PM blow as he admits: No

First-day clashes over the economy and migrants as leaders hit campaign trail

- Nicholas Cecil, Jitendra Joshi and Rachael Burford

RISHI SUNAK and Sir Keir Starmer raced out of the blocks on the first full day of campaigning for the July 4 general election.

The Prime Minister headed to Derbyshire, where he told workers at a distribution centre that the Conservatives would offer economic stability and "a clear plan", while Labour would take Britain "back to square one". But his message was undermined by the startling admission that no deportation flights would take off for Rwanda before polling day under his flagship scheme to "stop the boats" crossing the Channel. Sir Keir, visiting Gillingham Football Club in the Kent Tory-held constituency of Gillingham and Rainham, said people would now get "a vote to stop the chaos... to turn the page and... vote to rebuild our country together".

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey went to Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, to press his party's assault on "Blue Wall" seats, saying that every vote for them would be "a vote for a strong local champion who will stand up for your community and health services".

In other key developments: New Scottish National Party leader John Swinney admitted the election will be a challenge given the "tough time" his party has had recently, but insisted it is coming together. Labour is looking to win around 20 seats in Scotland to gain an overall Commons majority.