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General election: Corbyn claims Trump-Farage-Johnson pact poses threat to rights in UK – live news General election: Corbyn claims Trump-Farage-Johnson pact poses threat to rights in UK – as it happened
(about 1 hour later)
Jeremy Corbyn and Angela Rayner speak in Blackpool as Johnson chairs Cobra meeting on floodsJeremy Corbyn and Angela Rayner speak in Blackpool as Johnson chairs Cobra meeting on floods
We’re going to close down this live blog now. Thanks for reading and commenting. For a detailed rundown of the day’s main events, see Andrew Sparrow’s election briefing:
And here’s a summary of what’s happened since he put that together earlier this evening:
The former cabinet minister, David Gauke, announced he is to run as an independent. Gauke said it was necessary to prevent his former colleagues forming a government because of the damage their Brexit plan would likely cause.
A Lib Dem candidate in a marginal Labour seat stood down. Tim Walker made the unilateral decision to avoid the “nightmare” of handing the constituency back to the Conservatives.
If you’d like to read yet more, my colleagues Rowena Mason and Denis Campbell have tonight’s splash:
The former justice and work and pensions secretary, David Gauke, will stand as an independent after losing the Conservative whip, he has said.The former justice and work and pensions secretary, David Gauke, will stand as an independent after losing the Conservative whip, he has said.
Gauke has told the Times he wants to convince Tory supporters to prevent Boris Johnson pushing through a “very hard Brexit” and said he will seek reelection as the MP for South West Hertfordshire.Gauke has told the Times he wants to convince Tory supporters to prevent Boris Johnson pushing through a “very hard Brexit” and said he will seek reelection as the MP for South West Hertfordshire.
The paper quotes him as saying it would be “no bad thing” if “traditional, long-standing” Conservative supporters backed the Lib Dems this time round, though he was careful to say he was best placed to stop the Tories in the constituency in which he’s standing.The paper quotes him as saying it would be “no bad thing” if “traditional, long-standing” Conservative supporters backed the Lib Dems this time round, though he was careful to say he was best placed to stop the Tories in the constituency in which he’s standing.
In 2017, Gauke won more than half of the votes, taking the seat with a majority of nearly 20,000 on a turnout of only slightly more than 60,000. According to various correspondents in Westminster, he has acknowledged the news at an awards ceremony in London this evening:In 2017, Gauke won more than half of the votes, taking the seat with a majority of nearly 20,000 on a turnout of only slightly more than 60,000. According to various correspondents in Westminster, he has acknowledged the news at an awards ceremony in London this evening:
The SNP holding the balance of power in a hung parliament after the general election would be the “best” outcome for Scotland, The SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has said.The SNP holding the balance of power in a hung parliament after the general election would be the “best” outcome for Scotland, The SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has said.
The first minister said such a scenario would put “Scotland into a powerful, influential position” where the country’s wishes could not be ignored by Westminster politicians.The first minister said such a scenario would put “Scotland into a powerful, influential position” where the country’s wishes could not be ignored by Westminster politicians.
She has told a rally in Johnstone, in Renfrewshire, that “given the need to make Scotland’s voice heard ... the need to make sure Scotland’s interests are to the fore, perhaps the best way of doing that is to have the SNP and SNP MPs holding the balance of power in a situation where neither of the main parties have an overall majority”.She has told a rally in Johnstone, in Renfrewshire, that “given the need to make Scotland’s voice heard ... the need to make sure Scotland’s interests are to the fore, perhaps the best way of doing that is to have the SNP and SNP MPs holding the balance of power in a situation where neither of the main parties have an overall majority”.
Sturgeon added that this would put “Scotland into a powerful, influential position where we can make sure Scotland cannot be ignored”.Sturgeon added that this would put “Scotland into a powerful, influential position where we can make sure Scotland cannot be ignored”.
She also revealed to she had spent had spent “a fair bit of time” considering her next steps if the UK’s next prime minister refuses to grant her the power to hold a second Scottish independence referendum.She also revealed to she had spent had spent “a fair bit of time” considering her next steps if the UK’s next prime minister refuses to grant her the power to hold a second Scottish independence referendum.
Earlier this evening, the BBC reported that the Tories had selected as a candidate a former MP who lost his seat after being convicted of submitting fake expenses documents. Chris Davies, formerly the MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, will now stand in Ynys Môn, the BBC said.Earlier this evening, the BBC reported that the Tories had selected as a candidate a former MP who lost his seat after being convicted of submitting fake expenses documents. Chris Davies, formerly the MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, will now stand in Ynys Môn, the BBC said.
Responding to the the news, the deputy leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Christine Humphreys, has said:Responding to the the news, the deputy leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Christine Humphreys, has said:
Labour have responded to the Guardian’s report on a dossier exposing more than two dozen sitting and former Conservative councillors for posting Islamophobic and racist material on social media (see 7.05pm). Naz Shah, the shadow equalities minister, has said:Labour have responded to the Guardian’s report on a dossier exposing more than two dozen sitting and former Conservative councillors for posting Islamophobic and racist material on social media (see 7.05pm). Naz Shah, the shadow equalities minister, has said:
When seeking the Tory leadership, Johnson promised to hold an external investigation into Islamophobia. He has not honoured that promise and a “general investigation” into all types of discrimination.When seeking the Tory leadership, Johnson promised to hold an external investigation into Islamophobia. He has not honoured that promise and a “general investigation” into all types of discrimination.
