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| General election: Boris Johnson says 74 convicted terrorists released early from prison – live news | General election: Boris Johnson says 74 convicted terrorists released early from prison – live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Prime minister and Labour leader interviewed on TV as scrutiny of counter-terrorism policies continues | Prime minister and Labour leader interviewed on TV as scrutiny of counter-terrorism policies continues |
| While Raab’s seat is at risk, the Mail on Sunday reports that the Tories have been wargaming the possibility of the party winning the election but Johnson losing his seat, where his majority of 5,000 is the target of a sustained Momentum-fuelled labour challenge. | |
| The Mail’s Harry Cole writes: “I understand the plan would see a Conservative MP with a big majority near London asked to step up to the Lords on a promise of high office, with a by-election being triggered within days of the December 12 vote,” | |
| “Meanwhile First Secretary of State Dominic Raab would represent Mr Johnson and No 10 in the Commons.” | |
| But what happens if Raab is gone as well? | |
| Here’s what the Guardian’s Caroline Davies found when she recently visited Uxbridge to talk about the attempt to remove Johnson. | |
| This was overlooked a little bit earlier but Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has insisted that he is “not really” worried about losing his seat in the General Election. | |
| Raab, who is MP for Esher and Walton in Surrey, acknowledged on Sky News that “with a seat like mine you never take anything for granted”. | |
| His comments came as a poll reported by The Observer suggests Mr Raab is at risk of losing his seat in a tactical voting switch. | |
| Raab enjoys a healthy majority of 23,298, but a Deltapoll survey of the constituency indicates he now only holds a five-point lead over Lib Dem opponent Monica Harding. | |
| The Tories have held the seat since 1910 but it voted 58% Remain in the 2016 referendum - and the former Brexit secretary is vocally anti-Brussels. | |
| Asked if he was worried about being “the next Portillo at this election”, losing his seat in Surrey to the Lib Dems, Mr Raab told Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday: “Not really, but look ... no well, the truth is with a seat like mine you never take anything for granted.” | |
| He added: “The polls are all fluid and all over the place, but one thing it does show you, my constituency and up and down the country, is the risk of a hung parliament and that is a very real risk if you vote any other way than Conservative. | |
| There are some interesting lines at the end from Corbyn about patriotism, often regarded as a front on which his opponents have been eager to hammer him on | There are some interesting lines at the end from Corbyn about patriotism, often regarded as a front on which his opponents have been eager to hammer him on |
| “I am patriotic about the people of this country,” he says, to applause. | “I am patriotic about the people of this country,” he says, to applause. |
| “Patriotism is about supporting each other, not attacking somebody else. It’s about caring for the whole of society, for all our people, and not walking by on the other side when they need help and support.” | “Patriotism is about supporting each other, not attacking somebody else. It’s about caring for the whole of society, for all our people, and not walking by on the other side when they need help and support.” |
| Corbyn says that “Labour’s new internationalism” means the party will create a peace and conflict-prevention fund, and invest an extra £400 million to expand Britain’s diplomatic capacity and increase oversight of arms exports to ensure the UK is not fuelling conflicts, “as in Yemen and in Israel and the Palestinian territories.” | Corbyn says that “Labour’s new internationalism” means the party will create a peace and conflict-prevention fund, and invest an extra £400 million to expand Britain’s diplomatic capacity and increase oversight of arms exports to ensure the UK is not fuelling conflicts, “as in Yemen and in Israel and the Palestinian territories.” |
| He adds: “Labour stands behind the international consensus of a genuine two-state solution – a secure Israel alongside a secure and viable state of Palestine.” | He adds: “Labour stands behind the international consensus of a genuine two-state solution – a secure Israel alongside a secure and viable state of Palestine.” |
| “That’s why Labour supports an end to half a century of Israeli occupation and the illegal settlements in occupied Palestinian territory, and a Labour government will recognise the state of Palestine.” | “That’s why Labour supports an end to half a century of Israeli occupation and the illegal settlements in occupied Palestinian territory, and a Labour government will recognise the state of Palestine.” |
