claire ainsley, keir starmer�*s former director of policy now of the progressive policy institute. and the telegraph's political editor, ben riley—smith. what do you think is at stake for rishi sunak and keir starmer? for rishi sunak and keir starmer? er?" rishi sunak and keir starmer? er?" rishi sunak is trying to give party a glimmer of hope that maybe not all is lost for the general election that we expect to happen now in the autumn. for keir starmer it is in a sense looking for affirmation of the message of the opinion polls that the labour party is indeed so far ahead that it looks now like a home banker that's keir starmer will be the next prime minister. so one side looking for hope and the other for affirmation. the looking for hope and the other for affirmation-— affirmation. the battle for my realities in _ affirmation. the battle for my realities in the _ affirmation. the battle for my realities in the tees _ affirmation. the battle for my realities in the tees valley . affirmation. the battle for my | realities in the tees valley and west midlands are seen as totem