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General election: Johnson says it's 'very hard' to see Brexit happening if Tories don't win majority – live news General election: Johnson says it's 'very hard' to see Brexit happening if Tories don't win majority – live news
(32 minutes later)
Latest developments as general election campaign enters final daysLatest developments as general election campaign enters final days
A complaint has been lodged with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development accusing JCB of having done nothing to protect human rights over the use of its mechanical equipment in the Palestinian occupied territories.
The OECD complaint alleges that the British multinational has allowed its products to be used repeatedly to bulldoze Palestinian villages, or construct illegal settlements in alleged breach of international law.
The claim was lodged on Tuesday by Lawyers for Palestinian Rights, the same day that Boris Johnson went to the JCB’s factory in the Midlands of the UK to knock over a polystyrene wall. JCB family members have been a long-term funders of the Tory party.
The legal charity is bringing the claim against JCB under Chapter 4 of the OECD guidelines for multinationals concerning the need to take into account human rights considerations when selling products.
The group’s claim states:
It says JCB should “immediately suspend supply of products to Comasco (an Israeli company which is the exclusive dealer of JCB products in Israel) that could be identified as being part of the supply chain that results in demolitions or settlement-related construction, and to permanently cease supply to Comasco should it not be able to provide credible and verifiable guarantees that such products will not be involved in the violation of Palestinian human rights”.
Tareq Shrourou and Claire Jeffwitz of Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights, said:
JCB has been contacted for comment.
Jeremy Corbyn has indicated that he accepts Jonathan Ashworth’s claim that what he said in a private conversation with a Tory activist whom he considered an old friend was just “reverse psychology”, intended to lull the Tories into a false sense of security. Asked about the tape (see 11.44am). Speaking to the BBC, Corbyn said:
Corbyn also said that Ashworth had been a “fantastic” shadow health secretary and that the material was leaked to distract media attention away from stories about the state of the NHS. (The Guido Fawkes website, which leaked the material, backs Boris Johnson.)
Asked if people would believe this was just banter, Corbyn said people could decide on Thursday whether they wanted to vote for a party that backed the NHS, or one that might destroy it “by a thousand cuts”.
Asked about Ashworth’s suggestion that Corbyn might be a security risk, Corbyn said his colleague was joking. He explained:
Asked if Ashworth would become health secretary if Labour won the election, Corbyn said he would announce his team on Friday.
Extinction Rebellion protesters, some dressed as bees, gathered around the Conservative campaign bus as it tried to leave JCB in Uttoxeter, the Press Association reports. They appear to have stuck themselves to the vehicle. Boris Johnson not on board.Extinction Rebellion protesters, some dressed as bees, gathered around the Conservative campaign bus as it tried to leave JCB in Uttoxeter, the Press Association reports. They appear to have stuck themselves to the vehicle. Boris Johnson not on board.
From MLex’s Matthew HolehouseFrom MLex’s Matthew Holehouse
Here are the main points from Boris Johnson’s Q&A at the JCB plant.Here are the main points from Boris Johnson’s Q&A at the JCB plant.
Johnson said that it was “very hard” to see Brexit happening if the Tories failed to get a working majority. Asked if he had a plan B to deliver Brexit in the event of not having a majority, he replied:Johnson said that it was “very hard” to see Brexit happening if the Tories failed to get a working majority. Asked if he had a plan B to deliver Brexit in the event of not having a majority, he replied:
He claimed the leaked recording of Jonathan Ashworth’s private conversation about Labour and Corbyn showed that Corbyn was a security threat. Describing Corbyn as a “Hamas-backing, IRA-supporting, antisemitism-condoning appeaser of the Kremlin”, Johnson went on:He claimed the leaked recording of Jonathan Ashworth’s private conversation about Labour and Corbyn showed that Corbyn was a security threat. Describing Corbyn as a “Hamas-backing, IRA-supporting, antisemitism-condoning appeaser of the Kremlin”, Johnson went on:
See 11.44am for a summary of what Ashworth does say on the tape. There is only one reference to Corbyn as a possible security risk, and Ashworth’s language is less specific than Johnson claims.See 11.44am for a summary of what Ashworth does say on the tape. There is only one reference to Corbyn as a possible security risk, and Ashworth’s language is less specific than Johnson claims.
Johnson gave what might be his strongest hint yet that he is not planning to scrap HS2. Asked if he would press on with it if he won the election, he said he had already set up a review, under Douglas Oakervee, to consider whether the project should continue.Johnson gave what might be his strongest hint yet that he is not planning to scrap HS2. Asked if he would press on with it if he won the election, he said he had already set up a review, under Douglas Oakervee, to consider whether the project should continue.
