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/12/general-election-farage-under-pressure-to-withdraw-from-tory-labour-contests-live-news

The article has changed 31 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
General election: Farage under pressure to withdraw from Tory-Labour contests – live news General election: Farage urges Tories to stand aside in some Labour-held seats to help Brexit party – live news
(32 minutes later)
Brexit party leader has withdrawn from all Tory MPs’ seats as Boris Johnson prepares to chair Cobra meeting on floodsBrexit party leader has withdrawn from all Tory MPs’ seats as Boris Johnson prepares to chair Cobra meeting on floods
Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Mattha Busby.
Nigel Farage, the Brexit party leader, was on BBC Breakfast earlier. We have already quoted a line from him (see 8.31am), but here are details of what he said.
Farage urged the Conservatives to stand aside in some Labour-held seats to give the Brexit party a better chance of winning in them. He said:
He said it was important for the Brexit party to have MPs in parliament to hold Boris Johnson to account. Assuming a Conservative election victory, he said:
Farage rejected suggestions that President Trump played a role in persuading him not to stand candidates in Tory-held seats. Asked if he had had any communication with Trump about the so-called “leave alliance” he announced yesterday, Farage said:
Farage’s answer ignored the fact that, when he did interview Trump on his LBC show two weeks ago, Trump said explicitly that he did want to see Farage and Boris Johnson cooperating. Trump told Farage:
Sunak did not directly respond to the question of whether anyone apart from the prime minister was preventing the report on Russian influence being published.Sunak did not directly respond to the question of whether anyone apart from the prime minister was preventing the report on Russian influence being published.
Asked if the non-disclosure of the report was “shameful”, Sunak turned his fire on Labour – in comments that would be strongly rebuked by the party.Asked if the non-disclosure of the report was “shameful”, Sunak turned his fire on Labour – in comments that would be strongly rebuked by the party.
The chief secretary to the Treasury, Rishi Sunak, is the latest minister citing disputed figures on Labour’s spending commitments. He said the Tories’ pledges would be delivered without increased taxation.The chief secretary to the Treasury, Rishi Sunak, is the latest minister citing disputed figures on Labour’s spending commitments. He said the Tories’ pledges would be delivered without increased taxation.
Asked if Labour’s pledge of an extra £6bn for social care was appropriate, Sunak told the Today programme:Asked if Labour’s pledge of an extra £6bn for social care was appropriate, Sunak told the Today programme:
Pressed on the specific social care figure, he said: “We’ve invested in the social care system to ensure it is stable for the next year. I’m not actually sure of the details of the Labour plans. I can’t tell you what it does or doesn’t do.”Pressed on the specific social care figure, he said: “We’ve invested in the social care system to ensure it is stable for the next year. I’m not actually sure of the details of the Labour plans. I can’t tell you what it does or doesn’t do.”
However, Sunak went on to claim Labour’s plans would effectively cost each taxpayer an extra £2,400 each year.However, Sunak went on to claim Labour’s plans would effectively cost each taxpayer an extra £2,400 each year.
My colleague Rowena Mason reports that Nigel Farage has rejected suggestions that the US president had any role in his decision to not run Brexit party candidates in Tory-held seats.My colleague Rowena Mason reports that Nigel Farage has rejected suggestions that the US president had any role in his decision to not run Brexit party candidates in Tory-held seats.
The Brexit party leader spoke to Sky yesterday in Hartlepool:The Brexit party leader spoke to Sky yesterday in Hartlepool:
Labour’s Ben Bradshaw has tweeted this morning urging the report to be released: “Johnson doesn’t want you to know about all those Russian Tory donors or the extent of the Kremlin’s interference in our democracy.”Labour’s Ben Bradshaw has tweeted this morning urging the report to be released: “Johnson doesn’t want you to know about all those Russian Tory donors or the extent of the Kremlin’s interference in our democracy.”
David Lammy tweeted: “The rest of the world is looking on in horror at Boris Johnson’s decision to cover up the report into Russian interference in our democracy.”David Lammy tweeted: “The rest of the world is looking on in horror at Boris Johnson’s decision to cover up the report into Russian interference in our democracy.”
Mike Gapes tweeted: “Why is Johnson not releasing this agreed intelligence and security Committee report? What have Conservatives got to hide? Dodgy donations? Close links with Putin oligarchs? Direct Kremlin interference in EU Referendum? Personal Russian links to Johnson or his key advisers?”Mike Gapes tweeted: “Why is Johnson not releasing this agreed intelligence and security Committee report? What have Conservatives got to hide? Dodgy donations? Close links with Putin oligarchs? Direct Kremlin interference in EU Referendum? Personal Russian links to Johnson or his key advisers?”
