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General election: Johnson 'not fit to be PM' because he's selfish, dishonest and divisive, says Swinson – live news General election: Johnson 'not fit to be PM' because he's selfish, dishonest and divisive, says Swinson – live news
(32 minutes later)
Campaigns shift to climate crisis, though Boris Johnson has not confirmed attendance at televised environment debate tonightCampaigns shift to climate crisis, though Boris Johnson has not confirmed attendance at televised environment debate tonight
Georgina Hayes is now taking over the live blog for the rest of the night
Jeremy Corbyn has sought to play down reports that Labour is going to switch to fighting a more defensive campaign, putting more stress on policies that might appeal to leave voters. News of the change of tack emerged after the publication of the most-eagerly awaited poll of the campaign, a YouGov MRP analysis that suggests Boris Johnson is on course for a majority of 68. Speaking at an event in Southhampton, where he published Labour’s environment manifesto, A Plan for Nature, Corbyn dismissed suggestions that this meant he would now have one message for leave voters, and another for remain voters. He told reporters:
But the Guardian has been told that Labour is planning to change its approach, and having pursued a relatively offensive strategy (focusing on Tory-held seats), it now plans to concentrate more on shoring up the Labour vote in constituencies the party already holds. There have been reports saying that the party’s private polling shows it is vulnerable in leave seats but - as ever - private polling mostly replicates the results of polling that gets released to the public, and the YouGov survey highlighted this exact point. Here is an extract form the write-up from YouGov’s Anthony Wells:
The survey has been acquired near-gospel status in the Westminster political system because in 2017 the YouGov MRP (multilevel regression and post-stratification) model (explained here, if you are interested) was about the one polling exercise that predicted a hung parliament. Perhaps this one will turn out to be accurate too, but there is no guarantee of that, and of course the campaign has another fortnight to run.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies has attacked the spending plans of the UK’s two main parties, saying neither election manifesto “is a properly credible prospectus”. As my colleague Larry Elliott explains in his analysis of the IFS verdict, its judgment was “brutal and even-handed: a plague on both your houses”. There is a summary of what it said about the Tories’ plans here, Labour’s here and the Lib Dems’ here.
Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem leader, has sought to put Boris Johnson’s character flaws at the heart of the election campaign by using a speech to argue that he is “not fit to be prime minister” because he is selfish, dishonest and divisive.
Jeremy Corbyn, Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister and SNP leader, Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem leader, Adam Price, the Plaid Cymru leader and Sîan Berry, the Green co-leader, have been preparing for a Channel 4 News leaders’ debate on the environment starting at 7pm. Boris Johnson has refused an invitation to appear, and reportedly Channel 4 is planning to replace him with an ice sculpture that should melt under the glare of the studio lights. There will be full coverage on our live blolg.
Conservative candidates in the general election have been issued with a detailed 17-page dossier on how to attack Labour and Liberal Democrat rivals which contains numerous rehashed and potentially misleading claims, the Guardian can reveal. You can read the full dossier embedded in our story here.
Medics have called for guarantees that health will not be put at risk for profit after Labour released official documents that it said proved the NHS would be “on the table” in trade talks with the US.
Labour has deselected its candidate for Falkirk over alleged antisemitic posts on Facebook, leaving the party unable to contest a seat it once held for decades.
An academic whose research was championed by the prime minister’s key adviser Dominic Cummings has revealed he voted remain in the EU referendum and has hit out at the Conservatives’ Brexit plans.
That’s all from me for tonight.
My colleague Georgina Hayes is now taking over.
From the Mail on Sunday’s Harry ColeFrom the Mail on Sunday’s Harry Cole
Earlier in the comments MerlinUK was asking why the Guardian had not published the full text of the Tory briefing document, advising candidates how to attack Labour and Lib Dem rivals, mentioned in a story by my colleagues Hilary Osborne and Richard Partington.Earlier in the comments MerlinUK was asking why the Guardian had not published the full text of the Tory briefing document, advising candidates how to attack Labour and Lib Dem rivals, mentioned in a story by my colleagues Hilary Osborne and Richard Partington.
