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General election: poll suggests Tory lead narrows as campaign enters last day – live news General election: poll suggests Tory lead narrows as campaign enters last day – 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
Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Aamna Mohdin.
Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, is being interviewed on Today.
Q: Dave Merritt, whose son Jack was killed in the London Bridge terror attack, has accused Boris Johnson of exploiting this attack for political purposes.
Gove pays tribute to Jack Merritt. And he stresses the importance of rehabilitation. But he says that, particularly in relation to Islamist terrorism, sentencing policy must keep people safe.
Q: Dave Merritt says there should have been a dignified response from politicians.
Gove says his heart goes out to Merritt. He cannot think what he must be going through. But politicians must answer questions about policy, he says.
Q: Was it dignified for the PM, when he was asked to look at a picture of a sick child sleeping on a hospital floor, to ignore it and put the phone in his pocket?
Gove says Johnson did look at the photograph. He sent Matt Hancock, the health secretary, to the hospital.
Q: He put the phone in his pocket.
That was “a single moment of absent-mindedness”, says Gove.
Boris Johnson’s first stop in West Yorkshire got off to a shaky start.
Johnson was ambushed by Good Morning Britain reporter Jonathan Swain in Leeds before the aide mouthed “oh for f***’s sake”. The show’s hosts, Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid, were both shocked by the aide’s reaction. “The look on his face,” Reid exclaims.
During the exchange, reporter Swain asks if Johnson if he will come on the programme and “deliver on your promise to talk to Piers and Susanna”.
When Swain presses the prime minister, stating he is live on the show, Johnson replies to say “I’ll be with you in a second” and walks off, before Piers exclaims “he’s gone into the fridge”. Johnson walks inside freezer with his aides. One person can be heard saying: “It’s a bunker.”
“It’s a very frosty reception we’ve had so far,” Swain said after Johnson disappeared, to which Morgan responds: “That was heroic work.”
Boris Johnson began the final day of general election campaigning with a chilly pre-dawn visit to a business called Modern Milkman, in the Tory-held constituency of Pudsey, in Yorkshire.Boris Johnson began the final day of general election campaigning with a chilly pre-dawn visit to a business called Modern Milkman, in the Tory-held constituency of Pudsey, in Yorkshire.
He donned an overall and helped load a minibus with crates of milk and orange juice.He donned an overall and helped load a minibus with crates of milk and orange juice.
Journalists were then loaded back on the Get Brexit Done bus and driven to a pleasant residential street in nearby Guiseley, where Johnson made a delivery to one handpicked house, chatting to a delighted resident.Journalists were then loaded back on the Get Brexit Done bus and driven to a pleasant residential street in nearby Guiseley, where Johnson made a delivery to one handpicked house, chatting to a delighted resident.
Now we’re back on the bus, with another four stops to go today, taking in Wales and Essex before ending the day with a rally in London.Now we’re back on the bus, with another four stops to go today, taking in Wales and Essex before ending the day with a rally in London.
John McDonnell has accused the prime minister of using the London Bridge terrorist attack as “an opportunity”.John McDonnell has accused the prime minister of using the London Bridge terrorist attack as “an opportunity”.
The shadow chancellor said: “I just wish we have had the Conservatives being honest with us. I just wish we hadn’t been having this gutter politics, fake websites, lies and smears.”The shadow chancellor said: “I just wish we have had the Conservatives being honest with us. I just wish we hadn’t been having this gutter politics, fake websites, lies and smears.”
Speaking on BBC’s Radio 4 Today programme, McDonnell said he wished Boris Johnson had respected the wishes of Jack Merritt’s parents. Meritt was one of two victims of the London Bridge attack, the other being Saskia Jones. Both were involved with the prisoner rehabilitation conference where Usman Khan launched his knife attack.Speaking on BBC’s Radio 4 Today programme, McDonnell said he wished Boris Johnson had respected the wishes of Jack Merritt’s parents. Meritt was one of two victims of the London Bridge attack, the other being Saskia Jones. Both were involved with the prisoner rehabilitation conference where Usman Khan launched his knife attack.
