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Labour pledges free broadband for all homes and businesses – general election live Labour pledges free broadband for all homes and businesses – as it happened
(about 2 hours later)
Boris Johnson changes his visit after protesters gathered, plus all the latest from the election campaign todayBoris Johnson changes his visit after protesters gathered, plus all the latest from the election campaign today
We’re now going to close our live blog, but here are the main political developments of the day:We’re now going to close our live blog, but here are the main political developments of the day:
In what might well be the most eye-catching pledge of the election campaign yet, Labour promised free full-fibre broadband for every home and business by part-nationalising BT. The party said the policy, estimated to cost around £20bn, would be partly paid for by high taxes on internet companies such as Amazon, Facebook and Google.In what might well be the most eye-catching pledge of the election campaign yet, Labour promised free full-fibre broadband for every home and business by part-nationalising BT. The party said the policy, estimated to cost around £20bn, would be partly paid for by high taxes on internet companies such as Amazon, Facebook and Google.
The Conservatives criticised the policy, saying it was a “fantasy plan to effectively nationalise broadband [that] would cost hardworking taxpayers tens of billions”.The Conservatives criticised the policy, saying it was a “fantasy plan to effectively nationalise broadband [that] would cost hardworking taxpayers tens of billions”.
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 were 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 were among two dozen signatories of a letter published in the Guardian which cites fears of effectively surrendering the fight against antisemitism.
The Brexit party claimed that senior figures within their ranks including former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe and its candidate in Peterborough Mike Greene were offered post-election roles by the Tories in exchange for stepping aside.The Brexit party claimed that senior figures within their ranks including former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe and its candidate in Peterborough Mike Greene were offered post-election roles by the Tories in exchange for stepping aside.
The allegations were vociferously denied by the Tories. A spokesman said: “Neither the Conservative party, nor its officials have offered Brexit party candidates jobs or peerages. We don’t do electoral pacts - our pact is with the British people.”The allegations were vociferously denied by the Tories. A spokesman said: “Neither the Conservative party, nor its officials have offered Brexit party candidates jobs or peerages. We don’t do electoral pacts - our pact is with the British people.”
Jeremy Corbyn said people should be allowed to reunite with their families and stressed the necessity of inward immigration to the UK due to skills shortages. The Labour leader ruled out imposing what he described as “arbitrary” net migration targets after successive failures to achieve them.Jeremy Corbyn said people should be allowed to reunite with their families and stressed the necessity of inward immigration to the UK due to skills shortages. The Labour leader ruled out imposing what he described as “arbitrary” net migration targets after successive failures to achieve them.
His comments came 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).His comments came 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).
Meanwhile prime minister Boris Johnson said he welcomed “people of talent” migrating to the UK but that he was “also in favour of control”.Meanwhile prime minister Boris Johnson said he welcomed “people of talent” migrating to the UK but that he was “also in favour of control”.
Fake nurse! The Labour party in Wales withdrew a party election broadcast after it emerged that a nurse featured in the video who criticised the Conservative party was an actor.Fake nurse! The Labour party in Wales withdrew a party election broadcast after it emerged that a nurse featured in the video who criticised the Conservative party was an actor.
The Liberal Democrats dismissed suggestions (see 8.53pm) that the 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.The Liberal Democrats dismissed suggestions (see 8.53pm) that the 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.
Earlier, my colleague Andrew Sparrow summed up the day’s events up until the late afternoon (see 6.06pm).Earlier, my colleague Andrew Sparrow summed up the day’s events up until the late afternoon (see 6.06pm).
Thanks for joining us, and for all your comments.Thanks for joining us, and for all your comments.
The announcement, one of the most significant of the campaign so far, is now leading the major news channels.The announcement, one of the most significant of the campaign so far, is now leading the major news channels.
However, Jim Pickard from the Financial Times has rightly highlighted the apparent inconsistency between John McDonnell’s claim in July that the nationalisation of the water companies was “the limit of [Labour’s] ambition when it comes to nationalisation” and the pledge this evening.However, Jim Pickard from the Financial Times has rightly highlighted the apparent inconsistency between John McDonnell’s claim in July that the nationalisation of the water companies was “the limit of [Labour’s] ambition when it comes to nationalisation” and the pledge this evening.
