Rabu, 30 Oktober 2019

Parties gear up for 12 December election battle - BBC News

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Political parties are readying themselves for a general election campaign after MPs voted for a 12 December poll.

The legislation approved by MPs on Tuesday will later begin its passage through the House of Lords, where it is not expected to be opposed.

Boris Johnson says he is ready to fight a "tough" general election.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the snap poll gave a "once-in-a-generation" opportunity to transform the country.

His shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, said the election wouldn't just be about Brexit - telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It will be about austerity [and] about what's happened to our public service."

But Mr Johnson hopes the vote will give him a fresh mandate for his deal to leave the EU and break the current deadlock in Parliament.

He told Conservative MPs it was time for the country to "come together to get Brexit done", adding: "It'll be a tough election and we are going to do the best we can."

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he was "certainly not yearning for general election", but he believed it was "the only way to move the country forward".

The poll comes after the EU extended the UK's exit deadline to 31 January 2020 - although Brexit can happen earlier if a deal is agreed by MPs.

The leaders of the UK's main two political parties will face off for Prime Minister's Questions at midday on Wednesday.

What happens next?

  • The Early Parliamentary General Election Bill - which prompts the election - will be debated in the House of Lords on Wednesday
  • If peers make any amendments to the bill, it will head back to the Commons for MPs to approve or reject the changes
  • Once passed, the bill will receive Royal Assent - when the Queen formally agrees to the bill becoming law
  • On Monday 4 November, MPs are due to elect a new Speaker to replace John Bercow
  • Just after midnight on Wednesday 6 November, Parliament will be shut down or "dissolved" - meaning every seat in the House of Commons becomes vacant
  • Five weeks later, the country will go to the polls for the first December election since 1923

What have the other parties said?

The Liberal Democrats and the SNP both see the election as a chance to ask voters whether Brexit should happen at all.

Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson said the poll was "our best chance to elect a government to stop Brexit".

Asked if she would form a coalition government with Labour or the Conservatives, she said: "I can't be clearer - neither Boris Johnson nor Jeremy Corbyn is fit to be prime minister."

But deputy Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said the party was in discussions with Plaid Cyrmu and the Green Party "to see if we can work with them".

Mr McDonnell also said there would be "no deals, no coalitions" with other parties if Labour failed to win an overall majority.

For the SNP, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said an election was an opportunity for the country to hold another independence referendum.

"A win for the SNP will be an unequivocal and irresistible demand for Scotland's right to choose our own future," she said.

But the Scottish Conservatives claimed voting for their party would keep Scotland in the UK.

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage welcomed the election, tweeting the deadlock had been "broken" and "Brexit now has a chance to succeed".

But co-leader of the Green Party Jonathan Bartley said the poll should be "a climate election" and focus on environmental issues.

The legislation approved by MPs now must be rubberstamped by the House of Lords.

It would be pretty strange if unelected peers up the corridor from the green benches decided to say no or throw spanners in the works of a decision made by the House of Commons last night.

Unless something very strange happens, we are now on for an election.

Both sides are very, very nervous about what might unfold. And both sides are right to be nervous.

The two main party leaders, in a strange kind of mirror of each other, are happy campaigners, but divisive characters.

Both of them will try to set the agenda, but they can't know where this will all take us.

They can't know if it will be their issues they're able to talk about at length, but that's the glory of elections - it's up to voters to set the terms.

They decide the things they care about, they are interested in and they will put politicians on the spot about.

How did we get here?

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On Tuesday Mr Johnson's team tabled a one-page bill proposing a 12 December election to the Commons which needed the support of only a simple majority of MPs.

Labour's amendment to change the date of the proposed election from 12 to 9 December was rejected and MPs voted to back the government's original bill by 438 votes to 20.

More than 100 Labour MPs did not take part or abstained in Tuesday's crucial vote, while 11 voted against an election. A total of 127 Labour MPs, including Mr Corbyn, supported the election.

The bill, approved by MPs, paves the way for the first December election since 1923.

