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General election: Nicola Sturgeon launches campaign for 'most important election in our lifetimes' – live news General election: Nicola Sturgeon launches campaign for 'most important election in our lifetimes' – as it happened
(32 minutes later)
SNP leader speaks in Edinburgh as parties’ promises take shapeSNP leader speaks in Edinburgh as parties’ promises take shape
Three Labour candidates have been embroiled in controversies around antisemitism.
It was announced that Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn will face each other in a live BBC debate in Southampton on 6 December, six days before the election.
Boris Johnson told Northern Ireland businesses they can put customs declarations forms “in the bin” because there will be “no barriers of any kind” to trade crossing the Irish Sea.
Dawn Butler said Labour would “dismantle the structural barriers” women face in the workplace with new policies of flexible working and increased maternity leave.
Nicola Sturgeon launched the SNP campaign with a pledge to support revoking article 50.
And the Liberal Democrats’ Jo Swinson travelled to Scotland where she vowed that her party would never support another Scottish independence referendum.
The Liberal Democrats would never allow another Scottish independence referendum, Jo Swinson has said, as she pledged to keep Scotland in the UK and the UK in the EU.The Liberal Democrats would never allow another Scottish independence referendum, Jo Swinson has said, as she pledged to keep Scotland in the UK and the UK in the EU.
On a campaign visit to North East Fife, the most-marginal constituency at the last election, Swinson said another referendum is “the last thing we need”, warning it would just create further “chaos”, PA Media reports.On a campaign visit to North East Fife, the most-marginal constituency at the last election, Swinson said another referendum is “the last thing we need”, warning it would just create further “chaos”, PA Media reports.
Following the Prime Minister’s promise to voters about never allowing another referendum on Scotland’s future, Swinson also said her party would try to block any attempts by the SNP to hold another vote.Following the Prime Minister’s promise to voters about never allowing another referendum on Scotland’s future, Swinson also said her party would try to block any attempts by the SNP to hold another vote.
“I’m absolutely clear, Liberal Democrats will not be allowing another independence referendum,” Swinson told reporters on her visit to a Crafty Maltsters, a farm in Auchtermuchty.“I’m absolutely clear, Liberal Democrats will not be allowing another independence referendum,” Swinson told reporters on her visit to a Crafty Maltsters, a farm in Auchtermuchty.
A Labour government would “dismantle the structural barriers” women face in the workplace with new policies of flexible working and increased maternity leave, shadow women and equalities secretary Dawn Butler has said.A Labour government would “dismantle the structural barriers” women face in the workplace with new policies of flexible working and increased maternity leave, shadow women and equalities secretary Dawn Butler has said.
According to a report from PA Media, Butler said that Labour’s proposed workplace reforms are “the common sense approach to the modern way of life”. She added that a Labour government would aim to implement all of the policies within the first 100 days of being in office.According to a report from PA Media, Butler said that Labour’s proposed workplace reforms are “the common sense approach to the modern way of life”. She added that a Labour government would aim to implement all of the policies within the first 100 days of being in office.
Labour’s proposals include creating a new workers’ protection agency with powers to fine employers who fail to report or take action to deal with their “gender pay gap”, increasing statutory maternity pay from nine to 12 months, and a “presumption” in favour of flexible working from the first day an employee joins an organisation.Labour’s proposals include creating a new workers’ protection agency with powers to fine employers who fail to report or take action to deal with their “gender pay gap”, increasing statutory maternity pay from nine to 12 months, and a “presumption” in favour of flexible working from the first day an employee joins an organisation.
Butler said that white, straight men have “a privilege code to the lift”, fast tracking them into managerial positions, and that a Labour government would “lay the grounds for an elevator” for women, to help them secure a level playing field in the world of work.Butler said that white, straight men have “a privilege code to the lift”, fast tracking them into managerial positions, and that a Labour government would “lay the grounds for an elevator” for women, to help them secure a level playing field in the world of work.
