The Chancellor says he wants to cut the “burden” of tax. But with that burden set to rise, he knows any specific pledge could set a myriad of traps

The Daily Politics

Diane Abbott is asked about the policing error.

She insists: "I do know my figures. I did seven interviews this morning, that was my seventh. I mis-spoke."

Image source, PA

Tim Farron has chosen Lewes today in part at least because the Conservative majority there is only just over 1,000 and he believes the Lib Dem candidate, Kelly-Marie Blundell, above, has a real chance of overturning that. 

He used part of his stump speech a short time ago to attack Labour, whom he described as "the worst opposition in living memory".

Eleanor Garnier
Political Correspondent

More from the PM's spokesman about the state of relations between May and Juncker.

Asked about reported assertions from Brussels that Brexit cannot be a success, he said: "Our position is unchanged, we are clear that we will make a success of Brexit and we will do a deal that works in the best interests of Britain and the European Union."

Asked twice whether the PM trusted EC President Jean-Claude Juncker, he only say: "We approach these talks with all parties in a constructive manner and with huge amounts of goodwill."

Image source, AFP

Theresa May has been engaging in a staple of the election campaign - visiting a factory - this morning. She's in the south west of England, St Ives in Cornwall, to be precise. It's a region the party won back from the Lib Dems in 2015 and is very keen to hang on to.

In a huddle with reporters a short time ago, Theresa May's spokesman was asked about that dinner party... it seems he didn't bite. The Daily Mail's political editor tells us:

Eleanor Garnier
Political Correspondent

Image source, get

The government last week lost a High Court bid to delay publication of its air pollution strategy and was told it must publish it before the June election, by a deadline of 9 May.

The prime minister's spokesman has now said the government will not appeal against this ruling.

He said it would publish the clean air plan "after the local election purdah period is over and before the deadline", which is 9 May.

Tim Farron, Lib Dem leader, is out campaigning this morning in Lewes, East Sussex. Surrounded by supporters, he issues a rallying cry.

He says people must vote Lib Dem to prevent a Brexit deal being "stitched up between bureaucrats and Eurocrats in the 21st-Century equivalent of smoked-filled rooms" and then "imposed" upon the country.

Just a quick precis of where we are so far this Tuesday:

• Labour wanted the day to be about its pledge to put an extra 10,000 police officers on the streets
• But shadow home secretary Diane Abbott had a hard time explaining the figures behind the policy - would it cost £300,000, £80m or £300m?
• Despite her troubles, Jeremy Corbyn has given her - and the policing pledge - his full support
• Elsewhere, rumours continue to swirl about how frosty relations really were between Theresa May and EC President Jean-Claude Juncker last week
• No. 10 and Home Secretary Amber Rudd have dismissed it all as "Brussels gossip", but former deputy PM Nick Clegg thinks it shows Team May lack the "agility and charm" needed for the Brexit negotiations
• Finally, George Osborne is starting work as editor of the London Evening Standard - but some angry taxi drivers have taken the opportunity to protest outside

If you were with us first thing, you'll remember we told you deputy Labour leader Tom Watson was planning a verbally creative attack on Boris Johnson today. He's calling him a "caggie-handed, cheese-headed fopdoodle". Well, this is him in action a short time ago, mid-speech to Usdaw union members.

It seems Theresa May's team are keen to keep coverage of her visit to Cornwall today in check. Steve Smith, deputy head of content at @cornwalllive, external, says his team are coming up against restrictions over how they cover it.

Victoria Derbyshire

Image source, Reuters

It was a 7am start for the Evening Standard's new editor.

We've yet to see the evidence of how George Osborne's first day went in black and white, but he may now be weighing up whether to report on a cab drivers' protest outside his offices.

It's also been pointed out that he borrowed a rival paper's motto this morning.

After tweeting:"Without fear or favour we'll provide the facts & analysis - and entertain along the way," the Financial Times editor replied:

Elsewhere this morning, the Greens are setting out their position on Brexit. The Guardian's Peter Walker is there and gives us some of the headlines from co-leader Caroline Lucas.

More from the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on his home secretary's apparent struggles with numbers on police costs earlier on LBC. He tells BBC deputy political editor John Pienaar that Diane Abbott has his "full support". 

Asked if Ms Abbott is truly on top of her brief, Mr Corbyn says: "Diane is fine and Diane has my full support." 

Asked how strong his faith and trust in Ms Abbott is, Mr Corbyn replies saying she is "someone who has received unparalleled levels of personal abuse during her whole political lifetime and career". 

Image source, PA

Several dozen protesters are gathering outside Northcliffe House in west London, home of the Evening Standard.

Sam Neve, a content executive at the Daily Mail, which shares the offices, says taxi drivers from the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association (LTDA) are now blocking the street.

The timing isn't a coincidence. It's former Tory chancellor George Osborne's first day in his new job editing the London paper.

The LTDA has cited recent allegations that Mr Osborne lobbied on behalf of rival Uber when he was chancellor.  

Reporters following Jeremy Corbyn in Southampton start on the very question that appeared to stump his home secretary earlier - how much will 10,000 extra police officers cost?

"£300m," he replies, succinctly.

Asked if he was embarrassed that Diane Abbott got her numbers wrong in an earlier interview with LBC radio show, he says: "Not at all."