UK elections today: Sunak clears diary to focus on debate as Starmer soldiers on

Rishi Sunak is preparing to take on Sir Keir Starmer in the first televised debate of the general election campaign.

Mr Sunak has no public engagements while he prepares for the ITV programme, which is set to take place at 9pm on Tuesday evening.

But the Labour leader will continue campaigning and turn his attention to energy. He is expected to promise that his party would “close the door on” Vladimir Putin and Russia by reducing Britain’s reliance on fossil fuel from overseas during a visit in the North West.

Meanwhile, Nigel Farage is likely to be the star attraction on day 14 of the general election campaign as he formally launches his bid to become the next MP for Clacton.

The newly crowned leader of Reform UK will launch his campaign later on Tuesday morning as he formally enters the fray after stunning Westminster by reversing his decision not to stand as a candidate on Monday.

James Cleverly will lead the fight for the Tories as the Home Secretary trumpets a new Conservative plan to curb immigration numbers.

Mr Cleverly will be campaigning in the South East after the Tories promised to introduce an annual cap on worker and family visas.

Elsewhere, Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, will be on the campaign trail in North Shropshire.