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Version 6 Version 7
EU referendum live: remain and leave make final push in last day of campaign EU referendum live: remain and leave make final push in last day of campaign
(35 minutes later)
11.12am BST
11:12
Major accuses Johnson and Gove of being 'gravediggers of prosperity'
Here is the key passage from Sir John Major’s speech in Bristol. He accused Boris Johnson and Michael Gove of being “gravediggers of prosperity”.
Now, if our nation does vote to leave tomorrow, we must respect their decision. But if they vote to leave on the basis of half-truths and untruths and misunderstandings, then pretty soon the gravediggers of our prosperity will have some very serious questions to answer. They will have to account for what they have said and done. But that will be of no consolation. For we will be out, out for good, diminished as an influence upon the world, a truly Great Britain shrunk down to a little England, perhaps without Scotland, perhaps with a grumpy Wales, and certainly with a Northern Ireland divided from the south by the border controls that would then be the edge of the European Union. That is not how our island story should go.
There is not a text of what Major said yet, because he was speaking off the cuff, but it was a substantial and effective speech. I will post a proper summary later.
11.00am BST
11:00
John Barnes accuses Leave of preying on people's fears about immigration
Yesterday Michael Gove, the leading Vote Leave campaigner, claimed that John Barnes, the former England footballer, was backing Brexit. Gove was wrong. Barnes is for Remain.
And he has written a powerful article for the Guardian explaining why. For Barnes, immigration is the key factor.
Leave is preying on people’s fears, telling the same story we’ve heard over the years about black people from Africa and the Caribbean coming to steal our jobs. Now we hear the same thing about Poles. If leave wanted to say that companies are paying migrants less than British workers, and so allowing them to take our jobs, then it should be looking at raising the minimum wage – not stopping migrants entering the country. The problem has nothing to do with the Polish workers – it is an issue about our labour laws. Yet leave maintains its focus on immigration ...
Britain has always told the world that being British is about the humanity, compassion and moral fortitude that we have. All great things that we are supposed to have spread across the world. A leave vote now says that we don’t really care about anyone else, we don’t care what happens to the European Union. Why should the Germans be able to show more compassion than we do? ...
And when politicians talk about welcoming different, more skilled immigrants – who are they talking about anyway? If there were thousands of blond-haired, blue-eyed Americans landing at Dover, seeking refuge, I think many of us would be straight down there to help. So many groups of people, whether they be from Africa or the Middle East, have been demonised and dehumanised because they don’t look like us. I’m not accusing anyone of being racist. I’m black, I was born in Jamaica, but this affects me too. I know I would feel more empathy with that boat of white American refugees than I do with the thousands fleeing Syria. It’s because of what we have all been told and the environment that we live in. I don’t look like a white American any more than I do a Syrian – but I was brought up in a society that has taught me to empathise more with them.
And here is the full article.
Related: John Barnes: Gove says I’ll be voting leave. He’s wrong – and here’s why
10.49am BST
10:49
Cameron condemns Gove for comparing anti-Brexit economists to Nazi propagandists
Rowena Mason
The media blitz continues. The PM has been on LBC, where he was quizzed about the Queen’s views on Brexit.
Following a report that she challenged dinner guests for three reasons why the UK should stay in, David Cameron said: “The conversations we have are entirely private and will remain that way.”
The PM also had some harsh words for Michael Gove, the justice secretary and his close political friend, who had compared experts warning against Brexit to experts who were n the pay of Nazis.
Let me tell you what I think is the most extraordinary thing in the news today, and that is the Leave campaign, comparing these independent experts, businesses, economists, Nobel Prize winners to sort of Nazi propagandists. [See 8.43am.] I think is the most extraordinary thing when you know people who are …
I think I’m afraid the Leave campaign here are making a massive mistake. If in our country, you know look at these people, some of them won Nobel Prizes, many of them are working for independent institutions we set up after the war. These businesses don’t normally come off the fence on an issue like this and speak so clearly. And I think when you’ve got that weight of opinion saying there’s a real risk to the British economy, to jobs, to families’ finances then it really is worth listening.
And if we’re going to go to a world where we say, I’m not going to listen to experts, that’s an extraordinary thing to do.
When asked if it wasn’t going to be very tough to work with Gove again after Friday, Cameron said:
Well no, as I say I don’t think it will be because all Conservatives agree, it was right to have a referendum and it’s right to carry out the instructions of people. This is not about some sort of Tory psycho drama and who likes who and who and all the rest of it. This is about the future of our country.
10.40am BST
10:40
Here is John Harris’s latest Anywhere but Westminster video about the EU referendum campaign.
