This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2019/nov/08/general-election-parties-unveil-plans-amid-spending-warnings-live-news

The article has changed 24 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
General election: SNP to launch campaign 'to escape Brexit' – live news General election: SNP to launch campaign 'to escape Brexit' – live news
(32 minutes later)
Election campaign takes shape, with cheaper visas for NHS staff and year-long maternity pay among the parties’ promisesElection campaign takes shape, with cheaper visas for NHS staff and year-long maternity pay among the parties’ promises
Neither Labour nor the Conservatives are off to a good start today, with a video of Boris Johnson stating falsehoods about post-Brexit trade with Northern Ireland circulating widely, and the fall of two Labour candidates for the upcoming general election because of anti-Semitism allegations.
There is much anger and scorn on the wires about both situations.
This from Labour’s Keir Starmer:
And this from MailOnline’s Jack Maidment:
And here we have the same point made by the Lib Dem’s Tom Brake:
This from the Mail on Sunday’s Dan Hodges on the two disgraced Labour candidates:
This from PoliticsHome’s Kevin Schofield:
According to LBC, the Labour candidate Ian Byrne, who is running in the safe-seat of Liverpool West Derby, is responsible for a number of misogynist social media comments against female politicians. In a post on Facebook in 2015 about Michelle Mone, the founder of underwear brand Ultimo, he called on his supporters to “hit the c**t where it hurts”.
My colleague Maya Wolfe-Robinson has written a story on how thousands of children in care whose immigration status will be affected by Brexit could face homelessness, immigration detention or deportation.
This from Sky’s Tom Rayner:
Nancy Kelley, deputy chief executive of NatCen Social Research, has written an interesting comment about the voting age for the Times Red Box, stating that the majority of the public (60 per cent) think we should leave things as they are, while 19 per cent think 16 and 17 year olds should be allowed to vote, and 16 per cent say the voting age should be raised to 21.Nancy Kelley, deputy chief executive of NatCen Social Research, has written an interesting comment about the voting age for the Times Red Box, stating that the majority of the public (60 per cent) think we should leave things as they are, while 19 per cent think 16 and 17 year olds should be allowed to vote, and 16 per cent say the voting age should be raised to 21.
“Nearly a quarter of those aged 65 or over think older is better when it comes to voting in general elections,” she writes.“Nearly a quarter of those aged 65 or over think older is better when it comes to voting in general elections,” she writes.
Quick reminder that’s it worth refreshing this blog every once in a while, as sometimes posts get amended, but especially if you dislike typos.Quick reminder that’s it worth refreshing this blog every once in a while, as sometimes posts get amended, but especially if you dislike typos.
Parliamentary SNP leader Ian Blackford told the Today programme that his party is “determined” to pass legislation that will allow it to hold another referendum on Scottish independence.Parliamentary SNP leader Ian Blackford told the Today programme that his party is “determined” to pass legislation that will allow it to hold another referendum on Scottish independence.
He added that the referendum needed to happen in 2020, so that Scotland could inform the EU of its wish to remain and then move into independent EU membership.He added that the referendum needed to happen in 2020, so that Scotland could inform the EU of its wish to remain and then move into independent EU membership.
Asked if the SNP would be prepared to support Jeremy Corbyn if he offered a referendum, Blackford said: “It’s not a question of supporting Jeremy Corbyn, because it’s a question that we would put to whoever is in 10 Downing Street, that they must respect the votes of the people of Scotland. “We’ve won every election over the course of the last few years in Scotland, but crucially we won a mandate to have a referendum on Scottish independence.”Asked if the SNP would be prepared to support Jeremy Corbyn if he offered a referendum, Blackford said: “It’s not a question of supporting Jeremy Corbyn, because it’s a question that we would put to whoever is in 10 Downing Street, that they must respect the votes of the people of Scotland. “We’ve won every election over the course of the last few years in Scotland, but crucially we won a mandate to have a referendum on Scottish independence.”
A second Scottish Labour election candidate has been dropped after she posted an image on Twitter which appeared to threaten the Scottish National party candidate Joanna Cherry, who is defending her seat of Edinburgh South West.A second Scottish Labour election candidate has been dropped after she posted an image on Twitter which appeared to threaten the Scottish National party candidate Joanna Cherry, who is defending her seat of Edinburgh South West.
Frances Hoole was selected to stand against Cherry, who won Edinburgh South West in 2015 and held it in 2017. She was brought before Scottish Labour national executive on Wednesday after posting a composite image of Cherry’s face being sprayed from a Cillit Bang household cleaner bottle with the caption “Bang. And the terf is gone.”Frances Hoole was selected to stand against Cherry, who won Edinburgh South West in 2015 and held it in 2017. She was brought before Scottish Labour national executive on Wednesday after posting a composite image of Cherry’s face being sprayed from a Cillit Bang household cleaner bottle with the caption “Bang. And the terf is gone.”
