Summary

  • On the day before the general election, Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer make their final pitch to voters

  • Sunak says "the game isn’t over until the final whistle goes" and "there’s fight in the underdog"

  • Starmer says "change only happens if you vote for it, and imagine a different future on Friday morning"

  • Earlier, Conservative minister Mel Stride said it was "highly likely" that Labour would achieve the largest majority in history

  • Meanwhile, Ed Davey says there is no ceiling on Lib Dem ambitions, the SNP says the election in Scotland is on a "knife-edge", while Nigel Farage has addressed crowds in Clacton from a military vehicle

  • Polling stations are open from 07:00 to 22:00 on Thursday across the UK

  1. Name of the game: Small detail missing from leaflets Sunak preparingpublished at 18:08 3 July

    Nick Eardley
    Political correspondent

    The prime minister arrived a little earlier at a Conservative club in Hampshire to stuff leaflets ahead of tomorrow.

    They’ll be delivered in a "get out the vote" drive.

    Rather awkwardly, the leaflets make no mention of Rishi Sunak...

  2. Sunak says he can 'look himself in the mirror' after six-week campaignpublished at 17:57 3 July

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak holds the Conservative Party's leaflets as he visits the Southern Parishes Conservative Club, while on the General Election campaign trail.Image source, PA Media

    Some fresh comments now from Rishi Sunak, who says he has a "clear conscience" knowing he's worked as hard as he can to do "right for the country".

    With opinion polls suggesting the prime minister is leading the Conservative Party to defeat, Sunak insists he can "look myself in the mirror".

    He tells the PA news agency he sought to "work my socks off", adding: "In terms of how I do this job, I work as hard as I can, I do what I believe is right for the country.

    "That 'clear conscience is the softest pillow', as my father-in-law says."

    He adds: "I am someone who has the courage of my convictions, I'm not someone who changes their opinion with the weather, which is what Keir Starmer does."

    And Sunak insists he is not yet willing to reflect on his time in office:

    Quote Message

    "This election is ongoing. I am campaigning hard for every vote."

  3. Analysis

    Sunak and Starmer face some brutal truths - but what happens next is your callpublished at 17:56 3 July

    Chris Mason
    Political editor

    This will be a landmark election.

    No party has ever won five times in a row - that is the brutal truth that confronts Rishi Sunak.

    The truth of equal brutality for Keir Starmer is Labour are world beaters at losing - it’s 19 years since they won a general election. Something has to give.

    The Conservatives expect to lose. Labour expect to win. Superlatives have been airborne for weeks about the potential scale and altitude of tomorrow’s outcome; the blizzard of opinion polling soon to be rightly usurped by actual votes - your call.

    Soon will begin perhaps the largest single expression of civic society that we regularly witness - an extraordinary, complex operation. Some 40,000 polling stations open for 15 hours, run by around 150,000 people, tens of thousands more sorting and counting the ballot papers - many in the dead of night enlivened by democracy.

    And that word, democracy, really matters.

    Park, if you can, for just a moment, whatever splashes of cynicism, indifference, anger, frustration may course your thoughts. Imagine a world map and consider the vast acreages where the right to choose who governs simply does not exist.

    Tomorrow’s expression of our collective will, just as last time in 2019 and the times before that too - the accumulation of millions of individual decisions - is an imperfect yet magical privilege perhaps too easily scorned.

    But the time is running out for folk like me talking about all this stuff. It is your turn now to make a decision.

  4. Swinney remains confident of winning majority in Scotlandpublished at 17:43 3 July

    Scottish First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney (centre left) and SNP candidate for Livingston, Hannah Bardell (centre right) with supporters at Livingston Designer Outlet coach parkImage source, PA
    Image caption,

    Scottish First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney (centre left) with supporters at Livingston Designer Outlet coach park

    We said a little earlier that Keir Starmer had taken aim at the SNP while in Scotland.

    Well, John Swinney, the first minister there, says he remains confident that his party will win a majority of seats at Holyrood.

    Speaking at a campaign event earlier, he said the election is "well and truly over and done with south of the border".

    "The issue for Scotland," he added, "is who is going to protect Scotland’s interests in the next Westminster parliament - and people know they can rely on the SNP to do exactly that."

  5. What would Labour do about steel jobs in Wales?published at 17:34 3 July

    Jessica Parker
    Reporting from the Labour campaign

    Keir Starmer says his party would "double down" to try and preserve jobs and steelmaking in the country.

