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General election: leaders prepare for Channel 4 environment debate – live news General election: leaders debate climate emergency on Channel 4 – live news
(32 minutes later)
Campaigns shift to climate crisis, though Boris Johnson has not confirmed attendance at televised environment debate tonight Campaigns shift to climate crisis, though Boris Johnson has been replaced by melting ice sculpture in tonight’s televised debate
Adam Price rejects the premise that we must reduce our dairy and meat intake, insisting that we need to be buying locally rather than importing.
Jeremy Corbyn argues that many people in the UK are hungry or obese due to food pricing, saying that we must extend biodiversity in UK farms.
Jo Swinson mentions Lib Dem policy of an international frequent flyer tax for those who take over three return flights a year.
Sian Berry emphasises that the Greens want to cancel HS2, arguing that people want better public transport.
Nicola Sturgeon reminds the audience that half of international flights are taken by less than 10% of the population. We’ve got to make sure that industry and government are leading by example, rather than focusing on individuals, she said.
Green party co-leader Sian Berry has accused Labour of “weakening” the goal to reach net zero emissions by 2030.
Jeremy Corbyn responded to say that Labour are not weakening the 2030 goal, but that the UK is only one country and it must be a global effort.
Nicola Sturgeon insisted that the best way to tackle the climate crisis is not to be squabbling with one another.
Jo Swinson emphasised the significance of remaining in the EU to tackle climate change.
The climate debate on Channel 4 has now started.
Clive Lewis, Labour’s Treasury spokesman, has called the prime minister a “coward and a bully” in response to the Conservative party’s threats to Channel 4 over its broadcasting remit.
He said: “Boris Johnson is a coward and a bully. He thinks he is born to rule and is so used to getting his own way that he turns nasty when anyone dares challenge him.“Britain deserves a prime minister that has enough of a backbone to face up to scrutiny.”
The Tories are threatening to review Channel 4’s broadcasting remit if they win the general election, after the channel decided to replace Boris Johnson with a melting ice sculpture during its climate change debate tonight.
Our media editor, Jim Waterson, has the full story:
Michael Gove and the prime minister’s father, Stanley Johnson, have turned up at the Channel 4 event, with Gove wanting to speak in the climate debate on behalf of the Conservatives. The broadcaster refused him entry on the basis that he is not a party leader.Michael Gove and the prime minister’s father, Stanley Johnson, have turned up at the Channel 4 event, with Gove wanting to speak in the climate debate on behalf of the Conservatives. The broadcaster refused him entry on the basis that he is not a party leader.
Ben de Pear, the editor of Channel 4 News tweeted: Ben de Pear, the editor of Channel 4 News, tweeted:
Hayley Barlow, Channel 4’s director of communications, said Gove was offered drinks and nibbles, but has now left the building.Hayley Barlow, Channel 4’s director of communications, said Gove was offered drinks and nibbles, but has now left the building.
Jeremy Corbyn, Jo Swinson, Nicola Sturgeon, Sian Berry (Green party) and Adam Price (Plaid Cymru) are preparing for Channel 4’s climate change debate which starts in less than half an hour.Jeremy Corbyn, Jo Swinson, Nicola Sturgeon, Sian Berry (Green party) and Adam Price (Plaid Cymru) are preparing for Channel 4’s climate change debate which starts in less than half an hour.
Both Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage are to be replaced with melting ice sculptures after they refused to attend.Both Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage are to be replaced with melting ice sculptures after they refused to attend.
We will be keeping you updated on the debate via the live blog.We will be keeping you updated on the debate via the live blog.
Georgina Hayes is now taking over the live blog for the rest of the nightGeorgina 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: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: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 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.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.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. 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 here.
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.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.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.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.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.That’s all from me for tonight.
My colleague Georgina Hayes is now taking over.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.