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| General election: Sturgeon says PM called early poll because of worries over electoral fraud charges - Politics live | General election: Sturgeon says PM called early poll because of worries over electoral fraud charges - Politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 7.55pm BST | |
| 19:55 | |
| That’s all for today’s live coverage of the general election campaign. We’ll do it all again tomorrow, so do join us then. | |
| 7.47pm BST | |
| 19:47 | |
| Across the channel for a moment, where presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen says she is temporarily stepping down as leader of the Front National. | |
| According to her tweet (in French, of course), Le Pen remains a FN candidate for the presidency but will no longer lead the party. | |
| Updated | |
| at 7.53pm BST | |
| 7.35pm BST | 7.35pm BST |
| 19:35 | 19:35 |
| Jeremy Corbyn has used a speech in Dunfermline to rule out any potential deals after the election, as PA reporter Paul Ward tweets. | Jeremy Corbyn has used a speech in Dunfermline to rule out any potential deals after the election, as PA reporter Paul Ward tweets. |
| “Let me be clear - there will be no deals with the SNP, or anybody else,” the Labour leader said. | “Let me be clear - there will be no deals with the SNP, or anybody else,” the Labour leader said. |
| Jeremy Corbyn rules out any potential electoral deal with @theSNP or any other party during speech in Dunfermline @PA pic.twitter.com/BmthQZfgN0 | Jeremy Corbyn rules out any potential electoral deal with @theSNP or any other party during speech in Dunfermline @PA pic.twitter.com/BmthQZfgN0 |
| 7.23pm BST | 7.23pm BST |
| 19:23 | 19:23 |
| Zoe Wood | Zoe Wood |
| The government appears to have performed a weekend U-turn on business rates and says a £300m relief fund to help small businesses worst hit by the shakeup is now available for councils to share out. | The government appears to have performed a weekend U-turn on business rates and says a £300m relief fund to help small businesses worst hit by the shakeup is now available for councils to share out. |
| On Friday the Guardian was told by the Department for Communities and Local Government that although the consultation on how to distribute the money was complete it would require the approval of the new government – signalling a hiatus of several months until after the 8 June general election. | On Friday the Guardian was told by the Department for Communities and Local Government that although the consultation on how to distribute the money was complete it would require the approval of the new government – signalling a hiatus of several months until after the 8 June general election. |
| However, speaking in the House of Commons on Monday the communities secretary, Sajid Javid, insisted there would be “absolutely no delay because of the general election”. “It’s going ahead, exactly as planned. Councils are free to start using the scheme and helping local businesses.” | However, speaking in the House of Commons on Monday the communities secretary, Sajid Javid, insisted there would be “absolutely no delay because of the general election”. “It’s going ahead, exactly as planned. Councils are free to start using the scheme and helping local businesses.” |
| Read more here. | Read more here. |
| 7.08pm BST | 7.08pm BST |
| 19:08 | 19:08 |
| Guardian deputy political editor Rowena Mason sums up the situation Ukip finds itself in thus: | Guardian deputy political editor Rowena Mason sums up the situation Ukip finds itself in thus: |
| At this rate the most high profile Ukip candidate will be a woman talking about being gay + gorillas. Surely Nuttall will have to go for it | At this rate the most high profile Ukip candidate will be a woman talking about being gay + gorillas. Surely Nuttall will have to go for it |
| In case you missed it, a Ukip candidate for Glasgow council, Gisela Allen, has said that an individual’s sexuality is a “private affair” and should not be “openly” revealed. | In case you missed it, a Ukip candidate for Glasgow council, Gisela Allen, has said that an individual’s sexuality is a “private affair” and should not be “openly” revealed. |
| “You do not come out and declare openly. Do you think I am going all over the city and saying my idea of a sexually attractive creature is a gorilla?” the 84-year-old told the Sunday Herald. | “You do not come out and declare openly. Do you think I am going all over the city and saying my idea of a sexually attractive creature is a gorilla?” the 84-year-old told the Sunday Herald. |
| “When I go to a zoo and I see a gorilla my hormones go absolutely crazy. I find a gorilla very attractive.” | “When I go to a zoo and I see a gorilla my hormones go absolutely crazy. I find a gorilla very attractive.” |
| A Ukip spokesperson later claimed Allen was joking when making the comments. | A Ukip spokesperson later claimed Allen was joking when making the comments. |
| 6.53pm BST | 6.53pm BST |
| 18:53 | 18:53 |
| The leaders of the Democratic Unionists and Ulster Unionists met this afternoon to discuss a possible pact for the general election. Arlene Foster and Robin Swann held their first meeting to explore the potential of joining forces in a bid to return the maximum number of unionist MPs to Westminster. | The leaders of the Democratic Unionists and Ulster Unionists met this afternoon to discuss a possible pact for the general election. Arlene Foster and Robin Swann held their first meeting to explore the potential of joining forces in a bid to return the maximum number of unionist MPs to Westminster. |
| The meeting got off to a shaky start after Swann criticised Foster for being “a bit arrogant” in remarks she made in a newspaper column about her party’s position on a unionist pact. He also said the meeting had been made “more difficult” by Foster outlining her position in the publication before she had spoken to him. | The meeting got off to a shaky start after Swann criticised Foster for being “a bit arrogant” in remarks she made in a newspaper column about her party’s position on a unionist pact. He also said the meeting had been made “more difficult” by Foster outlining her position in the publication before she had spoken to him. |
| Foster had said that the DUP would not stand in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, but wanted a clear run in South Belfast. In the last general election, the DUP and UUP agreed pacts in four constituencies, which helped Ulster Unionist Tom Elliott win the seat from Sinn Fein’s Michelle Gildernew. | Foster had said that the DUP would not stand in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, but wanted a clear run in South Belfast. In the last general election, the DUP and UUP agreed pacts in four constituencies, which helped Ulster Unionist Tom Elliott win the seat from Sinn Fein’s Michelle Gildernew. |
| On Saturday, the UUP said it would not be running candidates in North Belfast, West Belfast and Foyle. | On Saturday, the UUP said it would not be running candidates in North Belfast, West Belfast and Foyle. |
| 6.33pm BST | 6.33pm BST |
| 18:33 | 18:33 |
| John Crace | John Crace |
| Still on Ukip, the farce involving party leader Paul Nuttall earlier today is the subject of John Crace’s sketch: | Still on Ukip, the farce involving party leader Paul Nuttall earlier today is the subject of John Crace’s sketch: |
| Are you coming out, Mr Nuttall?” a dozen reporters shouted. The Ukip leader was going nowhere, having barricaded himself into a room at the central London hotel where he had just launched his party’s election policy on integration. There was only so much integration a chap could take, and Nuttall was all integrated out. He wanted to be on his own. | Are you coming out, Mr Nuttall?” a dozen reporters shouted. The Ukip leader was going nowhere, having barricaded himself into a room at the central London hotel where he had just launched his party’s election policy on integration. There was only so much integration a chap could take, and Nuttall was all integrated out. He wanted to be on his own. |
| A couple of party activists went into the room to try to entice him out. Nothing doing. As the door opened, the hacks peered in, trying to take photographs. “Are you coming out, Mr Nuttall?,” they cried again. Silence. “Will you be standing in the election?” Silence. Two more Ukip members went into the room. Nuttall still stayed put. | A couple of party activists went into the room to try to entice him out. Nothing doing. As the door opened, the hacks peered in, trying to take photographs. “Are you coming out, Mr Nuttall?,” they cried again. Silence. “Will you be standing in the election?” Silence. Two more Ukip members went into the room. Nuttall still stayed put. |
| Having worked out there was no chance of Nuttall escaping via a window, the press pack chose to wait him out. The standoff ended after about 15 minutes when Nuttall eventually appeared.” | Having worked out there was no chance of Nuttall escaping via a window, the press pack chose to wait him out. The standoff ended after about 15 minutes when Nuttall eventually appeared.” |
| Read more here. | Read more here. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.36pm BST | at 6.36pm BST |
| 6.18pm BST | 6.18pm BST |
| 18:18 | 18:18 |
| Somewhat predictably the reaction to Arron Banks’ decision not to stand in Clacton is proving to be rather negative. | Somewhat predictably the reaction to Arron Banks’ decision not to stand in Clacton is proving to be rather negative. |
| Ukip donor Arron Banks chickens out of campaign to run as an MP in Clacton https://t.co/egRjD4Vo2m | Ukip donor Arron Banks chickens out of campaign to run as an MP in Clacton https://t.co/egRjD4Vo2m |
| So much like his hero Trump; @Arron_banks doesn't deliver https://t.co/TYAZU1OCJV | So much like his hero Trump; @Arron_banks doesn't deliver https://t.co/TYAZU1OCJV |
| 6.08pm BST | 6.08pm BST |
| 18:08 | 18:08 |
| Perhaps the real tragedy of Arron Banks’ decision not to stand in Clacton is the dashing of supposed plans to set up a pirate radio station operating from a former fishing trawler off the Essex coast. | Perhaps the real tragedy of Arron Banks’ decision not to stand in Clacton is the dashing of supposed plans to set up a pirate radio station operating from a former fishing trawler off the Essex coast. |
| Andy Wigmore, a former DJ and associate of Banks, told the Telegraph about the plan: | Andy Wigmore, a former DJ and associate of Banks, told the Telegraph about the plan: |
| It will not be Ukip FM. We are launching a pirate radio station for the election because Clacton is famous for its pirate radios. We have a whole cast of DJs who will be broadcasting throughout the election from our pirate radio ship.” | It will not be Ukip FM. We are launching a pirate radio station for the election because Clacton is famous for its pirate radios. We have a whole cast of DJs who will be broadcasting throughout the election from our pirate radio ship.” |
| Former Radio 1 DJ Mike Read and Nigel Farage himself had been lined up for turns on air, according to the report. | Former Radio 1 DJ Mike Read and Nigel Farage himself had been lined up for turns on air, according to the report. |
| Fingers crossed Jeff Bray, whom Banks has made way for in Clacton, can get the Ukip faithful sufficiently fired up to get Ukip FM on air. | Fingers crossed Jeff Bray, whom Banks has made way for in Clacton, can get the Ukip faithful sufficiently fired up to get Ukip FM on air. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.10pm BST | at 6.10pm BST |
