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| BBC 'played a part' in Labour's election defeat, says shadow cabinet minister - live news | BBC 'played a part' in Labour's election defeat, says shadow cabinet minister - live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Rolling coverage of the day’s political events as they happen | Rolling coverage of the day’s political events as they happen |
| President Trump has called to congratulate Boris Johnson on his election victory, No 10 has said. A Downing Street spokesman said: | |
| Many senior Labour figures have been attending Frank Dobson’s funeral in London. This is from Alastair Campbell, director of communications at No 10 when Dobson was health secretary. | |
| From the Sunday Times’ Gabriel Pogrund | |
| Arlene Foster, the DUP leader, has said she hopes the Northern Ireland assembly will be up and running early next year. Speaking after a meeting with Julian Smith, the Northern Ireland secretary, she said: | |
| Foster accepted the election had created a new “momentum” towards breaking the deadlock and reaching agreement on power-sharing. | |
| Foster, who said she did not believe a new assembly election was necessary before 2022, also stressed the need for an injection of money. She said reforms were required to ensure that any new executive was “sustainable”. | |
| This is from Mark Rutte, the Dutch PM. | |
| Julian Smith, the Northern Ireland secretary, has been holding talks today with the five main parties in Northern Ireland - the DUP, Sinn Féin, the UUP, the SDLP and the Alliance party - about restoring power-sharing in the province. | Julian Smith, the Northern Ireland secretary, has been holding talks today with the five main parties in Northern Ireland - the DUP, Sinn Féin, the UUP, the SDLP and the Alliance party - about restoring power-sharing in the province. |
| Speaking a few minutes ago after those meetings, Smith said that every party had been “very, very positive” about doing what they could do to get the Northern Ireland assembly and the power-sharing executive back up and running. So it was a “very heartening” set of discussions, he said. He went on: | Speaking a few minutes ago after those meetings, Smith said that every party had been “very, very positive” about doing what they could do to get the Northern Ireland assembly and the power-sharing executive back up and running. So it was a “very heartening” set of discussions, he said. He went on: |
| By “message on the doorsteps”, Smith was referring to the anger about the fact that the executive has been suspended now for almost three years. This partly explains why both the DUP and Sinn Féin, the two main parties in Northern Ireland who between them are responsible for the deadlock, saw their share of the vote go down in the election. | By “message on the doorsteps”, Smith was referring to the anger about the fact that the executive has been suspended now for almost three years. This partly explains why both the DUP and Sinn Féin, the two main parties in Northern Ireland who between them are responsible for the deadlock, saw their share of the vote go down in the election. |
| On the World at One Lord Grade, the former BBC chairman, warned the government against trying to bully the corporation. Commenting on the government plan (see 1.37pm) to consider decriminalising non-payment of the licence fee (a move that could reduce the BBC’s revenue), Grade said an independent report looked at this in 2015 and concluded the status quo should remain. “I cannot say any new factor that would justify the government reopening that debate,” he said. He went on: | On the World at One Lord Grade, the former BBC chairman, warned the government against trying to bully the corporation. Commenting on the government plan (see 1.37pm) to consider decriminalising non-payment of the licence fee (a move that could reduce the BBC’s revenue), Grade said an independent report looked at this in 2015 and concluded the status quo should remain. “I cannot say any new factor that would justify the government reopening that debate,” he said. He went on: |
| When asked if he thought that was what was happening, Grade said: | When asked if he thought that was what was happening, Grade said: |
| Grade said he also thought no prime minister would want to be remembered for destroying the BBC. | Grade said he also thought no prime minister would want to be remembered for destroying the BBC. |
| At the morning lobby briefing Downing Street confirmed that it would consider decriminalising non-payment of the licence fee. (See 12.08pm.) There was no mention of this idea in the Conservative manifesto, but Boris Johnson disclosed it at a campaign event on a day when he was facing intense criticism for his response to questions about the boy sleeping on a hospital floor and CCHQ was anxious to find another story that might divert journalists. | At the morning lobby briefing Downing Street confirmed that it would consider decriminalising non-payment of the licence fee. (See 12.08pm.) There was no mention of this idea in the Conservative manifesto, but Boris Johnson disclosed it at a campaign event on a day when he was facing intense criticism for his response to questions about the boy sleeping on a hospital floor and CCHQ was anxious to find another story that might divert journalists. |
| Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary, has been defending the idea in interviews this morning (although not on the Today programme, which still seems to be the subject of a No 10 boycott). He told Sky News: | Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary, has been defending the idea in interviews this morning (although not on the Today programme, which still seems to be the subject of a No 10 boycott). He told Sky News: |
| He also said that under the current system people were “ending up in court for something that they wouldn’t in other walks of life, if they were paying bills to other companies and organisations”. | He also said that under the current system people were “ending up in court for something that they wouldn’t in other walks of life, if they were paying bills to other companies and organisations”. |
