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Tory leadership battle: Andrea Leadsom says 'let's banish pessimists' – live Tory leadership battle: Andrea Leadsom says 'let's banish pessimists' – live
(35 minutes later)
11.32am BST
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Hammond says he hopes UK can resolve issue of EU nationals' rights early in withdrawal talks
Philip Hammond, the foreign secretary, is giving evidence to the foreign affairs committee. My colleague Patrick Wintour has been monitoring.
Hammond says rights of migrants in both UK & EU a big moving part of the Brexit renegotiation package, but would like it settled early.
Hammond "if the bureaucrats in Brussels would say we are willing to sit down and talk to the UK", rights of EU migrants in UK solvable.
11.22am BST
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Owen Smith says talks aimed at resolving Labour's leadership crisis should be given more time
Turning to Labour, Owen Smith, the former shadow work and pension secretary, has put out a statement this morning about his leadership intentions.
Over the last week, I have been contacted by hundreds of Labour members and MPs deeply worried that the Labour party is truly in danger of splitting apart. I share those fears and call on everyone in our movement to do all we can to avert such a disastrous outcome.
I stand ready to do anything I can to save and serve the party. Yesterday, I spoke directly with Len McCluskey of Unite and met with our leader, Jeremy Corbyn, to explore what I can do to try and heal the rifts that have opened up in our movement. On behalf of the trades unions, Len has reassured me that the talks he has opened up between Jeremy and Tom Watson have been productive and has asked that they are given more time this weekend to see what further progress can be made towards a resolution.
Jeremy has also reassured me that he is engaging in talks with an open mind. I believe that all of us whose priority is to restore unity in the Labour movement and give us a chance to defeat our only true enemy, the Tories, should give these talks every chance to succeed. That is what I intend to do and I urge all my colleagues to do likewise.
Smith and Angela Eagle, the shadow business secretary, have both been canvassing support to mount a leadership challenge against Jeremy Corbyn, but so far it has yet to materialise. That is partly because there is consensus that only one person should challenge Corbyn, and Smith and Eagle cannot agree who it should be, but also because Tom Watson, the Labour deputy leader, is involved in talks with union leaders to try to find a less divisive resolution to the conflict.
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Tom PhillipsTom Phillips
The Chilcot report into Britain’s decision to go to war in Iraq exposes Downing Street’s “blind” support for the United States and the dangers of western hegemony, China’s official news agency has claimed.The Chilcot report into Britain’s decision to go to war in Iraq exposes Downing Street’s “blind” support for the United States and the dangers of western hegemony, China’s official news agency has claimed.
China opposed the 2003 invasion and in an English language editorial published on Thursday morning, Xinhua accuses the US of sparing “no effort to intervene in other countries under the cover of democracy”.China opposed the 2003 invasion and in an English language editorial published on Thursday morning, Xinhua accuses the US of sparing “no effort to intervene in other countries under the cover of democracy”.
“Some Western countries, in particular the United States, have always tried to force their values on other countries without any respect for their own development paths,” the Communist party run news agency says. “To protect their interests and maintain their dominance in the world, they can easily wage a war by fabricating an excuse in defiance of the United Nations’ (UN) authority.” “Some western countries, in particular the United States, have always tried to force their values on other countries without any respect for their own development paths,” the Communist party run news agency says. “To protect their interests and maintain their dominance in the world, they can easily wage a war by fabricating an excuse in defiance of the United Nations’ (UN) authority.”
Tony Blair’s decision to join the US-led war was a “blind action” in support of a country which “regards military force as a permissible means to topple regimes that are not submissive, even at the cost of hundreds of thousands of innocent lives and a country’s destiny,” Xinhua claims.Tony Blair’s decision to join the US-led war was a “blind action” in support of a country which “regards military force as a permissible means to topple regimes that are not submissive, even at the cost of hundreds of thousands of innocent lives and a country’s destiny,” Xinhua claims.
“Looking around, the current chronic instability, cycle of violence, and the emergence of extremist groups such as the Islamic State group should be blamed on the hegemonism and interventionism perpetrated by the United States and its Western allies,” the news agency concludes. “Looking around, the current chronic instability, cycle of violence, and the emergence of extremist groups such as the Islamic State group should be blamed on the hegemonism and interventionism perpetrated by the United States and its western allies,” the news agency concludes.
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This screengrab from the front page of the Guardian’s website is quite telling.This screengrab from the front page of the Guardian’s website is quite telling.
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Andrea Leadsom has been speaking to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg. She denied changing her CV or engaging in tax avoidance.Andrea Leadsom has been speaking to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg. She denied changing her CV or engaging in tax avoidance.
Leadsom tells me she stands by her CV, she does not regret anything about how she has presented her experience before ParliamentLeadsom tells me she stands by her CV, she does not regret anything about how she has presented her experience before Parliament
Leadsom flatly denies she has changed her CVLeadsom flatly denies she has changed her CV
She also denies any tax avoidance, says she 'shopped around' for a good deal and it was from a British bank that booked the biz in JerseyShe also denies any tax avoidance, says she 'shopped around' for a good deal and it was from a British bank that booked the biz in Jersey
She promises to publish tax return tomorrow if she gets on ballot + it's boring... promises quick airport decision + Trident renewalShe promises to publish tax return tomorrow if she gets on ballot + it's boring... promises quick airport decision + Trident renewal
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Here is some footage of the “march” in support of Andrea Leadsom.Here is some footage of the “march” in support of Andrea Leadsom.
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Andrea Leadsom's speech - SummaryAndrea Leadsom's speech - Summary
Rowena MasonRowena Mason
Andrea Leadsom has set out her pitch to be a positive and optimistic Conservative prime minister, promising to the goal would be “prosperity, not austerity”.Andrea Leadsom has set out her pitch to be a positive and optimistic Conservative prime minister, promising to the goal would be “prosperity, not austerity”.
In a speech in Westminster, Leadsom, the leading pro-Brexit candidate, appeared to ditch the economic strategy of her former boss George Osborne and sought to reassure the financial markets that Britain could cope with leaving the EU.In a speech in Westminster, Leadsom, the leading pro-Brexit candidate, appeared to ditch the economic strategy of her former boss George Osborne and sought to reassure the financial markets that Britain could cope with leaving the EU.
She said the lower pound would be good for exports and claimed the stock market had already recovered.She said the lower pound would be good for exports and claimed the stock market had already recovered.
To cheers from supporters, Leadsom said she wanted to “banish the pessimists” in a speech that blended patriotism with aspirational values.To cheers from supporters, Leadsom said she wanted to “banish the pessimists” in a speech that blended patriotism with aspirational values.
“Together we will write another great chapter of prosperity and tolerance and hope,” she said.“Together we will write another great chapter of prosperity and tolerance and hope,” she said.
Leadsom did not take questions after the short speech as she rushed out to a waiting car. But a group of her supporters marched from Millbank to parliament, some chanting: “What do we want? Leadsom. When do we want it? Now.”Leadsom did not take questions after the short speech as she rushed out to a waiting car. But a group of her supporters marched from Millbank to parliament, some chanting: “What do we want? Leadsom. When do we want it? Now.”
10.35am BST10.35am BST
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Andrea Leadsom's speech - AnalysisAndrea Leadsom's speech - Analysis
Andrew SparrowAndrew Sparrow
Buy shares in Michael Gove. On Tuesday night, after the results of the first round of the Conservative leadership election came out, it looked as if Andrea Leadsom was the overwhelming favourite to come second today - meaning that Gove would drop out, and Leadsom and Theresa May would be on the shortlist of two in the ballot of party members. It was very hard to see where Gove would find the votes to catch her up. But after that speech I’m not so sure - because that speech was so dire that it would be surprising if some of her MP supporters who watched did not start to have second thoughts.Buy shares in Michael Gove. On Tuesday night, after the results of the first round of the Conservative leadership election came out, it looked as if Andrea Leadsom was the overwhelming favourite to come second today - meaning that Gove would drop out, and Leadsom and Theresa May would be on the shortlist of two in the ballot of party members. It was very hard to see where Gove would find the votes to catch her up. But after that speech I’m not so sure - because that speech was so dire that it would be surprising if some of her MP supporters who watched did not start to have second thoughts.
Yesterday afternoon her team sent out an operational note to journalists saying she would be making “a major speech on the economy”. In the event, we got nothing of the sort. The problem was not that it was short, because it is not difficult to say something interesting and meaningful in a few hundred words. What was so awful was that it was trite - little more than a catalogue of slogans about optimism and Britain having a bright future. People who put themselves forward as a future prime minister normally have clear ideas of what they want to do. Leadsom had an opportunity to reveal her own ideas today, but the cupboard seemed empty.Yesterday afternoon her team sent out an operational note to journalists saying she would be making “a major speech on the economy”. In the event, we got nothing of the sort. The problem was not that it was short, because it is not difficult to say something interesting and meaningful in a few hundred words. What was so awful was that it was trite - little more than a catalogue of slogans about optimism and Britain having a bright future. People who put themselves forward as a future prime minister normally have clear ideas of what they want to do. Leadsom had an opportunity to reveal her own ideas today, but the cupboard seemed empty.
It is not just me saying this. This is from ITV’s Chris Ship.It is not just me saying this. This is from ITV’s Chris Ship.
