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Associated Press Style

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Introduction

Associated Press style provides guidelines for news writing. Many newspapers, magazines and public relations offices across the United States use AP style. Although some publications such as the New York Times have developed their own style guidelines, a basic knowledge of AP style is considered essential to those who want to work in print journalism.

This Web page is intended to provide an introduction to AP style and a summary of some AP style rules; however, the Associated Press Stylebook includes more than 5,000 entries – far more than can be covered here. For a complete guide to AP style, writers should consult the most recent edition of the Associated Press Stylebook or visit the AP Stylebook website .

The content of newspapers and other mass media is typically the result of many different writers and editors working together. AP style provides consistent guidelines for such publications in terms of grammar, spelling, punctuation and language usage. Some guiding principles behind AP style are:

• Consistency

AP style also aims to avoid stereotypes and unintentionally offensive language.

Common Style Guidelines

The Associated Press Stylebook provides an A-Z guide to issues such as capitalization, abbreviation, punctuation, spelling, numerals and many other questions of language usage. What follows are summaries of some of the most common style rules.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Some widely known abbreviations are required in certain situations, while others are acceptable but not required in some contexts. For example, Dr., Gov., Lt. Gov., Rep., the Rev. and Sen. are required before a person’s full name when they occur outside a direct quotation. Please note, that medical and political titles only need to be used on first reference when they appear outside of a direct quote. For courtesy titles, use these on second reference or when specifically requested. Other acronyms and abbreviations are acceptable but not required (i.e. FBI, CIA, GOP). The context should govern such decisions.

As a general rule, though, you should avoid what the Associated Press Stylebook calls “alphabet soup.” Consult the Associated Press Stylebook for specific cases.

For numbered addresses, always use figures. Abbreviate Ave., Blvd., and St. and directional cues when used with a numbered address. Always spell out other words such as alley, drive and road . If the street name or directional cue is used without a numbered address, it should be capitalized and spelled out. If a street name is a number, spell out First through Ninth and use figures for 10th and higher. Here are some examples of correctly formatted addresses: 101 N. Grant St., Northwestern Avenue, South Ninth Street, 102 S. 10th St., 605 Woodside Drive.

For ages, always use figures. If the age is used as an adjective or as a substitute for a noun, then it should be hyphenated. Don’t use apostrophes when describing an age range. Examples: A 21-year-old student. The student is 21 years old. The girl, 8, has a brother, 11. The contest is for 18-year-olds. He is in his 20s.

Books, Periodicals, Reference Works, and Other Types of Compositions

Use quotation marks around the titles of books, songs, television shows, computer games, poems, lectures, speeches and works of art. Examples: Author Porter Shreve read from his new book, “When the White House Was Ours.” They sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the game.

Do not use quotations around the names of magazine, newspapers, the Bible or books that are catalogues of reference materials. Examples: The Washington Post first reported the story. He reads the Bible every morning.

Do not underline or italicize any of the above.

Dates, Months, Years, Days of the Week

For dates and years, use figures. Do not use st, nd, rd, or th with dates, and use Arabic figures. Always capitalize months. Spell out the month unless it is used with a date. When used with a date, abbreviate only the following months: Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec.

Commas are not necessary if only a year and month are given, but commas should be used to set off a year if the date, month and year are given. Use the letter s but not an apostrophe after the figures when expressing decades or centuries. Do, however, use an apostrophe before figures expressing a decade if numerals are left out. Examples: Classes begin Aug. 25. Purdue University was founded May 6, 1869. The semester begins in January. The 1800s. The ’90s.

If you refer to an event that occurred the day prior to when the article will appear, do not use the word yesterday. Instead, use the day of the week. Capitalize days of the week, but do not abbreviate. If an event occurs more than seven days before or after the current date, use the month and a figure.

Newspapers use datelines when the information for a story is obtained outside the paper’s hometown or general area of service. Datelines appear at the beginning of stories and include the name of the city in all capital letters, usually followed the state or territory in which the city is located. The Associated Press Stylebook lists 30 U.S. cities that do not need to be followed by the name of a state. See states and cities below. Examples:

• DENVER – The Democratic National Convention began...
• ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Republican National Convention began...
• YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – President Bush spoke to a group...

