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General election: Ukip accused of 'full-throated Islamophobia' after it launches integration plan - Politics live General election: Ukip accused of 'full-throttled Islamophobia' after it launches integration plan - Politics live
(35 minutes later)
1.57pm BST
13:57
The Lib Dems have accused Ukip of trying to “out-do Le Pen” with its plan to force girls at risk of FGM to undergo an annual medical examination. (See 11.40am.) This is from Lynne Featherstone, the former Home Office minister who campaigned on FGM. She said.
Ukip’s approach is horrifically heavy-handed and will alienate the very communities we are trying to reach out to. We should be training our teachers and other providers such as community experts to identify those at risk and teaching children themselves that FGM is wrong and to come forward if they fear for themselves or a friend.
In coalition, we put a statutory duty on frontline workers to report concerns of FGM - we need them to have the confidence to do so, and this means better training. Research shows that school teachers are still too scared to talk about FGM, honour-based violence and forced marriage, let alone report it. This is where we should concentrate our efforts not forcing girls to undergo invasive medical examinations.
Ukip seem to try and out-do Le Pen with right-wing policies that are insensitive and frankly outrageous.
1.47pm BST
13:47
The Communist party of Britain is saying that, for the first time since 1920, it is not fielding candidates in the general election. Instead it will be backing Labour. In a statement its general secretary Robert Griffiths said:
In every general election since the formation of the CP in 1920, we have stood our own candidates, not least in 2015 when we fielded nine. Now, on this occasion, we will not contest any seats, although this does not signal any withdrawal from the electoral arena in the future.
We call for a Labour vote in every constituency across Britain, despite the reactionary views of numerous Labour party candidates. Communist party organisations will approach local Labour party bodies in their area with offers of practical campaigning assistance ...
The maximum possible Labour vote is necessary not only to secure the election of a Labour government. We also recognise that this election marks a further intensification of the left-right struggle within the labour movement and the Labour party. The higher the Labour vote and the number of Labour MPs elected, the more secure will be the position of Jeremy Corbyn and his left allies in the parliamentary Labour party.
Any reverses for Labour will be used as a pretext by the right-wing pro-EU, pro-NATO faction in the parliamentary Labour party and its trade union allies to launch yet another bid to remove Jeremy Corbyn and take the Labour party back to the neoliberal and pro-war policies of the past.
The Communist party’s decision to stand aside is unlikely to be of much use to Labour. According to the Guardian’s 2015 results charts, the party received just 275 votes across the whole of the UK in that election.
1.33pm BST1.33pm BST
13:3313:33
The SNP is challenging Scottish Labour to rule out council coalitions with the Conservatives after next month’s local elections. Susan Aitken, co-convenor of the SNP’s council campaign, said:The SNP is challenging Scottish Labour to rule out council coalitions with the Conservatives after next month’s local elections. Susan Aitken, co-convenor of the SNP’s council campaign, said:
The SNP is absolutely clear – we will not put austerity-obsessed Tories into power in councils across Scotland. The public deserve to know whether a vote for Labour is a vote to put the increasingly rightwing Tories in charge of our local services.The SNP is absolutely clear – we will not put austerity-obsessed Tories into power in councils across Scotland. The public deserve to know whether a vote for Labour is a vote to put the increasingly rightwing Tories in charge of our local services.
The Tory party is moving further and further to the right, and it would be reckless to do anything that risked putting hard line Tories in charge of our schools, social care and local housing.The Tory party is moving further and further to the right, and it would be reckless to do anything that risked putting hard line Tories in charge of our schools, social care and local housing.
Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister and SNP leader, refused to rule out SNP/Conservative coalitions in local government when she launched the SNP’s campaign last week, although, after an SNP national executive committee meeting on Saturday, the party did rule out deals with the Tories.Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister and SNP leader, refused to rule out SNP/Conservative coalitions in local government when she launched the SNP’s campaign last week, although, after an SNP national executive committee meeting on Saturday, the party did rule out deals with the Tories.
1.27pm BST1.27pm BST
13:2713:27
Zac Goldsmith, whose political career seemed to be over when he lost the Richmond Park byelection in December, wants to fight the seat again for the Conservatives, the Evening Standard reports.Zac Goldsmith, whose political career seemed to be over when he lost the Richmond Park byelection in December, wants to fight the seat again for the Conservatives, the Evening Standard reports.