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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-50230931

2019-10-30 08:40:09Z
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Parties gear up for 12 December election battle - BBC News

Media playback is unsupported on your device

Political parties are readying themselves for a general election campaign after MPs voted for a 12 December poll.

The legislation approved by MPs on Tuesday will later begin its passage through the House of Lords, where it is not expected to be opposed.

Boris Johnson says he is ready to fight a "tough" general election.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the snap poll gave a "once-in-a-generation" opportunity to transform the country.

His shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, said the election wouldn't just be about Brexit - telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It will be about austerity [and] about what's happen to our public service."

But Mr Johnson hopes the vote will give him a fresh mandate for his deal to leave the EU and break the current deadlock in Parliament.

He told Conservative MPs it was time for the country to "come together to get Brexit done", adding: "It'll be a tough election and we are going to do the best we can."

The poll comes after the EU extended the UK's exit deadline to 31 January 2020 - although Brexit can happen earlier if a deal is agreed by MPs.

The leaders of the UK's main two political parties will face off for Prime Minister's Questions at midday on Wednesday.

What have the other parties said?

The Liberal Democrats and the SNP both see the election as a chance to ask voters whether Brexit should happen at all.

Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson said the poll was "our best chance to elect a government to stop Brexit".

Asked if she would form a coalition government with Labour or the Conservatives, she said: "I can't be clearer - neither Boris Johnson nor Jeremy Corbyn is fit to be prime minister."

Mr McDonnell also said there would be "no deals, no coalitions" with other parties if Labour failed to win an overall majority.

For the SNP, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said an election was an opportunity for the country to hold another independence referendum.

"A win for the SNP will be an unequivocal and irresistible demand for Scotland's right to choose our own future," she said.

But the Scottish Conservatives claimed voting for their party would keep Scotland in the UK.

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage welcomed the election, tweeting the deadlock had been "broken" and "Brexit now has a chance to succeed".

But co-leader of the Green Party Jonathan Bartley said the poll should be "a climate election" and focus on environmental issues.

When the House of Lords approves the election bill today then we will be on course for a 12 December winter election.

It is set to be one of the most unpredictable and epic elections of modern times.

Unpredictable, because Brexit totally overshadows it, but also because Brexit has totally reshaped our politics, too.

The main parties can no longer rely on the traditional class party residual loyalty. Instead, we have an emerging sort of identity culture politics which has changed the game entirely.

And epic in the sense that the sort of promises the two main parties are making are gargantuan huge spending promises.

It is going to be a titanic contest.

How did we get here?

Media playback is unsupported on your device

On Tuesday Mr Johnson's team tabled a one-page bill proposing a 12 December election to the Commons which needed the support of only a simple majority of MPs.

Labour's amendment to change the date of the proposed election from 12 to 9 December was rejected and MPs voted to back the government's original bill by 438 votes to 20.

More than 100 Labour MPs did not take part or abstained in Tuesday's crucial vote, while 11 voted against an election. A total of 127 Labour MPs, including Mr Corbyn, supported the election.

The bill, approved by MPs, paves the way for the first December election since 1923.

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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-50230931

2019-10-30 08:22:37Z
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Selasa, 29 Oktober 2019

Labour to back early general election - BBC News

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says his party will support an early general election as the government makes its pitch for a poll on 12 December.

Mr Corbyn said his condition of taking a no-deal Brexit off the table had "now been met" after the EU agreed to extend the deadline to 31 January 2020.

Shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon said Labour wanted Boris Johnson "out before Christmas", but did not confirm his party's preferred poll date.

MPs will vote on timings later.

The SNP and Liberal Democrats want a 9 December poll, saying it would prevent the prime minister from pushing his Brexit deal through Parliament.

The government bill published ahead of the Commons debate is for an early election on 12 December.

But No 10 sources have told the BBC they would accept 11 December to get opposition parties on-board.

Mr Corbyn told his shadow cabinet: "I have consistently said that we are ready for an election and our support is subject to a no-deal Brexit being off the table.

"We have now heard from the EU that the extension of Article 50 to 31 January has been confirmed, so for the next three months, our condition of taking no-deal off the table has now been met.

"We will now launch the most ambitious and radical campaign for real change our country has ever seen."

