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EU referendum live: 'very real prospect' of defeat for remain, says Burnham EU referendum live: 'very real prospect' of defeat for remain, says Burnham
(35 minutes later)
8.11am BST
08:11
Senior Labour figures will warn today that a vote to leave would embolden the Thatcherite wing of the Conservative party, report Heather Stewart and Severin Carrell:
Labour will outline specific cuts it believes a Brexit cabinet might make, including squeezing the NHS budget.
Deputy leader Tom Watson, appearing at a press conference on Friday alongside his shadow cabinet colleagues Angela Eagle and Owen Smith, will say:
Working people across the UK face a double threat if we vote to leave: a massive black hole in the public finances, and an unfair Tory government that will make ordinary families pay for it through further cuts and tax rises.”
Separately, former leader Ed Miliband and Yvette Cooper, a former Treasury minister, will publish a report called Boris’s Brexit Britain, predicting that public services would be cut and workers’ rights undermined if a British exit from the EU enabled the former mayor of London to unseat David Cameron.
Britain is at risk of being taken over by the far right of the Conservative party, and Labour communities will be the victims. It’s a Thatcherite agenda, really,” Cooper told the Guardian.
Miliband will say:
The leave campaign are trying to perpetrate what I can only describe as a fraud on the British people,” accusing Vote Leave campaigners of “trying to disguise themselves in Labour clothes”.
7.54am BST
07:54
AFP reports that Toyota is threatening legal action over Vote Leave’s use of its logo in campaign material:
In a statement, the company said the use of the Toyota logo in Vote Leave campaign literature “could mislead the reader into thinking that Toyota endorses the Vote Leave campaign”.
“We offer no such endorsement and further we are considering a formal legal complaint at this unauthorised use of our trademarks, which infringes our rights as the owners of the Toyota brand,” it said.
Toyota, which employs 3,400 people and has two factories in Britain, is one of six “major companies” cited in Vote Leave literature as saying that “they’ll stay in the UK whatever the result of the referendum”.
Johan van Zyl, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, said in February that the EU referendum was a matter for the British people, but said continued membership “is best for our operations and their long-term competitiveness”.
Some of the other companies named by Vote Leave – Nissan, Vauxhall, which is part of General Motors, General Electric, Unilever and Airbus – also cried foul.
“This is a complete misrepresentation of Unilever’s position,” said a spokesman for the company, adding that it had complained to Vote Leave and intended to complain to the Electoral Commission watchdog.
“We firmly support Britain remaining.”
A spokesman for GE UK also told AFP it had not given permission for its logo to be used, and said it had made its position clear in two public letters “supporting the UK’s continued participation in the EU”.
7.41am BST7.41am BST
07:4107:41
And here is Labour veteran Dennis Skinner in the Morning Star on why he, too, is backing Brexit:And here is Labour veteran Dennis Skinner in the Morning Star on why he, too, is backing Brexit:
My opposition from the very beginning has been on the lines that fighting capitalism state-by-state is hard enough. It’s even harder when you’re fighting it on the basis of eight states, 10 states and now 28.My opposition from the very beginning has been on the lines that fighting capitalism state-by-state is hard enough. It’s even harder when you’re fighting it on the basis of eight states, 10 states and now 28.
In the old days they could argue you might get a socialist government in Germany, but there’s not been one for donkeys’ years.In the old days they could argue you might get a socialist government in Germany, but there’s not been one for donkeys’ years.
At one time there was Italy, the Benelux countries, France and Germany, Portugal, Spain and us.At one time there was Italy, the Benelux countries, France and Germany, Portugal, Spain and us.
Now there’s just one in France and it’s hanging on by the skin of its teeth.Now there’s just one in France and it’s hanging on by the skin of its teeth.
He agreed with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s refusal to share a platform with David Cameron on the remain campaign trail and said he too would not team up with the Tories or Ukip in support of leaving the EU:He agreed with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s refusal to share a platform with David Cameron on the remain campaign trail and said he too would not team up with the Tories or Ukip in support of leaving the EU:
I won’t join these Tory and Ukip campaigns, I don’t believe in helping to bolster their prestige … I don’t play any part with them.I won’t join these Tory and Ukip campaigns, I don’t believe in helping to bolster their prestige … I don’t play any part with them.