10.37am BST10.37am BST
10:3710:37
Adam VaughanAdam Vaughan
Britain should stay in Europe for the sake of its countryside and natural world, according to a group of current and former ministers, MPs and representatives of conservation organisations.Britain should stay in Europe for the sake of its countryside and natural world, according to a group of current and former ministers, MPs and representatives of conservation organisations.
In a letter to The Independent, the 37 signatories write that: “It’s only with a strong voice in the EU that we can protect and enhance the environment, meaning that our precious wildlife and natural resources are preserved for generations to come.”In a letter to The Independent, the 37 signatories write that: “It’s only with a strong voice in the EU that we can protect and enhance the environment, meaning that our precious wildlife and natural resources are preserved for generations to come.”
The list of names is impressive. Liz Truss and Rory Stewart, the current environment secretary and environment minister, are on there, along with Stanley Johnson, a long-time environmentalist and former Tory MEP, and father of Brexiter-in-chief, Boris Johnson. Former heads of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, the Countryside Alliance, and the Environment Agency feature too.The list of names is impressive. Liz Truss and Rory Stewart, the current environment secretary and environment minister, are on there, along with Stanley Johnson, a long-time environmentalist and former Tory MEP, and father of Brexiter-in-chief, Boris Johnson. Former heads of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, the Countryside Alliance, and the Environment Agency feature too.
While climate change has had a fair airing in the TV debates and the campaign – repeatedly deployed by the remain camp as an example of a problem that can’t be solved without working in the EU – the natural world has hardly featured.While climate change has had a fair airing in the TV debates and the campaign – repeatedly deployed by the remain camp as an example of a problem that can’t be solved without working in the EU – the natural world has hardly featured.
Yet the UK used to be known as the “dirty man of Europe”, and almost all our protections for wildlife and nature come from the EU, from the birds and habitats directives to ones on river water quality and bathing water. “By working in partnership with other European countries we have ensured our rivers, streams and coastline are in the healthiest state for 25 years,” the letter writers say, adding that “EU action has also led to an increase in bird numbers.”Yet the UK used to be known as the “dirty man of Europe”, and almost all our protections for wildlife and nature come from the EU, from the birds and habitats directives to ones on river water quality and bathing water. “By working in partnership with other European countries we have ensured our rivers, streams and coastline are in the healthiest state for 25 years,” the letter writers say, adding that “EU action has also led to an increase in bird numbers.”
10.33am BST10.33am BST
10:3310:33
10.29am BST10.29am BST
10:2910:29
Jasper JacksonJasper Jackson
Last night’s referendum debate broadcast from Wembley arena, which saw clashes between London mayor Sadiq Khan and his predecessor Boris Johnson, drew in 3.9m viewers.Last night’s referendum debate broadcast from Wembley arena, which saw clashes between London mayor Sadiq Khan and his predecessor Boris Johnson, drew in 3.9m viewers.
The two-hour show on BBC1 had an audience share of just over 19%, but suffered going up against Spain’s Euro 2016 clash with Croatia, which was watched by 4.6 million, accounting for 23.5% of all viewers.The two-hour show on BBC1 had an audience share of just over 19%, but suffered going up against Spain’s Euro 2016 clash with Croatia, which was watched by 4.6 million, accounting for 23.5% of all viewers.
The number of people tuning in was up on the 3m who watched Johnson’s previous debate appearance on 10 June on ITV when he went up against SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon and Labour’s Angela Eagle, but down slightly on the 4 million who watched the debate Ukip leader Nigel Farage David Cameron two days earlier.The number of people tuning in was up on the 3m who watched Johnson’s previous debate appearance on 10 June on ITV when he went up against SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon and Labour’s Angela Eagle, but down slightly on the 4 million who watched the debate Ukip leader Nigel Farage David Cameron two days earlier.
The final debate will take place tonight on Channel 4, with a revolving panel chosen from an audience of high profile remain, leave and undecided representatives, including Yvette Cooper, Louise Mensch, Delia Smith and Ulrika Jonsson.The final debate will take place tonight on Channel 4, with a revolving panel chosen from an audience of high profile remain, leave and undecided representatives, including Yvette Cooper, Louise Mensch, Delia Smith and Ulrika Jonsson.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.31am BSTat 10.31am BST
10.25am BST10.25am BST
10:2510:25
Harriet Harman, the former Labour deputy leader, is speaking now at the event with David Cameron and Sir John Major. She is there with Marvin Rees, the new Labour mayor of Bristol.Harriet Harman, the former Labour deputy leader, is speaking now at the event with David Cameron and Sir John Major. She is there with Marvin Rees, the new Labour mayor of Bristol.