McDonnell added: “I wish Boris Johnson had not seen that as, to quote the father of Jack Merritt, as ‘an opportunity’. I just wish he’d shown sympathy and respect and empathy.McDonnell added: “I wish Boris Johnson had not seen that as, to quote the father of Jack Merritt, as ‘an opportunity’. I just wish he’d shown sympathy and respect and empathy.
“I just wish Boris Johnson had shown empathy about a child being treated, suffering from pneumonia lying on a hospital floor. That’s the sort of politics the Conservatives now have under Johnson.”“I just wish Boris Johnson had shown empathy about a child being treated, suffering from pneumonia lying on a hospital floor. That’s the sort of politics the Conservatives now have under Johnson.”
When asked about Jonathan Ashworth leaked phone conversation criticising Jeremy Corbyn, McDonnell said Labour’s health spokesman was “joshing” and criticised the Tory activist friend for leaking the conversation.When asked about Jonathan Ashworth leaked phone conversation criticising Jeremy Corbyn, McDonnell said Labour’s health spokesman was “joshing” and criticised the Tory activist friend for leaking the conversation.
“He was in a joshing mood, that is what he said and I believe him. It’s interesting, it says more about this so-called Conservative friend than Jonathan Ashworth,” McDonnell said. “What sort of friend records a telephone conversation like that and then gives it to a conservative disruptive website?”“He was in a joshing mood, that is what he said and I believe him. It’s interesting, it says more about this so-called Conservative friend than Jonathan Ashworth,” McDonnell said. “What sort of friend records a telephone conversation like that and then gives it to a conservative disruptive website?”
He added: “But that’s the nature of Conservative politics now. That’s what Boris Johnson has dragged the Tory party into. I think it’s dishonourable, I think it’s gutter politics. But it says more about Conservative politics than it does about anything Jonathan Ashworth who has behaved completely properly.”He added: “But that’s the nature of Conservative politics now. That’s what Boris Johnson has dragged the Tory party into. I think it’s dishonourable, I think it’s gutter politics. But it says more about Conservative politics than it does about anything Jonathan Ashworth who has behaved completely properly.”
The Plaid Cymru leader, Adam Price, has proposed a bill to make lying by politicians a criminal offence.The Plaid Cymru leader, Adam Price, has proposed a bill to make lying by politicians a criminal offence.
Called the elected representatives (prohibition of deception) bill, under the legislation elected politicians in the European, Westminster and devolved parliaments would face criminal charges if they knowingly mislead the public.Called the elected representatives (prohibition of deception) bill, under the legislation elected politicians in the European, Westminster and devolved parliaments would face criminal charges if they knowingly mislead the public.
The party would seek to introduce a form of the law in the next parliament.The party would seek to introduce a form of the law in the next parliament.
Price said: “People have lost faith in our politics, and we have a duty to restore it before it’s too late. It’s depressing that it has come to this, but if we need a law to stop politicians from lying then that is what should be in place.”Price said: “People have lost faith in our politics, and we have a duty to restore it before it’s too late. It’s depressing that it has come to this, but if we need a law to stop politicians from lying then that is what should be in place.”
Price said he proposed a similar draft law more than 10 years ago, following the Iraq war. “Our politics, once again, faces a crisis of confidence thanks to the fake news, fake views and fake figures that have been peddled, particularly by the main two Westminster parties.”Price said he proposed a similar draft law more than 10 years ago, following the Iraq war. “Our politics, once again, faces a crisis of confidence thanks to the fake news, fake views and fake figures that have been peddled, particularly by the main two Westminster parties.”
He added: “Over half a century ago we made it illegal for companies to lie to us with the Trade Descriptions Act. Sadly, it looks like now we need the same principle to apply to politicians.He added: “Over half a century ago we made it illegal for companies to lie to us with the Trade Descriptions Act. Sadly, it looks like now we need the same principle to apply to politicians.
