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| General election: Sajid Javid claims ordinary taxpayers would pay more under Labour – live news | General election: Sajid Javid claims ordinary taxpayers would pay more under Labour – live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Follow the latest from the election campaign, including speeches by Javid, Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn | Follow the latest from the election campaign, including speeches by Javid, Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn |
| We reported earlier that the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, believes it will not be possible to agree a comprehensive trade deal in the 11-month window that would be available if the UK left on 31 January (see: 6.19pm). Now, the Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesman, Chuka Umunna, has said: | |
| Jeremy Corbyn has refused to apologise to the British Jewish community following a remarkable election intervention from the chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, who used an article in the Times to suggest that the “moral compass” of Britain would be awry if Labour won the election because of Corbyn’s failure to tackle antisemitism in his party. In his article Mirvis did not raise any new allegations about Corbyn or his party, but he said the Labour claim that it was doing everything it could to tackle antisemitism in the party was “a mendacious fiction”. He also claimed that Corbyn did not even understand the problem properly. Mirvis wrote: | |
| And he concluded his article: | |
| This morning, at the launch of Labour’s race and faith manifesto, Corbyn said antisemitism was “vile and wrong” and “would not be tolerated in any form whatsoever” by him. He also offered to meet Mirvis to discuss this further. Many Corbyn supporters are exasperated by this line of attack, which they believe is being amplified by rightwing newspapers with no genuine anti-racist credentials, but Corbyn himself was careful to avoid criticising Mirvis personally or denying the existence of a problem. However, he did point out that while Labour has launched its own race and faith manifesto, the Conservative party said almost nothing on these issues in its own manifesto. Inspired by the chief rabbi, the Muslim Council of Britain said it was important to speak up for the experience of Mulsims in the Tory party too. In a statement the MCB said: | |
| Boris Johnson said the chief rabbi’s comments showed Corbyn had been guility of a “failure of leadership” on the issue of antisemitism. However, mindful no doubt of complaints about racist language he has used himself in the past, when Johnson was asked about this in Scotland, he seemed keen to move the subject on and he quickly made a wider point about Corbyn’s supposed lack of leadership on Brexit. The Conservative vulnerability on this issue was on display later in the day when Sajid Javid, the chancellor, refused to endorse Johnson’s “letter box” article about Muslim women wearing burqas that was deemed responsible for a sharp rise in incidents of Islamophobia. Javid also claimed he was not disappointed that the inquiry into Islamophobia in the Conservative party he proposed has been converted by Johnson into an inquiry into racism in general in the party. | |
| Javid published a Tory analysis of the Labour manifesto that he claimed proved that ordinary people would pay more in tax under Corbyn’s plans. Labour claims only the richest 5% will pay more in tax. But the Tory document identified six “tax rises” (some of them were just financial penalties, not proper tax rises) that might effect non-wealthy taxpayers under Labour. | |
| Javid also said that, following the publication of the Labour manifesto, the Conservatives have revised their calculations about how much extra spending they will entail, and what this will mean for taxpayers. By happy coincidence, the Tories have concluded that the overall cost, £1.2tr, and the cost to taxpayers, £2,400 per year, are the same as they were when the party calculated them before the Labour manifesto was published. Both those figures were widely seen as bogus because they were based on too many false or questionable assumptions. | |
| Johnson ruled out agreeing to a second referendum on Brexit or Scottish independence if rival parties demanded them as the price for supporting the Tories in a hung parliament. | |
| The Liberal Democrats have been accused of peddling misinformation after distributing fake newspapers with names similar to be independent publications, prompting one local newspaper group to threaten to stop all coverage of the party. | |
| A sharp rise in voter registration, predominantly among young people, has boosted Labour’s hopes in the general election. | |
| Michael Gove has mocked Stormzy for expressing his support for Labour and Corbyn in the forthcoming election. | |
| That’s all from me for tonight. | |
| My colleague Kevin Rawlinson is in charge now. | |
| The chief rabbi’s remarks about Labour and antisemitism should concern “every right-thinking person”, Nicola Sturgeon has told reporters at a campaign visit to Uddingston. | |
| Sturgeon was visiting a nursery to announce a proposal to “transform” parental leave, by extending shared leave to 64 weeks at an increased rate, including 12 weeks ring-fenced “daddy leave”. | |
| The proposal was welcomed by campaigners – the work-life balance charity Working Families has been calling for a similar scheme aimed at fathers for a long time, given the uptake of shared parental leave remains low and the evidence suggests that fathers who do have some leave from work with young children are more involved as their families grow up. | |