| It is time for Britain to stop clinging on to Donald Trump’s coat-tails, says Corbyn, who describes the prime minister as the world’s leading sycophant towards the US president. | |
| “From climate change denial to unconditional support for the Israeli far right, from racism to confrontation with China, Trump is taking the world on a dangerous path.” | “From climate change denial to unconditional support for the Israeli far right, from racism to confrontation with China, Trump is taking the world on a dangerous path.” |
| “Britain must make its own foreign policy free from a knee-jerk subservience to a US administration which repudiates our values.” | “Britain must make its own foreign policy free from a knee-jerk subservience to a US administration which repudiates our values.” |
| He goes on to call on Johnson to release a potentially incendiary report examining Russian infiltration in British politics, including the Conservative party. | He goes on to call on Johnson to release a potentially incendiary report examining Russian infiltration in British politics, including the Conservative party. |
| Corbyn adds that the government is also refusing to release another report into Saudi funding of extremist groups in Britain, adding: “Given Friday’s events and the continuing terror threat it is simply unacceptable that this report is not in the public domain.” | Corbyn adds that the government is also refusing to release another report into Saudi funding of extremist groups in Britain, adding: “Given Friday’s events and the continuing terror threat it is simply unacceptable that this report is not in the public domain.” |
| Corbyn turns to the Iraq war, saying: “Sixteen years ago, I warned against the invasion and occupation of Iraq. | Corbyn turns to the Iraq war, saying: “Sixteen years ago, I warned against the invasion and occupation of Iraq. |
| “I said it would set off a spiral of conflict, hate, misery, desperation that will fuel the wars, the conflict, the terrorism and the misery of future generations. | “I said it would set off a spiral of conflict, hate, misery, desperation that will fuel the wars, the conflict, the terrorism and the misery of future generations. |
| “It did, and we are still living with the consequences today.” | “It did, and we are still living with the consequences today.” |
| He goes on: “Britain’s repeated military interventions in North Africa and the wider Middle East, including Afghanistan, have exacerbated rather than resolved the problems.” | He goes on: “Britain’s repeated military interventions in North Africa and the wider Middle East, including Afghanistan, have exacerbated rather than resolved the problems.” |
| “Now we risk being dragged into a further conflict with Iran on the side of a Saudi regime which is an enemy of human rights prolonging a desperate humanitarian crisis in Yemen, interfering in its neighbours’ affairs and murdering journalists.” | “Now we risk being dragged into a further conflict with Iran on the side of a Saudi regime which is an enemy of human rights prolonging a desperate humanitarian crisis in Yemen, interfering in its neighbours’ affairs and murdering journalists.” |
| Jeremy Corbyn is speaking at an election event in York, where he is talking about the London bridge attack and tells those gathered that it is “more important than ever” for communities to come together. | Jeremy Corbyn is speaking at an election event in York, where he is talking about the London bridge attack and tells those gathered that it is “more important than ever” for communities to come together. |
| People have a right to know what steps political leaders will take to keep people safe. The Labour leader goes on to reiterate his comments this morning that police were right to take the steps that they took on London Bridge – shooting Usman Khan dead in the belief that he was wearing a suicide vest. | People have a right to know what steps political leaders will take to keep people safe. The Labour leader goes on to reiterate his comments this morning that police were right to take the steps that they took on London Bridge – shooting Usman Khan dead in the belief that he was wearing a suicide vest. |
| However, Corbyn says that the part privatisation of the probation service by the Conservatives was a “disaster | However, Corbyn says that the part privatisation of the probation service by the Conservatives was a “disaster |
| “You can’t keep people safe on the cheap,” he adds. | “You can’t keep people safe on the cheap,” he adds. |
| “Real security does not only come from strong laws and intelligence. it comes from effective public services. | “Real security does not only come from strong laws and intelligence. it comes from effective public services. |
| He turns, as expected, to foreign policy, adding that “for far too long” Britain’s leaders have taken the wrong steps. Too often the acts of successive governments have fuelled the threat of terrorism. | He turns, as expected, to foreign policy, adding that “for far too long” Britain’s leaders have taken the wrong steps. Too often the acts of successive governments have fuelled the threat of terrorism. |
