General election latest: Everything Rishi Sunak said during his campaign visit to Derbyshire
The prime minister addressed an assembled crowd in Derbyshire and laid out his vision for the country
Rishi Sunak has kicked off his election campaign trail by visiting Derbyshire.
He addressed an audience today (Thursday May 23) following his announcement for the general election that is set for July 4.
He unveiled his ‘bold’ vision in the face of polls that show his party trailing Labour by 25 points.
Keen to lay the groundwork for differences between Conservative and Labour, Mr Sunak started by blasting Labour.
He said: “The certainty you get with the Labour party is that they will run out your money and they will put your taxes up, as clear as night follows day.
“And we just ran the numbers the other week, all the things they said they wanted to do, spend money on, you tot all that up, it’s going to cost you, every working family, £2,000 of extra tax rises.
“That’s what it means when I want to get your taxes down and give you that financial security.
“You know the world is more uncertain, more dangerous than it’s been in decades, you see what Russia, Iran, China are doing, not just abroad but having an impact on us.
“Poisoning people on our streets, using migration as a tool of war to threaten the integrity of our borders, damaging our energy security.
“And these uncertain times call for bold action, a clear plan so we can chart a course to a secure future.
“And that’s what I’m about to deliver for all of you and our country.”
Mr Sunak then went on to speak at length about migration, saying it was a topic ‘he knew was on many of your minds.’
He said: “How do we stop the boats? Well I’m very clear, that requires bold solutions, a clear plan and that’s what I’ve got.
“It’s a matter of fairness, I believe it’s unfair if people jump the queue, come to our country illegally, put pressure on public services and put their own lives at risk.
“That’s not right, we have to stop that and the only way to do that is be bold, that’s why we need Rwanda.
“Keir Starmer wants to offer an amnesty to illegal migrants that would just make us the soft touch of Europe.
“So on that and so many issues you just can’t trust Labour to deliver the security our country needs.”
Mr Sunak then promised to ‘fight very hard every single day’ for votes.
The prime minister added: “What we do know, he [Keir Starmer] will say anything, take the easy way out to get in to power.
“I want to build a Britain where you all have confidence to restore pride in our communities, societies and nation.
“Where we have opportunities for the next generation that were enjoyed by the previous generations, where all your hard work is rewarded, and where safety, security and our defence is assured.”
Parties launch election campaigns
Political parties have sprung into action launching their own campaigns, following the general election announcement.
The coming days will see parties hit the campaign trail as the country prepares to go to the polls in July.
Mr Sunak is expected to tour the country including a trip to Scotland whilst opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer will be in Kent shortly.