“Honesty is the most important currency in politics. We have to protect it, before it reaches moral bankruptcy.”“Honesty is the most important currency in politics. We have to protect it, before it reaches moral bankruptcy.”
Remember, the Guardian’s factchecking team is here to help decipher what claims are true and what are false.Remember, the Guardian’s factchecking team is here to help decipher what claims are true and what are false.
Boris Johnson’s first stop on the last day of the campaignBoris Johnson’s first stop on the last day of the campaign
Morning, I’m Aamna Mohdin, taking over the blog from Kate Lyons on the last day of the campaign.Morning, I’m Aamna Mohdin, taking over the blog from Kate Lyons on the last day of the campaign.
Boris Johnson started his day helping load milk and orange juice bottles on to a delivery vehicle in West Yorkshire. He will be crisscrossing around the country, making stops in the Midlands, Wales and London, urging voters to give him the majority he needs to “get Brexit done”.Boris Johnson started his day helping load milk and orange juice bottles on to a delivery vehicle in West Yorkshire. He will be crisscrossing around the country, making stops in the Midlands, Wales and London, urging voters to give him the majority he needs to “get Brexit done”.
Last night, YouGov’s second much-hyped constituency-by-constituency poll suggests Labour is two points up, cutting the predicted Tory majority down from 68 seats to 28. YouGov said that while the Tories remain favourites, a hung parliament cannot be ruled out.Last night, YouGov’s second much-hyped constituency-by-constituency poll suggests Labour is two points up, cutting the predicted Tory majority down from 68 seats to 28. YouGov said that while the Tories remain favourites, a hung parliament cannot be ruled out.
When asked about the narrowing polls, the prime minister told broadcasters: “This could not be more critical, it could not be tighter – I just say to everybody the risk is very real that we could tomorrow be going into another hung parliament. When asked about the narrowing polls, the prime minister told broadcasters:
“That’s more drift, more dither, more delay, more paralysis for this country.”
Pressed on whether he was nervous, Johnson replied: “We’re fighting for every vote.”Pressed on whether he was nervous, Johnson replied: “We’re fighting for every vote.”
The papers todayThe papers today
Boris Johnson is up and running, as is the Guardian’s political editor Heather Stewart.Boris Johnson is up and running, as is the Guardian’s political editor Heather Stewart.
Other election news at a glance:Other election news at a glance:
A woman has claimed her Facebook account was hacked after it was used to post false information claiming a photograph of an ill boy on the floor of a hospital was staged for political purposes.A woman has claimed her Facebook account was hacked after it was used to post false information claiming a photograph of an ill boy on the floor of a hospital was staged for political purposes.
Jeremy Corbyn has dismissed as “banter” a recording of Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, saying Labour would not win the election.Jeremy Corbyn has dismissed as “banter” a recording of Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, saying Labour would not win the election.
Jo Swinson has accused Boris Johnson of showing “an empathy bypass” in his attitude to other people.Jo Swinson has accused Boris Johnson of showing “an empathy bypass” in his attitude to other people.
How was a PM on day release for nicking a phone allowed in a JCB, asks John Crace.How was a PM on day release for nicking a phone allowed in a JCB, asks John Crace.
Want to vote tactically? We have a region-by-region guide.Want to vote tactically? We have a region-by-region guide.
Huw Edwards has said “the stakes are very high” for the BBC’s general coverage amid Conservative threats to examine the BBC licence fee and Channel 4’s broadcasting remit after the election.Huw Edwards has said “the stakes are very high” for the BBC’s general coverage amid Conservative threats to examine the BBC licence fee and Channel 4’s broadcasting remit after the election.
Health secretary Matt Hancock won’t talk to us, say “bullied” doctors at his local hospital in Suffolk.Health secretary Matt Hancock won’t talk to us, say “bullied” doctors at his local hospital in Suffolk.
