This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2019/nov/25/general-election-corbyn-to-make-big-housing-pledge-as-tories-set-low-spending-bar-live
The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 15 | Version 16 |
|---|---|
| General election: Johnson's record of lying and prejudice makes him unfit to be PM, say Lib Dems – live news | General election: Johnson's record of lying and prejudice makes him unfit to be PM, say Lib Dems – live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| A day after Johnson launched the Tory manifesto, the Lib Dems have questioned whether he can be trusted. Keep up with the latest | A day after Johnson launched the Tory manifesto, the Lib Dems have questioned whether he can be trusted. Keep up with the latest |
| Boris Johnson was challenged about his claim that a Conservative government would deliver 50,000 more nurses as he launched the Welsh Tories’ manifesto at Wrexham racecourse. Asked by reporters if the pledge was nothing more than sleight of hand, he said: | |
| A pledge in the UK Tory manifesto to recruit 50,000 nurses on Sunday unravelled as it became clear that many of these would not actually be new but would include those who had been retained. | |
| In Wrexham Johnson said: | |
| The prime minister also insisted that new, profitable markets would open up for Welsh farmers after Brexit. He said: | |
| He then got a Tory supporter in the audience to google whether Wales was in fact close to China. | |
| Many farmers are terrified that a hard Brexit will lead to soaring tariffs. Johnson said: “People are yearning, aching to get Brexit done.” | |
| He described incompetently shearing a sheep at the Royal Wales Winter Show but said as the ewe looked up at him with “imploring eyes” he consoled himself with the idea that at least he wasn’t fleecing the country, as he said Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell would if they got into power. | |
| Johnson said the Tories would protect Welsh steel workers and would tackle congestion at the notorious Brynglas Tunnels on the M4 in south Wales, which he compared to the blocked up nostrils of a Welsh dragon. | |
| He rejected the notion that the Tories should be ashamed of the impact austerity has had on Wales, arguing the Conservatives had to run the economy sensibly following Labour mismanagement, but said Wales could look forward to an “infrastructure revolution”. | |
| Earlier the Tory leader at the Welsh assembly, Paul Davies, described the Labour-led Welsh government as a “Corbynite” one and attacked its record on health and education. | |
| In the light of what happened in recent elections many of those active in politics are wary of relying too much on opinion polls. But it was hard for opposition parties to read yesterday’s papers with some sense of despair. The Observer reported on a poll giving the Tories a 19-point lead. The Sunday Times in its splash (paywall) reported on a Datapraxis analysis, based on 270,000 voter interviews by YouGov, suggesting “the Conservatives are on course to win 349 seats, enough for a majority of 48.” | |
| But today Gina Miller, the anti-Brexit campaigner who is running a tactical voting campaign, Remain United, has urged fellow remainers not to despair. In a statement she said: | |
| Remain United has a website giving advice on how to vote tactically on a constituency by constituency basis. It is here. Its recommendations get updated as new polling figures come in. | |
| To make life complicated, this is one of at least five websites giving advice on tactical voting. The others include. | |
| The People’s Vote one | |
| The Best for Britain one | |
| The tactical.vote one | |
| The tacticalvote one | |
| If this makes it all sound confusing, the blogger Jon Worth has written a useful post explaining where these five sites differ in their recommendations and offering further guidance. | |
| Tactical.vote also has the equivalent of a price comparison website - a table explaining what all five sites recommend on a constituency by constituency basis. | |
| Tomorrow is the deadline for registering to vote. If you are not registered, there are details of how to do it here. | Tomorrow is the deadline for registering to vote. If you are not registered, there are details of how to do it here. |
| Here’s John Lennon, from beyond the grave, joining those saying it’s a good idea. | Here’s John Lennon, from beyond the grave, joining those saying it’s a good idea. |
| Boris Johnson is not giving many formal speeches during the election campaign, and he is not spending much time either taking questions from journalists. But he is frequently posing for pictures, often giving the impression that he is clowning around, and he was at it again today, at the Royal Welsh Winter Show. | Boris Johnson is not giving many formal speeches during the election campaign, and he is not spending much time either taking questions from journalists. But he is frequently posing for pictures, often giving the impression that he is clowning around, and he was at it again today, at the Royal Welsh Winter Show. |
| There is a video version too. | There is a video version too. |
