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EU referendum live: Cameron makes 'Brits don't quit' plea in Downing Street EU referendum live: Cameron makes 'Brits don't quit' plea in Downing Street
(35 minutes later)
6.18pm BST
18:18
As expected (see 2pm), the Conservative MP Bernard Jenkin has complained about David Cameron using Downing Street to make a pro-Remain statement. Jenkin told the Press Association:
It’s certainly a breach of the spirit of purdah. Ministers aren’t meant to use public funds or public resources during the purdah period. It can be argued it doesn’t apply to his own residence but I would have thought use of Downing Street facilities is a breach of the spirit of purdah. He would not do that during a general election.
5.59pm BST
17:59
This is from the BBC’s Iain Watson.
Battle of the buses -the opposing camps arrive at Wembley for the BBC Great Debate I'll be reporting for @BBCRadio4 pic.twitter.com/QOD4u4Tmj8
5.58pm BST
17:58
Libby Brooks
Gordon Brown has been speaking in Glasgow, offering “a message from the heart” to undecided voters. Remainers will doubtless be hoping this has a similar effect to his barn-storming performance in September 2014, the day before the Scottish independence referendum, which has since been credited with significantly shifting voting intentions.
Offering a bespoke Labour message, he told the audience that, while the Conservatives have been speaking to the economically secure, he wanted to reach out to the insecure and anxious:
Sometimes it has been Europe that has defended working people against the Conservatives.
In a speech heavily focused on economics, he drove home how much jobs, industries, investment, workers’ rights depended on the EU - “in the next ten years the biggest job creator is going to be the EU”.
Tellingly, and unlike his earlier campaign contributions, he addressed immigration head on: we know here in Scotland the contribution made by waves of immigrants, he said, adding: “There is no solution to numbers simply by leaving the EU”.
5.50pm BST
17:50
Brendan Cox, the husband of Jo Cox, has given an interview to the BBC about his wife’s killing. Here are some of the main points.
She was a politician and she had very strong political views and I believe she was killed because of those views. I think she died because of them, and she would want to stand up for those in death as much as she did in life.
I think she was very worried that the language was coarsening, that people were being driven to take more extreme positions, that people didn’t work with each other as individuals and on issues, it was all much too tribal and unthinking.
And she was particularly worried - we talked about this regularly - particularly worried about the direction of, not just in the UK but globally, the direction of politics at the moment, particularly around creating division and playing on people’s worst fears rather than their best instincts. So we talked about that a lot and it was something that worried her.
What the public support and outpouring of love around this does, is it also helps the children see that what they’re feeling and other people are feeling, that the grief that they feel, isn’t abnormal, that they feel it more acutely and more painfully and more personally, but that actually their mother was someone who was loved by lots of people and that therefore, it’s OK to be upset and it’s OK for them to cry and to be sad about it ...
I’ve spent a lot of time in the last couple of days talking to child psychologists, and one of the things they say is that that understanding of it being okay to be sad, and to be distressed, and to talk about it, is really important. So just on that very basic level it makes a really important contribution to their healing I think. And then also it gives us some hope that something positive can come out of something which is so horrendous; that there can be a reaction to this horrific action.
No, my only overriding priority at the moment is how I make sure that I protect my family and my kids through this and how they’re okay. I hope that whoever replaces her will become another female member of parliament.
5.41pm BST5.41pm BST
17:4117:41
Q: Was the language used by people like Farage partly responsible for what happened to Jo Cox?Q: Was the language used by people like Farage partly responsible for what happened to Jo Cox?
Heseltine says he would want to be very cautious about what he says. He says economic factors have raised public concerns about immigration. In America and elsewhere some of the language used in his debate has been deplorable. And the posters. It is not that those using this language intend to inflame. But there are people out there willing to be inflammed.Heseltine says he would want to be very cautious about what he says. He says economic factors have raised public concerns about immigration. In America and elsewhere some of the language used in his debate has been deplorable. And the posters. It is not that those using this language intend to inflame. But there are people out there willing to be inflammed.
Farage says some people on the Remain side are determined to paint him and his party as the bad guys. Cox was killed in an act of terrorism. He says the language used in this referendum has not been as vitriolic as the language used in the Scottish referendum.Farage says some people on the Remain side are determined to paint him and his party as the bad guys. Cox was killed in an act of terrorism. He says the language used in this referendum has not been as vitriolic as the language used in the Scottish referendum.
