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EU referendum live: Johnson says Vote Leave is not an 'alternative government' EU referendum live: Johnson says Vote Leave is not an 'alternative government'
(35 minutes later)
5.51pm BST
17:51
Afternoon summary
We are campaigning for you, we are campaigning to take back control of our country and our government and unleash that control back to the British public.
Labour source says Seumas Milne 'mole' claim was "an aside". "No one is pointing the finger at anyone and no one is blaming anyone."
That’s all from me for today.
Thanks for the comments.
5.34pm BST5.34pm BST
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Here is Stefan Rousseau, the Press Association’s chief political photographer’s, photo of the day.Here is Stefan Rousseau, the Press Association’s chief political photographer’s, photo of the day.
Photo du Jour: Boris Johnson, Priti Patel, Michael Gove at Vote Leave rally in Preston. By Stefan Rousseau/PA pic.twitter.com/rr0aQd2dIZPhoto du Jour: Boris Johnson, Priti Patel, Michael Gove at Vote Leave rally in Preston. By Stefan Rousseau/PA pic.twitter.com/rr0aQd2dIZ
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Boris Johnson said today that he and his Vote Leave colleagues were not setting out an alternative programme for government. (See 4.55pm.) In a good column for the Evening Standard, Matthew d’Ancona begs to differ.Boris Johnson said today that he and his Vote Leave colleagues were not setting out an alternative programme for government. (See 4.55pm.) In a good column for the Evening Standard, Matthew d’Ancona begs to differ.
Here’s an excerpt.Here’s an excerpt.
The suspension of collective responsibility was not an invitation to a caucus of senior Tories to form a government within a government.The suspension of collective responsibility was not an invitation to a caucus of senior Tories to form a government within a government.
Both Johnson and Gove claim they will resume business as usual under Cameron’s leadership after June 23. But their actions suggest quite otherwise.Both Johnson and Gove claim they will resume business as usual under Cameron’s leadership after June 23. But their actions suggest quite otherwise.
There is a fundamental difference between advocacy of Brexit and a blueprint for government policy after Britain has left the EU.There is a fundamental difference between advocacy of Brexit and a blueprint for government policy after Britain has left the EU.
Today’s declaration may look innocent and even constructive — just watch as the two men deny that it has an ulterior motive — but it is the first stirrings of a coup.Today’s declaration may look innocent and even constructive — just watch as the two men deny that it has an ulterior motive — but it is the first stirrings of a coup.
The symbolism is clear: in announcing a new immigration strategy, Johnson and Gove are dramatizing a slow drainage of authority from Cameron to the Brexit gang. They have passed a point of no return.The symbolism is clear: in announcing a new immigration strategy, Johnson and Gove are dramatizing a slow drainage of authority from Cameron to the Brexit gang. They have passed a point of no return.
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Farage says points-based immigration system would not lead to immigration going upFarage says points-based immigration system would not lead to immigration going up
And here are some of the news lines from Ukip leader Nigel Farage’s campaigning today.And here are some of the news lines from Ukip leader Nigel Farage’s campaigning today.
No there wouldn’t. The point about an Australian-style system is that you chose. You set your number. I know more about this than most people. Every single year, Australia looks at what it thinks it needs to expand its country. It’s growing its country so it takes more people pro-rata than we would. But the point about it is that we can choose.No there wouldn’t. The point about an Australian-style system is that you chose. You set your number. I know more about this than most people. Every single year, Australia looks at what it thinks it needs to expand its country. It’s growing its country so it takes more people pro-rata than we would. But the point about it is that we can choose.
I’m used to overpaid failures telling us that everything will be bad. The OECD, the IMF, all these people said exactly the same things about us joining the euro 15 years ago. They were wrong then. They’re wrong now. They’ve been paid to say that.I’m used to overpaid failures telling us that everything will be bad. The OECD, the IMF, all these people said exactly the same things about us joining the euro 15 years ago. They were wrong then. They’re wrong now. They’ve been paid to say that.