    "The most important thing is to work with Tata Steel on the plan that they’re putting in place," he told reporters while in Wales earlier.

    "That is vitally important."

  6. Starmer pressed on high-risk prisoner releasespublished at 17:30 3 July

    Jessica Parker
    Reporting from the Labour campaign

    More now from Keir Starmer, who's refused to guarantee that no high-risk prisoners will be let out under an early release scheme if he becomes prime minister.

    "I’m not going to get ahead of myself and say what steps we might have to take," he said earlier in Wales.

    The Labour leader said the fact he had previously pressed the government on the "principle" that high-risk offenders shouldn’t be released in this way demonstrated his instincts.

    "But I’m not going to announce and get ahead of myself on what we’ll need to do. It’s a very serious problem when the government has allowed the prison system to get so full… that we are having to release people who should be in prison."

    For context: The government has insisted only "lower-level offenders" can be released early and they are subject to strict supervision and conditions such as tagging and curfews

  7. Labour leader rules out rejoining EU or single marketpublished at 17:28 3 July

    Jessica Parker
    Reporting from the Labour campaign

    In the next three posts, we'll bring you three key lines from Keir Starmer as he spoke to reporters - including the BBC’s Jessica Parker - while out on the campaign trail in south-west Wales earlier today.

    The Labour leader said he doesn’t think the UK will rejoin the EU’s single market or customs union within his lifetime.

    Asked if he could see any circumstances in which that might be a possibility, he replied: "No, I don’t think that that is going to happen. I’ve been really clear about not rejoining the EU, the single market or the customs union or returning to freedom of movement."

    He added: "I’ve been equally clear that I do think we can get a better deal than the botched deal we got under Boris Johnson."

  8. 'I don’t want Scotland to send a message, I want it to send a government' - Starmerpublished at 17:17 3 July

    Anas Sarwar and Sir Keir Starmer

    Keir Starmer's given a speech alongside his Scottish counterpart Anas Sarwar in South Lanarkshire, as part of the Labour leader's cross-country dash on the final full day of campaigning.

    He tells supporters the "route to a Labour government runs through Scotland, it has always run through Scotland".

    Starmer takes aim at the SNP, which Labour is taking on in several of the seats it wants to win in Scotland, saying: "I don’t want Scotland to send a message - I want Scotland to send a government."

    He repeats a core message we've heard a lot from him in recent days - that "the polls don't predict the future" and the election isn't over until polls have closed.

    Asked how many seats would represent a "slam dunk" for the party, Starmer refuses to be drawn, but reminds reporters his party had its worst election result since 1935 less than five years ago.

  9. It's the final countdown (da da da da)published at 17:16 3 July

    Sam Hancock
    Live page editor

    It may have gone 5pm on the eve of polling day but party leaders are continuing to make their final campaign stops and, while there, their final pitches to voters.

    Keir Starmer's been in south-west Wales, is now in Scotland and the Labour leader's due back in England for a final appearance later today. We'll bring you more on that in our next few posts.

    In Hampshire, the BBC's Nick Eardley's been following Rishi Sunak's last bid to persuade voters why he should be re-elected as prime minister. More on that soon, too.

    As for Reform UK's Nigel Farage, he's been in the ring with heavyweight boxer Derek Chisora. Visuals of that are incoming.

    The SNP's John Swinney has also been out in Scotland - where he's told voters he's confident his party will win a majority there - and Lib Dem leader Ed Davey's found time for one last photo op. It includes a bright pink car and certain Abba song.

    Enough from me, let's bring you coverage of all that and more as we enter the final stages of campaigning.

  10. BBC Verify

    What has Labour said about capital gains tax?published at 16:36 3 July

    By Ben Chu, policy & analysis correspondent

    The Conservatives have claimed Labour is planning to raise more money from capital gains tax after the election and the Financial Times reports, external today that some wealthy people are selling assets in anticipation of this.

    Tory candidate Geoffrey Cox claimed on the BBC News Channel yesterday that Labour hasn't "said what they would do about capital gains".

    The Labour manifesto rules out increasing rates of National Insurance, income tax and VAT. It doesn’t mention capital gains tax in this context.

    By contrast, the Conservative manifesto says "we will not increase capital gains tax".