| Turning back to the BBC, the Evening Standard says in its splash that the corporation will respond to criticism of its election coverage by expanding coverage from outside London. In their story Joe Murphy and Sophia Sleigh report: | Turning back to the BBC, the Evening Standard says in its splash that the corporation will respond to criticism of its election coverage by expanding coverage from outside London. In their story Joe Murphy and Sophia Sleigh report: |
| Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary and a potential candidate for the Labour leadership, has threatened to sue Caroline Flint, a former parliamentary colleague, for saying that Thornberry once described leave voters as “stupid”. Thornberry said she was involving lawyers because Flint, who lost her seat in the election, refused to retract what she told Sky News yesterday alleging Thornberry had once told a colleague: “I’m glad my constituents aren’t as stupid as yours.” Thornberry says this is a lie. | Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary and a potential candidate for the Labour leadership, has threatened to sue Caroline Flint, a former parliamentary colleague, for saying that Thornberry once described leave voters as “stupid”. Thornberry said she was involving lawyers because Flint, who lost her seat in the election, refused to retract what she told Sky News yesterday alleging Thornberry had once told a colleague: “I’m glad my constituents aren’t as stupid as yours.” Thornberry says this is a lie. |
| At the No 10 lobby briefing the prime minister’s spokesman also declined an opportunity to contest today’s Times splash that says the government is going to review the way the Ministry of Defence spends billions on procurement. Asked about the story, the spokesman said the government was committed to a wide-ranging review of foreign and defence policy. He said: | At the No 10 lobby briefing the prime minister’s spokesman also declined an opportunity to contest today’s Times splash that says the government is going to review the way the Ministry of Defence spends billions on procurement. Asked about the story, the spokesman said the government was committed to a wide-ranging review of foreign and defence policy. He said: |
| The Times story points out that Dominic Cummings, who has resumed his role in No 10 as Boris Johnson’s most senior adviser, has described current MoD procurement as a farce. In its story (paywall) it says: | The Times story points out that Dominic Cummings, who has resumed his role in No 10 as Boris Johnson’s most senior adviser, has described current MoD procurement as a farce. In its story (paywall) it says: |
| I’m just back from the No 10 lobby briefing. It went on for quite a while, but it was not hugely illuminating. We certainly did not come away with any great new insights into the agenda of the new government. | I’m just back from the No 10 lobby briefing. It went on for quite a while, but it was not hugely illuminating. We certainly did not come away with any great new insights into the agenda of the new government. |
| Here are the main points. | Here are the main points. |
| The prime minister’s spokesman confirmed that the government would “start the process” of passing the Brexit withdrawal agreement bill before Christmas. It is understood that No 10 wants to hold the second reading debate on Friday, after the Queen’s speech on Thursday. But it would be unusual to hold a second reading debate a day after the Queen’s speech, and it is not clear yet whether the Speaker would approve this. | The prime minister’s spokesman confirmed that the government would “start the process” of passing the Brexit withdrawal agreement bill before Christmas. It is understood that No 10 wants to hold the second reading debate on Friday, after the Queen’s speech on Thursday. But it would be unusual to hold a second reading debate a day after the Queen’s speech, and it is not clear yet whether the Speaker would approve this. |
| The spokesman said Boris Johnson had now approved the intelligence and security committee’s report in Russian involvement in British politics for publication. This is the report that Johnson refused to publish before the election, prompting speculation that he was suppressing it because it would be embarrassing to the Conservatives. This means the ISC is now free to publish it. But the ISC does not currently exist, because a new ISC has to be appointed when the new parliament meets, and so the report is not expected to appear until a new ISC is formed at some point in the new year. The spokesman declined to say exactly when the PM decided the report was fit for publication. | The spokesman said Boris Johnson had now approved the intelligence and security committee’s report in Russian involvement in British politics for publication. This is the report that Johnson refused to publish before the election, prompting speculation that he was suppressing it because it would be embarrassing to the Conservatives. This means the ISC is now free to publish it. But the ISC does not currently exist, because a new ISC has to be appointed when the new parliament meets, and so the report is not expected to appear until a new ISC is formed at some point in the new year. The spokesman declined to say exactly when the PM decided the report was fit for publication. |
| The spokesman confirmed that the government would review whether non-payment of the TV licence fee should be decriminalised. | The spokesman confirmed that the government would review whether non-payment of the TV licence fee should be decriminalised. |
