Rishi Sunak is working towards an autumn general election on 10 October, The Independent has been told.

The prime minister on Thursday ruled out a snap election on 2 May amid mounting speculation in Westminster that he wanted to coincide with the local elections.

Mr Sunak did not indicate when the election would be called, but Downing Street sources told The Independent that the date has been pencilled in for the second Thursday in October.

Lots of issues to fight for !

Regards Mark