Well, we’ve listened, and now we’ve uploaded the whole document. It is embedded in the story, which is here.Well, we’ve listened, and now we’ve uploaded the whole document. It is embedded in the story, which is here.
Nigel Farage, the Brexit party leader, has said he thinks Labour now accepts it cannot win the election. Speaking at a campaign event at a golf driving range earlier, and referring to reports that Labour has changed its campaign strategy, Farage said:Nigel Farage, the Brexit party leader, has said he thinks Labour now accepts it cannot win the election. Speaking at a campaign event at a golf driving range earlier, and referring to reports that Labour has changed its campaign strategy, Farage said:
Wintry sun is shining in East Renfrewshire, but the cold not discouraging the canvassers. This constituency, south of Glasgow, was once a safe Labour seat for Jim Murphy. It is home to Scotland’s largest Jewish community, returned a high remain vote in the EU referendum, and – according to last night’s YouGov poll - will be one of only two seats which the SNP will win from the Scottish Conservatives next month.Wintry sun is shining in East Renfrewshire, but the cold not discouraging the canvassers. This constituency, south of Glasgow, was once a safe Labour seat for Jim Murphy. It is home to Scotland’s largest Jewish community, returned a high remain vote in the EU referendum, and – according to last night’s YouGov poll - will be one of only two seats which the SNP will win from the Scottish Conservatives next month.
At a hustings organised by the Glasgow Jewish Representative Council on Wednesday night, the Labour candidate Carolann Davidson was blunt with the audience, reportedly telling them:At a hustings organised by the Glasgow Jewish Representative Council on Wednesday night, the Labour candidate Carolann Davidson was blunt with the audience, reportedly telling them:
Paul Masterton, for the Tories, described Jeremy Corbyn as “a threat to this community”, while his SNP challenger Kirsten Oswald described the Labour leader’s handling of antisemitism as “disgraceful”.Paul Masterton, for the Tories, described Jeremy Corbyn as “a threat to this community”, while his SNP challenger Kirsten Oswald described the Labour leader’s handling of antisemitism as “disgraceful”.
Today Labour activists described Jewish voters telling them directly that they could not support them while Corbyn remains leader, while more broadly they are losing votes on two fronts: unionist voters to Tories and anti-Tory voters to the SNP.Today Labour activists described Jewish voters telling them directly that they could not support them while Corbyn remains leader, while more broadly they are losing votes on two fronts: unionist voters to Tories and anti-Tory voters to the SNP.
But SNP activists also note that the race remains very tight, and worry about people’s exhaustion with Brexit impacting on turnout.But SNP activists also note that the race remains very tight, and worry about people’s exhaustion with Brexit impacting on turnout.
Meanwhile, local Jewish groups welcomed the Labour candidate’s honesty, but emphasised that the the party leadership had to be held to account too. They told the Guardian that anxiety and nervousness remained around the prospect of a Labour government.Meanwhile, local Jewish groups welcomed the Labour candidate’s honesty, but emphasised that the the party leadership had to be held to account too. They told the Guardian that anxiety and nervousness remained around the prospect of a Labour government.
At the DUP election manifesto launch this morning Nigel Dodds, the DUP’s deputy leader, called for an inquiry into the handling of the Brexit negotiations. He said:At the DUP election manifesto launch this morning Nigel Dodds, the DUP’s deputy leader, called for an inquiry into the handling of the Brexit negotiations. He said:
There are remainers who would also like to see an inquiry into Brexit, going much further, but there is no sign at the moment of either man party expressing an interest in the idea.There are remainers who would also like to see an inquiry into Brexit, going much further, but there is no sign at the moment of either man party expressing an interest in the idea.
Labour received the most money in political donations in the second week of the election campaign, according to figures published by the Electoral Commission. Donations of more than £7,500 have to be reported and in the period between 13 November and 19 November more than £9m was donated in this way – up from £6.5m the previous week.Labour received the most money in political donations in the second week of the election campaign, according to figures published by the Electoral Commission. Donations of more than £7,500 have to be reported and in the period between 13 November and 19 November more than £9m was donated in this way – up from £6.5m the previous week.
Labour received the most at £3.5m, ahead of the Conservatives with £3m and the Brexit party with £2.3m. The Liberal Democrats received £251,000, Plaid Cymru £70,000, the Greens £37,750 and the SNP £10,000.Labour received the most at £3.5m, ahead of the Conservatives with £3m and the Brexit party with £2.3m. The Liberal Democrats received £251,000, Plaid Cymru £70,000, the Greens £37,750 and the SNP £10,000.
As the Press Association reports, the single biggest donation was £3m from the Unite union to Labour.As the Press Association reports, the single biggest donation was £3m from the Unite union to Labour.
The Conservatives received 61 donations over £7,500, the largest being from hedge fund manager Jonathan Wood, who gave £250,000. Two former Tory-backing businessmen donated to the Brexit party: Christopher Harborne, who gave £2m, and Jeremy Hosking, who gave £250,000.The Conservatives received 61 donations over £7,500, the largest being from hedge fund manager Jonathan Wood, who gave £250,000. Two former Tory-backing businessmen donated to the Brexit party: Christopher Harborne, who gave £2m, and Jeremy Hosking, who gave £250,000.
When Boris Johnson raised the possibility of building a bridge between Northern Ireland and Scotland, one engineer said the idea was “bonkers”.When Boris Johnson raised the possibility of building a bridge between Northern Ireland and Scotland, one engineer said the idea was “bonkers”.
But, as the BBC’s Mark Devenport points out, it is (tentatively) in the DUP manifesto.But, as the BBC’s Mark Devenport points out, it is (tentatively) in the DUP manifesto.
The manifesto is here (pdf). And this is what it says about the bridge.The manifesto is here (pdf). And this is what it says about the bridge.
This is very good on how Boris Johnson fights elections. It is a clip from Matthew McGregor, who worked for Labour on the Ken Livingstone campaign in 2008, when Johnson beat Livingstone for the London mayoralty.
This morning Jo Swinson was also asked about the YouGov MRP polling analysis suggesting the Lib Dems may gain just one seat at the election. She claimed it showed there was still “a huge amount to play for”. She explained:
Jeremy Corbyn has not sought to make Boris Johnson’s character an election issue. He has been fiercely critical of Johnson’s policies, but he prides himself on being someone who does not resort to personal character assassination. He has summed up his attitude using the Michelle Obama’s line “When they go low, we go high” (although that’s a better slogan than it is a guide to how her husband won the 2012 election – but that’s another story.)
But the Liberal Democrats are targeting Johnson personally. Chuka Umunna, the party’s foreign affairs spokesman, delivered a speech lambasting him on Monday, and this morning Jo Swinson, the party leader, followed that up with a speech entitled “the problem with Boris Johnson”. She said he only cared about himself.
Swinson said Johnson was “not fit to be prime minister after lying to the Queen” over prorogation. She went on:
Whether this will make much difference is another matter. Negative campaigning can be effective, but Johnson, like Donald Trump, seems to be unusually impervious to this sort of criticism. Some people loath him because of his multiple character flaws. But other people don’t seem to mind ...
Conservative candidates in the general election have been issued with a detailed dossier on how to attack Labour and Liberal Democrat rivals, which contains numerous rehashed and potentially misleading claims, the Guardian can reveal. My colleagues Hilary Osborne and Richard Partington have the story here.
On Tuesday, when responding to the Times article by the chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, saying he had allowed the “poison” of antisemitism to take root in Labour, Jeremy Corbyn was careful not to criticise Mirvis personally, or to question his right to speak out. Instead Corbyn just stressed his opposition to antisemitism, and explained what he had done to tackle the problem.
But on the World at One at few minutes ago Len McCluskey, the Unite general secretary and Corbyn’s most influential ally in the union movement, went a bit further. He said that he disagreed with Mirvis; but he also implied that Mirvis was wrong to speak out in this way during an election. Commenting on the chief rabbi’s article, McCluskey said:
When it was put to him that Mirvis would not have spoken out if he did not think there was a problem, McCluskey replied:
This is what Sajid Javid, the chancellor, said this morning about the IFS criticism of the Tories’ election plans. (See 9.50am, 10am and 10.45am.) In response to claims that the party was not being “honest” about its plans, he said:
The claim that the Conservative party’s manifesto costings document is “the most detailed” ever is dubious. The document (pdf) runs to nine pages, and does contain costings for the manifesto promises. But the Labour equivalent (pdf) runs to 40 pages and it includes an analysis taking into account behavioural responses (ie, how changes to tax rates will impact on the number of people paying those tax rates, and the likely consequences for the exchequer). The Tory document does not contain this level of detail.
