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KEEP CALM & CURRY ON
Labour’s manifesto is going to be so light it’s like a korma – they’re cynical for not committing to any policies
Watch the lively first episode of the Never Mind the Ballots election countdown show above
LABOUR’s manifesto will be as light as a korma, The Sun’s expert team have predicted – warning it’s “cynical” for the party not to commit to any policies.
Our Westminster team broke down the latest campaign news on a brand new election show hosted by political editor Harry Cole, that you can watch EVERY weekday at mcb777.site or on our YouTube channel .
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On today's Never Mind the Ballots special, Harry said: "Starmer is going for the vibes feel. It's all about presentation.
"It's shirt sleeves rolled up, big change sign. But there's no policy - it's incredibly policy light."
Deputy Political Editor Ryan Sabey added: "The manifesto will be policy light - it will be very, very thin.
"They just don't need it. They're nearly there. They're nearly going to seize power.
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"So all they need to do is actually get over the finishing line."
But Sun on Sunday Political Editor Kate Ferguson warned the "cynical" move could backfire.
She said: "I remember a frontbencher telling me a few months ago what they thought the Labour manifesto would be on a curry scale.
"They said it's going to be a korma, not a vindaloo."
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Harry interjected: "Everyone knows a korma is not a curry!"
Kate said: "Exactly. You can really expect Labour to be light on detail - don't say anything, don't say anything. just give off good vibes.
"Is it the 90s again? But the danger is that it could backfire if the Tories start climbing in the polls.
"If the Tories don't, they'll feel very comfortable doing it."
Harry dubbed Sir Keir Starmer as his Villain of the Day after the Labour leader described himself as a "proud socialist".
He said: "Do you believe that? The socialists in the Labour Party don't think he's a socialist."
"Starmer's doing everything he possibly can to distance himself from Jeremy Corbyn - and there he is singing The Red Flag."
Clash of the day
The Never Mind the Ballots team seized on the parties' bid for the grey vote in the race for Number 10.
Host Harry Cole insisted the "gloves are off" as the two main parties made a play for the pensioner vote.
The Tories have pledged to increase the income tax allowance for pensioners which will be worth £295 at the end of the five year Parliament.
Harry Cole asked whether the Tories were pushing this policy as they are concerned their core vote won't turn out on election day.
The Sun's Deputy Political Editor Ryan Sabey highlighted that £2.4 billion has been found to pay for this policy out of plans to crack down on tax avoidance and tax evasion.
The Sun on Sunday's Kate Ferguson, commenting on the 'Triple Lock Plus', policy, said: "Labour are not matching this."
Kate said: "The point of Keir Starmer is that he's not singing The Red Flag."
But Harry said: "Well, then why say it? Say 'I'm a progressive' - why hark back to that ideology? It's a bit of slippery slope."
Kate said: "It's two things. You cannot, as Labour leader, say in the general election 'I'm not a socialist'.
"It would just be anathema to your base and to most of your supporters.
"The definition of 'socialist' has certainly moved, too. Very convenient."
Today Labour's Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves declined to call herself a socialist - instead opting for "social democrat".
FOR WHOM THE BELL POLLS
THE Sun's exclusive polling reveals that Labour is on course for a big win on July 4.
Savanta expert Chris Hopkins said: "The polls haven't moved in 18 months.
"There's this assumption that they're now going to start moving as soon as the election campaign is called.
"But I think what we've seen so far in the race is that Rishi Sunak isn't a great campaigner, frankly.
"And I think that there's this there is still this assumption that if the polls move, they will move in one direction, i.e. they will narrow.
"I don't think that's a given at this point. I think that, as Ryan said, you know, Labour have to have an incredibly safe campaign.
"And I think it doesn't it doesn't benefit them to to go all guns blazing on policy."
Pollster Chris added: "I think, you know, 'safe' is kind of the the word of the day.
"Sure, the Conservative Party has to come out with something, but it does feel like a really real core vote strategy at the minute."
Last night Rishi Sunak promised OAPs a boost of almost £2,000 a year if he is re-elected.
The PM vowed to guarantee the Triple Lock and raise pensioners' tax allowance.
He said that people must have “peace of mind and security in retirement”.
But Labour's Jonathan Ashworth said: "Why would anyone believe the Tories and Rishi Sunak on tax?"
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He added: ";They have left the country with the highest tax burden in 70 years.
"This is just another desperate move from a chaotic Tory party torching any remaining facade of its claims to economic credibility."
PM denies rumours he’s planning to ‘disappear off to California’
RISHI Sunak yesterday rejected claims he plans to flee to the US after the election — and vowed to stay here for years and watch Southampton FC.
Tory peer Lord Goldsmith claimed the PM will probably “disappear off to California” when most of his MPs “lose their job”.
But Mr Sunak said: “I’m surprised Lord Goldsmith, who I don’t think I’ve spoken to in a long time, seems to have some intimate knowledge of my family’s arrangements.
“But, no. Of course not. My kids are at school, this is my home and my football team has got promoted to the Premier League.
“So I intend to spend many more happy occasions at St Mary’s watching them.”
Asked if he would stay on for the whole term, Mr Sunak added: “That is what I am here to do.
“I mean, that is obviously subject to my constituents giving me the honour of continuing to represent them.”
Former climate minister Lord Goldsmith’s blistering attack comes amid growing dissent in the Tory ranks just four days after the PM announced a July 4 election.
Tory MP Lucy Allan was suspended from the party with “immediate effect” on Monday after she backed a Reform UK candidate to take over her seat.
The Telford MP, who had announced in June 2023 she would seek re-election, said she was supporting Alan Adams to be the next MP.
A Tory spokesman said: “A vote for Reform is a vote for Keir Starmer.”
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