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General election: Party leaders cross country in final push for votes – live news General election: Party leaders cross country in final push for votes – live news
(32 minutes later)
Labour and the Conservatives in scramble for votes on the final day of campaigningLabour and the Conservatives in scramble for votes on the final day of campaigning
About 200 Labour supporters gathered outside Dinnington Resource Centre, Rotherham, where Jeremy Corbyn arrived on a bus to chants of “Oh, Jeremy Corbyn.” As PA Media reports, Corbyn told the crowd it was the 82nd constituency he had visited in the campaign. He added: “There are still a few hours to go so there are a few more places to go to.”
Corbyn also said he was pleased to see a banner for the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign, which is calling for answers about the police operation during the miners’ strike at the Orgreave plant in 1984. He said: “A Labour government will open a public inquiry into Orgreave.”
On a relatively quiet day - at least, in news terms; there is a lot of campaigning taking place, but not much is being said that has not been said before – here is a campaign reading list: two features on Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn respectively, from non-Guardian writers.
Andrew Sullivan in the New York magazine argues that for all Boris Johnson’s flaws (and Sullivan is quite explicit about them), he is “quietly forging a new conservatism” and could be “pioneering a path for other western parties of the center right confronted by the rise of populist extremism”.
Jack Shenker for Vice describes a weekend on the campaign trail with Jeremy Corbyn, and explains how he is reshaping politics.
Losing candidates standing in Dominic Raab’s former constituency may not be invited to deliver speeches after the declaration as council officials try to manage overwhelming interest from the world’s media and the public.Losing candidates standing in Dominic Raab’s former constituency may not be invited to deliver speeches after the declaration as council officials try to manage overwhelming interest from the world’s media and the public.
The electoral authorities overseeing the count for Esher and Walton have said they will only guarantee that the winner will be able to address the crowd assembled at the count. An Elmbridge Borough Council spokesperson said: “If the winning candidate would like to make a short speech, following the result declaration, that is fine.” The electoral authorities overseeing the count for Esher and Walton have said they will only guarantee that the winner will be able to address the crowd assembled at the count. An Elmbridge borough council spokesperson said: “If the winning candidate would like to make a short speech, following the result declaration, that is fine.”
This decision represents a U-turn, sources close to candidates say. The returning officer’s staff had initially warned on Tuesday that they would break with convention and stop any statements from a stage at the count at Sandown Racecourse. This decision represents a U-turn, sources close to candidates say. The returning officer’s staff had initially warned on Tuesday that they would break with convention and stop any statements from a stage at the count at Sandown Park Racecourse.
Raab is one of the big names who could be unseated in Thursday’s election, and provide Friday with a so-called ‘Portillo moment”, according to new analysis by YouGov released on Tuesday. Raab is one of the big names who could be unseated in Thursday’s election, and provide Friday with a so-called “Portillo moment”, according to new analysis by YouGov released on Tuesday.
Officials say that the council is trying to cope with a series of logistical problems brought on by a demand for access to the count.Officials say that the council is trying to cope with a series of logistical problems brought on by a demand for access to the count.
More than 33 media outlets are seeking accreditation at one of the most keenly anticipated results - usually Elmbridge Borough council has zero requests for media access for elections in a seat that has been held by the Tories for more than a century. More than 33 media outlets are seeking accreditation at one of the most keenly anticipated results – usually Elmbridge Borough council has zero requests for media access for elections in a seat that has been held by the Tories for more than a century.
Raab is facing a challenge from Monica Harding, the Lib Dem candidate, in the prosperous, leafy seat. YouGov’s analysis says the foreign secretary’s 23,000-strong majority in Esher and Walton could be overturned by the Liberal Democrats, who are currently just 2% behind him.Raab is facing a challenge from Monica Harding, the Lib Dem candidate, in the prosperous, leafy seat. YouGov’s analysis says the foreign secretary’s 23,000-strong majority in Esher and Walton could be overturned by the Liberal Democrats, who are currently just 2% behind him.