When writing about height, weight or other dimensions, use figures and spell out words such as feet, miles, etc. Examples: She is 5-foot-3. He wrote with a 2-inch pencil.

Use figures for any distances over 10. For any distances below 10, spell out the distance. Examples: My flight covered 1,113 miles. The airport runway is three miles long.

Always use a person’s first and last name the first time they are mentioned in a story. Only use last names on second reference. Do not use courtesy titles such as Mr., Mrs., Miss or Ms. unless they are part of a direct quotation or are needed to differentiate between people who have the same last name.

Never begin a sentence with a figure, except for sentences that begin with a year. Examples: Two hundred freshmen attended. Five actors took the stage. 1776 was an important year.

Use roman numerals to describe wars and to show sequences for people. Examples: World War II, Pope John Paul II, Elizabeth II.

For ordinal numbers, spell out first through ninth and use figures for 10th and above when describing order in time or location. Examples: second base, 10th in a row. Some ordinal numbers, such as those indicating political or geographic order, should use figures in all cases. Examples: 3rd District Court, 9th ward.

For cardinal numbers, consult individual entries in the Associated Press Stylebook. If no usage is specified, spell out numbers below 10 and use figures for numbers 10 and above. Example: The man had five children and 11 grandchildren.

When referring to money, use numerals. For cents or amounts of $1 million or more, spell the words cents, million, billion, trillion etc. Examples: $26.52, $100,200, $8 million, 6 cents.

Punctuation

Use a single space after a period.

Do not use commas before a conjunction in a simple series. Example: In art class, they learned that red, yellow and blue are primary colors. His brothers are Tom, Joe, Frank and Pete. However, a comma should be used before the terminal conjunction in a complex series, if part of that series also contains a conjunction. Example: Purdue University's English Department offers doctoral majors in Literature, Second Language Studies, English Language and Linguistics, and Rhetoric and Composition.

Commas and periods go within quotation marks. Example: “I did nothing wrong,” he said. She said, “Let’s go to the Purdue game.”

States and Cities

When the name of a state name appears in the body of a text, spell it out. State abbreviations should also be avoided in headlines where possible. States should be abbreviated when used as part of a short-form political affiliation. Examples: He was travelling to Nashville, Tenn. The peace accord was signed in Dayton, Ohio. The storm began in Indiana and moved west toward Peoria, Ill. Updated guidance to AP style notes that state names can also be abbreviated for the following purposes:

• Naming states in dateline text
• Naming states in photo captions
• Naming states in lists or tables
• Naming states in in editor's notes and credit lines

Here is how each state is abbreviated in AP style (with the postal code abbreviations in parentheses):

You will notice that eight states are missing from this list. That is because Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Texas and Utah are never abbreviated.

AP style does not require the name of a state to accompany the names of the following 30 cities:

The exact time when an event has occurred or will occur is unnecessary for most stories. Of course, there are occasions when the time of day is important. In such cases, use figures, but spell out noon and midnight . Use a colon to separate hours from minutes, but do not use :00 . Examples: 1 p.m., 3:30 a.m.

Generally, capitalize formal titles when they appear before a person’s name, but lowercase titles if they are informal, appear without a person’s name, follow a person’s name or are set off before a name by commas. Also, lowercase adjectives that designate the status of a title. If a title is long, place it after the person’s name, or set it off with commas before the person’s name. Examples: President Bush; President-elect Obama; Sen. Harry Reid; Evan Bayh, a senator from Indiana; the senior senator from Indiana, Dick Lugar; former President George H.W. Bush; Paul Schneider, deputy secretary of homeland security.

Technological Terms

Here are the correct spelling and capitalization rules for some common technological terms:

• BlackBerry, BlackBerrys
• eBay Inc. (use EBay Inc. when the word begins a sentence)
• e-book reader
• Google, Googling, Googled
• IM ( IMed, IMing ; for first reference, use instant messenger )
• iPad, iPhone, iPod (use IPad, IPhone, or IPod when the word begins a sentence)
• social media
• Twitter, tweet, tweeted, retweet
• World Wide Web, website (see the AP's tweet about the change) , Web page

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Essays on Postal Code

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Look Up a ZIP Code ™

You can find ZIP Codes ™ for corporate and residential addresses or find the cities that fall within a ZIP Code ™ .