He rejected claims that the Conservatives were “home and dry” for an election victory. When asked if he accepted this, he replied:He rejected claims that the Conservatives were “home and dry” for an election victory. When asked if he accepted this, he replied:
He said MPs would not be justifying their pay if they continued to block Brexit after the election. When an employee at the plant asked if Johnson agreed that MPs should stop getting paid if they continued to block Brexit, he replied:He said MPs would not be justifying their pay if they continued to block Brexit after the election. When an employee at the plant asked if Johnson agreed that MPs should stop getting paid if they continued to block Brexit, he replied:
Jo Swinson has accused Boris Johnson of showing “an empathy bypass” in his attitude to other people, as the Liberal Democrats made a final push to persuade traditional Labour supporters to vote tactically and deny the Conservatives a majority.Jo Swinson has accused Boris Johnson of showing “an empathy bypass” in his attitude to other people, as the Liberal Democrats made a final push to persuade traditional Labour supporters to vote tactically and deny the Conservatives a majority.
Speaking to the Guardian during a campaign rally in Bath, Swinson said her party could confound gradually slipping national poll ratings to spring a series of surprises in up to a dozen or so Conservative-held seats, if the anti-Tory vote coalesces.Speaking to the Guardian during a campaign rally in Bath, Swinson said her party could confound gradually slipping national poll ratings to spring a series of surprises in up to a dozen or so Conservative-held seats, if the anti-Tory vote coalesces.
The Lib Dem leader said the task of denying Johnson a majority was all the more urgent following his much-criticised ITV interview in which the prime minister repeatedly refused to look at a photograph of Jack Williment-Barr, the four-year-old boy pictured sleeping on the floor of an overstretched A&E unit in Leeds.The Lib Dem leader said the task of denying Johnson a majority was all the more urgent following his much-criticised ITV interview in which the prime minister repeatedly refused to look at a photograph of Jack Williment-Barr, the four-year-old boy pictured sleeping on the floor of an overstretched A&E unit in Leeds.
Calling Johnson’s approach astonishing, Swinson said it fitted a wider pattern of behaviour, such as over the case of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the British-Iranian woman jailed in Iran, and his dismissal as “humbug” female MPs’ concerns over inflammatory political language. She went on:Calling Johnson’s approach astonishing, Swinson said it fitted a wider pattern of behaviour, such as over the case of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the British-Iranian woman jailed in Iran, and his dismissal as “humbug” female MPs’ concerns over inflammatory political language. She went on:
This YouGov poll suggests people do not believe the Tory suggestion (see 3.30pm) that leaving the EU on 31 January would amount to Brexit being over.This YouGov poll suggests people do not believe the Tory suggestion (see 3.30pm) that leaving the EU on 31 January would amount to Brexit being over.
Jeremy Corbyn is speaking at a Labour event in Carlisle.Jeremy Corbyn is speaking at a Labour event in Carlisle.
He talks about the report about the UK from the UN special rapporteur on poverty. That is shaming, he says.He talks about the report about the UK from the UN special rapporteur on poverty. That is shaming, he says.
He says he is glad the press highlighted the problems with the NHS yesterday. And he says it is extraordinary that, when Boris Johnson was asked about this, he chose to put the phone showing the picture in his pocket.He says he is glad the press highlighted the problems with the NHS yesterday. And he says it is extraordinary that, when Boris Johnson was asked about this, he chose to put the phone showing the picture in his pocket.
The dossier from the UK-US trade talks showed that the NHS is on the table in those negotiations, he says. He saPeople have a right to know what was going on, he says, and that is why Labour published it.The dossier from the UK-US trade talks showed that the NHS is on the table in those negotiations, he says. He saPeople have a right to know what was going on, he says, and that is why Labour published it.
He says people accuse him of politicising the NHS. But setting up the NHS was a political choice, he says. And he says Aneurin Bevan said it would last as long as there were folk around to fight for it. Well, we are folk, and we will fight for it, he says.He says people accuse him of politicising the NHS. But setting up the NHS was a political choice, he says. And he says Aneurin Bevan said it would last as long as there were folk around to fight for it. Well, we are folk, and we will fight for it, he says.
The Johnson Q&A is over.The Johnson Q&A is over.
He only took three questions from journalists.He only took three questions from journalists.
Q: If you are running a minority government after the election, what is your plan B for Brexit?Q: If you are running a minority government after the election, what is your plan B for Brexit?
Johnson says it is “very hard” to see how they can achieve Brexit without a Conservative government with a working majority.Johnson says it is “very hard” to see how they can achieve Brexit without a Conservative government with a working majority.
Johnson is now taking questions from journalists.Johnson is now taking questions from journalists.
Q: Jonathan Ashworth says you are going to win. He’s right, isn’t he? You are home and dry.Q: Jonathan Ashworth says you are going to win. He’s right, isn’t he? You are home and dry.
Johnson says he does not accept that.Johnson says he does not accept that.
He says polls can be wrong. Remember what happened in 2017.He says polls can be wrong. Remember what happened in 2017.
He claims Ashworth raises serious questions about the security risk Jeremy Corbyn would pose.He claims Ashworth raises serious questions about the security risk Jeremy Corbyn would pose.
He claims the tape also shows Labour would block Brexit.He claims the tape also shows Labour would block Brexit.
