Summary

  • Representatives of seven major political parties appeared in a live BBC debate

  • Debate began with tributes to London Bridge victims and emergency services

  • There were clashes over spending plans, the economy, the NHS, Brexit and immigration

  • PM returned to No 10 after terrorist incident to chair an emergency Cobra meeting

  • Parties suspend campaigning in London

  1. Politicians asked: Why should we trust you?published at 20:01 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2019

    The panel are asked: In an environment of lies and mistrust, why should we believe you?

    Plaid's Adam Price says he joined his party because he didn't see politics as a career but about what you really believe in.

    Conservative Rishi Sunak says trust is paramount and the single biggest thing to rebuild it is to deliver the result of the referendum.

    Nicola Sturgeon for the SNP says she has been campaigning for what she believes in long before it became electorally popular, and asks to be judged on her record in the Scottish government.

    Labour's Rebecca Long-Bailey says we need more honesty and that politicians get involved because they have a vision for society.

    Lib Dem Jo Swinson says she is a passionate Remainer who has put forward her cause even when people try to tell her to stop.

    Richard Tice says people are sick and tired of politicians promising and not delivering, so they need to get Brexit done.

    Caroline Lucas accuses some of the other panellists of turning issues into political footballs and says she gets angry when all politicians are tarred with the same brush.

  2. What are the parties promising you?published at 19:59 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2019

    Policy graphic

    As the questions on policy get under way, here's a reminder of what the UK's main parties are promising you.

    Our full guide - found here - helps you to compare where the parties currently stand on the key issues.

    It is updated when each party's manifesto is published. A manifesto is the full list of official pledges parties make to voters, explaining what they would do if elected.

  3. PM calls Cobra meeting later after London Bridge attackpublished at 19:58 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2019

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  4. Less personal attacks for Rishi Sunak than PMpublished at 19:57 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2019

    Jonathan Blake
    BBC political correspondent

    To state the obvious - Rishi Sunak isn’t Boris Johnson.

    So, although he's had a hard time over the Conservatives' record and plans, he doesn't draw the same level of personal attacks that his party leader might have by this stage.

  5. Plaid Cymru clearly hoping to win votes from Labourpublished at 19:55 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2019

    Jonathan Blake
    BBC political correspondent

    Plaid Cymru's Adam Price's attack on Corbyn's neutrality over Brexit is just one of many.

    In Wales the party is clearly hoping to win votes from disillusioned Labour voters.

    Remember Labour are in government here in Wales.

  6. Leaders on using nuclear weaponspublished at 19:53 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2019

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  7. Parties clash over Brexit stancespublished at 19:53 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2019

    Still on Brexit, Labour’s Rebecca Long-Bailey says her party's plan to renegotiate the PM's deal and then put it to a further referendum will "heal a divided country".

    She says Boris Johnson's plan could lead to "elongated" talks with the EU on a future trade deal.

    But the Brexit Party's Richard Tice says there is "no logic" in the Labour argument it can renegotiate the PM's deal in three months, but the government can't negotiate a trade deal with the EU before the end of the 11-month transition period that would follow.

    Rebecca Long-Bailey then has to defend Jeremy Corbyn's decision to stay "neutral" in a future Brexit referendum - she doesn't say which way she would campaign, saying she will "wait to see what the deal looks like".

    Plaid leader Adam Price attacks Mr Corbyn's neutral stance, saying it is "no wonder" that people don't have faith in politicians.

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  8. Tories' Sunak refuses to rule out no-deal Brexitpublished at 19:52 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2019

    The Conservatives' Rishi Sunak says the country must move forward, not remain in neutral.

    But he's challenged by Nicola Sturgeon who says getting Brexit done is the "biggest con of this election".

    She says trade talks have not started and if they're not complete in a year the UK faces another "no-deal cliff edge".

    The Brexit Party's Richard Tice intervenes, saying another referendum would be a "disaster for trust and democracy".

    He says it's vital to be prepared to walk away from negotiations.

    Nicola Sturgeon says nobody thinks a trade deal can be negotiated in a year, but will the Tories rule out a no-deal Brexit?

    Mr Sunak says people didn't think Mr Johnson could negotiate a withdrawal agreement in three months. But he declines to rule out no-deal.

    Media caption,

    Nicola Sturgeon: "We don't trust you!"

  9. Does Wales have the lowest wages?published at 19:50 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2019

    Reality Check

    Claim: Adam Price, the Plaid Cymru leader, said Wales had "the lowest wages across these islands"

    Verdict: Northern Ireland has a lower weekly pay average (median) than Wales.

    According to data from the Office for National Statistics, pay in Wales averages £446 a week.

    That's less than Scotland (£472) and the UK as a whole (£479).

    However, average weekly pay in Northern Ireland is below Wales, coming in at £432 (£14 a week lower than Wales).

  10. Nicola Sturgeon and Richard Tice come to blowspublished at 19:48 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2019

    Jonathan Blake
    BBC political correspondent

    Raised voices and wagging fingers - the first big clash comes between Nicola Sturgeon and Richard Tice over Brexit.

  11. Remain parties debate Brexitpublished at 19:44 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2019

    The next question is from a Remain-voter who feels Brexit is so far along it has to go ahead. She asks if a second referendum or revoking Article 50 to cancel Brexit isn't going against the wishes of 52% of voters and wasting a huge amount of time and money?

    Lib Dem Jo Swinson says that it's right people have a chance to choose a different path.

    She says the Brexit process is only just beginning and we’re in episode one of a 10 season box set. If you don’t like what you’ve seen so far, you don’t have to watch the rest, she says.

    Caroline Lucas for the Greens says more democracy can't be a bad thing, but just revoking Article 50 would be a "slap in the face" for Leave voters.

    Ms Swinson responds that if she was voted into government, she would have a democratic mandate.

  12. Swinson and Lucas 'trying to pin spending on Brexit'published at 19:41 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2019

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  13. Labour MP defends spending proposalspublished at 19:39 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2019

    Rishi Sunak again attacks Labour's spending plans, and another argument about the feasibility of the party's proposal begins.

    He says it is "simply not possible" for Labour to fund its plans by only taxing the rich, and "millions" will be affected by its plan to scrap a tax break for married couples.

    But Rebecca Long-Bailey says her party will cover increases in day-to-day spending through tax rises, and borrow for future investment.

    SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon is asked about compensation for so-called Waspi women affected by a rise in the state pension age - she says her party has "talked to other parties" about compensation.

  14. No mention of taxing richest 5% from Long-Bailey on spendingpublished at 19:36 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2019

    Jonathan Blake
    BBC political correspondent

    Interesting that Rebecca Long-Bailey is focussing on borrowing when asked how Labour will pay for its far-reaching spending plans.

    She makes no mention of taxing only the richest 5%.

    Perhaps it comes after Jeremy Corbyn came unstuck over some lower-earners paying more tax in the Andrew Neil interview.

  15. The pace is stepping uppublished at 19:33 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2019

    Jonathan Blake
    BBC political correspondent

    We've had our first attempt at a gag. Nicola Sturgeon takes a dig at the Brexit Party putting their spending plans “on the side of a bus”.

    There is just a murmur of approval from some in the audience. Tough crowd.

    And after a stilted start the pace is stepping up, with some feisty exchanges on the parties’ spending plans and the economy.

  16. Party leaders defend spending pledgespublished at 19:32 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2019

    Still on the subject of spending plans, SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon cites a report from the IFS think tank earlier this week, and says Labour and the Tories have not put out credible plans.

    Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson says both main parties "want to leave the European Union," and thus their plans "don't add up".

    She says her party has been up front about its plan to increase income tax rates by 1% to pay for better healthcare services.

    Caroline Lucas, from the Green Party, says Brexit is going to "make a real difference" to the economy, casting doubt over any spending plans.

    Brexit Party MEP Richard Tice says the country's economy would grow after Brexit.

    Plaid leader Adam Price says there should be better investment in under-performing regions such as Wales.

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  17. How do party spending plans compare?published at 19:30 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2019

    Reality Check

    Find more detail on the spending pledges from the Conservative Party, Labour Party and Liberal Democrats' manifestos here.

  18. Labour and Tory figures row over spendingpublished at 19:30 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2019

    The next question is on whether the parties can guarantee they will be able to deliver their spending plans if they get into government.

    Labour’s Rebecca Long-Bailey says her party has outlined "the most detailed" manifesto, with spending costed in a so-called 'grey book' alongside it.

    Chief Secretary to the Treasury Rishi Sunak says Tory plans are "fully costed," and attacks Labour's blueprint as "reckless".

    In reply, she says the Conservatives have "fabricated lies" about the scale of Tory spending - but Mr Sunak says Labour's proposals are "not credible".

  19. How will you tackle security issues?published at 19:28 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2019

    Panel

    The first question is from a retired chief inspector who says no amount of police will prevent terror attacks, so how will the panel tackle security issues?

    Rishi Sunak for the Conservatives says keeping people safe is the first duty of the government and his party will invest in police. But he also praises the public response.

    Labour's Rebecca Long-Bailey says violent crime has been increasing, and Labour will invest in community policing and counter-terrorism. Labour has also committed to the 2% Nato spending target.

    Nicola Sturgeon for the SNP says we have to retain access to the best intelligence - which is why leaving the EU is a mistake. She says the number of police officers is important in the speed of response to incidents like this.

    Liberal Democrat Jo Swinson says the community response is inspiring. She says the Lib Dems will increase police numbers and address safety on the streets, with police working with the NHS and social workers to take a public health approach to violent crime.

    Adam Price for Plaid Cymru says there is no single answer bu include getting greater resources and addressing the 9% fall of police numbers in Wales. He says a preventative approach to crime and radicalisation is the answer.

    Caroline Lucas for the Greens says politicians have a responsibility to ensure these incidents do not divide communities. She says the government needs to look again at the effectiveness of the Prevent programme.

    The Brexit Party's Richard Tice says all of us have to remain vigilant and increase police numbers on the streets.

  20. Has Scotland increased police numbers?published at 19:25 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2019

    Reality Check

    Nicola Sturgeon said that the SNP government in Scotland “has over the past decade increased and maintained police numbers”.

    She is right. In March 2007 there were 16,234 “full-time equivalent” police officers in Scotland. The latest figures, external say there are now 17,259 - an increase of 1,025.