A bombshell new poll of 200,000 people has suggested Labour is on course to win more than 450 seats and the biggest majority of any post-war Government.
The poll by Ipsos estimated Labour would win 43 per cent of the vote and secure 453 seats, giving it a majority of 256 and reducing the Conservatives to just 115 seats.
That would be the Tories’ worst result ever, exceeding the previous record of 156 seats in 1906, and mean senior figures such as Grant Shapps, Penny Mordaunt, Gillian Keegan, Johnny Mercer and Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg losing their seats.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt faces a close battle in his Surrey constituency of Godalming and Ash, while the poll has cabinet ministers James Cleverly and Kemi Badenoch clinging on.
Chief executive of Ipsos UK and Ireland Kelly Beaver said: "Labour is increasing its 2019 vote share across the country, especially in Scotland and the North East, while the Conservatives are losing votes in all regions – especially in the East and South of England, and across the Midlands.
"What is perhaps most concerning for them are signs in the data that they are particularly losing vote share in the areas where they were strongest in 2019."
In the first poll since he became Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage is on course to win the Essex seat of Clacton, with the party also picking up Lee Anderson’s Ashfield constituency and possibly one other seat with 12 per cent of the national vote.
That puts the party level in terms of seats with the Greens, who Ipsos suggests could win in Bristol Central, North Herefordshire and Waveney Valley while losing their current seat in Brighton Pavilion to Labour.
The poll also sees the Liberal Democrats making gains in the South East and South West, increasing its number of seats to 38 and regaining its position as the third party in the Commons.
End of Blog
That concludes our live blog of the General Election today.
We'll be back tomorrow morning for all the live updates from Day 28 of the campaign.
Sir Keir Starmer appears to mix up candidates while campaigning in Berkshire
Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer and local parliamentary candidate Olivia Bailey during a visit to Douai Park Tennis Club, Reading
PA
The Labour leader said "I am so pleased to be standing with Olivia Blake" as he stood next to Olivia Bailey, the Labour candidate for Reading West. Blake, an MP since 2019, is the Labour candidate for Sheffield Hallam.
Sir Keir went on to correct himself and said Ms Bailey, one of his former aides, had been at the heart of "the change in our party."
"Liv Bailey is the person who did so much work for me, driving through policy for a changed Labour Party, a Labour Party that said no to gesture politics, and yes to the politics of service."
FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES STANDING IN READING WEST
- Adrian Neil Abbs - Independent
- Olivia Bailey - Labour Party
- Helen Belcher - Liberal Democrats
- Kate Bosley - Reform UK
- Carolyne Culver - Green Party
- Ross Mackinnon - Conservative and Unionist Party
- Adie Peppiatt - Independent
SNP and Plaid Cymru say Brexit is to blame for certain labour shortages
Speaking at a Channel 4 TV debate, Depute SNP Leader Keith Brown the UK used to see many people from Europe come to the UK to work in the public services but that the flow of labour has now "contracted."
Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorweth says restaurants in his constituency are struggling to find staff, blaming Brexit.
Reform UK chair Richard Tice says the country doesn't have a labour shortage but that for too many people, "work doesn't pay."
Tory Minister SLAMS Nigel Farage's plans to abolish BBC licence fee
Deputy Foreign Minister Andrew Mitchell has criticised Nigel Farage's pledge to abolish the BBC licence fee.
He said: "It's perfectly proper for people to look at a different way of financing, but before you announce its abolition, you have to come up with that alternative.
"It's an interesting idea, but it really underlines that the manifesto isn't really a programme for Government."
Read the full story here.
Reform UK chair Richard Tice and Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer clash over their plans to combat hostilities towards migrants
The Channel 4 TV debate over immigration
PA
Speaking at a Channel 4 TV debate, Tice claimed the Conservatives have allowed mass immigration "deliberately" in contradiction of their promises, adding there needs to be a more efficient processing and appeals system. Tice also claims the country is not building enough homes for "our own people."
Denyer says the UK is "a country of migrants" and that migration is good for the country, adding that "some politicians" like to scapegoat migrants for issues she says are actually caused by underfunding public services.
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said the rhetoric around resources "fans the flames". She added investment is needed in a proper skills strategy as well as an end to "ridiculous arbitrary targets."
