Local Electioncast! The Reaction (part 4…)

Today, we heard from the government and the Labour party about the infected blood scandal - ahead of the inquiry’s final report being published tomorrow. Laura and Henry discuss what defence secretary Grant Shapps had to say about the government’s plan to compensate victims and how much they would be prepared to spend - as well as more on defence spending. And, after forgetting one of Labour’s six pledges, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting tells Laura more about how he’ll deliver on the pledge to cut NHS waiting times. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Henry Zeffman. It was made by Tim Walklate with Miranda Slade. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, Adam and Laura discuss ‘Project Sunak’, and Laura shares some of the insights she’s heard from people who know and have worked with the Prime Minister about what he’s like behind the scenes - as well as the operation to improve his popularity. And Laura has interviewed Leonid Volkov, a close ally of Alexei Navalny, who was attacked with hammers outside his home in Lithuania last year. You can read Laura's piece here https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy6332vx5n8o You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Tim Walklate with Miranda Slade. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we look at Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to China, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.Putin, on his first foreign visit since being sworn in for a fifth term as president last week, was greeted with a rare hug from Xi Jinping before the leaders met to discuss trade between their two countries. Adam discusses the significance of this visit - and its potential ramifications for China’s relations with the West - with Gordon Corera, security correspondent, John Simpson, world affairs editor, and Sophia Gaston, head of foreign policy at Policy Exchange. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade with Natasha Mayo and Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Ricardo McCarthy. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we look at Keir Starmer revealing the “first steps” Labour would take if they won the general election. Speaking at an event in Essex, the Labour leader unveiled a pledge card with six key policies, including delivering "economic stability" and providing 40,000 more hospital appointments each week. Starmer rejected claims the party had scaled back its ambitions, and that it was a “copycat” of Tony Blair who launched his pledge card and went on to win the general election for Labour in 1997.Adam, Chris and Alex are joined by Steve Reed, the Shadow Environment Secretary.And find out how Rishi Sunak got on when he braved the panel on ITV’s Loose Women. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Gemma Roper. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor Sam Bonham.

Today, we look at what we know about the assassination attempt on Slovak PM Robert Fico.The alleged assailant has been detained by the police and ministers have told reporters it was a politically-motivated attack.Europe editor Katya Adler is on to explain what we know about what happened, and who Robert Fico is. And Chris joins James to discuss why some prisoners are being released early in England. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by James Cook. It was made by Chris Flynn with Natasha Mayo and Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we look a new study which suggests obesity jabs, such as Wegovy and Ozempic, could also cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes.The drug semaglutide, which suppresses the appetite, is prescribed by the NHS and now has growing use as a “skinny jab”. Researchers have said that weekly shots could benefit the cardiovascular health of millions of adults, but the results have not yet been fully reviewed. Adam is joined by David Aaronovitch, Presenter of Radio 4’s Briefing Room, and Dr Ellie Cannon, GP and author.And, after three weeks of delays, cancellations and chaos behind the scenes, the new Co-op Live arena is set to open for a gig. What caused the problems? And what does the venue tell us about the music industry of today? Adam speaks to Matt Everitt from Radio 6 music and Anna Foster, BBC news presenter. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Elliot Ryder and Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Daffyd Evans. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we look at Rishi Sunak’s claim that the election would be a choice “between past and future”, as Labour accused him of rebranding again. In a wide-ranging speech, the PM said that Keir Starmer would make the UK less safe and that the Tories are “the only party really talking about the future.” But Labour responded by claiming this was Rishi Sunak’s “7th reset” during his time in office. Are the battlegrounds for the election being drawn? Adam is joined by Chris who questioned Sunak after the speech. And the Birth Trauma Inquiry was presented to parliament, finding that there was “shockingly poor services” in maternity care. It contained harrowing evidence of medical negligence from more than 1,300 women. Adam speaks to Theo Clarke, the Conservative MP who led the inquiry, and Suzanne White, Head of the Medical Negligence team at Leigh Day. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack McLaren with Elliot Ryder and Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Emma Crowe. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today we take a look at accusations that former Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke lobbied former Lord Chancellor, Sir Robert Buckland, over her then-husband Charlie’s sexual assault case.A spokesman for Ms Elphicke, said the claims were "nonsense". Laura, Paddy and Henry discuss how big a problem it is for the party, and how the story came to light.And Laura’s been speaking to the foreign secretary, Lord David Cameron, as Israel expands its military operation in Rafah. Paddy also reveals what it’s like to be behind the scenes with Terry Wogan at Eurovision. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn with Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Jonny Baker. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today we take a look at Keir Starmer’s election plan with a man who was once one of his closest colleagues.Former chief of staff to the Labour leader, Sam White, joins Laura and Paddy to talk about what he thinks his old boss needs to do to avoid throwing away his lead.He also reveals details about their conversations about defections, and his own sacking.And there’s controversy at Eurovision where Dutch contestant, Joost Klein, has been banned, and the and Irish contestant, Bambie Thug withdrew from a dress rehearsal.You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn with Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, Keir Starmer set out his plan to stop small boats crossing the channel. Joined in Dover by the newest Labour MP, Natalie Elphicke, Keir Starmer took questions on his plan for a new Border Security Command. Chris Mason tells Adam all about the plan and his interview with the Labour leader.And we look ahead to the Eurovision Song Contest final. Adam is joined by Paddy O’Connell and Eurovisioncast host Daniel Rosney to discuss protests and controversy at this year’s competition, as well as the acts to look forward to. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade with Gemma Roper and Sam McLaren. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.