My colleague, Peter Walker, has this on the news that the Lib Dems plan to replace Tim Walker and fight for Canterbury (see 7.31pm):My colleague, Peter Walker, has this on the news that the Lib Dems plan to replace Tim Walker and fight for Canterbury (see 7.31pm):
Labour have given short shrift to the government’s announcement of greater flood relief efforts, saying they do not go far enough (see 7.28pm). Jon Trickett, the shadow minister for the cabinet office, has said:Labour have given short shrift to the government’s announcement of greater flood relief efforts, saying they do not go far enough (see 7.28pm). Jon Trickett, the shadow minister for the cabinet office, has said:
The Brexit party have hit back at Louis Steadman-Bryce after he quit as its general election candidate in Glasgow North East over Nigel Farage’s decision to back out of fighting the Tories in hundreds of constituencies (see 7.04pm).The Brexit party have hit back at Louis Steadman-Bryce after he quit as its general election candidate in Glasgow North East over Nigel Farage’s decision to back out of fighting the Tories in hundreds of constituencies (see 7.04pm).
The party’s director of campaign strategy, Jack Irvine, has said:The party’s director of campaign strategy, Jack Irvine, has said:
Having been lucky enough to have “bumped into” the prime minister just as he was mulling over his love for fish and chips and why, exactly, we’re having this election, the Tories have put out this campaign video:Having been lucky enough to have “bumped into” the prime minister just as he was mulling over his love for fish and chips and why, exactly, we’re having this election, the Tories have put out this campaign video:
And, almost immediately, the prime minister has come in for criticism for making what Labour claim is a series of false claims – including that they would hold referendums on both Brexit and Scottish independence in 2020 if Corbyn got in to No 10 next month.And, almost immediately, the prime minister has come in for criticism for making what Labour claim is a series of false claims – including that they would hold referendums on both Brexit and Scottish independence in 2020 if Corbyn got in to No 10 next month.
Andrew Gwynne, Labour’s co-national campaign coordinator, has said:Andrew Gwynne, Labour’s co-national campaign coordinator, has said:
The former chancellor, Philip Hammond, has found a job worth about £125,000 a year within a week of stepping down as an MP.The former chancellor, Philip Hammond, has found a job worth about £125,000 a year within a week of stepping down as an MP.
He has become a non-executive director of Irish metal and glass packaging firm Ardagh, which is listed on the New York stock exchange. The firm said Hammond had joined its board and would serve on its audit committee, which oversees financial reporting and disclosure.He has become a non-executive director of Irish metal and glass packaging firm Ardagh, which is listed on the New York stock exchange. The firm said Hammond had joined its board and would serve on its audit committee, which oversees financial reporting and disclosure.
The Lib Dems intend to replace Walker and contest the Canterbury seat, a party spokesman has said.
The Liberal Democrat candidate in a marginal Labour seat has unilaterally decided to stand down, saying that while the two parties could not agree on a pact he wanted to avoid the “nightmare” of handing the constituency back to the Conservatives.
In an article for the Guardian, Tim Walker said that while he did not trust Jeremy Corbyn on Brexit, he wanted to give Rosie Duffield, the Labour candidate who took Canterbury from the Tories for the first time in 2017 by just 187 votes, the best chance of winning.
The announcement of his candidacy had dismayed some Lib Dems, who argued that while there is no formal deal between their party and Labour it would be better to stand aside to help Duffield, who is strongly pro-remain. In 2017 the then-Lib Dem candidate received more than 4,500 votes.
An additional 100 armed forces personnel will be sent to flood-affected areas following today’s Cobra meeting, No 10 has said.
Boris Johnson convened the emergency meeting five days after the flooding hit parts of northern England and the Midlands after calls to do some from the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn. The prime minister had earlier said the flooding was not sufficient to be defined as a “national emergency”. Following the meeting, Johnson said:
The government announced that, under the flood recovery framework, it will “provide funding to support the recovery efforts of local councils where households and businesses have been affected”. No 10 has said:
The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) will provide a community recovery grant to local councils – equivalent to £500 per eligible household - to help communities with their immediate recovery.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) will provide funding for a business recovery grant, which will provide up to £2,500 per eligible small and medium-sized businesses which have suffered severe impacts from the floods that cannot be recovered from insurance.
The UK Standby Battalion, based in Catterick, will be deployed from tomorrow.
Twenty-five sitting and former Conservative councillors have been exposed for posting Islamophobic and racist material on social media, according to a dossier obtained by the Guardian that intensifies the row over anti-Muslim sentiment in the party.
