The prime minister has resisted calls to hand back £10m donated to the Conservative Party by businessman Frank Hester. Speaking in the Commons, Rishi Sunak condemned Mr Hester's reported remarks about MP Diane Abbott as "racist" and "wrong" but insisted he had shown "remorse". Labour is calling on the Conservatives to give the money back.   Today on the Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to Labour MP Dawn Butler and Sky's deputy political editor Sam Coates about the matter. Plus, Sky correspondent Amelia Harper takes us through her report uncovering a WhatsApp network of children who are filming themselves killing and torturing animals. Warning: this episode contains references to animal cruelty Producer: Soila Apparacio and Sydney PeadAssistant producer: Iona Brunker Editor: Philly Beaumont 

Diane Abbott: Why the Tories won't return the race row money

The Sky News Daily podcast with Niall Paterson brings a deeper look at the big stories - with Sky News correspondents and expert guests.

News

It was Labour’s turn to launch their election manifesto today. It was a restatement of the party’s main policies with no surprise announcements in the 133-page document.     Sir Keir Starmer reiterated his key pledges including no new taxes on “working people” and a promise of “economic stability”.   Niall Paterson digs into Labour’s promise of economic growth with Ed Conway, Sky’s economics and data editor, and speaks to political correspondent Serena Barker-Singh, who was at the launch in Manchester.    Plus, John McTernan, political strategist and former political secretary to Tony Blair, discusses the politics of their manifesto and whether it matters that there were no new announcements.  Producer: Sydney Pead Editor: Wendy Parker Promotions Producer: Jada-Kai Meosa John

Got any change? Why were there no surprises in Labour’s manifesto?

While the Conservatives and Labour battle it out for No10, recent polling reflects a changing mood from the electorate towards the smaller parties.    The latest YouGov poll suggests Reform UK have climbed within one point of the Conservatives, the Lib Dems are up four points, and Labour are dropping below 40%. In 2017, the two big parties got 82% of the vote. Now, the combined Labour-Tory vote could be as low as 56%.   With the Green Party launching its manifesto today, on this episode of the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson and our deputy political editor Sam Coates dive into the dissatisfaction with Sunak and Starmer.    Plus, Scarlett Maguire, pollster with JL Partners, discusses how well the smaller parties are doing.  Producer: Sydney PeadEditor: Wendy Parker

Is bigger always better? Why smaller parties are having a good election

Rishi Sunak has launched the Conservative's election manifesto, promising to slash taxes in a bid to revive the party's floundering campaign.     In his address at the home of the British Grand Prix, the prime minister pledged £17bn in tax cuts including lowering national insurance by 2p, scrapping it entirely for the self-employed and stopping state pensions being taxed with "triple lock plus" - which the party said would all be paid for with £12bn in cuts to the civil service and welfare.   But will it be enough to turn around the fortunes of the Conservatives?   Today on the Daily, Niall Paterson crunches the numbers with Sky's economics and data editor Ed Conway and political communications strategist Jo Tanner unpicks what the Tories are trying to do with this manifesto. Plus, Sky News' political correspondent Darren McCaffrey on if it will shift the dial for the election.   Podcast Producer: Sydney PeadPodcast Promotions Producer: Jada-Kai Meosa JohnEditor: Philly Beaumont

Can the Conservative Party manifesto revive Sunak's campaign?

Far-right parties have made gains in Germany, France and Italy - the EU's biggest member states.Their success has already led to a fall in the value of the euro as markets anticipate turbulent times ahead. President Macron's high-risk response to his Renaissance party losing to Marine Le Pen's National Rally was to call a snap election for the French parliament.  Niall Paterson talks to Sky's Europe correspondent Adam Parsons about what's behind the far-right surge and Macron's decision.  Plus, the Liberal Democrats launch their manifesto saying it's fully costed. Niall asks economics editor Ed Conway if their numbers add up and he talks to Jon Craig, Sky's chief political correspondent, to find out more about their policies.  Producers: Sydney Pead Promotion Producer: Jada-Kai Meosa John Editor: Wendy Parker

Will Macron's 'big gamble' election pay off? | Lib Dems promise 'to save the NHS'

The prime minister has faced criticism for leaving the 80th anniversary D-Day commemorations early to record a TV interview that's due to go out next week.    Rishi Sunak has since apologised - saying that "on reflection" leaving early "was a mistake", but also that it shouldn't be politicised.   Niall Paterson looks at how damaging this misstep is for Mr Sunak with Claire Pearsall, former Conservative special adviser at the Home Office, and Joe Twyman, the co-founder of the polling company Deltapoll.   Plus, our chief political correspondent Jon Craig tells us just how big of a political blunder it was. Producer: Sydney Pead Promotions producer: Jada-Kai Meosa John  Editor: Wendy Parker

Diane Abbott: Why the Tories won't return the race row money

Download our free app to listen on your phone