Rishi Sunak says now is 'not the time' for UK general election 

Mr Sunak insisted he was not afraid of the prospect of a general election

A general election in the UK is expected next year, with a poll required to be held before the end of January 2025. Picture: Carl Court/PA

Rishi Sunak has said that now is not the time for a general election in the UK, as he prepares to present his vision for the country in his set-piece conference address on Wednesday.

Mr Sunak embarked on a series of sit-down interviews in Manchester on Tuesday, amid ongoing questions about the fate of the northern leg of HS2 rail programme.