With Michael Gove and Andrea Leadsom stepping down, party leaders shift focus to the cost-of-living crisis on the third day of campaigning

Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer are set to clash over economic strategies as the general election campaign intensifies, following a turbulent day for the Conservatives marked by the resignations of senior MPs Michael Gove and Andrea Leadsom.

On Friday, both Gove and Leadsom announced they would not seek re-election on July 4th, increasing the number of departing Tory MPs to 78—a record surpassing the 72 MPs who stepped down before Tony Blair’s landslide victory in 1997.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves took centre stage in Saturday’s editions of The Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail, respectively. Hunt hinted at potential tax breaks for high earners and criticized inheritance tax as “profoundly anti-Conservative.” Reeves, on the other hand, promised to deliver financial stability, invoking a Thatcher-like commitment to “sound money.”

Rishi Sunak faces a challenging battle to maintain his party’s standing, especially after the announcements from Gove and Leadsom. Gove, a political veteran with nearly two decades of service, expressed his desire to allow a “new generation” to take the lead. Similarly, Leadsom, who once vied for leadership against Theresa May post-Brexit referendum, shared in her resignation letter the honour she felt serving South Northamptonshire for 14 years.

Rachel Reeves will meet with supermarket workers in London to address the cost-of-living crisis, attacking the Conservative record on economic management while presenting Labour as the party of “stability and tough spending.”

Gove’s departure from politics marks the end of a significant era, having played pivotal roles in various cabinets. Leadsom, currently a junior health minister and former business secretary under May, also leaves a notable legacy.

As the election campaign progresses, both Sunak and Starmer will undoubtedly sharpen their focus on economic policies to win over voters grappling with rising living costs and financial uncertainty.

Sky News

As the general election campaign enters its third day, the focus is shifting to the economy following the high-profile resignations of Michael Gove and Andrea Leadsom. Gove and Leadsom’s decisions to step down bring the total number of Conservative MPs not seeking re-election to a record 78. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer are now poised to battle over economic issues, with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt hinting at tax cuts for high earners and Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves promising financial stability and a commitment to “sound money.” This intensifying economic debate underscores the cost-of-living crisis as a pivotal campaign issue

The Guardian

Michael Gove and Andrea Leadsom have joined a record-breaking number of Conservative MPs stepping down ahead of the upcoming general election, with 78 Tories announcing their departure. Gove cited the need for a “new generation” to lead, while Leadsom also expressed it was time to move on after serving since 2005 and 2010, respectively. Their exits add to the challenges facing Rishi Sunak, who is grappling with internal party turmoil and public gaffes as he and Labour’s Keir Starmer focus on the economy, particularly the cost-of-living crisis. Sunak’s campaign has faced difficulties, including awkward public interactions and criticisms of misleading economic claims

The Independent

As the UK general election campaign heats up, the economy is set to take centre stage amid significant political upheavals. Michael Gove and Andrea Leadsom have announced they will not seek re-election, joining 76 other Conservative MPs in stepping down, breaking the previous record set in 1997. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is navigating a challenging campaign, marked by calls for Boris Johnson to join the effort and a ban on David Frost’s standing as a candidate. Both the Conservatives and Labour are emphasizing economic strategies, with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt hinting at tax breaks for high earners, while Labour’s Rachel Reeves criticizes the Conservative record and promises sound economic management. Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn has declared his candidacy as an independent for Islington North, adding another layer of complexity to Labour’s campaign. This mass resignation has left the Conservatives racing to find replacement candidates before the July 4 election