After years of critical coverage, tabloid backs Labour for first election since 2005, saying: ‘It is time for a change’

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The Sun newspaper has made an abrupt volte-face on the eve of the general election, putting its support behind the Labour party for the first election since 2005.

After years of fiercely critical coverage of Labour and personal attacks on the leader it called “Sir Softie”, the Sun took the surprise move of endorsing Keir Starmer on Wednesday with the simple message: “It is time for a change … Which means that it is time for Labour.”