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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
(30 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
As we reported earlier (see 8.39am), Boris Johnson was seen scurrying for cover earlier this morning when a reporter from ITV’s Good Morning Britain tried to get him live on air for an interview with Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid. Johnson ended up heading off into what seemed to be a large, industrial fridge.
Here is some Guardian video of the incident.
Ruth Davidson, the former Scottish Conservative leader, has promised to swim naked in Loch Ness if the SNP win 50 seats at the election. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, she said conditions were markedly different from 2015, when the SNP won 56 seats, and that she did not expect them to reach 50. In 2017 the SNP won 35 seats. Davidson wrote:
The YouGov MRP poll released last night, which is thought to be one of the best guides to what might happen in the election, suggested the SNP would win 41 seats.
Neale Hanvey, the candidate sacked by the Scottish National party over anti-semitic social media posts, will still be announced as the SNP MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath if he wins on Thursday.
Hanvey has continued campaigning to win, using the SNP’s yellow colour and typefaces, despite being officially dropped by the party after he admitting two weeks ago to two anti-semitic posts, one using material from the Kremlin-funded Sputnik website.
Fife council has said because Hanvey was dropped after nominations closed, he will be described as the SNP’s candidate when the results are declared.
That raises the stakes for the SNP, since Nicola Sturgeon has been highly critical of Labour’s failure to tackle its anti-semitism crisis. Hanvey’s party membership was suspended when he was dropped as its candidate; it still needs to put him through a full disciplinary hearing or allow him to rejoin the party. He wants to be readmitted.
Fife council has also said the SNP has not officially told its returning officer Hanvey has been dropped. The council said on Tuesday morning it has only had an email from Hanvey’s SNP election agent, David Barratt, simply saying he was no longer in that post.
The SNP disputed that. “Fife council was informed on 29 November,” a spokesman said. “We would expect the returning officer to be fully aware that political parties have no ability under electoral law to withdraw a candidate after the close of nominations.”
Although Hanvey has been publicly disavowed by the SNP and Nicola Sturgeon Scottish Labour officials still believe he could beat the Labour incumbent Lesley Laird, who regained the seat for Labour by a very narrow 259-vote margin in 2017.
They say SNP activists have ignored an instruction from Sturgeon to stop campaigning for Hanvey. His Facebook page still carries SNP videos and his leaflets reproduce the ballot paper which shows his name beside the SNP logo.
Labour officials believe the SNP has deliberately taken a soft-touch approach to avoid alienating activists. “They could be so much more robust than they have been,” said one. After the Labour candidate in Falkirk was sacked for anti-semitism, every Labour members was stood down. “You won’t find anyone campaigning for that candidate,” he said.
In his speech in Govan Jeremy Corbyn also said that voting Labour was the only way to beat the politics of despair in Scotland.In his speech in Govan Jeremy Corbyn also said that voting Labour was the only way to beat the politics of despair in Scotland.
Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister, has responded on Twitter, arguing that Corbyn is wrong because the SNP are best placed to defeat the Tories in Scotland.Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister, has responded on Twitter, arguing that Corbyn is wrong because the SNP are best placed to defeat the Tories in Scotland.
Jeremy Corbyn told activists in Glasgow this morning that the country can defeat the politics of despair and division, in a rousing speech as he begins a final day tour of the UK. He said:Jeremy Corbyn told activists in Glasgow this morning that the country can defeat the politics of despair and division, in a rousing speech as he begins a final day tour of the UK. He said:
Activists were in buoyant mood following the release of YouGov’s second constituency-by-constituency poll overnight, which suggests that - while the Tories remain the favourites - the possibility of a hung parliament can not be ruled out.Activists were in buoyant mood following the release of YouGov’s second constituency-by-constituency poll overnight, which suggests that - while the Tories remain the favourites - the possibility of a hung parliament can not be ruled out.
Glasgow was the first stop in a tour that will take Corbyn to the north of England and the Midlands, before ending with a rally in Hoxton, east London tonight.Glasgow was the first stop in a tour that will take Corbyn to the north of England and the Midlands, before ending with a rally in Hoxton, east London tonight.
The early campaign stop took place in the constituency of Glasgow South West, where Labour’s Matt Kerr is hoping you overturn the SNP majority of just 60 votes in 2017. The Nationalists’ Chris Stephens, a former trade union official, has held the seat in the SNP landslide of 2015.The early campaign stop took place in the constituency of Glasgow South West, where Labour’s Matt Kerr is hoping you overturn the SNP majority of just 60 votes in 2017. The Nationalists’ Chris Stephens, a former trade union official, has held the seat in the SNP landslide of 2015.
Activists held up signs reading ‘scrap universal credit’ as they gathered in front of the Govan Cross Christmas tree, and shouted “Thank you Jeremy”.Activists held up signs reading ‘scrap universal credit’ as they gathered in front of the Govan Cross Christmas tree, and shouted “Thank you Jeremy”.
Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Aamna Mohdin.Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Aamna Mohdin.
Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, is being interviewed on Today.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.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.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.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.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?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.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.Q: He put the phone in his pocket.
That was “a single moment of absent-mindedness”, says Gove.That was “a single moment of absent-mindedness”, says Gove.
Boris Johnson’s first stop in West Yorkshire got off to a shaky start.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.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”.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.”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.”“It’s a very frosty reception we’ve had so far,” Swain said after Johnson disappeared, to which Morgan responds: “That was heroic work.”
UPDATE: Here is some video of the incident.UPDATE: Here is some video of the incident.
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”.
The shadow chancellor said:
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:
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.
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.
The party would seek to introduce a form of the law in the next parliament.
Price said:
Price said he proposed a similar draft law more than 10 years ago, following the Iraq war.
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 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”.
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:
Pressed on whether he was nervous, Johnson replied: “We’re fighting for every vote.”
The papers today
Boris Johnson is up and running, as is the Guardian’s political editor Heather Stewart.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The day ahead
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.
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.
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.
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”.
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.
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).