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General election: Sinn Fein stands down in three seats to help remainers, including unionist Hermon - live news General election: Sinn Féin stands down in three seats to help remainers, including unionist Hermon - live news
(32 minutes later)
Rolling coverage of the day’s political events as they happen, including 2019 general election campaigning and the election of the new SpeakerRolling coverage of the day’s political events as they happen, including 2019 general election campaigning and the election of the new Speaker
The number of deaths in Northern Ireland linked to paramilitary activity has increased year on year, a new report has found.
The Independent Reporting Commission, which was set up to monitor progress on the peace process in the region, also says that Brexit could fuel further violence.
“The real issue about the dangers for peace in Northern Ireland, therefore, is not that Brexit itself could be the direct cause of a renewal of violence, but rather that it has the potential to add fuel to the fire of continued paramilitarism,” it said in its second annual report.
It said that while the level of paramilitary violence over the last 10 years had reduced, it was “disturbing” to see three paramilitary-linked deaths in the year to 20 September including the murder of journalist Lyra McKee.
It found that loyalist paramilitaries were responsible for more assaults and republican paramilitaries were involved in more shootings.
There are 88 organised crime groups in Northern Ireland, 22 of which have paramilitary links, it says.
Jack Irvine, the veteran public relations specialist who has been taken on by the Brexit party for the election (see 12.25pm), has said he agrees with its criticisms of Boris Johnson’s deal “100%”. In a brief email exchange following news of his appointment, Irvine said the party had hired him on a Media House contract “but I will be working seven days a week” for it.
Asked whether he endorsed its policies, he said:
Plaid chose the same setting for its election campaign launch as it plumped for in 2017 – a hotel close to the Menai Bridge in north Wales. But the tone and message was very different.
Two years ago the slogan was “Defending Wales” - against what Plaid saw as the Tories’ indifference and the Labour-led Welsh government’s incompetence. Plaid’s ultimate goal – independence – hardly got a look-in.
This time the new Plaid leader, Adam Price, who took over from Leanne Wood last year, went on the attack - and put independence front and centre.
He argued that this was the time for the people of Wales to find their voice and insist that they shape their future as an independent country within the EU.
Plaid’s ambition for Wales to break away from the UK has been boosted by marches for independence in Wales that have attracted thousands. Its slogan this time round is: “Wales, it’s us.”
Price’s speech was typically passionate and colourful. At one point he seemed to be pinching a sound bite from the Star Wars movies, speaking about “a new hope for all of us.”
He also pointed out that 11 December [1282] was the day Wales lost its independence. This year 12 December could be the start of a new push back towards independence, he claimed.
The speech was full of aspiration – a green jobs revolution, better support for children who are in poverty, more affordable homes, a separate Welsh legal system.
And there was also a reaching out from Plaid’s leader in Westminster, Liz Saville Roberts, towards voters who tend not to back the nationalists - including English people who live in Wales. “We are the party for Wales and everyone who lives there,” she said. “If Wales is in your heart we are the party for you.”
Sinn Fein has announced it will not stand in three constituencies in Northern Ireland in a bid to prevent DUP MPs winning the seats. The party will stand aside in South Belfast, East Belfast and North Down. As the Press Association reports, Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald urged supporters to instead back the SDLP, the Alliance party and independent unionist Lady Sylvia Hermon respectively in those three seats.Sinn Fein has announced it will not stand in three constituencies in Northern Ireland in a bid to prevent DUP MPs winning the seats. The party will stand aside in South Belfast, East Belfast and North Down. As the Press Association reports, Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald urged supporters to instead back the SDLP, the Alliance party and independent unionist Lady Sylvia Hermon respectively in those three seats.
Announcing the move, McDonald said:Announcing the move, McDonald said:
What is novel, and striking, about today’s announcement is the plan for Sinn Fein to stand aside to help Lady Sylvia Hermon. Hermon now sits as an independent, but she is a unionist, she was first elected to parliament as an Ulster Unionist party MP and she is the widow of Sir Jack Hermon, a former chief constable of the RUC.What is novel, and striking, about today’s announcement is the plan for Sinn Fein to stand aside to help Lady Sylvia Hermon. Hermon now sits as an independent, but she is a unionist, she was first elected to parliament as an Ulster Unionist party MP and she is the widow of Sir Jack Hermon, a former chief constable of the RUC.
