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'Britain deserves better than Boris Johnson', says new Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson - live news 'Britain deserves better than Boris Johnson,' says new Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson - live news
(32 minutes later)
Here is my colleague Peter Walker’s profile of Jo Swinson.
Jo Swinson: youthful veteran long seen as natural heir to Vince Cable
In the Commons Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, is making a statement about the situation in the Gulf.
He says the seizure of the British-flagged Stena Impero was an act of state piracy.
He says the UK will try to put together a European-led mission to protect ships in the Gulf. He says it will not be part of the US maximum pressure policy on Iran, because the UK remains committed to the Iran nuclear deal.
He says British-flagged ships will be asked to advise the government on when they are planning to sail through the Strait of Hormuz, so that they can be offered assistance.
He says Iran may end up with an increased foreign naval presence on its doorstep. But if that happens, Iran only has itself to blame, he says.
Here are the Lib Dem election results in full.
Some 106,075 ballot papers were issued, and 76,429 were returned, giving a turnout of 72 per cent.
Ed Davey: 28,021 (37%)Jo Swinson: 47,997 (63%)
Swinson says this is a time for working together.Swinson says this is a time for working together.
And she says she has a message for MPs in other parties: if you want to stop Brexit and Corbyn, work with the Lib Dems. My door is always open, she says.And she says she has a message for MPs in other parties: if you want to stop Brexit and Corbyn, work with the Lib Dems. My door is always open, she says.
And she says she has a message for people at home. If you want change, it is not enough to shout at the TV. Join us, she says.And she says she has a message for people at home. If you want change, it is not enough to shout at the TV. Join us, she says.
She winds up saying we should change politics so we can change the country.She winds up saying we should change politics so we can change the country.
Jo Swinson is still giving her victory speech.Jo Swinson is still giving her victory speech.
She says in 2017 she knew she had to stand in East Dunbartonshire again to try to win back her seat.She says in 2017 she knew she had to stand in East Dunbartonshire again to try to win back her seat.
The 2017 campaign was ugly, she says. But she says she had seen this already in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. That campaign was marked by Twitter trolls and rows about fake news.The 2017 campaign was ugly, she says. But she says she had seen this already in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. That campaign was marked by Twitter trolls and rows about fake news.
She says she felt sick in 2016 when Nigel Farage said leave won without a shot being filed. Just a week before Jo Cox had been murdered. But Farage did not seem to care, she says.She says she felt sick in 2016 when Nigel Farage said leave won without a shot being filed. Just a week before Jo Cox had been murdered. But Farage did not seem to care, she says.
She says the Lib Dems champion freedom. But Brexit means the next generation will be less free to work, live and love across Europe.She says the Lib Dems champion freedom. But Brexit means the next generation will be less free to work, live and love across Europe.
She talks about a rise in the number of hate crimes, and Islamophobia and antisemitism at the heart of politics. And she condemns President Trump. Ilhan Omar is a strong woman, she says. But because of what Trump says migrant women feel less safe.She talks about a rise in the number of hate crimes, and Islamophobia and antisemitism at the heart of politics. And she condemns President Trump. Ilhan Omar is a strong woman, she says. But because of what Trump says migrant women feel less safe.
Turning to Boris Johnson, she says he only cares about himself. Ask Kim Darroch. “Britain deserves better than Boris Johnson,” she says.Turning to Boris Johnson, she says he only cares about himself. Ask Kim Darroch. “Britain deserves better than Boris Johnson,” she says.
And, on Labour, she says any party that cannot decide on the biggest issue of our time does not deserve her time or her vote.And, on Labour, she says any party that cannot decide on the biggest issue of our time does not deserve her time or her vote.
Swinson says she stands her today not just as Lib Dem leader, but as a candidate for PM.Swinson says she stands her today not just as Lib Dem leader, but as a candidate for PM.
She says there is no limit to her ambition. She is ready to take her party into a general election and win it, she says.She says there is no limit to her ambition. She is ready to take her party into a general election and win it, she says.
Here is my colleague Peter Walker’s story on Jo Swinson’s election.Here is my colleague Peter Walker’s story on Jo Swinson’s election.
Jo Swinson elected new Lib Dem leaderJo Swinson elected new Lib Dem leader
Swinson says, when she decided to stand, she thought the challenge would be different. The Lib Dems were only on around 8% in the poll. New parties (ie Change UK) were after their vote.Swinson says, when she decided to stand, she thought the challenge would be different. The Lib Dems were only on around 8% in the poll. New parties (ie Change UK) were after their vote.
But now there has been a turnaround, she says. She says Liberal Democrats are winning again.But now there has been a turnaround, she says. She says Liberal Democrats are winning again.
