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General election: Boris Johnson faces Jeremy Corbyn at PMQs amid pre-poll exodus of MPs – live news General election: Boris Johnson faces Jeremy Corbyn at PMQs amid pre-poll exodus of MPs – live news
(32 minutes later)
Labour’s Karen Buck asks how Johnson can justify spending £2bn on no-deal Brexit planning.
Johnson claims that under Labour’s Brexit plan the UK would have to spend an extra £1bn a month to stay in the EU.
(This is misleading. Because of the transition, even if the UK were leaving the EU at the end of the month, it would still be contributing to the EU as it is now.)
Steve Baker, a Conservative, says thousands of his constituents in Wycombe have relatives living near the line of control in Kashmir.
Johnson says this is a serious issue. But it is a matter for India and Pakistan, he says. He says it is not for the UK to decide what the solution must be.
The SNP’s Ronnie Cowan says fireworks can cause great disturbance to people and livestock. The Scottish government carried out a consultation that showed people favour greater controls. Does Johnson agree?
Johnson says the law should strike a balance. He says animal welfare is important. And Brexit will allow the government to introduce more animal welfare measures.
Labour’s Jess Phillips says it is a delight to see Bercow’s children in the gallery. She knows Bercow takes his responsibilities as a parent seriously.
“And now to the prime minister,” she goes on, in a clear jibe at Johnson’s own record as a parent. She asks for an assurance that schools will be properly funded, so that they do not have to close early (a problem in Phillips’ constituency).
Johnson says his government will fund schools properly. Phillips’ son will have a great future under them, he says.
Nigel Evans, the Tory MP, says that as a former deputy Speaker he wants to pay tribute to what John Bercow did for LGBT rights.
He says a survey last week showed that the Ribble Valley (Evans’ constituency) is the happiest place in Britain. A Tory election victory will make them happier. And will Johnson deliver the Brexit people want.
Johnson says he will, and he promises more police officers too.
Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster, also offers his best wishes to John Bercow. He says he hopes Bercow enjoys his retirement. Bercow will always be welcome in Scotland, he says.
And Blackford wishes England all the best for the rugby on Saturday.
He says the PM’s Brexit will take a wrecking ball to the economy and cost it up to £70bn. The PM is willing to throw Scotland under his big red bus to deliver Brexit, he says.
Johnson says the greatest damage that can be done to the Scottish economy would come from the SNP’s plan for independence. That would break up the most successful political partnership in history. The SNP have a crackpot plan for borders at Berwick, he says. And the SNP would hand back control of Scottish fisheries to Brussels, just at the point where control is coming back to the UK.
Blackford says it is PMQs, not the time for a “rant” from the PM. He says Johnson will be welcome in Scotland; every time he comes up, he drives up support for the SNP. The SNP is the only party standing up for Scotland’s interests. Only a vote for the SNP will secure an escape route from Brexit, he says. And it will secure Scotland’s right to protect its future.
Johnson says Blackford rants himself. And he says the SNP wants to conceal its record. It is not running health or education well. And if good things are happening in Scotland, it is thanks to Scottish Conservatives. He says they can be relied upon to keep the union together.
Corbyn says he is surprised Johnson can keep a straight face when his government has cut so much from the Welsh budget. He says anyone who has tried to get a GP appointment will know the problems. He quotes from a letter from Gillian, who says her mother died as a direct result of the GP shortage. The care her mother got always came after long delays. He says people who have to wait should be sympathised with and supported.
Johnson says there are 17,300 more doctors and 17,000 more nurses since 2010. It is time to differentiate between the politics of protest and the politics of leadership. It is all very well to side with Russia and make huge promises and flip-flop on the referendum. Leadership means standing up for the police, for the economy, for wealth creators. And above all, it means getting Brexit done.
Corbyn says, coming from a PM who withdrew his own bill, that sounds a bit odd. He says Johnson should have tried to show some empathy. GPs are in short supply. The NHS has suffered its longest spending squeeze ever.
He says this election is a once-in-a-generation chance to end underfunding in the NHS. The NHS is up for grabs in a Trump-style trade deal, he says. It is up for grab by US corporations. Isn’t the truth that his government is planning to sell out the NHS?
