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General election 2019: Farage claims Tories using 'abuse' to get Brexit party candidates off ballot – live news General election 2019: Farage claims Tories using 'abuse' to get Brexit party candidates off ballot – live news
(32 minutes later)
Opposition parties are using Equal Pay Day to announce equalities packages, while Johnson tries to brush off hostile reaction from flood victims Farage claims party under pressure from Tories as opposition parties use Equal Pay Day to announce equalities packages, while Johnson tries to brush off hostile reaction from flood victims
Boris Johnson is due in Glastonbury shortly. According to my colleague Steven Morris, who is there, not everyone wants to give him a warm welcome.
Here is some footage of Jeremy Corbyn being confronted by a heckler at a meeting in Dundee. (See 10.53am.) According to the Press Association, the heckler later identified himself as Bob Costello, a former SNP activist.
It is often assumed that being heckled reflects badly on a politician, but it is hard to watch this and think that Costello emerges with much credit. “Is this democracy?” he shouted at one point, during his prolonged interruption of proceeding. Corbyn replied:
Nigel Farage, the Brexit party leader, had to delete a tweet this morning saying he would be “live from South Yorkshire” when he was in Hull. Hull is in East Yorkshire, as he subsequently acknowledged.
The Lib Dem leader, Jo Swinson, has pledged to revoke article 50 on day one of her premiership if she is elected to Number 10. Speaking to the PA news agency on a visit to the Guru Nanak Sikh temple in Glasgow, she said:
She also stressed her opposition to a second referendum on Scottish independence.
Here is the full quote from Nigel Farage alleging that Tories have been using underhand methods to try to persuade Brexit party candidates to stand down. He did not give any specific examples, and he did not say where this was happening, or who was responsible, but it was clear that he was claiming that this pressure was coming from Conservatives.Here is the full quote from Nigel Farage alleging that Tories have been using underhand methods to try to persuade Brexit party candidates to stand down. He did not give any specific examples, and he did not say where this was happening, or who was responsible, but it was clear that he was claiming that this pressure was coming from Conservatives.
Farage said:Farage said:
The battle for Scotland’s anti-Tory vote between Jeremy Corbyn and Nicola Sturgeon became bitter and personal on Wednesday evening after the Labour leader accused Sturgeon of “being willing to usher in another heartless Conservative government”.The battle for Scotland’s anti-Tory vote between Jeremy Corbyn and Nicola Sturgeon became bitter and personal on Wednesday evening after the Labour leader accused Sturgeon of “being willing to usher in another heartless Conservative government”.
The two clashed on Twitter after Corbyn’s two-day campaigning visit to Scotland got off to a rocky start, when he had tied himself in knots over Labour’s referendum policy.The two clashed on Twitter after Corbyn’s two-day campaigning visit to Scotland got off to a rocky start, when he had tied himself in knots over Labour’s referendum policy.
He first ruled out backing one for a full five-year term, before retracting that after being corrected by his aides to say Labour would not support one for the first few years. He simultaneously rejected Sturgeon’s calls for a “progressive alliance” to defeat the Tories, insisting it was “their choice” whether to back Labour or allow the Tories to regain power.He first ruled out backing one for a full five-year term, before retracting that after being corrected by his aides to say Labour would not support one for the first few years. He simultaneously rejected Sturgeon’s calls for a “progressive alliance” to defeat the Tories, insisting it was “their choice” whether to back Labour or allow the Tories to regain power.
Sturgeon retorted that Scottish National party MPs would only support a minority Labour government if it allowed Holyrood to stage a fresh independence referendum at a time of its choosing. Sturgeon wants one next year.Sturgeon retorted that Scottish National party MPs would only support a minority Labour government if it allowed Holyrood to stage a fresh independence referendum at a time of its choosing. Sturgeon wants one next year.
Corbyn retaliated by tweeting back footage from 1979, when SNP support for a vote of no confidence helped topple James Callaghan’s Labour government, allowing Margaret Thatcher to win her first general election and heralding 18 years of Tory government.Corbyn retaliated by tweeting back footage from 1979, when SNP support for a vote of no confidence helped topple James Callaghan’s Labour government, allowing Margaret Thatcher to win her first general election and heralding 18 years of Tory government.