| For an understanding of why Johnson thinks all this matters, it is worth reading the closest thing he has ever written to an autobiography – his book about Winston Churchill, called The Churchill Factor. It is not the most insightful book about Churchill, but Johnson clearly identifies with the great war leader and there are many passages in the book that read as self-referential. The chapter on how Churchill crafted his own image is a good example. Here is an extract on Churchill’s approach to photo opportunities. | For an understanding of why Johnson thinks all this matters, it is worth reading the closest thing he has ever written to an autobiography – his book about Winston Churchill, called The Churchill Factor. It is not the most insightful book about Churchill, but Johnson clearly identifies with the great war leader and there are many passages in the book that read as self-referential. The chapter on how Churchill crafted his own image is a good example. Here is an extract on Churchill’s approach to photo opportunities. |
| Johnson wrote that in 2014, long before he ever imagined he would be fighting an election campaign against Jeremy Corbyn, who also happens to be teetotal. But so is Johnson himself at the moment; he claims to have given up alcohol until Brexit is delivered. | Johnson wrote that in 2014, long before he ever imagined he would be fighting an election campaign against Jeremy Corbyn, who also happens to be teetotal. But so is Johnson himself at the moment; he claims to have given up alcohol until Brexit is delivered. |
| Boris Johnson is giving a speech in Wales. It is mostly a standard stump speech, but Johnson has just said that Wales is closer to China than New Zealand is. Expressing an uncharacteristic concern for factual accuracy, he asked someone in the audience to check that this claim was actually true. It was, he was told. He was making a point about export opportunities after Brexit. | Boris Johnson is giving a speech in Wales. It is mostly a standard stump speech, but Johnson has just said that Wales is closer to China than New Zealand is. Expressing an uncharacteristic concern for factual accuracy, he asked someone in the audience to check that this claim was actually true. It was, he was told. He was making a point about export opportunities after Brexit. |
| After a few minutes, Sky News abandoned their live coverage, so if there were any more gems, I’ve missed them. But a colleague is at the event and will be sending me some copy later. | After a few minutes, Sky News abandoned their live coverage, so if there were any more gems, I’ve missed them. But a colleague is at the event and will be sending me some copy later. |
| Ian Taylor, who was Conservative MP for Esher and Walton until 2010 and who was a prominent pro-European in the party, is backing the Lib Dem candidate in his old constituency, Monica Harding, and not his Tory successor, Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary. Taylor has explained why in an open letter to his old constituents. He says a hung parliament could lead to a second referendum, and that that could lead to a remain vote, which he says would be best for the country. | Ian Taylor, who was Conservative MP for Esher and Walton until 2010 and who was a prominent pro-European in the party, is backing the Lib Dem candidate in his old constituency, Monica Harding, and not his Tory successor, Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary. Taylor has explained why in an open letter to his old constituents. He says a hung parliament could lead to a second referendum, and that that could lead to a remain vote, which he says would be best for the country. |
| Harding has welcomed Taylor’s endorsement. | Harding has welcomed Taylor’s endorsement. |
| Raab had a majority of more than 23,000 at the last election. But yesterday a report in the Sunday Times (paywall) claimed that he was one of seven prominent Tory Brexiters at risk of losing their seats, according to one polling analysis. | Raab had a majority of more than 23,000 at the last election. But yesterday a report in the Sunday Times (paywall) claimed that he was one of seven prominent Tory Brexiters at risk of losing their seats, according to one polling analysis. |
| The Scottish Greens have said it would be a mistake for a Scottish independence referendum to be delayed until after a Brexit transition period. As PA Media reports, speaking at the party’s manifesto launch in Glasgow, co-leader Patrick Harvie said a second independence referendum should take in 2020 if Brexit goes ahead in January. | The Scottish Greens have said it would be a mistake for a Scottish independence referendum to be delayed until after a Brexit transition period. As PA Media reports, speaking at the party’s manifesto launch in Glasgow, co-leader Patrick Harvie said a second independence referendum should take in 2020 if Brexit goes ahead in January. |
| Explaining his position, which is the same as the SNP’s on the timing of a second independence referendum, Harvie said: | Explaining his position, which is the same as the SNP’s on the timing of a second independence referendum, Harvie said: |
| Boris Johnson’s proposed date for the Queen’s speech (see 12.43pm) would fall on the day the monarch usually departs for her festive break at Sandringham, the Press Association reports. The Queen, 93, often travels to her Norfolk estate on the Thursday before Christmas, having hosted a family lunch for the royals at Buckingham Palace that week. | Boris Johnson’s proposed date for the Queen’s speech (see 12.43pm) would fall on the day the monarch usually departs for her festive break at Sandringham, the Press Association reports. The Queen, 93, often travels to her Norfolk estate on the Thursday before Christmas, having hosted a family lunch for the royals at Buckingham Palace that week. |