| The Westminster government is currently consulting on parental leave, although neither Tories nor Labour have proposed anything aimed directly at fathers in their manifestos. | |
| It will not be possible to negotiate a comprehensive trade deal in the 11-month transition period that would follow an exit from the bloc on 31 January, the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier has told a private meeting of senior MEPs in Strasbourg. | |
| The UK is due to leave the single market and customs union at the end of December 2020 under the terms of the withdrawal agreement. At that point, new arrangements – or none – will come into force. Any extension to the UK’s membership of the single market and customs union would need to be agreed before 1 July. | |
| Barnier said that, if such an extension was not sought by the UK, negotiators would “need to focus on specific subjects” and that agreement on various issues, including the rights of British air carriers to operate as they do today, would have to wait until after 2020. | |
| Barnier said the key areas on which the negotiators would work in the coming year would be trade in goods, data, fisheries, aviation, police and judicial cooperation. | |
| The goal for the EU is to agree on “zero quotas, zero tariffs and zero dumping”, he said in a reference to the bloc’s determination to ensure that the UK signs up to a high degree of regulatory alignment to ensure British companies do not have a competitive advantage post-Brexit. | |
| Barnier also told MEPs that the “toughest question” would be the EU’s insistence that free movement in goods comes as a package with the free movement of people. He added that the most “difficult outcome” for the EU would be a hung parliament as it would imperil ratification of the deal in Westminster. | |
| The prime minister has claimed the UK can conclude a trade deal in time, though experts had already pointed out that such deal typically take years to negotiate and ratify. | |
| Boris Johnson has claimed the Tory party takes anti-Islamic abuse seriously after criticism of his party’s handling of the issue from the Muslim Council of Britain. | Boris Johnson has claimed the Tory party takes anti-Islamic abuse seriously after criticism of his party’s handling of the issue from the Muslim Council of Britain. |
| The prime minister told reporters on a visit to the International Aviation Academy in Norwich that he did not agree with the claim that his party has approached Islamophobia with “denial, dismissal and deceit”. He said: | The prime minister told reporters on a visit to the International Aviation Academy in Norwich that he did not agree with the claim that his party has approached Islamophobia with “denial, dismissal and deceit”. He said: |
| Johnson has himself been accused of Islamophobia over his own past comments about Muslims. | Johnson has himself been accused of Islamophobia over his own past comments about Muslims. |
| Earlier this month, the Guardian reported on a dossier of detailing Islamophobic and racist material posted by 25 sitting and former Conservative councillors: | Earlier this month, the Guardian reported on a dossier of detailing Islamophobic and racist material posted by 25 sitting and former Conservative councillors: |
| This is from Stefan Rousseau, the Press Association’s chief political photographer. | This is from Stefan Rousseau, the Press Association’s chief political photographer. |
| Here are the main points from Sajid Javid’s Q&A. | Here are the main points from Sajid Javid’s Q&A. |
| Javid, the chancellor, refused to endorse the language that Boris Johnson used in a Telegraph column when he described Muslim women in burqas as looking like letter boxes. Javid claimed that the Conservative problem with Islamophobia was not the same as Labour’s problem with antisemitism partly because “no one has every credibly suggested that it’s an issue with the leadership of the party”. But, when asked repeatedly whether he would have been willing to use the “letter box” language that Johnson used, Javid repeatedly refused to endorse what Johnson wrote. Javid said: | Javid, the chancellor, refused to endorse the language that Boris Johnson used in a Telegraph column when he described Muslim women in burqas as looking like letter boxes. Javid claimed that the Conservative problem with Islamophobia was not the same as Labour’s problem with antisemitism partly because “no one has every credibly suggested that it’s an issue with the leadership of the party”. But, when asked repeatedly whether he would have been willing to use the “letter box” language that Johnson used, Javid repeatedly refused to endorse what Johnson wrote. Javid said: |
| Javid also said that Johnson had explained what he meant, and that Johnson was actually trying in that article to defend the rights of women to wear what they want. | Javid also said that Johnson had explained what he meant, and that Johnson was actually trying in that article to defend the rights of women to wear what they want. |
| Javid said the Conservatives should not be willing to accept Islamophobia in their ranks. Asked about this issue, he said: | Javid said the Conservatives should not be willing to accept Islamophobia in their ranks. Asked about this issue, he said: |
