Party leaders in last-ditch scramble for votes in knife-edge election

Britain’s party leaders are launching a last-ditch appeal for votes as the final day of campaigning gets under way ahead of the General Election. The main parties are locked in a tight race ahead of Thursday’s vote, with the latest poll suggesting the Tories have taken a narrow lead over Labour. The leaders continue their whistle-stop tours of key seats across the country today, combining positive messages with warnings about the consequences of their opponents taking power.

The SNP is different because they don’t want a Westminster government to succeed. They don’t want the United Kingdom to succeed. They don’t want the United Kingdom to exist.

David Cameron, dismissing any coalition with the SNP

In an interview with Sky News, the Prime Minister spoke about the possibility of a renewed Liberal Democrat coalition if the Tories fail to claim a majority. He said he wants to carry on pushing for a majority Tory government, but added he will “always do the right thing by the country” when asked if he’s ready to consider a second coalition. Ahead of the final day of campaigning, Labour leader Ed Miliband said he is ready to do “my duty to change this country for working people”. He stepped up warnings that the Tories would “wreck” the NHS, adding that another Tory / Lib Dem coalition posed a “huge risk” to British families.