Unionists in Northern Ireland are united in opposition to Boris Johnson’s proposed Brexit deal, Nigel Dodds, the DUP’s deputy leader, said this morning. Speaking at the launch of his party’s election manifesto in Belfast, he said unionists would not accept plans that would effectively create a customs border in the Irish Sea. He said:
The DUP’s manifesto is also explicit on this. It says:
The latest Scottish opinion poll has given Nicola Sturgeon a mid-campaign boost by puting the Scottish National party at 44%, its highest rating since the 2017 election. The Ipsos Mori poll for STV has more grim news for Labour, putting its support at 16%.
The Ipsos poll also found the Conservatives have secured 26% of the vote, consistent with other recent polls, while the Liberal Democrats have failed to capitalise on Scotland’s strong pro-European sentiment, polling at just 11%.
Only six months after the Brexit party won a Scottish seat in the European parliament with 14.8% of the vote, Ipsos found its support in Scotland now too low to be effectively measured: it puts it at under 1%.
The Ipsos poll, one of the few done by random telephone surveys, has a chink of light for Labour and the Lib Dems. It said 23% of the 1,046 voters it polled last week have yet to make up their mind. While 84% of Tory and SNP voters have decided, only 73% of Labour supporters and 66% of Lib Dems were sure which way they would vote.
Even so, it suggests recent polls forecasting another dire election for Scottish Labour are correct.
Yesterday’s YouGov poll for the Times predicted Labour will only retain two of its seven seats, in Edinburgh South and Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill. Others say Labour can only save Edinburgh South, a seat held by the Scottish party’s most vehement critic of Jeremy Corbyn, Ian Murray.
Ipsos asked respondents to spontaneously list the most important topics for them at the election: 72% of Tories and 79% of Lib Dems put Brexit first; 67% of Labour voters prioritised the NHS, followed by Brexit, and 55% of SNP voters put Brexit first, with 46% mentioning independence and 45% the NHS.
It said Sturgeon was the only party leader not to have a negative satisfaction rating, but voters were split 48% to 48% on whether she was doing a good or bad job. Boris Johnson had a net satisfaction rating of -52, with 23% of Tory voters disliking him, while Jeremy Corbyn was -47, with 41% of Labour voters dissatisfied with him.
Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem leader, appears to be less unpopular in Scotland than other UK polls suggest. While 25% of voters had no opinion of her, her net satisfaction rating was the best of the UK leaders at -21%.
Q: The IFS says some of the Waspi women who will benefit from your £58bn compensation are quite well off. And getting rid of tuition fees will help the rich rather than the poor. Are you happy about your manifesto choices, when you could be spending more reversing benefit cuts.
Corbyn says the Waspi women were very badly treated. This is a specific cohort of people. Some of them have been driven into stress and deep debt by what happened. He says he has met them. They are living difficult lives. Some tried to go back to work, and were told to try apprenticeships. He says he thinks the treatment of them has been “disgraceful”. It is moral duty to pay them.
Corbyn says the question challenges the principle of universality. He says he wants education to be a right for everyone.
He will end universal credit, the two-child policy, the rape clause, and the wait to get benefits, he says.
Q: Your tree-planting policy implies 190 trees being planted every minute. Is it realistic?
Corbyn says he is not talking about one person doing the planting. It is a massive commitment, he admits.
Q: Do you support the Southampton airport extension?
Corbyn says any airport expansions under Labour will have to meet tests of sustainability, air pollution, noise pollution and traffic.
He says rail connectivity has improved. He has looked at prices for going to Berlin. A train fare costs £200. But you can fly for £19. That’s not right, he says.
He says his green manifesto, a Plan for Nature, is a serious plan. But government cannot implement it on its own. It needs communities to help, he says.
And that’s it. The Q&A has finished.