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General election: leaders debate climate emergency on Channel 4 – live news General election: leaders debate climate emergency on Channel 4 – live news
(30 minutes later)
Campaigns shift to climate crisis, though Boris Johnson has been replaced by melting ice sculpture in tonight’s televised debateCampaigns shift to climate crisis, though Boris Johnson has been replaced by melting ice sculpture in tonight’s televised debate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. Factcheck
Claim: Jeremy Corbyn is promising to plant 2bn trees by 2040Reality: The government must already adhere to the Committee for Climate Change target of 1.5bn trees by 2050. Jeremy Corbyn’s pledge is for more trees in 20 rather than 30 years. This means 100m trees must be planted a year to expand woodland and make up for losses. This is ambitious, but is not impossible and not out of synch with what experts say.
Factcheck
Claim: Nicola Sturgeon said that last year 85% of the UK’s tree planting took place in Scotland.
Reality: That is correct but the Scottish government has repeatedly failed to meet its national tree-planting targets, set at 10,000 hectares (24,700 acres) a year from 2010.
Official data shows that from 2010 to 2017, Scotland’s planting rate averaged 6,800 hectares a year, well below target. Of that, only 820 hectares was planted annually by Forest Enterprise, the government-funded forestry agency, and the rest by private companies or charities.
The overall target was met for the first time last year, when 11,200 hectares were planted.
Sturgeon’s government has agreed to greatly increase tree planting in line with recommendations from the UK committee on climate change, which says Scotland can reach net zero five years early than the UK as a whole partly because it has much greater scope for tree planting. However, the Scottish government has yet to decide on how to do so.
Mr Corbyn said everything possible must be done to reach a 2030 net zero emissions target.
The Labour leader said: “I think we have to do everything we can to get to a 2030 net zero emissions target and we do that by investment in green energy jobs, solar, wind and wave power, we do that by creating jobs and transforming our energy consumption, by retrofitting homes to make them environmentally sustainable.”
He added: “I want to host COP26 next year to go further than Paris, so we can be leaders on the world stage in setting the agenda of achieving this degree of sustainability by 2030.”
Ms Sturgeon added that Scotland’s targets are “the toughest in the world” and that they are going “beyond what the Committee on Climate Change has said”.
Also calling for the 2030 target, Mr Price said it was a shame that Labour’s manifesto only pledged to get “the majority” of emissions down by 2030, and called on a future UK government to “show the same level of ambition” as other countries.
Ms Swinson said Liberal Democrats “believe it is absolutely possible to get there by 2045”.
Factcheck
Claim: Siân Berry, co-leader of the Green Party claims that pasture land used for meat need to be changed to reach carbon neutrality.
Reality: The government’s advisory Committee for Climate Change says a 20-50% reduction in beef and lamb pasture could release 3-7m hectares of grassland from the current 12m hectares in the UK.
Plaid Cymru’s Adam Price claimed that this did not mean fewer cattle because grass can bank carbon.
But the CCC found that un-needed grassland could instead grow forests and biofuels that would help to soak up CO2.
Price said farmers are “custodians of the environment”, adding that they should be seen as “allies” and not “enemies”.
He added: “We need to be buying more locally, we need to create local food systems.”
Swinson: We need to make sure that we have a target for all new build homes to be zero carbon. The Conservatives scrapped those plans. We would pay for low income homes to have insulation fitted.
Corbyn: We can and do retrofit homes. We don’t have to destroy the countryside with fracking. We don’t have to carry on in this way. Labour’s manifesto sets out large green transformation fund. Social housing will get that done. We will pay for low income houses. Everyone else will be offered an interest-free loan. People will get the benefit of it in lower bills.
Berry: Is this realistic? You’ve got to do it in a comprehensive way. More than half of UK emissions are from our buildings and homes. “It’s not sexy” going around putting insulation in people’s homes so successive governments have ignored it. Of £100bn a year in our Green New Deal, £38bn needs to go into homes. We need a deeper retrofit than what Labour are proposing. We can change everyone’s boilers to a heat pump, but only if we insulate first.
Sturgeon: We must prioritise transport and heat. We in Scotland already have a home energy efficiency programme. Already put hundreds of millions into helping people insulate their homes. Some people will have to pay, but government has a big part to play. Scotland cannot de-carbonise the gas grid on its own. Transition away from fossil fuels must accelerate. If we were to stop oil production tomorrow we would make ourselves more reliant on imports. We must also focus on the justice of transition - can’t do this in a way that leaves people behind and decimates peoples’ jobs. The legacy of deindustrialisation is still there and we can’t make the same mistake.
Price: Wales can be there at the start of this new industrial revolution if we tap into that potential. We can reap the benefits of de-carbonisation and get there first.
Jeremy Corbyn insists there must be better bus services across the country, rather than just in London, in order to reduce air pollution through car use.
Siân Berry accuses other parties of “abstaining” on climate change over aviation, arguing that the focus must be on targeting frequent flyers.
Adam Price calls HS2 a “vanity project”, saying that Plaid Cymru do not support a third Heathrow airport runway either.
Siân Berry emphasises that the Greens want to cancel HS2, arguing that people want better public transport.
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.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. Adam Price of Plaid Cymru rejects the premise that we must reduce our dairy and meat intake, insisting that we need to be buying locally rather than importing.
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,” the SNP leader said.
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. Jo Swinson mentions the Liberal Democrats’ policy of an international frequent flyer tax for those who take over three return flights a year.
Green party co-leader Sian Berry has accused Labour of “weakening” the goal to reach net zero emissions by 2030. Green party co-leader Siân 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.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.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.Jo Swinson emphasised the significance of remaining in the EU to tackle climate change.
The climate debate on Channel 4 has now started.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.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.”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.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: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 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 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.
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 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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The manifesto is here (pdf). And this is what it says about the bridge.