Enter a corporate or residential street address, city, and state to see a specific ZIP Code ™ .

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State Abbreviations

State abbreviations for the 50 us states.

The US has 50 states, a national capital along with commonwealths, and other territories around the world. Each state has its own unique shortened name codes called state abbreviations used in written documents and mailing addresses.

The state abbreviations are always in the same format: two letter abbreviations where both letters are uppercase and no periods or spaces between each letter. This format is the official USPS postal abbreviation.

When writing for  text or in references, traditional abbreviations are used. The names of states should be always spelled out when they are written in sentences.  

Below is a list of state abbreviations, both two-letter and traditional for all of the 50 US states and other territories outside the Union. 

Traditional Abbreviations

Traditional abbreviations were used before the two-letter postal codes became standard. The abbreviations are sometimes still used in note taking and text writing.  

Eight states are never abbreviated in text though; Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Texas and Utah. It’s easy to remember that rule. States with five or fewer letters, plus Alaska and Hawaii, are never abbreviated.

Abbreviations for the United States 

The United States may be abbreviated to U.S. when used as an adjective, but in formal writing, it’s customarily spelled out. Most often, and especially in casual writing, remove the periods to spell out the United States as US. 

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The Untold Story of the ZIP Code

April 1, 2013 (Report Number RARC-WP-13-006)

In 1963 the Post Office Department introduced the Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP) Code as a means to allow mail sorting methods to become faster and eventually be automated, but the innovation also created unimagined socio-economic benefits as an organizing and enabling device. The ZIP Code is a support structure used by a variety of industries, including the insurance and real estate industries, and also fosters community and identity representation. These enormous societal benefits are obtained through the initial creation of the ZIP Code and the Postal Service’s maintenance and updates to this asset. This paper examines further enhancements to strengthen the ZIP Code for the digital age.

In particular, this paper explores the benefits of combining the precision of geocodes within the contextual, broad usage of ZIP Codes. Enhancing ZIP Codes with geocodes could facilitate delivery route reconfigurations, link the wealth of Postal Service addresses information to mapping software, and assist in the alignment of government investments to serve public needs. Another enhancement examined is linking demographic information with the ZIP Code. This could be combined with smaller mailing groupings to increase the value of the mail for senders and recipients.

The paper also examines the ZIP Code’s history to identify any lessons which could be applied today. This exploration reveals the ZIP Code’s unanticipated external benefits occurred because the Post Office Department took initiative and experimented with a series of steps to ensure the innovation’s adoption and success. The Post Office Department created the Mr. ZIP campaign which increased public awareness of the initiative and could be credited with the ZIP Code’s acceptance in the face of some stakeholder resistance.

Lastly, the Office of Inspector General, working with IBM, embarked on an approach to quantify the value of the ZIP Code system to society. The estimate shows that the ZIP Code adds about $10 billion annually to the economy. This estimate also illustrates that the ZIP Code’s value to external firms exceeds the internal value to the Postal Service.

Decision looming if Gavin Williams keeps progressing: Guardians takeaways

• Updated: Jun. 22, 2024, 9:03 p.m. |
• Published: Jun. 22, 2024, 8:53 p.m.

• Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It has been a bumpy ride for Gavin Williams this season.

For two starts in spring training, he pitched like a No. 1 pick should pitch. Then he injured his right elbow in early March and hasn’t sniffed the Guardians’ rotation since.

More Guardians coverage

• Guardians, swinging from the floor, knock out Blue Jays with four homers, 6-3
• Guardians, Toronto Blue Jays lineups for June 22, 2024: Game 74
• What path will Guardians take to No. 1 pick in the draft? The week in baseball

If you or a loved one has questions and needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the National Council on Program Gambling Helpline (NCPG) at 1-800-522-4700 or visit 1800gambler.net for more information. 21+ and present in Ohio. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.

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NBA Draft 2024: High-scoring Hofstra guard works out for Knicks, looks ahead to Draft

• Updated: Jun. 22, 2024, 7:30 a.m. |
• Published: Jun. 22, 2024, 6:42 a.m.

