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General election 2019: Boris Johnson cancels Glastonbury event at short notice as protest gathers – live news General election 2019: Boris Johnson cancels Glastonbury event at short notice as protest gathers – live news
(30 minutes later)
Prime minister changed visit after protesters gathered, plus all the latest from the election campaign todayPrime minister changed visit after protesters gathered, plus all the latest from the election campaign today
Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster has confirmed her party will run 17 candidates across the 18 constituencies in Northern Ireland, with none of the major parties contesting all seats due to a unionist electoral pact and pro-Remain agreements.
Fosters also criticised Sinn Fein over the party’s historic decision to not to take up seats in Westminster, which is due to their principled refusal to “validate British sovereignty over the island of Ireland”.
This is from PA Media:
My colleague Jamie Grierson has debunked the Tories’ claim that net migration would reach 840,000 under a Labour government.
The Tories had said its analysis of Labour’s conference proposals suggested net migration could increase to 840,000 a year under Corbyn, but the opposition party dismissed the “fake news from the Conservative party’s make-believe research department”.
The Guardian has been fact-checking claims made during the run-up to the general election.
Mandu Reid, the leader of the Women’s Equality party, has responded to the news that O’Mara will not contest the Sheffield Hallam seat. She said his decision was “a victory for women across the country” and endorsed the Liberal Democrats in the constituency.Mandu Reid, the leader of the Women’s Equality party, has responded to the news that O’Mara will not contest the Sheffield Hallam seat. She said his decision was “a victory for women across the country” and endorsed the Liberal Democrats in the constituency.
Former Labour MP Jared O’Mara will not stand in the general election, as expected, Sheffield Council has confirmed.Former Labour MP Jared O’Mara will not stand in the general election, as expected, Sheffield Council has confirmed.
He famously won the seat from former Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg in 2017, and shall not defend the more than 2,000 majority he achieved in Labour’s first ever victory in the constituency since it was established in 1885.He famously won the seat from former Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg in 2017, and shall not defend the more than 2,000 majority he achieved in Labour’s first ever victory in the constituency since it was established in 1885.
Former aid worker Laura Gordon will look to prevent local councillor Olivia Blake from upholding Labour’s majority, while the Conservatives’ Ian Walker will fight the Sheffield Hallam seat for the third time after coming a respectable third at the last election.Former aid worker Laura Gordon will look to prevent local councillor Olivia Blake from upholding Labour’s majority, while the Conservatives’ Ian Walker will fight the Sheffield Hallam seat for the third time after coming a respectable third at the last election.
O’Mara was accused by a junior staffer of sexual harassment after his suspension from the Labour party when a series of sexist and homophobic tweets emerged, written before he was elected.O’Mara was accused by a junior staffer of sexual harassment after his suspension from the Labour party when a series of sexist and homophobic tweets emerged, written before he was elected.
He had said he would be taking time out to deal with his mental health – he has autism and cerebral palsy – after a former aide accused him of being “the most disgustingly morally bankrupt person I have ever had the displeasure of working with”.He had said he would be taking time out to deal with his mental health – he has autism and cerebral palsy – after a former aide accused him of being “the most disgustingly morally bankrupt person I have ever had the displeasure of working with”.
The European commission has said it is launching “infringement proceedings” against the UK after the government refused to nominate a new British EU commissioner. This news only broke within the last few minutes, and the practical impact will probably turn out to be minimal or non-existent, but in symbolic or headline terms, this is probably a gift to Boris Johnson. For Tory leaders (and some Labour ones too) it has for years been taken as axiomatic that voters like to see their PM in a wrangle with Brussels (a flawed mindset that ultimately contributed to the Brexit vote) and now at last Johnson will be able to perform this role. Being in breach of EU treaties will go down better with his Brexiter base than sending the letter requesting an article 50 extension, something he did last month after promising he never would. In a statement the commission said:The European commission has said it is launching “infringement proceedings” against the UK after the government refused to nominate a new British EU commissioner. This news only broke within the last few minutes, and the practical impact will probably turn out to be minimal or non-existent, but in symbolic or headline terms, this is probably a gift to Boris Johnson. For Tory leaders (and some Labour ones too) it has for years been taken as axiomatic that voters like to see their PM in a wrangle with Brussels (a flawed mindset that ultimately contributed to the Brexit vote) and now at last Johnson will be able to perform this role. Being in breach of EU treaties will go down better with his Brexiter base than sending the letter requesting an article 50 extension, something he did last month after promising he never would. In a statement the commission said:
The Conservatives have sought to brush aside new figures showing that A&E waiting times are at their worst level for 15 years. Matt Hancock, the health secretary, claimed this was a byproduct of increased demand, and that the NHS is in some ways “performing better than it ever has”, but for Labour this was essentially a free hit.The Conservatives have sought to brush aside new figures showing that A&E waiting times are at their worst level for 15 years. Matt Hancock, the health secretary, claimed this was a byproduct of increased demand, and that the NHS is in some ways “performing better than it ever has”, but for Labour this was essentially a free hit.