Johnson says he agrees there is a stark choice. It is between economic catastrophe under Labour, which would spend £196bn on nationalisations. And there would be a political catastrophe under Labour too. There would be two referendums, on Brexit and on Scotland. The UK would suffer “toxic torpor”. He says his government will invest in schools and education and infrastructure. That is what he is going to deliver. And he will deliver a fantastic future. That is the choice: “drift and dither” under Labour, or a brighter future under the Tories.
Corbyn says of course the NHS needs to import medicines. He just wants it to be done openly. He does not approve of secret talks.Corbyn says of course the NHS needs to import medicines. He just wants it to be done openly. He does not approve of secret talks.
Patients are waiting longer for cancer treatment, he says. Why can’t Johnson put the necessary resources into the NHS. Corbyn asks why NHS privatisation has doubled under this government. Nearly £10bn is spent on the NHS under this government.Patients are waiting longer for cancer treatment, he says. Why can’t Johnson put the necessary resources into the NHS. Corbyn asks why NHS privatisation has doubled under this government. Nearly £10bn is spent on the NHS under this government.
Johnson says, if Corbyn is saying that he does not want dentists and Macmillan nurses to work with the NHS, he is “out of his mind”. Corbyn should pay tribute to the hard work of NHS staff. He should not talk down their achievements. He says a strong economy supports the NHS. Corbyn would wreck that.Johnson says, if Corbyn is saying that he does not want dentists and Macmillan nurses to work with the NHS, he is “out of his mind”. Corbyn should pay tribute to the hard work of NHS staff. He should not talk down their achievements. He says a strong economy supports the NHS. Corbyn would wreck that.
Corbyn says we should not have private companies like Virgin Health suing the NHS. NHS money should not go into making people richer. Why has the number of people waiting for an operation reached a record high?Corbyn says we should not have private companies like Virgin Health suing the NHS. NHS money should not go into making people richer. Why has the number of people waiting for an operation reached a record high?
Johnson says the NHS is working harder and achieving more. He says the SNP government negotiated a much higher price for the cystic fibrosis drug than NHS England did. If people want to know what a Labour NHS would look like, look at Wales. Targets there are routinely missed, he says. Johnson says the NHS is working harder and achieving more. He says the SNP government negotiated a much higher price for the cystic fibrosis drug than did NHS England. If people want to know what a Labour NHS would look like, look at Wales. Targets there are routinely missed, he says.
Corbyn says he welcomes the cystic fibrosis drug decision. But we have not been told what the deal actually was.Corbyn says he welcomes the cystic fibrosis drug decision. But we have not been told what the deal actually was.
He says, although Johnson talks of 40 new hospitals, the real figure is just six.He says, although Johnson talks of 40 new hospitals, the real figure is just six.
He says the US wants full market access to the NHS. While the government is having secret meeting with US corporations, patients here are suffering. Why has the number of patients waiting longer for urgent NHS treatment tripled over the last nine years?He says the US wants full market access to the NHS. While the government is having secret meeting with US corporations, patients here are suffering. Why has the number of patients waiting longer for urgent NHS treatment tripled over the last nine years?
Johnson says waiting lists are improving. He says Corbyn should not be claiming credit for the cystic fibrosis drug decision. The drug company involved is American. Is Corbyn really saying the NHS should not be talking to companies like that?Johnson says waiting lists are improving. He says Corbyn should not be claiming credit for the cystic fibrosis drug decision. The drug company involved is American. Is Corbyn really saying the NHS should not be talking to companies like that?
Jeremy Corbyn pays his own tribute to John Bercow. He says Bercow has stood up for parliament. He says Labour hopes to form a government and expects to be held to account.Jeremy Corbyn pays his own tribute to John Bercow. He says Bercow has stood up for parliament. He says Labour hopes to form a government and expects to be held to account.
Bercow has also done his bit to open up parliament, Corbyn says. He has changed some of the strange customs, and has promoted diversity. And he has tried to change the Commons from being a gentlemen’s club and turn it into a democratic institution.Bercow has also done his bit to open up parliament, Corbyn says. He has changed some of the strange customs, and has promoted diversity. And he has tried to change the Commons from being a gentlemen’s club and turn it into a democratic institution.