He had promised in an interview with the Sunday Times that “There are no tricks up my sleeve”, that Labour had no plans to nationalise companies such as BT and would limit takeovers to power networks, Royal Mail, rail and water companies.He had promised in an interview with the Sunday Times that “There are no tricks up my sleeve”, that Labour had no plans to nationalise companies such as BT and would limit takeovers to power networks, Royal Mail, rail and water companies.
Nicky Morgan, the outgoing culture secretary, has dismissed Labour’s pledge to provide free Wi-Fi as “reckless” and claimed it was part of an effort to distract from the party’s divisions over Brexit.Nicky Morgan, the outgoing culture secretary, has dismissed Labour’s pledge to provide free Wi-Fi as “reckless” and claimed it was part of an effort to distract from the party’s divisions over Brexit.
Of course, the policy would indeed technically cost taxpayers billions, but according to Labour it would be delivered without raising taxes for individuals.Of course, the policy would indeed technically cost taxpayers billions, but according to Labour it would be delivered without raising taxes for individuals.
And here’s some more reaction to the eye-catching policy pledge.And here’s some more reaction to the eye-catching policy pledge.
A new tax on Big Tech companies including Facebook, Google and Amazon would help fund Labour’s plans to provide homes and businesses with free internet connections, while the part of BT responsible for broadband would also be taken under public ownership.A new tax on Big Tech companies including Facebook, Google and Amazon would help fund Labour’s plans to provide homes and businesses with free internet connections, while the part of BT responsible for broadband would also be taken under public ownership.
A new British Broadband public service would boost 5G connectivity and deliver fast full-fibre internet across the country, where parts have poor internet connections, the party said. If in government, it would aim to deliver the service at no cost to members of the public by 2030 after integrating the broadband-relevant parts of BT into the new public entity.A new British Broadband public service would boost 5G connectivity and deliver fast full-fibre internet across the country, where parts have poor internet connections, the party said. If in government, it would aim to deliver the service at no cost to members of the public by 2030 after integrating the broadband-relevant parts of BT into the new public entity.
Jeremy Corbyn will make the announcement in Lancaster on Friday where is expected to describe the new free public service as central to his plans to transform the country and economy.Jeremy Corbyn will make the announcement in Lancaster on Friday where is expected to describe the new free public service as central to his plans to transform the country and economy.
The rollout would begin with communities which have the worst broadband access, including rural and remote communities and some inner city-areas, followed by towns and smaller centres, and then lastly by areas currently well served by super-fast or ultrafast broadband.The rollout would begin with communities which have the worst broadband access, including rural and remote communities and some inner city-areas, followed by towns and smaller centres, and then lastly by areas currently well served by super-fast or ultrafast broadband.
Labour said it will be paid for through the party’s “Green Transformation fund” and the greater taxation of corporations, adding that it will save the average person £30.30 a month.Labour said it will be paid for through the party’s “Green Transformation fund” and the greater taxation of corporations, adding that it will save the average person £30.30 a month.
There would be a one-off capital cost to rollout the full-fibre network of £15.3 billion, in addition to the government’s existing and not yet spent £5 billion commitment.There would be a one-off capital cost to rollout the full-fibre network of £15.3 billion, in addition to the government’s existing and not yet spent £5 billion commitment.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell is expected to say that the plans represented “public ownership for the future” and would challenge “rip-off ‘out-of-contract pricing”.Shadow chancellor John McDonnell is expected to say that the plans represented “public ownership for the future” and would challenge “rip-off ‘out-of-contract pricing”.
He told the Mirror:He told the Mirror:
Cat Hobbs, director of campaign group We Own It, also told the paper:Cat Hobbs, director of campaign group We Own It, also told the paper:
David Lammy has accused the prime minister of not knowing the words to “The wheels on the bus” after he appeared to initially falter when singing part of the popular nursery rhyme.David Lammy has accused the prime minister of not knowing the words to “The wheels on the bus” after he appeared to initially falter when singing part of the popular nursery rhyme.