Labour was placed on the defensive as the Tories launched an attack on its immigration policy. CCHQ issued a press notice claiming that Labour is committed to an open border policy, or “free movement” for the whole world, and that as a result 840,000 people could come to the UK every year. CCHQ also said that, if Labour just maintained EU free movement, average net migration might be 260,000 every year for the next 10 years, or 2.6m in total over the next decade. Interestingly the press notice includes an implicit admission of the Tories’ failure to meet their own immigration target (getting annual net migration below 100,000), because it says 260,000 per year would be a “slight increase” on current immigration levels. The claim that Labour would operate an open border policy is untrue and ludicrous, but Labour has not yet finalised its immigration policy and there is a tension between those in the party who backed a conference “free movement” motion (the Momentum wing, crudely) and those who back immigration controls (the Unite wing, crudely). Jeremy Corbyn has said that he wants an immigration system that is “fair”.Labour was placed on the defensive as the Tories launched an attack on its immigration policy. CCHQ issued a press notice claiming that Labour is committed to an open border policy, or “free movement” for the whole world, and that as a result 840,000 people could come to the UK every year. CCHQ also said that, if Labour just maintained EU free movement, average net migration might be 260,000 every year for the next 10 years, or 2.6m in total over the next decade. Interestingly the press notice includes an implicit admission of the Tories’ failure to meet their own immigration target (getting annual net migration below 100,000), because it says 260,000 per year would be a “slight increase” on current immigration levels. The claim that Labour would operate an open border policy is untrue and ludicrous, but Labour has not yet finalised its immigration policy and there is a tension between those in the party who backed a conference “free movement” motion (the Momentum wing, crudely) and those who back immigration controls (the Unite wing, crudely). Jeremy Corbyn has said that he wants an immigration system that is “fair”.
Boris Johnson said that he favoured “controlled immigration” and that in some circumstances this would mean net migration levels falling. He said:Boris Johnson said that he favoured “controlled immigration” and that in some circumstances this would mean net migration levels falling. He said:
Johnson has been accused of refusing to meet members of the public and running scared of protests during a visit to Somerset.Johnson has been accused of refusing to meet members of the public and running scared of protests during a visit to Somerset.
The Tories have denied a claim from Nigel Farage, the Brexit party leader, that one of Johnson’s most senior aides has been offering jobs to his candidates to get them to stand down in Tory target seats. Farage made his allegation as nominations closed, meaning it is now too late for parties to replace candidates who are standing down. After the 4pm deadline one Brexit party candidate in a ultra-marginal seat announced he would not contest the election because he wanted to help the Tories take it off Labour.The Tories have denied a claim from Nigel Farage, the Brexit party leader, that one of Johnson’s most senior aides has been offering jobs to his candidates to get them to stand down in Tory target seats. Farage made his allegation as nominations closed, meaning it is now too late for parties to replace candidates who are standing down. After the 4pm deadline one Brexit party candidate in a ultra-marginal seat announced he would not contest the election because he wanted to help the Tories take it off Labour.
Jeremy Corbyn has ruled out agreeing to a second Scottish independence referendum in the first two years of a Labour government.Jeremy Corbyn has ruled out agreeing to a second Scottish independence referendum in the first two years of a Labour government.
That’s all from me for tonight.That’s all from me for tonight.
My colleague Mattha Busby is writing the blog now.My colleague Mattha Busby is writing the blog now.
People should be allowed to reunite with their families, Jeremy Corbyn has said in an interview where he also stressed the necessity of inward immigration to the UK due to skills shortages.People should be allowed to reunite with their families, Jeremy Corbyn has said in an interview where he also stressed the necessity of inward immigration to the UK due to skills shortages.
The Labour leader told the BBC that policymakers had to be realistic about the issues the country faces, and ruled out imposing what he described as “arbitrary” net migration targets after successive failures to achieve the stated goal.The Labour leader told the BBC that policymakers had to be realistic about the issues the country faces, and ruled out imposing what he described as “arbitrary” net migration targets after successive failures to achieve the stated goal.