She pays tribute to her two predecessors: to Tim Farron for saying after the referendum that the Lib Dems would be the party of remain, and to Sir Vince Cable for overseeing a transformation in the party’s fortunes.She pays tribute to her two predecessors: to Tim Farron for saying after the referendum that the Lib Dems would be the party of remain, and to Sir Vince Cable for overseeing a transformation in the party’s fortunes.
Jo Swinson is speaking now.Jo Swinson is speaking now.
She says she is “over the moon” to be elected leader.She says she is “over the moon” to be elected leader.
The Liberal Democrats are like a family to her, she says.The Liberal Democrats are like a family to her, she says.
She says liberalism is alive and thriving. And she will do whatever she can to stop Brexit, she says.She says liberalism is alive and thriving. And she will do whatever she can to stop Brexit, she says.
She says the Lib Dems will lead the revive the country needs.She says the Lib Dems will lead the revive the country needs.
She thanks her husband, the former Lib Dem MP Duncan Hames, and her mum, and says her two young children have brought her pure joy.She thanks her husband, the former Lib Dem MP Duncan Hames, and her mum, and says her two young children have brought her pure joy.
And she thanks Sir Ed Davey. She says he has carried himself in the campaign with grace. She has huge respect for him, and they agree on most things, she says. She says this did not make for an interesting contest. She is proud to call him a friend, and he will be central to her team, she says.And she thanks Sir Ed Davey. She says he has carried himself in the campaign with grace. She has huge respect for him, and they agree on most things, she says. She says this did not make for an interesting contest. She is proud to call him a friend, and he will be central to her team, she says.
Brinton reads out the resultsBrinton reads out the results
Ed Davey: 28,021Ed Davey: 28,021
Jo Swinson: 47,XXXJo Swinson: 47,XXX
(We could not hear the rest of Swinson’s tally because there was so much cheering.)(We could not hear the rest of Swinson’s tally because there was so much cheering.)
She says Cable has campaigned tirelessly for the Lib Dems’ recovery.She says Cable has campaigned tirelessly for the Lib Dems’ recovery.
The Lib Dems won more than 700 council seats this year, and the party is now running at about 20% in the polls.The Lib Dems won more than 700 council seats this year, and the party is now running at about 20% in the polls.
She says the Lib Dem leadership contest has been unlike the Tories’. Ed Davey and Jo Swinson have fought a courteous campaign, and they have respected each other.She says the Lib Dem leadership contest has been unlike the Tories’. Ed Davey and Jo Swinson have fought a courteous campaign, and they have respected each other.
They have shown that there is a different way of doing politics.They have shown that there is a different way of doing politics.
The message from members has been how hard it has been to decide, because both are exceptional candidates, she says.The message from members has been how hard it has been to decide, because both are exceptional candidates, she says.
Sal Brinton, the Lib Dem president, is making the announcement.Sal Brinton, the Lib Dem president, is making the announcement.
She pays tribute to Sir Vince Cable, the outgoing leader.She pays tribute to Sir Vince Cable, the outgoing leader.
We’re about to get the announcement.
In the House of Lords peers have just voted to keep the amendment to the Northern Ireland (executive formation) bill passed by MPs last week intended to stop a new prime minister proroguing parliament to stop the Commons blocking a no-deal Brexit.
BREAKING: Govt defeat as Peers vote 260-146 to back Commons bosltering of Lords amendt on #NIExecutiveBill to stop new Prime Minister proroguing #Parliament on a whimOppn Maj 114
The result of the Lib Dem leadership contest will be announced soon.
At the announcement of the new @LibDems leader. Result at 4pm. @joswinson or @EdwardJDavey? pic.twitter.com/moNVooaCV2
BBC News has just broadcast Laura Kuenssberg’s interview with Sir Alan Duncan. Here are the main points.
Sir Alan Duncan, the former Foreign Office minister, said he wanted the Commons to hold an effective confidence vote in Boris Johnson tomorrow to avoid a constitutional crisis. Some people may suspect that Duncan, a longstanding critic of Johnson’s was trying to bring him down before the Queen even had a chance to appoint him as PM on Wednesday afternoon. But Duncan put a more positive gloss on what he was doing. He said that this be the first time in living memory where a minority government changes PM mid-term and he said that, to avoid a “constitutional crisis”, he thought it was important to establish that Johnson had the confidence of the Commons. Speaking to Sky, Duncan said he would have voted to back Johnson. (See 3.40pm.)
Duncan said he did not know why John Bercow, the Speaker, turned down his application for a debate.
He cast doubt on Johnson’s ability to be a good PM, while claiming he was not motivated by animosity. Asked about his views of Johnson, he replied:
When I was his deputy I was totally loyal. We never had an argument. I never bad mouthed him. So I’ve served both foreign secretaries. And I’ve no doubt which of the two is the more capable and more competent. So I have very grave concerns that he flies by the seat of his pants, and it’s all a bit haphazard and ramshackle. But there’s no personal animosity of any sort. I just think he’s going to go smack into a crisis of government.
When asked if he thought Johnson was fit to be PM, Duncan replied:
I will never say that he’s unfit to be prime minister.
Duncan also claimed he wanted Johnson to succeed.
I’m a Conservative, I’m a patriot. I want him to succeed. My judgment says that it is going to be very, very difficult.
Sky’s Beth Rigby has also been speaking to Sir Alan Duncan.
Just interviewed Sir Alan too: he says he wanted to have an emergency vote to prove the House had confidence in the new PM and he would have been supportive. But also says Johnson administration is already on knife edge. More on @SkyNews imminently https://t.co/83usCpUcEC
I also asked Sir Alan if he would vote against a Johnson govt should he pursue a no deal exit. He said he’d never answer a Q like this but warns that Johnson would be foolish to follow this course
Sir Alan Duncan refuses to rule out voting against Boris Johnson in a no confidence motion to stop a no-deal Brexit.
Sir Alan: Why resigning now? “I wanted to do it in a polite way but with the ability some nice things about the PM and FCO. Given there might be a little bit of a rush in the middle of week I thought I’d do it before”
Sir Alan on the emergency debate. We’re on the edge of a difficult constitutional moment. PM changing mid-term when minority govt. It should be tested to see if the PM has a majority before the new PM goes to the palace.
Sir Alan: “It was a confidence vote in [Johnson]. I would have voted for him but I think there is doubt so in my view it is very important to get it launched in confidence rather than live with doubt.”
Sir Alan says he thinks Johnson would have won that confidence vote. But now it is launched in doubt: “I think he will be living on a knife edge”
A few words of explanation about the Alan Duncan story.
Sir Alan Duncan did not try to table a formal motion of no confidence in Boris Johnson. There seem to have been two reasons for this. First, Duncan was pushing for a vote tomorrow - after Johnson’s probable election as Tory leader, but before he gets appointed prime minister (which is due to happen on Wednesday afternoon). And, much more importantly, only the leader of the opposition can table a no confidence motion in the government that has to be debated. (Other MPs can table no confidence motions, but they just get printed as early day motions and then ignored.)
Instead, Duncan tried to use standing order 24 to hold an emergency debate on a motion that would have effectively amounted to a confidence vote in Johnson.
SO24 allows MPs to call for emergency debates on topical issues, normally held on the day an MP applies, and lasting for up to three hours.
But for an SO24 debate to happen, the Speaker has to allow the MP to apply, by making a very short speech in the Commons chamber, and the Speaker then decides whether it should go ahead. John Bercow has blocked this bid at the first hurdle; he is not even allowing Duncan to make his application in the chamber.
These are from the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg.
1. This is rather extraordinary - Sir Alan Duncan tells @bbcnews he quit govt so he could push for an emergency vote tomorrow, after the next PM is announced, to test if they can hold a majority
2. Duncan makes plain he has held doubts about Johnson's character for a long time, but angrily dismisses suggestions idea of holding a vote on a hypothetical Johnson govt before it's formed was personal - he says it was the way to avoid a much worse crisis in autumn
3. Sir Alan astonished that Bercow has turned his request down, and fears much bigger meltdown after recess when next PM can't hold a majority in the Commons - his critics may reckon he was trying to kill off a Johnson govt before he's even gone to the Palace
Here’s the motion Duncan wanted a vote on... pic.twitter.com/n1SyeVZtbC
More than 750 people may have missed out on their right to vote because of pilot schemes requiring them to prove their identity, the Press Association reports. Pilot schemes in 10 council areas for the local elections in England left “important questions” unanswered, the Electoral Commission said. Labour claimed the voter ID trials were evidence of a “blatant attempt by the Tories to rig the result of future elections” and called for the programme to be abandoned. But the government insisted the schemes revealed requiring voters to show ID was a “reasonable and proportionate measure” to tackle electoral fraud. The 10 trial areas in May’s elections were Braintree, Broxtowe, Craven, Derby, Mid-Sussex, North Kesteven, North West Leicestershire, Pendle, Watford and Woking.
A review published by the Electoral Commission found up to 2,083 voters were initially refused a ballot paper because they lacked the required ID, and up to 758 of them did not return to cast their vote. Out of all those who went to their polling station in the pilots, the proportion who could not show ID and who did not return to vote ranged from 0.03% to 0.7%.
The Cabinet Office also published its own review, saying the “overwhelming majority” of people were able to cast their vote despite the voter ID rules being piloted.
Charlie Elphicke has been suspended from the Conservative whip, party sources have said, following the news that he has been charged with three counts of sexual assault. His solicitor has said he is confident he will clear his name.
Boris Johnson has repeatedly said that if, as expected, he becomes prime minister on Wednesday, the UK will definitely leave the EU by 31 October. But a majority of voters, and even 50% of leave voters, do not believe that will happen, a YouGov poll has found.