The SNP leader hit back by accusing Corbyn of “desperate stuff”, pointing out she was in primary school in 1979.The SNP leader hit back by accusing Corbyn of “desperate stuff”, pointing out she was in primary school in 1979.
The SNP had tabled a no-confidence motion after Callaghan’s government decided not to introduce devolution to Scotland as the 1979 devolution referendum required 40% of all Scotland’s voters to say yes. After a low turnout, that threshold was not met.The SNP had tabled a no-confidence motion after Callaghan’s government decided not to introduce devolution to Scotland as the 1979 devolution referendum required 40% of all Scotland’s voters to say yes. After a low turnout, that threshold was not met.
With backing too from the Liberal party, Thatcher tabled an early day motion stating the house had no confidence in Callaghan’s government which went to a vote. Along with unionist MPs from Northern Ireland, the SNP’s 11 MPs voted against Labour, which lost the motion by one vote.With backing too from the Liberal party, Thatcher tabled an early day motion stating the house had no confidence in Callaghan’s government which went to a vote. Along with unionist MPs from Northern Ireland, the SNP’s 11 MPs voted against Labour, which lost the motion by one vote.
Those events are engrained in Labour folklore as proof of the SNP’s dishonesty about opposing the Tories. With the polls showing Labour support as low as 12% in Scotland, they face another wipeout on 12 December and are desperately trying to mobilise disillusioned and apathetic Labour voters.Those events are engrained in Labour folklore as proof of the SNP’s dishonesty about opposing the Tories. With the polls showing Labour support as low as 12% in Scotland, they face another wipeout on 12 December and are desperately trying to mobilise disillusioned and apathetic Labour voters.
Scottish Labour’s Facebook page features film of Ian Lavery, the party chairman and a former National Union of Mineworkers president, insisting a minority Labour government would challenge the SNP to vote down its budget, including £70bn extra spending for Scotland, rather than agree a deal.Scottish Labour’s Facebook page features film of Ian Lavery, the party chairman and a former National Union of Mineworkers president, insisting a minority Labour government would challenge the SNP to vote down its budget, including £70bn extra spending for Scotland, rather than agree a deal.
He concluded: “Let the SNP decide whether they want to accept that or not. Let them decide whether they want to stick their fingers up at the Scottish people.”He concluded: “Let the SNP decide whether they want to accept that or not. Let them decide whether they want to stick their fingers up at the Scottish people.”
Farage says in September he offered to work with the Tories on a “leave alliance”. That could win an 80 or 100-seat majority. But the Tories were not interested, he says.Farage says in September he offered to work with the Tories on a “leave alliance”. That could win an 80 or 100-seat majority. But the Tories were not interested, he says.
He claims this shows the Tories are putting party before country.He claims this shows the Tories are putting party before country.
Here is one of the Farage quotes.Here is one of the Farage quotes.
Farage says if his candidates get to Westminster they will not be “good little boys and girls”. They will fight for Brexit.Farage says if his candidates get to Westminster they will not be “good little boys and girls”. They will fight for Brexit.
He cannot understand why people think it makes sense for the UK to be shackled to 15% of the world’s economy, he says.He cannot understand why people think it makes sense for the UK to be shackled to 15% of the world’s economy, he says.
Farage says the Tories have not been grateful for his decision not to stand candidates in Tory-held seats.Farage says the Tories have not been grateful for his decision not to stand candidates in Tory-held seats.
Instead, all that the party has had from the Tories has been “wall to wall abuse”, he says.Instead, all that the party has had from the Tories has been “wall to wall abuse”, he says.
And he claims something “disgraceful” is happening that the audience do not know about. Brexit party candidates are coming under relentless pressure to stand down. They are getting phone calls, emails and abuse, he says.And he claims something “disgraceful” is happening that the audience do not know about. Brexit party candidates are coming under relentless pressure to stand down. They are getting phone calls, emails and abuse, he says.
Farage claims, again, that Boris Johnson signalled a “marked change of direction” in a video he posted on Twitter on Sunday about Brexit.Farage claims, again, that Boris Johnson signalled a “marked change of direction” in a video he posted on Twitter on Sunday about Brexit.
(Actually, he didn’t.)(Actually, he didn’t.)
Farage says he would be happy with a Canada-style trade deal, or a no-deal Brexit. Under either option, the UK would not be bound by EU laws.Farage says he would be happy with a Canada-style trade deal, or a no-deal Brexit. Under either option, the UK would not be bound by EU laws.
