first, let's return to our coverage of the general election. voters head to the polls on the 11th ofjuly. the liberal democrats are gaining some ground, hoping to grab tourist seats as they promise free personal care for the elderly, more gps and joining the eu single market. it is ed davey�*s photo opportunities that i've been grabbing attention. he has been speaking to laura kuenssberg. in terms of the stunts, the real issueis in terms of the stunts, the real issue is engaging people and they have done. one of the reasons i am so pleased to be on your programme is to talk about what the liberal democrats are standing for. we are standing for health and social care board. we talk about cost of living. and we are talking about the environment. the sewage scandal, for example. i am determined that all the seats that we can win against a blue ball, people hear about what the liberal democrats stand for from a local champions because we could make real gains at this election. we will talk about those politics. west street and has said that your policies and social care are good ones. we have heard the people what should you are doing and it looks like you're not taking this seriously and perhaps not taking them seriously. we seriously and perhaps not taking them seriously.— seriously and perhaps not taking them seriously. we are taking the voter because _ them seriously. we are taking the voter because my _ them seriously. we are taking the voter because my concerns - them seriously. we are taking the voter because my concerns really | voter because my concerns really seriously. that is why we have been putting forward these policy proposals. whenever we do one of those stunts to engage people, so i sure am not taking myself too seriously, we have had lots of policy ideas. when i was coming down that's like we were talking about mental health. the bbc were covering our policy as i came down. i was pleased that they did because it is important, we have a crisis in mental health for our young people. we have hundreds of thousands of young people working for therapy, counselling, support and what we have set is let's make sure there is a qualified mental health professional in every primary school, secondary school and lets us dump social media chance to pay more so we have come forward with a very significant policy. when i had the baker because my cats on, baking biscuits, we were talking about free school meals. fine biscuits, we were talking about free school mew-— school meals. one of your policies is to have an _ school meals. one of your policies is to have an office _ school meals. one of your policies is to have an office for _ is to have an office for whistle—blowers. you say it is very important, but lee castleton, one of those top postmasters and g were post office minister when some of this was important, how can we we trust you around whistle—blowers. whistle—blowers were fatal to the horizon scandal. in 2019 in the high court case. that whistle—blower from inside fidgets is that the post office have been telling lies to set postmasters, ministers and judges, that whistle—blower was crucial as the itv drama showed. his that whistle-blower was crucial as the itv drama showed. his question is how could — the itv drama showed. his question is how could people _ the itv drama showed. his question is how could people trust _ the itv drama showed. his question is how could people trust you - the itv drama showed. his question is how could people trust you to - is how could people trust you to protect whistle—blowers when you were post office minister, one of the people in charge of the system when concerns were already being raised. i know you say you were not told you you would have done something about it, but some campaigners feel you didn't do enough, you weren't listening. i was listeninu. i enough, you weren't listening. i was listening. i was _ enough, you weren't listening. i was listening. i was the _ enough, you weren't listening. i was listening. i was the first _ enough, you weren't listening. i —" listening. i was the first minister to meet alan bates and i took his issue seriously. if put his concern to the post office and i was the only ministry did it on that level of detail. i was lied to, just like the supposed matters relate to, like the supposed matters relate to, like the judges and courts would like to. we have to change the system. we have seen it in the contaminated blood scandal, and the hillsborough scandal, you can't run the system if people lie to you. you need to find a way through that. we have the whistle—blower protection issue. the duty of candour to make sure the public servants have to tell the truth. there's a whole range of things that i would like to see changed. when i give evidence to the inquiry, and i have campaigned for these people to held to account, where we have that inquiry i am looking forward to giving evidence to it. looking forward to giving evidence to it, ., looking forward to giving evidence to it. ., i. looking forward to giving evidence to it. ., ., looking forward to giving evidence toit. ., ., , to it. some of your other policies, then. to it. some of your other policies, then- you — to it. some of your other policies, then. you have _ to it. some of your other policies, then. you have needs _ to it. some of your other policies, then. you have needs the - to it. some of your other policies, then. you have needs the moving| then. you have needs the moving experience of caring for your son john to give more help to carers. he served as a minister during the coalition government. it made significant cuts to the support for people in those kinds of situations. do you regret that?— people in those kinds of situations. do you regret that? actually, if you look back at — do you regret that? actually, if you look back at the _ do you regret that? actually, if you look back at the liberal _ do you regret that? actually, if you look back at the liberal democrats| look back at the liberal democrats record, we produced the of 2014 that came from the deal not commission and it would have meant we would have had proper care from 2015—16. what then? the conservatives reneges on their promises. even though there was legislation in parliament that everyone had voted for. that is ed davey talking earlier to laura kuenssberg. the televised leaders debates have given us a chance to see some of the leaders from the smaller parties and they can flash their wares, so to speak, including the leader of clyde camry. its manifesto wants more public spending and bigger windfall taxes on energy companies. he has also been speaking to laura. in on energy companies. he has also been speaking to laura.