7.29am BST7.29am BST
07:2907:29
Here’s Labour MP John Mann’s letter in today’s Sun spelling out why he will vote for Brexit.Here’s Labour MP John Mann’s letter in today’s Sun spelling out why he will vote for Brexit.
He says too few of his Westminster colleagues have picked what he thinks is the right side in the referendum campaign:He says too few of his Westminster colleagues have picked what he thinks is the right side in the referendum campaign:
On polling day they are going to get a big shock across the country.On polling day they are going to get a big shock across the country.
They are going to get a big shock about how Labour councillors vote, they will get a big shock about how Labour members vote. And it shouldn’t come as a shock how many Labour voters will vote.They are going to get a big shock about how Labour councillors vote, they will get a big shock about how Labour members vote. And it shouldn’t come as a shock how many Labour voters will vote.
Mann says immigration is the key issue pushing him to Brexit:Mann says immigration is the key issue pushing him to Brexit:
I don’t want to live in a country with 80-90 million people living in it. I don’t want everything to be one big city. And the only way you can deal with that is by controlling borders.I don’t want to live in a country with 80-90 million people living in it. I don’t want everything to be one big city. And the only way you can deal with that is by controlling borders.
And he says the remain campaign argument that the EU protects workers’ rights is a distortion:And he says the remain campaign argument that the EU protects workers’ rights is a distortion:
Many Labour colleagues say we should stay to protect workers’ rights.Many Labour colleagues say we should stay to protect workers’ rights.
But the poorest in society are the ones who have been hit by agency workers and zero hours contracts already. They are the ones who have been hit by labour flexibility with so many workers coming into the country.But the poorest in society are the ones who have been hit by agency workers and zero hours contracts already. They are the ones who have been hit by labour flexibility with so many workers coming into the country.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.32am BSTat 7.32am BST
7.16am BST7.16am BST
07:1607:16
Andy Burnham’s intervention will of course be viewed as part of Labour’s internal struggle over this campaign, and the party’s commitment to it. But it’s also an acknowledgment that the polls suggest things are much closer than many in the remain campaign would be comfortable admitting.Andy Burnham’s intervention will of course be viewed as part of Labour’s internal struggle over this campaign, and the party’s commitment to it. But it’s also an acknowledgment that the polls suggest things are much closer than many in the remain campaign would be comfortable admitting.
Here’s what he told BBC2’s Newsnight:Here’s what he told BBC2’s Newsnight:
We have definitely been far too much Hampstead and not enough Hull in recent times and we need to change that. Here we are two weeks away from the very real prospect that Britain will vote for isolation.We have definitely been far too much Hampstead and not enough Hull in recent times and we need to change that. Here we are two weeks away from the very real prospect that Britain will vote for isolation.
I think it would have a profound effect on our national life – the fragmentation that will come, the fear and the division.I think it would have a profound effect on our national life – the fragmentation that will come, the fear and the division.
Those are all the things that the terrorists couldn’t create with their bombs and yet we will have a situation where society becomes more divided.Those are all the things that the terrorists couldn’t create with their bombs and yet we will have a situation where society becomes more divided.
If this decision is taken, dominoes will start to fall. It won’t just be the EU that starts to break up, it will be Britain too.If this decision is taken, dominoes will start to fall. It won’t just be the EU that starts to break up, it will be Britain too.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.19am BSTat 7.19am BST
6.49am BST6.49am BST
06:4906:49
Morning briefingMorning briefing
Claire PhippsClaire Phipps
Good morning and welcome back to the live blog, as we chew over yesterday’s debate-that-was-actually-a-debate (albeit one not featuring the prime minister).Good morning and welcome back to the live blog, as we chew over yesterday’s debate-that-was-actually-a-debate (albeit one not featuring the prime minister).