Farage says the Tories are today talking about reducing immigration. “Are you having a laugh?” In the last three elections they have promised this, but failed, he says.Farage says the Tories are today talking about reducing immigration. “Are you having a laugh?” In the last three elections they have promised this, but failed, he says.
Farage says democracy only works if you have losers’ consent. The losers must accept the result of the election, he says.Farage says democracy only works if you have losers’ consent. The losers must accept the result of the election, he says.
He says the Brexit party will fight Labour in every seat in this country.He says the Brexit party will fight Labour in every seat in this country.
Farage says the audience probably used to think they lived in a 21st century democracy. But all the promises made by politicians have not been delivered, he says.Farage says the audience probably used to think they lived in a 21st century democracy. But all the promises made by politicians have not been delivered, he says.
He claims Labour think people did not know what they voted for. Labour wants people to do it all again.He claims Labour think people did not know what they voted for. Labour wants people to do it all again.
Labour is treating voters with contempt, he says.Labour is treating voters with contempt, he says.
In May the highest Brexit party vote came in areas with the most Labour MPs, he says. He says Labour is now more about Hoxton than Hull.In May the highest Brexit party vote came in areas with the most Labour MPs, he says. He says Labour is now more about Hoxton than Hull.
In Labour areas there is no enthusiasm for Jeremy Corbyn, he says. He claims many Labour voters will stay at home. That gives the Brexit party a phenomenal opportunity, he claims.In Labour areas there is no enthusiasm for Jeremy Corbyn, he says. He claims many Labour voters will stay at home. That gives the Brexit party a phenomenal opportunity, he claims.
Nigel Farage is speaking at the Brexit party event.Nigel Farage is speaking at the Brexit party event.
He is in Hull, and he says this is Brexit country.He is in Hull, and he says this is Brexit country.
He says the Brexit party reset the political agenda when it was set up earlier this year. Its success in the European elections led to the removal of Theresa May as prime minister, he claims.He says the Brexit party reset the political agenda when it was set up earlier this year. Its success in the European elections led to the removal of Theresa May as prime minister, he claims.
He welcomes Michelle Dewberry to the party.He welcomes Michelle Dewberry to the party.
At the Brexit party event Michelle Dewberry is speaking now. A former winner of the TV reality show The Apprentice, Dewberry is the Brexit party’s candidate in Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle.At the Brexit party event Michelle Dewberry is speaking now. A former winner of the TV reality show The Apprentice, Dewberry is the Brexit party’s candidate in Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle.
Maybe this is the “big announcement” the party promised earlier. (See 10.15am.)Maybe this is the “big announcement” the party promised earlier. (See 10.15am.)
Dewberry stood as an independent, pro-Brexit candidate in the same constituency in 2017.Dewberry stood as an independent, pro-Brexit candidate in the same constituency in 2017.
She says in this campaign it seems as though wanting to speak up for the north has become trendy. But for years the north has been neglected by Westminster, she says.She says in this campaign it seems as though wanting to speak up for the north has become trendy. But for years the north has been neglected by Westminster, she says.
She says Brexit will allow the UK to decide how the country should be run. There should be deeper devolution, she says. She says she is tired of having the north treated “as an afterthought”. This has to stop, she says.She says Brexit will allow the UK to decide how the country should be run. There should be deeper devolution, she says. She says she is tired of having the north treated “as an afterthought”. This has to stop, she says.
She says politics is broken. There has been a lot of talk of tactical voting. That shows the system does not work. Parliament should truly reflect the desires of the people. First-past-the-post does not achieve that.She says politics is broken. There has been a lot of talk of tactical voting. That shows the system does not work. Parliament should truly reflect the desires of the people. First-past-the-post does not achieve that.
She says the Brexit party wants constitutional reform.She says the Brexit party wants constitutional reform.
She also rejects the claim that by standing in Hull West and Hessle (a seat Labour held in 2017 with a majority of 8,025) she is splitting the pro-Brexit vote. Every person can use their vote way they wish, she says.She also rejects the claim that by standing in Hull West and Hessle (a seat Labour held in 2017 with a majority of 8,025) she is splitting the pro-Brexit vote. Every person can use their vote way they wish, she says.