Pressed on whether he would rather see the number of migrants in the UK go up or go down, he said:Pressed on whether he would rather see the number of migrants in the UK go up or go down, he said:
The BBC reports that Corbyn said Labour’s eventual migration policy would depend on the outcome of Brexit. The party has, of course, promised a second referendum which could see the UK remain within the EU.The BBC reports that Corbyn said Labour’s eventual migration policy would depend on the outcome of Brexit. The party has, of course, promised a second referendum which could see the UK remain within the EU.
Corbyn’s comments come after the Home Secretary Priti Patel appeared to retreat from a Tory pledge issued overnight to “reduce immigration overall”. By this afternoon she seemed to water down that commitment (see 3.52pm).Corbyn’s comments come after the Home Secretary Priti Patel appeared to retreat from a Tory pledge issued overnight to “reduce immigration overall”. By this afternoon she seemed to water down that commitment (see 3.52pm).
The prime minister Boris Johnson also spoke to the BBC earlier where he welcomed “people of talent” migrating to the UK but said he was “also in favour of control”.The prime minister Boris Johnson also spoke to the BBC earlier where he welcomed “people of talent” migrating to the UK but said he was “also in favour of control”.
The Labour party in Wales have withdrawn a party election broadcast after it emerged that a nurse featured in the video who criticised the Conservative party was an actress.The Labour party in Wales have withdrawn a party election broadcast after it emerged that a nurse featured in the video who criticised the Conservative party was an actress.
In the film, which was broadcast on Tuesday on the BBC, ITV and S4C, the nurse tells viewers how a trade deal with US president Donald Trump is a threat to the NHS.In the film, which was broadcast on Tuesday on the BBC, ITV and S4C, the nurse tells viewers how a trade deal with US president Donald Trump is a threat to the NHS.
Labour said the production company had used an actress without telling them and as soon as it was brought to its attention it withdrew the advert. It will not be working with the company in future, a spokesman said.Labour said the production company had used an actress without telling them and as soon as it was brought to its attention it withdrew the advert. It will not be working with the company in future, a spokesman said.
The deadline for election candidates to be nominated was 4pm today. That means that, if a candidate now withdraws, it is too late for their party to replace them. And, right on cue, Rupert Lowe has announced that, despite being selected as the Brexit party candidate for Dudley North, he is not going to contest the election.The deadline for election candidates to be nominated was 4pm today. That means that, if a candidate now withdraws, it is too late for their party to replace them. And, right on cue, Rupert Lowe has announced that, despite being selected as the Brexit party candidate for Dudley North, he is not going to contest the election.
Dudley North is a Labour/Tory marginal where Labour won by just 22 votes in 2017. The MP was Ian Austin, who left Labour to sit as an independent and who is now urging voters to back Boris Johnson.Dudley North is a Labour/Tory marginal where Labour won by just 22 votes in 2017. The MP was Ian Austin, who left Labour to sit as an independent and who is now urging voters to back Boris Johnson.
In a statement, Lowe says he cannot afford to take the risk of his candidature helping Labour win.In a statement, Lowe says he cannot afford to take the risk of his candidature helping Labour win.
In an interview with Sky News Jeremy Corbyn confirmed that the “extend free movement” motion passed at conference would not necessarily be included in full in the party’s manifesto. The party’s manifesto policy on immigration (and everything else) would be decided at a Clause V meeting of the party this weekend, he said. He went on:In an interview with Sky News Jeremy Corbyn confirmed that the “extend free movement” motion passed at conference would not necessarily be included in full in the party’s manifesto. The party’s manifesto policy on immigration (and everything else) would be decided at a Clause V meeting of the party this weekend, he said. He went on:
Tory sources are dismissing the Nigel Farage claim (see 4.20pm) as rubbish and “typical Farage attention-seeking”. They may say something more specific later.Tory sources are dismissing the Nigel Farage claim (see 4.20pm) as rubbish and “typical Farage attention-seeking”. They may say something more specific later.
Nigel Farage, the Brexit party leader, claims Sir Edward Lister, Boris Johnson’s chief strategic adviser in No 10, has been calling Brexit party candidates offering them jobs if they stand down in target seats.Nigel Farage, the Brexit party leader, claims Sir Edward Lister, Boris Johnson’s chief strategic adviser in No 10, has been calling Brexit party candidates offering them jobs if they stand down in target seats.
I’ve asked the Tories for a comment, and will post their reply when I get it.I’ve asked the Tories for a comment, and will post their reply when I get it.