Rishi Sunak, the chief secretary to the Treasury, has been on Good Morning Britain defending the government and saying its normal for these kinds of reports to go through several weeks of vetting to ensure sensitive passages are redacted.Rishi Sunak, the chief secretary to the Treasury, has been on Good Morning Britain defending the government and saying its normal for these kinds of reports to go through several weeks of vetting to ensure sensitive passages are redacted.
He’ll be on the Today programme shortly, followed by Labour’s shadow education secretary, Angela Raynor.He’ll be on the Today programme shortly, followed by Labour’s shadow education secretary, Angela Raynor.
Hillary Clinton, the former US secretary of state, has said she is “dumbfounded” that Downing Street will not release a report that examines Russian infiltration of British politics.Hillary Clinton, the former US secretary of state, has said she is “dumbfounded” that Downing Street will not release a report that examines Russian infiltration of British politics.
Last night, Clinton told the Guardian that the suppression of the intelligence and security committee report by Boris Johnson’s government was “damaging, inexplicable and shaming”. Last night Clinton told the Guardian that the suppression of the intelligence and security committee report by Boris Johnson’s government was “damaging, inexplicable and shaming”.
She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning:She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning:
Away from the election and emergency hospital admissions for children with pneumonia have risen by more than 50% in England over the past decade, figures have suggested, with admission rates highest in more deprived areas. According to NHS Digital data analysed by the charities Unicef and Save the Children, the rise is being primarily driven by a large increase in bronchiolitis, with small increases in other diagnoses including viral pneumonia and influenza with pneumonia. You can read the full story here. Away from the election, and emergency hospital admissions for children with pneumonia have risen by more than 50% in England over the past decade, figures have suggested, with admission rates highest in more deprived areas. According to NHS Digital data analysed by the charities Unicef and Save the Children, the rise is being primarily driven by a large increase in bronchiolitis, with small increases in other diagnoses including viral pneumonia and influenza with pneumonia. You can read the full story here.
Jeremy Corbyn has started the day by sending good wishes to Sikhs in the UK and around the world celebrating the birthday of Guru Nana.Jeremy Corbyn has started the day by sending good wishes to Sikhs in the UK and around the world celebrating the birthday of Guru Nana.
Australia’s former high commissioner to London, Alexander Downer, has intervened in the election campaign in a fairly spectacular way. Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra, Downer declared that Australia would need to “substantially reduce” intelligence sharing with London in the event Jeremy Corbyn wins on 12 December. As Guardian Australia’s political editor, Katharine Murphy, writes, Downer, in an excoriating assessment of the Labour leader, contended that a Corbyn victory would imperil substantial Australian investments in Britain, and would trigger a reassessment of the “very intimate” security relationship between Canberra and London.Australia’s former high commissioner to London, Alexander Downer, has intervened in the election campaign in a fairly spectacular way. Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra, Downer declared that Australia would need to “substantially reduce” intelligence sharing with London in the event Jeremy Corbyn wins on 12 December. As Guardian Australia’s political editor, Katharine Murphy, writes, Downer, in an excoriating assessment of the Labour leader, contended that a Corbyn victory would imperil substantial Australian investments in Britain, and would trigger a reassessment of the “very intimate” security relationship between Canberra and London.
Downer said the UK election result mattered to Australia because Britain was the second-largest offshore destination for Australian investment.Downer said the UK election result mattered to Australia because Britain was the second-largest offshore destination for Australian investment.
The Guardian has unearthed a video showing how Dominic Cummings honed his people-versus-parliament strategy as far back as 2004. A video from the North East Says No (Nesno) campaign in the north-east referendum of 2004 (where Cummings was strategy adviser) deploys strategies reminiscent of Vote Leave’s 2016 playbook, writes Johnny McDevitt.The Guardian has unearthed a video showing how Dominic Cummings honed his people-versus-parliament strategy as far back as 2004. A video from the North East Says No (Nesno) campaign in the north-east referendum of 2004 (where Cummings was strategy adviser) deploys strategies reminiscent of Vote Leave’s 2016 playbook, writes Johnny McDevitt.
The advert from the “forgotten referendum” not only pits the people against politicians but also pledges to pump millions into the NHS that would otherwise be used to run political institutions. Nesno’s campaign defeated the then deputy prime minister John Prescott’s plan for regional assemblies, including a 78% rejection of devolution – despite early polling predicting a 60%-plus victory for the government’s “yes” campaign.The advert from the “forgotten referendum” not only pits the people against politicians but also pledges to pump millions into the NHS that would otherwise be used to run political institutions. Nesno’s campaign defeated the then deputy prime minister John Prescott’s plan for regional assemblies, including a 78% rejection of devolution – despite early polling predicting a 60%-plus victory for the government’s “yes” campaign.