Rutgers guard Derek Simpson (0) and center Cliff Omoruyi (11) watch as Hofstra guard Tyler Thomas (23) hits would be the game-winning basket late in overtime of an NIT men’s basketball game, Tuesday, March 14, 2023 in Piscataway, N.J. Hofstra won, 88-86, in OT. Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

• Adam Zagoria | For NJ Advance Media

High-scoring Hofstra guard Tyler Thomas worked out for the Knicks on Friday in what may have been his final workout before the upcoming NBA Draft.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound guard from New Haven, Conn., was among a handful of prospects to work out in front of Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau and his staff.

“It went well,” Thomas said by phone. “I thought I played well, I shot well.”

Thibodeau told the players one-by-one, “You guys had a good workout, thank you, appreciate it.”

Thomas is one of several players with local ties to work out for the Knicks recently. Former Seton Hall forward Tyrese Samuel and former Ranney School star Bryan Antoine were both at the Knicks’ Tarrytown facility this week, and Aaron Estrada , a Woodbury, N.J. native who played at Saint Peter’s, Hofstra and Alabama, is slated to work out for the team on Saturday.

The Knicks today worked out this group, per sources: Tyler Thomas (Hofstra) David Jones (Memphis) Spencer Jones (Stanford) Ajay Mitchell (Santa Barbara) Antonio Reeves (Kentucky) pic.twitter.com/qxyP8J0w7x — Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) June 21, 2024

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Thomas was named the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year and won the prestigious Haggerty Award after averaging 22.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists this past season with the Pride. He made 125 3-pointers -- second in Division 1 to Oakland star and Kentucky-killer Jack Gohlke -- and averaged 3.8 made treys per game.

He is familiar to Rutgers ’ fans because in 2023 he scored 25 points, including a go-ahead jumper with 9.3 seconds left in overtime , as Hofstra beat the top-seeded Scarlet Knights 88-86 in the first round of the NIT.

Thomas has already worked out for Cleveland, Orlando, Minnesota, Houston, the Lakers, the Clippers and now the Knicks. He may also work out for the newly-minted NBA champion Boston Celtics before the Draft.

He said he grew up a Celtics fan “but I’ve turned into a Knicks guy when they play the Celtics because I’ve lived here for so long.”

What would it mean to play for the Knicks’ Summer League team?

“It would be extremely cool for me,” he said. “I watched the Knicks all season this year, just to have a chance with these guys in the Summer League to try to gain a spot and gain some recognition from these guys would be extremely special to me.”

As for what he’s trying to show teams, Thomas said: “[I’m trying to show] that I compete, defend, try to the little intangible things, I can pick a teammate up, talk defensively, do all the little things that I guy like me would have to accept when it comes to a role in the NBA.”

“It’s not to be about scoring or shooting 12 3′s a game,” he added.

In college, Thomas was known as a scorer.

“I think my biggest strength is scoring, more than just shooting,” he said. " I think my next strength is how I talk to people and [communicate] and hopefully I can do that with a team.”

Thomas said he’s not sure if he will watch the draft because he doesn’t expect to be chosen, but he will either be at his father’s house in Stamford, Conn., or with former teammates at Hofstra when the Draft begins Wednesday night. For the first time, it will be a two-day event.

What would it mean if he does get chosen?

“That would mean the world to me, but that would just be the beginning,” he said. “Obviously if you get drafted in the second round, it’s not guaranteed and you gotta still work your up from the G League sometimes and still carve your way into a role or a position that benefits the team somehow.”

If he doesn’t hear his name called, he hopes to sign as a free agent or earn a Two-Way.

“A Two-Way would be the most realistic thing for me, I think,” he said. “And I would be more than OK with developing a little bit in the G League and trying to carve out a spot.”

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.

Adam Zagoria is a freelance reporter who covers Seton Hall and NJ college basketball for NJ Advance Media. You may follow him on Twitter @ AdamZagoria and check out his Website at ZAGSBLOG.com .

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Is it too hot to be outside? Plug in your ZIP code to check your city's 'heat risk'

• The CDC and National Weather Service launched a map to forecast heat-related impacts across the US.
• It uses a five-tier color-numeric scale to indicate potential heat risks in your area.
• The Midwest to Northeast will face record-breaking heat, possibly the longest in decades.

