlessly plough more money into HS2.

We set out a comprehensive plan to reform our welfare system to make it fair for those who pay for it, as well as those who need it. Immigration is finally coming down and we are stopping the boats with our Rwanda partnership, and we will ensure that the next generation grows up smoke-free.

I hope that my work, since I became prime minister, shows that we have a plan and are prepared to take bold action necessary for our country to flourish. Now, I’ve stuck with that plan and always been honest with you about what is needed, even when that’s been difficult, because I’m guided by doing what is right for our country, not what is easy.

I can’t say the same thing for the Labour Party because I don’t know what they offer. And in truth, I don’t think you know either. And that’s because they have no plan.

Rishi Sunak enters Number 10 Downing Street after delivering a speech.
Pic: Reuters
Image:
Pic: Reuters

There is no bold action. And as a result, the future can only be uncertain with them. On 5 July, either Keir Starmer or I will be Prime Minister. He has shown time and time again that he will take the easy way out and do anything to get power.

If he was happy to abandon all the promises he made to become Labour leader once he got the job, how can you know that he won’t do exactly the same thing if he were to become Prime Minister?

If you don’t have the conviction to stick to anything you say, if you don’t have the courage to tell people what you want to do, and if you don’t have a plan, how can you possibly be trusted to lead our country, especially at this most uncertain of times?

Over the next few weeks, I will fight for every vote. I will earn your trust and I will prove to you that only a Conservative government led by me will not put our hard-earned economic stability at risk, can restore pride and confidence in our country and with a clear plan and bold action, will deliver a secure future for you, Your family and our United Kingdom.

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‘Nurse’ stabbed at hospital A&E department – man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder

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'Nurse' stabbed at hospital A&E department - man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder

A woman has suffered life-changing injuries after being stabbed by a member of the public at the accident and emergency department where she was working.

The victim – believed to be a nurse in her 50s – was attacked at Royal Oldham Hospital in Greater Manchester, where she is now being treated.

It is understood she was injured with a bladed article or a sharp instrument – and not by a knife.

Officers were called at 11.30pm on Saturday.

A 37-year-old man is in custody after being “swiftly arrested at the scene” on suspicion of attempted murder, Greater Manchester Police said.

Detectives are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and say there is no threat to the wider public.

Jim McMahon, the Labour MP for the area, described it as a “senseless attack”.

He posted on Facebook: “We are all shocked at the senseless attack on a nurse in the A&E department of the Royal Oldham Hospital.

“Our thoughts are with the nurse, family and friends as we wish a full recovery.”

Detective Sergeant Craig Roters said it was a “serious incident which has left a woman in a critical condition”.

The victim’s family and colleagues will be supported, he added.

The local community can expect to see an “increase in police presence” while enquiries are carried out, Mr Roters said.

“We know that news of this nature will come as a shock, and if you have any concerns or anything you would like to share, please speak to [officers].”

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Kemi Badenoch calls on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq over property allegations

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Kemi Badenoch calls on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq over property allegations

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.

It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.

He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.

Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.

“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.

“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”

Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.

Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.

Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.

Kemi Badenoch
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Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister

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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.

She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.

On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.

“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”

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Search area widened for missing sisters in Aberdeen

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Search area widened for missing sisters in Aberdeen

Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.

Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.

The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.

Eliza and Henrietta Huszti who were last seen on CCTV in Market Street.
Pic: Police Scotland/PA
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Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA

They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.

Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.

SN screengrab aberdeen city showing Victoria Bridge (looking north towards market street) re: missing sisters Eliza and Henrietta Huszti
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The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee

SN screengrab aberdeen city showing boat club. A potential location of missing sisters Eliza and Henrietta Huszti
Ingest_23_NM23_RGR_15_SAF_MISSING_SISTERS_ABERDEEN_GVS_ABERDEEN
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The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee

Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.

Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.

datawrapper map of aberdeen city showing location of police searches for missing sisters Eliza and Henrietta Huszti

Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.

“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”

The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.

Henrietta  Huszti who along with her sister, Eliza, were last seen on CCTV in Market Street.
Pic: Police Scotland/PA
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Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland

Eliza Huszti.
Pic: Police Scotland/PA
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Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland

Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.

Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.

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