Boris Johnson mentioned his visit to a school in Taunton during his round up of his day’s exploits only to say that he discussed education funding.Boris Johnson mentioned his visit to a school in Taunton during his round up of his day’s exploits only to say that he discussed education funding.
Here’s a bit more from the Labour rally in Edinburgh. Holding off from committing to specific new policies, Jeremy Corbyn did not address demands for Scottish independence either.Here’s a bit more from the Labour rally in Edinburgh. Holding off from committing to specific new policies, Jeremy Corbyn did not address demands for Scottish independence either.
He also repeated his pledge that a Labour government would establish a department of employment rights to “guarantee from day one of your employment you have got full rights at work, including the right to join a trade union”.He also repeated his pledge that a Labour government would establish a department of employment rights to “guarantee from day one of your employment you have got full rights at work, including the right to join a trade union”.
Meanwhile, the SNP’s logo and a slogan saying “Escape Brexit” was projected onto the facade of McEwan Hall in Edinburgh.Meanwhile, the SNP’s logo and a slogan saying “Escape Brexit” was projected onto the facade of McEwan Hall in Edinburgh.
Brexit party officials are now claiming that senior figures within their ranks including former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe and its candidate in Peterborough Mike Greene were offered post-election roles.Brexit party officials are now claiming that senior figures within their ranks including former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe and its candidate in Peterborough Mike Greene were offered post-election roles.
In a video directly uploaded to YouTube, party leader Nigel Farage said:In a video directly uploaded to YouTube, party leader Nigel Farage said:
At a rally tonight, Farage has also demanded the House of Lords is abolished to prevent people being “brought off”.At a rally tonight, Farage has also demanded the House of Lords is abolished to prevent people being “brought off”.
And some light relief from the Guardian’s sketch writer John Crace.And some light relief from the Guardian’s sketch writer John Crace.
My colleague Severin Carrell is reporting from a Labour rally in Edinburgh where Jeremy Corbyn has announced the party’s manifesto will be “bigger, better and - I’m not sure I’m pleased to say it - longer than the last one”My colleague Severin Carrell is reporting from a Labour rally in Edinburgh where Jeremy Corbyn has announced the party’s manifesto will be “bigger, better and - I’m not sure I’m pleased to say it - longer than the last one”
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard earlier criticised the Scottish National party for what he claimed was a contradictory position in supporting unity in Europe but division in the UK.Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard earlier criticised the Scottish National party for what he claimed was a contradictory position in supporting unity in Europe but division in the UK.
However, Nicola Sturgeon predicted earlier today that Corbyn would soon back her call for a Scottish independence vote in 2020 after he appeared to soften a commitment made to journalists on Wednesday that such a referendum would not take place during Labour’s first hypothetical five years in power.However, Nicola Sturgeon predicted earlier today that Corbyn would soon back her call for a Scottish independence vote in 2020 after he appeared to soften a commitment made to journalists on Wednesday that such a referendum would not take place during Labour’s first hypothetical five years in power.
Brexit party chairman Richard Tice has hit out at the Conservative party and re-stoked the row (see 4.34pm) over whether the Tories offered “jobs and titles” to his party’s candidates standing in Labour-held seats.Brexit party chairman Richard Tice has hit out at the Conservative party and re-stoked the row (see 4.34pm) over whether the Tories offered “jobs and titles” to his party’s candidates standing in Labour-held seats.
A Tory spokesman said Brexit party candidates had not been offered peerages.A Tory spokesman said Brexit party candidates had not been offered peerages.
Earlier, Brexit party candidate Rupert Lowe – the former Southampton FC chairman – announced that he was not going to contest the election in Dudley North for fear of enabling a Labour victory (see 4.46pm).Earlier, Brexit party candidate Rupert Lowe – the former Southampton FC chairman – announced that he was not going to contest the election in Dudley North for fear of enabling a Labour victory (see 4.46pm).
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.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.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.