Corbyn says the PM’s sellout deal with Donald Trump will mean more NHS money going into private profit. He says the Channel 4 Dispatches investigation showed the health service has been repeatedly discussed with US officials. Why does Johnson say the NHS is not on the table?Corbyn says the PM’s sellout deal with Donald Trump will mean more NHS money going into private profit. He says the Channel 4 Dispatches investigation showed the health service has been repeatedly discussed with US officials. Why does Johnson say the NHS is not on the table?
Because it is not on the table, says Johnson.Because it is not on the table, says Johnson.
He pays tribute to the way the NHS has recently made a cystic fibrosis drug available.He pays tribute to the way the NHS has recently made a cystic fibrosis drug available.
The NHS is getting more money because the economy has been growing under the Tories, he says.The NHS is getting more money because the economy has been growing under the Tories, he says.
Johnson confirms that the scheme for giving grants to thalidomide victims, which is due to end soon, will be reviewed with a view to it continuing.Johnson confirms that the scheme for giving grants to thalidomide victims, which is due to end soon, will be reviewed with a view to it continuing.
Labour’s Alan Whitehead asks about the news that the Tory manifesto will be written by a lobbyist for the fracking industry.
Johnson says the government will soon make an announcement about fracking.
But this government yields to no one in its enthusiasm to cut carbon emissions, he says.
Boris Johnson starts by saying that after PMQs he will open the debate on the Grenfell Tower fire report.
He goes on to pay tribute to John Bercow, the Speaker, saying this is his last PMQs. He says Bercow has peppered the chamber with comments like some tennis player machine. (Bercow is a huge tennis fan, and an accomplished player himself.)
He says he disagrees with some of Bercow’s innovations as Speaker. But Bercow has done more than anyone since Stephen Hawking to “stretch time” in the chamber. (See 12.03pm.)
From Sky’s Lewis Goodall
I remember the last #pmqs of the previous Parliament was the longest ever. Given this will be the last PMQs of this one AND John Bercow’s final one too, we can expect to still be here tomorrow lunchtime.
From ITV’s Joe Pike
In Press Gallery for final pre-election #PMQs:-Lots of cross-party hugs for Amber Rudd who is standing down.-Sally Bercow and kids watching on (Speaker’s final #PMQs too).-Cheers from Tory benches as PM takes his seat (he had a chat with Nigel Dodds behind Speaker’s chair).
PMQs is about to start. It is only Boris Johnson’s third PMQs since he became prime minister in July.
Here is an interesting question from below the line.
Andrew, what is the likely effect on the election of 51 MPs standing down? Are those seats more likely to switch from current party to another? Or less?
Psephologists will tell you that there is a minor incumbency advantage in election; ie, sitting candidates do better all other factors considered than new candidates, because voters know who they are.
However, the impact is marginal. And since both the Conservatives and Labour have broadly similar numbers of MPs standing down, it is hard to see this factor making a difference. Some of the MPs standing down represent very safe seats. But in places like Putney, which is 35th on a list of Labour target seats and where Justine Greening is standing down, and Ashfield, 10th on a list of Tory target seats and where Gloria De Piero is standing down, the departure of an incumbent might arguably make a bit of a difference.
Here is an up-to-date list of MPs standing down from the Institute for Government’s Gavin Freeguard.
*CORRECTION*We reckon it's 53, excluding John Mann (h/t @MShepheard)Data here, corrections welcome: https://t.co/gXQRdXv3sR pic.twitter.com/T1Glt3Pqnv
What is probably more significant is how these departures will affect the composition of the parliamentary Conservative party and the parliamentary Labour party after the election. There are clearly some people around Boris Johnson who want to purge his party of remainers like Philip Hammond. And, in Labour, replacing centrists with leftwingers who back the Corbyn project has long been an ambition of those in the leader’s circle. It is too early to be know quite to what extent both these parties will be transformed after the election, but in both parties the post-election centre of gravity will probably be in a slightly different place.
