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| General election 2019: Liberal Democrats, Greens and Plaid Cymru agree pact | General election 2019: Liberal Democrats, Greens and Plaid Cymru agree pact |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party have formed an electoral pact, agreeing not to stand against each other in dozens of seats. | The Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party have formed an electoral pact, agreeing not to stand against each other in dozens of seats. |
| The deal between the three anti-Brexit parties will cover 60 constituencies across England and Wales. | The deal between the three anti-Brexit parties will cover 60 constituencies across England and Wales. |
| Chair of the Unite to Remain group Heidi Allen said it was "an opportunity to tip the balance of power". | Chair of the Unite to Remain group Heidi Allen said it was "an opportunity to tip the balance of power". |
| The three parties all support another Brexit referendum and want the UK to remain in the EU. | The three parties all support another Brexit referendum and want the UK to remain in the EU. |
| Their pact means that, in Wales, two of the parties will agree not to field a candidate, boosting the third candidate's chances of picking up the Remain vote. | Their pact means that, in Wales, two of the parties will agree not to field a candidate, boosting the third candidate's chances of picking up the Remain vote. |
| In England, it will simply be a two-way agreement between the Lib Dems and the Greens. | In England, it will simply be a two-way agreement between the Lib Dems and the Greens. |
| Lib Dem candidate Layla Moran said the Unite to Remain group had approached Labour about pacts, but "they said no [and] they didn't even enter into those conversations". | Lib Dem candidate Layla Moran said the Unite to Remain group had approached Labour about pacts, but "they said no [and] they didn't even enter into those conversations". |
| In a speech in Liverpool earlier, Labour's shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, said: "We will never enter pacts, coalitions, or deals like that - ever." | In a speech in Liverpool earlier, Labour's shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, said: "We will never enter pacts, coalitions, or deals like that - ever." |
| And the SNP's Stephen Gethins said: "If other parties want to deliver a Remain message in Scotland, they know they have to get behind the SNP." | And the SNP's Stephen Gethins said: "If other parties want to deliver a Remain message in Scotland, they know they have to get behind the SNP." |
| Thursday marks exactly five weeks until the UK general election on 12 December. | Thursday marks exactly five weeks until the UK general election on 12 December. |
| "We are delighted that an agreement has been reached," said Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson. "This is a significant moment for all people who want to support Remain candidates across the country." | "We are delighted that an agreement has been reached," said Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson. "This is a significant moment for all people who want to support Remain candidates across the country." |
| The pact follows a similar deal earlier this year in the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election, when Plaid Cymru and the Greens agreed not to put forward a candidate but instead gave way to the Lib Dems' Jane Dodds. She went on to defeat the Conservative incumbent, Chris Davies. | The pact follows a similar deal earlier this year in the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election, when Plaid Cymru and the Greens agreed not to put forward a candidate but instead gave way to the Lib Dems' Jane Dodds. She went on to defeat the Conservative incumbent, Chris Davies. |
| Will the Remain agreement make a difference? | Will the Remain agreement make a difference? |
| Analysis by BBC political analyst Peter Barnes | Analysis by BBC political analyst Peter Barnes |
| It's impossible to know in advance whether this will affect who wins any of the constituencies. | It's impossible to know in advance whether this will affect who wins any of the constituencies. |
| None of them would have had a different result in 2017 if Liberal Democrat, Plaid Cymru and Green votes had been added together. | None of them would have had a different result in 2017 if Liberal Democrat, Plaid Cymru and Green votes had been added together. |
| It's also likely that Brexit will have a bigger influence on how people vote at this election, so the idea of having a united candidate for Remain could give them a boost. | It's also likely that Brexit will have a bigger influence on how people vote at this election, so the idea of having a united candidate for Remain could give them a boost. |
| There are some seats already held by one of the parties where their majorities will be bolstered, such as Arfon and Bath. | There are some seats already held by one of the parties where their majorities will be bolstered, such as Arfon and Bath. |
| And there are other places where it makes it a bit easier to win, such as Cheltenham, Montgomeryshire and Winchester - all places the Lib Dems are gunning for - and Ynys Mon, a target for Plaid. | And there are other places where it makes it a bit easier to win, such as Cheltenham, Montgomeryshire and Winchester - all places the Lib Dems are gunning for - and Ynys Mon, a target for Plaid. |
| In England, the Greens will stand aside for the Lib Dems in 40 seats including Totnes, York Outer, Winchester and Twickenham. | In England, the Greens will stand aside for the Lib Dems in 40 seats including Totnes, York Outer, Winchester and Twickenham. |
| And the Green Party will run unchallenged by the Lib Dems in nine seats including the Isle of Wight, Bristol West, Exeter and Brighton Pavilion - where Caroline Lucas is the Greens' only MP. | And the Green Party will run unchallenged by the Lib Dems in nine seats including the Isle of Wight, Bristol West, Exeter and Brighton Pavilion - where Caroline Lucas is the Greens' only MP. |
| The pact comes after Plaid Cymru's leader Adam Price wrote to several pro-Remain parties earlier this year, calling on them to work together in a snap general election. | The pact comes after Plaid Cymru's leader Adam Price wrote to several pro-Remain parties earlier this year, calling on them to work together in a snap general election. |
| In Wales, the plan will involve the Lib Dems and Greens standing their candidates aside for Plaid Cymru in seven seats including Pontypridd. | In Wales, the plan will involve the Lib Dems and Greens standing their candidates aside for Plaid Cymru in seven seats including Pontypridd. |
| The deal does not involve the Ceredigion seat - which is currently held by Plaid Cymru but is a top election target for the Lib Dems. | The deal does not involve the Ceredigion seat - which is currently held by Plaid Cymru but is a top election target for the Lib Dems. |
| However Mike Powell, who had been the Lib Dem candidate in Pontypridd, said he would run as an independent against Plaid Cymru. | However Mike Powell, who had been the Lib Dem candidate in Pontypridd, said he would run as an independent against Plaid Cymru. |
| He told Radio 4's World at One: "I think the people deserve to have an opportunity to vote for someone who is going to represent the people of Pontypridd, rather than standing to represent a cause to remove Wales from the United Kingdom. | He told Radio 4's World at One: "I think the people deserve to have an opportunity to vote for someone who is going to represent the people of Pontypridd, rather than standing to represent a cause to remove Wales from the United Kingdom. |
| "I know there is an awful lot of members in the Welsh Liberal Democrats who are extremely unhappy with the way these negotiations have been dealt with." | "I know there is an awful lot of members in the Welsh Liberal Democrats who are extremely unhappy with the way these negotiations have been dealt with." |
| In Northern Ireland the Green Party has said it will not stand candidates in East, West or North Belfast. | |
| Green Party NI leader Clare Bailey said she was "prepared to put the need to have pro-Remain MPs returned ahead of party interest". | |
| Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill welcomed the move, which she said would maximise "the representation of pro-Remain and progressive candidates facing down DUP Brexiteers across Belfast". | |
| Last week, Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage called on Boris Johnson to form a similar election pact. He wanted the PM to drop his Brexit deal and then agree to stand aside candidates for each other. | Last week, Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage called on Boris Johnson to form a similar election pact. He wanted the PM to drop his Brexit deal and then agree to stand aside candidates for each other. |
| Mr Johnson rejected the offer and said he would not enter election pacts. | Mr Johnson rejected the offer and said he would not enter election pacts. |