Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Oliver Browning

Watch as Rishi Sunak speaks to voters in northern England ahead of election

PA

Watch as Rishi Sunak holds a question-and-answer session in northern England, the latest stop on a tour around the country to talk to voters before an election expected later this year.

The prime minister has vowed to “continue to confront the difficult challenges” as parliament returns for 2024.

A Downing Street source said Mr Sunak was determined to “not take the easy way out” in a year that is likely to see a general election.

MPs returned to Westminster following their Christmas break on Monday 8 January.

Mr Sunak said last week that it is his “working assumption” the UK will “have a general election in the second half of this year”.

The stance opens the door for him to call a potential autumn general election.

Over the weekend, Sir Keir Starmer said he suspected the prime minister was “putting vanity before country” by wanting to mark two years in power — an anniversary that falls on 25 October — before sending the country to the polls.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.