Dear John,

I hope you’re having a happy and restful start to the Easter weekend as I bring you our latest round-up of election speculation and news from this week.

Just think, in a parallel universe where Boris Johnson never repealed the Fixed Term Parliaments Act the General Election campaign has started in earnest - Parliament was dissolved on Tuesday, Sunak and Starmer are already zooming round the country in red and blue buses and polling day is 2nd May. Sunak missed that opportunity in our universe. Oh well.

Here’s what happened in THIS universe this week, for you to enjoy over a hot cross bun.

Will he, won't he?

The general consensus is that No.10 is aiming for an Autumn election, presumably hoping that something - anything - will happen to improve the Conservatives’ stagnating poll numbers. But it was reported this week that Sunak may be considering a Summer election after all. We’re ready, the country is ready, we say bring it on.

Not-so-private information

MPs are pushing the government for stronger actions against China following confirmed cyber-attacks on the UK elections watchdog and British politicians, orchestrated by Beijing-backed hackers. The attacks targeted the personal information of approximately 40 million voters and email accounts of MPs critical of China. In response, the UK has sanctioned individuals and a company linked to these cyber-espionage efforts.

Jobs market braced for influx of Tory ex-MPs

20% of Tory MPs are opting out of re-election, hinting at concerns over their electoral future. High-profile figures like Ministers Robert Halfon and James Heappey are leading this exit, signalling it's not just about party loyalty but also about navigating post-political careers and the personal toll of politics, guided by Acoba's rules. This wave of resignations suggests MPs are bracing for political shifts and might be stepping aside to dodge potential electoral setbacks.

Not another one…

Rishi Sunak's political headaches intensify with yet another by-election. Scott Benton, MP for Blackpool South, departed the Commons this week opting for resignation over the risk of being forced out by his constituents following a lobbying scandal. Elected in 2019, Benton was suspended by the Tories for offering to aid gambling lobbyists for cash. His 3,690-vote majority is now Labour's target in a historically Conservative-challenged seat.

New York, New York, so good they named it…London?

The Tories had to pull a campaign video for using New York footage to depict London as on the verge of chaos. The clip, intended to criticise Sadiq Khan's handling of crime in London, mistakenly showed a rush-hour stampede at New York's Penn Station, sparking ridicule.

That's all for this week - have a great Easter!

Elsie Gisslegard
Content Executive
Best for Britain