The Labour leader in Wales, Mark Drakeford, has described Boris Johnson’s visit to a Welsh wrapping present factory (see 3.16pm) as a Christmas gift for the prime minister’s opponents. Drakeford said:The Labour leader in Wales, Mark Drakeford, has described Boris Johnson’s visit to a Welsh wrapping present factory (see 3.16pm) as a Christmas gift for the prime minister’s opponents. Drakeford said:
But Drakeford also admitted that Jeremy Corbyn was not going down well with everyone in Wales.He said But Drakeford also admitted that Jeremy Corbyn was not going down well with everyone in Wales. He said:
Drakeford was doing some last-minute campaigning in Bridgend with his party’s candidate, Madeleine Moon.Drakeford was doing some last-minute campaigning in Bridgend with his party’s candidate, Madeleine Moon.
He said this was a “fork-in-the-road” election. Ending up with the Tories would be disastrous for Wales, he said. “More cuts, more neglect, more focus on things that matter to a few people and don’t matter at all to most people.”He said this was a “fork-in-the-road” election. Ending up with the Tories would be disastrous for Wales, he said. “More cuts, more neglect, more focus on things that matter to a few people and don’t matter at all to most people.”
The alternative was a Labour government “with a genuine hope about something different, serious about climate change, determined to invest in our public services, determined to change the nature of our country so it works for the bulk of people rather than being organised around the things that only reward those who have already got more than they will ever know what to do with”. The alternative was a Labour government “with a genuine hope about something different, serious about climate change, determined to invest in our public services, determined to change the nature of our country so it works for the bulk of people rather than being organised around the things that only reward those who have already got more than they will ever know what to do with.”
Fifteen former Labour MPs have signed a message for an advert that has been placed in the Manchester Evening News and other regional newspapers urging people not to vote Labour. It says Jeremy Corbyn is not fit to be prime minister.Fifteen former Labour MPs have signed a message for an advert that has been placed in the Manchester Evening News and other regional newspapers urging people not to vote Labour. It says Jeremy Corbyn is not fit to be prime minister.
Asked about the message, Corbyn said the ex-MPs should “look themselves in the mirror” and ask if they really want to let in the Tories again. He went on:Asked about the message, Corbyn said the ex-MPs should “look themselves in the mirror” and ask if they really want to let in the Tories again. He went on:
Boris Johnson’s campaign took a festive turn as he visited a south Wales firm which is said to be the Queen’s Christmas cracker supplier, the Press Association reports. He helped box up rolls of wrapping paper - a case of putting round tubes in a square hole - before joining staff at IG Design Group in pulling crackers. The PM read out the joke in one of the crackers, asking: “What can you make that cannot be seen? The answer is a noise.”Boris Johnson’s campaign took a festive turn as he visited a south Wales firm which is said to be the Queen’s Christmas cracker supplier, the Press Association reports. He helped box up rolls of wrapping paper - a case of putting round tubes in a square hole - before joining staff at IG Design Group in pulling crackers. The PM read out the joke in one of the crackers, asking: “What can you make that cannot be seen? The answer is a noise.”
As PA reports, the noise of laughter was not heard, so the PM added: “What can you get done by Christmas? Brexit.” Some laughter was heard at this point, with Johnson commending those who got the “right answer”.As PA reports, the noise of laughter was not heard, so the PM added: “What can you get done by Christmas? Brexit.” Some laughter was heard at this point, with Johnson commending those who got the “right answer”.
Discarded on the floor nearby was another of the pieces of paper from a cracker, which had as its charade prompt the movie The Good, The Bad And The Ugly”.Discarded on the floor nearby was another of the pieces of paper from a cracker, which had as its charade prompt the movie The Good, The Bad And The Ugly”.
Here is Paul Williams, the Labour candidate in Stockton South, a Labour-held marginal, welcoming the fact that he has had an endorsement from his Lib Dem opponent. (See 12.23pm.)Here is Paul Williams, the Labour candidate in Stockton South, a Labour-held marginal, welcoming the fact that he has had an endorsement from his Lib Dem opponent. (See 12.23pm.)
