Sir Keir Starmer ventured into a constituency where a Tory MP holds a majority of 7,474 to deliver his first keynote speech of the campaign. In his speech, he addressed accusations by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak regarding national security, emphasizing the importance of economic security, border security, and national security. Sir Keir assured the public that he has transformed the Labour Party and can be trusted with the country’s interests. The speech took place in Lancing, West Sussex, and focused on values, character, and serving the working people of the country. The constituency chosen for the speech, East Worthing and Shoreham, has a Tory MP with a significant majority, making it a strategic location for Labour to potentially secure a big majority in Parliament. The speech also addressed recent proposals by the Tories, including a compulsory national service plan, which Sir Keir criticized as a “teenage dad’s army.” The response from the Conservatives was dismissive, with accusations of lack of policy and substance in Sir Keir’s speech. Overall, the speech marked the beginning of a campaign focused on security, values, and serving the interests of the British people. “I believe this is absolutely the right thing to do for all these reasons,” he emphasized.
Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey kicked off his Scottish campaign on Bank Holiday Monday, vowing that his party would surpass the SNP to become the third largest grouping in Parliament, a position they lost in the 2015 election.
Sir Ed announced that the Lib Dems would focus on SNP marginals such as Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire, and Mid Dunbartonshire on July 4.
Mid Dunbartonshire, a newly redrawn constituency mainly consisting of East Dunbartonshire, has been a swing seat between the Lib Dems and SNP in recent elections.
During the party’s launch event in North Queensferry in Fife, Sir Ed expressed his confidence in gaining ground in Scotland, paralleling the gains they aim to make against the Conservatives in England.
“The SNP have lost two leaders since the last general election,” with Nicola Sturgeon stepping down last year and her successor, Humza Yousaf, resigning in April following the collapse of a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens.
Sir Ed concluded by stating, “I think we can have more liberals in Parliament after this election.”
Image Source: Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey (C) speaks at an event, accompanied by Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton (L) and parliamentary candidates Susan Murray (C) and Christine Jardine (R), at North Queensferry, Scotland on May 27, 2024. (Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)
PA Media contributed to this report. Could you please rewrite this sentence for me?
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