10.20am BST10.20am BST
10:2010:20
Major says if we vote to leave the “grave diggers of our prosperity” will have a great deal of explaining to do.Major says if we vote to leave the “grave diggers of our prosperity” will have a great deal of explaining to do.
10.19am BST10.19am BST
10:1910:19
Sir John Major, the former Conservative prime minister, is speaking now at an event with David Cameron and Harriet Harman.Sir John Major, the former Conservative prime minister, is speaking now at an event with David Cameron and Harriet Harman.
9.50am BST9.50am BST
09:5009:50
My Guardian Australia colleague Michael Slezak has been at the Jo Cox memorial event in Sydney. He has posted these pictures on Twitter.My Guardian Australia colleague Michael Slezak has been at the Jo Cox memorial event in Sydney. He has posted these pictures on Twitter.
People in Sydney come together and make speeches to celebrate Jo Cox's birthday. #MoreInCommon pic.twitter.com/P8Wjpz0TL7People in Sydney come together and make speeches to celebrate Jo Cox's birthday. #MoreInCommon pic.twitter.com/P8Wjpz0TL7
Most people at the small gathering in Sydney are speaking abt their personal connection to Jo Cox. #MoreInCommon pic.twitter.com/8EOZdLgthKMost people at the small gathering in Sydney are speaking abt their personal connection to Jo Cox. #MoreInCommon pic.twitter.com/8EOZdLgthK
Nic Seton lived in a boat next to Jo Cox in London in 2010 and gathered here in Sydney to remember her #MoreInCommon pic.twitter.com/Kx7iDu66rfNic Seton lived in a boat next to Jo Cox in London in 2010 and gathered here in Sydney to remember her #MoreInCommon pic.twitter.com/Kx7iDu66rf
9.45am BST9.45am BST
09:4509:45
It turns out that Operation Croissant has become Operation Postcard.It turns out that Operation Croissant has become Operation Postcard.
This is an initiative staged by Parisiens who want to show Britons at King’s Cross station in London this morning how much the French want them to stay in the EU. The original plan was to hand out free croissants. But the organisers say they were advised by the police that this would be illegal (giving food or drink to people to influence their vote, or “treating” as it is known, used to be a standard election practice many years ago, but a law was passed to make it an offence) and so instead the organisers decided to hand out postcards. Here are some of them.This is an initiative staged by Parisiens who want to show Britons at King’s Cross station in London this morning how much the French want them to stay in the EU. The original plan was to hand out free croissants. But the organisers say they were advised by the police that this would be illegal (giving food or drink to people to influence their vote, or “treating” as it is known, used to be a standard election practice many years ago, but a law was passed to make it an offence) and so instead the organisers decided to hand out postcards. Here are some of them.
The croissants are being donated to a shelter for the homeless instead.The croissants are being donated to a shelter for the homeless instead.
More postcards from French people asking us to #remain #operationcroissant pic.twitter.com/BYC5DnsIwbMore postcards from French people asking us to #remain #operationcroissant pic.twitter.com/BYC5DnsIwb
9.28am BST9.28am BST
09:2809:28
Andrew SparrowAndrew Sparrow
Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Claire.Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Claire.
The Press Association has more on Boris Johnson’s visit to Maldon.The Press Association has more on Boris Johnson’s visit to Maldon.
Johnson’s next campaign stop was in Maldon, Essex, where he joined Brexit-backing Cabinet minister John Whittingdale.Johnson’s next campaign stop was in Maldon, Essex, where he joined Brexit-backing Cabinet minister John Whittingdale.
After a walk through the town marked by the usual ritual of posing for selfies, signing autographs and acknowledging shouts of support from passing motorists, the former London mayor told activists: “I do think that we are on the verge, possibly, of an extraordinary event in the history of our country and indeed in the whole of Europe.”After a walk through the town marked by the usual ritual of posing for selfies, signing autographs and acknowledging shouts of support from passing motorists, the former London mayor told activists: “I do think that we are on the verge, possibly, of an extraordinary event in the history of our country and indeed in the whole of Europe.”
He added: “It’s all going to about getting our supporters out to vote and if we do it I really think tomorrow can be independence day.”He added: “It’s all going to about getting our supporters out to vote and if we do it I really think tomorrow can be independence day.”
But the rally was interrupted by former Tory supporter Nigel Brunt, who said: “Democracy will win tomorrow and it will be Remain.”But the rally was interrupted by former Tory supporter Nigel Brunt, who said: “Democracy will win tomorrow and it will be Remain.”