Major Conservative donor says he is voting Labour
Phones4u billionaire John Caudwell
PA
John Caudwell, the founder of Phones 4U, described Rishi Sunak as an "absolute dud" and said the Labour leader Keir Starmer "just really hits the spot with a lot of issues with me."
He told the BBC: "The Labour Party in my estimation, as much as I disagree with some of the policies, are absolutely the very best for Britain going forward.
"What I see is a Labour Party committed to GDP growth and the environment.
"Without GDP growth you can’t look after your social services. And without focusing on the environment there won’t be a world to look after."
Read the full story here.
New poll reveals over half of voters want Jeremy Corbyn back in Labour
Polling for The Independent by Techne shows that while 56 per cent of all voters say he should be readmitted, the number is much higher among Labour voters, with eight in 10 saying that the former party leader should be allowed to rejoin Labour.
Corbyn is standing in the Islington North seat that he has held since 1983. He was banished from the Labour Party in May after announcing he would stand as an independent candidate for the general election.
The 75-year-old led Labour from 2015 to 2020, standing down after Labour lost the 2019 General Election.
FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES STANDING IN ISLINGTON NORTH
- Vikas Aggarwal - Liberal Democrats
- Jeremy Corbyn - Independent
- Karen Anne Harries - Conservative and Unionist Party
- Paul Dominic Josling - Independent
- Sheridan Kates - Green Party
- Praful Nargund - Labour Party
- Martyn Nelson - Reform UK
Voters urged to register ahead of General Election
Polling Station
PA
Today is the final day for voters to register in time for the general election, with the deadline at 23.59 BST on Tuesday, June 18.
Government data shows last Thursday was the busiest day for people registering to vote this year - with 330,621 applications submitted. This included 75,605 people aged 18 to 24.
The deadline for postal applications is 5pm on Wednesday June 19, while for a proxy vote the cut-off is 5pm Wednesday, June 26. The deadline to apply for a postal or proxy vote in Northern Ireland has already passed.
New poll puts Labour on track for more than 450 seats
The poll of almost 20,000 people by Ipsos estimated Labour would win 43 per cent of the vote and secure 453 seats, giving it a majority of 256 and reducing the Conservatives to just 115 seats with the Liberal Democrats increasing its number of seats to 38.
That would be the Tories’ worst result ever, exceeding the previous record of 156 seats in 1906, and mean senior figures such as Grant Shapps, Penny Mordaunt, Gillian Keegan, Johnny Mercer and Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg losing their seats.
The poll used the multilevel with poststratification (MRP) technique to model individual constituency results based on a survey of 19,689 British adults and took place between June 7 to June 12.
It also suggests Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is on course to win that seat, with the party also picking up Lee Anderson’s Ashfield constituency and possibly one other seat with 12 per cent of the national vote.
Elsewhere, the poll suggests the Green Party could win in Bristol Central, North Herefordshire and Waveney Valley while losing their current sole seat in Brighton Pavilion to Labour.
Starmer FINALLY gives straight answer when asked what a woman is
Sir Keir Starmer has finally given a straight answer to the question of what a woman is, saying he agrees with former prime minister Tony Blair
PA
Sir Keir Starmer has finally given a straight answer to the question of what a woman is, saying he agrees with former prime minister Tony Blair.
Blair had said: "I don’t know how politics got itself into this muddle. What is a woman? Well, it’s not a very hard thing for me to answer really. I’m definitely of the school that says, biologically, a woman is with a vagina and a man is with a penis. I think we can say that quite clearly."
He added: "The point is this: if people want to reassign their gender… that’s absolutely fine, and people should be entitled to do that. There is no doubt at all there are people who genuinely feel that they are in the wrong body. I completely get it."
Throwing his weight behind the former PM's remarks, Starmer said: "Yes, Tony is right about that, he put it very well. I saw it reported, I’m not quite sure when he said it, but I agree with him on that."
Tice threatens vetting firm with legal action
Richard Tice has threatened a candidate vetting company with legal action, after Nigel Farage accused it of a "political stitch-up"
PA
Richard Tice has threatened a candidate vetting company with legal action, after Nigel Farage accused it of a "political stitch-up".
The party has been forced to withdraw support for a number of candidates after revelations about some of their online activities.
Richard Tice said: "A professional vetting company was paid a six-figure sum in April to vet Reform candidates. They promised a deep dive, particularly on social media, and adverse press checks, received our candidate data but then delivered absolutely nothing.
"Suddenly, a round of stories appear in The Times and elsewhere after nominations close, including some stories that are 15 years old. Something feels very wrong, and I have instructed lawyers to pursue this matter vigorously."
'Proving Brexit critics wrong!' Remainers blasted as London becomes Europe's largest stock market again
London's resurgence as Europe's most valuable stock market for the first time in nearly two years proves Brexit "naysayers" wrong, former Tory MPs have said
PA
London's resurgence as Europe's most valuable stock market for the first time in nearly two years proves Brexit "naysayers" wrong, former Tory MPs have said.
According to Bloomberg data, the total value of companies listed on the LSE hit $3.18 trillion yesterday, overtaking the companies listed on the Paris Stock Exchange - valued at $3.13 trillion.
The French market has declined because of uncertainty surrounding the snap election, while the UK market is recovering after several years of underperformance.
Tory candidate Marco Longhi said the development "serves as a powerful rebuttal to anti-Brexit commentary".
Former Conservative minister David Jones told GB News the development proves people who have been talking Brexit down wrong, adding: "It also draws a contrast between the stability of the UK and the chaos of France, where Macron’s snap election and the extremely polarised political background have resulted in a flight of capital from the country."
Boris Johnson's support in Tory campaign 'will make a difference', says Sunak
Rishi Sunak said Boris Johnson’s support for the Conservatives “will make a difference” and his interventions had been “co-ordinated by the campaign”
PA
Rishi Sunak said Boris Johnson’s support for the Conservatives “will make a difference” and his interventions had been “co-ordinated by the campaign”.
The Prime Minister told broadcasters: “It’s great that Boris is supporting the Conservative Party, I very much welcome that.
“He is endorsing many candidates in videos and letters which have been co-ordinated by the campaign.
“I know that will make a difference and, of course, every week he is making the case in his column and making sure that everyone understands what the Labour government would do to this country and why it’s important that everyone votes Conservative and I’m glad he’s doing that.”
'Britain's future is at stake', says Sunak as he urges people to register to vote
Rishi Sunak said it was important to register to vote in the General Election because Britain’s future was at stake
PA
Rishi Sunak said it was important to register to vote in the General Election because Britain’s future was at stake.
Asked why it was important to register on the last day of the window to do so, the Prime Minister told broadcasters: “This election there is a very clear choice.
“The future of our country is at stake, we are living in uncertain times, people need to decide who’s got the clearest plan and the boldest ideas to deliver a more secure future.”
He added that the choice was “crystal clear” with the Conservatives offering “tax cuts at every stage of your life”.
Migrant crisis: FORTY THOUSAND have crossed English Channel since Sunak vowed to 'Stop the Boats'
More than 40,000 small boat migrants have now crossed the English Channel since Rishi Sunak promised to Stop the Boats in January last year, GB News can exclusively reveal
PA
More than 40,000 small boat migrants have now crossed the English Channel since Rishi Sunak promised to Stop the Boats in January last year, GB News can exclusively reveal.
The grim milestone figure was passed today after more than 600 more migrants crossed the Channel illegally throughout this morning.
The total number of arrivals since the Prime Minister made his pledge to stop the crossings has now reached more than 40,300.
GB News sources have confirmed that more small boats are currently in the Channel on what could be a record day of crossings this year.
The previous record day of crossings was on 1 May, when 711 migrants reached Dover.
Anas Sarwar: Change for Scotland is a 'two stage process'
Anas Sarwar claimed change for Scotland was a “two stage process” which will culminate at the Holyrood election in 2026
PA
Anas Sarwar claimed change for Scotland was a “two stage process” which will culminate at the Holyrood election in 2026.
He said: "The manifesto we have published today of course reflects much of what the UK Labour manifesto outlined last week, demonstrating what a UK Labour government will deliver in office.
"But we know change for Scotland is a two stage process, it begins in just 17 days when we can finally get rid of this lying, corrupt, incompetent Tory government – but that is just the start."
He added: "In 2026, we need a change of direction at Holyrood as much as we need one at Westminster today.
"The SNP has failed the people of Scotland – breaking our NHS, ruining our once world-leading education system, and tarnishing our politics by wasting and misusing your money."
Scottish Labour breaks with Starmer on two child benefit cap
Scottish Labour is against the two child benefit cap, Anas Sarwar has said, despite there being no plans to scrap the measure if Labour wins the keys to Downing Street
PA
Scottish Labour is against the two child benefit cap, Anas Sarwar has said, despite there being no plans to scrap the measure if Labour wins the keys to Downing Street.