You can read all of the Guardian’s election 2019 coverage here, including my colleague Dan Sabbagh’s analysis of the latest polling.
And here are three other articles from today’s papers about the polling situation.
Prof Sir John Curtice, the BBC’s lead polling expert, says in an article in the Times (paywall) Boris Johnson cannot afford not to achieve a majority.
If the substantial net swing from Labour to Conservative in the present polls were to be realised at the ballot box, there are nearly 50 Labour seats that would fall into the Tory column. Winning those would more than compensate for losses elsewhere.
Moreover, they are disproportionately located in the north of England and the Midlands, where many a voter backed leave, though, at 55%, the average support for leave in these seats was only somewhat above the 52% vote across the country as a whole.
But while Mr Johnson’s hopes rest on taking Labour seats, the principal foundation underpinning his lead over Mr Corbyn’s party is not any marked success in winning over Labour votes.
Rather it rests on his success in squeezing support for the Brexit party ...
Above all, this is a contest that Mr Johnson cannot afford to emerge from without an overall majority. Biggest party in a hung parliament will not do. In that event, Labour will potentially be able to look to the Liberal Democrats and the SNP for support – for they all want to stop Mr Johnson’s Brexit deal in its tracks.
The academic Matthew Goodwin says in the Daily Telegraph (paywall) that it is possible for Johnson to win a majority.
One crucial piece of the puzzle is in Labour leave seats. Two years ago, Theresa May won only six of these seats and so found herself unable to compensate for losses elsewhere. This time around, Johnson will have to do much better. If his invasion of Labour Brexit territory can go as far as Wolverhampton North East, which was last Tory in 1987, or Stoke-on-Trent North, which has never been held by the Conservatives in the postwar era, a wave of other pro-Brexit Labour seats will likely turn blue, from Dudley North to Barrow and Furness, from Ashfield to Bishop Auckland. A strong majority would surely follow.
Consolidating the leave vote would be made infinitely easier were the Brexit party to stand down, or the two parties to form some kind of pact. May did manage to squeeze the Ukip vote down to less than 2%. Farage is polling at about 10%.
Sebastian Payne and John Burns-Murdoch in the Financial Times (paywall) say Boris Johnson is in much the same position as Theresa May was at the start of the 2017 campaign.
An analysis by the Financial Times of the opinion polls suggests Mr Johnson’s party is facing an electoral landscape hardly changed since the 2017 election was called. Labour was polling on 25% on Tuesday, exactly the same level as when Mrs May called her snap vote.
Worryingly for Mr Johnson, however, the Conservatives are significantly further behind than at the start of the last campaign. Whereas the Tories were polling 44% on the day the previous election was called, they are currently projected to garner 36% share of the vote.
The political circumstances mirror those of Mrs May who was seeking to win a majority to secure a Brexit deal; Mr Johnson is doing so to achieve the same goal.
From the Times’ Steven Swinford
I'm told Boris Johnson raised fact his own seat of Uxbridge is on internal CCHQ list of seats potentially at risk at Political Cabinet.@oliver_wright spotted Tories spent £1,178 on Facebook this week targeting 200,000 Uxbridge voters with call to keep police station open
Here is Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister, on tactical voting. (See 10.32am.)
Seeing lots of chat this morning about tactical voting to maximise Remain vote. @theSNP is the challenger in every Tory held seat in Scotland. So if you want to stop Brexit and remove Boris Johnson, #VoteSNP is the only way to do it. #GE19
Boris Johnson is on course to win a Commons majority unless remain voters work tactically to block a Tory victory and ensure an EU-backing leadership, according to research. As PA Media reports, the Conservatives would achieve a majority of 44 if no tactical voting took place but anti-Brexit voters could scupper this, according to a study by the Best for Britain campaign. If fewer than a third of remain voters (30%) used their vote tactically they could swing the election to deny the prime minister and to secure a remain majority of four. The research by the anti-Brexit campaign was based on seat-by-seat analysis of 46,000 people over September and October and was released this morning, PA reports.
The study does not seem to be online yet, but when it goes up, I will post a link.