| Boris Johnson will be the first UK prime minister - if re-elected - to enter office with the union under peril, the leader of the Ulster Unionist party has claimed. | Boris Johnson will be the first UK prime minister - if re-elected - to enter office with the union under peril, the leader of the Ulster Unionist party has claimed. |
| Steve Aiken, of the Northern Ireland party with historic links to the Conservatives, said he hoped Johnson would not be re-elected as an MP next month. | Steve Aiken, of the Northern Ireland party with historic links to the Conservatives, said he hoped Johnson would not be re-elected as an MP next month. |
| He described the prime minister’s proposed Brexit withdrawal deal as threatening to make Northern Ireland “a place apart” due to the proposed regulatory border. | He described the prime minister’s proposed Brexit withdrawal deal as threatening to make Northern Ireland “a place apart” due to the proposed regulatory border. |
| “The DUP on October 2 agreed to a border down the Irish Sea, that allowed Boris Johnson to march in with his withdrawal deal, and if the withdrawal deal goes through, Northern Ireland will well and truly be a place apart,” Aiken told the Press Association. | “The DUP on October 2 agreed to a border down the Irish Sea, that allowed Boris Johnson to march in with his withdrawal deal, and if the withdrawal deal goes through, Northern Ireland will well and truly be a place apart,” Aiken told the Press Association. |
| “But Boris Johnson’s activities are not just affecting Northern Ireland, they are affecting the entirety of the United Kingdom, and he is probably going to be the first prime minister if he gets re-elected – which I hope he doesn’t – he is going to be the first prime minister that comes back in a situation where the future of the union itself is under threat.” | “But Boris Johnson’s activities are not just affecting Northern Ireland, they are affecting the entirety of the United Kingdom, and he is probably going to be the first prime minister if he gets re-elected – which I hope he doesn’t – he is going to be the first prime minister that comes back in a situation where the future of the union itself is under threat.” |
| Aiken’s party has been without MPs since 2017 when Tom Elliott lost his seat in Fermanagh and South Tyrone and Danny Kinahan lost in South Antrim. | Aiken’s party has been without MPs since 2017 when Tom Elliott lost his seat in Fermanagh and South Tyrone and Danny Kinahan lost in South Antrim. |
| None of the main parties in the general election has a coherent plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport, the biggest source of carbon in the UK, according to campaigners. | None of the main parties in the general election has a coherent plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport, the biggest source of carbon in the UK, according to campaigners. |
| The Conservative manifesto highlights the need to repair potholes, but the nearly £30bn to be spent on roads is expected to add to greenhouse gases at a time when they need to be reduced drastically, a report by three NGOs says. Labour and the Liberal Democrats have pledges to invest in rail and other public transport, with Labour doing so through nationalising the railways, but they also fall short. | The Conservative manifesto highlights the need to repair potholes, but the nearly £30bn to be spent on roads is expected to add to greenhouse gases at a time when they need to be reduced drastically, a report by three NGOs says. Labour and the Liberal Democrats have pledges to invest in rail and other public transport, with Labour doing so through nationalising the railways, but they also fall short. |
| Transport has become the biggest source of UK emissions and is on the increase, rising by 3% a year, while carbon from energy generation has fallen. The Department for Transport has been criticised for “going rogue” by planning for big increases in road transport while neglecting public transport and the need to invest for a low-carbon future. | Transport has become the biggest source of UK emissions and is on the increase, rising by 3% a year, while carbon from energy generation has fallen. The Department for Transport has been criticised for “going rogue” by planning for big increases in road transport while neglecting public transport and the need to invest for a low-carbon future. |
| Read on | Read on |
| Battling against the grain of an otherwise largely critical reaction to Boris Johnson’s appearance on The Andrew Marr Show, the health secretary, Matt Hancock, has popped up on Twitter to do a bit of cheerleading for his boss | Battling against the grain of an otherwise largely critical reaction to Boris Johnson’s appearance on The Andrew Marr Show, the health secretary, Matt Hancock, has popped up on Twitter to do a bit of cheerleading for his boss |