That was *not* as billed a 'major speech on the economy' by @andrealeadsom. More a series of optimistic hopes and soundbitesThat was *not* as billed a 'major speech on the economy' by @andrealeadsom. More a series of optimistic hopes and soundbites
And this is from BBC’s Norman Smith.And this is from BBC’s Norman Smith.
So Leadsom pitch...higher pay, no austerity, better training, banish pessimism . The Land of Milk and Honey ???So Leadsom pitch...higher pay, no austerity, better training, banish pessimism . The Land of Milk and Honey ???
Leadsom’s supporters are now holding a rally. I will post on that in a moment.Leadsom’s supporters are now holding a rally. I will post on that in a moment.
Does this mean Gove will really beat Leadsom in the ballot tonight? Who knows? We get the results shortly after 4pm. Leadsom got 66 votes on Tuesday, and Gove got 48. There are 34 Stephen Crabb votes up for grabs, but it is thought that almost all of those will go to Theresa May. There are also 16 Liam Fox votes available, but even if all of those went to fellow hawkish leaver Gove (and they won’t, because Fox is voting for May), on their own they would not allow Gove to overtake Leadsom. But the doubts about Leadsom’s CV, which first emerged after Tuesday night, will have damaged her, and today’s speech raises serious doubts about her credibility as a future PM.Does this mean Gove will really beat Leadsom in the ballot tonight? Who knows? We get the results shortly after 4pm. Leadsom got 66 votes on Tuesday, and Gove got 48. There are 34 Stephen Crabb votes up for grabs, but it is thought that almost all of those will go to Theresa May. There are also 16 Liam Fox votes available, but even if all of those went to fellow hawkish leaver Gove (and they won’t, because Fox is voting for May), on their own they would not allow Gove to overtake Leadsom. But the doubts about Leadsom’s CV, which first emerged after Tuesday night, will have damaged her, and today’s speech raises serious doubts about her credibility as a future PM.
In one sense, though, she might benefit. There has been speculation about Theresa May supporters voting tactically for Michael Gove, in the belief that May would find it easier in a membership ballot to beat Gove (assassin of the Tory grassroots idol Boris Johnson) than Leadsom (Thatcher-wannabe Brexiteer). But Gove, for all his faults, is a proper political heavyweight. Maybe some of May’s supporters will look at Leadsom’s speech today and conclude that in a two-month leadership contest she would crumble.In one sense, though, she might benefit. There has been speculation about Theresa May supporters voting tactically for Michael Gove, in the belief that May would find it easier in a membership ballot to beat Gove (assassin of the Tory grassroots idol Boris Johnson) than Leadsom (Thatcher-wannabe Brexiteer). But Gove, for all his faults, is a proper political heavyweight. Maybe some of May’s supporters will look at Leadsom’s speech today and conclude that in a two-month leadership contest she would crumble.
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9.54am BST9.54am BST
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The Leadsom speech is now over. She is not taking questions.The Leadsom speech is now over. She is not taking questions.
I will post a summary shortly.I will post a summary shortly.
9.53am BST9.53am BST
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Leadsom says the UK has a great deal to offer. It gave the world the rule of law, parliamentary democracy, the right to own property and the free market.Leadsom says the UK has a great deal to offer. It gave the world the rule of law, parliamentary democracy, the right to own property and the free market.
We are a remarkable people, and we have so much more to give, she says.We are a remarkable people, and we have so much more to give, she says.
We will write another great chapter, she says - one of tolerance, prosperity and hope.We will write another great chapter, she says - one of tolerance, prosperity and hope.
9.51am BST9.51am BST
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Leadsom says she will work tirelessly to ensure investors the UK is open for business.Leadsom says she will work tirelessly to ensure investors the UK is open for business.
She says she expects to see continued growth. And she expects to see people getting pay rises.She says she expects to see continued growth. And she expects to see people getting pay rises.
Hers will be a realistic but an optimistic voice.Hers will be a realistic but an optimistic voice.
I believe we have a great future ahead of us, she says (again).I believe we have a great future ahead of us, she says (again).
9.49am BST9.49am BST
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Leadsom says she wants fair rules on immigration.Leadsom says she wants fair rules on immigration.
She says she wants to ensure farmers get the same level of subsidies, although they would be targeted in a different way.She says she wants to ensure farmers get the same level of subsidies, although they would be targeted in a different way.
And she wants to ensure people can still travel freely in the EU.And she wants to ensure people can still travel freely in the EU.
9.46am BST9.46am BST
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Leadsom says she wants to spread prosperity.Leadsom says she wants to spread prosperity.
We need to heed those citizens who think the country’s leaders are not worrying about them enough, she says.We need to heed those citizens who think the country’s leaders are not worrying about them enough, she says.
