Labour saved from ‘summer vacuum’ but Tories hope to exploit weak spots

Fears that the party faced an awkward wait before an autumn poll are over, yet the Tories aim to undermine it on areas like defence

Labour has been rescued from an awkward summer vacuum by Rishi Sunak’s surprise snap election, senior figures believe.

Some of the party’s most prominent figures are using this weekend to ridicule the chaotic start of the Tory campaign, accusing Sunak of displaying a “reverse Midas touch” after his rain-soaked election announcement outside Downing Street and a series of early gaffes on the campaign trail.