What's happened
UK party leaders, Sir Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak, have issued Easter messages emphasizing hope, renewal, and gratitude towards Christians. Starmer spoke of optimism and new beginnings, while Sunak praised the incredible work of Christians and expressed gratitude for their generosity and compassion.
Why it matters
The Easter messages from the UK party leaders highlight the importance of faith, hope, and community during a time of reflection and celebration. The messages aim to inspire positivity and unity, setting a tone of gratitude and optimism for the future.
What the papers say
In his Easter message, Sir Keir Starmer focused on hope and renewal, emphasizing the Easter story as a symbol of overcoming adversity. Rishi Sunak, in his message, praised the work of Christians for their generosity and compassion, highlighting the values of compassion, charity, and self-sacrifice.
How we got here
The Easter messages come ahead of local polls on 2 May, providing an early indication of Tory and Labour prospects for the upcoming general election. Both party leaders used the occasion to reflect on the significance of Easter and the positive impact of faith and community.
More on these topics
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Easter, also called Pascha or Resurrection Sunday, is a festival and holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day after his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans
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Rishi Sunak is a British politician who has served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party since 2022.
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
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Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Its adherents, known as Christians, believe that Jesus is the Christ, whose coming as the messiah was prophesied in the Hebrew Bible, called the Old T