Speaking to a group of businesswomen at the Business and Technology Centre in Stevenage, Butler said: “I have announced today some policies around flexible working in the workplace to ensure flexible working is available from day one.Speaking to a group of businesswomen at the Business and Technology Centre in Stevenage, Butler said: “I have announced today some policies around flexible working in the workplace to ensure flexible working is available from day one.
“My whole thing is flipping the script from employees always having to push an agenda to the employer, making it their responsibility.”“My whole thing is flipping the script from employees always having to push an agenda to the employer, making it their responsibility.”
Ms Butler added: “Basically, my whole thing is just about respecting women, our bodies, what we go through, and making workplaces more acceptable and friendly so everybody can contribute to the economy.Ms Butler added: “Basically, my whole thing is just about respecting women, our bodies, what we go through, and making workplaces more acceptable and friendly so everybody can contribute to the economy.
“All these policies are saying women matter.”“All these policies are saying women matter.”
Labour says the Conservative party has taken nearly half a million pounds so far this year from just three wealthy individuals with close ties to Moscow, in the latest on the ongoing saga of Russian influence in UK politics.Labour says the Conservative party has taken nearly half a million pounds so far this year from just three wealthy individuals with close ties to Moscow, in the latest on the ongoing saga of Russian influence in UK politics.
Jon Trickett, the shadow minister for the Cabinet Office, said that the Tories had an “ongoing relationship with Russian money”. Describing the Conservatives as the party of the “super-rich”, Trickett said political donations in Britain needed urgent reform and “cleaning up”.Jon Trickett, the shadow minister for the Cabinet Office, said that the Tories had an “ongoing relationship with Russian money”. Describing the Conservatives as the party of the “super-rich”, Trickett said political donations in Britain needed urgent reform and “cleaning up”.
His comments come amid a row over Boris Johnson’s refusal to publish an explosive parliamentary report on Kremlin attempts to subvert British democracy. Downing Street has effectively shelved the long-awaited report by the intelligence and security committee. It is now unlikely to be published before the election.His comments come amid a row over Boris Johnson’s refusal to publish an explosive parliamentary report on Kremlin attempts to subvert British democracy. Downing Street has effectively shelved the long-awaited report by the intelligence and security committee. It is now unlikely to be published before the election.
The dossier is understood to examine the flow of Russian money into UK politics in general and the Conservative party in particular. It looks at the assaults carried out by Russian spies on British soil, including last year’s novichok attack in Salisbury on Sergei and Yulia Skripal, and at attacks on the UK’s allies.The dossier is understood to examine the flow of Russian money into UK politics in general and the Conservative party in particular. It looks at the assaults carried out by Russian spies on British soil, including last year’s novichok attack in Salisbury on Sergei and Yulia Skripal, and at attacks on the UK’s allies.
Boris Johnson has told Northern Ireland businesses they can put customs declarations forms “in the bin” because there will be “no barriers of any kind” to trade crossing the Irish Sea, PA Media reports.Boris Johnson has told Northern Ireland businesses they can put customs declarations forms “in the bin” because there will be “no barriers of any kind” to trade crossing the Irish Sea, PA Media reports.
The Prime Minister has suggested Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay had been wrong to say goods between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK would face checks as a result of the Brexit deal struck with the European Union.The Prime Minister has suggested Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay had been wrong to say goods between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK would face checks as a result of the Brexit deal struck with the European Union.
Barclay previously told MPs that “some information” and “minimal targeted interventions” would be required on goods travelling between the two areas of the UK, due to Northern Ireland remaining aligned with Dublin and Brussels’ trading rules for agricultural products and manufactured items as part of the exit terms.Barclay previously told MPs that “some information” and “minimal targeted interventions” would be required on goods travelling between the two areas of the UK, due to Northern Ireland remaining aligned with Dublin and Brussels’ trading rules for agricultural products and manufactured items as part of the exit terms.
Labour activists know that their success in this election will rely to a large extent on mobilising younger voters who support Jeremy Corbyn.Labour activists know that their success in this election will rely to a large extent on mobilising younger voters who support Jeremy Corbyn.