The disclosure that 15 current and 10 former Tory councillors have posted, shared or endorsed Islamophobic or other racist content on Facebook or Twitter will increase pressure on Boris Johnson after he backtracked on a pledge to hold an independent inquiry into the issue.
Inflammatory posts recorded in the dossier, which has been sent to the party’s headquarters, include calls for mosques to be banned, claims the faith wants to “turn the world Muslim”, referring to its followers as “barbarians” and “the enemy within”.
The Brexit party’s Scottish MEP, Louis Stedman-Bryce, has quit as its general election candidate after Nigel Farage announced the party would not contest seats held by the Conservatives.
Stedman-Bryce was planning to stand in Glasgow North East, a Labour marginal seat won at the last election by Paul Sweeney with a very narrow majority of 242. No pro-Brexit party has yet stood in that seat, although the British National party has twice contested it, and twice lost its deposit.
One of Scotland’s few black political representatives, Stedman-Bryce won the Brexit party’s only seat in Scotland in the May European elections with nearly 15% of the vote after it capitalised on a surge in pro-Brexit sympathies, replacing Ukip which had won a seat in 2014.
He tweeted that Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal would be a disaster for the UK and should be resisted:
Farage announced on Monday that his party was no longer going to contest 317 seats being defended by the Tories, focusing instead on Labour seats around the UK. Stedman-Bryce’s resignation as a candidate in Glasgow North East will have little impact on the result there, since that contest is a straight fight between Labour and the SNP.
The Brexit party is also expected to stand candidates in SNP-defended constituencies, a move likely to lower the odds of the Tories winning in the hyper-marginal seat of Perth and North Perthshire. The Tories were 21 votes short of taking the seat off the SNP’s Pete Wishart in 2017 and hope this year to displace him.
The BBC has reported that the former Ukip and Brexit party MEP in Scotland, David Coburn, has called on Farage to stand down all the party’s candidates in Scotland to “give the Conservatives a good run at things”. Coburn said:
Sticking with Swinson’s efforts to win round Welsh voters, she has launched the Welsh Liberal Democrats’ campaign on the steps of the Senedd, the assembly building, in Cardiff today.
The Lib Dems have a five-point plan in Wales – with stopping Brexit at the top of the agenda, but they are also focusing on issues such as the climate emergency, teacher recruitment and mental health.
Swinson was also keen to highlight the number of women the party has on the team in Wales and argued that this could attract more female voters.
However, the Lib Dems only had one Welsh MP in the last election: Jane Dodds, who won the byelection in Brecon and Radnorshire in the summer. As a whole, Wales voted to leave the EU.
Swinson’s party has an agreement with Plaid Cymru and the Greens to put up only one remain candidate in 11 of the 40 seats. But the Lib Dems and Plaid are keenly fighting the marginal seat of Ceredigion in west Wales, where both believe they have a good chance of a win. Swinson has said:
On Brexit, she has said:
And, referring to the remain alliance, she has said:
The Lib Dems say their five-point plan in Wales is to...
Stop Brexit and invest a £50bn “remain bonus” in public services and tackling inequality.
Tackle the climate emergency by providing enough money to insulate every home by 2030 to cut emissions, prioritising all fuel-poor homes by 2025.
Give every child the best start in life by recruiting more teachers, as part of an extra £560m for schools.
Build a fair economy with opportunity for all by providing universal free childcare, and delivering a right to lifelong learning by investing in skills people need throughout their lives.
Transform mental health by providing enough money for the Welsh NHS to treat it with the same urgency as physical health.
It will be “very difficult” to conclude a tariff and quota-free trade deal by the end of 2020, Ireland’s deputy prime minister Simon Coveney has said.
“It’s possible … I think the timeline will be very tight,” he told reporters in Dublin. Coveney also pointed out that some trade deals have taken up to a year to ratify, not to mention negotiate. Canada’s deal with the EU took seven years to negotiate and member states took 11 months to ratify it.
He’s best known for standing outside parliament shouting “stop Brexit” over live broadcasts. Now, Steve Bray is now going to be a Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate in the Welsh constituency, Cynon Valley.
The party’s leader, Jo Swinson, has insisted Bray should not be seen as a joke candidate, adding:
Asked how she would respond to people who might not take his candidacy seriously, Swinson said:
Bray has gained the nickname “Mr No Brexit” for his longrunning demonstration. In October, he told the Observer his protest began online, before he decided to move it to College Green:
Labour plans to complain to the broadcast regulator, Ofcom, over Sky News’ branding of the upcoming vote as the “Brexit election”. The party believes that is tied too closely to what it sees as a Conservative strategy to focus the campaigning on Brexit.
Officials have been making representations directly to Sky News in recent days but feel that route has now been exhausted. A Labour source has said:
The news was first reported by HuffPost UK this evening. It is worth noting, however, that the prime minister has sought to include NHS funding and other issues he’s described as the “people’s priorities” in his campaigning.
A Channel 4 election debate was scrapped because the chancellor, Sajid Javid, was “terrified” and refused to take part, according to the man who was due to face him; John McDonnell. In a video posted on Twitter, the shadow chancellor has claimed: