Summary

  • PM says commitment to spending 0.7% of GDP on foreign aid will remain

  • Labour focuses on education, blaming the Tories for "super-sized classes"

  • Lib Dem leader Tim Farron says activists and donors were "flocking" to the party on the back of its anti-Brexit message

  • Nicola Sturgeon launches council elections manifesto as a "clear choice" between SNP and Tories

  • The government has ditched controversial probate fee rises ahead of the 8 June election

  1. Corbyn 'will not back a second referendum'published at 14:36 British Summer Time 20 April 2017

    Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will not back a second referendum on the final Brexit deal, his spokesman has said.

  2. New prisons bill a 'top priority'published at 14:26 British Summer Time 20 April 2017

    There are calls for a new Prison and Courts Bill to be introduced by the next government.

    It comes after Commons Leader David Lidington confirmed the bill would be among those that will fall after the decision to call a snap election.

    The Bill contained a string of proposed changes, including powers to boost security in jails and crack down on the use of drugs and mobile phones, including those flown in by drones.

    Peter Dawson, director of the Prison Reform Trust says the bill was "far from perfect but had achieved cross-party support and contained some valuable measures to make prisons fit for the 21st Century". 

    "The next government, whatever its political complexion, should reintroduce a prisons bill as a top priority."

  3. Labour 'has consistently demanded a meaningful Brexit vote'published at 14:22 British Summer Time 20 April 2017

    On the prospect of Labour backing a second referendum on the final Brexit deal, a spokeswoman for Mr Corbyn said: "Our position hasn't changed and we have laid out our six tests for any Brexit deal.

    "We have consistently demanded a meaningful vote in Parliament and, as the government, will bring the deal we negotiate to Parliament before it is finalised to ensure democratic accountability.

    "We will be laying out all our policies, including on Brexit, in further detail in the coming weeks and next month in our manifesto."

  4. Shadow chancellor refuses to rule out second EU referendumpublished at 14:17 British Summer Time 20 April 2017

    John McDonnellImage source, PA

    Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has refused to rule out the possibility of a second EU referendum under a Labour government.

    While campaigning in Lewsey, a ward of Luton, Mr McDonnell was asked by the BBC if Labour would rule out categorically a second referendum on Brexit.

    He said: "Our policy position at the moment is that we will hold the government to account.

    "We've set out our tests on that. Beyond that our policies will be set out in our manifesto."

    He added: "We're making sure that whatever deal is done - hopefully under a Labour government - whatever deal is done it will be to protect our economy and protect jobs." 

    Asked if a vote for Labour could be a vote for a second referendum, Mr McDonnell repeated: "Our existing policy is holding this government to account and you'll see further policies within our manifesto across the whole range of issues." 

  5. 'More evidence of chaos'published at 14:10 British Summer Time 20 April 2017

    Conservative Party Chairman Patrick McLoughlin has criticised Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for refusing to rule out a referendum on the UK's deal with the EU.

    He said it would compromise the country's Brexit negotiations.

    Mr McLoughlin said it was "more evidence of chaos" from Mr Corbyn and Labour and shows the party "can't provide the strong and stable leadership Britain needs".

  6. Election halts flagship prison reformspublished at 14:00 British Summer Time 20 April 2017

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  7. Green Party co-leader's band tour during election campaignpublished at 13:43 British Summer Time 20 April 2017

    Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley is also a drummer in blues band The Mustangs.

    The band, according to their website, has a tour planned for several dates in May - in the middle of the election campaign.

    It looks like it will be a busy month for the politician.

  8. Clacton 'swamp drained'published at 13:40 British Summer Time 20 April 2017

    Former major UKIP donor Arron Banks, tweets...

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  9. Manchester Gorton by-election cancelledpublished at 13:35 British Summer Time 20 April 2017

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    The Commons has just approved a motion to cancel the Manchester Gorton by-election, due to be held on 4 May following the death of the incumbent Labour MP, Sir Gerald Kaufman.

    Because of the surprise general election, the current Parliament will be dissolved at 12:01am on 3 May and there will be no sitting Parliament for a winner of the contest to join. Manchester Gorton will instead choose its next MP as part of the general election on 8 June.

    Leader of the House David Lidington said cancelling the by-election would avoid "unnecessary expense and uncertainty".

  10. Corbyn's speech 'a good start' for Labour campaignpublished at 13:31 British Summer Time 20 April 2017

    The World at One
    BBC Radio 4

    Labour MP Lucy Powell told the programme that Jeremy Corbyn has to show “strength and energy” as an opposition leader during the election campaign.

    “Today seems a good start for that,” she said, referring to Mr Corbyn’s earlier speech.

  11. David Dimbleby to present his 10th election show, Daily Telegraph reportspublished at 13:29 British Summer Time 20 April 2017

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  12. Green Party seeks pact with Labour in Plymouth and Totnespublished at 13:23 British Summer Time 20 April 2017

    Oliver ColvileImage source, Conservative Party
    Image caption,

    Conservative Oliver Colvile held Plymouth Sutton and Devonport in 2015 by 523 votes

    The Green Party has said it may not field parliamentary candidates in some seats in Devon in a tactic calculated to help prevent a Conservative victory.

    It suggested it may stand down in Plymouth Sutton and Devonport to give Labour a better chance of winning the seat from the Tory MP Oliver Colville.

    In return it wants Labour to agree not to contest the Totnes seat.

    Dr Sarah Wollaston, Conservative MP for Totnes described the plans as "anti-democratic".

    Read more

  13. Watch: What is the political wash-up period and who is in control?published at 13:16 British Summer Time 20 April 2017

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  14. Watch: Green co-leader 'deepy disappointed' by rivals' reaction to a progressive alliancepublished at 13:14 British Summer Time 20 April 2017

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  15. Beaten Liverpool mayoral candidate wants to be MPpublished at 12:58 British Summer Time 20 April 2017

    Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson says he wants to become an MP in the city.

    Mr Anderson wanted to become Liverpool City Region's first mayor but lost out to Steve Rotheram, who will be Labour's candidate in the election on 4 May.

    Liverpool Walton MP Mr Rotheram has until 18:00 BST to say whether he will stand in the 8 June general election.

    The local Constituency Labour Party tweeted, external it was "likely to be having to choose a new candidate as Steve hopefully will be metro mayor by then".  

    Joe AndersonImage source, Getty Images
  16. Corbyn 'risks alienating large and medium-sized businesses'published at 12:57 British Summer Time 20 April 2017

    Prof William Harvey, from the University of Exeter Business School, said: “Jeremy Corbyn is adopting a strategy which risks alienating large and medium-sized businesses which play a vital role in creating employment and wealth for the very people whom he is seeking to serve.

    “He is right to require higher levels of transparency, governance and labour practices from these companies, but this needs to be tempered with recognition of their positive impact on the country’s economy and people’s lives – otherwise a large proportion of the electorate will not take him seriously.”

  17. Suzanne Evans 'very surprised' by Douglas Carswell's resignationpublished at 12:36 British Summer Time 20 April 2017

    The Daily Politics

    Suzanne Evans

    UKIP deputy chair Suzanne Evans says she is "very surprised" that Douglas Carswell has opted to stand down as an MP. 

    She told the Daily Politics Mr Carswell’s decision to back the Conservatives in the coming election might be “a little bit premature”, as the UKIP candidate for Clacton has not yet been selected.

    Ms Evans is writing the UKIP election manifesto.

  18. Committee statements and by-election writpublished at 12:31 British Summer Time 20 April 2017

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Sir Gerald KaufmanImage source, PA
    Image caption,

    A vacancy was created by the death of Labour MP Sir Gerald Kaufman, who represented the seat for more than 30 years

    Coming up after business questions, MPs will hear two statements from select committees.

    The Constitutional Affairs Committee has produced a report on "lessons learned from the EU referendum" and the Justice Committee has published a report on prison reform.

    MPs will also be asked to formally overturn the writ for a by-election in the Manchester Gorton constituency.

    The Cabinet Office said the election for the vacant seat, planned for 4 May, would now take place on 8 June as part of the nationwide polling day.

  19. Good wishes for fellow MPs, as campaigning startspublished at 12:31 British Summer Time 20 April 2017

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Media caption,

    The UUP's Danny Kinahan wishes MPs well in the general election campaign ahead.

  20. Reaction to Douglas Carswell's decision to stand downpublished at 12:30 British Summer Time 20 April 2017

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