To try to encourage young voters to register, activists from the grime inflected #FckBoris campaign, who organised mass protests on the PM’s first day in power, are publicising more than two dozen “DIY register & Rave parties” in towns and cities across the UK.To try to encourage young voters to register, activists from the grime inflected #FckBoris campaign, who organised mass protests on the PM’s first day in power, are publicising more than two dozen “DIY register & Rave parties” in towns and cities across the UK.
Rosa Caradonna, activist in the #FckBoris campaign, said:Rosa Caradonna, activist in the #FckBoris campaign, said:
The first register and rave party Glasgow this Saturday, 9 November, while campaigners say they have a register to vote stalls in Barnet and Hendon, north London, today.The first register and rave party Glasgow this Saturday, 9 November, while campaigners say they have a register to vote stalls in Barnet and Hendon, north London, today.
Next Saturday they plan to take the fight to Boris in his Uxbridge constituency with a “register to vote parade”, complete with a carnival-style soundsystem on an open top bus.Next Saturday they plan to take the fight to Boris in his Uxbridge constituency with a “register to vote parade”, complete with a carnival-style soundsystem on an open top bus.
Hello, Damien Gayle taking over the live blog now.Hello, Damien Gayle taking over the live blog now.
Reports of a fourth Labour potential parliamentary candidate being identified as having made antisemitic comments have proven false. We earlier shared on the blog a tweet from the Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland which identified a shortlisted candidate from Birmingham Hall Green as having been fined over comments made on Facebook. Jonathan Freedland’s report of a fourth Labour potential parliamentary candidate being identified as having made antisemitic comments has proven false. We earlier shared on the blog a tweet from the Guardian columnist which claimed to have identified a shortlisted candidate from Birmingham Hall Green as having been fined over comments made on Facebook.
Freedland has since deleted his tweets and replaced it with this correction.Freedland has since deleted his tweets and replaced it with this correction.
He later followed up with this apology.
BBC Scotland is to stage a general election leaders debate less than 48 hours before the polls open, which could exclude the Scottish Greens or the Brexit party if they fail to stand enough candidates.BBC Scotland is to stage a general election leaders debate less than 48 hours before the polls open, which could exclude the Scottish Greens or the Brexit party if they fail to stand enough candidates.
The broadcaster announced that the live debate would be staged at its Pacific Quay headquarters in Glasgow at 8pm on Tuesday 10 December, but the full line-up of party leaders has not yet been confirmed.The broadcaster announced that the live debate would be staged at its Pacific Quay headquarters in Glasgow at 8pm on Tuesday 10 December, but the full line-up of party leaders has not yet been confirmed.
The BBC will make an invitation conditional on how many Westminster candidates a party puts up for the election – risking another bitter row with any parties excluded from taking part. Nicola Sturgeon for the SNP, and Jo Swinson for the Lib Dems, have already protested at decisions by broadcasters to exclude them from some UK-level debates.The BBC will make an invitation conditional on how many Westminster candidates a party puts up for the election – risking another bitter row with any parties excluded from taking part. Nicola Sturgeon for the SNP, and Jo Swinson for the Lib Dems, have already protested at decisions by broadcasters to exclude them from some UK-level debates.
The Scottish Greens are holding talks later on Friday with the BBC about the threshold it will expect parties to meet.The Scottish Greens are holding talks later on Friday with the BBC about the threshold it will expect parties to meet.
Scotland has 59 Westminster constituencies and the Scottish Greens, which is separate from the Green party of England and Wales, only have candidates for 21 contests at present, with only three or four of its branches still to decide on whether to stand or not. The rest have opted not to put up candidates. Nominations close on 14 November.Scotland has 59 Westminster constituencies and the Scottish Greens, which is separate from the Green party of England and Wales, only have candidates for 21 contests at present, with only three or four of its branches still to decide on whether to stand or not. The rest have opted not to put up candidates. Nominations close on 14 November.
