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General election 2019: Boris Johnson cancels Glastonbury event at short notice as protest gathers – live news General election 2019: Corbyn criticises 'hostile environment' immigration policy – live news
(32 minutes later)
Prime minister changed visit after protesters gathered, plus all the latest from the election campaign today Boris Johnson changes his visit after protesters gathered, plus all the latest from the election campaign today
Chuka Umunna, the Liberal Democrat economics spokesperson, has been fielding accusations that his party has put itself before the national interest in fielding a replacement candidate in Canterbury (see 7.21pm) and in contesting the South West Hertfordshire seat where pro-Remain former minister David Gauke is running as an independent.
He criticised the party’s former candidate in the constituency, journalist Tim Walker, for acting unreasonably and said there must be “reciprocity” among parties if candidates are to step aside.
A string of public figures have declared they will not vote for Labour due to its association with antisemitism. Authors John Le Carré and William Boyd are among two dozen signatories of a letter published in the Guardian which cites fears of effectively surrendering the fight against antisemitism.A string of public figures have declared they will not vote for Labour due to its association with antisemitism. Authors John Le Carré and William Boyd are among two dozen signatories of a letter published in the Guardian which cites fears of effectively surrendering the fight against antisemitism.
The Labour party in Wales has withdrawn a party election broadcast after it emerged that a nurse featured in the video who criticised the Conservative party was an actor.The Labour party in Wales has withdrawn a party election broadcast after it emerged that a nurse featured in the video who criticised the Conservative party was an actor.
My colleagues Lisa O’Carroll and Pamela Duncan have the storyMy colleagues Lisa O’Carroll and Pamela Duncan have the story
The Green party in Canterbury has announced it will not stand a candidate in the marginal seat where pro-Remain Labour MP Rosie Duffield is defending a wafer-thin majority against the Tories.The Green party in Canterbury has announced it will not stand a candidate in the marginal seat where pro-Remain Labour MP Rosie Duffield is defending a wafer-thin majority against the Tories.
It comes after the Liberal Democrat candidate unilaterally stood down yesterday, citing fears of dividing the remain vote despite not trusting Jeremy Corbyn over Brexit.It comes after the Liberal Democrat candidate unilaterally stood down yesterday, citing fears of dividing the remain vote despite not trusting Jeremy Corbyn over Brexit.
Green Party spokesperson Henry Stanton said:Green Party spokesperson Henry Stanton said:
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson was forced to deny losing control over her party on Wednesday after Tim Walker suddenly announced he was standing aside in an article for the Guardian. The party – which came a distant but respectable third in 2017 – swiftly installed an outside candidate, Claire Malcolmson, a councillor in Surrey, to replace him.Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson was forced to deny losing control over her party on Wednesday after Tim Walker suddenly announced he was standing aside in an article for the Guardian. The party – which came a distant but respectable third in 2017 – swiftly installed an outside candidate, Claire Malcolmson, a councillor in Surrey, to replace him.
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.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.
Foster 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”.Foster 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: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.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 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.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.