“Terf” is the term used by trans-rights activists to describe women who are critics as “trans-exclusionary radical feminists”.“Terf” is the term used by trans-rights activists to describe women who are critics as “trans-exclusionary radical feminists”.
Cherry has been a leading figure in the campaign by women parliamentarians and activists in the SNP challenging some gender-recognition plans, including altering census questions.Cherry has been a leading figure in the campaign by women parliamentarians and activists in the SNP challenging some gender-recognition plans, including altering census questions.
Hoole apologised on Twitter and told the Edinburgh Evening News she accepted her tweet was unacceptable and apologised. “I am genuinely really sorry I posted it. I’m sorry about the violent content.Hoole apologised on Twitter and told the Edinburgh Evening News she accepted her tweet was unacceptable and apologised. “I am genuinely really sorry I posted it. I’m sorry about the violent content.
“I apologised about the actual content of the meme. It was silly, I posted it without looking very hard at it.”“I apologised about the actual content of the meme. It was silly, I posted it without looking very hard at it.”
Her removal came on the same day another Scottish Labour candidate, Kate Ramsden, stood down in Gordon in north east Scotland after a blog emerged where she described Israel as “an abused child who becomes an abusive adult”.Her removal came on the same day another Scottish Labour candidate, Kate Ramsden, stood down in Gordon in north east Scotland after a blog emerged where she described Israel as “an abused child who becomes an abusive adult”.
According to the BBC’s Iain Watson, an alliance of 51 Labour MPs has signed a letter pledging “to campaign to Remain in any confirmatory referendum”.According to the BBC’s Iain Watson, an alliance of 51 Labour MPs has signed a letter pledging “to campaign to Remain in any confirmatory referendum”.
Signatories include Wes Streeting, David Lammy, Margaret Beckett, Rosie Duffield and Helen Hayes.Signatories include Wes Streeting, David Lammy, Margaret Beckett, Rosie Duffield and Helen Hayes.
The letter states:The letter states:
The crossbench peer Gus O’Donnell has said on the Today programme that the future chancellor would have to increase taxes in order to fund the government’s and the opposition’s current spending promises.The crossbench peer Gus O’Donnell has said on the Today programme that the future chancellor would have to increase taxes in order to fund the government’s and the opposition’s current spending promises.
“When you look at the big capital spending increases – it’s about 50 billion for Labour, 20 billion for the Conservatives - do we have the capacity?” he asked.“When you look at the big capital spending increases – it’s about 50 billion for Labour, 20 billion for the Conservatives - do we have the capacity?” he asked.
“The civil servants who are writing their briefing packs for the incoming ministers for various parties will be thinking: well what could you spend this on?“The civil servants who are writing their briefing packs for the incoming ministers for various parties will be thinking: well what could you spend this on?
“What’s, as it were, shovel ready? Will you get good value for money if you rush at it this quickly?“What’s, as it were, shovel ready? Will you get good value for money if you rush at it this quickly?
“So I think there’ll be lots of bottlenecks.”“So I think there’ll be lots of bottlenecks.”
The Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, Christine Jardine, has criticised the SNP’s push for another independence referendum, and told Sky that she believes the SNP needs “to start thinking about what’s best for the people of Scotland, not independence”.The Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, Christine Jardine, has criticised the SNP’s push for another independence referendum, and told Sky that she believes the SNP needs “to start thinking about what’s best for the people of Scotland, not independence”.
The Clacton Labour candidate, Gideon Bull, has quit over the accusation that he used an antisemitic term in front of a Jewish Labour councillor. According to the BBC’s Simon Dedman, Bull admitted in an interview with BBC Essex to using the term “Shylock” in a meeting, but added: “The allegation that I called a Jewish cabinet member ‘Shylock’ is entirely false.”The Clacton Labour candidate, Gideon Bull, has quit over the accusation that he used an antisemitic term in front of a Jewish Labour councillor. According to the BBC’s Simon Dedman, Bull admitted in an interview with BBC Essex to using the term “Shylock” in a meeting, but added: “The allegation that I called a Jewish cabinet member ‘Shylock’ is entirely false.”
While on the campaign trail, Boris Johnson promised there won’t be any checks on goods coming from Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK, a comment that has caused much furore on Twitter.While on the campaign trail, Boris Johnson promised there won’t be any checks on goods coming from Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK, a comment that has caused much furore on Twitter.
This from my colleague Lisa O’Carroll:This from my colleague Lisa O’Carroll:
And this from Sky’s deputy political editor, Sam Coates:And this from Sky’s deputy political editor, Sam Coates:
And this from Sky’s Lewis Goodall:And this from Sky’s Lewis Goodall:
While membership growth is of course a boost for Labour’s chances at the polls next month, it remains to be seen whether the party will be able to overcome scepticism amongst moderate supporters.
