Keir Starmer’s ‘bombproof’ manifesto shows Labour is ready for an election

The shadow cabinet are expected to submit final proposals for policies that can be put under scrutiny in the event Rishi Sunak calls a general election

Labour has spent the past few weeks performing a series of U-turns on previously announced policies as it finalises its manifesto, culminating in Thursday's announcement of a huge cut to its green spending plans.

Beyond the cuts to the 28bn annual spending pledge, party insiders have also let it be known they no longer intend to abolish the House of Lords, might reduce their planned tax on private equity profits and will not legislate to create a National Care Service.