| He rejected claims that the proposed inquiry into Islamophobia in the Conservative party had been watered down. During the Tory leadership contest, in one TV debate, Javid bounced Johnson and the other candidates into agreeing that there should be an inquiry into Islamophobia in the party. Johnson is going to set up an inquiry, but it will cover all forms of racism. Asked if he was disappointed about the inquiry being watered down in this way, Javid replied: | He rejected claims that the proposed inquiry into Islamophobia in the Conservative party had been watered down. During the Tory leadership contest, in one TV debate, Javid bounced Johnson and the other candidates into agreeing that there should be an inquiry into Islamophobia in the party. Johnson is going to set up an inquiry, but it will cover all forms of racism. Asked if he was disappointed about the inquiry being watered down in this way, Javid replied: |
| Javid said the inquiry would start before Christmas. And he said people would be impressed by how serious it was. He said: | Javid said the inquiry would start before Christmas. And he said people would be impressed by how serious it was. He said: |
| Boris Johnson again made a series of unforced errors when he launched the Scottish Conservative election manifesto, wrongly claiming a spaceport was being built in Scotland; that the SNP wanted to use the euro and that Jeremy Corbyn wanted to scrap the armed forces. | Boris Johnson again made a series of unforced errors when he launched the Scottish Conservative election manifesto, wrongly claiming a spaceport was being built in Scotland; that the SNP wanted to use the euro and that Jeremy Corbyn wanted to scrap the armed forces. |
| Giving the carefully improvised stump speech he has made his trademark, Johnson accused the Labour leader of plotting to demilitarise the UK, staying: “Corbyn has said he wants to scrap our armed services, and can’t think of circumstances in which he would use them.” | Giving the carefully improvised stump speech he has made his trademark, Johnson accused the Labour leader of plotting to demilitarise the UK, staying: “Corbyn has said he wants to scrap our armed services, and can’t think of circumstances in which he would use them.” |
| While Corbyn has in the past suggested global demilitarisation and is a CND member, the Labour manifesto commits a Corbyn-led government to spending at least 2% of UK GDP on the armed forces, remain in Nato, replacing the Trident nuclear missile fleet and increasing UK funding for UN peacekeeping by £100m. | While Corbyn has in the past suggested global demilitarisation and is a CND member, the Labour manifesto commits a Corbyn-led government to spending at least 2% of UK GDP on the armed forces, remain in Nato, replacing the Trident nuclear missile fleet and increasing UK funding for UN peacekeeping by £100m. |
| Johnson then referred to a prickly BBC interview between Andrew Neil and Nicola Sturgeon broadcast on Monday night, where Neil pressed the first minister on her plans for an independent Scotland rejoining the EU. Banging his fist on the lectern in emphasis, the prime minister told activists: | Johnson then referred to a prickly BBC interview between Andrew Neil and Nicola Sturgeon broadcast on Monday night, where Neil pressed the first minister on her plans for an independent Scotland rejoining the EU. Banging his fist on the lectern in emphasis, the prime minister told activists: |
| The SNP said this was “utter fiction”; the party wants to first use sterling after independence and then in time create a new Scottish currency. It explicitly rejects taking on the euro, although its critics insist that EU membership requires a commitment to eventually joining the currency union. | The SNP said this was “utter fiction”; the party wants to first use sterling after independence and then in time create a new Scottish currency. It explicitly rejects taking on the euro, although its critics insist that EU membership requires a commitment to eventually joining the currency union. |
| Johnson finally wrongly asserted there was a spaceport in Sutherland, in the far north of Scotland, being built – only to be corrected by an audience member that it was still only planned. Riffing on the wealth- and job-creating potential of artificial intelligence and advance technologies, Johnson said: | Johnson finally wrongly asserted there was a spaceport in Sutherland, in the far north of Scotland, being built – only to be corrected by an audience member that it was still only planned. Riffing on the wealth- and job-creating potential of artificial intelligence and advance technologies, Johnson said: |
| That Space Hub Sutherland project has significant official backing but it is not yet cleared for construction, and is months away from receiving planning permission. It is expected to start that process next month. | That Space Hub Sutherland project has significant official backing but it is not yet cleared for construction, and is months away from receiving planning permission. It is expected to start that process next month. |
| From the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg | From the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg |
| From my colleague Peter Walker | From my colleague Peter Walker |
| Q: [From my colleague John Crace] In the Tory leadership contest you managed to get all candidates to agree to an inquiry into Islamophobia in the Conservative party. Are you disappointed it has been watered down into a general inquiry? | Q: [From my colleague John Crace] In the Tory leadership contest you managed to get all candidates to agree to an inquiry into Islamophobia in the Conservative party. Are you disappointed it has been watered down into a general inquiry? |