| 5.53pm BST | 5.53pm BST |
| 17:53 | 17:53 |
| Arron Banks pulls out of Clacton race | Arron Banks pulls out of Clacton race |
| Arron Banks has decided not to stand for Ukip in Clacton after all. The party’s former biggest donor, who last week admitted he knew “nothing” about the Essex constituency, announced the decision after visiting Clacton today. | Arron Banks has decided not to stand for Ukip in Clacton after all. The party’s former biggest donor, who last week admitted he knew “nothing” about the Essex constituency, announced the decision after visiting Clacton today. |
| Banks will make way for Ukip councillor Jeff Bray, who has his “full support”. | Banks will make way for Ukip councillor Jeff Bray, who has his “full support”. |
| He adds: | He adds: |
| I have no intention of standing in the way of Hard working activists who are the soul of the party. Therefore, after visiting Clacton I believe it would be wrong of me to stand against Jeff in the forthcoming hustings. | I have no intention of standing in the way of Hard working activists who are the soul of the party. Therefore, after visiting Clacton I believe it would be wrong of me to stand against Jeff in the forthcoming hustings. |
| Both myself and Nigel [Farage] will be campaigning hard in Clacton and I have agreed to give the local party financial assistance to fight the election.” | Both myself and Nigel [Farage] will be campaigning hard in Clacton and I have agreed to give the local party financial assistance to fight the election.” |
| Banks couldn’t resist a pop at Douglas Carswell - “the epitome of a nasty little career politician” - who “stood originally for ukip because he knew they would win the seat in a general election. He used UKIP and did nothing for Clacton.” | Banks couldn’t resist a pop at Douglas Carswell - “the epitome of a nasty little career politician” - who “stood originally for ukip because he knew they would win the seat in a general election. He used UKIP and did nothing for Clacton.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.37pm BST | at 6.37pm BST |
| 5.34pm BST | 5.34pm BST |
| 17:34 | 17:34 |
| Andrew Sparrow | Andrew Sparrow |
| This is from a spokesman for Plaid Cymru on the YouGov Wales poll. (See 4.22pm.) The spokesman said: | This is from a spokesman for Plaid Cymru on the YouGov Wales poll. (See 4.22pm.) The spokesman said: |
| This poll is a glimpse of a future which could await Wales. If the Tories do win on theses numbers, the future of our nation is at risk. | This poll is a glimpse of a future which could await Wales. If the Tories do win on theses numbers, the future of our nation is at risk. |
| No one should forget that Tory ideology is all about privatising and cutting public services. That means longer waiting lists, poorer education and increased child poverty. We know what they are about because we remember the Tories’ record in Wales. | No one should forget that Tory ideology is all about privatising and cutting public services. That means longer waiting lists, poorer education and increased child poverty. We know what they are about because we remember the Tories’ record in Wales. |
| With an increased mandate the Tories will privatise, cut and power-grab from our assembly so that Wales’s ability to defend its own people will be reduced. | With an increased mandate the Tories will privatise, cut and power-grab from our assembly so that Wales’s ability to defend its own people will be reduced. |
| And these are from Leighton Andrews, the former education minister in the Welsh Labour government who is now an academic. | And these are from Leighton Andrews, the former education minister in the Welsh Labour government who is now an academic. |
| Let's hope this is an outlier. If not, says it all about the walking disaster that is @jeremycorbyn https://t.co/yJFkXe9BZU | Let's hope this is an outlier. If not, says it all about the walking disaster that is @jeremycorbyn https://t.co/yJFkXe9BZU |
| More evidence that @jeremycorbyn should resign asap https://t.co/ps2qdK6daP | More evidence that @jeremycorbyn should resign asap https://t.co/ps2qdK6daP |
| That is all from me for today. My colleague Chris Johnston is taking over now. | That is all from me for today. My colleague Chris Johnston is taking over now. |
| 5.26pm BST | 5.26pm BST |
| 17:26 | 17:26 |
| The tables from today’s Guardian/ICM poll are now here, on the ICM website (pdf). | The tables from today’s Guardian/ICM poll are now here, on the ICM website (pdf). |
| As the ICM’s Martin Boon explains in his write-up, ICM has now started subdividing the figures according to what type of seat people live in. The figures for Labour marginals should be worrying for the party. He explains: | As the ICM’s Martin Boon explains in his write-up, ICM has now started subdividing the figures according to what type of seat people live in. The figures for Labour marginals should be worrying for the party. He explains: |
| We added a new cross-break showing how voting patterns break down in the marginal seats, with the Tories on a stunning 48% vs 31% in those seats currently held by Labour on a majority of less than 15%. It is only a cross-break based on 168 voters, and should be treated with much caution, but indicates significant losses for the Labour party. | We added a new cross-break showing how voting patterns break down in the marginal seats, with the Tories on a stunning 48% vs 31% in those seats currently held by Labour on a majority of less than 15%. It is only a cross-break based on 168 voters, and should be treated with much caution, but indicates significant losses for the Labour party. |