| Something has gone wrong for the Lib Dems, according to Andrew Rawnsley, who writes in the Observer that the one of the party’s number has admitted to him that the election has not gone as planned. | Something has gone wrong for the Lib Dems, according to Andrew Rawnsley, who writes in the Observer that the one of the party’s number has admitted to him that the election has not gone as planned. |
| More than a week before polling day, senior figures in the party already start sentences with the phrase: “When we conduct the postmortem …” | More than a week before polling day, senior figures in the party already start sentences with the phrase: “When we conduct the postmortem …” |
| Some of it is down to tactical mistakes, he adds, but in the final furlong of the campaign, the Lib Dems will be marketing a vote for them as the means to prevent Boris Johnson from getting a majority. | Some of it is down to tactical mistakes, he adds, but in the final furlong of the campaign, the Lib Dems will be marketing a vote for them as the means to prevent Boris Johnson from getting a majority. |
| “They will be pitching themselves as the Boris-blockers. It is an admission that they have dramatically calibrated their own ambitions downwards, but it is a better strategy than trying to persist with the pretence that Ms Swinson is going to become prime minister. When you are given lemons, make lemonade.” | “They will be pitching themselves as the Boris-blockers. It is an admission that they have dramatically calibrated their own ambitions downwards, but it is a better strategy than trying to persist with the pretence that Ms Swinson is going to become prime minister. When you are given lemons, make lemonade.” |
| There’s an interesting poll in the Sunday Times Scotland (£), which does not actually deal with the election taking place next week yet could have significant impact on what comes after it. | There’s an interesting poll in the Sunday Times Scotland (£), which does not actually deal with the election taking place next week yet could have significant impact on what comes after it. |
| A Panelbase survey of voting intention for the 2021 Holyrood elections finds that, while the SNP hold their lead, the Scottish Conservatives enjoy a boost, meaning that the final results will be short of a pro-independence majority. | A Panelbase survey of voting intention for the 2021 Holyrood elections finds that, while the SNP hold their lead, the Scottish Conservatives enjoy a boost, meaning that the final results will be short of a pro-independence majority. |
| John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University, calculates that, according to these intentions, the SNP would win 60 seats and the Greens four, leaving them one short of a majority, while among unionist parties, the Tories would win 35 seats, Labour 21 and the Lib Dems nine, enabling them to vote down a referendum. | John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University, calculates that, according to these intentions, the SNP would win 60 seats and the Greens four, leaving them one short of a majority, while among unionist parties, the Tories would win 35 seats, Labour 21 and the Lib Dems nine, enabling them to vote down a referendum. |
| While Nicola Sturgeon continues to call for a second independence referendum next year, neither Labour nor the Conservatives are likely to grant her the powers to do so – however, Jeremy Corbyn has suggested that a pro-independence majority at Holyrood could change his mind on the subject. | While Nicola Sturgeon continues to call for a second independence referendum next year, neither Labour nor the Conservatives are likely to grant her the powers to do so – however, Jeremy Corbyn has suggested that a pro-independence majority at Holyrood could change his mind on the subject. |
| So here’s yet another known unknown to throw into this most unpredictable of election campaigns. | So here’s yet another known unknown to throw into this most unpredictable of election campaigns. |
| So how do you interview Boris Johnson? That Eddie Mair interview from back in 2013 stands to some as a template for how to approach him when the ruffling of hair and stream-of-consciousness quotes from classical texts are used to distract. | So how do you interview Boris Johnson? That Eddie Mair interview from back in 2013 stands to some as a template for how to approach him when the ruffling of hair and stream-of-consciousness quotes from classical texts are used to distract. |
| Reacting to earlier today, there are opponents who insist that it still reflects badly on him. Here’s the SNP leader and Scotland’s first minister: | Reacting to earlier today, there are opponents who insist that it still reflects badly on him. Here’s the SNP leader and Scotland’s first minister: |
| Some more thoughts: | Some more thoughts: |
| And on a theme which Johnson kept implicitly evoking | And on a theme which Johnson kept implicitly evoking |
