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| Tory leadership hopefuls bid for support in first hustings – as it happened | Tory leadership hopefuls bid for support in first hustings – as it happened |
| (about 16 hours later) | |
| We’re going to close down this live blog now. Thanks for reading and commenting. Here’s a summary of the day’s latest events: | We’re going to close down this live blog now. Thanks for reading and commenting. Here’s a summary of the day’s latest events: |
| Perhaps the most significant development of the day was the joint press conference held by the US president, Donald Trump, and the UK prime minister, Theresa May. You can read a comprehensive summary of that here. Within hours, Trump would row back on one of his key claims. He also contradicted himself over comments he made on tape about Meghan Markle. | Perhaps the most significant development of the day was the joint press conference held by the US president, Donald Trump, and the UK prime minister, Theresa May. You can read a comprehensive summary of that here. Within hours, Trump would row back on one of his key claims. He also contradicted himself over comments he made on tape about Meghan Markle. |
| Tory leadership hopefuls took part in their first hustings. Boris Johnson said the party faced an existential crisis over Brexit and, with his hand at the tiller, the UK would be steered out of the EU on 31 October – with or without a deal. Sajid Javid warned against trying to defeat the Brexit party by becoming it. | Tory leadership hopefuls took part in their first hustings. Boris Johnson said the party faced an existential crisis over Brexit and, with his hand at the tiller, the UK would be steered out of the EU on 31 October – with or without a deal. Sajid Javid warned against trying to defeat the Brexit party by becoming it. |
| Two candidates withdrew from the race, while the Tory party made it more difficult for outside bets to stand. Kit Malthouse and James Cleverly both bowed out, having attracted relatively little support. | Two candidates withdrew from the race, while the Tory party made it more difficult for outside bets to stand. Kit Malthouse and James Cleverly both bowed out, having attracted relatively little support. |
| More than half of Change UK’s MPs left the party. Once, they were 11. Now, only five remain. They have vowed to fight on under the leadership of Anna Soubry. | More than half of Change UK’s MPs left the party. Once, they were 11. Now, only five remain. They have vowed to fight on under the leadership of Anna Soubry. |
| If you’d like to read yet more, my colleague Rowena Mason has the full story: | If you’d like to read yet more, my colleague Rowena Mason has the full story: |
| Trump: NHS must be on the table in US-UK trade talks | Trump: NHS must be on the table in US-UK trade talks |
| Trump, who met the Brexit party leader Nigel Farage this afternoon, also told the programme he felt it inappropriate to meet the leader of the official opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, who had requested a meeting and who also spoke at a rally protesting the state visit. | Trump, who met the Brexit party leader Nigel Farage this afternoon, also told the programme he felt it inappropriate to meet the leader of the official opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, who had requested a meeting and who also spoke at a rally protesting the state visit. |
| I don’t know [Corbyn]. He wanted to meet. It was very tough to meet and probably inappropriate to meet to be honest with you. A lot of things are happening right now with respect to our country. Your country, my country – let’s call them almost the same because I feel that way, it’s really a tremendous relationship. So I didn’t think it was appropriate to me him but I would. I certainly would. I have no problem with it. | I don’t know [Corbyn]. He wanted to meet. It was very tough to meet and probably inappropriate to meet to be honest with you. A lot of things are happening right now with respect to our country. Your country, my country – let’s call them almost the same because I feel that way, it’s really a tremendous relationship. So I didn’t think it was appropriate to me him but I would. I certainly would. I have no problem with it. |
| Donald Trump is rowing back on his claim that the NHS was “on the table” in post-Brexit deal negotiations. At a joint press conference with Theresa May this afternoon, he said: | Donald Trump is rowing back on his claim that the NHS was “on the table” in post-Brexit deal negotiations. At a joint press conference with Theresa May this afternoon, he said: |
| When you’re dealing on trade, everything is on the table. So, NHS or anything else. A lot more than that. | When you’re dealing on trade, everything is on the table. So, NHS or anything else. A lot more than that. |