With temperatures rising alongside your electric bills, the CDC and National Weather Service launched a HeatRisk map to help you determine whether you can handle the heat.

By plugging in your ZIP code, you can find out just how scorching your area will be for the next seven days — and the possible risks. The map, which we first spotted thanks to The Verge, presents a seven-day forecast of the potential threat of heat-related impacts across the US.

The heat index follows a five-tier color-numeric scale from green (little to no risk) to magenta (extreme). Without adequate cooling and hydration, anyone can be impacted at the level of magenta or red (major), the CDC and NWS said.

Related stories

Along with possible elevated risks for heat complications, HeatRisk also takes into consideration the duration of the heat and how unusual it is for that time of year and area.

If you remember last summer's record-breaking heat , be prepared for some déjà vu in the next few months.

The NWS reported that much of the Midwest to Northeast is set to see "the hottest temperatures of the summer," with possible daily and monthly high-temperature records for June. The heat wave's duration is "potentially the longest experienced in decades for some locations," the agency said.

Record-breaking #heat is forecast to expand from the Midwest and Great Lakes to the Northeast this week, potentially lingering through early next week. The duration of this heat wave is notable and potentially the longest experienced in decades for some locations. pic.twitter.com/4nJ1PS4qih — NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) June 16, 2024

Heat waves aren't just annoying — they can sometimes be deadly.

Last year, there were an estimated 2,300 heat-related deaths in the US, with many suffering from a lack of access to air conditioning . To avoid heat illnesses such as heat stroke and exhaustion, the NWS suggests people drink plenty of water even if they don't feel thirsty and wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.

The most vulnerable groups to heat include young children and infants since their bodies are less adaptable to heat, and older adults, especially those who take certain medications that can interfere with body temperature regulation. Other high-risk individuals include people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women.

Extreme heat levels can also impact infrastructure , including transportation, utilities, and agriculture. It can strain electrical grids, water resources, and certain aircraft operational limits. A 2021 study indicated that high heat in the US could result in an estimated $100 billion in reduced productivity annually.

Following the launch of its initial prototype for California only in 2013, HeatRisk is now the first variation to include information from the CDC about the health impacts of heat. HeatRisk is still an "experimental product," and the NWS is accepting public feedback via survey through September 30.

Watch: Dangerous heat waves intensify across the globe from Arizona to Turkey

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Election latest: Tom Tugendhat says Nigel Farage sounds like 'Putin's poodle' on Ukraine - but Reform leader doubles down in war row

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is still under fire after reiterating he blames the West and NATO for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Tom Tugendhat, the security minister, has told Sky News Mr Farage is sounding like "Putin's poodle" on the issue.

Sunday 23 June 2024 00:16, UK

• General Election 2024

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• Farage under fire for 'disgraceful' comments on Ukraine war
• Minister calls Farage 'Putin's poodle' | PM says Farage 'wrong'
• Ali Fortescue: Farage is doubling down but will be cautious about scaring voters
• Jon Craig:  Has the Reform UK leader made his first campaign mistake?
• Reform UK's tax plans disproportionately benefit high earners, analysis shows
• Labour unveil 'Tory s***show' attack ad

Election essentials

• Manifesto pledges: Alliance Party | Conservatives | Greens | Labour | Lib Dems | Plaid Cymru | Reform | SNP | Sinn Fein | Workers Party
• Trackers:  Who's leading polls? | Is PM keeping promises?
• Campaign Heritage: Memorable moments from elections gone by
• Follow Sky's politics podcasts: Electoral Dysfunction | Politics At Jack And Sam's
• Read more:  Who is standing down? | Key seats to watch | What counts as voter ID? | Check if your constituency is changing | Guide to election lingo | Sky's election night plans

Labour are warning voters against complacency at the polls on 4 July as the party says "change will only happen if you vote for it".

In an article for The Observer, Labour campaign coordinator Pat McFadden said the election debate was "in danger" of being "consumed by polls" and the idea that the outcome is "somehow pre-determined".

"No way is this election a done deal. The headlines about the clutch of MRP polls disguise a huge level of uncertainty," he said.

The public need to think about whether they want five more years of Conservative rule or "the chance to rebuild with Labour," said Mr McFadden.