| The spokesman refused to say whether the withdrawal agreement bill due to be published this week would be exactly the same as the one given a second reading by MPs before the election. Asked about this, the spokesman said: | The spokesman refused to say whether the withdrawal agreement bill due to be published this week would be exactly the same as the one given a second reading by MPs before the election. Asked about this, the spokesman said: |
| The spokesman said the government would be aiming for “a Canada-style free trade agreement with no political alignment” in its talks with the EU on a post-Brexit trade deal. But he refused to say any more about the government’s strategy in those talks. | The spokesman said the government would be aiming for “a Canada-style free trade agreement with no political alignment” in its talks with the EU on a post-Brexit trade deal. But he refused to say any more about the government’s strategy in those talks. |
| The spokesman refused to confirm that a no-deal Brexit at the end of the transition period was still a possibility. Asked to confirm that this was a logical possibility if the UK and the EU failed to reach an agreement by the end of next year, the spokesman just said that it was in the interests of both the UK and the EU to get a Canada-style trade deal. | The spokesman refused to confirm that a no-deal Brexit at the end of the transition period was still a possibility. Asked to confirm that this was a logical possibility if the UK and the EU failed to reach an agreement by the end of next year, the spokesman just said that it was in the interests of both the UK and the EU to get a Canada-style trade deal. |
| Andy McDonald, the shadow transport secretary, has also given an interview to the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire. In it, he partly toned down his criticism of the BBC. He said that he was not blaming it for Labour’s defeat. And he said that he treasured it. But he repeated his claim that some of its coverage was slanted against Labour. He said: | Andy McDonald, the shadow transport secretary, has also given an interview to the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire. In it, he partly toned down his criticism of the BBC. He said that he was not blaming it for Labour’s defeat. And he said that he treasured it. But he repeated his claim that some of its coverage was slanted against Labour. He said: |
| Derbyshire said McDonald’s use of the word “consciously” on the Today programme this morning (see 9.48am) implied he thought BBC reporters were deliberately slanting coverage to increase the chances of a Conservative victory. McDonald replied: | Derbyshire said McDonald’s use of the word “consciously” on the Today programme this morning (see 9.48am) implied he thought BBC reporters were deliberately slanting coverage to increase the chances of a Conservative victory. McDonald replied: |
| McDonald said Labour would be reviewing what went wrong with its campaign, and he said he hoped the BBC would review its coverage too. | McDonald said Labour would be reviewing what went wrong with its campaign, and he said he hoped the BBC would review its coverage too. |
| The Labour MP Jonathan Reynolds has criticised his colleague Andy McDonald for part-blaming the BBC for their party’s defeat. (See 9.48am.) | The Labour MP Jonathan Reynolds has criticised his colleague Andy McDonald for part-blaming the BBC for their party’s defeat. (See 9.48am.) |
| According to the Press Association, Sajid Javid, the chancellor, declared: “Welcome to the people’s government,” as he left 11 Downing Street this morning. | According to the Press Association, Sajid Javid, the chancellor, declared: “Welcome to the people’s government,” as he left 11 Downing Street this morning. |
| Andy McDonald, the shadow transport secretary, told the Today programme this morning that he thought the BBC was partly to blame for Labour’s defeat at the election. In an interview with Justin Webb, McDonald said: | Andy McDonald, the shadow transport secretary, told the Today programme this morning that he thought the BBC was partly to blame for Labour’s defeat at the election. In an interview with Justin Webb, McDonald said: |
| When Webb asked him if he was blaming the BBC for the fact that Jeremy Corbyn did not win, McDonald replied: | When Webb asked him if he was blaming the BBC for the fact that Jeremy Corbyn did not win, McDonald replied: |
| Asked if he was saying the BBC “consciously” played a part in slanting coverage against Labour, McDonald replied: | Asked if he was saying the BBC “consciously” played a part in slanting coverage against Labour, McDonald replied: |
| McDonald seemed to be referring to the BBC political correspondent Alex Forsyth, who during one live broadcast referred to Boris Johnson winning “the majority that he so deserves.” From the context it seemed obvious to many that she meant to say “the majority he so desires”. | McDonald seemed to be referring to the BBC political correspondent Alex Forsyth, who during one live broadcast referred to Boris Johnson winning “the majority that he so deserves.” From the context it seemed obvious to many that she meant to say “the majority he so desires”. |
| Webb put it to McDonald that this was just “a slip of the tongue” and that it was “madness” to read too much into it. McDonald replied: | Webb put it to McDonald that this was just “a slip of the tongue” and that it was “madness” to read too much into it. McDonald replied: |
| As my colleagues Matthew Taylor and Jim Waterson report, the BBC is also under pressure at the moment from the government, with No 10 seriously considering decriminalising non-payment of the licence fee, while boycotting Radio 4’s Today programme over the broadcaster’s supposed anti-Tory bias. | As my colleagues Matthew Taylor and Jim Waterson report, the BBC is also under pressure at the moment from the government, with No 10 seriously considering decriminalising non-payment of the licence fee, while boycotting Radio 4’s Today programme over the broadcaster’s supposed anti-Tory bias. |
