What next for Sunak and Starmer as poll race enters second half?

So what next for the Labour campaign?

The party is proud of its so-called “ground war” – the pavement pounding, door knocking and leafleting that goes on away from the cameras.

Privately, the party reckons its operation and data gathering is far superior to the Conservatives’.

As for the “air war” – what you will see in media coverage – it will be the same kinds of events and certainly the same message.

But Sir Keir’s visits will be taking place over the coming days in constituencies with larger Conservative majorities than those he has visited so far, the BBC understands – a clear display of confidence.

Activists, too, are being encouraged to focus their energies on more and more ambitious target seats.

One curious twist coming in the next few weeks, not lost on senior Labour people, is the start of the Euros, the football tournament.

This will command attention and passion, disrupt television schedules and distract people at just the point the election campaign reaches its crescendo.

How to campaign, in an inevitably partisan manner, as people, particularly in England and Scotland come together to watch the football, poses a challenge.

Some at the top of the Labour Party are beginning to think, if a little furtively, of the aftermath of 4 July, too.

Senior staff still do not know for sure what jobs they would have in Downing Street if Labour win but Sue Gray, Sir Keir’s chief of staff, has spent most of the campaign at party headquarters preparing detailed plans for government.

Some shadow ministers have taken time off the campaign trail to hold “access talks” with civil servants in Whitehall.

There are logistical questions about a Labour government, too.

For example: would they let MPs take their traditional six-week summer recess?

While plans are not yet developed on this, the answer appears to be a resounding no.

“We can’t pass up the opportunity to hit the ground running,” one Labour source said.