This move has been backed by the Vote for a Final Say campaign, which wants a second referendum on Brexit. It has released this list of constituencies where it is urging the third-placed candidate to “step aside” for the person who has the best chance of beating the Tories.This move has been backed by the Vote for a Final Say campaign, which wants a second referendum on Brexit. It has released this list of constituencies where it is urging the third-placed candidate to “step aside” for the person who has the best chance of beating the Tories.
(At this point candidates cannot “step aside”; the ballot papers have been printed, and names cannot be removed. But candidates can vote for other people, and urge their supporters to vote for other people.)(At this point candidates cannot “step aside”; the ballot papers have been printed, and names cannot be removed. But candidates can vote for other people, and urge their supporters to vote for other people.)
The comedian Steve Coogan has said Alan Partridge would have voted for Brexit. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s PM programme, Coogan said:The comedian Steve Coogan has said Alan Partridge would have voted for Brexit. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s PM programme, Coogan said:
Brexit was supposed to be all about taking back control. But, as my colleague Jennifer Rankin points out, one of the ironies of the current situation is that at the EU summit taking place tomorrow the person who might end up casting a vote on behalf of the UK will be Charles Michel, the former prime minister of Belgium who is the new president of the European council.Brexit was supposed to be all about taking back control. But, as my colleague Jennifer Rankin points out, one of the ironies of the current situation is that at the EU summit taking place tomorrow the person who might end up casting a vote on behalf of the UK will be Charles Michel, the former prime minister of Belgium who is the new president of the European council.
Jennifer sent me this explanation of how this will work in practice.Jennifer sent me this explanation of how this will work in practice.
From my colleague Heather Stewart, who is on the Boris Johnson battlebus
Earlier I quoted the Brexit party candidate in Doncaster North, Andy Stewart, saying he had been a victim of “racism of opinion”. (See 10.18am.) The Press Association has now filed his quotes. Stewart said, as a mixed-race man, he had seen racism first-hand. But he claimed the abuse he has witnessed in the past month as a Brexit party candidate had been quite different.
Thanks for all your questions
Our political team will answer any questions you have about the election results on Friday at 12.30pm.
You can ask your question via our form here.
A few more questions from readers below:
Q: Will the Fixed-term Parliaments Act mean that we can expect all elections to be winter elections from now on or will that act be done away with should Boris get a majority? Avi Smith, 55, Yorkshire
Both the Conservatives and Labour have vowed to scrap the FTPA if they win a majority. Regardless, elections default to May under the act so the next election is unlikely to be December again.
Q: Some former Tories are running their campaign as independents because they were expelled from the party. How are they faring overall and do they have a chance? It seems to me that in all the electoral reports their campaigns have been a bit overlooked. F Spaak, 40, PR consultant, Twente, the Netherlands
They are quite unlikely to win because all of them are running in seats with huge Tory majorities but some surveys suggest they could come second.
Q: For those of us who have to work on Friday so need to sleep but also want to catch exciting election moments live, do you have any advice on whether it’s best to stay up late or get up early? Any specific times to look out for? Chloe, 50, self-employed, Bristol
It depends how excited you are and able to cope with sleep deprivation. The exit poll published at 10pm will give a good steer about the result. But to be sure which way the result is going you probably would need to stay awake for the first bellwether seats in the early hours of the morning. It will be clear by then whether the Tories are making gains in Labour’s northern heartlands that would give them a majority. By 6am, it should be obvious who has won or whether it looks like a hung parliament unless there really is only a few seats in it.
Corbyn says David Cameron once said we are all in it together.
But we are not, he says. There are 150 billionaires in the UK. Tax breaks have helped the rich, he says. We are a seriously divided society.
Corbyn urges activists to go “flat out” to get people voting.
Tomorrow is a chance to elect a government that people can trust, a government that won’t just be working for billionaires, but a government that will be working to improve the life chances of everyone, he says.
Corbyn has now finished, and the crowd is chanting: “Oh, Jeremy Corbyn.”