Asked by a journalist if he was against the cap – which only allows families to claim benefits for two children – Sarwar said: “The short answer is yes.
“We were right to oppose the two child limit, we were right to vote against the two child limit.”
But he added: “The honest reality is after 14 years of Tory economic carnage, we will not be able to do everything we want to do as fast as we want to do.”
Farage: 'We've been stitched up politically'
Farage said his party paid a "large sum of money" to a vetting firm, claiming the party had been let down.
He told LBC: "Have we had trouble with one or two candidates? Yes, we have.
"We paid a large sum of money to a well-known vetting company, and they didn’t do the work.
"We have been stitched up politically, and that’s given us problems. And I accept that and I’m sorry for that."
Martin Lewis shares 'urgent' reason Britons must register to vote before deadline - 'Good for your finances!'
Martin Lewis and other money experts are urging Britons to take action ahead of the the upcoming General Election and register to vote before an important deadline tonight
PA
Martin Lewis and other money experts are urging Britons to take action ahead of the the upcoming General Election and register to vote before an important deadline tonight.
The financial journalist shared on X, formerly Twitter, how being on the electoral roll is "good for your finances" but the public have until 11:59pm on June 18 to register their details.
Lewis posted a link to the Government's website which allows people to register to vote and outlined some facts people need to know before doing so.
Tory minister says Boris Johnson 'recognises' that a vote for Reform helps Starmer
Farming Minister Mark Spencer has welcomed Boris Johnson’s return to campaigning for the Conservative Party
PA
Farming Minister Mark Spencer has welcomed Boris Johnson’s return to campaigning for the Conservative Party and warned that a vote for any other party will result in a Labour government.
He was commenting on reports that Johnson has signed tens of thousands of letters to voters which will be delivered this week.
Spencer told GB News: “Boris recognises I'm sure that if you don't vote for Rishi Sunak, if you vote for another party, you will get Keir Starmer by accident. There is a real danger that those people who are thinking of voting for another political party other than the Conservative Party will wake up the next morning with a Keir Starmer government.
"I don't want that to happen, which is why I'm out there and will be right up to polling day to convince people to vote Conservative. We've all got a responsibility, all members of the Conservative Party, of course Boris is a member of the Conservative Party.
“We're all out there trying to deliver that that message that when we wake up on the fifth of July, there are only two people that will be Prime Minister, that is either Keir Starmer or Rishi Sunak.
“If you don't vote for Rishi Sunak you will get Keir Starmer, and so those people who are minded to vote Reform or for another political party, will in fact elect Keir Starmer by not supporting the Conservative Party.”
Starmer suggests he would have served in Corbyn's cabinet if Labour won 2019 election
Sir Keir Starmer has suggested he would have served in Jeremy Corbyn's cabinet if Labour had won the election in 2019
PA
Sir Keir Starmer has suggested he would have served in Jeremy Corbyn's cabinet if Labour had won the election in 2019.
Asked repeatedly if he would have served in a Corbyn government, Starmer dismissed the questions as "hypothetical", adding: "It didn’t cross my mind because I didn’t think we would win".
He continued: "I don’t think anybody thought we were going to win".
Asked again, he told LBC: "It is hypothetical... if we had got it over the line there were important things that I thought needed to be done from the frontbench, to continue and complete on the Brexit work, to make it absolutely clear that the Labour Party never deviated from our position on Nato and to do the necessary work on antisemitism.
"But as we went into that 2019 election I genuinely did not think, and I wasn’t alone in this, that Labour would win that election."
Lord Frost claims Labour will bring the UK into closer union with the EU
The former Brexit chief negotiator Lord Frost has said he believes the Labour Party leadership will bring the UK into closer union with the EU
GBNEWS
The former Brexit chief negotiator Lord Frost has said he believes the Labour Party leadership will bring the UK into closer union with the EU, saying Keir Starmer ‘wants to get as close’ to rejoining as possible.
But Lord Frost also criticised the government, saying it had done a lot less than it really should have to reap the benefits of Brexit.
Speaking to GB News, Lord Frost said: "I think [Keir Starmer] wants to get as close to [rejoining the EU and the single market] as possible.