— on energy companies. he has also been speaking to laura. in 2021 and used it for a — been speaking to laura. in 2021 and used it for a referendum _ been speaking to laura. in 2021 and used it for a referendum on - been speaking to laura. in 2021 and used it for a referendum on welsh l used it for a referendum on welsh independence but know you only offering our referendum. um? independence but know you only offering our referendum.- offering our referendum. why is that? it has _ offering our referendum. why is that? it has been _ offering our referendum. why is that? it has been my _ offering our referendum. why is that? it has been my firm - offering our referendum. why is that? it has been my firm beliefj offering our referendum. why is - that? it has been my firm belief my entire life that exists... listening to brian cox will obviously see the world in the same way. i am not an isolationist in any way. i see welsh independence as part of the redesigning of the uk, where as independent nations that would work closely together. but this isn't about independence, this is getting fair play for wales now. who about independence, this is getting fair play for wales now.— fair play for wales now. why not have in your _ fair play for wales now. why not have in your manifesto - fair play for wales now. why not have in your manifesto at - fair play for wales now. why not have in your manifesto at a - fair play for wales now. why not have in your manifesto at a man| fair play for wales now. why not. have in your manifesto at a man for a consultation, we hear it often from politicians, promising more chat, then a commission. why back off from your clear request, demand perhaps, for a referendum? there off from your clear request, demand perhaps, for a referendum?- perhaps, for a referendum? there is clearl a perhaps, for a referendum? there is clearly a demand _ perhaps, for a referendum? there is clearly a demand implicit _ perhaps, for a referendum? there is clearly a demand implicit for - perhaps, for a referendum? there is clearly a demand implicit for a - clearly a demand implicit for a referendum because we want to get to the point where we asked the people of wales if they are ready to embrace this. the fascinating thing for me as somebody who has believed because of their life, regularly at 30 people, 50% of the younger age group say yes to independence, but it is about getting more people curious on what it might mean an answering those questions. there was answering those questions. there was an independent commission recently on the constitutional future of will it said there are three viable options. more devolution, perhaps federalism, and the third viable one is independence. so it is viable, we can it, it is about getting people excited about what it is. do can it, it is about getting people excited about what it is.- excited about what it is. do you think ou excited about what it is. do you think you will _ excited about what it is. do you think you will see _ excited about what it is. do you think you will see it _ excited about what it is. do you think you will see it in - excited about what it is. do you think you will see it in your - think you will see it in your lifetime? there is no reason why not. but do you think it will happen? it not. but do you think it will ha en? .., �* not. but do you think it will ha . en? . ., �* , not. but do you think it will happen?— not. but do you think it will hauen? �* , , ., happen? it can't. it is up to the --eole happen? it can't. it is up to the people of— happen? it can't. it is up to the people of wales. _ happen? it can't. it is up to the people of wales. i _ happen? it can't. it is up to the people of wales. i don't - happen? it can't. it is up to the| people of wales. i don't believe that wills situation is the best it could be. i don't think the uk's situation is the best it could be. many people watching this morning in wales or elsewhere will see that there is something that needs to happen in politics that leads to islands into a different direction. i think it would be valuable to have that redesign. this election is about having this fairness we deserve in this uk context. john carter's motel tells us in 60 seconds of the overall picture is looking for the main parties in the polls. one poll this week stole the headlines. a yougov poll put reform one point ahead of the conservatives. but no other poll reported the same finding, though every poll has reported a fall in the conservative support and nearly all, a narrowing of the conservative lead over reform. so what last week was an average eight point conservative lead over reform has now halved to just four points. and standing atjust 20%, conservative support is now at its lowest ever in british polling history. mr sunak, whose own personal ratings have clearly fallen, must be beginning to doubt his decision to call the election early. not that labour have had it their own way. like the conservatives, their support is also down by two points. labour are being challenged by the greens, still on 6%, and the liberal democrats, whose vote, up in every poll this week, now stands at i2%. joining me now is lara spirit, red box editor at the times, thank you forjoining us. we are halfway through the campaign. do you think the dial has changed much since rishi sunak announced the election? i since rishi sunak announced the election? ~ .,, since rishi sunak announced the election? ~ , ., , election? i think most conservatives would admit — election? i think most conservatives would admit that _ election? i think most conservatives would admit that the _ election? i think most conservatives would admit that the moment - election? i think most conservatives would admit that the moment the l would admit that the moment the election was announced in the river is not the strongest start the party could have add to that election announcement and since then there have been some big moments. we saw the first tv debate which buoyed some conservatives that felt rishi sunak had made a good attack line, particularly on tax. that was made more difficult by his decision to leave those d—day commemorations early which scuppered that sense of hope that some tories out. and we have also had the return of nigel farage back to front line politics and back to leading the reformed uk party. we haven't seen massive changes in the polls since the beginning of the election. we are certainly talking more now about the