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

Following the veterans minister on our programme tonight is Labour's shadow armed forces minister Luke Pollard.

He says today's D-Day anniversary shows how important it is to "tell the story about the service and sacrifice that generation made".

And with Russia's war in Ukraine ongoing, it's increasingly critical that the government has a "clear plan for defence" now.

The Tories are pledging to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, while Labour has said it would like to if the economic conditions allow.

Mr Pollard says the party would have a defence and security review on "day one" should it win the election.

Sophy Ridgeasks if Labour would make the army bigger, with the party having accused the Tories of "hollowing out" the military.

But Mr Pollard won't commit without that "day one" review.

"In opposition we don't get to see the classified briefings, the intelligence briefings and the analysis from our allies," he explains.

Moving away from his brief,Sophy Ridgecan't resist asking Johnny Mercer about a photo that was taken a few weeks ago - in which he was seen barefoot on a train.

Mr Mercer says he was cycling across Dartmoor and was caught in the rain.

By the time he arrived at Exeter station, Mr Mercer says he was "absolutely drenched" and was starting to get "a bit hypothermic".

So he decided to take his "wet kit" off to dry and get through the train journey.

"I've been educated as to the social faux pas of taking off your shoes," he tells Sophy.

"And obviously I'm extremely sorry to everybody who was offended by my meat flippers - but I think worse crimes have been committed, and we should leave my tender meat flippers alone."

Sophy struggles to keep a straight face following Mr Mercer's choice of words.

You can see the aforementioned flippers in the social media post below:

Veterans minister Johnny Mercer is speaking to Sophy Ridge on behalf of the Conservative Party.

As a former soldier, he is asked about his feelings on the D-Day anniversary today.

Mr Mercer says the "scale of sacrifice and endeavour" by those who fought at Normandy 80 years ago "blows your mind".

He is then asked whether the UK - after decades of peace - needs to be "shaken out of" its complacency with regard to global security.

Mr Mercer says he thinks "we can become dangerously complacent".

A return of national service?

Mr Mercer says people may have forgotten what happens during wartime, and there is a "kind of amnesia" about how lives are lost.

The minister is asked about his view on national service - a policy his government has proposed - and how that could possibly help the military given it could place more pressure upon it.

Mr Mercer says he is opposed to everyone being forced to serve in the military in the way that happened in the 1950s and 60s.

But what the current government has suggested - with going to volunteer in the army being a choice - can help bind communities together and provide opportunities to young people, he says.

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.