| This is from Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader seeking re-election in Chingford and Woodford Green. | This is from Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader seeking re-election in Chingford and Woodford Green. |
| His Labour opponent, Faiza Shaheen, has condemned the attack. | His Labour opponent, Faiza Shaheen, has condemned the attack. |
| Next up will be the Guardian’s political editor, Heather Stewart. She will be answering any questions you may have about the Labour party’s manifesto, campaign and policies at 12.30pm on Wednesday. | Next up will be the Guardian’s political editor, Heather Stewart. She will be answering any questions you may have about the Labour party’s manifesto, campaign and policies at 12.30pm on Wednesday. |
| You can ask your question via our form here. | You can ask your question via our form here. |
| Q: Does the manifesto mention whether the Conservatives support reform of the Gender Recognition Act to allow self-identification of gender – as the Lib Dems and Labour do? By the way what happened to the results of the 2018 consultation on this reform? Anonymous, London | Q: Does the manifesto mention whether the Conservatives support reform of the Gender Recognition Act to allow self-identification of gender – as the Lib Dems and Labour do? By the way what happened to the results of the 2018 consultation on this reform? Anonymous, London |
| Johnson’s government has downgraded reform of the Gender Recognition Act as a priority, although it denies that it has been dropped altogether. There is no mention of either transgender rights or self-identification in the manifesto. | Johnson’s government has downgraded reform of the Gender Recognition Act as a priority, although it denies that it has been dropped altogether. There is no mention of either transgender rights or self-identification in the manifesto. |
| Q: Boris’s agreement: when do we see it and can parliament scrutinise, amend and agree it – or will they? Mike Humphrey, retired, Glasgow | Q: Boris’s agreement: when do we see it and can parliament scrutinise, amend and agree it – or will they? Mike Humphrey, retired, Glasgow |
| The new withdrawal agreement and political declaration is published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-withdrawal-agreement-and-political-declaration. | The new withdrawal agreement and political declaration is published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-withdrawal-agreement-and-political-declaration. |
| If Boris Johnson is returned with a majority, he will attempt to rush some or all of it through parliament after a Queen’s speech on Thursday 19 December. MPs will probably have limited time to debate it but all Tory candidates have signed up to supporting the text as it stands so would be certain to vote it through at the earliest opportunity. | If Boris Johnson is returned with a majority, he will attempt to rush some or all of it through parliament after a Queen’s speech on Thursday 19 December. MPs will probably have limited time to debate it but all Tory candidates have signed up to supporting the text as it stands so would be certain to vote it through at the earliest opportunity. |
| Q: Have they outlined any details of how their Australian-style points-based immigration policy will work. Robert Greasley, 63, retired police officer, Volkringhausen, Germany | Q: Have they outlined any details of how their Australian-style points-based immigration policy will work. Robert Greasley, 63, retired police officer, Volkringhausen, Germany |
| In the party’s manifesto, the document said the new system would prioritise those who 1) Have a good grasp of English 2) Have been law-abiding citizens in their own countries 3) Have good education and qualifications. It also said “most people coming into the country will need a clear job offer”. It does not explain how it would work to bring over family members to live in the UK, but says it would equalise the system for EU and non-EU citizens so the best guess is that the rules applying to the rest of the world would apply to family members from the EU. | In the party’s manifesto, the document said the new system would prioritise those who 1) Have a good grasp of English 2) Have been law-abiding citizens in their own countries 3) Have good education and qualifications. It also said “most people coming into the country will need a clear job offer”. It does not explain how it would work to bring over family members to live in the UK, but says it would equalise the system for EU and non-EU citizens so the best guess is that the rules applying to the rest of the world would apply to family members from the EU. |
| Q: Do they intend to maintain the marriage allowance? That is the £250 from the transferable tax allowance if one partner has income below the tax threshold? D, Wales | Q: Do they intend to maintain the marriage allowance? That is the £250 from the transferable tax allowance if one partner has income below the tax threshold? D, Wales |
| The Conservatives made no mention of the marriage tax allowance, suggesting they would maintain it but changes can be made at any fiscal event. Both Labour and the Lib Dems have said they would axe it. | The Conservatives made no mention of the marriage tax allowance, suggesting they would maintain it but changes can be made at any fiscal event. Both Labour and the Lib Dems have said they would axe it. |
| Q: There has been no or little mention of Leveson two? Has this been dropped by all the parties? Anonymous, Pudsey | Q: There has been no or little mention of Leveson two? Has this been dropped by all the parties? Anonymous, Pudsey |