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Eddie Izzard, the comedian and Labour activist, has been speaking at a Stand Up For Europe event in Edinburgh. He said Brexit was “synonymous with recession”.Eddie Izzard, the comedian and Labour activist, has been speaking at a Stand Up For Europe event in Edinburgh. He said Brexit was “synonymous with recession”.
Brexit is almost synonymous with recession. They’ve even stopped arguing about the economy, they’ve lost that argument.Brexit is almost synonymous with recession. They’ve even stopped arguing about the economy, they’ve lost that argument.
All the experts from the governor of the Bank of England, all the way up to (US President) Barack Obama, the World Trade Organisation - even today the OECD, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, they said it (Brexit) is going to be bad.All the experts from the governor of the Bank of England, all the way up to (US President) Barack Obama, the World Trade Organisation - even today the OECD, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, they said it (Brexit) is going to be bad.
4.55pm BST4.55pm BST
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Johnson claims Vote Leave not setting out an alternative programme for governmentJohnson claims Vote Leave not setting out an alternative programme for government
Here are some lines from Boris Johnson’s campaigning today. I’ve taken some of the quotes from the Press Association.Here are some lines from Boris Johnson’s campaigning today. I’ve taken some of the quotes from the Press Association.
All we are saying is what any government could do and we are saying after we vote leave on June 23 it will be up to the government to take back control.All we are saying is what any government could do and we are saying after we vote leave on June 23 it will be up to the government to take back control.
Not just of immigration policy but obviously of huge sums of money, of our ability to set our economic and political priorities and to stop the situation where 60% of the law going through the Palace of Westminster comes from the EU.Not just of immigration policy but obviously of huge sums of money, of our ability to set our economic and political priorities and to stop the situation where 60% of the law going through the Palace of Westminster comes from the EU.
What we are saying is that politicians when they make their promises about reducing immigration would be able to keep those promises because at the moment they can’t because of membership of the EU. That’s the crucial thing.What we are saying is that politicians when they make their promises about reducing immigration would be able to keep those promises because at the moment they can’t because of membership of the EU. That’s the crucial thing.
If a government says that it’s going to get numbers down to the tens of thousands which repeated promises have been made to that effect they would be able to deliver it.If a government says that it’s going to get numbers down to the tens of thousands which repeated promises have been made to that effect they would be able to deliver it.
One of the things I could certainly imagine is that the pressure on prices, particularly in the south east, would abate. You’d get less pressure as a result of the huge influxes that we’re seeing.One of the things I could certainly imagine is that the pressure on prices, particularly in the south east, would abate. You’d get less pressure as a result of the huge influxes that we’re seeing.
Of course [Cameron would stay as prime minister], there is no leader in Europe in the last 20 years who has stood down as the result of an adverse referendum.Of course [Cameron would stay as prime minister], there is no leader in Europe in the last 20 years who has stood down as the result of an adverse referendum.
UPDATE: Newsweek’s Josh Lowe points out that’s wrong. Johnson may have been thinking of referendums on EU matters.UPDATE: Newsweek’s Josh Lowe points out that’s wrong. Johnson may have been thinking of referendums on EU matters.
Um... Salmond? (Boris at vote leave via @AndrewSparrow) pic.twitter.com/ICwmaXD2VnUm... Salmond? (Boris at vote leave via @AndrewSparrow) pic.twitter.com/ICwmaXD2Vn
We on this side of the argument do not have manicured, tame, controlled public meetings. We believe in taking the argument to the people and we believe that we can make that argument and we can win on June 23.We on this side of the argument do not have manicured, tame, controlled public meetings. We believe in taking the argument to the people and we believe that we can make that argument and we can win on June 23.
Johnson is right about this, at least as far as David Cameron’s events are concerned. Most of Cameron’s EU events have been at workplaces, where employees are inside and on their best behaviour. But partly this is for security reasons.Johnson is right about this, at least as far as David Cameron’s events are concerned. Most of Cameron’s EU events have been at workplaces, where employees are inside and on their best behaviour. But partly this is for security reasons.
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.32pm BSTat 5.32pm BST
4.38pm BST4.38pm BST
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Boris Johnson is speaking now.Boris Johnson is speaking now.
He thanks people for turning up. He says the Vote Leave events allow all people to turn up, unlike the “manicured” ones staged by Remain.He thanks people for turning up. He says the Vote Leave events allow all people to turn up, unlike the “manicured” ones staged by Remain.
He says Remain campaigners do not understand the pressure immigration is putting on services.He says Remain campaigners do not understand the pressure immigration is putting on services.
He says 60% of laws, primary and secondary, come from Brussels.He says 60% of laws, primary and secondary, come from Brussels.
We are losing control of our democracy, he says.We are losing control of our democracy, he says.
He says the big difference between Remain and Leave is that Remain “don’t believe in this country”.He says the big difference between Remain and Leave is that Remain “don’t believe in this country”.
We are the fifth biggest economy in the world, he says. We will thrive as never before if he leave the EU, he says.We are the fifth biggest economy in the world, he says. We will thrive as never before if he leave the EU, he says.
4.35pm BST4.35pm BST
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Vote Leave eventVote Leave event
Michael Gove and Priti Patel are introducing Boris Johnson at a Vote Leave event in Preston.Michael Gove and Priti Patel are introducing Boris Johnson at a Vote Leave event in Preston.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.39pm BSTat 4.39pm BST
4.30pm BST4.30pm BST
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Court grants Kent police more time for investigation into alleged Tory election overspendingCourt grants Kent police more time for investigation into alleged Tory election overspending
Bad news for the Tories. As Sky’s Tamara Cohen reports, a court has granted Kent police an extension so that their investigation into alleged Conservative party election overspending does not run out of time because of the normal one-year time limit in election law.Bad news for the Tories. As Sky’s Tamara Cohen reports, a court has granted Kent police an extension so that their investigation into alleged Conservative party election overspending does not run out of time because of the normal one-year time limit in election law.
NEW: Tory expenses row: Kent Police granted more time to investigate South Thanet contest, district judge rules. Tories had opposed it.NEW: Tory expenses row: Kent Police granted more time to investigate South Thanet contest, district judge rules. Tories had opposed it.
Kent police granted another year to look into Tory expenses in South Thanet (uncovered by Channel 4 News) My report: https://t.co/Jf3mPtNRsSKent police granted another year to look into Tory expenses in South Thanet (uncovered by Channel 4 News) My report: https://t.co/Jf3mPtNRsS
Judge in Kent on Tory election expenses said claims "far reaching" and consequences of conviction include 'results being declared void'Judge in Kent on Tory election expenses said claims "far reaching" and consequences of conviction include 'results being declared void'
4.21pm BST4.21pm BST
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Boris Johnson has also been arguing that cutting immigration would bring house prices down - an argument also used by his fellow Tory Brexiteer Chris Grayling in his Guardian interview today.Boris Johnson has also been arguing that cutting immigration would bring house prices down - an argument also used by his fellow Tory Brexiteer Chris Grayling in his Guardian interview today.
Here's Boris Johnson suggesting that pressure on house prices will reduce if the UK votes for Brexit. pic.twitter.com/mS8RwTyt6BHere's Boris Johnson suggesting that pressure on house prices will reduce if the UK votes for Brexit. pic.twitter.com/mS8RwTyt6B
4.18pm BST4.18pm BST
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Boris Johnson is due to deliver a Vote Leave speech soon.Boris Johnson is due to deliver a Vote Leave speech soon.
He has been travelling on the battlebus with journalists.He has been travelling on the battlebus with journalists.
