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General election 2019: Parties concentrate on key messages as election day nears General election 2019: Parties concentrate on key messages as election day nears
(32 minutes later)
Labour and the Tories will focus on key messages around the NHS and Brexit in the final days of the campaign. Labour and the Tories are focusing on key messages around the NHS and Brexit in the final days of the campaign.
While Labour talks about under-funding risks to patients, the Conservatives are promising an end to "gridlock".While Labour talks about under-funding risks to patients, the Conservatives are promising an end to "gridlock".
But it is not all plain sailing, as a recording has been leaked of shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth criticising Labour's election chances.But it is not all plain sailing, as a recording has been leaked of shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth criticising Labour's election chances.
And Boris Johnson is still facing criticism over his reaction to an image of a sick boy on a hospital floor.And Boris Johnson is still facing criticism over his reaction to an image of a sick boy on a hospital floor.
Elsewhere, the topics of the NHS and Brexit are also dominating on the campaign trail. Party leaders are campaigning in key constituencies, with Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson telling campaigners in Bath that her message to stop Brexit was part of a "fight for the soul of our country".
Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson has told campaigners in Bath that her message to stop Brexit was part of a "fight for the soul of our country", adding: "This is about whether we are open or closed, generous or selfish, whether we reach out and work with others or pull up the drawbridge." She added: "This is about whether we are open or closed, generous or selfish, whether we reach out and work with others or pull up the drawbridge."
And the SNP is proposing legislation to protect the NHS in Scotland from "exploitative" trade deals, with Nicola Sturgeon warning Mr Johnson poses the greatest threat to Scotland of "any prime minister in modern times".And the SNP is proposing legislation to protect the NHS in Scotland from "exploitative" trade deals, with Nicola Sturgeon warning Mr Johnson poses the greatest threat to Scotland of "any prime minister in modern times".
In other election developments:In other election developments:
'On the brink''On the brink'
Labour is pledging a "relentless focus" on the health service if it wins power after Thursday's poll. Labour is pledging a "relentless focus" on the health service if it wins power after Thursday's poll, promising changes in the first 100 days.
The party says reports produced by NHS trusts in England this month show a health service "in crisis and on the brink".The party says reports produced by NHS trusts in England this month show a health service "in crisis and on the brink".
An analysis it has conducted of more than 120 NHS trust board papers identified hundreds of risks to patient safety classed as "catastrophic" or "extreme".An analysis it has conducted of more than 120 NHS trust board papers identified hundreds of risks to patient safety classed as "catastrophic" or "extreme".
The majority were linked to spending, staff shortages or failures of privatisation, the party said. It promised that a Labour government would conduct an immediate audit of the risks revealed.The majority were linked to spending, staff shortages or failures of privatisation, the party said. It promised that a Labour government would conduct an immediate audit of the risks revealed.
The BBC's Reality Check team said the quotes from the NHS boards were genuine but did not give the nationwide picture, which was more mixed.The BBC's Reality Check team said the quotes from the NHS boards were genuine but did not give the nationwide picture, which was more mixed.
Shadow health secretary Mr Ashworth said: "We pledge that within the first 100 days of a Labour government we will get on top of this to ensure the extra funding we've promised is prioritised to keep patients and staff safe." Speaking in Carlisle, Mr Corbyn said there were four million people waiting for operations on the NHS, along with "a mental health care crisis and social care crisis".
He added: "I do not blame the nurses, I do not blame the doctors, I do not blame the health service.
"I blame the government that has underfunded our NHS."
However, the leaked recording of Mr Ashworth - which shows him telling a Tory activist friend the situation for Labour was "dire" and the party had made a mistake by not getting rid of Mr Corbyn as leader - has distracted from the campaign.However, the leaked recording of Mr Ashworth - which shows him telling a Tory activist friend the situation for Labour was "dire" and the party had made a mistake by not getting rid of Mr Corbyn as leader - has distracted from the campaign.
Mr Ashworth has insisted his apparent criticism of the Labour leader was "banter", telling the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire he was "joshing" when he told his friend that he thought there was no way Labour could win the election.Mr Ashworth has insisted his apparent criticism of the Labour leader was "banter", telling the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire he was "joshing" when he told his friend that he thought there was no way Labour could win the election.
