Former Labour leader and Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, is appealing to unionist Scots to back Jeremy Corbyn.

In a letter directed at voters in seats Labour believes it can win back from the SNP, Mr Brown says voting for his party is the only way to prevent what he calls "another divisive referendum" on independence.

Mr Brown writes: "no matter which party you normally vote for, it's only a vote for your Scottish Labour candidate that can stop the SNP here".

Voting for either the Tories or the Liberal Democrats "won't stop another divisive referendum", Mr Brown claims. "It will only help the SNP win here and allow Nicola Sturgeon to use the result to continue her campaign for independence."

Mr Brown is credited with playing a key role in the successful campaign to keep Scotland in the Union in 2014.

Campaigning in Dewsbury, the Prime Minister is asked about her plans for tax. It follows an interview with the Defence Secretary, Michael Fallon, published in today's Daily Telegraph in which he stresses the Conservative's determination to keep taxes low.

Mrs May said: "Our plans on tax have been set out in the manifesto. We are a party that believes in low taxes. It's our firm intention to reduce taxes on ordinary working families. When people come to vote they know that they have a choice between a Conservative Party that always has been and always will be a party that believes in lower taxes and a Labour party whose manifesto we know will cost ordinary working people."

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Prime Minister Theresa May says voters have a choice between the Conservatives who will "reduce taxes" for ordinary working families - and Labour whose manifesto "will cost working people".

Speaking in West Yorkshire alongside former Tory leader William Hague, Mrs May hailed her "strong and stable leadership" over the Brexit negotiations.

She said her "direct message" is to the British people, which is if they want her team to get the Brexit arrangements right and carry out the will of the people who voted to leave the EU, "the only vote is a Conservative vote".

The Greens warn that ending free movement creates a “very real risk” to public services.

Gerard Coyne stood for election as general secretary of the union in April but lost to incumbent and Jeremy Corbyn supporter Len McCluskey.

Yesterday, Mr Coyne told Radio 4's Today programme that he planned to challenge that outcome on grounds that his supporters had been bullied and intimidated.

Mr McCluskey has previously said Mr Coyne's campaign amounted to a proxy war against Jeremy Corbyn run by a cabal of hostile MPs.

Identity and tradition still play a large part in elections in Northern Ireland

BBC Breakfast

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon was stating the "obvious" when he told the Daily Telegraph that high earners didn't need to worry about income tax rises under the Tories, according to Iain Duncan Smith.

The former work and pensions secretary told BBC Breakfast: "The Conservative party lowers tax."

Asked why this wasn't in the manifesto, he said the Tories were trying to get away from the "idea that you set out every single thing in detail saying we won't do this, we won't do that, we won't do the other because then you get a large shopping list".

Mr Duncan Smith said the principle in the manifesto was that the Conservatives would seek to lower tax.

Former Labour leader Ed Miliband, countering comments by Iain Duncan Smith, says debates do have an effect, particularly for leaders of the opposition.

He says Jeremy Corbyn has been "strengthening" with every public appearance, and "Theresa May weakening", adding: "I'm afraid strong and stable seems like a bit of a joke."

Mr Duncan Smith concedes that in all campaigns there will be "ups and downs, particularly when you are defending records - it's much more difficult as a government to defend a record".

But he says after last night's BBC Question Time appearance, people will see that Mrs May really is "strong and tough".

However, Mr Miliband says the PM "has lost the mantle of change", adding that he does not know what her vision is or her agenda for the country.

"Say what you like about Jeremy Corbyn... I do know what his agenda is: it's a more equal society, a more equal agenda and a clear ability last night to connect to the audience."

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Former Labour leader Ed Miliband has hailed Jeremy Corbyn's manifesto as "more radical than mine", but it is one "I'm proud to be associated with".

But ex-Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith says the Labour leader has "launched an 'anything you want campaign - whatever you want, whether it's tuition fees, we'll pay them off'".

He adds: "This manifesto is utterly irresponsible because it's trying to say to everybody: don't worry - there is an easy cheap simple way to get out of life... we'll borrow more and we'll tax those people who are very wealthy."

But Mr Miliband retorts: "In 2010 you said the deficit will be gone by 2015. In 2015 you said it will be gone in a couple of years. Now you're saying it's not going to be gone until 2025 - you have failed, austerity has failed."

BBC Breakfast

What will be the focus of the final five days of campaigning for Labour and the Conservatives? Kevin Maguire of the Daily Mirror and Katy Balls of the Spectator shared their predictions with BBC Breakfast.

On the Conservative campaign, Katy Balls predicted..."Brexit, again. We know that Lynton Crosby, the election strategist, has taken more control after some wobbles like the dementia tax u-turn. I think now it's going to be a very disciplined message. We're just going to hear about Brexit and defence."

On the Labour campaign, Kevin Maguire said: "Jeremy Corbyn will use that slogan - for the many not the few. Are you doing well or could Britain be doing better? Let's be ambitious for Britain. That's what he'll do. He'll push change. She (Theresa May) will push fear".

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith says he does not think election debates have much of an impact on the final result.

But, he says audience participation is better - as in last night's Question Time debate - than the televised seven-way head-to-head format that took place earlier this week.

The former work and pensions secretary said nuclear weapons had been "a big issue" for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who was repeatedly ask if he would fire them if Britain was under attack.

Mr Duncan Smith said:

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

UKIP former leader Nigel Farage is being asked about the reported FBI probe into individuals connected to US President Donald Trump, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange and Russia.

He says the FBI haven't been in touch with him and describes the story as "hysteria".

He claims the reports stem from the fact many people cannot accept Mr Trump won the American election - in the same way many people in the UK cannot accept Brexit.

While he knows Mr Trump, the people around him and has met Mr Assange once, he has no links with Russia - has never been there, never dealt with the country or borrowed money from the nation - but he has met the Russian ambassador in Britain, he says.

He says there is nothing new or unique about America or Russia interfering in elections.

There's been much discussion over whether Philip Hammond will remain at No 11, assuming the Conservatives win.

The Telegraph claimed, external minsters were tipping current Home Secretary Amber Rudd for a promotion to chancellor if the Conservatives win a "landslide" victory on Thursday.

Asked about the reports, Mr Hammond said: "I'm not going to comment on what happens on 9 June. We're focusing on 8 June.

"I'm not going to speculate on anything beyond the general election - I'm not going to comment on what the PM does on 9 June."

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"The mask has finally slipped," says Labour's shadow chancellor John McDonnell in response to the signals from senior Conservative ministers that they will not raise income tax.

"The only guarantee the Tories are prepared to give at this election is to big business and high earners, while low and middle income earners have seen no guarantee from Theresa May that their taxes won't be raised and pensioners are left to worry about whether they will be able to heat their homes or even keep their homes, with no clarity on cuts to winter fuel payments or the dementia tax," he says.