UPDATE: Tory sources are dismissing the Nigel Farage claim as rubbish and “typical Farage attention-seeking”. They may say something more specific later.UPDATE: Tory sources are dismissing the Nigel Farage claim as rubbish and “typical Farage attention-seeking”. They may say something more specific later.
On the BBC’s World at One Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said that increasing demand was to a large extent responsible for A&E waiting times in England being at their worst level for 15 years. Over the last five years the number of people going to A&E had risen by a quarter, he said. “Parts of the system are responding extremely well,” he insisted. He went on:On the BBC’s World at One Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said that increasing demand was to a large extent responsible for A&E waiting times in England being at their worst level for 15 years. Over the last five years the number of people going to A&E had risen by a quarter, he said. “Parts of the system are responding extremely well,” he insisted. He went on:
Jonathan Ashworth, his Labour shadow, said Hancock’s response was “staggering”.Jonathan Ashworth, his Labour shadow, said Hancock’s response was “staggering”.
According to the BBC’s Norman Smith, Priti Patel, the home secretary, did eventually confirm that the Tories went to reduce immigration in her broadcast interview. (See 3.52pm.)According to the BBC’s Norman Smith, Priti Patel, the home secretary, did eventually confirm that the Tories went to reduce immigration in her broadcast interview. (See 3.52pm.)
Boris Johnson labelled climate change protesters “crusties” after security concerns forced him to change his election campaign visit to a bakery, the Press Association reports. Extinction Rebellion activists were positioned outside Burns The Bread in Glastonbury, Somerset, prompting a decision to divert the prime minister to one of the company’s shops in Wells. At the shop in Wells Johnson commented on the change in plan, saying: “There were lots of crusties there - more crusty than your loaves.”Boris Johnson labelled climate change protesters “crusties” after security concerns forced him to change his election campaign visit to a bakery, the Press Association reports. Extinction Rebellion activists were positioned outside Burns The Bread in Glastonbury, Somerset, prompting a decision to divert the prime minister to one of the company’s shops in Wells. At the shop in Wells Johnson commented on the change in plan, saying: “There were lots of crusties there - more crusty than your loaves.”
In a press notice overnight Priti Patel, the home secretary, said the Conservatives would “reduce immigration overall”. But in an interview this afternoon she has appeared to back away from that pledge, according to the BBC’s Callum May and Norman Smith.In a press notice overnight Priti Patel, the home secretary, said the Conservatives would “reduce immigration overall”. But in an interview this afternoon she has appeared to back away from that pledge, according to the BBC’s Callum May and Norman Smith.
Scottish Labour strategists have armed Jeremy Corbyn with data on the numbers of people giving disability payments for mental illness and child poverty for each of the Westminster constituencies he has visited in Scotland.Scottish Labour strategists have armed Jeremy Corbyn with data on the numbers of people giving disability payments for mental illness and child poverty for each of the Westminster constituencies he has visited in Scotland.
In an effort to switch the agenda from the harder territory of Brexit or Scottish independence on to core topics such as poverty, party officials have mined official data to produce fact sheets for Corbyn and Labour candidates to use in campaigning.In an effort to switch the agenda from the harder territory of Brexit or Scottish independence on to core topics such as poverty, party officials have mined official data to produce fact sheets for Corbyn and Labour candidates to use in campaigning.
Corbyn’s two-day trip to Scotland, taking in key seats in Glasgow, Hamilton, Uddingston, Dundee and West Lothian, has been short on new policies but heavy in incident. He has been heckled by opponents, and tripped himself up on party policy on a Scottish independence referendum.Corbyn’s two-day trip to Scotland, taking in key seats in Glasgow, Hamilton, Uddingston, Dundee and West Lothian, has been short on new policies but heavy in incident. He has been heckled by opponents, and tripped himself up on party policy on a Scottish independence referendum.
But addressing the small crowds and audiences which gather at campaign stops, Corbyn reels off data on local poverty levels. Speaking at Newtongrange Scottish mining museum in Midlothian on Thursday, where Labour’s Danielle Rowley won a shock victory in 2017, he lambasted the Conservatives and Lib Dems for their “political choice of imposing austerity on the whole of the UK … Nine years later we see the result of it.” He said:But addressing the small crowds and audiences which gather at campaign stops, Corbyn reels off data on local poverty levels. Speaking at Newtongrange Scottish mining museum in Midlothian on Thursday, where Labour’s Danielle Rowley won a shock victory in 2017, he lambasted the Conservatives and Lib Dems for their “political choice of imposing austerity on the whole of the UK … Nine years later we see the result of it.” He said: