The Tories managed to avoid any major own goals or gaffes during the launch of their manifesto. Given some of the problems over the last few weeks on the Tory campaign that is a cause of relief for Rishi Sunak’s team. As for the contents of the manifesto – which pledged £17 billion of tax cuts – Labour have chosen to attack it as fiscally irresponsible while Tory candidates on the right complain it has not gone far enough in giving their base a reason to go out and vote.

The Tory party has started running adverts suggesting it could be reduced to 57 MPs on election night

Sunak’s team deny both critiques. But they seem to have found a new reason they think could get voters out........

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