Election latest: 'Extremely troubling' footage emerges of Tory association students singing Nazi song (2024)

Since Rishi Sunak called the election, Sky News' Politics Hub has been looking back over memorable moments from campaigns gone by.

FromDavid Cameron's football own goal, to an upstartNick Cleggemerging as the unlikely victor from the UK's first televised leaders debate, there were plenty to choose from.

We've collated them all here for you to reminisce on - and a fair warning, given the fine weather we've had this week, one might leave you craving some ice cream…

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is addressing his party's rally in Birmingham now.

Entering the stage to chants of his name - and fireworks - Mr Farage says Reform UK is a party that believes in "having fun and enjoying life".

He explains how at "very short notice" he decided to become leader of the party.

"I simply could not stand aside."

Mr Farage refers to "slippery Sunak", and Sir Keir Starmer, who he says doesn't know how to lead the UK in difficult times.

"Keir Starmer has the charisma of a damp rag," the Reform UK leader says.

He also claims the BBC has "abused its power" as the national broadcaster, to loud applause from those in the room.

Mr Farage says he will campaign to abolish the licence fee.

By Josephine Franks, news reporter

When the polling stations close at 10pm on 4 July, thousands of ballot counters will be flexing their fingers, ready for what could be a very long night's work.

All the country's votes will be counted - and recounted - by hand.

But what is it like to be one of the people tasked with delivering democracy by dawn?

Sky News spoke to five ballot counters - who between them have worked more than 100 elections - to find out...

Rishi Sunak has said he still believes he will win the general election.

Asked by the BBC whether he thought he would still be prime minister on Friday, he replied: "Yes. I'm fighting very hard and I think people are waking up to the real danger of what a Labour government means."

Polls have almost consistently shown that the Tories are 20 points behind Labour.

Mr Sunak also hit back at what he claimed was a "declinist narrative" when asked whether it was a mistake to change course on net zero.

BBC presenter Laura Kuenssberg pointed out that some people, including the independent climate change committee, believe the UK has lost its status as a leader on the issue.

The broadcaster also said there was "plenty of evidence" that the economic reality of Brexit is that Britain's standing long-term is "more challenging".

Asked whether he thought the shift was a mistake, the prime minister appeared frustrated as he said: "No, and actually you started that question with something that I fundamentally disagree with: 'Because of Brexit, we've lost our standing in the world'."

Told that was not what she had said, he replied: "You said we've lost our standing in the world. That's completely and utterly wrong."

Mr Sunak cited Britain building new nuclear submarines with Australia and the United States, and the negotiation of the Windsor Framework with the EU and support for Ukraine.

He claimed that "people are queuing up to work with us because they respect what we do".

"So I just completely reject that, it's entirely wrong, this kind of declinist narrative that people have of the UK I wholeheartedly reject."

Hats in support of Donald Trump and Union Flag jackets were spotted at the Reform UK rally at the NEC in Birmingham this afternoon.

Dozens of people have gathered to watch Reform UK leader Nigel Farage address the major campaign event, bidding for votes ahead of Thursday's election.

A group of students from the Warwick University Conservatives Association have been condemned for an "utterly abhorrent" video in which they sing a Nazi marching song.

The clip, taken at a chairman's dinner at the Warwick Conservatives Association two weeks ago, shows members singing "Erika" - a song used by the SS and the armed forces of Nazi Germany.

In a statement, the Union of Jewish Students condemned a "blatant and unchallenged support for Nazism".

"The blatant and unchallenged support for Nazism at the Warwick Conservatives Association 'chairman's dinner' is utterly abhorrent," it said.

"Glorification of the Nazis has no place in our society, especially on campus. It is in no way acceptable and must be widely condemned.

"We expect swift and decisive action from the University of Warwick and the ConservativeParty. Actions must have consequences.”

Additionally, a spokesperson for Warwick University said: "We have been made aware of this video and the allegations surrounding it, which are extremely troubling.

"Behaviour like this is reprehensible and we are disappointed to see our students involved.

“The university is reviewing the material disclosed to us via our reporting service and has notified the Student's Union.

"We have requested a meeting with the Jewish Society (Jsoc) to assist with our review.”

Our live poll tracker collates the results of opinion surveys carried out by all the main polling organisations - and allows you to see how the political parties are performing in the run-up to the general election.

With under a week to go, the Tories and Labour have taken a drop, while support for Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats is on the rise.

Read more about the trackerhere.

Pledges and promises are coming thick and fast from every party as the general election approaches.

Struggling to keep up with who is saying what?

Here is a summary of where the main parties stand on major issues.

For a more in-depth look at what each party has pledged, scour ourmanifesto checker...

A speech by Nigel Farage was interrupted by a banner showing a smirking Vladimir Putin with the caption "I [heart emoji] Nigel".

Campaign group Led By Donkeys carried out the stunt as the Reform UK leader spoke on stage at the Columbine Centre in Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex.

Footage posted on social media showed the banner slowly descending from the ceiling showing the Russian president with his thumb up.

Upon seeing the banner, Mr Farage - the Reform UK candidate for Clacton - said: "Who put that up there? Someone at the Columbine Centre needs to get the sack."

It comes after Mr Farage received widespread criticism for claiming earlier this month that the West and NATO "provoked" Russia's war on Ukraine.

Watch below...

Rishi Sunak was asked if it was a mistake for him to say at the start of the campaign that he has respect for Nigel Farage.

It comes in the wake of controversy over racist comments about Mr Sunak made by a man alleging to be a Reform UK canvasser.

Mr Farage, the leader of Reform UK, claims he is an actor.

Asked about his respect for the politician, Mr Sunak says there are views of his "that he's been right to highlight".

"Where I agree with someone's policies, I'll happily say that."

However, Mr Sunak says again that the racist remarks made about him were "wrong".

"I was keen to call it out."

The prime minister is also asked: "When was the last time you were wrong?"

He jokes: "If you talk to my wife and daughters they would say on a regular basis."