The morning papers are full of Nigel Farage’s U-turn on fielding candidates in Tory seats.The morning papers are full of Nigel Farage’s U-turn on fielding candidates in Tory seats.
The Mirror doesn’t lead with Farage, but with the ongoing floods crisis.The Mirror doesn’t lead with Farage, but with the ongoing floods crisis.
Here are some of the comings and goings we can expect on the campaign trail today:Here are some of the comings and goings we can expect on the campaign trail today:
Boris Johnson will chair a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee in response to the floods in the north.Boris Johnson will chair a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee in response to the floods in the north.
Jo Swinson will travel to flood-affected South Yorkshire. The Lib Dems are promising a €5bn fund for investment in flood defences.Jo Swinson will travel to flood-affected South Yorkshire. The Lib Dems are promising a €5bn fund for investment in flood defences.
Jeremy Corbyn will launch Labour’s adult education and further education policy in Blackpool.Jeremy Corbyn will launch Labour’s adult education and further education policy in Blackpool.
Nicola Sturgeon will join SNP candidate Catriona MacDonald on the campaign trail in Edinburgh South.Nicola Sturgeon will join SNP candidate Catriona MacDonald on the campaign trail in Edinburgh South.
There will be a Brexit party rally in Westminster at 11am.There will be a Brexit party rally in Westminster at 11am.
And not directly campaign-related, Labour’s MP in the North Yorkshire seat of Redcar, Anna Turley, will be back in court today where she is suing the party’s biggest backer, Unite, for defamation.And not directly campaign-related, Labour’s MP in the North Yorkshire seat of Redcar, Anna Turley, will be back in court today where she is suing the party’s biggest backer, Unite, for defamation.
Good morning and welcome to Tuesday’s live coverage of the general election campaign. I’m Alison Rourke and I’ll be kicking off the day’s news where Nigel Farage has made a significant entrance into proceedings.Good morning and welcome to Tuesday’s live coverage of the general election campaign. I’m Alison Rourke and I’ll be kicking off the day’s news where Nigel Farage has made a significant entrance into proceedings.
After the Brexit party leader promised yesterday not to stand his candidates in the seats of sitting Conservative MPs, senior Tories are now pushing for him to go one step further, and withdraw from contests in which the Conservatives are targeting Labour MPs. Farage claims his U-turn over standing candidates in the 317 Tory seats came after the PM released a video in which he pledged to go after a free-trade “super-Canada-plus” style arrangement.After the Brexit party leader promised yesterday not to stand his candidates in the seats of sitting Conservative MPs, senior Tories are now pushing for him to go one step further, and withdraw from contests in which the Conservatives are targeting Labour MPs. Farage claims his U-turn over standing candidates in the 317 Tory seats came after the PM released a video in which he pledged to go after a free-trade “super-Canada-plus” style arrangement.
Labour, the SNP and the Lib Dems say Farage’s reversal points to a pact between him and Johnson over a secret hard-Brexit deal, something both have denied.Labour, the SNP and the Lib Dems say Farage’s reversal points to a pact between him and Johnson over a secret hard-Brexit deal, something both have denied.
You can read Dan Sabbagh’s analysis of why Farage’s move may not help the Tories as much as it first appears here.You can read Dan Sabbagh’s analysis of why Farage’s move may not help the Tories as much as it first appears here.
Labour will announce its education pledge today, including six years of free study for adults. Under plans for a radical expansion of adult learning the shadow education secretary, Angela Rayner, will say any adult without without A-level or equivalent qualifications would be able to study for them for free at college, with maintenance grants available for those on low incomes.Labour will announce its education pledge today, including six years of free study for adults. Under plans for a radical expansion of adult learning the shadow education secretary, Angela Rayner, will say any adult without without A-level or equivalent qualifications would be able to study for them for free at college, with maintenance grants available for those on low incomes.
But as Fiona Millar writes, Labour should be sweeping the floor with the Tories who have “brought schools to their knees”, but still seem to be stumbling, including just last week asking for education policy ideas.But as Fiona Millar writes, Labour should be sweeping the floor with the Tories who have “brought schools to their knees”, but still seem to be stumbling, including just last week asking for education policy ideas.
Let’s get started on the day.Let’s get started on the day.