The press have been allowed on the Vote Leave bus. Boris, Gove & Priti are at the back - hidden from us by a curtain pic.twitter.com/ztxFY6Hr4bThe press have been allowed on the Vote Leave bus. Boris, Gove & Priti are at the back - hidden from us by a curtain pic.twitter.com/ztxFY6Hr4b
4.07pm BST4.07pm BST
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Dutch PM says EU would retaliate and restrict access to British workers if UK adopts Vote Leave migration planDutch PM says EU would retaliate and restrict access to British workers if UK adopts Vote Leave migration plan
Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, has told the BBC that if Britain were to implement the Vote Leave immigration plans, the EU would retaliate, restricting Britons’ access to the EU labour market. He said:Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, has told the BBC that if Britain were to implement the Vote Leave immigration plans, the EU would retaliate, restricting Britons’ access to the EU labour market. He said:
I was very much surprised by the Johnson/Gove proposals to make it harder for Europeans to work in the UK if Britain were to vote to leave the EU. I think it would be very bad news for the UK, for the Netherlands, for Europe as a whole, for two reasons.I was very much surprised by the Johnson/Gove proposals to make it harder for Europeans to work in the UK if Britain were to vote to leave the EU. I think it would be very bad news for the UK, for the Netherlands, for Europe as a whole, for two reasons.
First of all, take the Netherlands and the UK, we are both sea-faring nations. Our ability to create jobs, our future growth, is built on the free market. It’s built on open borders. And, secondly, it would be unavoidable, inevitable, for us and for many others in Europe to follow the same proposals, to implement a points-system also in the rest of the European Union. So you would get a race to the bottom. And that is exactly what you don’t want.First of all, take the Netherlands and the UK, we are both sea-faring nations. Our ability to create jobs, our future growth, is built on the free market. It’s built on open borders. And, secondly, it would be unavoidable, inevitable, for us and for many others in Europe to follow the same proposals, to implement a points-system also in the rest of the European Union. So you would get a race to the bottom. And that is exactly what you don’t want.
3.57pm BST3.57pm BST
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Boris Johnson was also interviewed by Joey Essex on the Vote Leave battlebus today.Boris Johnson was also interviewed by Joey Essex on the Vote Leave battlebus today.
As the Daily Mail reports, before the pair met Essex, a reality TV star, said he thought Johnson was “a bit nutty”.As the Daily Mail reports, before the pair met Essex, a reality TV star, said he thought Johnson was “a bit nutty”.
As theAs the
3.52pm BST3.52pm BST
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Here are some more tweets from the Boris Johnson visit.Here are some more tweets from the Boris Johnson visit.
From the Guardian’s Rowena MasonFrom the Guardian’s Rowena Mason
Boris Johnson told it looks like he is setting out his alternative vision for government. He says not -just options for any govt post BrexitBoris Johnson told it looks like he is setting out his alternative vision for government. He says not -just options for any govt post Brexit
From the Daily Mail’s John StevensFrom the Daily Mail’s John Stevens
Boris bus has been repainted "to help push 50million.uk website" #EUref pic.twitter.com/8J4mKkwfyLBoris bus has been repainted "to help push 50million.uk website" #EUref pic.twitter.com/8J4mKkwfyL
Vote Leave confirms Boris Johnson met Joey Essex on battle bus in Lancashire but no details of how they got onVote Leave confirms Boris Johnson met Joey Essex on battle bus in Lancashire but no details of how they got on
From the BBC’s Laura KuenssbergFrom the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg
Boris Johnson and Priti Patel on the road in NW today say it's 'absolute nonsense' that ending freedom of movt would harm the economyBoris Johnson and Priti Patel on the road in NW today say it's 'absolute nonsense' that ending freedom of movt would harm the economy
Clear Vote Leave are not promising or guaranteeing that immigration would fall if we leave the EU, but that it's 'likely'Clear Vote Leave are not promising or guaranteeing that immigration would fall if we leave the EU, but that it's 'likely'
Patel + Johnson seemed to struggle to contain smirks when I asked what they were up to, spelling out vision for alternative Tory govtPatel + Johnson seemed to struggle to contain smirks when I asked what they were up to, spelling out vision for alternative Tory govt
Johnson - 'Priti, why don't you answer that?'Johnson - 'Priti, why don't you answer that?'