Brunt, who was jeered by the Vote Leave activists, told local MP Whittingdale: “As an ex, now, Conservative supporter in this borough, I hope you resign after the vote.”Brunt, who was jeered by the Vote Leave activists, told local MP Whittingdale: “As an ex, now, Conservative supporter in this borough, I hope you resign after the vote.”
Johnson stopped to buy copies of Brexit-backing newspapers The Sun and Daily Telegraph in Maldon.Johnson stopped to buy copies of Brexit-backing newspapers The Sun and Daily Telegraph in Maldon.
The Tory MP, a Telegraph columnist, flicked through the papers as he strolled around the town.The Tory MP, a Telegraph columnist, flicked through the papers as he strolled around the town.
9.06am BST9.06am BST
09:0609:06
Remainers might have Operation Croissant, but Boris Johnson has a wild salmon:Remainers might have Operation Croissant, but Boris Johnson has a wild salmon:
Johnson had an early start at Billingsgate fish market, where he also revealed that he had once “kissed a crocodile in Australia”.Johnson had an early start at Billingsgate fish market, where he also revealed that he had once “kissed a crocodile in Australia”.
Less surprisingly, he then told BBC Breakfast that he was pushing for an Australian-style points system for immigration, and “personally would advocate” a cut in the number of people coming to the UK.Less surprisingly, he then told BBC Breakfast that he was pushing for an Australian-style points system for immigration, and “personally would advocate” a cut in the number of people coming to the UK.
He then skipped on to ITV’s Good Morning Britain, where he said of the money sent by Britain to Europe:He then skipped on to ITV’s Good Morning Britain, where he said of the money sent by Britain to Europe:
Some of it is spent in this country by Brussels bureaucrats, some of it comes back in the form of rebate but that is at the discretion of the EU, and half of it we never see again – it just vanishes.Some of it is spent in this country by Brussels bureaucrats, some of it comes back in the form of rebate but that is at the discretion of the EU, and half of it we never see again – it just vanishes.
It is spent in a way that is extremely dodgy and in many ways, and very often as you know, it is the subject of corruption.It is spent in a way that is extremely dodgy and in many ways, and very often as you know, it is the subject of corruption.
Johnson is currently in Maldon, Essex, with John Whittingdale, the pro-Brexit culture secretary.Johnson is currently in Maldon, Essex, with John Whittingdale, the pro-Brexit culture secretary.
And it’s still only 9am. It’s going to be a long last day of campaigning.And it’s still only 9am. It’s going to be a long last day of campaigning.
8.56am BST8.56am BST
08:5608:56
Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi has written his please-don’t-go column for the Guardian this morning; in Warsaw, the palace of culture and science switched on the red, white and blue lights last night:Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi has written his please-don’t-go column for the Guardian this morning; in Warsaw, the palace of culture and science switched on the red, white and blue lights last night:
At St Pancras station this morning, London commuters were met with Operation Croissant – Parisians wielding croissants and messages to voters to stay with the EU:At St Pancras station this morning, London commuters were met with Operation Croissant – Parisians wielding croissants and messages to voters to stay with the EU:
Postcards from Paris for London commuters this morning asking them to #remain #operationcroissant pic.twitter.com/Lm04qdN52DPostcards from Paris for London commuters this morning asking them to #remain #operationcroissant pic.twitter.com/Lm04qdN52D
Also in London, Tate Modern was lit up last night, too:Also in London, Tate Modern was lit up last night, too:
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.58am BSTat 8.58am BST
8.43am BST8.43am BST
08:4308:43
It feels a little too early in today’s live blog for Godwin’s law, so apologies, but we have our first Nazi reference of the day.It feels a little too early in today’s live blog for Godwin’s law, so apologies, but we have our first Nazi reference of the day.
Via Press Association:Via Press Association:
Michael Gove has compared economic experts warning about the fall-out of Brexit to the Nazis who orchestrated a smear campaign against Albert Einstein in the 1930s.Michael Gove has compared economic experts warning about the fall-out of Brexit to the Nazis who orchestrated a smear campaign against Albert Einstein in the 1930s.
The justice secretary, who co-chairs the Vote Leave campaign, said experts cannot always be trusted, after being challenged over why he is not heeding the advice of many economists who have warned that Brexit could have dire consequences and tip the economy into recession.The justice secretary, who co-chairs the Vote Leave campaign, said experts cannot always be trusted, after being challenged over why he is not heeding the advice of many economists who have warned that Brexit could have dire consequences and tip the economy into recession.
The International Monetary Fund, 10 Nobel-prize winning economists and the Bank of England have all warned that leaving the EU could damage the economy.The International Monetary Fund, 10 Nobel-prize winning economists and the Bank of England have all warned that leaving the EU could damage the economy.