| In place of a grilling by the more formidable Andrew Neil, which Labour fears the prime minister will duck, Boris Johnson’s interview with Andrew Marr will have to suffice for now. | In place of a grilling by the more formidable Andrew Neil, which Labour fears the prime minister will duck, Boris Johnson’s interview with Andrew Marr will have to suffice for now. |
| But it was a scrappy affair, and one that Tory strategists are to be likely be satisfied with as their man hustled over the finishing line managing to commit few if any acts of “making news”. | But it was a scrappy affair, and one that Tory strategists are to be likely be satisfied with as their man hustled over the finishing line managing to commit few if any acts of “making news”. |
| About the only one was the figure of 74 which Johnson gave for the number of people who are out on early release in circumstances similar to that of the London Bridge attacker. | About the only one was the figure of 74 which Johnson gave for the number of people who are out on early release in circumstances similar to that of the London Bridge attacker. |
| Marr repeatedly accused the prime minister of seeking to run the clock down, talking over questions in order to avoid answering them or just continuing to blame Labour in government, despite the Tories having been in power since 2010. | Marr repeatedly accused the prime minister of seeking to run the clock down, talking over questions in order to avoid answering them or just continuing to blame Labour in government, despite the Tories having been in power since 2010. |
| It came to a rushed conclusion, with Marr asking the prime minister questions such as “Are you going to meet Donald Trump this week at the Nato summit?” to which the obvious and easy answer was: “Of course I am.” | It came to a rushed conclusion, with Marr asking the prime minister questions such as “Are you going to meet Donald Trump this week at the Nato summit?” to which the obvious and easy answer was: “Of course I am.” |
| Jeremy Corbyn, meanwhile, came through his interview with Sophy Ridge of Sky – broadcast earlier – without taking much flak either. | Jeremy Corbyn, meanwhile, came through his interview with Sophy Ridge of Sky – broadcast earlier – without taking much flak either. |
| When the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, came on afterwards, he seemed primed to attack the Labour leader over his past comments about shoot-to-kill policies. Corbyn – presumably better primed by advisers at this point – had sought to nullify such attack lines, however, by agreeing that police at London Bridge had no choice but to shoot Usman Khan dead. | When the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, came on afterwards, he seemed primed to attack the Labour leader over his past comments about shoot-to-kill policies. Corbyn – presumably better primed by advisers at this point – had sought to nullify such attack lines, however, by agreeing that police at London Bridge had no choice but to shoot Usman Khan dead. |
| There were other moments. Corbyn talked about the size of the royal family, but it’s highly debatable how much that will be a vote loser (or even a winner with some?). | There were other moments. Corbyn talked about the size of the royal family, but it’s highly debatable how much that will be a vote loser (or even a winner with some?). |
| On foreign policy, he was nuanced on Nato and avoided leaving hostages to fortune by repeating past comments made from the time when he was more likely to be in the front line of Stop the War marches than on the opposition frontbenches, although one or two lines might invite further scrutiny. When he talked about “bringing about a respectful relationship with Russia”, was this an echo of his past criticism of Nato expansion into states such as Ukraine? | On foreign policy, he was nuanced on Nato and avoided leaving hostages to fortune by repeating past comments made from the time when he was more likely to be in the front line of Stop the War marches than on the opposition frontbenches, although one or two lines might invite further scrutiny. When he talked about “bringing about a respectful relationship with Russia”, was this an echo of his past criticism of Nato expansion into states such as Ukraine? |
| Overall though, this was an assured performance by Corbyn, perhaps one of his best during the campaign so far. But it was largely playing it safe when his party are trailing the Tories in the polls. | Overall though, this was an assured performance by Corbyn, perhaps one of his best during the campaign so far. But it was largely playing it safe when his party are trailing the Tories in the polls. |
| Johnson is asked at the end of the interview why he is avoiding being interviewed by Andrew Neil, who has already cross-examined Jeremy Corbyn. | Johnson is asked at the end of the interview why he is avoiding being interviewed by Andrew Neil, who has already cross-examined Jeremy Corbyn. |
