Scottish News RECAP: Rishi Sunak announces General Election
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FYI: Why Rishi Sunak called a July general election and what it means for Scotland and the SNP
In a move that sparked panic among many Tory MPs, some of whom lodged letters of no confidence in protest, the Prime Minister confirmed the poll date while giving a statement outside Downing Street. The Conservatives remain on course to lose the election, according to the polls, with Labour enjoying a double-digit lead.
Read more here.
John Swinney spoke earlier today, promising to publish a revised tax strategy for Scots within weeks, as he told MSPs he wants to bring parties at Holyrood together "to make our country better".
Predictably, the SNP are not happy about the date, given it falls right in the middle of the Scottish school summer holidays...
It really was raining very hard...
The General Election represents a chance to change the country for the better, Sir Keir Starmer said.
Responding to the announcement of an election, he said: "Tonight, the Prime Minister has finally announced the next General Election, a moment the country needs and has been waiting for and where, by the force of our democracy, power returns to you.
"A chance to change for the better your future, your community, your country.
"It will feel like a long campaign, I am sure of that, but no matter what else is said and done, that opportunity for change is what this election is about."
The long-term future of the NHS will likely be a key battleground in the run up to the general election.
Recent polling suggests that the founding principles of the service are still staunchly backed by the British public.
But satisfaction with the NHS has dipped to record lows, indicating that politicians will have to persuade voters that their party will be the most likely to improve care for patients.
The latest British Social Attitudes Survey - a long-running poll tracking the views of the public - found that only 24% of the public are satisfied with the NHS.
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