| Those comments were met with immediate condemnation from several Tory leadership hopefuls, as well as senior Labour politicians. | Those comments were met with immediate condemnation from several Tory leadership hopefuls, as well as senior Labour politicians. |
| This evening, ITV News reports that the US president has now told Good Morning Britain: | This evening, ITV News reports that the US president has now told Good Morning Britain: |
| I don’t see it being on the table. Somebody asked me a question today and I said everything is up for negotiation, because everything is. But that’s something I would not see as part of trade. That’s not trade. | I don’t see it being on the table. Somebody asked me a question today and I said everything is up for negotiation, because everything is. But that’s something I would not see as part of trade. That’s not trade. |
| Trump’s ambassador to London, Woody Johnson, has previously said the US will want access to the NHS as part of a trade deal. | Trump’s ambassador to London, Woody Johnson, has previously said the US will want access to the NHS as part of a trade deal. |
| The former cabinet minister, Nicky Morgan, one of the leading figures in the One Nation group that’s holding tonight’s Tory leadership hustings, has said Boris Johnson was “subdued” and showed his serious side. | The former cabinet minister, Nicky Morgan, one of the leading figures in the One Nation group that’s holding tonight’s Tory leadership hustings, has said Boris Johnson was “subdued” and showed his serious side. |
| She said he told MPs that, if Brexit was delayed again, there was a risk the “relevance” of the 2016 referendum result “starts to wane”. Asked about Johnson’s warning about the future of the party, Morgan said: | She said he told MPs that, if Brexit was delayed again, there was a risk the “relevance” of the 2016 referendum result “starts to wane”. Asked about Johnson’s warning about the future of the party, Morgan said: |
| I think we all know that the stakes are very high. | I think we all know that the stakes are very high. |
| Donald Trump has acknowledged that he referred to Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, as “nasty” on the eve of his state visit to the UK – contradicting his earlier claim he had not done so, which was itself a contradiction of an audio recording of him doing so. | Donald Trump has acknowledged that he referred to Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, as “nasty” on the eve of his state visit to the UK – contradicting his earlier claim he had not done so, which was itself a contradiction of an audio recording of him doing so. |
| The US president made the original comments in an interview with the Sun newspaper; an audio recording of which the paper published. The journalist asked him if he was aware that Meghan had “not so nice” about him during his election campaign. He replied: “No, I did not know that she was nasty.” | The US president made the original comments in an interview with the Sun newspaper; an audio recording of which the paper published. The journalist asked him if he was aware that Meghan had “not so nice” about him during his election campaign. He replied: “No, I did not know that she was nasty.” |
| Later, Trump tweeted: | Later, Trump tweeted: |
| I never called Meghan Markle “nasty.” Made up by the Fake News Media, and they got caught cold! Will @CNN, @nytimes and others apologize? Doubt it! | I never called Meghan Markle “nasty.” Made up by the Fake News Media, and they got caught cold! Will @CNN, @nytimes and others apologize? Doubt it! |
| Speaking to Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, he said: | Speaking to Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, he said: |
| They said some of the things that she said and It’s actually on tape. And I said: ‘Well, I didn’t know she was nasty’. I wasn’t referring to ‘she’s nasty’. I said she was nasty about me. And essentially I didn’t know she was nasty about me. | They said some of the things that she said and It’s actually on tape. And I said: ‘Well, I didn’t know she was nasty’. I wasn’t referring to ‘she’s nasty’. I said she was nasty about me. And essentially I didn’t know she was nasty about me. |
| The US president added: “You know what? She’s doing a good job, I hope she enjoys her life... I think she’s very nice.” Trump said he had spoken to Prince Harry during his visit. “I congratulated him and I think he’s a terrific guy. The royal family is really nice.” | The US president added: “You know what? She’s doing a good job, I hope she enjoys her life... I think she’s very nice.” Trump said he had spoken to Prince Harry during his visit. “I congratulated him and I think he’s a terrific guy. The royal family is really nice.” |