Jeremy Corbyn is speaking at the Labour rally now.
He says he is not here to deliver milk, or hide in a fridge.
He wants to lead a Labour government that will properly fund the NHS and social care, he says.
He praises Andy McDonald’s work as shadow transport secretary, particularly developing plans to bring rail services back into public ownership and to improve bus services.
On the NHS, he says he has been contacted by someone whose mum went into A&E on Monday, and who is now still waiting for a bed. And it is only December. What will the NHS crisis be like in January or Febuary.
Corbyn says Boris Johnson’s comments on the supposed 40 new hospitals he will build have been “a complete piece of dishonesty”. He does a brief Johnson impression (ruffling his hair and harrumphing) when he mocks Johnson’s response to his first questions on this. He says Johnson eventually gave up claiming there would be 40 new hospitals.
Under Labour, the NHS would be “not for sale”, he says. The crowd chant the phrase.
He says Labour figures have had to put up with unbelievable levels of abuse and character assassination during the 51 days of the election campaign. But he won’t do the same thing, he says.
Just over 15 minutes left to ask any questions you may have on the general election. Send them in to us here.
Q: Are elderly voters less likely to come out and vote in a cold, December election and could this affect the result? Danny, Amsterdam
We won’t have much recent past data as general elections are usually in May. The conventional wisdom is that winter elections hurt Labour because their traditional voters are less likely to own a car, but this seems outdated. If it were to snow, it seems more likely this would affect the Tories, whose voters are older, and whose “get out the vote” operation is weaker than Labour’s.
Q: This election has seen a rise of dirty tactics and dishonesty from most of the parties, especially the Conservatives. These include the the fake Fact Checking incident, false smears of other parties and all the lies within adverts on Facebook etc. How can this be allowed and how come not more is being done about this? Andrew, senior designer, London
Election laws are seriously wanting when it comes to advertising and social media use. It is essentially the Wild West as there is no regulation of it. It is illegal for people to make false statements about candidates but not for parties to present misinformation. The problem is that the winning party in an election has little incentive to make better laws.
Ian Lavery, the Labour chair, is speaking at the Labour rally now. He gets the crowd singing “Prime Minister Corbyn” to the “Oh, Jeremy Corbyn tune”.
Holding up a copy of the Labour manifesto, he says he calls it the “book of hope”.
This election is not about Brexit, he says. He says it is about the type of society we want to live in.
Britain cannot afford another five years of the Tories, or another five days, he says.
He says Boris Johnson should be kicked out of Downing Street “like a dog”.
Laura Pidcock, the shadow employment minister, is speaking at the Labour rally.
She says Labour has campaigned with integrity. Unlike the Tories, its has not resorted to lies, she says.
She says there are still people who have not decided how to vote. Labour must show them a better world is possible.
She says Labour is campaigning on behalf of the 14.3 million people in poverty, on behalf of the 4 million children in poverty, and on behalf of the Waspi women who are entitled to receive the money they’ve lost.
You have been sending in your questions about the general election which I will be answering until 1.30pm. You can share your questions with us via our form here.
Q: 326 is the target number of seats for a majority, but it is generally accepted it can be a bit lower than this for a party to still have a working majority. What is the minimum number of seats the Conservatives can have and still realistically expect to govern without having to rely on other parties? Martin, 29, lecturer, Wirral
The Conservatives need around 320 seats because the DUP are unlikely to play ball because of Johnson’s Brexit deal that creates a border down the Irish Sea. No other parties are keen to work with them either. There are 650 MPs – around seven Sinn Fein who do not take up their seats and four non-voting speakers. Half of that is 319.5 so the Tories are aiming for 320 as their magic number.
Q: To what extent could young voter turnout sway the election result? Alice, 23, working in tech, Brussels, Belgium
It could be crucially important. Last time, Labour took Canterbury off the Tories in a shock result attributed to the student vote. Younger voters could make the difference in Labour targets such as Putney and Chingford. Different polls have different predictions for turnout among each age group which partially accounts for wildly varying leads for the Tories of between six and 15 points.