Goldsmith had a 23,015 majority when he stood as a Tory in 2015. But he left the party and fought a byelection as an independent, honouring a promise he had made, after the government came out in favour of a third runway at Heathrow. The Conservatives did not put up a candidate in the contest, but not having the support of a party machine harmed Goldsmith’s prospects and Richmond Park voters, who were firmly pro-remain, used the byelection to punish him for backing Brexit. The Lib Dem Sarah Olney won with a majority of 1,872.Goldsmith had a 23,015 majority when he stood as a Tory in 2015. But he left the party and fought a byelection as an independent, honouring a promise he had made, after the government came out in favour of a third runway at Heathrow. The Conservatives did not put up a candidate in the contest, but not having the support of a party machine harmed Goldsmith’s prospects and Richmond Park voters, who were firmly pro-remain, used the byelection to punish him for backing Brexit. The Lib Dem Sarah Olney won with a majority of 1,872.
1.16pm BST1.16pm BST
13:1613:16
And, while we’re on the subject of leaflets, the Times’ Sam Coates says Theresa May is spending the afternoon being photographed with Conservative candidates for their election leaflets.And, while we’re on the subject of leaflets, the Times’ Sam Coates says Theresa May is spending the afternoon being photographed with Conservative candidates for their election leaflets.
Wondering what Theresa is actually doing today? Having her photograph taken this PM with lots of Tory MPs for election literatureWondering what Theresa is actually doing today? Having her photograph taken this PM with lots of Tory MPs for election literature
1.11pm BST1.11pm BST
13:1113:11
Rowena MasonRowena Mason
The first Conservative election leaflet has been printed with no less than three mentions for Theresa May’s “strong leadership”, a picture of the prime minister alone and union flag branding. It also mentions Jeremy Corbyn to warn against weak leadership under a coalition - suggesting the Conservative party is trying to stop remain supporters voting Lib Dem as much as Labour.The first Conservative election leaflet has been printed with no less than three mentions for Theresa May’s “strong leadership”, a picture of the prime minister alone and union flag branding. It also mentions Jeremy Corbyn to warn against weak leadership under a coalition - suggesting the Conservative party is trying to stop remain supporters voting Lib Dem as much as Labour.
Tory #GE2017 leaflet themes: Strengthen #Brexit negotiation hand, #TheresaMay or coalition of chaos, GE now or Tory #Brexit mess in 2020... pic.twitter.com/575TQCt7HrTory #GE2017 leaflet themes: Strengthen #Brexit negotiation hand, #TheresaMay or coalition of chaos, GE now or Tory #Brexit mess in 2020... pic.twitter.com/575TQCt7Hr
12.58pm BST12.58pm BST
12:5812:58
My colleague Severin Carrell says Jeremy Corbyn’s reception at the STUC was more enthusiastic than when he recently spoke at the Scottish Labour conference.My colleague Severin Carrell says Jeremy Corbyn’s reception at the STUC was more enthusiastic than when he recently spoke at the Scottish Labour conference.
The @jeremycorbyn @ScottishTUC audience noticeably larger, more enthusiastic than at @scottishlabour conference #GE2017 (outside it snows) pic.twitter.com/Ql4I6dfRzWThe @jeremycorbyn @ScottishTUC audience noticeably larger, more enthusiastic than at @scottishlabour conference #GE2017 (outside it snows) pic.twitter.com/Ql4I6dfRzW
12.56pm BST12.56pm BST
12:5612:56
Corbyn did not take questions after his speech. But he was presented with a pen from the STUC. He said he would use it to sign away the Trade Union Act.Corbyn did not take questions after his speech. But he was presented with a pen from the STUC. He said he would use it to sign away the Trade Union Act.
12.52pm BST12.52pm BST
12:5212:52
Corbyn is winding up now.Corbyn is winding up now.
He says more policies will be announced in the coming weeks.He says more policies will be announced in the coming weeks.
In the coming weeks Labour will lay out more of our policies that will unlock opportunities for every single person in this country.In the coming weeks Labour will lay out more of our policies that will unlock opportunities for every single person in this country.
We will focus on giving people real control over their own lives and make sure that everybody reaps a just reward for the work that they do.We will focus on giving people real control over their own lives and make sure that everybody reaps a just reward for the work that they do.
