Rishi Sunak lands on oil rig off the East Yorkshire coast
Prime Minister uses trip to a Centrica platform to insist his party can still win the General Election
Rishi Sunak has insisted the Tories can still win the General Election after Cabinet minister Grant Shapps said a Conservative victory is unlikely.
The Prime Minister said he understands people's frustrations but gave a more optimistic assessment of his party's chances than the Defence Secretary, who said that to claim the Tories are on course for a win would be to "try and pretend black is white".
Mr Sunak's comments came as Nigel Farage launched Reform UK's "contract" with voters to add to the Conservatives' woes.
Labour has an average 20-point poll lead over the past week - on 41% ahead of the Tories on 21% and Reform on 15%.
Speaking during a visit to a Centrica gas rig, the Prime Minister said: "There's still two-and-a-half weeks to go in this election, I'm fighting hard for every vote because I believe we can win.
"And there's a very clear choice at this election: it's having your taxes cut by the Conservatives or facing significant tax rises with the Labour Party."
Asked if he understands people's frustrations with the Tory Party, with some voters deciding to turn to Reform UK, he replied: "Of course I understand people's frustrations with that - I mean that's undeniable, and I've been very clear that we have made progress, but there is more to go.
"But the point now is we are on the right track and this election is about the future."
Mr Sunak's visit to a Centrica platform in the North Sea came as Mr Farage was setting out Reform's plans - which he suggested were the first step on the path to a potential election win in 2029.
Mr Farage added: "Our ambition is to establish a bridgehead in Parliament, and to become a real opposition to a Labour government."
He said the Tories would not be able to provide opposition because "they spend most of their days arguing among themselves, and they're split down the middle when it comes to policy".
Labour intends to spend the week focusing on its plans for the economy, with shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves joining Sir Keir on the campaign trail.
Sir Keir used a visit to a port in Southampton to say that a renegotiated Brexit deal could remove "an inhibitor" to economic growth.