Karen Bradley, the former Northern Ireland secretary, was widely mocked last year when she admitted that, before she took on the job, she did not realise that nationalists in Northern Ireland don’t vote for unionists. “I didn’t understand things like when elections are fought, for example, in Northern Ireland – people who are nationalists don’t vote for unionist parties and vice versa,” she said. She was deemed ignorant because for years in Northern Ireland the unionist/nationalist divide has trumped everything.Karen Bradley, the former Northern Ireland secretary, was widely mocked last year when she admitted that, before she took on the job, she did not realise that nationalists in Northern Ireland don’t vote for unionists. “I didn’t understand things like when elections are fought, for example, in Northern Ireland – people who are nationalists don’t vote for unionist parties and vice versa,” she said. She was deemed ignorant because for years in Northern Ireland the unionist/nationalist divide has trumped everything.
But today’s announcement from Sinn Fein shows that in some parts of Northern Ireland (but not all - see my colleague Rory Carroll at 12.30pm) these rigidities are starting to crack. Asked if she was comfortable about asking Sinn Fein supporters to back a unionist in North Down, McDonald replied:But today’s announcement from Sinn Fein shows that in some parts of Northern Ireland (but not all - see my colleague Rory Carroll at 12.30pm) these rigidities are starting to crack. Asked if she was comfortable about asking Sinn Fein supporters to back a unionist in North Down, McDonald replied:
From my colleague Jennifer RankinFrom my colleague Jennifer Rankin
The SNP is making the same claims about how a post-Brexit trade deal with the US could threaten the NHS that the Labour party is making. This is what Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister and the SNP leader, said in a statement this morning ahead of a campaign visit to Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire.The SNP is making the same claims about how a post-Brexit trade deal with the US could threaten the NHS that the Labour party is making. This is what Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister and the SNP leader, said in a statement this morning ahead of a campaign visit to Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire.
On the visit Sturgeon also told journalists that she objected to the idea of election debates being limited to the Conservatives and Labour, as ITV is proposing for one of its debates. She said:On the visit Sturgeon also told journalists that she objected to the idea of election debates being limited to the Conservatives and Labour, as ITV is proposing for one of its debates. She said:
Loathing of Brexit united remainers and finally broke Northern Ireland’s binary nationalist v unionist divide. Well, so it seemed for a few heady days.Loathing of Brexit united remainers and finally broke Northern Ireland’s binary nationalist v unionist divide. Well, so it seemed for a few heady days.
Last week Steve Aiken, the incoming leader of the Ulster Unionist party (UUP), upended convention by ruling out an electoral pact with the Democratic Unionist party (DUP). As an opponent of Brexit Aiken said he felt duty-bound to run candidates in all 18 constituencies to give pro-remain unionists an alternative to the DUP.Last week Steve Aiken, the incoming leader of the Ulster Unionist party (UUP), upended convention by ruling out an electoral pact with the Democratic Unionist party (DUP). As an opponent of Brexit Aiken said he felt duty-bound to run candidates in all 18 constituencies to give pro-remain unionists an alternative to the DUP.
Even in north Belfast, he said. Meaning Aiken was willing to split the unionist vote and give Sinn Féin’s John Finucane a better chance of taking the seat from the DUP’s deputy leader, Nigel Dodds.Even in north Belfast, he said. Meaning Aiken was willing to split the unionist vote and give Sinn Féin’s John Finucane a better chance of taking the seat from the DUP’s deputy leader, Nigel Dodds.
An audacious move that prompted swift backlash. Unionists inside and outside the UUP protested. Suspected loyalist paramilitaries threatened retaliation against the UUP.An audacious move that prompted swift backlash. Unionists inside and outside the UUP protested. Suspected loyalist paramilitaries threatened retaliation against the UUP.
At the weekend Aiken caved and said his party would skip north Belfast, giving Dodds, the DUP’s Brexit policy architect, a clear run at sweeping up unionists, be they leavers or remainers.At the weekend Aiken caved and said his party would skip north Belfast, giving Dodds, the DUP’s Brexit policy architect, a clear run at sweeping up unionists, be they leavers or remainers.
The DUP, in turn, will give the UUP a clear run in the marginal seat of Fermanagh and south Tyrone.The DUP, in turn, will give the UUP a clear run in the marginal seat of Fermanagh and south Tyrone.
