UK general election live: Boris Johnson makes first appearance on campaign trail

Today's Top Headlines

At 7am, let's check out the top news stories for today. The Guardian is reporting that Keir Starmer has accused the Conservatives of using desperate tactics just one day before the polls open. There are claims that Tory criticism of his dedication to family time was inappropriate and had hints of antisemitism.

In a recent statement to The Times, Boris Johnson expressed his concern that a potential landslide victory for the Labour party would bring about "frightening consequences."

The situation in prisons is a major problem for the new government from the very start.

The Financial Times has a top story about water companies getting sued, and another headline catching attention is "Wealthy individuals selling assets amid worries about Labour's plans for capital gains tax".

Blog from The Independent - Last poll shows Conservatives preparing for significant defeat

Daily Mirror: Could it be coming home? 14 years of disappointment haven't dampened our hopes.

The Daily Express: Rishi wants to remind you that your vote and your voice matter, so make sure to use them wisely.

The news outlet, The Daily Mail, reported that Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have joined forces to prevent an economic collapse they are calling "Starmergeddon."

The letter from Starmer in The Daily Record suggests the idea of having a Labour government with Scotland as a central focus.

The Yorkshire Post has spoken out against the ongoing criticism of Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, urging for an end to the constant attacks on him.

At long last, the Daily Star featured an approval from Kim Wilde for Count Binface.

Jewish Figures Criticize Tory Attack On Starmer Family

Keir Starmer has claimed that the Conservatives are using desperate tactics in response to allegations that their criticism of his support for family time was hurtful and had underlying antisemitic themes.

Ben Quinn, Peter Walker, and Kiran Stacey share their insights:

Rishi Sunak started a busy day of campaigning early in the morning with a visit to a distribution center and ended with a late-night rally. Tory ministers and aides wanted to highlight the difference between Sunak's full-time commitment and what they saw as Starmer's less dedicated approach.

As the election campaign came to a close, the Conservatives released dire predictions about the potential consequences of a large Labour majority on taxes, immigration, and other policy issues.

Officials at Downing Street think that the backlash against Starmer for expressing his commitment to spending time with his family after 6pm on Fridays, no matter what, has struck a chord with the public.

The decision to focus on a time of the week that is important to Jewish culture has caused a strong negative reaction, particularly from prominent Jewish leaders. They believe that targeting this specific time when Starmer's wife comes from a Jewish background was not well thought out and extremely unfair.

"I believe that it is extremely clear to everyone that a Friday night holds significant importance in various religions and faiths," stated Starmer while speaking to the press during a campaign visit in Derbyshire.

Describing the attacks as "ridiculously weak," the leader of the Labour Party stated that his remarks during a radio interview the previous day were just about his commitment to spending Friday evenings with his family. He also mentioned that if he became prime minister, he would continue to prioritize family time, though he acknowledged it would be challenging to maintain.

Starmer explained that he wants to make sure he has dedicated quality time for his children, wife, and her father. He noted that his wife's family is part of the Jewish community, so they often take time for family prayers, sometimes on Fridays.

I have had to work on some Fridays in the past, it is not uncommon. However, I make an effort to prioritize and safeguard that time for myself on most occasions, and I plan to continue doing so in the future.

Zadie Smith's Hope After 14 Years Of Tories

Zadie Smith has penned a lengthy article for the Guardian today discussing her optimism for significant changes and a revival of the quality healthcare and education systems she used to proudly talk about to Americans. This comes after a 14-year period of Conservative Party governance.

I believe we should view ourselves as the Ancient Mariner, constantly sharing our story of hardship in the hopes that we can recognize opportunities for change and prevent any opposition from sabotaging our progress.

The metaphor of the Ancient Mariner helped me understand things well until I moved to the US in 2010. When I returned to Britain 10 years later, it felt like I had been asleep for a long time, like Rip Van Winkle. The changes and developments in the country over the past four years have surprised me. But the moment that really shocked me was when I heard a government official on the radio talking about conscription. They were saying that conscription could bring people from different backgrounds together to work towards a common goal. They believed that it could help build a sense of community and give people a chance to flourish. It made me question, where else in modern-day Britain can this happen?

I was unsure if the person speaking was just not very smart and couldn't come up with a different response to their own question, or if this was a bad attempt at comedy that you find yourself stuck listening to while doing chores. But no, he was completely serious. The idea of a well-funded public school providing everything mentioned had never crossed his mind. And then it hit me: oh no, if things continue this way, he might actually be correct one day.

Reject Farage's Vision For Britain: Gordon Brown

Gordon Brown, the ex-Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party, wrote an article for the Guardian advocating for voters to oppose Nigel Farage's vision of Britain. He encouraged people to reclaim their country and demonstrate greatness by standing firm in support of their beliefs. Brown emphasized the importance of standing united in defense of one's culture, history, and values.

The Conservatives believe that even a small amount of votes going to Reform UK could lead to the SNP winning seats in Scotland.

The party is still cautioning its usual supporters not to switch to Nigel Farage's party as Election Day approaches.

Recent polls show that the SNP and Labour are in a close competition in Scotland, with predictions suggesting the Conservatives may maintain their current number of seats.

Lately, the party has been encouraging Scottish voters to remain loyal and not switch their support to Reform.