| No, says Javid. He says “nothing has been watered down”. He says when people see the terms of inquiry, they will see how serious it is. | No, says Javid. He says “nothing has been watered down”. He says when people see the terms of inquiry, they will see how serious it is. |
| And that’s it. | And that’s it. |
| I will post a summary soon. | I will post a summary soon. |
| Q: Why have you not committed to the whole of Northern Powerhouse Rail if you can afford it under your borrowing rules? | Q: Why have you not committed to the whole of Northern Powerhouse Rail if you can afford it under your borrowing rules? |
| Javid says the party has not set out all its borrowing under the new borrowing rules. If they win the election, the Conservatives will say more in their first budget. | Javid says the party has not set out all its borrowing under the new borrowing rules. If they win the election, the Conservatives will say more in their first budget. |
| But he says he is “very keen” on Northern Powerhouse Rail. | But he says he is “very keen” on Northern Powerhouse Rail. |
| Q: Boris Johnson says he wants to raise the national insurance threshold eventually to £12,500. But that is not in the manifesto. Will it happen in the next parliament? | Q: Boris Johnson says he wants to raise the national insurance threshold eventually to £12,500. But that is not in the manifesto. Will it happen in the next parliament? |
| Javid says the Tories are a tax-cutting party. The national insurance threshold will go up to £9,500, saving people around £100. | Javid says the Tories are a tax-cutting party. The national insurance threshold will go up to £9,500, saving people around £100. |
| But he says he cannot say when the national insurance threshold will rise further. | But he says he cannot say when the national insurance threshold will rise further. |
| Q: What extra spending would come to Bolton under a Tory government? | Q: What extra spending would come to Bolton under a Tory government? |
| Javid says people think the north does not get enough infrastructure spending. He says he wants to address that. | Javid says people think the north does not get enough infrastructure spending. He says he wants to address that. |
| Q: What about Boris Johnson’s use of Islamophobic language? | Q: What about Boris Johnson’s use of Islamophobic language? |
| Javid says Johnson has defended the language he used in his Telegraph article that compared Muslim women to letterboxes. He says Johnson has given an explanation for this. Johnson was making a point about how women should be free to wear what they want. | Javid says Johnson has defended the language he used in his Telegraph article that compared Muslim women to letterboxes. He says Johnson has given an explanation for this. Johnson was making a point about how women should be free to wear what they want. |
| He says the Labour situation is different. The Conservative party has not had MPs leaving because of the views of the party leader. | He says the Labour situation is different. The Conservative party has not had MPs leaving because of the views of the party leader. |
| Q: Would you use that language? Incidents of Islamophobia went up 375% after that article. | Q: Would you use that language? Incidents of Islamophobia went up 375% after that article. |
| Javid says Johnson has defended his language. | Javid says Johnson has defended his language. |
| Q: Would you use that language? | Q: Would you use that language? |
| Javid says politicians decide what language they want to use. | Javid says politicians decide what language they want to use. |
| Q: So you are not saying you would not say that? | Q: So you are not saying you would not say that? |
| Javid says he wants to bring people together. | Javid says he wants to bring people together. |
| Javid is now taking questions. | Javid is now taking questions. |
| Q: Why do you think Labour would not be able to borrow to spend more? And, given that both main parties are planning to spend more, why should people trust you more on spending then them? | Q: Why do you think Labour would not be able to borrow to spend more? And, given that both main parties are planning to spend more, why should people trust you more on spending then them? |
| Javid says Labour itself admits it would put tax up. | Javid says Labour itself admits it would put tax up. |
| It is also proposing higher borrowing. But there remains a black hole, Javid claims. | It is also proposing higher borrowing. But there remains a black hole, Javid claims. |
| Javid says Labour would not just borrow more because it has fiscal rules. He says he is taking them at their word, assuming they would meet their fiscal rules. And if Labour does borrow more, taxpayers will eventually have to pay for that anyway, he says. | Javid says Labour would not just borrow more because it has fiscal rules. He says he is taking them at their word, assuming they would meet their fiscal rules. And if Labour does borrow more, taxpayers will eventually have to pay for that anyway, he says. |
| He says the Conservatives have published their own costs. In most cases he used Treasury figures in that costings document, he says. He says Labour has not challenged the figures in that document. | He says the Conservatives have published their own costs. In most cases he used Treasury figures in that costings document, he says. He says Labour has not challenged the figures in that document. |
| And he says his fiscal rules are much stricter than Labour’s. | And he says his fiscal rules are much stricter than Labour’s. |