| The Tories have said they will drop Leveson two and “repeal section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2014, which seeks to coerce the press”. That is the clause that would force newspapers to pay both sides’ costs when losing or winning defamation and privacy cases if they have not signed up to a royal charter-approved regulator. Labour says it would “address misconduct and the unresolved failures of corporate governance raised by the second stage of the abandoned Leveson inquiry”. | The Tories have said they will drop Leveson two and “repeal section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2014, which seeks to coerce the press”. That is the clause that would force newspapers to pay both sides’ costs when losing or winning defamation and privacy cases if they have not signed up to a royal charter-approved regulator. Labour says it would “address misconduct and the unresolved failures of corporate governance raised by the second stage of the abandoned Leveson inquiry”. |
| Q: Would it be of any use in the outside toilet, either for wiping, or blocking the door draughts? Chris, 71, retired headmaster, Bury St Edmunds | Q: Would it be of any use in the outside toilet, either for wiping, or blocking the door draughts? Chris, 71, retired headmaster, Bury St Edmunds |
| It is quite a shiny document, so not great for absorption. But might be more useful under a door or propping up a table leg. | It is quite a shiny document, so not great for absorption. But might be more useful under a door or propping up a table leg. |
| Only 15 minutes left to ask any questions you may have on the Tory manifesto. Send them into us here. | Only 15 minutes left to ask any questions you may have on the Tory manifesto. Send them into us here. |
| Q: Is there five-years’ worth of action in there? Is there a perception about where the Tories intend on going, as a country? Anonymous, SW Scotland | Q: Is there five-years’ worth of action in there? Is there a perception about where the Tories intend on going, as a country? Anonymous, SW Scotland |
| Definitely not – although the manifesto does commit to repealing the Fixed-term Parliamenta Act, so it might not be five years until the next election. Paul Johnson, of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, said the manifesto was so empty that it would be thin for a budget let alone a multi-year programme for government. It means Johnson would undoubtedly come up with other plans for taxes, social care, and other big issues that are not in the manifesto. But in reality, a lot of a new Tory government’s time is still going to be spent on sorting out Brexit, including aiming for a trade deal with the EU by the end of 2020. | Definitely not – although the manifesto does commit to repealing the Fixed-term Parliamenta Act, so it might not be five years until the next election. Paul Johnson, of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, said the manifesto was so empty that it would be thin for a budget let alone a multi-year programme for government. It means Johnson would undoubtedly come up with other plans for taxes, social care, and other big issues that are not in the manifesto. But in reality, a lot of a new Tory government’s time is still going to be spent on sorting out Brexit, including aiming for a trade deal with the EU by the end of 2020. |
| Q: What plans have the Conservative party to eliminate people’s reliance on food banks and when will they be gone? Anonymous, retired civil servant, East Yorkshire | Q: What plans have the Conservative party to eliminate people’s reliance on food banks and when will they be gone? Anonymous, retired civil servant, East Yorkshire |
| There is no mention of food banks or eliminating their use in the Tory manifesto. The prime minister was asked about this by an audience member at Friday night’s Question Time debate. He said: “Of course we want to deal with not just the expression of poverty but also the causes of poverty. And that means dealing with educational standing. It means spreading ambition and hope around the country by investing in education and investing in social services.” | There is no mention of food banks or eliminating their use in the Tory manifesto. The prime minister was asked about this by an audience member at Friday night’s Question Time debate. He said: “Of course we want to deal with not just the expression of poverty but also the causes of poverty. And that means dealing with educational standing. It means spreading ambition and hope around the country by investing in education and investing in social services.” |
| Q: Does the Tory manifesto promise to address the Waspi women’s pension issue and if so what measures are envisaged and at what cost? Anonymous, Carlisle | Q: Does the Tory manifesto promise to address the Waspi women’s pension issue and if so what measures are envisaged and at what cost? Anonymous, Carlisle |
| No there is no promise to the Waspi women in the manifesto, unlike Labour’s promise to compensate them with £58bn for the rise in their pension age. Boris Johnson has said: “We have looked at it and looked at it and I would love to magic you a solution but it is very expensive to come up with the solution that you want.” | No there is no promise to the Waspi women in the manifesto, unlike Labour’s promise to compensate them with £58bn for the rise in their pension age. Boris Johnson has said: “We have looked at it and looked at it and I would love to magic you a solution but it is very expensive to come up with the solution that you want.” |