The moderate nationalist SDLP then announced it too would stand aside in north Belfast to boost Finucane’s chances. (See 12pm.) The stated reason is to let remain voters rally around a single candidate, even one who would abstain from Westminster. The other reason is to pressure Sinn Féin to stand aside in south Belfast and boost the SDLP’s chance of nabbing the seat from the DUP.The moderate nationalist SDLP then announced it too would stand aside in north Belfast to boost Finucane’s chances. (See 12pm.) The stated reason is to let remain voters rally around a single candidate, even one who would abstain from Westminster. The other reason is to pressure Sinn Féin to stand aside in south Belfast and boost the SDLP’s chance of nabbing the seat from the DUP.
Unionism and nationalism, remain and leave, all simmering together in a Northern Irish stew.Unionism and nationalism, remain and leave, all simmering together in a Northern Irish stew.
The Brexit party has appointed a Scottish public relations specialist and former tabloid editor, Jack Irvine, as its head of campaign communications for the general election campaign.The Brexit party has appointed a Scottish public relations specialist and former tabloid editor, Jack Irvine, as its head of campaign communications for the general election campaign.
The launch editor of the Scottish edition of the Sun in 1987, Irvine describes himself as an expert in crisis management and public affairs, telling one interviewer with the trade magazine PR Week: “People come to me because I’m combative and aggressive.”The launch editor of the Scottish edition of the Sun in 1987, Irvine describes himself as an expert in crisis management and public affairs, telling one interviewer with the trade magazine PR Week: “People come to me because I’m combative and aggressive.”
Irvine set up the Glasgow-based PR firm MediaHouse in 1991, after management jobs for Mirror Group, owners of the Daily Record, and News International.Irvine set up the Glasgow-based PR firm MediaHouse in 1991, after management jobs for Mirror Group, owners of the Daily Record, and News International.
Its clients in Scotland include Scottish Land & Estates, the landowners group, grouse moor owners, the Bank of Scotland, the football club Rangers FC and Sir Brian Souter, the co-founder of the Stagecoach transport company during Souter’s unsuccessful campaign to retain regulations which banned “promotion” of gay rights in schools.Its clients in Scotland include Scottish Land & Estates, the landowners group, grouse moor owners, the Bank of Scotland, the football club Rangers FC and Sir Brian Souter, the co-founder of the Stagecoach transport company during Souter’s unsuccessful campaign to retain regulations which banned “promotion” of gay rights in schools.
His firm has expanded overseas, with Irvine campaigning in the US on an alleged fraud case involving Medicare and a medical laboratory, but he has also acted for Caribbean tax havens, including the government of the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands and Turks and Caicos.His firm has expanded overseas, with Irvine campaigning in the US on an alleged fraud case involving Medicare and a medical laboratory, but he has also acted for Caribbean tax havens, including the government of the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands and Turks and Caicos.
Irvine has been approached for a comment on his new role. It is unclear whether he has taken the job on in a personal or professional capacity.Irvine has been approached for a comment on his new role. It is unclear whether he has taken the job on in a personal or professional capacity.
His MediaHouse profile page reports:His MediaHouse profile page reports:
And here is another question from BTL.And here is another question from BTL.
When will we get the final result of the election for the new Speaker?When will we get the final result of the election for the new Speaker?
My colleague Peter Walker has got an overall guide to the process here.My colleague Peter Walker has got an overall guide to the process here.
There are now seven candidates. The election starts at 2.30pm and all the candidates will get the chance to deliver a short speech before MPs vote in a secret ballot. Commons officials says it could take up to an hour to count the papers, and so we should get the first set of results at around 4.30pm.There are now seven candidates. The election starts at 2.30pm and all the candidates will get the chance to deliver a short speech before MPs vote in a secret ballot. Commons officials says it could take up to an hour to count the papers, and so we should get the first set of results at around 4.30pm.
MPs use an exhaustive ballot and, after the first round of voting, the candidate with the fewest votes drops out and MPs keep voting until someone gets more than 50% of votes cast. This means in theory there could be up to five rounds of voting. But any candidate with less than 5% of votes cast also drops out, and in practice candidates who realise they are not going to win also tend to quit voluntarily. In 2009, when MPs last elected a Speaker, there were 10 candidates but only three rounds of voting. It would be surprising if it goes beyond that this time, and so the final result should come by around 6.30pm. But it could be nearer 5.30pm if the second round of voting settles the matter.MPs use an exhaustive ballot and, after the first round of voting, the candidate with the fewest votes drops out and MPs keep voting until someone gets more than 50% of votes cast. This means in theory there could be up to five rounds of voting. But any candidate with less than 5% of votes cast also drops out, and in practice candidates who realise they are not going to win also tend to quit voluntarily. In 2009, when MPs last elected a Speaker, there were 10 candidates but only three rounds of voting. It would be surprising if it goes beyond that this time, and so the final result should come by around 6.30pm. But it could be nearer 5.30pm if the second round of voting settles the matter.