Gove told LBC:Gove told LBC:
I think the key thing here is to interrogate the assumptions that are made and to ask if these arguments are good.I think the key thing here is to interrogate the assumptions that are made and to ask if these arguments are good.
We have to be careful about historical comparisons, but Albert Einstein during the 1930s was denounced by the German authorities for being wrong and his theories were denounced, and one of the reasons of course he was denounced was because he was Jewish.We have to be careful about historical comparisons, but Albert Einstein during the 1930s was denounced by the German authorities for being wrong and his theories were denounced, and one of the reasons of course he was denounced was because he was Jewish.
They got 100 German scientists in the pay of the government to say that he was wrong and Einstein said: ‘Look, if I was wrong, one would have been enough.’They got 100 German scientists in the pay of the government to say that he was wrong and Einstein said: ‘Look, if I was wrong, one would have been enough.’
The truth is that if you look at the quality of the analysis, if you look at the facts on the ground, you can come to an appropriate conclusion.The truth is that if you look at the quality of the analysis, if you look at the facts on the ground, you can come to an appropriate conclusion.
And the appropriate conclusion, I think, all of us can come to is that with growth rates so low in Europe, with so many unemployed and with the nature of the single currency so damaging, freeing ourselves from that project can only strengthen our economy.And the appropriate conclusion, I think, all of us can come to is that with growth rates so low in Europe, with so many unemployed and with the nature of the single currency so damaging, freeing ourselves from that project can only strengthen our economy.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.45am BSTat 8.45am BST
8.29am BST8.29am BST
08:2908:29
Cameron: I will accept the instructions of the British peopleCameron: I will accept the instructions of the British people
Cameron reacts strongly to a suggestion that the UK risks tying itself to a dying institution:Cameron reacts strongly to a suggestion that the UK risks tying itself to a dying institution:
We are not shackled to a corpse, you can see the European economy is recovering … The vision of Britain in Europe is that we do have a special status, you have the best of both worlds …We are not shackled to a corpse, you can see the European economy is recovering … The vision of Britain in Europe is that we do have a special status, you have the best of both worlds …
I am a deeply patriotic person … I don’t want to give that up to some sort of United Europe.I am a deeply patriotic person … I don’t want to give that up to some sort of United Europe.
We achieve more if we’re in these organisations fighting for British interests rather than standing outside, ear pressed to the glass.We achieve more if we’re in these organisations fighting for British interests rather than standing outside, ear pressed to the glass.
And will he still be prime minister on Friday, come what may?And will he still be prime minister on Friday, come what may?
I will accept the instructions of the British people and get to work to deliver them.I will accept the instructions of the British people and get to work to deliver them.
And he’s done.And he’s done.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.33am BSTat 8.33am BST
8.26am BST8.26am BST
08:2608:26
Cameron says we need to come up with “smart ways” of managing immigration, citing efforts to curb criminals from coming into Britain and cracking down on sham marriages.Cameron says we need to come up with “smart ways” of managing immigration, citing efforts to curb criminals from coming into Britain and cracking down on sham marriages.
He says reform will continue “on Friday” if the UK stays inside the EU.He says reform will continue “on Friday” if the UK stays inside the EU.
There are people in our country who haven’t had as good chances as I’d like them to have … stating in the European Union is actually going to increase people’s life chances.There are people in our country who haven’t had as good chances as I’d like them to have … stating in the European Union is actually going to increase people’s life chances.
Staying in the EU makes it easier, too, to tackle issues such as terrorism and climate change, Cameron says.Staying in the EU makes it easier, too, to tackle issues such as terrorism and climate change, Cameron says.
8.22am BST8.22am BST
08:2208:22
Cameron says the claim by his former adviser Steve Hilton that he knew four years ago that it would be impossible to cut net migration to the tens of thousands is “simply not true”.Cameron says the claim by his former adviser Steve Hilton that he knew four years ago that it would be impossible to cut net migration to the tens of thousands is “simply not true”.
He says that when Hilton left No 10 in 2012, net migration was falling “and the forecast was that we would be meeting the target we had”.He says that when Hilton left No 10 in 2012, net migration was falling “and the forecast was that we would be meeting the target we had”.
(As Cameron told the Guardian on the same question: “The figures were 244,000 in 2010 and by the autumn of 2012 it was down to 154,000, so it was falling towards that ambition.”)(As Cameron told the Guardian on the same question: “The figures were 244,000 in 2010 and by the autumn of 2012 it was down to 154,000, so it was falling towards that ambition.”)
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.26am BSTat 8.26am BST