potential for reform to do well and to challenge conservatives in key seats. i think that has been one of the abiding developments in the so forth. d0 the abiding developments in the so forth. , ., the abiding developments in the so forth. i. ~' the abiding developments in the so forth. i. ~ ., ., forth. do you think that reformed uk are likely to — forth. do you think that reformed uk are likely to win _ forth. do you think that reformed uk are likely to win any _ forth. do you think that reformed uk are likely to win any seats _ forth. do you think that reformed uk are likely to win any seats or - forth. do you think that reformed uk are likely to win any seats or is - forth. do you think that reformed uk are likely to win any seats or is it - are likely to win any seats or is it more likely that they will just take votes away from the conservatives? it is likely that they will take votes away from the conservatives and if the bulls are to believed, they will take many foods away from they will take many foods away from the conservatives, but it is remaining to be seen if they will win any seats in the election and it is something that nigel farage has been candid about, saying he doesn't know how many seats they will win. there is an mega poll out this morning that suggest they could well win a handful of seats. to think that rishi sunak will be worried about is the difficulty he will be facing in states where reformed uk become, a competitive second. reformed uk is taking votes from that conservative 2019 vote share. they are a problem more for the conservative party than the labour party. ii conservative party than the labour pa . ., ., , party. if we look at labour, they are still ahead _ party. if we look at labour, they are still ahead in _ party. if we look at labour, they are still ahead in the _ party. if we look at labour, they are still ahead in the polls, - are still ahead in the polls, looking over the next couple of weeks before the actual approach, what concerns will labour have? this auestion of what concerns will labour have? this question of tax _ what concerns will labour have? t�*i 3 question of tax remains a difficult one for labour. so far they have been on the back foot in terms of trying to answer multiple questions from leading conservatives when they are interviewed. they are constantly facing questions about the fact that even though in their manifesto they have ruled out raising those three taxes, national insurance, vat and income tax, conservatives are still alleging that they would need to raise other taxes in office. they have a formula that they stick to when they are asked about this, they say there are plans to raise particular taxes under a labour government and in some circumstances, such as on capital gains tax on your first property, they have specifically ruled out that were coming, but they are not being explicit on others. that is where they can see conservative attack then you will see over the next few weeks is challenging labour to rule out specific tax rises. thank you very much forjoining us. we will have a fascinating campaign over the next few weeks. you can follow it all on the bbc news website and we have a live page up and running every day with all of the campaigning and analysis from our political correspondence and the bbc verify team will be looking at the claims that politicians make. you can find that on the bbc news website and app. england's footballers are making final preparations for their first match at the euro 24 finals in germany tonight where they face serbia. the manager, gareth southgate, has said his players will need to be exceptional to progress beyond the group stages. john watson has been talking to former england goal keeper joe hart and asked him about the mood in the england camp. the mood will be ready, they'll be excited, it's what they do and what they do best. the boys play at a really high level, they've been working hard as a group and i'm sure they'll have all the instructions they need and will be ready to execute when it comes to game time. what is it like? you've been there, you been part of squads at major tournaments. you know the players really well, having onlyjust retired from professional football. is it a wonderful atmosphere in there among the players when you are playing for a major trophy? you flip between the two, there is no getting away from it, these boys have probably grown up supporting england and watching these tournaments but at the same time, they're very hard, high—level professional footballers, so you flip between the two. you understand what's going on around you, the family, friends, the buzz, but they have a job to do and as the game comes closer, that'll be the focus. the fans expectant, they always are, but the players genuinely believe they can do it, and rightly so after making a final of the last euros, do you think that england finally will do it at a major tournaments? they're going to put themselves in the best position, that one of the best squads in the tournament and have experience together with a manager they've worked well for a good number of years now. everything is in play but tournament football is crazy. we need everything to go our way, there will be hard times we need to stick together and dig deep and if that all comes together, they've got a great chance. talk to us aboutjude bellingham, the golden boy now of english football. how special a talent is he and how special are a lot of the players in that squad? there is superb talent, there always is in the england team. jude bellingham stepped onto the scene, there's been a lot of noise about him from a very young age and he keeps ticking every box. he looks like an incredible footballer. i don't know him personally but i know a lot of people who don't need to say very positive things about people as a personality and i love how everyone wants to jump and talk about his personality because his football's doing the talking for itself but from the inside, he looks like a real leader, someone who wants to take football by the scruff of the neck and lead this team. but we have phil, harry, john and kyle, some real winners in the team and i'm looking forward to see how they make it happen. and how important are the fans? quiet here at the moment, but 40,000 will be here at kick—off and many, many more watching at home. how crucial is their support as a player? you felt it yourself, how crucial is that in helping a team get over the line? this is a national game, you want to feel the whole country behind you, and you do. i can only talk