I’ve rounded up the key moments below, along with the rest of the news you need for another day on the referendum campaign. Andrew Sparrow will be along later to take his seat.I’ve rounded up the key moments below, along with the rest of the news you need for another day on the referendum campaign. Andrew Sparrow will be along later to take his seat.
Do come and chat in the comments below or find me on Twitter @Claire_Phipps.Do come and chat in the comments below or find me on Twitter @Claire_Phipps.
The big pictureThe big picture
Last night’s ITV debate pitted Conservatives Boris Johnson and junior energy minister Andrea Leadsom, alongside Labour’s Gisela Stuart, for leave; against Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon, Tory energy secretary Amber Rudd and Labour frontbencher Angela Eagle for remain.Last night’s ITV debate pitted Conservatives Boris Johnson and junior energy minister Andrea Leadsom, alongside Labour’s Gisela Stuart, for leave; against Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon, Tory energy secretary Amber Rudd and Labour frontbencher Angela Eagle for remain.
The two-hour face-off raced through themes familiar in the campaign – immigration, the economy, sovereignty, the NHS, scaremongering – and one less well-rehearsed question on women and the EU (which became a broader discussion of workers’ rights).The two-hour face-off raced through themes familiar in the campaign – immigration, the economy, sovereignty, the NHS, scaremongering – and one less well-rehearsed question on women and the EU (which became a broader discussion of workers’ rights).
Here’s the round-up of the debate from our Westminster team, the verdicts from Guardian columnists, and John Crace’s sketch on how to win over undecided voters (spoiler: say nothing).Here’s the round-up of the debate from our Westminster team, the verdicts from Guardian columnists, and John Crace’s sketch on how to win over undecided voters (spoiler: say nothing).
It all took place as Andy Burnham warned that remain faced the “very real prospect” of defeat in the referendum. The Labour shadow home secretary told BBC’s Newsnight that the campaign had failed to reach out to traditional Labour voters and to tackle fears over immigration:It all took place as Andy Burnham warned that remain faced the “very real prospect” of defeat in the referendum. The Labour shadow home secretary told BBC’s Newsnight that the campaign had failed to reach out to traditional Labour voters and to tackle fears over immigration:
We have definitely been far too much Hampstead and not enough Hull in recent times and we need to change that. Here we are two weeks away from the very real prospect that Britain will vote for isolation.We have definitely been far too much Hampstead and not enough Hull in recent times and we need to change that. Here we are two weeks away from the very real prospect that Britain will vote for isolation.
What we learned in the debateWhat we learned in the debate
I fear that the only number that Boris is interested in is the one that says No 10.I fear that the only number that Boris is interested in is the one that says No 10.
Beware of the blond bombshell!Beware of the blond bombshell!
(That’s a moniker that has frequently been applied to Johnson himself, of course.)(That’s a moniker that has frequently been applied to Johnson himself, of course.)
Johnson: There’s a member of that panel who’s complained about the remain campaign and says that it’s ‘miserable, negative and fear-based, and fear-based campaigning of this kind starts to insult people’s intelligence’.Johnson: There’s a member of that panel who’s complained about the remain campaign and says that it’s ‘miserable, negative and fear-based, and fear-based campaigning of this kind starts to insult people’s intelligence’.
Now that was Nicola Sturgeon … And I have to say, I agree with Nicola.Now that was Nicola Sturgeon … And I have to say, I agree with Nicola.
This is not a one-way street. How would we feel if people in other countries were talking about us in the way that we’re talking about people … it’s disgraceful.This is not a one-way street. How would we feel if people in other countries were talking about us in the way that we’re talking about people … it’s disgraceful.
In the modern world, independent countries must work together. And that’s what the EU is all about: independent countries choosing to cooperate for the benefit of all.In the modern world, independent countries must work together. And that’s what the EU is all about: independent countries choosing to cooperate for the benefit of all.
What we didn’tWhat we didn’t
Sturgeon: It is a scandal that it is still emblazoned across the campaign bus because it’s an absolute whopper.Sturgeon: It is a scandal that it is still emblazoned across the campaign bus because it’s an absolute whopper.