| The Tory leader makes light of it, applauding Marr’s brilliance. | The Tory leader makes light of it, applauding Marr’s brilliance. |
| “I am perfectly happy to be interviewed by any interviewer called Andrew from the BBC,” replies Johnson. Is that a commitment? | “I am perfectly happy to be interviewed by any interviewer called Andrew from the BBC,” replies Johnson. Is that a commitment? |
| The interview ends in a rushed and – in keeping with its tone throughout – scrappy way. | The interview ends in a rushed and – in keeping with its tone throughout – scrappy way. |
| Marr fires a few last questions that seem off the hoof: “Are you going to meet Donald Trump this week?” | Marr fires a few last questions that seem off the hoof: “Are you going to meet Donald Trump this week?” |
| “Of course I am.” | “Of course I am.” |
| On Islamophobia, Boris Johnson is asked about candidates who are still in the Tory party, including one who has had multiple retweets of the far-right activist Tommy Robinson. | On Islamophobia, Boris Johnson is asked about candidates who are still in the Tory party, including one who has had multiple retweets of the far-right activist Tommy Robinson. |
| “There is an independent process that needs to consider all such accusations of prejudice and we are ruthless about that. If people are convicted they are out,” he replies | “There is an independent process that needs to consider all such accusations of prejudice and we are ruthless about that. If people are convicted they are out,” he replies |
| Next, Marr reads out writings by Johnson in the Spectator shortly after the bombings of 7 July 2005, when he wrote: | Next, Marr reads out writings by Johnson in the Spectator shortly after the bombings of 7 July 2005, when he wrote: |
| His response to Marr is of the boilerplate type which he has deployed throughout the campaign and before when confronted by his past comments: “People are always going to drag out bits an pieces of what I have said over the years to distract.” | His response to Marr is of the boilerplate type which he has deployed throughout the campaign and before when confronted by his past comments: “People are always going to drag out bits an pieces of what I have said over the years to distract.” |
| He adds that he is proud to say that his great grandfather knew the Qur’an off by heart. | He adds that he is proud to say that his great grandfather knew the Qur’an off by heart. |
| There’s a personal cut from Marr who reminds Boris Johnson of his privileged access in to the past to libraries at Eton and elsewhere, while overseeing a situation now where libraries around Britain are struggling to stay open. | There’s a personal cut from Marr who reminds Boris Johnson of his privileged access in to the past to libraries at Eton and elsewhere, while overseeing a situation now where libraries around Britain are struggling to stay open. |
| He blames local authorities: “I am afraid very often that local authorities.. some local authorities have been able to manage their finances so as to open libraries.” | He blames local authorities: “I am afraid very often that local authorities.. some local authorities have been able to manage their finances so as to open libraries.” |
| He gives the example of his own borough where he says that the council has been able to open libraries. | He gives the example of his own borough where he says that the council has been able to open libraries. |
| “I love libraries and I want to see them properly used .. I want to invest in libraries but we can only do that when we get the economy really motoring but at the moment we have this huge drag.” | “I love libraries and I want to see them properly used .. I want to invest in libraries but we can only do that when we get the economy really motoring but at the moment we have this huge drag.” |
| Wondering what needs to be done to get that drag taken care off? Yes, it’s “Get Brexit done.” | Wondering what needs to be done to get that drag taken care off? Yes, it’s “Get Brexit done.” |
| The Prime Minister goes on to insist that the party haven’t just selected a range of candidates who have been “lobotomised.” | The Prime Minister goes on to insist that the party haven’t just selected a range of candidates who have been “lobotomised.” |
| Johnson doesn’t answer the question of whether he knows how many courts the Conservatives have closed since coming to power. | Johnson doesn’t answer the question of whether he knows how many courts the Conservatives have closed since coming to power. |
| Marry tells him: “Nearly 300 magistrates and crown courts have been closed by the Tories since they have been in power. An astonishing number.” | Marry tells him: “Nearly 300 magistrates and crown courts have been closed by the Tories since they have been in power. An astonishing number.” |
| Johnson replies: “Now is the time not just to make investment in the NHS but also in the justice system.” | Johnson replies: “Now is the time not just to make investment in the NHS but also in the justice system.” |