    On 15 June, Keir Starmer did explicitly rule out Labour imposing capital gains tax on people’s primary residences, which have always been exempt - but this doesn’t exclude the possibility of the rate being increased on other assets, such as shares and other property.

    Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has said her party has "no plans" to raise the tax.

    It's due on the rise in the value of certain assets between when they are bought and sold. For higher or additional rate taxpayers, the rate, external is between 20% or 24%. In 2024-25, the Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts , externalit will raise £15.2bn.

  11. The wheels on the (campaign) buses go round and roundpublished at 16:28 3 July

    Keir Starmer boards the Labour campaign bus in Burton-on-TrentImage source, PA Media

    It's less than 15 hours until polls open in this general election - and party leaders remain on the campaign trail fighting for votes.

    By now, we all know they get around on their campaign buses (sometimes called their battle buses). But just how much have leaders got around in the past six weeks? Let's take a look.

    Conservatives

    Rishi Sunak has held events in 54 constituencies since the first full day of the election campaign, some 45 of which his party is defending, according to number crunching from the PA news agency. In 29 of them, the Tories are defending majorities of more than 10,000.

    Labour

    Keir Starmer is due to have visited 57 seats during the campaign, including 43 that are being defended by the Conservatives.

    Liberal Democrats

    Meanwhile, Ed Davey will have clocked up 49 constituencies - 41 of which are being defended by the Tories.

    Rishi Sunak exits his campaign bus in CartertonImage source, Reuters
  12. Sit up and listen to young people - voter's message to next PMpublished at 16:01 3 July

    Pria Rai
    BBC Asian Network

    Ayesha Karim

    Let's hear from more young voters now (see our earlier posts at 15:15 and 15:23 BST for others). Ayesha Karim, a first time voter, tells the BBC's Asian Network she wants the next prime minister to "sit up and listen to the youth".

    The third-year engineering student feels young people are becoming "increasingly aware" but don't "feel like any major party speaks to us".

    "At the end of the day, we are the people who are going to be making up the workforce. We're going to be the leaders of tomorrow."

    She also says she feels voting apathy among young British Asians comes down to how much people trust politicians: "I don’t have any visibility of a track record of politicians being honest."

  13. Lib Dems gate crash Sunak's visit to Hampshire villagepublished at 15:37 3 July

    Alex Partridge
    Reporting from the Tory campaign

    Lib Dem supporters with placards in Hampshire await a visit by Riushi Sunak

    Word travels fast in this part of the world.

    As we pulled up at a school in Hampshire, following Rishi Sunak, we were met by half a dozen local Lib Dems brandishing their distinctive orange diamond placards.

    How had they known about their well known visitor? It's "a small village", apparently.

    They're bullish about their chances here - the local Conservative incumbent is defending a 10,000 majority and, as the prime minister's visit here shows, the Conservatives are clearly concerned.

  14. The Sun comes out for Labour ahead of polling daypublished at 15:30 3 July
    Breaking

    The Sun newspaper has backed Labour for the first time since 2005, saying "it's time for a change".

    The Rupert Murdoch-owned paper endorsed the party under Tony Blair but has become a staunch critic in recent years.

    In an editorial outlining its position, it says the Tories are "exhausted" and "need a period in opposition".

    It goes on: "[Starmer] has a mountain to climb, with a disillusioned electorate and low approval ratings.

    "But, by dragging his party back to the centre ground of British politics for the first time since Tony Blair was in No 10, Sir Keir has won the right to take charge."

    Analysts are split over how much impact newspaper endorsements have on voter behaviour but the backing of the Sun has been seen by some as a key prize for political parties ahead of elections.

    • You can read BBC culture editor Katie Razzall's analysis of the relationship between the Sun and Labour here
    Front page of the SunImage source, The Sun
    Image caption,

    The front page of the Sun edition carrying the Labour endorsement

  15. Young voter in Scotland wants ‘fair and honest’ politicspublished at 15:23 3 July

    Calum Leslie
    BBC Newsbeat, reporting from Inverness

    21-year-old Flynn Campbell lives in Alness

    In Inverness we also meet 21-year-old Flynn Campbell, from Alness.

    He says it’s “a nice place to live” but that options can “be limited” and finding things to do is a challenge.

    Speaking near a packed bus stop, the limitations include transport, which he hopes can be improved.

    “There’s not many other options,” Flynn says.

    Flynn is registered to vote but says he feels he isn’t “educated enough” at the moment to make a decision.

