Election latest: Keir Starmer says he's not worried about Boris Johnson's surprise election appearance (2024)

Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has been sent for trial after a judge at Newry Magistrates' Court said he was satisfied he had a prima facie case to answer over allegations of historical sexual offences.

Donaldson was charged with seven more offences on Tuesday, bringing the total to 18, after the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) reviewed the police evidence, as is the normal practice.

He was originally charged with 11 sex offences in April.

His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, 58, was facing four charges including aiding and abetting him but after Tuesday is facing face.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 1985 and 2006 and involve two alleged victims.

Donaldson, who was Northern Ireland's longest-serving MP, resigned as DUP leader after he was charged on 28 March following a day of questioning.

He was suspended by his party and remained as an independent MP until the election was called in May. He is not standing to be re-elected as the Lagan Valley MP, where he served for 27 years.

[10:52] Culbertson, Alix (Politics Reporter)

In a letter to the party, the 61-year-old said he would be strenuously contesting the charges.

Over the course of the campaign, the leader of the Liberal Democrats has developed a reputation for headline-grabbing, and at times comical, stunts.

We've seen him paddle-boarding, bungee-jumping, Zumba dancing and teacup riding.

Now, breaths are being held in newsrooms across the country as to what denouement Sir Ed Davey has planned today, the last one before voting begins.

We're getting a taste this morning in the first of three campaign visits by Sir Ed.

On a field in Chippenham, he gives a double thumbs up to the cameras before getting inside a yellow JCB tractor, with the phrase "he who dares wins" emblazoned on its window.

Another pulls up alongside him - it appears a race is about to begin.

Sir Ed pulls away at, well, the speed of a tractor, but appears to be winning.

Several laps in the tractors follow, the details of which are pretty identical to the first.

Pulling to a stop and leaning out the door of the vehicle, he tells reporters: "We've talked about the blue wall in the home counties, we've talked about the blue wall in the west country. This is the blue wall across rural Britain, and the yellow tractor is coming for it."

He continues: "I'm really proud in this election campaign that, as well as having a bit of fun, we have brought the issue of caring out of the shadows.

"We have made the argument that if you look after family carers, if you look after professional carers, you can rescue our NHS as well.

"That's the message I want people to have as they go into the voting booths."

The fastest results, the sharpest analysis and an award-winning line up - as the general election unfolds, Sky News will bring you the full story, first.

Whether you want to settle down in front of the TV, stay in the know on the move, or keep updated from work, we'll have live coverage across our platforms to bring you everything as soon as it happens.

We'll have expert commentary and analysis to help you digest key developments, kicking off with the exit poll and running through the weekend.

Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, has continued to insist that his party is not counting on a victory in tomorrow's election, despite Conservatives appearing to concede their own defeat.

Asked if he believes Labour has already won, Sir Keir says: "No."

He explains that his party will continue to "fight for every vote", saying: "There will be constituencies which will go down to the wire and therefore, we will continue to fight until 10pm tomorrow night, making the case to change only happens if you vote for it.

"But it is a huge opportunity for our country."

Does Boris Johnson's appearance at a Tory rally last night concern him?

"Not in the slightest," Sir Keir says. "I've been arguing that the last 14 years have been about chaos and division.

"Last night they wheeled out the architect of chaos and division."

And, asked how he is feeling on the precipice of what could be a historic win, Sir Keir says: "Very pleased and confident."

He adds: "I want to now get on with the opportunity to roll up our sleeves and bring about the change which I think the country deserves and to return politics to the politics of public service, not entitlement."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is in South Wales this morning, for the start of his tour of England, Scotland and Wales on the very last day of campaigning.

He was joined by the leader of Welsh Labour - Vaughan Gething - who hails the prospect of "two Labour governments working together" to deliver for Britain.

He says: "It is time for change - it is time to win."

Sir Keir now takes to the floor, making his last minute pitch to those in Wales to vote Labour tomorrow.

He says: "We've now had 14 years of chaos, of divisions, of failure - and the choice tomorrow is to bring that to an end, to turn the page and start to rebuild with Labour."

Sir Keir goes on to criticise the Tory campaign, noting Rishi Sunak began by campaigning with Lord Cameron, "then he borrowed Liz Truss' programme and put it in his manifesto of unfunded tax cuts, and last night they wheeled out Boris Johnson".

He adds: "When I say chaos, division and failure - they've just exhibited that in this campaign. Nothing is going to change."

The Labour leader reiterates his line that people need convincing that "change is possible" - if you vote for the party.

"There's no point in voting. They're all the same. Nothing ever changes anyway."

In the run-up to general electionspast and present, you may have heard various iterations of the above from friends, family, colleagues, and strangers.

Repeated political scandals have seen the public's distrust of politicians and voter apathy increase. At the 2019 General Election, roughly a third (32.7%) of the country didn't vote.

At the link below, we look back at changes brought in by both Conservative and Labour governments that have fundamentally changed day-to-day life in the UK - many for the better.

Former home secretary Suella Braverman has told the Conservatives to "read the writing on the wall" and prepare for the "reality and frustration" of losing the election.

Poll after poll is now suggesting the Labour Party is expected to win a large majority in parliament, with the Sky News poll of polls putting Sir Keir 19 points ahead this morning.

An average of all polls with fieldwork completed during the seven days to 2 July puts Labour on 40%, 19 points ahead of the Conservatives on 21%, followed by Reform on 16%, the Lib Dems on 11% and the Greens on 6%.

And Rishi Sunak has repeatedly been warning of a Labour "supermajority", appearing to concede himself that his party may not win.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Ms Braverman said victory should no longer be the ambition for the Tories.

She added: "Thursday's vote is now all about forming a strong enough opposition.

"One needs to read the writing on the wall: it's over, and we need to prepare for the reality and frustration of opposition."

Pat McFadden, Labour's national campaign co-ordinator, tells Sky News that it is "disrespectful" for the Conservatives to call the outcome of the election before polling day.

Earlier, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said "we know what the result is going to be if the polls are right - we know it's going to be a Labour landslide".

And Rishi Sunak has repeatedly warned of a Labour "supermajority", urging the British public to make sure the Conservatives keep enough seats to challenge a potential Labour government.

But Mr McFadden rejects the idea that the race is won.

He says: "No it's not all over, I think lots of voters have still got to make up their mind.

"I've been reflecting on the Conservative messages about us, I think it was exactly two months ago today when I sat in this studio and people were quoting Rishi Sunak to me after the local elections saying the real problem is Labour can't get a majority.

"Fast forward two months, and now they're trying to say something else.

"I think it's disrespectful to the electorate to call the outcome of an election before people have gone to the polls.

"It's in the voters' hands."

By Jason Farrell, home editor

The Adventure Bike Rider Festival in Warwickshire is Glastonbury on Wheels.

Fields on the beautiful Ragley Hall estate are full of tents and motorcycles, where the sound of rumbling exhausts mix with pumping music from tribute rock bands on the main stage.

We've come here on our last stop of Bench Across Britain, where we've been testing the mood of the nation ahead of thegeneral electionby sitting people on a green commons seat and asking them to share their thoughts.

This is our last stop, and what we find is an electorate that is still uncertain, still hard to read, as polling day is almost upon us.

We park our parliamentary bench amid gleaming chrome BSA bikes where retired IT professional Richard Bellis sits down with his friend, former firefighter, Darren Higginson.

What unfolds is a conversation that will make pollsters shudder.

The first big moment of election night this Thursday is the exit poll.

It'll provide us with our first major insight into the result.

Our political correspondent Serena Barker-Singh explains all you need to know: