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Leaders in pre-election clash over NHS, Brexit and economy | Leaders in pre-election clash over NHS, Brexit and economy |
(32 minutes later) | |
Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn have clashed over the NHS, Brexit and leadership at the last Prime Minister's Questions before the general election. | Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn have clashed over the NHS, Brexit and leadership at the last Prime Minister's Questions before the general election. |
The Labour leader said voters had a "once in a generation" chance to save the NHS, which was in "greater danger" than at any time in its history. | The Labour leader said voters had a "once in a generation" chance to save the NHS, which was in "greater danger" than at any time in its history. |
He said voters had the chance to back "real change" and an end to austerity. | He said voters had the chance to back "real change" and an end to austerity. |
But the PM warned of "economic catastrophe" and "political disaster" if Labour got into power. | But the PM warned of "economic catastrophe" and "political disaster" if Labour got into power. |
Political parties are readying themselves for a general election campaign after MPs voted for a 12 December poll. | Political parties are readying themselves for a general election campaign after MPs voted for a 12 December poll. |
The legislation approved by MPs on Tuesday has begun its passage through the House of Lords, where it is not expected to be opposed. | The legislation approved by MPs on Tuesday has begun its passage through the House of Lords, where it is not expected to be opposed. |
And the electoral authorities have set a deadline of the end of Tuesday 26 November for people to register to vote. The cut-off point to apply for postal votes is the same day, but at 17:00 GMT. | And the electoral authorities have set a deadline of the end of Tuesday 26 November for people to register to vote. The cut-off point to apply for postal votes is the same day, but at 17:00 GMT. |
In their final encounter in Parliament before the election, the two leaders exchanged barbs over their political values and disputed their parties' respective records on the NHS. | In their final encounter in Parliament before the election, the two leaders exchanged barbs over their political values and disputed their parties' respective records on the NHS. |
Final Commons clash, for now | Final Commons clash, for now |
The Labour leader accused the PM - who he has challenged to a one-on-one TV debate - of running down the health service, saying cuts to funding had contributed to rising waiting times for cancer treatment and operations. | The Labour leader accused the PM - who he has challenged to a one-on-one TV debate - of running down the health service, saying cuts to funding had contributed to rising waiting times for cancer treatment and operations. |
He said a Labour government would reverse what he said was the growing privatisation of the NHS, saying it existed to "make people better, not make the wealthy few richer". | He said a Labour government would reverse what he said was the growing privatisation of the NHS, saying it existed to "make people better, not make the wealthy few richer". |
"The choice at this election cannot be clearer," he said. | "The choice at this election cannot be clearer," he said. |
"People have the choice to vote for real change after years of Conservative and Lib Dem cuts, privatisation and tax handouts for the richest." | "People have the choice to vote for real change after years of Conservative and Lib Dem cuts, privatisation and tax handouts for the richest." |
Mr Johnson said he agreed voters faced a "stark choice" between a government spending "unrivalled" sums on the NHS and a Labour party that would "wreck the economy". | Mr Johnson said he agreed voters faced a "stark choice" between a government spending "unrivalled" sums on the NHS and a Labour party that would "wreck the economy". |
Dismissing the Labour leader as an "Islingtonian protester" rather than a real leader, he said Mr Corbyn's "flip-flopping" over Brexit would lead to more years of "toxic, tedious, torpor". | Dismissing the Labour leader as an "Islingtonian protester" rather than a real leader, he said Mr Corbyn's "flip-flopping" over Brexit would lead to more years of "toxic, tedious, torpor". |
While 2020 would be a "wonderful year" under a Tory government, he said electing Jeremy Corbyn would result in further referendums on Europe and Scottish independence. | While 2020 would be a "wonderful year" under a Tory government, he said electing Jeremy Corbyn would result in further referendums on Europe and Scottish independence. |
"That is the future. Drift and dither under the Labour Party or taking the country forward to a brighter future under the Conservatives. That is the choice the country faces." | "That is the future. Drift and dither under the Labour Party or taking the country forward to a brighter future under the Conservatives. That is the choice the country faces." |
The election comes after the EU extended the UK's exit deadline to 31 January 2020 - although Brexit can happen earlier if a deal is agreed by MPs. | The election comes after the EU extended the UK's exit deadline to 31 January 2020 - although Brexit can happen earlier if a deal is agreed by MPs. |
What happens next? | What happens next? |
The legislation approved by MPs now must be rubberstamped by the House of Lords. | The legislation approved by MPs now must be rubberstamped by the House of Lords. |
It would be pretty strange if unelected peers up the corridor from the green benches decided to say no or throw spanners in the works of a decision made by the House of Commons last night. | It would be pretty strange if unelected peers up the corridor from the green benches decided to say no or throw spanners in the works of a decision made by the House of Commons last night. |
Unless something very strange happens, we are now on for an election. | Unless something very strange happens, we are now on for an election. |
Both sides are very, very nervous about what might unfold. And both sides are right to be nervous. | Both sides are very, very nervous about what might unfold. And both sides are right to be nervous. |
The two main party leaders, in a strange kind of mirror of each other, are happy campaigners, but divisive characters. | The two main party leaders, in a strange kind of mirror of each other, are happy campaigners, but divisive characters. |
Both of them will try to set the agenda, but they can't know where this will all take us. | Both of them will try to set the agenda, but they can't know where this will all take us. |
They can't know if it will be their issues they're able to talk about at length, but that's the glory of elections - it's up to voters to set the terms. | They can't know if it will be their issues they're able to talk about at length, but that's the glory of elections - it's up to voters to set the terms. |
They decide the things they care about, they are interested in and they will put politicians on the spot about. | They decide the things they care about, they are interested in and they will put politicians on the spot about. |
Opening skirmishes | Opening skirmishes |
Speaking outside Parliament, Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson said her party was "on the up" and had a larger war chest at its disposal than ever before going into an election. | |
"Make no mistake, I stand ready to take on Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn as a candidate to be prime minister," she said. | |
"We have a bold vision to stop Brexit and build a better, brighter future for the country." | |
For the Scottish National Party, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said an election was an opportunity for the country to hold another independence referendum. | For the Scottish National Party, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said an election was an opportunity for the country to hold another independence referendum. |
"A win for the SNP will be an unequivocal and irresistible demand for Scotland's right to choose our own future," she said. | "A win for the SNP will be an unequivocal and irresistible demand for Scotland's right to choose our own future," she said. |
But the Scottish Conservatives claimed voting for their party would keep Scotland in the UK. | But the Scottish Conservatives claimed voting for their party would keep Scotland in the UK. |
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage welcomed the election, tweeting the deadlock had been "broken" and "Brexit now has a chance to succeed". | Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage welcomed the election, tweeting the deadlock had been "broken" and "Brexit now has a chance to succeed". |
Meanwhile, an attempt by Boris Johnson to unite his party by re-admitting 10 Tory Brexit rebels has been hit by a row over the party's refusal to give the whip back to Amber Rudd - the former home secretary who has said she is standing down as an MP. | Meanwhile, an attempt by Boris Johnson to unite his party by re-admitting 10 Tory Brexit rebels has been hit by a row over the party's refusal to give the whip back to Amber Rudd - the former home secretary who has said she is standing down as an MP. |
Electoral pacts and coalitions | Electoral pacts and coalitions |
The smaller parties are already talking about striking deals with each other, which could see candidates standing aside in areas where their Remain-supporting rivals have a better chance of winning. | The smaller parties are already talking about striking deals with each other, which could see candidates standing aside in areas where their Remain-supporting rivals have a better chance of winning. |
Ms Swinson said there were a "small number of seats" where "arrangements" could be struck with other parties to give an anti-Brexit candidate the best chance of winning. | |
Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley told BBC Breakfast it was "no secret" that the Greens were "talking to the Lib Dems and Plaid" but "nothing has been finalised". | Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley told BBC Breakfast it was "no secret" that the Greens were "talking to the Lib Dems and Plaid" but "nothing has been finalised". |
He said the ideas was to get "a big block of MPs in Parliament who want a people's vote, want to remain in the EU because they think it's best for the UK to do that". | He said the ideas was to get "a big block of MPs in Parliament who want a people's vote, want to remain in the EU because they think it's best for the UK to do that". |
Plaid leader Adam Price said his party was "open to working with others to secure our European future". | Plaid leader Adam Price said his party was "open to working with others to secure our European future". |
Details of which candidates are standing and where will be published at 17:00 GMT on 14 November - as will information about the location of polling stations. | Details of which candidates are standing and where will be published at 17:00 GMT on 14 November - as will information about the location of polling stations. |
The party leaders are also facing questions about whether they would form a coalition, if the election resulted in another hung Parliament. | The party leaders are also facing questions about whether they would form a coalition, if the election resulted in another hung Parliament. |
Asked if she would join forces with Labour or the Conservatives, Jo Swinson said: "I can't be clearer - neither Boris Johnson nor Jeremy Corbyn is fit to be prime minister." | Asked if she would join forces with Labour or the Conservatives, Jo Swinson said: "I can't be clearer - neither Boris Johnson nor Jeremy Corbyn is fit to be prime minister." |
Labour's John McDonnell told BBC Breakfast: "There will be no deals, no coalition. We will go in as a majority government. If we don't win an overall majority, we will have a minority government." | Labour's John McDonnell told BBC Breakfast: "There will be no deals, no coalition. We will go in as a majority government. If we don't win an overall majority, we will have a minority government." |