Everything you need to know – POLITICO

Labor will want to focus on Truss’s tenure, which precipitated market turmoil and rising mortgage prices, a sign the Tories have lost credibility in managing the economy. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves often flaunts her credentials as a former Bank of England economist, with the party reluctant to commit to big spending promises.

While both parties agree on support for Ukraine, the Conservatives have pledged to spend 2.5% of their GDP on defense by the end of the decade. Labor has not committed to a date, but aspires to do so “as soon as resources allow”. Labor also moved towards a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Gaza and said the UK had a “legal obligation” to support the International Criminal Court’s decision to seek an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a decision called by Rishi Sunak. “profoundly unnecessary. »

Sunak’s five priorities, outlined early last year, include stopping small boat crossings across the Channel and using Rwanda as a third country for expulsion and deterrence purposes. Meanwhile, one of Labor’s first commitments was to abandon the Rwanda project and replace it with a Border Security Command. The Conservatives will be keen to highlight this divide and present a strong approach to immigration.

What is happening to current legislation and the civil service?

Parliament will not be dissolved for several days as current legislation is either completed or fails to become law during the “catch-up period”, which requires agreement between the parties on what is in the legislative texts.

But even if elections take place, the country still needs to be run. Civil servants provide day-to-day management, but government activity is restricted (under rules known as “purdah”) to ensure that public money is not used to support the ruling party and to maintain the impartiality. The Institute for Government offers an insightful guide to how the country is changing.

When will we know the result?

Britain’s first-past-the-post electoral system means that the candidate who gets the most votes in each of its 650 constituencies wins, meaning 326 is the magic number for an overall majority.

Results are counted overnight, so unless there is a hung parliament (where no party gets a majority), the future government and the next occupant of Downing Street should be obvious. dawn of July 5.

Attach your belt.