Eagle: Get that lie off your bus.Eagle: Get that lie off your bus.
Political toing-and-froing aside, here are some facts on that figure. First, the Guardian’s own reality check. The verdict? “At best misleading, and at worst wrong.”Political toing-and-froing aside, here are some facts on that figure. First, the Guardian’s own reality check. The verdict? “At best misleading, and at worst wrong.”
Related: Does the EU really cost the UK £350m a week?Related: Does the EU really cost the UK £350m a week?
And here’s what the UK Statistics Authority said a couple of weeks ago: “Misleading and undermines trust in official statistics.”And here’s what the UK Statistics Authority said a couple of weeks ago: “Misleading and undermines trust in official statistics.”
Official definitive @UKStatsAuth statement on the UK's EU membership fee and rebate https://t.co/z9J4Dn4wdd #bbcqt pic.twitter.com/2prtPqZ97JOfficial definitive @UKStatsAuth statement on the UK's EU membership fee and rebate https://t.co/z9J4Dn4wdd #bbcqt pic.twitter.com/2prtPqZ97J
The key exchangeThe key exchange
Johnson: If we took back control of our money, we’d have £10bn more if we left the EU, we’d have £10bn more to spend every year on our priorities …Johnson: If we took back control of our money, we’d have £10bn more if we left the EU, we’d have £10bn more to spend every year on our priorities …
Eagle: Boris, that’s a lie. That is a lie and you know it.Eagle: Boris, that’s a lie. That is a lie and you know it.
Clarification of the nightClarification of the night
Courtesy of Eagle, who rowed back from her comment that “we’re not in the European Union” (and Johnson’s glee) to the more accurate “we’re not in Schengen … we’re not in the eurozone”.Courtesy of Eagle, who rowed back from her comment that “we’re not in the European Union” (and Johnson’s glee) to the more accurate “we’re not in Schengen … we’re not in the eurozone”.
Zinger of the nightZinger of the night
Probably this (OK, rather rehearsed) line from Amber Rudd on Johnson:Probably this (OK, rather rehearsed) line from Amber Rudd on Johnson:
He is the life and soul of the party but he is not the man you want driving you home at the end of evening.He is the life and soul of the party but he is not the man you want driving you home at the end of evening.
But it’s run close by Johnson’s jibe that Sturgeon is “keener to be ruled by Brussels than Westminster”.But it’s run close by Johnson’s jibe that Sturgeon is “keener to be ruled by Brussels than Westminster”.
The Remain campaign verdictThe Remain campaign verdict
Stronger In might be an “extraordinary alliance” across party lines, but Tory energy secretary Amber Rudd was the standout performer, according to Tory prime minister David Cameron:Stronger In might be an “extraordinary alliance” across party lines, but Tory energy secretary Amber Rudd was the standout performer, according to Tory prime minister David Cameron:
.@AmberRudd_MP was a star in the #ITVEURef debate. She was passionate and clear about why we are #StrongerIn the EU, "leading not leaving.".@AmberRudd_MP was a star in the #ITVEURef debate. She was passionate and clear about why we are #StrongerIn the EU, "leading not leaving."
Will Straw, director of Britain Stronger in Europe, said it was:Will Straw, director of Britain Stronger in Europe, said it was:
Rich of Boris to talk about hope when his campaign has focused on fears on Turkey, Hitler and immigration.Rich of Boris to talk about hope when his campaign has focused on fears on Turkey, Hitler and immigration.
The Leave campaign verdictThe Leave campaign verdict
Iain Duncan Smith said things had got a bit personal:Iain Duncan Smith said things had got a bit personal:
The remain side came on with the usual old scare stories about Britain not being good enough but what really added to that, was lacing its way through that, was just personal abuse. One after another, you could see their heads dip down to read the line: ‘Now time to abuse Boris Johnson’.The remain side came on with the usual old scare stories about Britain not being good enough but what really added to that, was lacing its way through that, was just personal abuse. One after another, you could see their heads dip down to read the line: ‘Now time to abuse Boris Johnson’.