The BBC expects to have Sturgeon, Richard Leonard, the Scottish Labour leader, Jackson Carlaw, interim leader of the Scottish Conservatives, and Willie Rennie, leader of the Scottish Lib Dems. Their parties are contesting all 59 seats.The BBC expects to have Sturgeon, Richard Leonard, the Scottish Labour leader, Jackson Carlaw, interim leader of the Scottish Conservatives, and Willie Rennie, leader of the Scottish Lib Dems. Their parties are contesting all 59 seats.
The Brexit party has still to declare how many candidates it will stand in Scotland, but may struggle to contest all 59 seats.The Brexit party has still to declare how many candidates it will stand in Scotland, but may struggle to contest all 59 seats.
YouGov has published a thread with predicted voting intentions in the general election by region.YouGov has published a thread with predicted voting intentions in the general election by region.
This just in from ITV’s Paul Brand:This just in from ITV’s Paul Brand:
Several commentators wonder why the shortlist of Conservative candidates for Bassetlaw, a potential swing seat the Tories will need to target, has only been announced today.Several commentators wonder why the shortlist of Conservative candidates for Bassetlaw, a potential swing seat the Tories will need to target, has only been announced today.
Bassetlaw was held by Labour MP John Mann from 2001 to 2019, before he stepped down to become a member of the House of Lords.Bassetlaw was held by Labour MP John Mann from 2001 to 2019, before he stepped down to become a member of the House of Lords.
The constituency has not been won by the Conservatives since 1924, but had a 67 per cent vote for leave in the 2016 referendum.The constituency has not been won by the Conservatives since 1924, but had a 67 per cent vote for leave in the 2016 referendum.
Bassetlaw is making headlines with the deselection of Labour candidate Sally Gimson who was barred from standing by the NEC after internal complaints were made against her.Bassetlaw is making headlines with the deselection of Labour candidate Sally Gimson who was barred from standing by the NEC after internal complaints were made against her.
Mann called the removal of Gimson a Momentum “stitch-up”.Mann called the removal of Gimson a Momentum “stitch-up”.
This from the Times’ Henry Zeffman:This from the Times’ Henry Zeffman:
My colleague Rajeev Syal has written about the former Labour candidate Gideon Bull, who pulled out of the election race for the Clacton seat after accusations that he used the insulting term “Shylock” in a meeting attended by a Jewish councillor.My colleague Rajeev Syal has written about the former Labour candidate Gideon Bull, who pulled out of the election race for the Clacton seat after accusations that he used the insulting term “Shylock” in a meeting attended by a Jewish councillor.
Here’s an excerpt:Here’s an excerpt:
The Lib Dem MP Luciana Berger has criticised he BBC for excluding Jo Swinson from the standoff debate between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn, arguing the decision granted an exclusive platform to two pro-Brexit leaders.The Lib Dem MP Luciana Berger has criticised he BBC for excluding Jo Swinson from the standoff debate between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn, arguing the decision granted an exclusive platform to two pro-Brexit leaders.
A third Labour candidate in one day has been been embroiled in controversy surrounding allegations of antisemitism.A third Labour candidate in one day has been been embroiled in controversy surrounding allegations of antisemitism.
Jewish News reported that Laura McAlpine, the party’s candidate for Harlow, defended her chief campaigner after he wrote about a “Jewish final solution” to the Israel and Palestine conflict.Jewish News reported that Laura McAlpine, the party’s candidate for Harlow, defended her chief campaigner after he wrote about a “Jewish final solution” to the Israel and Palestine conflict.
McAlpine, who is aiming to unseat the Tory MP Robert Halfon, refused to condemn the remarks of Brett Hawksbee, despite a party official having warned that Hawksbee had “breached IHRA (the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism) in almost every single way possible”, the article stated.McAlpine, who is aiming to unseat the Tory MP Robert Halfon, refused to condemn the remarks of Brett Hawksbee, despite a party official having warned that Hawksbee had “breached IHRA (the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism) in almost every single way possible”, the article stated.