3.42pm BST3.42pm BST
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The Centre for European Reform, a pro-European thinktank, has put out a statement criticising two aspects of Vote Leave’s immigration reform proposals.The Centre for European Reform, a pro-European thinktank, has put out a statement criticising two aspects of Vote Leave’s immigration reform proposals.
If the UK were to adopt this system, it would be impossible to negotiate access to the single market after a Brexit. But Vote Leave campaigners fail to spell this out to voters. They also fail to mention that if the UK goes down this path, the EU is likely to reciprocate in kind, meaning that those Britons who want to work and study in the EU would face new visa or permit requirements.If the UK were to adopt this system, it would be impossible to negotiate access to the single market after a Brexit. But Vote Leave campaigners fail to spell this out to voters. They also fail to mention that if the UK goes down this path, the EU is likely to reciprocate in kind, meaning that those Britons who want to work and study in the EU would face new visa or permit requirements.
Vote Leave have implied that the Bank of England estimates the impact of EU immigration on the wages of low-skilled workers as 2% - according to the Bank of England’s research, the effect is actually 0.77% (see 5th bar of the chart below). Tax rises and benefit cuts since 2010 have reduced the incomes of the poorest by far more than immigration.Vote Leave have implied that the Bank of England estimates the impact of EU immigration on the wages of low-skilled workers as 2% - according to the Bank of England’s research, the effect is actually 0.77% (see 5th bar of the chart below). Tax rises and benefit cuts since 2010 have reduced the incomes of the poorest by far more than immigration.
To illustrate the point the CER released this chart. It compares varies assessments of the impact of immigration on wages with the impact of the minimum wage and benefit cuts on wages.To illustrate the point the CER released this chart. It compares varies assessments of the impact of immigration on wages with the impact of the minimum wage and benefit cuts on wages.
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You can tell we’re in a proper election campaign because we’re getting rebuttal to the rebuttal.You can tell we’re in a proper election campaign because we’re getting rebuttal to the rebuttal.
Here is Vote Leave’s Gisela Stuart, the Labour MP, responding to George Osborne responding to Vote Leave’s immigration proposal.Here is Vote Leave’s Gisela Stuart, the Labour MP, responding to George Osborne responding to Vote Leave’s immigration proposal.
The real fantasy politics is George Osborne’s commitment to reduce net migration to the tens of thousands while at the same time campaigning to remain in the EU.The real fantasy politics is George Osborne’s commitment to reduce net migration to the tens of thousands while at the same time campaigning to remain in the EU.
The reality for the British people if we stay in is that Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey - with a combined population of 88 million - will all soon join the EU. When they do, EU migration to the UK could increase by 5m.The reality for the British people if we stay in is that Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey - with a combined population of 88 million - will all soon join the EU. When they do, EU migration to the UK could increase by 5m.
2.51pm BST2.51pm BST
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Boris Johnson, the Conservative MP and former mayor of London, and Priti Patel, the employment minister, are on a Vote Leave tour this afternoon, visiting a clothing factory in Accrington.Boris Johnson, the Conservative MP and former mayor of London, and Priti Patel, the employment minister, are on a Vote Leave tour this afternoon, visiting a clothing factory in Accrington.
Boris Johnson at a uniform factory in Accrington; 'Are you stitching things up?' #EUref pic.twitter.com/QeRrJChiaNBoris Johnson at a uniform factory in Accrington; 'Are you stitching things up?' #EUref pic.twitter.com/QeRrJChiaN
Boris asks staff at clothing factory: "Who is remotely apprehensive about leaving?" Reassures them with: "Oh believe me, it will be fine."Boris asks staff at clothing factory: "Who is remotely apprehensive about leaving?" Reassures them with: "Oh believe me, it will be fine."
Boris Johnson repeats the claim that EU money is spent 'on Portuguese bullfighting for goodness sake!' (It isn't anymore) #EUrefBoris Johnson repeats the claim that EU money is spent 'on Portuguese bullfighting for goodness sake!' (It isn't anymore) #EUref