We will no longer allow those at the top to leach off of those who bust their guts on zero hours contracts or those forced to make sacrifices to pay their mortgage or their rent.We will no longer allow those at the top to leach off of those who bust their guts on zero hours contracts or those forced to make sacrifices to pay their mortgage or their rent.
Instead of the country’s wealth being hidden in tax havens we will put it in the hands of the people of Britain because they are the ones who earned it in the first place.Instead of the country’s wealth being hidden in tax havens we will put it in the hands of the people of Britain because they are the ones who earned it in the first place.
12.51pm BST12.51pm BST
12:5112:51
Corbyn lists some more Labour employment policies.Corbyn lists some more Labour employment policies.
We will give all workers equal rights from day one to stop some workers being exploited and others undercut.We will give all workers equal rights from day one to stop some workers being exploited and others undercut.
We will introduce a right to own giving workers first refusal when their company faces a change of ownership or closure.We will introduce a right to own giving workers first refusal when their company faces a change of ownership or closure.
We’ll properly fund the Health & Safety Executive shamefully cut back under this Government compromising those great gains that our movement has historically fought so hard forWe’ll properly fund the Health & Safety Executive shamefully cut back under this Government compromising those great gains that our movement has historically fought so hard for
And we will work with trade unions and industry to reintroduce sectoral collective bargaining across the country.And we will work with trade unions and industry to reintroduce sectoral collective bargaining across the country.
We will also introduce 4 new public holidays giving people the time to lead better and more fulfilling lives, helping productivity at the same time. And we will ask for the support of the governments of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland so that the same four holidays can be enjoyed across the United Kingdom.We will also introduce 4 new public holidays giving people the time to lead better and more fulfilling lives, helping productivity at the same time. And we will ask for the support of the governments of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland so that the same four holidays can be enjoyed across the United Kingdom.
Friends, our aim is a country where everyone who can has the dignity of work and where everyone has a guarantee of dignity at work.Friends, our aim is a country where everyone who can has the dignity of work and where everyone has a guarantee of dignity at work.
12.49pm BST12.49pm BST
12:4912:49
Corbyn says it is right to investigate past abuses.Corbyn says it is right to investigate past abuses.
Unlike others, we will set up inquiries into blacklisting and Orgreave … and we would urge the Scottish government to set up an inquiry into the actions of the Scottish police during the Miners’ strike.Unlike others, we will set up inquiries into blacklisting and Orgreave … and we would urge the Scottish government to set up an inquiry into the actions of the Scottish police during the Miners’ strike.
12.49pm BST12.49pm BST
12:4912:49
Corbyn says Labour would create a Scottish National Bank for investment.Corbyn says Labour would create a Scottish National Bank for investment.
We will create a Scottish National Bank under Scottish control and backed by the National Investment Bank with £20bn of lending power to deliver the funds to local projects and Scotland’s small businesses creating work and stimulating the economy.We will create a Scottish National Bank under Scottish control and backed by the National Investment Bank with £20bn of lending power to deliver the funds to local projects and Scotland’s small businesses creating work and stimulating the economy.
And he says Labour would ban zero-hours contracts.And he says Labour would ban zero-hours contracts.
We will ban zero hours contracts giving new protections to the 60,000 Scottish workers currently with no guaranteed hours. How can people plan or just pay the rent when they have no security of income?We will ban zero hours contracts giving new protections to the 60,000 Scottish workers currently with no guaranteed hours. How can people plan or just pay the rent when they have no security of income?
Is it right they wake every morning and then wait for a text?Is it right they wake every morning and then wait for a text?
12.46pm BST12.46pm BST
12:4612:46
Corbyn says politicians should focus on poverty, and not, he implies, devolution or independence.Corbyn says politicians should focus on poverty, and not, he implies, devolution or independence.
Labour would raise the minimum wage to £10, he says.Labour would raise the minimum wage to £10, he says.
12.45pm BST12.45pm BST
12:4512:45
Corbyn says many in the media think the election is a foregone conclusion.Corbyn says many in the media think the election is a foregone conclusion.
They think that there are rules in politics; that you have to accept the rules laid down by others.They think that there are rules in politics; that you have to accept the rules laid down by others.
But if you adopt this view, you will never change anything, he says.But if you adopt this view, you will never change anything, he says.
He says the only real progressive alliance is the Labour party and the trade union movement working together.He says the only real progressive alliance is the Labour party and the trade union movement working together.