Big Labour majority 'better for the country' - Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer has said a big majority would be "better for the country", allowing Labour to reform the planning system and improve the economy.

In an interview with The Times, the Labour leader sought to make a virtue out of Tory warnings of "Labour super majority", as 4 July polling day nears.

Sir Keir emphasised the need for a strong mandate to "seriously change" the country so that people would have "more money in their pockets".

In response, Rishi Sunak warned that if Labour won a big majority "they will be unchecked and unaccountable".

Mr Sunak said he was still working for every vote, as the Conservative campaign continued to fight a defensive campaign.

The Labour leader told the Times a bigger majority "means we can roll up our sleeves and get on with the change we need".

Labour's vision centres on creating more growth, driven by major planning reforms and skill overhauls.

"The most important thing is growing the economy and wealth creation. I do think that's been the Achilles' heel for 13 years now," he said.

"You can talk about public services but if you haven't got your economy working then you can't do that. If you haven't settled the planning, the infrastructure challenges, then you can't get your economy going."

Having failed to make a dent in Labour's lead during the first half of the election campaign, the Tories have been warning about a Labour "super majority", in a bid to prevent bleeding votes to Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats.

High-profile campaign visits from the prime minister have focused on many previously safe Conservative seats, including a visit to Oxfordshire on Tuesday.

Both Labour and Conservatives are eyeing polling, which suggests Labour continues 20 points ahead of the Tories.

But Mr Sunak denied he had accepted defeat, telling the BBC he was instead trying to remind voters of "the choice" at the election.

"My point is if the polls are to believe and Labour win a big majority they will be unchecked and unaccountable to people and that will give them license to put up everyone's taxes and make us a soft touch on migration when it comes to the entire European continent," he said.

"I don't want people to sleepwalk into that. So, I'm fighting very hard for every vote.

"I want to continue in this job so I can cut people's taxes, protect their pensions and secure our borders."

Mr Sunak said predictions of a Tory defeat are "not going to stop me" from campaigning "till the last moment".

Confronted with analysis by polling expert Sir John Curtice that there is more chance of lightning striking twice in the same place than Mr Sunak remaining as prime minister, he replied "that's his view".

Speaking to the BBC, Labour's shadow health secretary Wes Streeting accused the Conservatives of "slinging mud and attacking the side nonsensical idea of a super majority because they can't defend their own record".

Of the two main parties campaigning, only Labour "is setting out his vision for Britain," Mr Streeting said.

"I think it's time for the circus in Downing Street to come to an end that can only happen if people choose change on Thursday by voting Labour."