The Conservatives have opened a second investigation into Hastings candidate Sally-Ann Hart, this time for alleged Islamophobia.The Conservatives have opened a second investigation into Hastings candidate Sally-Ann Hart, this time for alleged Islamophobia.
Here’s Labour’s campaign ad this morning, invoking the Blitz spirit.Here’s Labour’s campaign ad this morning, invoking the Blitz spirit.
The day aheadThe day ahead
A busy day all round. Johnson will be travelling from Yorkshire to the Midlands, Wales and London.A busy day all round. Johnson will be travelling from Yorkshire to the Midlands, Wales and London.
Jo Swinson will be making appearances at a series of rallies. She is targeting Lib Dem seats around Surrey and the London area.Jo Swinson will be making appearances at a series of rallies. She is targeting Lib Dem seats around Surrey and the London area.
Nigel Farage is back on the campaign trail and will be in Yorkshire backed by local prospective parliamentary candidates.Nigel Farage is back on the campaign trail and will be in Yorkshire backed by local prospective parliamentary candidates.
Nicola Sturgeon will join SNP candidates on the final day of campaigning in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Dunbartonshire.Nicola Sturgeon will join SNP candidates on the final day of campaigning in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Dunbartonshire.
Hello and welcome to our politics liveblog, the last of the campaign.Hello and welcome to our politics liveblog, the last of the campaign.
This is it, the end is in sight, but not before one final flurry of campaigning effort from all the parties.This is it, the end is in sight, but not before one final flurry of campaigning effort from all the parties.
Labour and the Conservatives are in a frantic scramble for votes as the last day of campaigning begins. Both parties have labelled Thursday’s vote the “most important in a generation” .Labour and the Conservatives are in a frantic scramble for votes as the last day of campaigning begins. Both parties have labelled Thursday’s vote the “most important in a generation” .
Neither Boris Johnson nor Jeremy Corbyn are wasting a moment of their last day. The prime minister will be crisscrossing the country from Yorkshire to the Midlands, Wales and London on Wednesday, delivering his message that the Conservatives need only another 12 seats to win a majority and that only his party can “get Brexit done”.Neither Boris Johnson nor Jeremy Corbyn are wasting a moment of their last day. The prime minister will be crisscrossing the country from Yorkshire to the Midlands, Wales and London on Wednesday, delivering his message that the Conservatives need only another 12 seats to win a majority and that only his party can “get Brexit done”.
Meanwhile, Corbyn will start his day in Scotland before visiting at least five key seats in a whirlwind tour across England, calling for those who are undecided to “vote for hope in this election”.Meanwhile, Corbyn will start his day in Scotland before visiting at least five key seats in a whirlwind tour across England, calling for those who are undecided to “vote for hope in this election”.
Both sides insist the election remains closely fought and that polls giving the Conservatives a lead could be wrong.Both sides insist the election remains closely fought and that polls giving the Conservatives a lead could be wrong.
The release of YouGov’s second and much-hyped constituency-by-constituency poll suggests this is not just a line from the parties and we are in for a nerve-jangling finish. Compared with the first poll, Labour is two points up, meaning Boris Johnson’s notional majority has been cut from 68 to 28 as his party’s predicted seat count falls by 20 to 339 and Labour’s improves by the same amount to 231. The SNP takes 41 and the Liberal Democrats 15, with some particularly surprising Lib Dem gains predicted.The release of YouGov’s second and much-hyped constituency-by-constituency poll suggests this is not just a line from the parties and we are in for a nerve-jangling finish. Compared with the first poll, Labour is two points up, meaning Boris Johnson’s notional majority has been cut from 68 to 28 as his party’s predicted seat count falls by 20 to 339 and Labour’s improves by the same amount to 231. The SNP takes 41 and the Liberal Democrats 15, with some particularly surprising Lib Dem gains predicted.
Thanks for travelling this campaign road with us. We’ll bring you all the news today (and of course tomorrow when the vote actually happens).Thanks for travelling this campaign road with us. We’ll bring you all the news today (and of course tomorrow when the vote actually happens).