He also apologised to Labour members on BBC Politics Live.He also apologised to Labour members on BBC Politics Live.
Mr Corbyn said it was "not the sort of thing I would do", but claimed the story was "irrelevant" and Mr Ashworth was "making jokes".
He said the reports on the comments were "just trying to deflect away from the Tories' mess of the National Health Service".
'Clear and present' danger'Clear and present' danger
The prime minister is trying to keep the focus on Brexit and the "danger" of another inconclusive result in Thursday's election.The prime minister is trying to keep the focus on Brexit and the "danger" of another inconclusive result in Thursday's election.
Speaking at the JCB factory in Staffordshire, Mr Johnson said that without a working majority for the Conservatives it was "very hard to see" how the UK could leave the EU, and he was "fighting for every vote" to stop a hung Parliament.Speaking at the JCB factory in Staffordshire, Mr Johnson said that without a working majority for the Conservatives it was "very hard to see" how the UK could leave the EU, and he was "fighting for every vote" to stop a hung Parliament.
He said backing him will allow the country to go forward, "punching through the current deadlock and achieving a brighter future together".He said backing him will allow the country to go forward, "punching through the current deadlock and achieving a brighter future together".
But there is distraction for the PM too, as he continued to face criticism over his response to a photograph of a four-year-old boy sleeping on the floor of a Leeds hospital due to a lack of beds.But there is distraction for the PM too, as he continued to face criticism over his response to a photograph of a four-year-old boy sleeping on the floor of a Leeds hospital due to a lack of beds.
On Monday, an ITV reporter tried to show Mr Johnson the picture on his phone, but the prime minister initially refused to look, before taking the device and putting it in his pocket. He later looked, returned the phone and apologised to the family.On Monday, an ITV reporter tried to show Mr Johnson the picture on his phone, but the prime minister initially refused to look, before taking the device and putting it in his pocket. He later looked, returned the phone and apologised to the family.
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Tuesday that the "family want their privacy to be maintained" and for their son Jack "not to be used as a political football".Justice Secretary Robert Buckland told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Tuesday that the "family want their privacy to be maintained" and for their son Jack "not to be used as a political football".
He said the prime minister expressed "sorrow and regret" for what he saw and apologised to the family, and Health Secretary Matt Hancock also went to Leeds to apologise.He said the prime minister expressed "sorrow and regret" for what he saw and apologised to the family, and Health Secretary Matt Hancock also went to Leeds to apologise.
There were a number of angry protesters outside the hospital who shouted at Mr Hancock and his team when they left.There were a number of angry protesters outside the hospital who shouted at Mr Hancock and his team when they left.
Two sources told journalists that one of Mr Hancock's advisers had been punched by one of the activists, but footage later showed that had not happened and instead that the aide had walked into a protester's outstretched arm.Two sources told journalists that one of Mr Hancock's advisers had been punched by one of the activists, but footage later showed that had not happened and instead that the aide had walked into a protester's outstretched arm.
Challenged on the footage, Mr Buckland said he did not know "who briefed what to whom", adding "what I saw was a very confusing scene of public disorder".Challenged on the footage, Mr Buckland said he did not know "who briefed what to whom", adding "what I saw was a very confusing scene of public disorder".
Mr Corbyn has denied politicising Jack's case, but said the incident "says an awful lot about the NHS" and the "shortage of staff".Mr Corbyn has denied politicising Jack's case, but said the incident "says an awful lot about the NHS" and the "shortage of staff".
The Green Party is focusing its closing days on students - promising to scrap tuition fees and write off existing student debt.
Deputy leader Amelia Womack said the move would "deliver justice" to students who faced fees of up to £9,000 a year.
At a speech in London, she said: "I am proud to announce that the Green Party would write off student debt for people who paid the highest fees.
"If you went to university under the coalition's eye-watering amounts of £9,000 fees, the Greens will wipe that debt, no strings attached."
What are the parties promising you?What are the parties promising you?
Use this concise guide to compare where the parties stand on key issues like Brexit, education and the NHS.Use this concise guide to compare where the parties stand on key issues like Brexit, education and the NHS.
General election manifesto guideGeneral election manifesto guide
Follow election night on the BBCFollow election night on the BBC