Ukip’s Suzanne Evans thought Labour’s most high-profile Out spokeswoman was a hit:Ukip’s Suzanne Evans thought Labour’s most high-profile Out spokeswoman was a hit:
Positivity, passion & patriotism from @GiselaStuart. Simply wonderful. #ITVEURefPositivity, passion & patriotism from @GiselaStuart. Simply wonderful. #ITVEURef
You should also knowYou should also know
Poll positionPoll position
Bolstering news for leave campaigners from an Ipsos Mori poll yesterday commissioned by the UK in a Changing Europe, a group of non-partisan academics. It found 63% believed leaving the EU would reduce immigration and just 25% thought it would reduce their own living standards – and 13% said they reckoned they would be better off.Bolstering news for leave campaigners from an Ipsos Mori poll yesterday commissioned by the UK in a Changing Europe, a group of non-partisan academics. It found 63% believed leaving the EU would reduce immigration and just 25% thought it would reduce their own living standards – and 13% said they reckoned they would be better off.
Less scientifically robust, but another debate last night – which saw Michael Howard, Jenny Jones and Daniel Hannan argue the leave case against Michael Heseltine, Alex Salmond and Vicky Pryce – resulted in an Oxford Union vote in favour of staying in, by 74% to 26%.Less scientifically robust, but another debate last night – which saw Michael Howard, Jenny Jones and Daniel Hannan argue the leave case against Michael Heseltine, Alex Salmond and Vicky Pryce – resulted in an Oxford Union vote in favour of staying in, by 74% to 26%.
DiaryDiary
Plenty going on today, with many of last night’s panellists doing the rounds again.Plenty going on today, with many of last night’s panellists doing the rounds again.
Read theseRead these
ITV political editor Robert Peston, in his snap verdict on the debate, said it was “extraordinary” to see Tory MPs attacking each other:ITV political editor Robert Peston, in his snap verdict on the debate, said it was “extraordinary” to see Tory MPs attacking each other:
The Remain camp were aware that some of the research shows that voters don’t think that they are putting forward their case with enough enthusiasm and we saw a lot of gusto tonight and actually strikingly, also lots of personal attacks – particularly on Boris Johnson.The Remain camp were aware that some of the research shows that voters don’t think that they are putting forward their case with enough enthusiasm and we saw a lot of gusto tonight and actually strikingly, also lots of personal attacks – particularly on Boris Johnson.
Accusations that he’s mainly motivated not by a desire to get us out of the EU but more by a desire to get into Number 10 – Amber Rudd, his close colleague, making that charge.Accusations that he’s mainly motivated not by a desire to get us out of the EU but more by a desire to get into Number 10 – Amber Rudd, his close colleague, making that charge.
In the New Statesman, Helen Walmsley-Johnson wants to know how her pension would be affected in the event of Brexit:In the New Statesman, Helen Walmsley-Johnson wants to know how her pension would be affected in the event of Brexit:
We, the over-50s, are statistically not only most likely to vote in the forthcoming EU referendum but are also most likely to vote to leave. Apparently this is down to two things: a misty-eyed nostalgia for Britain before straight bananas and concern over net migration …We, the over-50s, are statistically not only most likely to vote in the forthcoming EU referendum but are also most likely to vote to leave. Apparently this is down to two things: a misty-eyed nostalgia for Britain before straight bananas and concern over net migration …
The Treasury’s analysis shows that if we leave the European Union millions of current and future pensioners will be worse off. Predictably Vote Leave, in the person of former pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith, said this is ‘utterly outrageous’ and ‘cynical’.The Treasury’s analysis shows that if we leave the European Union millions of current and future pensioners will be worse off. Predictably Vote Leave, in the person of former pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith, said this is ‘utterly outrageous’ and ‘cynical’.