Q: What will life be like for towns like Newcastle-under-Lyme under the Tories?
Johnson says, as London mayor, he realised some parts of the capital were doing well, and others weren’t.
You need to invest, particularly in transport, he says. He says he is obsessed by this issue. He would focus on roads and rail. But also broadband, he says.
If you are going to start a business, you need fantastic internet connections.
We need full-fibre broadband, he says.
Johnson says you also need to give local people the power to do things for themselves.
Johnson is now taking questions from JCB employees.
Q: If you win, will HS2 happen, and is it what the country needs?
Johnson says HS2 is due to cost £88bn. He thinks the cost will rise above £100bn.
He says it is right for a new government to review it. He has commissioned a study. The report will come in after the election.
If HS2 can be made to work better .... Johnson tails off.
He says, if the report recommends cancelling the plans, he will consider that.
He says he is “temperamentally very much inclined to want to go ahead with a great national project, if we can”.
But he is also temperamentally inclined to want value for money.
Johnson suggests he is “temperamentally very much inclined” to carry on with HS2, subject to the findings of the government review.
Johnson claims the UK will benefit from Brexit. He cites being able to change animal welfare laws, being able to get rid of the tampon tax, and being able to set up free ports.
He says he wants to be able to “level up”. Talent is evenly distributed, he says, but opportunity isn’t.
Johnson says he could talk about his plans for childcare, or his plans to make the UK greener. But there is not much time left. He says we have little time. He has never known such an important election, he says.
There are 48 hours to get rid of the roadblock, he says.
Johnson claims that Jonathan Ashworth admitted in the private conversation leaked today that Jeremy Corbyn would be a security risk.
(Ashworth’s language was not that clear-cut. See 11.44am.)
Boris Johnson is speaking now.
He says everyone should take the opportunity to drive through the gridlock on Thursday.
He claims Labour would increase taxes, to the tune of £2,400 per head.
(This Guardian factcheck explains why this claim is not plausible.)
Javid says there will be an economic crisis within days if Labour takes power.
Boris Johnson is due to hold a Q&A with workers at the JCB plant in Staffordshire.
Sajid Javid, the chancellor, is doing the warm-up speech.
He claims Labour’s policies will guarantee an economic crisis.
A reader put it to me the other day that the best way to view the Boris Johnson campaign is as an extended picture caption competition. It is tempting to agree, but Johnson’s photo opportunities often end up as ready-made TV metaphors, staged on the assumption, one assumes, that the more obvious they are, the harder it will be for broadcasters to ignore them.
This afternoon’s (see 3.09pm) was about the most blatant yet. Johnson is due to explain them in a short speech with these words, which were released in advance overnight by CCHQ. Johnson will say:
But the problem with metaphors is that they can be open to multiple interpretations. To many viewers, this may not convey quite the impression Johnson intended.
1) Brexit is a destructive force. It does not make anything; it just knocks things down.
2) With Brexit, nothing is quite what it seems. These looked like proper bricks. But they were made of polystyrene.
3) After Johnson got through the Brexit “gridlock” he did not know where to go next and ground to a halt.
4) “Get Brexit done.” Johnson did once promise to lie in front of a bulldozer. If you take the view that leaving the EU in January won’t amount to Brexit being done, now the lie is on the front of a bulldozer.
I’m in Staffordshire today on the campaign trail with Boris Johnson, where the Tories are really wheeling out the visual metaphors as the campaign comes to an end.
We’re at a factory for JCB, the company chaired by the Conservative donor Sir Anthony Bamford.
A few minutes ago we were ushered downstairs on to a vast factory floor. After a short wait, the prime minister smashed noisily through a wall of polystyrene bricks with “GRIDLOCK” written on it, at the wheel of a digger.
He was then ushered away, as were we: we’re awaiting a Q&A session in a few minutes.
From the Daily Mirror’s Oliver Milne
As the Scottish party leaders prepare for their BBC Scotland debate in Glasgow this evening, both the SNP and the Scottish Tories are pushing their tactical voting messages, while the personalised campaigning against Nicola Sturgeon steps up.
In her interview with the Guardian yesterday, Sturgeon noted that “there’s no doubt that there’s a narrative, discussion and consideration around tactical voting in this election that I have not experienced previously”.
With the SNP running second in all Scottish Tory seats, she appealed to voters to lend the SNP their votes, adding: “People understand that this election is not going to decide the issue of independence.”
This morning, Conservative MSPs from Labour backgrounds appealed to current Labour supporters to lend them their votes. Speaking at a campaign event in Bothwell – part of the SNP-held Lanark and Hamilton East constituency, which the Tories are very confident they can win on Thursday – Adam Tomkins, the party’s constitutional affairs spokesperson, said:
The Scottish Lib Dems were likewise pushing the message of “make Nicola Sturgeon think again” at their own campaign event today, underlining how confident pro-union parties are that a focus on the SNP leader herself will galvanise undecideds.