What to expect on the General Election campaign trail on Wednesday

Here is your guide to the main developments in the General Election campaign on Wednesday.

Undated file photos of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (left) and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. Sunak and Starmer will go head to head in the first televised leaders’ debate of the General Election campaign next week. ITV confirmed the Prime Minister and the Labour leader will take part in the show at 9pm on Tuesday June 4. Issue date: Wednesday May 29, 2024. (PA Wire)

Here is your guide to the main developments in the General Election campaign on Wednesday:

The gloves come off

Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer will make their closing arguments to the nation as they go head to head in their final TV debate before polling day next week.

The scandal over candidates and officials betting on the timing of the election will loom large over Wednesday’s clash after a Cabinet minister became the latest figure to say he had placed bets on the timing of the vote.

Scotland Secretary Alister Jack denied breaking any gambling rules but the revelation late on Tuesday means the row threatens to overshadow yet another day of campaigning.

Home Secretary James Cleverly, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting and Sir Keir Starmer will all be out campaigning in the East Midlands during the day.

Labour’s family doctor promise

Labour will talk up its pledge to end the 8am scramble for GP appointments by training more doctors and updating the NHS app so slots are easy to book and rearrange.

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting will be promoting the message, saying his party is also committed to bringing back the family doctor, to give patients continuity.

The blue wall and the yellow

While Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey continues campaigning across traditionally Tory heartlands in southern England, his Scottish counterpart will be in the south-east of Scotland.

Alex Cole-Hamilton says his party is focusing its aim on getting the SNP out of power and targeting the Uparty in some key seats ahead of the July 4 ballot.

Tice takes net zero message north of the border

Reform UK chairman Richard Tice will be in Scotland giving a speech on net zero and “saving the oil and gas industry”.

Among the right-wing party’s pledges is a commitment to scrapping net zero targets altogether.