Election latest: Leaders gear up for first election debate - as Sunak focuses on immigration after toughest day of campaign (2024)

There are "no circ*mstances whatsoever" in which Reform UK would consider making a deal with the Conservatives, Nigel Farage has said.

The new leader of Reform UK, who confirmed he will be a candidate for the party yesterday, was asked if he could help the Conservatives form a government.

He explicitly ruled out any sort of deal with Rishi Sunak.

Mr Farage told the BBC: "There are no circ*mstances whatsoever.

"We have been betrayed by a Conservative Party I have given considerable help to."

James Cleverly, the home secretary, has insisted that the British public are "not convinced" by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer as he defended the Tories after a damning poll.

An MRP poll published by YouGov forecast that Labour could be on course to win a historic landslide, with the party expected to win a 194-seat majority.

It would be the highest number of seats of any party at any election since Stanley Baldwin won a majority of 208 in 1924.

Asked about this, he said: "I know it's a cliché, but we are focusing exclusively on the one poll that matters - which is the one on 4 July."

But would Mr Cleverly prefer the polls to be in his favour?

"Of course I would... but the fact of the matter is when I knock on doors, what I'm hearing is people completely unconvinced by Labour."

However, it is put to the minister that a number of frontbenchers would lose their seats if the scenario forecast in a YouGov MRP poll plays out.

He shrugs this off, reiterating that the British people "aren't convinced by Keir Starmer", claiming they "scrunch up their faces" at the prospect of voting for Labour.

Asked for his reaction to the poll, he says he just "carried on campaigning".

The most famous TV election debate image is a sweaty and unshaven Richard Nixon up against the telegenic JFK in the US in 1960.

Here in the UK, the most decisive debate game-changer was Gordon Brown and David Cameron conceding "I agree with Nick" in 2010.

That sparked the"Cleggmania"which propelled Nick Clegg to the post of deputy prime minister in Mr Cameron's coalition government.

Mr Nixon's disaster under the harsh TV lights came in the first TV debate held in a US presidential election, one of four during the 1960 campaign.

At the time, Mr Nixon was Republican vice-president and John F Kennedy a young Democratic Party senator. But Mr Nixon was cruelly exposed as a TV novice and looked shifty.

You can read more from our chief political correspondent Jon Craig below:

Former Labour adviser Ayesha Hazarika joins Beth Rigby and Ruth Davidson as the regular Tuesday sub for Jess Philips during the election period.

On this episode, they talk about how leaders will be preparing for TV debates - Beth's hosted one, Ayesha has worked with politicians doing them, and Ruth has stood behind a lectern several times herself.

They discuss what Rishi Sunak might try to land as he attempts to close the gap in the opinion polls.

Plus, has there been a "purge" of the left in Labour as Starmer thinks about what his benches will look like if he becomes prime minister.

👉Click here to follow Electoral Dysfunction wherever you get your podcasts👈

Email Beth, Ruth, and Ayesha at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.

Day-to-day care for adults in need, including the elderly and disabled, would be free under a Liberal Democrat government, the party has pledged.

Leader Sir Ed Davey described the issue as "deeply personal for me" as he vowed to place "fixing the care crisis" at the heart of his party's offer to voters.

Provision of care should be based on need rather than ability to pay, the party said, as it promised what it described as free personal care for people either at home or in care homes.

This would cover nursing care, help with mobility, hygiene and medication, it said, adding that people in residential care would still have to contribute towards their accommodation.

The party added that its plan covers social care for those over 18, including working age adults, the elderly, and the disabled.

Sir Ed said: "As a carer for my disabled son, and after caring for my ill mother when I was young, care is deeply personal for me.

"That is why I am putting fixing the care crisis at the heart of the Liberal Democrat offer to the country at this election.

"We cannot fix the crisis facing the NHS without fixing the crisis facing social care."

On 12 June, Sky News will host an election leaders' event in Grimsby - a key marginal seat and one of our Target Towns this election year.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and the Conservative leader Rishi Sunak have been invited to attend, and we are looking for a live audience to join us on the night.

If you would like to be part of this studio audience, and be given the opportunity to ask a question to one of the party leaders, please complete the short questionnaire in this link.

Sir Keir Starmer will promise to "close the door" on Vladimir Putin with his homegrown energy plan - while Rishi Sunak will propose an annual visa cap to try to reduce immigration as election campaigning continues today.

Theprime ministerwill look to win over voters after what was perhaps his toughest day of the campaign so far on Monday - with someConservativesfearingNigel Farage'sdecision to lead Reform could split the Tory vote.

Mr Farage is alsostanding to be an MP in Clactonand will launch his campaign in the Essex constituency today.

A difficult day was made worse for Mr Sunak whena YouGov poll for Sky News suggestedLabour could be on course to win a historic landslide - with the party projected to win a 194-seat majority.

You can read more from Sky News below:

Good morning!

We're in the midst of the second full week of the tooth-and-nail fight for all 650 parliamentary seats - and the keys to Number 10.

Political parties are spreading out across the country to get their message out ahead of polling day on 4 July.

Here's what you need to know as campaigning continues today:

• The first debate of the general election campaign will take place tonight, with Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer going head-to-head on ITV News;
• Ahead of this, the Labour leader will be out and about in the North West of England, where he is expected to make an announcement on energy policy;
• Today, Labour will claim his party's plan to set up a publicly owned clean energy company, GB Energy, will help to protect the UK from spikes in the price of fuel like those that followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine;
• Meanwhile, the prime minister will today propose an annual visa cap to try to reduce immigration;
• But Tuesday could be a difficult day for the Conservatives after news that Nigel Farage is to take over as leader of Reform UK - and fears this decision could split the Tory vote;
• Mr Farage is alsostanding to be an MP in Clactonand will launch his campaign in the Essex constituency today;
  
• And theLiberal Democrats are promising action on an issue described as "deeply personal" for party leader Sir Ed Davey. Under them, day-to-day care for adults in need, including the elderly and disabled, would be free.

We'll be discussing all of this and more with:

• Home Secretary James Cleverly at 7.15am;
• Labour's Pat McFadden at 8.15am;
• Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey at 8.30am.

Stick with us for all the latest political news throughout the day.

We're pausing our live coverage for tonight.

Listen below to the latest Daily Podcast to catch up on the day's events.

Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts

And a new episode of Politics at Jack and Sam's will be live at breakfast time tomorrow.

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By Jennifer Scott, political reporter

The Liberal Democrats will pledge free personal care to "all those who need it" as they make their social care offering on the campaign trail.

Making the announcement on Tuesday, the party will say it would help "end the hospital crisis" by enabling thousands of people ready to be discharged but stuck in hospital beds to get care, as well as help the elderly to "stay in their own homes longer".

The Lib Dems pointed to a report by Age UK that found an estimated 1.6 million people aged 65 and over had unmet care needs, and in April alone, an average of 12,772 hospital beds were being used by people who were ready to be discharged.

Leader Sir Ed Davey said: "As a carer for my disabled son, and after caring for my ill mother when I was young, care is deeply personal for me. That is why I am putting fixing the care crisis at the heart of the Liberal Democrat offer to the country at this election.

"Far too often, family carers are being left to pick up the pieces because the care system simply isn't there for them. Millions of people are going without the care they need, while thousands are stuck in hospital beds instead of being cared for in their own home or a care home.

"We cannot fix the crisis facing the NHS without fixing the crisis facing social care. The Liberal Democrats would bring in free personal care to help people live independently and with dignity, in their own homes wherever possible."

Read the full story below: