This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2019/jun/27/tory-leadership-latest-news-boris-johnson-hunt-no-deal-brexit-could-shut-down-car-plants-in-uk-japan-tells-johnson-and-hunt-live-news

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
Tory leadership: Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt face members at party hustings - live news Tory leadership: Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt face members at party hustings - live news
(32 minutes later)
Q: What is your plan to encourage entrepreneurs?
Hunt says he thinks tuition fee interest rates are too highs. When he set his first business, he did not have student debt. That is what he wants to get rid of tuition fees for people who set up small businesses. Only a relatively small number of people would benefit.
Q: Boris Johnson says everyone will claim to be an entrepreneur.
Hunt says he will only waive fees for people who set up a business employing 10 people for five years. If too many people apply, that will be excellent.
Q: What relationship do you have with your foreign counterparts?
Hunt says he has good relationships with his counterparts. But they are direct relationships. A friend tells you how things are.
Q: The Japanese foreign minister is telling you not to go for no-deal? (See 9.23am.)
Hunt says the Japanese do say that. But he tells them that the British fought for democracy in the second world war. The Brexit decision must be honoured. If people think the UK will cancel Brexit to avoid no-deal, they are wrong.
Hunt says he would do everything possible to ensure Nicola Sturgeon could not exploit Brexit.
But he says more than 1m people in Scotland voted for Brexit. Their wishes have to be honoured.
Q: Why do you want to be prime minister?
Hunt says he wants to change the country.
He says it is a great country. If you are British, you have won the lottery ticket of life. But it could be better.
Q: Are you worried you could be the shortest-serving PM in history?
Hunt says that could happen if we get it wrong.
Q: If a no-deal Brexit was worse than you expected and it wall went wrong, would you resign?
Of course, says Hunt.
He says he does not want no deal.
But if he gets to October and there is no prospect of a deal, he would go for no-deal.
He says, as an entrepreneur, he wants to kick start the economy.
He says, as foreign secretary, he also wants Britain to walk tall in the world.
His dad was in the navy. His generation won the cold war. And he says he wants to increase defence spending. Britain is back, and its voice will be strong in the world.
He would be the first PM who had been responsible for the NHS. He has always thought the Tories need a social mission as well as an economic mission. And social care is crucial. He wants every older person to be treated with respect.
And he wants to help young people too. He wants to abolish illiteracy.
And he says he knows what it is like to win a marginal seats, he says.
He says he would aim to attract more young voters.
We can’t be the party of aspiration unless the most aspirational people are voting for us.
And he would promise not to hold an election until Brexit has happened.
He says, faced with Jeremy Corbyn, the Tories can do better. They can choose their own Jeremy.
He ends by saying he wants to deliver Brexit and unleash the potential of the UK.
Jeremy Hunt is speaking now.
He says it has been an amazing campaign. And he suggests it is time to bring the Tory conference back to Bournemouth.
Hunt suggest bringing Tory conference back to Bournemouth.
He says the internet has been kind to him. People have suggested various hashtags. One was HuntyMcHuntface. Be careful how you say that at home, he says.
He says the Tories are at a crucial moment. If they get it right, they can send Jeremy Corbyn packing.
He says the Tories have not talked enough about how to deliver Brexit. He is an entrepreneur. He asks the audience how many of them have set up a business. That is the Conservative party, he says - the party of business.
He says entrepreneurs know how to negotiate. And the first rule of a negotiation is being willing to walk away.
A Jeremy Hunt campaign video is now being shown.
Q: I’ve been thinking about the collective noun for Conservative members. A division, I think. What will you do to unite the party?
Johnson says sadly this is true.
But the problem has been caused by a lack of decision.
Once the UK is out of the EU, it will be easier to bring people together.
Voters think they cannot trust the Tories or Labour on this.
Q: Can they trust you?
Yes, says Johnson.
He will take people forward with his vision, including trust in the market and trust in private enterprise.
They have not been selling it properly. But it is time to get back to that tune, he says.
And that’s it.
Johnson expresses surprise it is over so soon.
Q: What can you do to help schools?
Johnson says the number one thing he will do when he gets into Number 10 will be to increase schools funding.
He says his core message is about “levelling up” this country.
Brexit happened because too many places felt left behind, he says.
He says there are 500 towns in the UK that could be doing so much better.
Q: How much extra will you spend on education?
Around £5bb, says Johnson.
Johnson says he would increase education spending by around £5bn.
Q: I have been waiting 40 years for Brexit. Would you be willing to prorogue parliaement to get Brexit through?
Johnson says he would rather trust the common sense of MPs.
Q: Yesterday you said you were not attracted to archaic devices like prorogation. Will you rule it out?
Johnson says he is not attracted to a no-deal either, but he won’t rule it out.
He is not attracted to the idea of proroguing parliament, and he does not think it will be necessary.
Q: [From a councillor who lost her seat at the election] What will you do to give the country a good transport system?Q: [From a councillor who lost her seat at the election] What will you do to give the country a good transport system?
Johnson apologises to the woman for her losing her seat. He says it was the fault of MPs for not delivering Brexit.Johnson apologises to the woman for her losing her seat. He says it was the fault of MPs for not delivering Brexit.
He says the UK has been a world leader in transport in the past.He says the UK has been a world leader in transport in the past.
Rail needs to be affordable. You need to have governments that can take tough choices, that can get reforms without causing the system to collapse.Rail needs to be affordable. You need to have governments that can take tough choices, that can get reforms without causing the system to collapse.
As London mayor he modernised the Tube. Some jobs had to go. The unions did not like it. Ticket offices were closed. But he got it done because he put his arm around Transport for London.As London mayor he modernised the Tube. Some jobs had to go. The unions did not like it. Ticket offices were closed. But he got it done because he put his arm around Transport for London.
You have got to love up the people you lead.You have got to love up the people you lead.
If you are a leader, you cannot just be a consumer. You have got to extol the service.If you are a leader, you cannot just be a consumer. You have got to extol the service.
(The RMT would probably contest this account of Johnson’s mayoralty.)(The RMT would probably contest this account of Johnson’s mayoralty.)
Q: How would you fix the care crisis?Q: How would you fix the care crisis?
Johnson says this is probably the biggest challenge facing the country (which is what he said about housing a moment ago).Johnson says this is probably the biggest challenge facing the country (which is what he said about housing a moment ago).
He says there should be a cross-party consensus. He would “literally” bring the parties together.He says there should be a cross-party consensus. He would “literally” bring the parties together.
Johnson calls for cross-party solution to adult social care.Johnson calls for cross-party solution to adult social care.
He says two principles should apply: that no one should be at risk of losing their home, and that everyone should be treated with dignity in old age.He says two principles should apply: that no one should be at risk of losing their home, and that everyone should be treated with dignity in old age.
Q: What will you do to all more people to own their own homes?Q: What will you do to all more people to own their own homes?
Johnson says this is the great challenge of the age.Johnson says this is the great challenge of the age.
He says infrastructure is key. He says Crossrail should be extended. He cites the huge amount of building going on in the Vauxhall area of London. Why is that? Because George Osborne agreed to build a new tube station there, funded by future revenue.He says infrastructure is key. He says Crossrail should be extended. He cites the huge amount of building going on in the Vauxhall area of London. Why is that? Because George Osborne agreed to build a new tube station there, funded by future revenue.
Q: What do you think of Jeremy Hunt’s plan to cut tuition fees for students who become entrepreneurs?Q: What do you think of Jeremy Hunt’s plan to cut tuition fees for students who become entrepreneurs?
Johnson says, under that plan, you would get a lot of people calling themselves entrepreneurs.Johnson says, under that plan, you would get a lot of people calling themselves entrepreneurs.
Q: Where will the money come from?Q: Where will the money come from?
Johnson says there is ample headroom.Johnson says there is ample headroom.
And he says there are some taxes you can cut, leading to an increase in revenue.And he says there are some taxes you can cut, leading to an increase in revenue.
He says he will adopt a “very, very progressive approach” to taxation.He says he will adopt a “very, very progressive approach” to taxation.
Johnson claims he will adopt a ‘very, very progressive approach’ to taxation. In an analysis out yesterday (pdf), the Institute for Fiscal Studies said almost the opposite about Johnson’s plans. It said one of his two main tax proposals would give £9bn to mostly the richest 10% of the population.Johnson claims he will adopt a ‘very, very progressive approach’ to taxation. In an analysis out yesterday (pdf), the Institute for Fiscal Studies said almost the opposite about Johnson’s plans. It said one of his two main tax proposals would give £9bn to mostly the richest 10% of the population.
Q: What will you do for special educational needs?Q: What will you do for special educational needs?
Johnson says every kid should have the best education.Johnson says every kid should have the best education.
He wants to level up, and fund education properly.He wants to level up, and fund education properly.
He says that is fundamental to Conservatism - giving people opportunity.He says that is fundamental to Conservatism - giving people opportunity.
And he includes further education in that - it can transform people’s lives.And he includes further education in that - it can transform people’s lives.
Johnson is now taking questions from the audience.Johnson is now taking questions from the audience.
Q: I will have to decide who is best for the country and who is best for the party. Who should be it?Q: I will have to decide who is best for the country and who is best for the party. Who should be it?
Johnson says he would be best for both. Delivering Brexit will lighten up the economy.Johnson says he would be best for both. Delivering Brexit will lighten up the economy.
Q: What comes first - country or party?Q: What comes first - country or party?
Both, says Johnson.Both, says Johnson.
Q: But what about the threat to the union.Q: But what about the threat to the union.
Johnson says the SNP will have their “guns spiked” by Brexit. They would have to promise to join the euro, join the Schengen area and give up control of fishing - just after getting it back.Johnson says the SNP will have their “guns spiked” by Brexit. They would have to promise to join the euro, join the Schengen area and give up control of fishing - just after getting it back.
Johnson claims Brexit will make it harder for the SNP to argue for independence.Johnson claims Brexit will make it harder for the SNP to argue for independence.
Q: Are you in contact with EU negotiators?Q: Are you in contact with EU negotiators?
Johnson says he is in contact with people around the world who are wishing him well. But he is not in contact with Michel Barnier. That would be “presumptious”.Johnson says he is in contact with people around the world who are wishing him well. But he is not in contact with Michel Barnier. That would be “presumptious”.
He says it is time for “a slight change in our approach”.He says it is time for “a slight change in our approach”.
He is a “very irenic kind of guy”, he says.He is a “very irenic kind of guy”, he says.
But in the end this is a great country. We have made a great offer to the EU, with the £39bn. There is a aBut in the end this is a great country. We have made a great offer to the EU, with the £39bn. There is a a
I think a little bit more resolve is called for and a little bit more sense that we can get this done.I think a little bit more resolve is called for and a little bit more sense that we can get this done.
Johnson says he wants to show “a little bit more resolve” in negotiations with the EU.Johnson says he wants to show “a little bit more resolve” in negotiations with the EU.
Q: Yesterday you said the chances of a no-deal Brexit were a million to one. Do you stand by that?Q: Yesterday you said the chances of a no-deal Brexit were a million to one. Do you stand by that?
Yes, says Johnson.Yes, says Johnson.
He claims there has been a “change of mood” at Westminster. MPs now know they have to get this over the line. If they don’t, there will be democratic retribution.He claims there has been a “change of mood” at Westminster. MPs now know they have to get this over the line. If they don’t, there will be democratic retribution.
Hannah Vaughan Jones, a journalist, is chairing. She is asking the first questions.
Q: Is it a lifelong ambition to be PM or are you doing it out of a sense of ambition?
Johnson says his sister Rachel says he once said he wanted to be world king. He disputes that. He has had lots of ambitions in his life. At one point he wanted to be a rock start.
Q: How would an Australian points-based system work?
Johnson says he wants to continue to attract talent.
The system should respond to the need of the economy. People should come to the UK in response to need. And they should come in a way that is democratically controlled.
Q: What are the downsides?
Johnson says we have not yet seen what the downsides are. Let’s look at the upsides, he says.
Q: What about non-workers, family members and students?
Johnson says family members already have a lot of rights.
On students, he starts waffling, saying Bournemouth has a good university, and he has one of its hoodies that he goes jogging in.
He says he would lift the cap on students coming to the UK. They would not be included.
Johnson says students should be excluded from his proposed points-system for immigrants.
Boris Johnson is now giving his opening speech.
He says the Conservatives are suffering because they have not delivered Brexit. But the darkest hour is before dawn, he says.
He says there are three things to do.
First, they need to get Brexit down by 31 October. If they don’t, they will erode trust.
Kick the can again, and we kick the bucket.
He says they need to disaggregate the withdrawal agreement, give the EU nationals their rights - he asks people to applaud this point, and they do - keep the money in “creative ambiguity”, and negotiate a new deal.
And the way to get a deal is to prepare for no deal, he says.
He says there are people who say it can’t happen.
I say nonsense. The planes will fly.
And after the UK is out, they can unite the country, this “awesome foursome”. This is what he did as London mayor, he says. He says he ensured London no longer had any of the poorest boroughs in the UK, and he brought people together.
And he will ensure there is full-fibre broadband across the UK.
He wants modern Conservatism. Over the last three years they have not done enough to make the moral case for Conservatism, he says.
Then the Tories can defeat Jeremy Corbyn, who would be an economic and political disaster.
Boris Johnson is going to go first.
At the hustings a Johnson campaign video is being shown first.
There is a live feed of the hustings here.
The Tory leadership hustings is starting soon.
According to ITV’s Paul Brand, people were queueing to get into the venue in Bournemouth two hours ago.
Queueing in Bournemouth for the next round of Tory hustings... pic.twitter.com/3VcRp6FoDN
Kezia Dugdale, the former Scottish Labour leader, has said there is a serious prospect that Jeremy Corbyn could agree to stage a second Scottish independence referendum, to win SNP support in a hung parliament.
In a BBC Scotland interview to mark her last full day as an MSP, Dugdale also said she believes Boris Johnson could take a gamble and call a second referendum if he wins the Conservative leadership contest. She said:
I can see a scenario where the SNP go to Jeremy Corbyn and say we will will vote for every one of your budgets in the lifetime of your parliament in return for indyref2 [a second independence referendum].
At that point the Labour party has to decide does it appease the SNP and give them indyref2 in order to be in power - or does it give up the prospect of being in power in order to protect the union?
She added that Johnson might “roll the dice on indyref2 because he feels like it”.
Dugdale has been a fierce critic of Corbyn’s leadership, and quit after two years as Scottish Labour leader in part because of their clashes over policy and Labour’s direction. She has now left frontline politics entirely, to become director of the John Smith Centre for public policy at Glasgow university.
Corbyn has recently denied he has any plans for informal deals or coalitions if he failed to win an outright Commons majority, and insists Labour would operate as a minority government.
His Scottish advisors are adamant Corbyn would not offer such a deal to the SNP. Even so, he has shown some ambivalence about a second referendum in the past, suggesting that if Scottish voters wanted one, that could not be ignored and he would decide once he became prime minister.
Dugdale said she believed the yes campaign would lose a second referendum – they lost by 45% to 55% in the 2014 vote, because of the significant economic challenges. The SNP needed to find credible answers on the economy and Scotland’s currency, she said.
Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP leader, claimed during the 2017 general election campaign that Dugdale had admitted soon after the UK voted to leave the EU in June 2016 that a new independence vote may be needed – a claim Dugdale angrily denied.
Ken Clarke, the father of the house of Commons and veteran Tory pro-European, has said that he does not think in practice either Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt would be willing to countenance a no-deal Brexit on 31 October - even though both Tory leadership candidates say they are keeping this option open. (See 5.26pm.) Clarke was speaking before another Conservative party hustings tonight, in Bournemouth, which will be the second in front of an audience of Conservative party members (and the third if you include last night’s digital one). It starts at 7pm, and I will be covering it live.
Jeremy Corbyn faces mounting dissent over the decision to readmit Chris Williamson to Labour, with the deputy leader, Tom Watson joining MPs and peers to demand he lose the whip, while nearly 70 Labour staff members wrote to express their outrage. Corbyn has said he was not personally involved in the decision to reinstate Williamson yesterday. The Labour MP Wes Streeting has described this as “handwringing nonsense”.
This is handwringing nonsense. https://t.co/p6qkPw2Xry
Ministers have been told to investigate issues with universal credit after new estimates showed benefits overpayments and underpayments have reached their highest levels, the Press Association reports. Excessive payments of benefits excluding state pensions increased 4.6% to £4bn last year, the National Audit Office said. At the same time the Department of Work and Pensions was estimated to have underpaid claimants by £1.9bn, an increase of 2.2% in a year. These are the highest figures since the current method for estimating fraud and error was introduced in 2005/06. Gareth Davies, the head of the NAO, said the DWP must “work to understand the reasons for high fraud and error rates for Universal Credit”. “The value of fraud and error in benefit spending is a longstanding and costly issue for the department,” he added.
The top government official in charge of no-deal Brexit planning has quit just as the chances of crashing out of the EU appear to have increased.
PSA Group said it will build its new Vauxhall Astra car at its Ellesmere Port plant but only on the condition the government secures a good Brexit deal.
I will be covering the Tory hustings starting at 7pm, but for the next 45 minutes or so the blog will be on hold (unless something major happens).
At the press gallery lunch Ken Clarke also said that he did not believe Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt would take the UK out of the EU without a deal on 31 October, even though both of the claim they would be willing to do so. He explained:
I don’t think either candidate believes leaving with no-deal makes the slightest sense at all.
Jeremy hedges it, Boris does his usual thing of changing the way he expresses it day by day.
He’ll make his mind up what he’ll actually do regardless of what he has said if he actually finds himself prime minister.
And I’m sure Jeremy will start getting back common sense if he finds himself prime minister.
Neither of them thinks we’re going to leave with no deal on October 31 - it is in all practical terms utterly impossible.
Speaking at a press gallery lunch today, Ken Clarke, the veteran Tory pro-European, said the Brexit crisis was doing “terrible, terrible damage” to the political institutions of the country. He told journalists:
When you think no more ridiculous turn events can take place, another ridiculous turn of events does take place ...
The worrying thing for someone like me is that it is doing terrible, terrible damage to the political institutions of this country.
Politicians quite rightly are usually held with low regard.
I’ve never known politicians in a political system held in such contempt as they are by perfectly sensible members of the public at the moment.
And the traditional centre-right politics, centre-left politics is collapsing - as it is in the Western world... it’s a deep underlying discontent that people have lost confidence in their old, regular politicians, and regular blocs and so on.
At the moment we are at a fairly dire time and not making much progress towards getting out of it, it seems to me.