He branded Tory warnings against a Labour "supermajority" a "cynical voter suppression strategy".

"The reason the Tories are talking down their prospects is to try to persuade swing voters that they either don't need to vote or, because of their argument the result is decided, to persuade voters they can afford to vote for one of the minor parties where the seat is a Labour/Tory battle," he said.

A Labour win would "put Brexit in peril" and see Sir Keir Starmer try to overturn the vote that changed the country eight years ago, Rishi Sunak has said.

The Conservative campaign suggested Labour have pledged to negotiate a new deal "without telling the public what they would accept in return".

It cited experts as warning that Sir Keir's party would have to make "considerable concessions" to meet its manifesto pledge to deepen ties with the UK's European neighbours.

In a statement on the anniversary of the Brexit vote, Mr Sunak said Sir Keir "has never believed we can succeed as a sovereign country and has tried to overturn the result time and time again". 

He said the Labour leader has committed to "years more wrangling the EU" and abandoning the country's "hard-won freedoms".

"Keir Starmer would recommit us to free movement of EU citizens, taking thousands more illegal migrants and binding our businesses again in Brussels red tape," he said.

"It would be a betrayal pure and simple of the public's wishes by a party with no faith in Britain and no plan for our future as an independent nation."

Meanwhile, business secretary Kemi Badenoch accused Labour of rubbishing facts and promoting "dodgy forecasts" about UK growth.

Sir Keir earlier denied that Labour has plans to rejoin the EU, after Ms Badenoch told The Telegraph that he would put Brexit at risk if he became prime minister.

"We are not re-joining the EU, we are not re-joining the single market or the customs union," the Labour leader said.

A top Conservative official has reportedly taken a leave of absence amid allegations that they placed bets on the timing of the general election on 4 July.

The allegations were published in The Sunday Times , which reported that the official is being investigated over claims they placed "dozens of bets".

A Conservative spokesman said: "As instructed by the Gambling Commission, we are not permitted to discuss any matters related to any investigation with the subject or any other persons."

Our flagship Sunday morning show, hosted by  Trevor Phillips , will be live on Sky News tomorrow from 8.30am, and we have a packed line-up for you after another eventful week of the campaign.

Trevor will be chatting to:

• James Cleverly , home secretary;
• Bridget Phillipson , shadow education secretary;
• Sharon Graham , Unite general secretary;
• Robert Jenrick , former immigration minister.

On Trevor's expert panel will be:

• Lionel Barber , former editor of the Financial Times
• Sonia Sodha , former Labour adviser;
• Guto Harri , former Number 10 communications director.

Watch live on Sky News and in the stream at the top of this page - and follow updates here in the Politics Hub.

Watch  Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips  from 8.30am every Sunday on Sky channel 501, Virgin channel 602, Freeview channel 233, on the  Sky News website  and  app  or on  YouTube .

Sir Keir Starmer has branded attacks by the veterans minister on his Labour electoral opponent "sad and desperate".

Mr Mercer, the Tory candidate for Plymouth Moor View, accused his political rival Fred Thomas of lying about his military record after a hustings event earlier this week.

In a series of posts to the X, the minister questioned whether Mr Thomas had served in combat missions while serving as a Royal Marine.

He suggested the Labour candidate had misrepresented his service "for political gain".

Asked about Mr Mercer's comments, Sir Keir said it was "sad desperation" from the veterans' minister. "It's desperate."

The Labour leader said his remarks underlined that the Conservative Party is "party first through and through".

Labour said Mr Thomas was a "decorated ex-Royal Marine" who was unable to discuss his military service due to its "highly sensitive" nature.

Mr Thomas said he was "proud of having served my country for seven years, including overseas on operations". 

Here are all the candidates for the Plymouth Moor View constituency:

• Shaun Hooper  - Reform UK
• Sarah Martin  - Liberal Democrats
• Johnny Mercer - Conservatives
• Georgia Nelson  - Green Party
• Fred Thomas - Labour

Union boss Sharon Graham has said she does not agree with Labour's fiscal rules and the party should borrow more to invest.