Mr Burgon said Labour would be pushing to get votes for 16 and 17-year-olds, as well as EU nationals so they can have their say.

But he added: "Even if we don't get those things we want, when push comes to shove, we are going to support an election."

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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-50221856

2019-10-29 11:16:51Z
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Brain illness spread by ticks has reached UK - BBC News

An infectious disease that can harm the brain and is spread to people by tick bites has been identified in ticks in the UK for the first time.

Public Health England (PHE) says it has confirmed cases of tick-borne encephalitis virus in ticks from two parts of England - Thetford Forest and an area on the Hampshire-Dorset border.

PHE says the risk to people is still "very low".

It is monitoring the situation to check how common the infected ticks may be.

What is it?

A tick is a tiny, spider-like creature that lives in undergrowth and on animals, including deer and dogs.

People who spend time walking in countryside areas where infected ticks can be found are at risk of being bitten and catching diseases they carry.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus is already circulating in mainland Europe and Scandinavia, as well as Asia.

Evidence now shows it has reached the UK.

How it got here is less clear. Experts say infected ticks may have hitched a ride on migratory birds.

Earlier this year, a European visitor, who has since recovered, became ill after being bitten by a tick while in the New Forest area, Public Health England says.

Further investigations revealed infected ticks were present in two locations in England.

Should I worry?

Ticks are becoming more common across many parts of the UK, largely due to increasing deer numbers. Being bitten by one doesn't necessarily mean you will get sick.

Dr Nick Phin, from Public Health England, said: ''These are early research findings and indicate the need for further work. However, the risk to the general public is currently assessed to be very low."

Most people who catch the virus will have no or only mild flu-like symptoms. But the disease can progress to affect the brain and central nervous system and can sometimes be fatal.

Ticks can also carry other diseases that can make people ill including Lyme disease.

Dr Phin said: "We are reminding people to be 'tick aware' and take tick precautions, particularly when visiting or working in areas with long grass such as woodlands, moorlands and parks."

What should I do?

  • To reduce the risk of being bitten, cover your skin, tuck your trousers into your socks, use insect repellent and stick to paths
  • If you are bitten, remove the tick with fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool found in chemists
  • Clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water
  • You should go to your GP if you think you may have been bitten by a tick in the past month and develop flu-like symptoms or a circular red rash

Ticks feed on the blood of animals and people.

They cannot jump or fly but live in vegetation and wait for a passing animal or human to climb on to.

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https://www.bbc.com/news/health-50206382

2019-10-29 09:04:04Z
CBMiKGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jb20vbmV3cy9oZWFsdGgtNTAyMDYzODLSASxodHRwczovL3d3dy5iYmMuY29tL25ld3MvYW1wL2hlYWx0aC01MDIwNjM4Mg
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Brain illness spread by ticks has reached UK - BBC News

An infectious disease that can harm the brain and is spread to people by tick bites has been identified in ticks in the UK for the first time.

Public Health England (PHE) says it has confirmed cases of tick-borne encephalitis virus in ticks from two parts of England - Thetford Forest and an area on the Hampshire-Dorset border.

PHE says the risk to people is still "very low".

It is monitoring the situation to check how common the infected ticks may be.

What is it?

A tick is a tiny, spider-like creature that lives in undergrowth and on animals, including deer and dogs.

People who spend time walking in countryside areas where infected ticks can be found are at risk of being bitten and catching diseases they carry.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus is already circulating in mainland Europe and Scandinavia, as well as Asia.

Evidence now shows it has reached the UK.

How it got here is less clear. Experts say infected ticks may have hitched a ride on migratory birds.

Earlier this year, a European visitor, who has since recovered, became ill after being bitten by a tick while in the New Forest area, Public Health England says.

Further investigations revealed infected ticks were present in two locations in England.

Should I worry?

Ticks are becoming more common across many parts of the UK, largely due to increasing deer numbers. Being bitten by one doesn't necessarily mean you will get sick.

Dr Nick Phin, from Public Health England, said: ''These are early research findings and indicate the need for further work. However, the risk to the general public is currently assessed to be very low."