| Good morning. Or at least it is for newly-elected members of parliament, most of whom, of course, are Conservative. There are 109 new Tory MPs, and they have started arriving at Westminster already. The Commons is not sitting today – it does not commence formally until 2.30pm tomorrow, when MPs will assemble in the chamber to re-elect the Speaker - but MPs are coming to parliament to start the business of settling in. | Good morning. Or at least it is for newly-elected members of parliament, most of whom, of course, are Conservative. There are 109 new Tory MPs, and they have started arriving at Westminster already. The Commons is not sitting today – it does not commence formally until 2.30pm tomorrow, when MPs will assemble in the chamber to re-elect the Speaker - but MPs are coming to parliament to start the business of settling in. |
| Here are tweets from three newly-elected Tories. | Here are tweets from three newly-elected Tories. |
| From Christian Wakeford, MP for Bury South: | From Christian Wakeford, MP for Bury South: |
| From Aaron Bell, MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme: | From Aaron Bell, MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme: |
| From Jonathan Gullis, MP for Stoke-on-Trent North: | From Jonathan Gullis, MP for Stoke-on-Trent North: |
| Journalists are going to have to spend the next few months getting to know the new intake of MPs, because for most of us they are something of an unknown quantity. CCHQ may be keen to learn a bit more about them too. One consequence of a surprise election victory is that it results in people who were never expected to win getting into parliament. It remains to be seen whether the new Tories, particularly those elected to represent previously safe Labour seats, will end up behaving, culturally and politically, in similar ways to conventional Conservative MPs, or whether they will be noticeably different, pushing the party in a new direction. | Journalists are going to have to spend the next few months getting to know the new intake of MPs, because for most of us they are something of an unknown quantity. CCHQ may be keen to learn a bit more about them too. One consequence of a surprise election victory is that it results in people who were never expected to win getting into parliament. It remains to be seen whether the new Tories, particularly those elected to represent previously safe Labour seats, will end up behaving, culturally and politically, in similar ways to conventional Conservative MPs, or whether they will be noticeably different, pushing the party in a new direction. |
| Boris Johnson reportedly wants the party to change. According to the Sunday Times (paywall), after the exit poll was announced on Thursday night he told his team: | Boris Johnson reportedly wants the party to change. According to the Sunday Times (paywall), after the exit poll was announced on Thursday night he told his team: |
| One of the big questions in politics over the next parliament will be whether or not Johnson does transform his party in the way he is proposing. | One of the big questions in politics over the next parliament will be whether or not Johnson does transform his party in the way he is proposing. |
| And as new Conservative MPs arrive at Westminster, Labour MPs are preoccupied with the inquest into their defeat, and the forthcoming leadership contest. | And as new Conservative MPs arrive at Westminster, Labour MPs are preoccupied with the inquest into their defeat, and the forthcoming leadership contest. |
| Here is the agenda for the day: | Here is the agenda for the day: |
| 11am: Downing Street lobby briefing. | 11am: Downing Street lobby briefing. |
| Early evening: Boris Johnson is due to address Tory MPs at a reception in Westminster. | Early evening: Boris Johnson is due to address Tory MPs at a reception in Westminster. |
| At some point today we are also due to get announcements from No 10 about who is being appointed to the two vacant cabinet posts – culture secretary (because Nicky Morgan stood down at the election) and Welsh secretary (because Alun Cairns “resigned” in the early stages of the election campaign over what he knew about the role of a former aide in sabotaging a rape trial). | At some point today we are also due to get announcements from No 10 about who is being appointed to the two vacant cabinet posts – culture secretary (because Nicky Morgan stood down at the election) and Welsh secretary (because Alun Cairns “resigned” in the early stages of the election campaign over what he knew about the role of a former aide in sabotaging a rape trial). |
| As usual, I will be covering breaking political news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web. I plan to publish a summary when I wrap up. | As usual, I will be covering breaking political news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web. I plan to publish a summary when I wrap up. |
| You can read all the latest Guardian politics articles here. Here is the Politico Europe roundup of this morning’s political news. And here is the PoliticsHome list of today’s top 10 must-reads. | You can read all the latest Guardian politics articles here. Here is the Politico Europe roundup of this morning’s political news. And here is the PoliticsHome list of today’s top 10 must-reads. |
| If you want to follow me or contact me on Twitter, I’m on @AndrewSparrow. | If you want to follow me or contact me on Twitter, I’m on @AndrewSparrow. |
| I try to monitor the comments below the line (BTL) but it is impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer questions, and if they are of general interest, I will post the question and reply above the line (ATL), although I can’t promise to do this for everyone. | I try to monitor the comments below the line (BTL) but it is impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer questions, and if they are of general interest, I will post the question and reply above the line (ATL), although I can’t promise to do this for everyone. |
| If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter. | If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter. |