5.31pm BST5.31pm BST
17:3117:31
Heseltine says UK will join euro one day - but not in Farage's lifetimeHeseltine says UK will join euro one day - but not in Farage's lifetime
On LBC Nigel Farage asked Lord Heseltine if he still supported Britain joining the euro. Heseltine said he did:On LBC Nigel Farage asked Lord Heseltine if he still supported Britain joining the euro. Heseltine said he did:
I think there will come a time when Britain will join.I think there will come a time when Britain will join.
But Heseltine also this would be “a long time off”. When Farage said he never wanted it to happen, Heseltine told him: “It won’t happen in your lifetime.”.But Heseltine also this would be “a long time off”. When Farage said he never wanted it to happen, Heseltine told him: “It won’t happen in your lifetime.”.
Farage said Heseltine was in favour of joining in around 2002. But Heseltine corrected him; he said he was in favour in principle, but that he never thought that the timing or the exchange rate were right.Farage said Heseltine was in favour of joining in around 2002. But Heseltine corrected him; he said he was in favour in principle, but that he never thought that the timing or the exchange rate were right.
5.27pm BST5.27pm BST
17:2717:27
This morning Michael Gove, the leading Vote Leave campaigner, responded to the news that David Beckham is backing Remain by saying that the former England player John Barnes backs Leave.This morning Michael Gove, the leading Vote Leave campaigner, responded to the news that David Beckham is backing Remain by saying that the former England player John Barnes backs Leave.
Only Barnes is backing Remain. He has called Sky News to say so.Only Barnes is backing Remain. He has called Sky News to say so.
This is from Sky’s Faisal Islam.This is from Sky’s Faisal Islam.
John Barnes phones up our Sky colleagues after he gets a text saying Gove said he was for Leave: "I'm for Remain" pic.twitter.com/QKw2CB0SVGJohn Barnes phones up our Sky colleagues after he gets a text saying Gove said he was for Leave: "I'm for Remain" pic.twitter.com/QKw2CB0SVG
And these are from Sky’s Beth Rigby.And these are from Sky’s Beth Rigby.
BREAK: John Barnes said he told #voteleave he was not a supporter a couple of says ago & was "categorically clear" he supported #remain.BREAK: John Barnes said he told #voteleave he was not a supporter a couple of says ago & was "categorically clear" he supported #remain.
John Barnes tells @skynews is "flabbergasted" that "the British are the first to jump ship when the going gets tough"John Barnes tells @skynews is "flabbergasted" that "the British are the first to jump ship when the going gets tough"
On immigration issue, John Barnes says the scaremongering about EU citizens "is what we heard in the 60s/70s about black people"On immigration issue, John Barnes says the scaremongering about EU citizens "is what we heard in the 60s/70s about black people"
5.23pm BST5.23pm BST
17:2317:23
On LBC Farage and Heseltine are talking about the economic impact of Brexit. Asked about the Institute for Fiscal Studies report saying the Brexit could cost the government up to £40bn, Farage responds by saying it receives 75% of its money from the government and the EU. Heseltine says Farage is trashing one of the most respected economic bodies in the country. And it is not just the IFS making these predictions, he says. He says the IMF said much the same. Farage does not have any economic organisations backing his case, Heseltine says.On LBC Farage and Heseltine are talking about the economic impact of Brexit. Asked about the Institute for Fiscal Studies report saying the Brexit could cost the government up to £40bn, Farage responds by saying it receives 75% of its money from the government and the EU. Heseltine says Farage is trashing one of the most respected economic bodies in the country. And it is not just the IFS making these predictions, he says. He says the IMF said much the same. Farage does not have any economic organisations backing his case, Heseltine says.
5.18pm BST5.18pm BST
17:1817:18
The Queen has been asking dinner companions to name “three good reasons why Britain should be part of Europe”, the Telegraph reports. The revelation comes from Robert Lacey, a royal biographer.The Queen has been asking dinner companions to name “three good reasons why Britain should be part of Europe”, the Telegraph reports. The revelation comes from Robert Lacey, a royal biographer.
Here’s an extract from the Telegraph’s story.Here’s an extract from the Telegraph’s story.