Party leader Craig Hoy stated:

In Scotland, a lot of seats are essentially a head-to-head battle between the SNP and Scottish Conservatives. Other parties like Reform, Labour, and Lib Dems don't stand much of a chance in these crucial seats. Even just a few votes for Reform could end up benefiting the SNP greatly.

Even though surveys show that Labour is gaining momentum, Hoy seemed to hint that his party is the one that can cause the SNP to lose.

"We have the chance to give the SNP their biggest election loss in over ten years, but if a small number of individuals decide to vote for Reform, it could jeopardize that opportunity," he stated.

"In important constituencies throughout Scotland, the only way to defeat the SNP and prioritize the issues that are important to you is by voting for the Scottish Conservatives."

Battle For The Soul Of The Right In British Market Towns

As the vendors close up shop under the colorful awnings at the market in downtown Alford, located in the eastern part of Lincolnshire, Matthew Warner is putting rolls of yarn from his family store into his car.

Warner, a dad with two kids, is really feeling the pressure on the family budget due to high fuel costs and expensive childcare. His wife, who works as a nurse, can't work full-time because of the expenses. A loyal supporter of the Conservative party for many years, the 33-year-old is unsure about his vote in the upcoming election. However, he's becoming more interested in Nigel Farage's Reform party, which seems to be gaining support in areas like his.

Alford is located in a safe Tory constituency, Louth and Horncastle, but the competition there perfectly represents the fight for the core values of the Conservative party.

The Member of Parliament representing the area is Victoria Atkins, who holds the position of health secretary. She is an important member of the party's more moderate faction and is a strong supporter of Rishi Sunak. Running against her is Sean Matthews, a former police officer and former chair of the local Conservative party branch. He left the party in disagreement over their decision to replace Liz Truss with Sunak.

Many voters in the small towns of this area feel that it's time for a new direction after 14 years, including Warner who has consistently voted for the Conservative party. He believes Nigel stands out among the candidates, but isn't impressed with the other parties. Ultimately, he doesn't have faith in Reform or any other party to help improve the lives of regular people.

Top Campaign Pics From Tuesday

Boris, hamburgers, and Basingstoke: check out the top photos from the last two days on the campaign trail.

City Analysts Say Labour Win Will Boost UK Investment

If Keir Starmer wins a big victory in the upcoming general election, it could benefit Britain's economy by making global markets more stable. This could lead to a stronger pound, increased investment, and a rise in the stock market. Investors in the City believe that this stability could help the UK stand out in a time of political chaos in other countries.

In stark opposition to Conservative party concerns about the risks of a significant Labour majority, financial experts in the City of London believe that a strong mandate for Starmer's party could solidify Britain's reputation as a secure investment option in a tumultuous global economy.

Despite not being able to catch up in the opinion polls during the election campaign, Rishi Sunak issued a final warning that a Starmer "supermajority" would cause financial hardship for people of all ages.

Nevertheless, experts in the city believe that a decisive victory for the Labour party could attract more international investment to Britain. This comes after a period of uncertainty following the 2016 Brexit referendum, which was overseen by the Conservative party. The instability created by the Tories has made international investors hesitant to commit to the UK.

Boris Johnson made his first and only appearance during the general election campaign on Tuesday night, just before voters are set to cast their votes. During his appearance, he did not mention or commend Rishi Sunak.

The ex-prime minister unexpectedly showed up at a Conservative gathering in Chelsea, where he accused Keir Starmer of attempting to bring about the most liberal Labour government since World War II. He also argued that Starmer would raise taxes and not be strong against Vladimir Putin.

Johnson expressed gratitude towards the attendees of the event at the National Army Museum and joked that it was much too late for Keir Starmer to still be up. He also thanked the prime minister for inviting him, although Rishi Sunak was not mentioned again throughout his speech.

"Boris Johnson Snubs Rishi Sunak On Campaign Trail"

Greetings and welcome to the Guardian's real-time reporting of the upcoming general election. With just under two days left until polling stations open, ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson has unexpectedly showed up at the campaign trail. Johnson made his debut appearance on Tuesday evening at a Conservative rally in Chelsea, where he notably did not stand alongside or commend Rishi Sunak, as stated by the Guardian's correspondent Aletha Adu.

Boris Johnson briefly mentioned Rishi Sunak, did not stand with him on stage, and left while the Prime Minister was speaking. It wasn't exactly a strong show of support.

Rather, he stated that Starmer intends to bring about the most progressive Labour government since the war. Johnson also mentioned the supposed presence of Kremlin sympathizers in other political parties, warning against allowing them to influence the Labour party. He cautioned against being swayed by individuals who may have questionable allegiances, likening them to pet parrots that may spread harmful diseases like psittacosis.

With less than a day left until voting begins, here's what to expect today:

The head of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, is also engaging in campaigning activities in the south-eastern region of England.

Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, is traveling to Wales, Lanarkshire, and Dudley to promote his campaign.

Conservative leader Rishi Sunak is currently on a campaign tour in the south-east of England.

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, is currently working to gain support in Clacton.

SNP leader John Swinney is working to win support in Cumbernauld, Glasgow, and Livingston.

Scottish politician Patrick Harvie, who is one of the leaders of the Green Party, will be attending an event in Milngavie along with the Mid Dunbartonshire candidate, Carolynn Scrimegour.

Kate Forbes, Scotland's deputy first minister, is currently campaigning alongside the SNP candidate Seamus Logan in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East.