Election latest: Tories fall to worst rating since Truss in new poll - as Reform gain ground (2024)

The election campaign has sparked into life over the past few days, but today politicians pressed pause for a moment as leaders from around the world gathered in Normandy to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Tributes were paid to the sacrifices of those who fought to free Europe from the tyranny of Nazi rule.

The veterans who made the journey were honoured, but their dwindling numbers were a reminder of how important it is to keep telling their stories as they pass with glory into history.

But even as the threats of the past were remembered, the shadow of future conflict hung over proceedings.

The US president, addressing the crowds, warning democracy is more at risk than at any point since the end of the war.

And that warning from Joe Biden echoes one made by Rishi Sunak when he called the election - of the perils of an unsafe world.

Even an event on the beaches of Northern France - as far away from the hurly-burly of election politics as you can imagine - became a reminder that history carries lessons for the political class of today about the fragility of peace.

And the terrible cost of war.

Our first two guests onPolitics Hub With Sophy Ridgetonight are veterans minister Johnny Mercer and shadow armed forces minister Luke Pollard.

They'll be on the show to discuss today's events marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when Allied forces defeated the Nazis on the beaches of Normandy in a pivotal moment in the Second World War.

Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer were among those in attendance at a commemorative event in France.

You can catch up and follow the latest in our dedicated live blog below:

Our weeknight politics showPolitics Hub With Sophy Ridgeis live now on Sky News.

The fast-paced programme dissects the inner workings of Westminster, with interviews, insights, and analysis - bringing you, the audience, into the corridors of power.

Sophy will be joined by the former Tory mayor of the West Midlands,Andy Street, to discuss how the election's been going so far.

And to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, we'll be joined by veterans minister Johnny Mercer and shadow armed forces minister Luke Pollard.

On Sophy's panel tonight are:

• Jacqui Smith, ex-Labour home secretary;
• Charlie Rowley, former special adviser to Michael Gove.

Watch live on Sky News, in the stream at the top of this page, and follow live updates here in the Politics Hub.

WatchPolitics Hub With Sophy Ridgefrom Monday to Thursday on Sky channel 501, Virgin channel 602, Freeview channel 233, on theSky News websiteandappor onYouTube.

In a UK election, there are 650 seats in the House of Commons up for grabs.

To win, a party needs at least 326 of them.

But what if no party manages to get there?

It's happened before and - despite the polls projecting a Labour win this time round - it's not impossible it happens again.

Our political correspondent Serena Barker-Singh explains...

Sky News spoke to a body language expert and a speech analyst about the two frontrunners' gestures and verbal tics.

What do they tell us about them?

Our weeknight politics showPolitics Hub With Sophy Ridgewill be live on Sky News from 7pm.

The fast-paced programme dissects the inner workings of Westminster, with interviews, insights, and analysis - bringing you, the audience, into the corridors of power.

Sophy will be joined by the former Tory mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, to discuss how the election campaign's been going so far.

And to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, we'll be joined by veterans ministerJohnny Mercerand shadow armed forces ministerLuke Pollard.

On Sophy's panel tonight are:

• Jacqui Smith, ex-Labour home secretary;
• Charlie Rowley, former special adviser to Michael Gove.

Watch live on Sky News, in the stream at the top of this page, and follow live updates here in the Politics Hub.

WatchPolitics Hubfrom 7pm every night during the election campaign on Sky channel 501, Virgin channel 602, Freeview channel 233, on theSky News websiteandappor onYouTube.

Wereported yesterdaythere was just a two point gap in support between the Conservatives and Reform in the latest voter intention survey from YouGov.

Well, we're getting some more data through - and it's also not looking good for the government.

Redfield and Wilton Strategies asked 2,000 people for their opinions today and yesterday.

Their results are below - compared to how people felt last week:

• Labour 42% (-4)
• Conservative 19% (-1)
• Reform UK 17% (+3)
• Lib Dem 12% (+2)
• Green 6% (+1)
• SNP 3% (+1)
• Other 2% (–)

Reform is again within touching distance of the Conservatives.

The polling company says this is the "tied-lowest ever Conservative" showing, and equals their worst performance under Liz Truss.

It also is Reform's best performance so far.

By Ian King, business presenter

If the polls are correct, Labour will be in government in less than a month, yet the party's policies are already having an impact on business.

Three oil and gas companies - Jersey Oil and Gas, Serica Energy and Neo Energy - said on Wednesday they had decided to delay by a year the planned start of oil production at Buchan, an oilfield in the North Sea 120 miles to the northeast of Aberdeen, which they jointly own.

The trio explicitly linked the decision to the earlier than expected timing of the election.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, confirmed last week that Labour intends to spend £23.7bn over the life of the next parliament on a "green prosperity plan" at the centre of which is the creation of a state-owned vehicle, Great British Energy, that will invest in renewables.

It will be chiefly funded by raising the existing windfall taxes first imposedon North Sea oil and gas producers by Rishi Sunak, as chancellor, in 2022.

And it's already spooked producers.

Read more from Ian below:

It's just gone 5pm on what has been a reasonably quiet day on the election front - given the D-Day commemorations in Normandy - but there are still developments to bring you up to speed on.

Notably, it's emerged the Conservative Party accepted fresh cash from donor Frank Hester days after the prime minister had condemned "racist and wrong" comments he made about Diane Abbott.

Before we bring you tonight's Politics Hub At Sophy Ridge from 7pm, are the main things you need to know from today:

• Labour said Rishi Sunak has "proven he is a man with no integrity" after accepting more money from Frank Hester;
• This includes a £5m donation in January, and another £150,000 in March, which came after the prime minister had condemned his comments about Labour's Diane Abbott;
• As a reminder, it was reported earlier this year that - in 2019 - he'd said Ms Abbott should be "shot" and made him "want to hate all black women";
• Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has called on the PM to return the cash, while his party have pledged to introduce a cap on political donations;
• Labour has faced accusations it has U-turned on support for Waspi women who claim they are owed pension compensation;
• Elsewhere, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has officially announced his plans to stand at the general election;
• The move prompted Skychief political correspondent Jon Craigto examine so-called "chicken run" Tory candidates;
• The Green Partyhas pledged to spend £50bn a year more on the NHS through those with "broadest shoulders" paying more;
• The party also ditched a pledge made on its website to "reduce" childbirth interventions;
  
• And aConservative candidate has stepped down after "wholly inappropriate" comments he made on MyFitnessPal came to light.

Sky News is also looking for people to be in the audience for its leaders' programme with Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer.

The Battle For Number 10 will air from 7pm next Wednesday.

Here are some other stories you might want to read:

Our essential political podcast,Politics At Jack And Sam's,is going out every weekday through the election campaign to bring a short burst of everything you need to know about the day ahead as this election unfolds.

Listen to today's edition below…

Tap here to follow Politics At Jack At Sam's wherever you get your podcasts.

Hot on the heels of calling on the Tories to return money donated by controversial donor Frank Hester, the Liberal Democrats have pledged they would introduce a cap on political donations if they win the election.

It's emerged today that Mr Hester has continued to give money to the Conservatives even after Rishi Sunak condemned "racist" comments he made about Labour's Diane Abbott.

'Time to take big money out of politics'

The Lib Dems have called on the prime minister to return the cash, and have now said they would clamp down on donations by setting a strict £25,000 cap - way less than the millions Mr Hester has given.

Deputy leader Daisy Cooper said "it's high time we banned the wealthiest buying power and influence".

"It's time to take big money out of politics," she added.