“Possibly he won't with a stroke of the pen join the single market on day one, but he's already admitted in the manifesto that he wants a Food and Agriculture veterinary deal, which will require subordination to EU laws.
“We heard from Rachel Reeves this morning that they wanted a chemicals deal - that's a big industry in this country not mentioned in the manifesto at all.
“And this is what we can expect to see. Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves, all the people around them, they think we ought to be part of the EU and they can't stop themselves floating new ideas."
Jonathan Reynolds: Labour can 'make a difference' on small boat crossings
Shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said Labour can “make a difference” when it comes to small boat crossings.
Asked if in five years it would be possible for Labour to stop the boats, or if it is an impossible task, he said: “I think we can make a difference. I think you’re right to say this is an incredibly significant issue – you see it manifested all around the world – but the question should be, do you want real measures to try and improve that situation or are you for gimmicks?
“Now, there is simply no way any robust analysis of the Rwanda scheme from this Government stacks up as a serious way to do (it). Look at the number of places… even if they did everything they believe is possible, it wouldn’t even touch the scale of the problem in terms of people coming to the UK.
“We think it needs a proper, serious response. If you’re going to spend money, it’s a lot of resources going into the Rwanda scheme already."
Speaking to Sky, he added: “You’ve got to do it on the things that will make a difference – that’s real action against the criminal gangs behind that; it’s not pretending to the British people there’s some magic solutions at huge cost and simply won’t deliver anything like has been promised.”
Second failed asylum seeker sent to Rwanda and another due to leave next week
A second asylum seeker is believed to have been sent to Rwanda while a third is set to be relocated next week under a voluntary relocation plan.
The migrants were flown to Rwanda on a commercial flight with a payment of £3,000 from the British taxpayer to help relocate.
The latest asylum seeker to take up the Home Office scheme saw their relocation over recent days after their bid to stay in the UK was rejected, The Sun reports.
In March, the voluntary relocation plan - which is open to anyone caught in Britain with no right to be here - was unveiled.
Rishi Sunak, not Boris Johnson, is moving the Conservative Party forward, says Tory minister
Rishi Sunak, not Boris Johnson, is moving the Conservative Party forward, Mark Spencer has said
PA
Rishi Sunak, not Boris Johnson, is moving the Conservative Party forward, Mark Spencer has said.
The farming minister was asked if former prime minister Boris Johnson was the Conservatives’ “antidote” to Nigel Farage of Reform UK in the General Election.
Johnson has reportedly been writing letters to voters urging them to back the Tories, while warning against lending their vote to Reform.
But Spencer told Sky: “Boris was a fantastic prime minister, certainly in delivering what he did for the Covid vaccine, in making sure that he put us front and centre in the fight for Ukraine. They were huge achievements of the Johnson campaign.
“Boris is no longer a Member of Parliament. He has stepped back from politics and I think now we have got a Prime Minister in Rishi Sunak who has steadied the ship, who is moving us forward.
“I think let’s just concentrate on the huge tax challenge that is coming from a future Labour government.”
Jonathan Reynolds: Labour does not plan to redraw council tax bands
Shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said Labour does not plan to redraw council tax bands if the party wins the General Election
PA
Shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said Labour does not plan to redraw council tax bands if the party wins the General Election.
Asked on ITV’s Good Morning Britain if Labour would revalue council tax bands, Reynolds said: “No, we have this week said that’s not part of our plans. We’ve laid out all of our revenue raising measures in the manifesto, there are things that would produce an immediate cash injection into public services.”
Pushed on whether the party has completely ruled it out, he said “yes we’ve made that statement this week”.
Put to him that shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves and Labour’s shadow Treasury chief secretary Darren Jones refused to rule out such a move, but that he is saying council tax bands will not be redrawn, he said: “I’m saying all you need to do to look at where the revenue will come from, Labour’s manifesto, is look in the manifesto. There are specific ways we would raise money that would go into public services.”
Panicked Tories turn to Boris Johnson to counter Reform threat
The panicked Tory Party has turned to Boris Johnson to counter the threat posed by Reform UK, sources have said.
Tens of thousands of letters signed by the former prime minister are set to be delivered to voters later this week, the Telegraph revealed.
Johnson's involvement in the campaign so far has been limited, with the former PM only lending his support to individual candidates.
A spokesman for Johnson told the Telegraph: "Boris Johnson has always said ‘vote Conservative’ at every election, and he continues to say that this time."
You may like