Mike Gapes, the long-standing MP for Ilford South, who left the Labour party earlier this year, accused Shami Chakrabarti of “whitewashing” in regard to her comments today on antisemitism.
The Spectator’s editor, Fraser Nelson, has gone as far as suggesting that Tom Watson’s resignation as the party’s deputy leader and Ian Austin’s decision to leave the party and endorse the Conservatives is a sign that “true Labour supporters need to vote for Boris Johnson”.
Labour party membership numbers are recovering, according to PoliticsHome’s Kevin Schofield. In July, it emerged that tens of thousands of members had quit, causing membership to shrink to less than half a million.
The Labour peer and shadow attorney general, Shami Chakrabarti told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the Labour party had dragged its feet over complaints about antisemitism.
When asked about an opinion poll in the Jewish Chronicle newspaper, according to which the vast majority of British Jews consider Jeremy Corbyn to be an antisemite, she responded: “That obviously is incredibly alarming and disappointing. Because we dragged our feet on implementation for so long there is a trust gap.
“And so even though I believe that our procedures are way better now than they were a few years ago, it’s going to take time to rebuild trust, and it’s going to take more than procedures.”
Chakrabarti also described Labour’s pledge to change the way women are treated at work as “perhaps the most radical offer to women in 50 years”.
Under a Labour-led government, mothers will be given maternity pay for a full year after the birth of their children and all employees will have a right to work flexibly, according to the party’s manifesto.
Hello, I’m taking over the blog from my colleague Kate Lyons.
The SNP is launching its election campaign today. Hours ahead of the launch, the party’s official Twitter account shared an article from the Scotsman, in which it was reported yesterday that Boris Johnson would not allow another Scottish independence referendum, and that the PM had claimed the SNP leader, Nicola Sturgeon, and Jeremy Corbyn were “yoke-mates of destruction” over the threat they both pose to the future of the UK.
Sturgeon is to seek a section 30 order before the end of the year from whoever will be the next PM, which would allow Scotland to stage another vote on leaving the UK.
Speaking before the launch, Sturgeon said:
PA Media has this report on Margaret Hodge’s interview on BBC Radio 4 this morning:
The papers
Jon Henley, the Guardian’s Europe correspondent, on Boris Johnson:
What’s happening today?
Nigel Farage is heading to Wales and will be attending a rally for the Brexit party in Pontypool at about midday and then another at Newport in the evening.
Labour will be holding a lunchtime event in Stevenage featuring Dawn Butler, the shadow minister for women and equalities, who announced last night she would be throwing her hat into the ring for the job of deputy Labour leader.
Jo Swinson is in Fife and Boris Johnson is on pooled visits, though it’s unclear exactly where.
The list of candidates who have stood down for inappropriate behaviour continues to grow.
A former radio host running as a Conservative candidate for Broadland in Norfolk withdrew from the race after saying women should keep their “knickers on” to avoid rape and a Labour candidate who had been standing for Gordon in Aberdeenshire announced she would no longer run after it emerged she had made comments comparing Israel to “an abused child who becomes an abusive adult”.
Roger Godsiff, the Labour MP for Birmingham Hall Green, was among those told this week by the national executive committee that he would not be endorsed as a Labour candidate over his support for people protesting against the teaching of LGBT equality classes at a local school. He has confirmed he will run as an Independent Labour candidate.
Good morning!
It’s day two of the election campaign and we hope you’re still brimful of energy for political news. I’m Kate Lyons and will be bringing you the day’s political news early in the morning, before I hand over the blog. As usual, you can get in touch via Twitter or email.
The parties have started unveiling their plans and promises as leaders travel the country, laying out their stalls for election.
Boris Johnson has announced a plan for half-price visas and preferential immigration processes for doctors and nurses wanting to work in the UK. The new NHS visa would cost just £464 and would operate under a fast-track process, with applicants guaranteed a decision within two weeks.
Labour has unveiled its plans to improve equality in the workplace, pledging to introduce maternity pay for a full year after the birth of a child and give workers the rights to choose hours that suit them, putting the onus on employers to explain why they cannot offer flexible working hours. The announcement comes as the shock of Tom Watson’s resignation as deputy leader continues to ripple through the party. Watson’s allies have called his decision a “big loss” for the centre, with one saying “it leaves some of us feeling abandoned. Tom was our shield.” The race to replace him has already begun, with Dawn Butler, the women’s and equalities shadow minister, the first to announce she will be throwing her hat in the ring for the job. Rajeev Syal has written this guide to the runners and riders for the job.
But both parties have been warned by the Institute of Fiscal Studies about their ambitious spending promises, saying that the public spending bidding war Labour and the Conservatives are engaged in may return infrastructure investment back to 1970s levels, but may also be undeliverable.
Thanks for reading.