Democrats suffer a big blow. Republicans are celebrating after winning a critical election in georgia. Its a huge boost to President Trump. Saudi arabia shakes up President Trump. Saudi arabia shakes up succession plan. How did this hope goes so wrong . Marco rubio jokes he is launching an investigation after this hug with a banker trump missed the mark. Ivanka. Im Christian Fraser here in westminster and kathie kay is with us westminster and kathie kay is with us In Washington. Rarely could the queen have delivered such a speech so queen have delivered such a speech so thin and detail and it is supposed to steer the course of parliament for the next two years. It seems that many of the governments Manifesto Promises have disappeared along with its parliamentary majority. There was no controversial mention of the demnetia tax or the scrapping of school lunches. There was also no mention of Donald Trumps proposed state visit this year although the Home Secretary has confirmed it will go
performing. we have not mentioned the cost of living crisis performing. we have not mentioned the cost of living crisis which - performing. we have not mentioned the cost of living crisis which is i the cost of living crisis which is something that will undoubtedly be on the minds of voters across the country, how much of it as a factor here? , , ., , ., , here? interesting you bring that up because i have here? interesting you bring that up because i have spoken here? interesting you bring that up because i have spoken to here? interesting you bring that up because i have spoken to charitiesl because i have spoken to charities and food banks, the alice charity locally and they have told me in recent weeks since the bills started to go up the number of referrals they have been getting has shot up and this is from working families so thatis and this is from working families so that is very much an issue on the doorstep for candidates that are knocking on doors and campaigning. t
but to keep going, they need backing. from pandemic to to the war in ukraine, you know, down to to some of the factors that are affecting us. high inflation rate, items we buy have gone more than 100%, you know, increase in price. we re just really like hanging on the line, trying to see that we stay up. we really need a change whereby all these small businesses can be supported. the economy cannot do without small and medium scale businesses, whether local or national factors are at play. there s a lot at stake in these elections which could cause quite a political shake up. alex forsyth, bbc news, southampton. to get more on the context of the politics here in newcastle under lyme i am joined by jenny aitken who is the reporter