She says people feel that big business bosses get salaries that bear no relation to their performance. She agrees, she says.She says people feel that big business bosses get salaries that bear no relation to their performance. She agrees, she says.
She says she wants to see better training and higher pay.She says she wants to see better training and higher pay.
Let’s banish the pessimists, she says.Let’s banish the pessimists, she says.
She quotes Mark Carney, the governor of the Bank of England, saying the UK can handle change. The question is how we adjust, she says.She quotes Mark Carney, the governor of the Bank of England, saying the UK can handle change. The question is how we adjust, she says.
She says she wants to speak to the markets. No one need fear our decision to leave the EU, she says. We will leave it carefully.She says she wants to speak to the markets. No one need fear our decision to leave the EU, she says. We will leave it carefully.
Trade will be the top priority. She wants to continue tariff-free trade with the EU.Trade will be the top priority. She wants to continue tariff-free trade with the EU.
And she wants free trade agreements with fast-growing economies around the world.And she wants free trade agreements with fast-growing economies around the world.
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Andrea Leadsom's economy speechAndrea Leadsom's economy speech
Turning to the Tory leadership contest, Andrea Leadsom is just starting what is being billed as “a major speech on the economy”.Turning to the Tory leadership contest, Andrea Leadsom is just starting what is being billed as “a major speech on the economy”.
She starts by saying Tory MPs are about to take an incredibly important decision. The next prime minister will face enormous challenges, she says.She starts by saying Tory MPs are about to take an incredibly important decision. The next prime minister will face enormous challenges, she says.
She says she is an optimist. She thinks we can be the greatest nation on earth.She says she is an optimist. She thinks we can be the greatest nation on earth.
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Sarah O’Connor, whose brother Sgt Bob O’Connor was killed in Iraq in 2005 and who yesterday described Tony Blair as “the world’s worst terrorist”, challenged Blair this morning to meet the relatives of service personnel killed in the conflict. Speaking on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, she said:Sarah O’Connor, whose brother Sgt Bob O’Connor was killed in Iraq in 2005 and who yesterday described Tony Blair as “the world’s worst terrorist”, challenged Blair this morning to meet the relatives of service personnel killed in the conflict. Speaking on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, she said:
There is one final thing I would like to say to Mr Blair. He said yesterday that while he takes responsibility he can look the families in the eye. Well, looking down the lens of a camera is not looking us in the eye.There is one final thing I would like to say to Mr Blair. He said yesterday that while he takes responsibility he can look the families in the eye. Well, looking down the lens of a camera is not looking us in the eye.
So, Mr Blair, challenge accepted. I’ve thrown down the gauntlet. Come and look me in the eye ... Come meet us. Do it in a TV studio. Do it where you choose. But do it.So, Mr Blair, challenge accepted. I’ve thrown down the gauntlet. Come and look me in the eye ... Come meet us. Do it in a TV studio. Do it where you choose. But do it.
9.22am BST9.22am BST
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Here is a Guardian video recalling some of the things Tony Blair has said about Iraq over the last 15 years.Here is a Guardian video recalling some of the things Tony Blair has said about Iraq over the last 15 years.
9.18am BST9.18am BST
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Tony Blair's Today interview - SummaryTony Blair's Today interview - Summary
In his Today interview Tony Blair repeated many of the points he made in his two-hour press conference yesterday afternoon. But here are the new, or newish, points that emerged.In his Today interview Tony Blair repeated many of the points he made in his two-hour press conference yesterday afternoon. But here are the new, or newish, points that emerged.
When you look at what we were presented with … It wasn’t that I wanted to believe it, I did believe it.When you look at what we were presented with … It wasn’t that I wanted to believe it, I did believe it.
I can regret the mistakes and I can regret many things about it but I genuinely believe, not just that we acted out of good motives, and I did what I did out of good faith, but I sincerely believe that we would be in a worse position if we hadn’t acted that way. I may be completely wrong about that.I can regret the mistakes and I can regret many things about it but I genuinely believe, not just that we acted out of good motives, and I did what I did out of good faith, but I sincerely believe that we would be in a worse position if we hadn’t acted that way. I may be completely wrong about that.
I understand that people still disagree but at least do me the respect - as I respect your position - of reading my argument. If all of these debates are conducted around character and good faith, if you are not careful you end up a casualty of a debate that is all about that type of invective, you are then unable to have a proper debate about the difficulty of dealing with this issue.I understand that people still disagree but at least do me the respect - as I respect your position - of reading my argument. If all of these debates are conducted around character and good faith, if you are not careful you end up a casualty of a debate that is all about that type of invective, you are then unable to have a proper debate about the difficulty of dealing with this issue.
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