Hawksbee blogged in September 2018: “The fear of many on the left is that the ideological successors of the bombers of the King David hotel, the mass murderers who decimated Deir Yassin, would be quite happy to see a pogrom in Gaza and the West Bank, a Jewish final solution to the Palestine problem.”Hawksbee blogged in September 2018: “The fear of many on the left is that the ideological successors of the bombers of the King David hotel, the mass murderers who decimated Deir Yassin, would be quite happy to see a pogrom in Gaza and the West Bank, a Jewish final solution to the Palestine problem.”
According to the article, one email circulated to Labour staffers stated that McAlpine “isn’t happy with the first line (of the apology) because she doesn’t want to be disloyal to someone who ‘organises so much for her and who she is on the phone with three times a day’”.According to the article, one email circulated to Labour staffers stated that McAlpine “isn’t happy with the first line (of the apology) because she doesn’t want to be disloyal to someone who ‘organises so much for her and who she is on the phone with three times a day’”.
Boris Johnson has turned his failed “Brexit - do or die” pledge into a “do or dry”, claiming he has given up alcohol until after Brexit is sorted, PA Media reports.But according to the report, the prime minister was “watched sipping whisky during a distillery visit in Scotland on Thursday, casting doubt on his commitment to the alcohol ban”.Boris Johnson has turned his failed “Brexit - do or die” pledge into a “do or dry”, claiming he has given up alcohol until after Brexit is sorted, PA Media reports.But according to the report, the prime minister was “watched sipping whisky during a distillery visit in Scotland on Thursday, casting doubt on his commitment to the alcohol ban”.
Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn will face each other in a live BBC debate in Southampton on 6 December just six days before Britons head to the polls.Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn will face each other in a live BBC debate in Southampton on 6 December just six days before Britons head to the polls.
The BBC will also present a live seven-way podium debate between senior figures from the UK’s major political parties on 29 November in Cardiff.The BBC will also present a live seven-way podium debate between senior figures from the UK’s major political parties on 29 November in Cardiff.
The Today presenter and former BBC political editor Nick Robinson, who will present the two debates, said he hoped they would “illuminate the choice we all face between competing parties, leaders, policies and visions for the country”.The Today presenter and former BBC political editor Nick Robinson, who will present the two debates, said he hoped they would “illuminate the choice we all face between competing parties, leaders, policies and visions for the country”.
This from Kamal Ahmed, the BBC’s editorial director:This from Kamal Ahmed, the BBC’s editorial director:
Nicola Sturgeon had previously described the decision by Sky to only invite Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn and Jo Swinson for a live debate as “outrageous”:Nicola Sturgeon had previously described the decision by Sky to only invite Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn and Jo Swinson for a live debate as “outrageous”:
A good point made by the Sun’s Kate Ferguson:A good point made by the Sun’s Kate Ferguson:
This from my colleague Kate Proctor, reporting from Nigel Farage’s rally in Pontypool, south Wales. Pontypool is in the Torfaen constituency, which has been held by the Labour MP Nick Thomas-Symonds since 2015.This from my colleague Kate Proctor, reporting from Nigel Farage’s rally in Pontypool, south Wales. Pontypool is in the Torfaen constituency, which has been held by the Labour MP Nick Thomas-Symonds since 2015.
As predicted by some, the official Twitter account of the Conservative party just shared a meme featuring Nicola Sturgeon with a miniature Jeremy Corbyn in her pocket.As predicted by some, the official Twitter account of the Conservative party just shared a meme featuring Nicola Sturgeon with a miniature Jeremy Corbyn in her pocket.
Many of you, dear readers, will remember the original, a billboard showing Ed Miliband stuffed into the pocket of Alex Salmond, with some believing it was this poster that forced Miliband to rule out an SNP coalition during the 2015 general election campaign.Many of you, dear readers, will remember the original, a billboard showing Ed Miliband stuffed into the pocket of Alex Salmond, with some believing it was this poster that forced Miliband to rule out an SNP coalition during the 2015 general election campaign.