I don’t know about you but given his record I find IDS less than credible on the subject of pensions or anything else really, which makes him an odd spokesperson to choose. But that aside, when you unpick the Treasury’s analysis, it’s broadly this: that leaving the EU would cause inflation to rise and that rise would erode the value of state pension increases to the tune of £137 per year, per state pensioner.I don’t know about you but given his record I find IDS less than credible on the subject of pensions or anything else really, which makes him an odd spokesperson to choose. But that aside, when you unpick the Treasury’s analysis, it’s broadly this: that leaving the EU would cause inflation to rise and that rise would erode the value of state pension increases to the tune of £137 per year, per state pensioner.
And in the Guardian, Martin Kettle wonders what happened to Michael Gove:And in the Guardian, Martin Kettle wonders what happened to Michael Gove:
Gove has come a long way from that elegant but restrained initial statement of rejection of government policy at the start of the campaign.Gove has come a long way from that elegant but restrained initial statement of rejection of government policy at the start of the campaign.
As Gove himself might put it, it is as though he, in US Republican terms a Rand Paul-style doctrinal conservative, has morphed in the space of a few weeks into a Donald Trump-style scaremonger. The campaign on which Gove is now embarked is at odds with much of what he once stood for. The campaign is narrow, nasty, dishonest and driven by polling, while apparently spurning any of the old Govian high-minded argument. It is almost unrecognisable as the work of a man whose occasional willingness to give questioners the run of his mind meant that an hour in his company was always one of the more fascinating experiences in politics.As Gove himself might put it, it is as though he, in US Republican terms a Rand Paul-style doctrinal conservative, has morphed in the space of a few weeks into a Donald Trump-style scaremonger. The campaign on which Gove is now embarked is at odds with much of what he once stood for. The campaign is narrow, nasty, dishonest and driven by polling, while apparently spurning any of the old Govian high-minded argument. It is almost unrecognisable as the work of a man whose occasional willingness to give questioners the run of his mind meant that an hour in his company was always one of the more fascinating experiences in politics.
Baffling claim of the dayBaffling claim of the day
The Sun claims a – I must stress, non-official – pro-EU group planned to create a spoof pornographic film featuring a half-naked Boris Johnson:The Sun claims a – I must stress, non-official – pro-EU group planned to create a spoof pornographic film featuring a half-naked Boris Johnson:
We Are Europe hoped it would go viral before the EU referendum on June 23 and create a ‘spike of interest’ among Britain’s youth. They wanted randy Brits to look for it on explicit adult websites …We Are Europe hoped it would go viral before the EU referendum on June 23 and create a ‘spike of interest’ among Britain’s youth. They wanted randy Brits to look for it on explicit adult websites …
One scene involved a man having sex with a woman and looking at a photo of David Cameron and Angela Merkel. He asks his partner ‘Am I In?’ and she responds ‘YES BABY!’One scene involved a man having sex with a woman and looking at a photo of David Cameron and Angela Merkel. He asks his partner ‘Am I In?’ and she responds ‘YES BABY!’
With apologies to readers eating breakfast.With apologies to readers eating breakfast.
Celebrity endorsement of the dayCelebrity endorsement of the day
Michael Moore, in the UK to promote his new film, Where to Invade Next, wondered aloud:Michael Moore, in the UK to promote his new film, Where to Invade Next, wondered aloud:
Why would you do this? … Why would you want to leave? It costs too much money? Immigrants? Really? That’s not who you are, come on.Why would you do this? … Why would you want to leave? It costs too much money? Immigrants? Really? That’s not who you are, come on.
The day in a tweetThe day in a tweet
From Jakub Krupa, UK correspondent for the Polish Press Agency, a neat summing-up:From Jakub Krupa, UK correspondent for the Polish Press Agency, a neat summing-up:
Incumbent minister facing deputy in a TV debate, anti-immigration MP of migrant background & a Scottish nationalist arguing for the UK. +Incumbent minister facing deputy in a TV debate, anti-immigration MP of migrant background & a Scottish nationalist arguing for the UK. +
If today were a Madonna tour ...If today were a Madonna tour ...
It would be Blond Ambition. But without the pointy bras.It would be Blond Ambition. But without the pointy bras.
And another thingAnd another thing
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