Party hopes to limit damage by warning of ‘supermajority’ while thoughts also turn to aftermath of defeat

For some Tory candidates, despair is the appropriate mindset in the final days of the election campaign. Others are angry. Many remain disbelieving of polls that point to a Labour landslide. Ahead of polling day, there are already those worried about a swift leadership election lurching the party further to the right. A certain gallows humour has also kicked in. “You know what they say,” said one candidate. “It’s always darkest before it’s completely pitch black.”

As Tory candidates complete a torrid campaign that began with Rishi Sunak’s rain-soaked announcement of a July election, the full range of emotions is on display among them. For most candidates who spoke to the Observer last week, Sunak’s decision to leave D-Day commemorations early came up as the main frustration, even eclipsing the election date betting scandal.

Ed Davey’s party surprised by lack of Tories’ attention on them as they target Labour supporters to lend their vote

A frantic tactical voting effort is being waged this weekend by the Lib Dems, with party officials believing that an online targeting drive could unlock up to 25 seats in the final days of campaigning.

The number of seats being targeted by Ed Davey’s party has expanded over the campaign, as a combination of the Tories losing ground to Reform UK and a stunt-filled Lib Dem campaign have opened up more constituencies. Some of the most optimistic polls even have the Lib Dems becoming the official opposition, should a Tory meltdown materialise – an issue that some senior Conservatives complain has not been scrutinised enough.

Scottish secretary Alister Jack under consideration for post-election dissolution honours

A Conservative cabinet minister who admitted placing three bets on the date of the general election is in line for a peerage as part of Rishi Sunak’s final honours list, the Observer has been told.

Alister Jack, the Scottish secretary who stood down as an MP when the election was called, had been considered for inclusion in a dissolution honours list compiled in recent weeks, according to sources familiar with the process. The list is set to be published soon after Thursday’s vote.

There may be more than one ‘Portillo moment’ this time, with the chancellor and a former leader among those at risk

The felling of Michael Portillo became a famous moment of the 1997 Labour landslide. This election could see a series of Tory big beasts lose their seats if the polls prove to be right. From a former leader to the current chancellor, these are the senior Conservatives at risk.