    He will try, he says, on polling day but says he feels politicians make “a lot of false promises”.

    “Just be fair, honest and realistic.”

    Listen to BBC Newsbeat at the finish line here.

  16. What young voters say they care aboutpublished at 15:15 3 July

    Jordan Kenny
    Politics reporter, BBC Newsbeat

    Jordan Kenny is at the finish line

    For the past three weeks, we at BBC Newsbeat have been on a Race Across the UK to hear about the issues teenagers and people in their 20s want us to talk about.

    Our listeners had the chance to plot the route – telling us where they wanted us to go, and the topics which mattered to them.

    After making it through 14 "checkpoints", hundreds of miles and just about every mode of transport you can think of (yes, there were scooters), we have finally reached the finish line in the UK's most northerly city, Inverness.

    I’ve spoken to hundreds of young people about how and why they’re voting, as well as why they aren’t.

    From Penelope in Bristol who spoke about the cost of living, to Niamh in Bradford who wants an improved NHS and 25-year-old Jamie who says she’s never been able to leave her parents’ place in Newport because of the sheer expense involved in living alone - read more about what young voters have been telling us.

    Map of the Race across the UK
  17. Sunak says will take full responsibility for election resultpublished at 15:04 3 July

    Nick Eardley
    Travelling on the Tory campaign bus

    The prime minister has said he will take full responsibility for the election result.

    Rishi Sunak told reporters: “Of course… I am the leader of the party”.

    The Tory leader has continued to insist the election is not over, saying if 130,000 people switched their vote could make “the difference.

    Sunak added: “Lots of people want to say it’s forgone conclusion. I don’t take that approach.”

    He also confirmed he had “very good chat” with Boris Johnson at a rally last night, despite them not appearing together.

  18. Does Rishi Sunak have a tattoo?published at 14:52 3 July

    Rishi Sunak at Southampton v West Bromwich AlbionImage source, Reuters

    Ever wondered if the prime minister has a tattoo? Now we know the answer.

    Rishi Sunak told ITV's This Morning earlier today that he didn't have one, but if he had to it would be the Southampton FC crest.

    (To state the obvious, the prime minister is a big Saints fan.)

  19. Davey: Vote for Lib Dem for a more caring countrypublished at 14:25 3 July

    Tom Symonds
    Reporting from the Liberal Democrat campaign

    Sir Ed Davey climbs out of a JCB Fastrac after driving it during a visit to Owl Lodge in Lacock, 3 July 2024Image source, PA Media

    Sir Ed Davey has raced tractors on a farm near Chippenham, and this lunchtime he’s been at a “diamond event” in Hampshire.

    The diamonds are the orange placards the Lib Dems hold, pointy side up while he makes a speech. “Orange is a great colour for us,” one activist told me yesterday.

    The final stunt of the Davey stunt-a-thon is later in Hertfordshire. We don’t know what it will be but expect the battle bus team to have kept something back for the finale.

    The leader popped down the bus to talk campaigning with us earlier, ignoring his aides’ concerns about his croaky voice.

    He said if tomorrow went well the Lib Dems would move back into third place above the SNP. That, he said, would be “nirvana” because it would mean, under Commons convention, that he would get to ask a question at every prime minister’s questions. Currently he only gets one in five.

    I’ve also interviewed him on camera, pushing him on what he would make of a Labour supermajority.

    While previously he’s attacked the Conservatives for “ruining the country,” he refused to attack Labour.

    He wants to keep us on message - the Liberal Democrats today say giving them a greater influence over politics at the polls will lead to a more caring country, social care being central to their offer.

  20. No crimes committed by Reform campaigners, Essex Police sayspublished at 14:07 3 July

    We've just had an update from Essex Police over the Reform UK campaigners recorded by Channel 4 News using racist and homophobic language - the police say no criminal offences were committed.

    "Having assessed the comments made during a Channel 4 news programme, and all other information available to us, we have concluded that no criminal offences have taken place," Essex Police says.

    Last week, Channel 4 released undercover footage of Reform UK campaigners in Clacton, where Nigel Farage is standing.

    Though Farage said he was "dismayed" at the "reprehensible" comments, he has since pointed out that one of the campaigners, Andrew Parker, is a part-time actor.

    Parker, though, said he was there as a Reform activist and Channel 4 said he was "not known" to the broadcaster before being "filmed covertly via the undercover operation".

    You can read our report from the time here.