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General election 2019: Farage claims Tories using 'abuse' to get Brexit party candidates off ballot – live news General election 2019: Boris Johnson cancels Glastonbury event at short notice as protest gathers – live news
(32 minutes later)
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 Prime minister changed visit after protesters gathered, plus all the latest from the election campaign today
The BBC’s Alex Forsyth has more on Boris Johnson’s Glastonbury no-show. (See 1.56pm.)The BBC’s Alex Forsyth has more on Boris Johnson’s Glastonbury no-show. (See 1.56pm.)
There were lively scenes in Glastonbury as Boris Johnson dodged a crowd of protestors at a bakery on a business park on the outskirts of the Somerset town. There were lively scenes in Glastonbury as Boris Johnson dodged a crowd of protesters at a bakery in a business park on the outskirts of the Somerset town.
Word got out that Johnson was on his way and a crowd of about 100 – including Extinction Rebellion protestors, musicians and even a bard - turned up to greet him at the Burns the Bakery unit. Word got out that Johnson was on his way and a crowd of about 100 – including Extinction Rebellion protesters, musicians and even a bard – turned up to greet him at the Burns the Bakery unit.
It got tense when the police moved the crowd away from the front of the bakery on to a grass verge close to a busy road.It got tense when the police moved the crowd away from the front of the bakery on to a grass verge close to a busy road.
Tory supporters including James Heappey, the party’s candidate in Wells, waited at the bakery for Johnson for more than an hour but he did not show. Tory supporters including James Heappey, the party’s candidate in Wells, waited at the bakery for Johnson for more than an hour, but he did not show.
There was no explanation, leading to frustration and anger from those who had hoped to express their concerns about issues ranging from the climate emergency to the state of the NHS and pensions to the PM.There was no explanation, leading to frustration and anger from those who had hoped to express their concerns about issues ranging from the climate emergency to the state of the NHS and pensions to the PM.
Retired NHS manager Martin Campbell said: “He’s running scared. He doesn’t want to talk to ordinary people about the issues that affect us all.”Retired NHS manager Martin Campbell said: “He’s running scared. He doesn’t want to talk to ordinary people about the issues that affect us all.”
At one point a rumour went round that Johnson was in Glastonbury high street, leading to a dash from Burns the Bakery into the town but there was no sign there.At one point a rumour went round that Johnson was in Glastonbury high street, leading to a dash from Burns the Bakery into the town but there was no sign there.
A video clip later appeared on Johnson’s Facebook page of him serving a customer at a Burns the Bread shop, though not at either of the company’s two branches in Glastonbury.A video clip later appeared on Johnson’s Facebook page of him serving a customer at a Burns the Bread shop, though not at either of the company’s two branches in Glastonbury.
In an interview this morning in Scotland Jeremy Corbyn said he rejected the claim from Donald Tusk, the outgoing European council president, that Britain will become a “second-rate player” if it leaves the EU. Asked if he agreed, he replied:In an interview this morning in Scotland Jeremy Corbyn said he rejected the claim from Donald Tusk, the outgoing European council president, that Britain will become a “second-rate player” if it leaves the EU. Asked if he agreed, he replied:
HuffPost’s Paul Waugh has got hold of a briefing note from Momentum, the pro-Corbyn Labour group, advising activists how to respond to awkward questions on the doorstep.HuffPost’s Paul Waugh has got hold of a briefing note from Momentum, the pro-Corbyn Labour group, advising activists how to respond to awkward questions on the doorstep.
We have received a briefing from the monarch of UK psephologists, Prof Sir John Curtice of Strathclyde University, about what might happen in the election, and the short version is this: while there are many imponderables in play, it seems a toss-up between a Boris Johnson majority and a hung parliament.We have received a briefing from the monarch of UK psephologists, Prof Sir John Curtice of Strathclyde University, about what might happen in the election, and the short version is this: while there are many imponderables in play, it seems a toss-up between a Boris Johnson majority and a hung parliament.
Curtice said it was “pretty much a binary contest” between the two. And what of a Labour majority? The answer will not be welcomed by Jeremy Corbyn:Curtice said it was “pretty much a binary contest” between the two. And what of a Labour majority? The answer will not be welcomed by Jeremy Corbyn:
He said the issues for Labour included Corbyn’s personal unpopularity with voters (although he also noted that Johnson was “the most unpopular new prime minister in polling history”), and the fact that they had lost both remain and leave votes through a middle-ground approach to Brexit. Cutice said: He said the issues for Labour included Corbyn’s personal unpopularity with voters (although he also noted that Johnson was “the most unpopular new prime minister in polling history”), and the fact that they had lost both remain and leave votes through a middle-ground approach to Brexit. Curtice said:
The current Tory lead of about 10 percentage points would most likely be enough for Boris Johnson, Cutice said. The current Tory lead of about 10 percentage points would most likely be enough for Boris Johnson, Curtice said.