Here is Guy Verhofstadt, the European parliament’s lead Brexit spokesman, on Nigel Farage’s decision not to stand for Westminster. Farage, of course, remains an MEP.Here is Guy Verhofstadt, the European parliament’s lead Brexit spokesman, on Nigel Farage’s decision not to stand for Westminster. Farage, of course, remains an MEP.
The SDLP has announced it will not stand in three constituencies in Northern Ireland in a bid to facilitate pro-remain candidates, the Press Association reports. The nationalist party will not put forward candidates in North and East Belfast and in North Down as it attempts to prevent DUP Brexiters winning those seats. The move in North Belfast will give Sinn Féin candidate John Finucane a better chance of unseating the DUP deputy leader and longstanding MP, Nigel Dodds, who has a majority of just over 2,000.The SDLP has announced it will not stand in three constituencies in Northern Ireland in a bid to facilitate pro-remain candidates, the Press Association reports. The nationalist party will not put forward candidates in North and East Belfast and in North Down as it attempts to prevent DUP Brexiters winning those seats. The move in North Belfast will give Sinn Féin candidate John Finucane a better chance of unseating the DUP deputy leader and longstanding MP, Nigel Dodds, who has a majority of just over 2,000.
The Ulster Unionist party has already stepped aside in North Belfast to give Dodds a better chance of winning, PA reports. The UUP decision also proved controversial, as it came only a week after the incoming leader, Steve Aiken, pledged to run in all 18 constituencies in Northern Ireland.The Ulster Unionist party has already stepped aside in North Belfast to give Dodds a better chance of winning, PA reports. The UUP decision also proved controversial, as it came only a week after the incoming leader, Steve Aiken, pledged to run in all 18 constituencies in Northern Ireland.
The SDLP move in East Belfast is designed to give the Alliance party leader, Naomi Long, a better chance of defeating incumbent DUP MP, Gavin Robinson, while in North Down it is hoping that independent unionist and pro-remain MP Lady Sylvia Hermon can see off a DUP challenge to unseat her, PA reports.The SDLP move in East Belfast is designed to give the Alliance party leader, Naomi Long, a better chance of defeating incumbent DUP MP, Gavin Robinson, while in North Down it is hoping that independent unionist and pro-remain MP Lady Sylvia Hermon can see off a DUP challenge to unseat her, PA reports.
If remainers are looking for reasons to vote Labour, Lib Dem or SNP, the Tories have got a helpful clock at CCHQ that will give them one. This is from the Tory MP Harriett Baldwin.If remainers are looking for reasons to vote Labour, Lib Dem or SNP, the Tories have got a helpful clock at CCHQ that will give them one. This is from the Tory MP Harriett Baldwin.
Adam Price, the Plaid Cymru leader, has finished his speech at his election launch, and the Facebook live feed is over.Adam Price, the Plaid Cymru leader, has finished his speech at his election launch, and the Facebook live feed is over.
This is what he said about the choice facing the people of Wales.This is what he said about the choice facing the people of Wales.
Price seems to be referring to the publicity for this Channel 4 Dispatches programme going out tonight.Price seems to be referring to the publicity for this Channel 4 Dispatches programme going out tonight.
Price also said that at this election Wales should break with a century of backing Westminster parties. He said:Price also said that at this election Wales should break with a century of backing Westminster parties. He said:
Price says Plaid Cymru is Wales’s leading remain party. It wants to lead Wales to remain, and then lead it into becoming an independent member of the European Union in its own right.Price says Plaid Cymru is Wales’s leading remain party. It wants to lead Wales to remain, and then lead it into becoming an independent member of the European Union in its own right.
Price says Scotland’s needs have shot to the top of the political agenda because of devolution and the strength of the SNP.Price says Scotland’s needs have shot to the top of the political agenda because of devolution and the strength of the SNP.
The biggest legacy for Wales has been what has been cancelled: a power station, and rail electrification.The biggest legacy for Wales has been what has been cancelled: a power station, and rail electrification.
He says Wales has some of the best renewable energy resources. But it does not even feature in Labour’s clean energy plans.He says Wales has some of the best renewable energy resources. But it does not even feature in Labour’s clean energy plans.