Labour has changed since commie Corbyn, but Keir Starmer must face proper scrutiny on his policies on his policies
Rishi Sunak stunned Westminster by calling the election this week.
You can look forward to six weeks of candidates on the doorstep and leaflets through the letterbox pleading for your votes.
Traditionally, people voted Conservative because they thought they could run the country and trusted them with their money.
Sunak’s done his best but the public had probably made up their mind about the Tories before he came in.
They blew their reputation on the economy when Kwasi Kwarteng’s disastrous budget sent mortgage rates through the roof.
Law-breaking parties in Downing Street didn’t look like competence and five PMs in eight years doesn’t look like stability.
They’re now more than 20 points behind and no party has ever come back that far to win.
But Labour’s massive defeat in 2019 means they still have a mountain to climb and, as their clever campaign manager Pat McFadden keeps reminding us, not a single vote has yet been cast.
The good thing about this election is that Labour now has a credible candidate for PM.
Last time, they wanted us to vote for that crazy old commie Corbyn who spent decades cuddling up to all sorts of extremists. Under him, Labour had been poisoned by racism.
Decent mainstream Brits knew whose side they were on and gave Labour the hammering they deserved.
It is a credit to Keir Starmer that my old party is even in the game after that, let alone so far ahead.
You can imagine him on the doorstep of Number Ten or negotiating with Biden. He might not be exciting, but comes across as serious and looks like he could do the job.
Brexit dominated the last election but this time the economy will be the number one issue.
Voters will be asking who they trust to sort out the NHS, tackle crime, improve schools or stop the boats and get immigration back under control.
The snap election means Labour’s policies will now face real scrutiny. What are the details of their plans for our borders? Exactly what will their big workers’ rights package mean. The unions like it, but what will it mean for businesses and their staff?
And will their net zero plans hold up to scrutiny? Keir Starmer knows that if he’s going to be our next PM, the public will want to scrutinise his plans closely during the six-week campaign.
Pound for pound, Labour’s top team look like a match for the Tories too.
Rachel Reeves is a serious economist who was trained at the Bank of England and can make the sums add up. Bridget Phillipson is brimming with ideas to improve schools and Wes Streeting is determined to reform the NHS and cut waiting lists.
For the Tories, Jeremy Hunt got the economy on its feet and Grant Shapps is promising to boost defence spending.
Kemi Badenoch wants to sort out the trendy rubbish that drives ordinary folk mad and Michael Gove has been setting out plans to tackle extremism.
In the end, who runs the country is going to be up to you.
And we’ll be scrutinising the parties and their policies and asking them the tough questions to help you decide.