| He said he had not discussed the issue with Prince Harry. | He said he had not discussed the issue with Prince Harry. |
| I was going to because it was so falsely put out there. And when you see that transcript and you see, it’s the exact opposite of what they said. Did you look at the transcript? | I was going to because it was so falsely put out there. And when you see that transcript and you see, it’s the exact opposite of what they said. Did you look at the transcript? |
| The Tory leadership hopeful, Andrea Leadsom, is understood to have told tonight’s hustings that she has a three-point plan to deliver Brexit – the “most urgent priority of the next prime minister”. | The Tory leadership hopeful, Andrea Leadsom, is understood to have told tonight’s hustings that she has a three-point plan to deliver Brexit – the “most urgent priority of the next prime minister”. |
| I offer decisive leadership focused on the strength of our nation on the world stage, and delivering the opportunity for every individual to fulfil their aspirations and become the very best they can be. | I offer decisive leadership focused on the strength of our nation on the world stage, and delivering the opportunity for every individual to fulfil their aspirations and become the very best they can be. |
| She told MPs she would kill off the withdrawal agreement and leave the EU on 31 October without a deal. And she set out three steps she said would be necessary in doing so: | She told MPs she would kill off the withdrawal agreement and leave the EU on 31 October without a deal. And she set out three steps she said would be necessary in doing so: |
| I will introduce a citizens rights bill to give certainty to UK citizens living in the EU and EU citizens living in the UK to lift the weight of uncertainty from their shoulders. I will also introduce an EU departure provisions bill which will agree areas such as sovereign bases and Gibraltar, our security relationship, data adequacy and air transport. Areas which are already agreed and welcomed by both sides. | I will introduce a citizens rights bill to give certainty to UK citizens living in the EU and EU citizens living in the UK to lift the weight of uncertainty from their shoulders. I will also introduce an EU departure provisions bill which will agree areas such as sovereign bases and Gibraltar, our security relationship, data adequacy and air transport. Areas which are already agreed and welcomed by both sides. |
| I will massively ramp up preparations for leaving with a managed exit at the end of October. I will speed up work on alternative arrangements for the Northern Ireland border and look at specific arrangements for just-in-time supply chains and agrifoods. This will give business the certainty it needs. Preparations will be completely transparent with regular updates to parliament. | I will massively ramp up preparations for leaving with a managed exit at the end of October. I will speed up work on alternative arrangements for the Northern Ireland border and look at specific arrangements for just-in-time supply chains and agrifoods. This will give business the certainty it needs. Preparations will be completely transparent with regular updates to parliament. |
| A delegation of ministers will be sent to talk directly with the EU27 heads of government about the wide range of measures the UK is taking to prepare for leaving on 31 October. It will be for the EU27 to decide what steps they want to accept. The UK would convene a summit in early September in Ireland or Northern Ireland to bring together the EU Council and the proposed new EU commissioners who were willing to grasp the issue ahead of the UK’s exit. | A delegation of ministers will be sent to talk directly with the EU27 heads of government about the wide range of measures the UK is taking to prepare for leaving on 31 October. It will be for the EU27 to decide what steps they want to accept. The UK would convene a summit in early September in Ireland or Northern Ireland to bring together the EU Council and the proposed new EU commissioners who were willing to grasp the issue ahead of the UK’s exit. |
| It is unclear for the moment how Leadsom plans to win over the Commons, where there has been no majority for a no-deal Brexit. | It is unclear for the moment how Leadsom plans to win over the Commons, where there has been no majority for a no-deal Brexit. |
| She also set out other priorities. She proposes a cross-party commission on social care, “supported by specialists in the field and members of the public. It will be tasked with producing a solution for social care provision that will last generations, regardless of who is in government”. | She also set out other priorities. She proposes a cross-party commission on social care, “supported by specialists in the field and members of the public. It will be tasked with producing a solution for social care provision that will last generations, regardless of who is in government”. |
| On the subject of the climate crisis, she said: | On the subject of the climate crisis, she said: |
| I am proud of the Paris agreement and I will sign up to the Committee on Climate Change target of 0% target emissions by 2050. I will bid for the UK to host the UN Climate Change Conference in 2020. I will support our industrial strategy to promote clean energy, jobs and skills. Our overseas development aid will support decarbonisation overseas. | I am proud of the Paris agreement and I will sign up to the Committee on Climate Change target of 0% target emissions by 2050. I will bid for the UK to host the UN Climate Change Conference in 2020. I will support our industrial strategy to promote clean energy, jobs and skills. Our overseas development aid will support decarbonisation overseas. |
| Boris Johnson has told the hustings: | Boris Johnson has told the hustings: |
| The way to win in any seat is to stop banging on about Brexit and put that bawling baby to bed, pacify it and recapture the political agenda with one nation Conservatism. | The way to win in any seat is to stop banging on about Brexit and put that bawling baby to bed, pacify it and recapture the political agenda with one nation Conservatism. |
| Gavin Williamson, the former defence secretary and a supporter of Johnson, said there was now a “dawning realisation” among Tory MPs that “Boris is the only one who is going to be able to save the party”. | Gavin Williamson, the former defence secretary and a supporter of Johnson, said there was now a “dawning realisation” among Tory MPs that “Boris is the only one who is going to be able to save the party”. |
| The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have arrived at Winfield House, the US ambassador’s residence in Regent’s Park, for dinner with the US president and his wife. | The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have arrived at Winfield House, the US ambassador’s residence in Regent’s Park, for dinner with the US president and his wife. |
| Charles and Trump shared a joke as they stood at the entrance of the house for photographs. The UK’s prime minister and foreign secretary are among the guests. | Charles and Trump shared a joke as they stood at the entrance of the house for photographs. The UK’s prime minister and foreign secretary are among the guests. |
| The frontrunner, Boris Johnson, has been addressing Tory MPs, telling them a second Brexit referendum would be divisive and he would be “against it with every fibre of my body”. | The frontrunner, Boris Johnson, has been addressing Tory MPs, telling them a second Brexit referendum would be divisive and he would be “against it with every fibre of my body”. |
| He ruled out a coalition with the Brexit party and said Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour was “the weakest official opposition in a generation”. | He ruled out a coalition with the Brexit party and said Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour was “the weakest official opposition in a generation”. |
| On Brexit, he claimed the so-called Brady amendment to replace the Irish backstop was the only plan that had the support of the Commons. But he added that the government must be ready for a no-deal Brexit if necessary. | On Brexit, he claimed the so-called Brady amendment to replace the Irish backstop was the only plan that had the support of the Commons. But he added that the government must be ready for a no-deal Brexit if necessary. |
| Johnson may have a point about backing for the Brady amendment, which MPs narrowly passed back in January. But the EU showed no willingness to even consider playing along. | Johnson may have a point about backing for the Brady amendment, which MPs narrowly passed back in January. But the EU showed no willingness to even consider playing along. |
| My colleague, Rowena Mason, quotes Johnson as telling the MPs: | My colleague, Rowena Mason, quotes Johnson as telling the MPs: |
| We are looking at a very difficult situation and we must get ready, eventually but not immediately, to beat Jeremy Corbyn and put Farage back in his box. | We are looking at a very difficult situation and we must get ready, eventually but not immediately, to beat Jeremy Corbyn and put Farage back in his box. |
| We are facing an existential crisis and will not be forgiven if we do not deliver Brexit on 31 Oct. | We are facing an existential crisis and will not be forgiven if we do not deliver Brexit on 31 Oct. |
| I believe I am best placed to lift this party, beat Jeremy Corbyn and excite people about conservatism and conservative values. | I believe I am best placed to lift this party, beat Jeremy Corbyn and excite people about conservatism and conservative values. |
| We need to realise the depth of the problems we face – unless we get on and do this thing (Brexit), we will be punished for a very long time. There is a very real choice between getting Brexit done and the potential extinction of this great party but I believe I can take on Farage and win back the voters being won over by him. | We need to realise the depth of the problems we face – unless we get on and do this thing (Brexit), we will be punished for a very long time. There is a very real choice between getting Brexit done and the potential extinction of this great party but I believe I can take on Farage and win back the voters being won over by him. |
| Johnson also ruled out calling a general election. | Johnson also ruled out calling a general election. |
| Trump has been meeting various pro-Brexit figures, including the two former cabinet ministers, Iain Duncan Smith and Owen Paterson, and the Brexit party leader, Nigel Farage. The US president has also been the object of protests, including in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London. | Trump has been meeting various pro-Brexit figures, including the two former cabinet ministers, Iain Duncan Smith and Owen Paterson, and the Brexit party leader, Nigel Farage. The US president has also been the object of protests, including in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London. |
| Duncan Smith and Farage both made clear the process of the UK leaving the European Union was on the president’s mind during their discussions. A spokesman for the former Tory leader said the meeting had “been in the offing for a while”. It covered a “whole range of subjects including Brexit”, he added. | Duncan Smith and Farage both made clear the process of the UK leaving the European Union was on the president’s mind during their discussions. A spokesman for the former Tory leader said the meeting had “been in the offing for a while”. It covered a “whole range of subjects including Brexit”, he added. |
| It is reported that Paterson and Duncan Smith held talks on behalf of the hard Brexit-supporting Tory backbench group, the ERG: | It is reported that Paterson and Duncan Smith held talks on behalf of the hard Brexit-supporting Tory backbench group, the ERG: |
| ERG sources say the pair were representing the ERG | ERG sources say the pair were representing the ERG |
| On his LBC show, Farage claimed that “most people will agree yesterday went very, very well [for Trump]”, adding that the president himself – who claimed not to have seen protests against him – was pleased with it. Farage added: | On his LBC show, Farage claimed that “most people will agree yesterday went very, very well [for Trump]”, adding that the president himself – who claimed not to have seen protests against him – was pleased with it. Farage added: |
| Clearly, it was a private meeting but what I can say is he was in top form, he was ebullient. He absolutely believes in Brexit, thinks it’s the right thing for the country to do. He’s obviously concerned it’s taking a very long time. | Clearly, it was a private meeting but what I can say is he was in top form, he was ebullient. He absolutely believes in Brexit, thinks it’s the right thing for the country to do. He’s obviously concerned it’s taking a very long time. |
| In Edinburgh, however, a crowd attended an anti-Trump demonstration, which was addressed by the Scottish Labour leader, Richard Leonard and others. He told the audience: | In Edinburgh, however, a crowd attended an anti-Trump demonstration, which was addressed by the Scottish Labour leader, Richard Leonard and others. He told the audience: |
| We say: ‘no to war, yes to peace, no to Trump, yes to the citizens of America’. | We say: ‘no to war, yes to peace, no to Trump, yes to the citizens of America’. |
| Crowds gathered outside St Giles Cathedral, despite showers, to join the demonstration. Many were holding placards: | Crowds gathered outside St Giles Cathedral, despite showers, to join the demonstration. Many were holding placards: |
| People also gathered outside Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. | People also gathered outside Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. |
| Many held placards from Stand Up To Racism and the Unison union, with speakers on the Buchanan Street steps criticising comments made by the US president. One person held aloft a homemade sign saying: “Trump - Feed Him To The Corgis.” | Many held placards from Stand Up To Racism and the Unison union, with speakers on the Buchanan Street steps criticising comments made by the US president. One person held aloft a homemade sign saying: “Trump - Feed Him To The Corgis.” |
| As the rain came down on the crowds, those gathered were encouraged to chant slogans such as “Donald Trump, off our streets” and “Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here”. | As the rain came down on the crowds, those gathered were encouraged to chant slogans such as “Donald Trump, off our streets” and “Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here”. |
| And, in London, Sian Bahia has been speaking to some of the demonstrators. Katie Greene, a 45-year-old teacher, said: | And, in London, Sian Bahia has been speaking to some of the demonstrators. Katie Greene, a 45-year-old teacher, said: |
| Trump is a misogynist, he is racist, he is rude and we don’t like him. I was disgusted when it was announced that he is receiving a state visit – it’s terrible. Even before he landed, he was being rude about our mayor. He should keep his nose right out of British politics. | Trump is a misogynist, he is racist, he is rude and we don’t like him. I was disgusted when it was announced that he is receiving a state visit – it’s terrible. Even before he landed, he was being rude about our mayor. He should keep his nose right out of British politics. |
| Doreen Witter, who is 64 and a student, said: | Doreen Witter, who is 64 and a student, said: |
| I do not like anything that comes out of Trump’s mouth. It doesn’t surprise me that he’s supporting Farage and [Boris] Johnson; all they care about is being a celebrity. Trump, you and your family should go home. | I do not like anything that comes out of Trump’s mouth. It doesn’t surprise me that he’s supporting Farage and [Boris] Johnson; all they care about is being a celebrity. Trump, you and your family should go home. |
| The first hustings of the Tory leadership contest is being held this evening. More than 80 of the party’s MPs are packed into a Commons committee room, though no journalists – they’ve been shut out. | The first hustings of the Tory leadership contest is being held this evening. More than 80 of the party’s MPs are packed into a Commons committee room, though no journalists – they’ve been shut out. |
| Outside secret hustings of Tory leadership candidates - Boris Johnson, Rory Stewart, Sajid Javid and Andrea Leadsom all pitching to MPs. But the press not allowed in and the public not allowed to know what people who want to be the next PM might be promising to get their votes | Outside secret hustings of Tory leadership candidates - Boris Johnson, Rory Stewart, Sajid Javid and Andrea Leadsom all pitching to MPs. But the press not allowed in and the public not allowed to know what people who want to be the next PM might be promising to get their votes |
| Robust discussion between reporters and Conservative officials and MPs about why reporters — or even a single reporter on behalf of the rest of us — is not allowed in to observe | Robust discussion between reporters and Conservative officials and MPs about why reporters — or even a single reporter on behalf of the rest of us — is not allowed in to observe |
| The home secretary, Sajid Javid, has told the assembled MPs: | The home secretary, Sajid Javid, has told the assembled MPs: |
| If we make the wrong choice in this leadership election we could end up with a leader who thinks the way to lead is to exploit division. | If we make the wrong choice in this leadership election we could end up with a leader who thinks the way to lead is to exploit division. |
| He warned that, if the party doesn’t evolve, “voters will go for change in the form of Corbyn”. And he added: | He warned that, if the party doesn’t evolve, “voters will go for change in the form of Corbyn”. And he added: |
| If we make the wrong choice in this leadership election, we could end up with a leader who thinks the way to lead is to exploit division. | If we make the wrong choice in this leadership election, we could end up with a leader who thinks the way to lead is to exploit division. |
| Javid received a warm response, with banging of tables heard from outside, after telling the MPs: “We will not beat the Brexit Party by becoming the Brexit Party.” | Javid received a warm response, with banging of tables heard from outside, after telling the MPs: “We will not beat the Brexit Party by becoming the Brexit Party.” |
| The Conservatives have agreed to a rule change that will raise the threshold for those wishing to stand for the party’s leadership – as 11 candidates vie for the role. | The Conservatives have agreed to a rule change that will raise the threshold for those wishing to stand for the party’s leadership – as 11 candidates vie for the role. |
| The 1922 Committee, which represents backbench Tory MPs, and the Conservative Party Board met today to agree the changes and have announced a schedule for the contest. | |
| In short, candidates will have from 10am to 5pm next Monday to formally enter the race. They’ll need a proposer and a seconder, as well as the support of six other MPs. | In short, candidates will have from 10am to 5pm next Monday to formally enter the race. They’ll need a proposer and a seconder, as well as the support of six other MPs. |
| A process of ballots among MPs will follow over the next fortnight, with the lowest-ranked falling out at each stage. Any candidate failing to secure the support of at least 5% (in effect, 16 votes) at the first stage on 13 June, will be eliminated. At the second, on 18 June, they will require at least 10% (or 32 votes). | A process of ballots among MPs will follow over the next fortnight, with the lowest-ranked falling out at each stage. Any candidate failing to secure the support of at least 5% (in effect, 16 votes) at the first stage on 13 June, will be eliminated. At the second, on 18 June, they will require at least 10% (or 32 votes). |
| Further ballots are scheduled for the following two days and the process will be repeated until only two candidates remain. They will then face the party’s membership, who’ll decide the next leader. | Further ballots are scheduled for the following two days and the process will be repeated until only two candidates remain. They will then face the party’s membership, who’ll decide the next leader. |
| Once the parliamentary process is completed, CCHQ will assume responsibility for the administration of hustings and the vote of the Conservative party membership. This stage of the process will be completed in the week beginning Monday 22nd July, with the first membership hustings planned for the 22ndJune. Further details will be published in due course. | Once the parliamentary process is completed, CCHQ will assume responsibility for the administration of hustings and the vote of the Conservative party membership. This stage of the process will be completed in the week beginning Monday 22nd July, with the first membership hustings planned for the 22ndJune. Further details will be published in due course. |
| • This entry was amended on 5 June 2019 because an earlier version misnamed the 1922 Committee as the 1992 Committee. This has been corrected. | |
| Earlier, we reported that six of Change UK’s 11 MPs had decided to leave the party (see: 4.14pm). The remaining five – Anna Soubry, Chris Leslie, Ann Coffey, Mike Gapes and Joan Ryan – have now released a statement saying they plan to fight on with Soubry as their leader. | Earlier, we reported that six of Change UK’s 11 MPs had decided to leave the party (see: 4.14pm). The remaining five – Anna Soubry, Chris Leslie, Ann Coffey, Mike Gapes and Joan Ryan – have now released a statement saying they plan to fight on with Soubry as their leader. |
| Challenging the established political parties was never going to be easy. But we remain determined to fix Britain’s broken politics and we are in this for the long haul. | Challenging the established political parties was never going to be easy. But we remain determined to fix Britain’s broken politics and we are in this for the long haul. |
| You may have heard the news that some of our MPs group have decided to leave Change UK, which is saddening and disappointing just at the moment we need to roll up our sleeves, challenge the Brexit emergency and champion sensible evidence-based policy-making in the face of the main parties drifting to the ideological fringes. | You may have heard the news that some of our MPs group have decided to leave Change UK, which is saddening and disappointing just at the moment we need to roll up our sleeves, challenge the Brexit emergency and champion sensible evidence-based policy-making in the face of the main parties drifting to the ideological fringes. |
| We regret their decision, but it is vital we continue to lead and look forward to future elections – and get started on building our policies and party across the country. | We regret their decision, but it is vital we continue to lead and look forward to future elections – and get started on building our policies and party across the country. |
| We have a responsibility to our amazing European election candidates and 100,000 supporters and the near-600,000 people who voted for us – as well as a duty to the country – to continue this task. The British people need more than regrets about the state of our politics, they need solutions. | We have a responsibility to our amazing European election candidates and 100,000 supporters and the near-600,000 people who voted for us – as well as a duty to the country – to continue this task. The British people need more than regrets about the state of our politics, they need solutions. |