But given the likelihood the Tories will lose a “fair chunk” of seats in Scotland and to the Lib Dems, Johnson needed to keep the lead above about six or seven percentage points:But given the likelihood the Tories will lose a “fair chunk” of seats in Scotland and to the Lib Dems, Johnson needed to keep the lead above about six or seven percentage points:
The key battle in northern Tory target seats, he said, would be for the Conservatives to hang on to gains made by Theresa May in 2017, and for the Lib Dems to take seats from Labour. Curtice said: “Boris Johnson would love the Liberal Democrats to go up.”The key battle in northern Tory target seats, he said, would be for the Conservatives to hang on to gains made by Theresa May in 2017, and for the Lib Dems to take seats from Labour. Curtice said: “Boris Johnson would love the Liberal Democrats to go up.”
The one exception to the binary end point, he noted, would be the very particular result where the Tories won 320 or so seats, just below a working majority, and the DUP held the balance. With the Northern Irish party wanting neither to support Corbyn or back Johnson’s Brexit deal, this could bring a new deadlock.The one exception to the binary end point, he noted, would be the very particular result where the Tories won 320 or so seats, just below a working majority, and the DUP held the balance. With the Northern Irish party wanting neither to support Corbyn or back Johnson’s Brexit deal, this could bring a new deadlock.
According to the Press Association, which had a pool reporter accompanying Boris Johnson when he visitedWest Monkton primary school, near Taunton, Johnson held Rosie the rabbit and sang songs with pupils. According to the Press Association, which had a pool reporter accompanying Boris Johnson when he visited West Monkton primary school, near Taunton, Johnson held Rosie the rabbit and sang songs with pupils.
The PM then suggested singing The Wheels On The Bus, remarking: “The wheels are staying very much on the bus.” The PM then suggested singing The Wheels on the Bus, remarking: “The wheels are staying very much on the bus.”
According to PA, Johnson asked a separate group of pupils for their favourite book before asking: “Have you got the Incredible Hulk? That’s the one I like.” In a newspaper article in the autumn Johnson famously compared himself, or the UK as a whole, to the Incredible Hulk.According to PA, Johnson asked a separate group of pupils for their favourite book before asking: “Have you got the Incredible Hulk? That’s the one I like.” In a newspaper article in the autumn Johnson famously compared himself, or the UK as a whole, to the Incredible Hulk.
Then he ended up talking about breasts. As PA reports, while looking at a Hulk book, one pupil shouted “boobies” to which the PM replied: “Those aren’t boobies, they are muscles.”Then he ended up talking about breasts. As PA reports, while looking at a Hulk book, one pupil shouted “boobies” to which the PM replied: “Those aren’t boobies, they are muscles.”
While Johnson was inside the school, chants of “Boris out” could be heard outside, where Labour, Liberal Democrat and climate change activists were gathered.While Johnson was inside the school, chants of “Boris out” could be heard outside, where Labour, Liberal Democrat and climate change activists were gathered.
Jeremy Corbyn is now saying that he would not agree to a Scottish independence referendum in the first two years of a Labour government - which would rule out one being held in 2020 or 2021. This is a change from what Corbyn was saying at one point yesterday, when he was ruling it out for the entire five years of a Labour government, although the party subsequently said it would be open to one after the Holyrood elections in spring 2021 (which, given the amount of time preparing for a referendum might take, would be close to saying 2023 at the earliest).Jeremy Corbyn is now saying that he would not agree to a Scottish independence referendum in the first two years of a Labour government - which would rule out one being held in 2020 or 2021. This is a change from what Corbyn was saying at one point yesterday, when he was ruling it out for the entire five years of a Labour government, although the party subsequently said it would be open to one after the Holyrood elections in spring 2021 (which, given the amount of time preparing for a referendum might take, would be close to saying 2023 at the earliest).
In response, Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, has posted this on Twitter.In response, Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, has posted this on Twitter.
My colleague Steven Morris says it is starting to look as if Boris Johnson might be giving Glastonbury a miss after all.My colleague Steven Morris says it is starting to look as if Boris Johnson might be giving Glastonbury a miss after all.
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.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.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: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.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: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.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.”