Her Majesty’s biographer, Robert Lacey, reported the Queen’s comments and suggested they may mean the Queen favours withdrawal from the European Union.Her Majesty’s biographer, Robert Lacey, reported the Queen’s comments and suggested they may mean the Queen favours withdrawal from the European Union.
Buckingham Palace would neither confirm nor deny that the Queen had been debating the merits of Brexit in private, but royal sources pointed out that the words attributed to the Queen were “a question not a statement”.Buckingham Palace would neither confirm nor deny that the Queen had been debating the merits of Brexit in private, but royal sources pointed out that the words attributed to the Queen were “a question not a statement”.
However the leading nature of the alleged question adds weight to previous claims that the Queen would like Britain to pull out of the EU.However the leading nature of the alleged question adds weight to previous claims that the Queen would like Britain to pull out of the EU.
5.13pm BST5.13pm BST
17:1317:13
Nigel Farage debates Lord Heseltine on LBCNigel Farage debates Lord Heseltine on LBC
Nigel Farage, the Ukip leader, is now debating Lord Heseltine, the pro-European former deputy prime minister, on LBC.Nigel Farage, the Ukip leader, is now debating Lord Heseltine, the pro-European former deputy prime minister, on LBC.
Q: Why is there so much pressure on housing?Q: Why is there so much pressure on housing?
Heseltine says this is a question about immigration. And half the immigrants coming to the UK from outside the EU. The government could cut immigration from outside the EU. But it has not done that because the economy needs immigrants, for example to work in care homes.Heseltine says this is a question about immigration. And half the immigrants coming to the UK from outside the EU. The government could cut immigration from outside the EU. But it has not done that because the economy needs immigrants, for example to work in care homes.
Farage says we need to build one new home every four minutes. We cannot make plans for the future because we don’t know how many people will come into the country.Farage says we need to build one new home every four minutes. We cannot make plans for the future because we don’t know how many people will come into the country.
He says he thinks immigration from the EU will get even higher.He says he thinks immigration from the EU will get even higher.
Heseltine says Farage is wrong. Heseltine says he works with the Department for Communities, and they do plan for the future.Heseltine says Farage is wrong. Heseltine says he works with the Department for Communities, and they do plan for the future.
Farage asks if the government is planning for net migration being below 100,000.Farage asks if the government is planning for net migration being below 100,000.
Heseltine says we have more people in employment than ever. Most people have homes and school places for their children. It is “ludicrous” to suggest that are large numbers of people without housing.Heseltine says we have more people in employment than ever. Most people have homes and school places for their children. It is “ludicrous” to suggest that are large numbers of people without housing.
Farage says it is okay for Heseltine’s class of people. But for ordinary people in London getting on the housing ladder is impossible.Farage says it is okay for Heseltine’s class of people. But for ordinary people in London getting on the housing ladder is impossible.
Heseltine says Farage is trying to turn this into a class battle. He says he is working on an estate regeneration programme for the government.Heseltine says Farage is trying to turn this into a class battle. He says he is working on an estate regeneration programme for the government.
4.56pm BST4.56pm BST
16:5616:56
Survation poll gives Remain a 1-point leadSurvation poll gives Remain a 1-point lead
Survation has published a new poll this afternoon, and the headline figures give Remain a one-point lead.Survation has published a new poll this afternoon, and the headline figures give Remain a one-point lead.
NEW #EURef poll from Survation / @IGcom: LEAVE 44% (+2); REMAIN 45% (NC); Undecided 11% (-2) https://t.co/5Xoyn952H6NEW #EURef poll from Survation / @IGcom: LEAVE 44% (+2); REMAIN 45% (NC); Undecided 11% (-2) https://t.co/5Xoyn952H6
When don’t knows are excluded, these figures are equivalent to:When don’t knows are excluded, these figures are equivalent to:
Remain: 51%Remain: 51%
Leave: 49%Leave: 49%
But Survation says that it also asked a question forcing the undecideds to decide, and that this produced a 50/50 dead heat.But Survation says that it also asked a question forcing the undecideds to decide, and that this produced a 50/50 dead heat.
4.40pm BST4.40pm BST
16:4016:40
This is from the Daily Mail’s Jason Groves.This is from the Daily Mail’s Jason Groves.
In private, I'm told Cameron highlighting Brexit gridlock + telling wavering Tories: 'You don't really want 3 years of Euro-wank, do you?'In private, I'm told Cameron highlighting Brexit gridlock + telling wavering Tories: 'You don't really want 3 years of Euro-wank, do you?'
David Cameron’s Number 10 statement (see 2pm) would have been a lot more interesting if he had included this argument ...David Cameron’s Number 10 statement (see 2pm) would have been a lot more interesting if he had included this argument ...
4.37pm BST
16:37
Here’s Nigel Farage with Ukip’s latest poster.
It is less inflammatory than his last one.
4.33pm BST
16:33
A Tory councillor who posted an offensive social media post ridiculing fund-raising following the death of MP Jo Cox has been suspended by his local party with a recommendation that he is expelled, the Press Association reports.
East Riding of Yorkshire councillor Dominic Peacock was responding to a news story about the appeal following Mrs Cox’s death reaching 1 million, when he posted on Facebook: “I’ve just donated the steam off my piss.”
Soon after, he posted on a local Vote Leave supporting page: “I’ve deleted my offensive comment, I shouldn’t have put it on in the first place - I won’t make excuses.”
Peacock is one of three Tories who represent the Minster and Woodmansey ward, which covers the countryside just north of the city of Hull, on the Conservative-run council.
Council leader Stephen Parnaby said in a statement: “Following inappropriate and offensive comments made on social media relating to the sad and tragic death of Jo Cox MP, I have suspended Cllr Dominic Peacock from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Conservative Group with immediate effect. I shall be reporting this to a meeting of the full group and my recommendation will be that he be expelled.
All people in public life, irrespective of politics, should be united in condemning the fatal and dreadful attack on Jo Cox.”
3.51pm BST
15:51
Almost half of those planning to vote Leave believe that the the referendum will be rigged against them, according to YouGov poll findings reported by politics.co.uk.
This won’t surprise the Economist’s Jeremy Cliffe. In a very good Bagehot column in this week’s edition he says that “at a recent Leave event your columnist witnessed Tories and Kippers urge their supporters to take pens into the polling booth on June 23rd to prevent the intelligence services from doctoring their votes”.
3.43pm BST
15:43
Welsh Labour AMs on steps of Senedd w/ @AMCarwyn and Neil Kinnock setting out why Wales is #StrongerIn pic.twitter.com/R0YCjjBWgI
3.25pm BST
15:25
Steve Hilton, David Cameron’s former director of strategy, told BBC News that he thought the statement made by David Cameron outside Number 10 was “weird”. He explained:
It was very interesting actually and rather an amazing thing to hear because what you just saw from the prime minister was an admission that they have lost the economic argument, they have lost the argument on immigration and so he has been wheeled out by rather panicky spin doctors, it seems to me, to try and change the subject.
3.19pm BST
15:19
If, like many people, you have been dismayed by how shallow much of the debate about the EU in the mainstream media has been, then you may enjoy this blog by my colleague Jack Shenker. He has compiled an alternative EU referendum reading list, with articles putting the case both for Leave and Remain using arguments that have not had much airing in the newspapers.
3.10pm BST
15:10
EasyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou has claimed it is “very possible” that flights between the UK and Europe would be more expensive following a Leave vote in the EU referendum, the Press Association reports. He said:
It is certainly not my place to tell people how to vote, but it is very possible that - in a post-Brexit Europe - a more restrictive aviation environment would mean fewer flights from the UK to Europe and hence less competition between airlines.
2.32pm BST
14:32
Lunchtime summary
Updated
at 2.34pm BST
2.21pm BST
14:21
In an article for the Financial Times, Larry Summers, a former US Treasury secretary, said:
Brexit could well be the worst self-inflicted policy wound by a G7 country since the formation of the G7 40 years ago.
It is a risk no prudent policy-maker would take. And the risk is not confined to the UK. In the current context, Brexit would unsettle the global economy and possibly tip it into recession.
2.03pm BST
14:03
According to Sky’s Faisal Islam, No 10 are saying David Cameron’s use of Number 10 for his EU referendum statement did not break “purdah” rules.
Downing Street say the PM's appeal to the nation from outside Number 10 does not break purdah rules, and has all been cleared.