| We are delighted that Anna Soubry has taken on the role as our new leader, and our hope is to quickly broaden out our nationwide leadership to include some of our key supporters and activists from across the country. Change UK doesn’t just belong to MPs. It belongs to the country and those looking for a sense of hope and leadership to genuinely change our politics, not simply settle for the existing party status quo. | We are delighted that Anna Soubry has taken on the role as our new leader, and our hope is to quickly broaden out our nationwide leadership to include some of our key supporters and activists from across the country. Change UK doesn’t just belong to MPs. It belongs to the country and those looking for a sense of hope and leadership to genuinely change our politics, not simply settle for the existing party status quo. |
| We hope that you agree this is a cause worth fighting for – and we will need your help and support going forward. While British politics slips into chaos around us, now is the time to stand firm in our beliefs and champion the mainstream centre ground values we articulated when we left our former parties in the first place. | We hope that you agree this is a cause worth fighting for – and we will need your help and support going forward. While British politics slips into chaos around us, now is the time to stand firm in our beliefs and champion the mainstream centre ground values we articulated when we left our former parties in the first place. |
| Nigel Farage is not the only Brexiter who has been to the US ambassador’s resident to meet President Trump this afternoon. Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative leader, and Owen Paterson, the Conservative former environment secretary, have both seen the president. They were photographed leaving. | Nigel Farage is not the only Brexiter who has been to the US ambassador’s resident to meet President Trump this afternoon. Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative leader, and Owen Paterson, the Conservative former environment secretary, have both seen the president. They were photographed leaving. |
| That’s all from me for today. | That’s all from me for today. |
| My colleague Kevin Rawlinson is taking over now. | My colleague Kevin Rawlinson is taking over now. |
| Piers Morgan, a friend of Donald Trump’s since he appeared on Trump’s US show Celebrity Apprentice, has interviewed the US president for Good Morning Britain, the ITV show he now co-presents. | Piers Morgan, a friend of Donald Trump’s since he appeared on Trump’s US show Celebrity Apprentice, has interviewed the US president for Good Morning Britain, the ITV show he now co-presents. |
| WORLD EXCLUSIVE: President Donald Trump will be talking to Piers Morgan about meeting the Queen, Brexit, talks with Iran and more.Make sure you watch Good Morning Britain tomorrow morning from 6am to see the full interview. #GMBTrump@realDonaldTrump |@piersmorgan pic.twitter.com/WODkKgl0a4 | WORLD EXCLUSIVE: President Donald Trump will be talking to Piers Morgan about meeting the Queen, Brexit, talks with Iran and more.Make sure you watch Good Morning Britain tomorrow morning from 6am to see the full interview. #GMBTrump@realDonaldTrump |@piersmorgan pic.twitter.com/WODkKgl0a4 |
| Kit Malthouse has withdrawn from the Tory leadership contest. | Kit Malthouse has withdrawn from the Tory leadership contest. |
| In his statement explaining why, he does not quite say he had no realistic chance of winning - the explanation offered by James Cleverly this morning when he announced he was withdrawing his own candidacy. (See 11.32am.) Instead he argued that a relative unknown like himself (someone from “a new generation”) could only win if there were a lengthy contest but that he accepted the party wanted this contest over as soon as possible. | In his statement explaining why, he does not quite say he had no realistic chance of winning - the explanation offered by James Cleverly this morning when he announced he was withdrawing his own candidacy. (See 11.32am.) Instead he argued that a relative unknown like himself (someone from “a new generation”) could only win if there were a lengthy contest but that he accepted the party wanted this contest over as soon as possible. |
| I have decided to withdraw from the contest for the leadership of the Conservative Party. Thank you to all those who have supported me. pic.twitter.com/9alByxmvT3 | I have decided to withdraw from the contest for the leadership of the Conservative Party. Thank you to all those who have supported me. pic.twitter.com/9alByxmvT3 |
| In the ConservativeHome tally this morning, Malthouse had just six declared supporters - two more than Cleverly. | In the ConservativeHome tally this morning, Malthouse had just six declared supporters - two more than Cleverly. |
| There are still 11 contenders left in the field. | There are still 11 contenders left in the field. |