Labour party on Thursday set out its stall for this year's general election, outlining six key pledges to voters in a de-facto campaign launch.
The vote is likely months away but the UK's two main parties are already positioning themselves to the electorate in what is looking like a long run-in to polling day.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak outlined his plan on Monday, urging voters to keep faith with his ruling Conservatives even after 14 tumultuous years in power.
Labour leader Keir Starmer laid out his party's "first steps" for government at an event in Essex, a key battleground area in southeast England, promising economic stability, shorter health service waiting times and a new border security command to tackle irregular immigration.
He also vowed to set up a publicly owned clean energy company, crack down on anti-social behaviour with more neighbourhood police and recruit 6,500 new teachers.
"I'm not going to give you gimmicks," said Starmer, who paced the stage in a white shirt, sleeves rolled up, as his top team, many of whom also made speeches, looked on.
"There's no quick fix to the mess that the Tories have made of this country, but this is a changed Labour party with a plan to take us forward.
"I have ambition for this country and like all ambition that starts with first steps," he added.
Labour's national campaign coordinator Pat McFadden told BBC Radio 4 that the six pledges "were the foundation" for proving that the party can be "trusted with public money and trusted with defence".
Mission
The pledges, which have largely been made before, are intended to add some flesh to the bones of five "missions" that Labour says will spur a "decade of national renewal" after 14 years of Tory rule.
They are set to feature on advertising vans and billboards in target constituencies across England in what Labour says is its most expensive ad campaign since the 2019 general election.
At that vote, Labour under the leadership of left-winger Jeremy Corbyn suffered a landslide defeat to the Tories, then led by ex-prime minister Boris Johnson.
Starmer has since moved Labour to the centre ground, while the Conservatives have been riven by infighting and seen its reputation for economic credibility shattered by Liz Truss's short reign.
Labour have enjoyed double-digit leads in most opinion polls since Truss's disastrous mini-budget of unfunded tax cuts spooked financial markets and sank the pound in autumn 2022.
Sunak, who took over from Truss in October 2022, must hold the election by January 28, 2025.
He has tried numerous resets to revive his party's fortunes. On Monday he insisted the Tories can still win, despite indications from polling, and warned that Labour would threaten UK security. He also again refused to set a date for the general election. (Agencies)
Davindra and Seema Misra, and Vijay and Gita Parekh
Varchas Patel with his father Vipin and mother Jayshriben
Hasmukh Shingadia and his wife Chandrika were all victims of the Horizon scandal
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)