Speaking to Sky News'  Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips  in an interview that will be broadcast in full tomorrow, the Unite general secretary said other countries with growing economies have a larger debt-to-GDP ratio than the UK, "so there is wiggle room".

Rachel Reeves , the shadow chancellor, has promised to retain the Tories' commitment that debt as a proportion of GDP must be on track to fall in five years if Labour win the election on 4 July.

She has ruled out borrowing to fund day-to-day spending, saying her focus will be on reforms to grow the economy.

But Ms Graham said: "I don't agree with Rachel Reeves in terms of what has been said about the plans on growth.

"If you look at other countries - in France, their debt to GDP is 112%. In America, where the economy's growing, it's 130% debt to GDP. Ours is around about 99%. We have wiggle room. Give Britain a break."

The union leader said that workers "are literally hurting beyond anything that you could comprehend" due to the cost of living crisis.

She added: "We need the straitjacket off a little bit, get some wiggle room there.

"Borrowing to invest is not the same as other borrowing. It's borrowing to invest."

You can watch the full interview with Sharon Graham on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips from 8.30am tomorrow morning on Sky News.

Sir Keir Starmer said he always suspected Boris Johnson's relationship with the truth "would bring him down"- as he revealed how he "set a trap" for the ex-prime minister over the partygate scandal.

In an interview with The Guardian, the Labour leader said he "couldn't care less" about the insults Mr Johnson hurled at him over the despatch box, including when the then PM called him a "pointless human bollard".

"I'm not saying I have great insight, but I felt his character would bring him down," he told the newspaper.

"I thought, there's a guy who is detached from the truth. Whether he's lying or not, it doesn't matter to him."

Sir Keir then laid out the specific way he "set a trap" for Mr Johnson to catch him out over the Downing Street parties scandal, according to The Guardian.

Read the full story here :

Scarlett Maguire, a pollster with JL Partners, says focus groups run by the firm in Rishi Sunak's constituency show that the D-Day blunder and the recent betting scandal in the Tory party have cut through to voters.

Both issues have been "incredibly damaging" for the prime minister, she says.

Ms Maguire said one voter told researchers that the betting scandal "showed a complete disregard for voters".

"They were saying the impression was that it was just like Partygate. It was indicative of a political class and this particular political party that takes voters a bit for a ride and takes their votes for granted," she says.

"That sense was something that came through very strongly."

Ms Maguire said these issues mean voters could perceive Mr Sunak as being "out of control".

However she pointed out that the public also "do not like the sound of a Labour majority", and there's an "appetite" to prevent this.

"It about whether that works and about whether people actually think 'you know what? I am really cross with the main parties... I'm going to do more of a protest vote'."

Next up on the show is pollster Scarlett Maguire , director at JL Partners.

She's asked first about the big polling story of the campaign, which has been the rise of Reform UK support in the UK.

Asked if the Conservatives should be worried about this, Ms Maguire says she is "sceptical" that Reform could end up with a greater share of the vote than the Tories - in part because they are not standing in every seat.

However she notes the rise of Reform has been "the defining feature of this campaign - or at least the only real action we've seen in the polls".

Ms Maguire says Rishi Sunak's decision to call the election while 20 points down in the polls was unprecedented.

"He desperately needed a campaign where he could win back those voters that started voting Reform and also win back those Conservatives that were now telling pollsters they don't know. So far, he's not done either," she says.

Next up is a discussion with the Politics Hub panel on JK Rowling's accusation in The Times newspaper that the Labour party is "abandoning women".

In a 2,000-word essay, the author said she will "struggle to support" Labour if Sir Keir Starmer keeps his current stance on gender recognition.

Sir Keir has defended Labour's record on gender equality in response, saying he was "proud" of his party's history on the subject.

Charlie Rowley , former special adviser to Michael Gove, says the issue is a "sticky wicket" for Labour, but he adds that there are "so many other issues in society" that require focus.

"Party leaders shouldn't be getting caught up in the minutiae of this kind of conversation," he says.

Meanwhile, Ava Santina Evans, political correspondent at PoliticsJOE, says Labour advisers are worried the issue will "ramp up just before polling day".

She adds it's unfair to trans people in the UK "to experience this sort of rhetoric before the election".

"This election really is a lot to do with the politicisation of people's bodies," she says.

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