Summary

  • Theresa May launches stinging attack on EU

  • She says they are trying to affect UK election

  • Followed dispute over Brexit 'divorce bill'

  • Corbyn says May trying to distract attention from economic failure at home

  • Parliament has now been dissolved

  • The general election is on 8 June

  1. Farron turns fire on Labourpublished at 11:57 British Summer Time 2 May 2017

    Tim Farron and Kelly-Marie BlundellImage 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".

    Quote Message

    Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party are obsessed with fighting the next leadership contest, infighting rather than standing up to this government and fighting for Britain."

  2. UK bringing 'goodwill' to the Brexit tablepublished at 11:46 British Summer Time 2 May 2017

    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."

  3. Pic: Theresa May visits Cornish factorypublished at 11:39 British Summer Time 2 May 2017

    Theresa May on factory visit in CornwallImage 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.

  4. 20 years ago todaypublished at 11:38 British Summer Time 2 May 2017

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  5. May spokesman keeps schtum on Junckerpublished at 11:37 British Summer Time 2 May 2017

    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:

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  6. Government will meet air pollution strategy deadlinepublished at 11:35 British Summer Time 2 May 2017

    Eleanor Garnier
    Political Correspondent

    Cyclist wearing maskImage 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.

  7. Vote Lib Dem to prevent Brexit 'stitch-up' - Farronpublished at 11:25 British Summer Time 2 May 2017

    Tim Farron

    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.

  8. Listen: Abbott police cost interview with LBCpublished at 11:21 British Summer Time 2 May 2017

    Media caption,

    Diane Abbott struggles when quizzed on police policy

  9. Brunch-time recappublished at 11:20 British Summer Time 2 May 2017

    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
  10. Watson addresses union memberspublished at 11:18 British Summer Time 2 May 2017

    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.

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  11. Journalists 'stopped from filming May'published at 11:14 British Summer Time 2 May 2017

    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.

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  12. Abbott interview 'a real toe-curler moment'published at 11:12 British Summer Time 2 May 2017

    BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith says:

    Victoria Derbyshire

    Quote Message

    This is a major policy announcement from Labour on crime. They want to show how they can afford to put more bobbies on the beat. Only it seems the woman in charge of the policy either has not done her homework or actually the numbers are a bit flaky. It is a real toe-curler moment and is probably going to be one of those moments of the election campaign. There's a serious point too. If you are aspiring to run our police forces - as Diane Abbott is - you have to know how you are going to pay for it and, frankly, in that respect Diane Abbott sounded a bit flaky.

  13. Osborne 'nicks Financial Times' mottopublished at 10:57 British Summer Time 2 May 2017

    George OsborneImage 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:

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  14. Greens launch Brexit strategypublished at 10:54 British Summer Time 2 May 2017

    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.

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  15. Abbott has received 'unparalleled levels of personal abuse'published at 10:42 British Summer Time 2 May 2017

    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". 

  16. Home secretary reacts to Abbott policing errorpublished at 10:40 British Summer Time 2 May 2017

    Sun's Westminster correspondent tweets:

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  17. Cab drivers stage protest outside Evening Standard officespublished at 10:39 British Summer Time 2 May 2017

    VanImage 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.  

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  18. Corbyn: I'm not embarrassed in the slightestpublished at 10:23 British Summer Time 2 May 2017

    Jeremy Corbyn

    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."  

    Quote Message

    We have corrected the figure and it will be clear now, today, and in the manifesto. I'm not embarrassed in the slightest."

  19. Pics: Jeremy Corbyn in Southampton to talk to voterspublished at 10:06 British Summer Time 2 May 2017

    Jeremy Corbyn meets voters
    Jeremy Corbyn meets a voter
  20. Elections this week: what you need to knowpublished at 10:00 British Summer Time 2 May 2017

    Polling station signImage source, Getty Images

    It's 37 days until the general election (we know you can't wait), but only two until many voters in the UK go to the polls, because on Thursday there are a whole host of elections taking place. 

    They'll be held in 34 councils in England, all 32 councils in Scotland and all 22 councils in Wales on 4 May 2017.

    In addition, six areas in England are voting for newly-created "combined local authority mayors".

    Doncaster and North Tyneside are also voting for local authority mayors, who are elected leaders of their respective councils.

    For more, check out our essential guide.