The starting pistol is about to be fired, and the race is set to last until next October. Political obsessives will have enough material to entertain them, 24/7. The rest of the populace may well grow terribly bored. The standing of politicians is already much lower among the public than it ought to be. A Punch and Judy show lasting for more than a year will not put that right. Yet this could give the Tories an opportunity. Many voters are fed up with cliches, being talked down to and claptrap abuse. They want a serious debate and a party that offers them one could reap a good harvest. Step forward, Mr Sunak.
Ukraine’s allies pledge new aid at Ramstein
Zelensky attained commitments in air defence from his western allies, but long-range weapons restrictions remain a point of contention.