Most people who catch the virus will have no or only mild flu-like symptoms. But the disease can progress to affect the brain and central nervous system and can sometimes be fatal.

Ticks can also carry other diseases that can make people ill including Lyme disease.

Dr Phin said: "We are reminding people to be 'tick aware' and take tick precautions, particularly when visiting or working in areas with long grass such as woodlands, moorlands and parks."

What should I do?

  • To reduce the risk of being bitten, cover your skin, tuck your trousers into your socks, use insect repellent and stick to paths
  • If you are bitten, remove the tick with fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool found in chemists
  • Clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water
  • You should go to your GP if you think you may have been bitten by a tick in the past month and develop flu-like symptoms or a circular red rash

Ticks feed on the blood of animals and people.

They cannot jump or fly but live in vegetation and wait for a passing animal or human to climb on to.

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https://www.bbc.com/news/health-50206382

2019-10-29 01:50:16Z
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Senin, 28 Oktober 2019

Brexit: European leaders agree extension to 31 January - BBC News

EU leaders have agreed in principle to extend Brexit until 31 January 2020 - meaning the UK will not leave as planned on Thursday.

EU Council President Donald Tusk said it was a "flextension" - meaning the UK could leave before the deadline if a deal was approved by Parliament.

It comes as MPs prepare to vote on proposals by Boris Johnson for an early general election on 12 December.

The SNP and Lib Dems have also proposed an election on 9 December.

The government has not ruled out getting behind that proposal date, if it fails to get its preferred date through the Commons later.

The UK was due to leave the EU on Thursday, but Mr Johnson was required to request an extension after Parliament failed to agree a Brexit deal.

The prime minister had repeatedly said the UK would leave on 31 October deadline with or without a deal, but the law - known as the Benn Act - requires him to accept the EU's extension offer.

The president of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, said the extension was "positive", and "gives time for the UK to make clear what it wants".

Boris Johnson's "do or die" pledge to leave by 31 October is no more - it is dead.

Many will see this as a no-deal Brexit being taken off the table, at least until 31 January.

So it will increase the arguments in the Commons that with no-deal parked, Parliament now has to make a decision on an election.

And that is what Mr Johnson will be trying to argue over the next few days.

For the PM, there is a risk of calling an election without Brexit being resolved, as he may be punished for it at the ballot box.

So, while it buys more time, it also creates an element of uncertainty for the prime minister.

He will now campaign for an election in the knowledge that he has failed in his signature policy which he campaigned for in the Conservative leadership election.

Mr Tusk will now seek the UK's formal agreement to the decision, before formalising the extension through a written procedure among the 27 other EU nations.

An EU official said they hoped for the process to be concluded by Tuesday or Wednesday.

MPs are due to vote on the prime minister's election call after 17:00 GMT.

Mr Johnson said if Parliament agreed to an election on 12 December, he would restart efforts to get his Withdrawal Agreement Bill - the legislation enacting the Brexit deal he struck with Brussels - into law.

The bill passed its first hurdle last week after MPs backed it at the second reading by a majority of 30.

But minutes later they voted against a timetable that would see it pass through Parliament in just three days, so the PM "paused" its progress.

Labour has repeatedly said it will not back an early general election until a no-deal Brexit is taken off the table.

The party was predicted to abstain in Monday's vote, effectively killing off the government's plans.

The SNP also said it would block the government's election attempt.

But it has broken with the Labour position and joined forces with the Liberal Democrats to push for an election on 9 December, provided there is an extension.

The SNP and Lib Dems have proposed a bill that would tweak the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 - the law which sets the time-frame for elections.

If passed, it would enable an election to take place with only a majority of one, rather than two-thirds of MPs.

Asked about the Lib Dem/SNP proposal, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said the government would "always look at every single option".

But he told BBC Breakfast: "The best way is to vote for the motion tonight. This Parliament is totally broken. Let the people decide the next step forward."

MPs have already twice rejected a call from the PM to hold a general election.

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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-50205603

2019-10-28 11:37:50Z
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Brexit: European leaders agree extension to 31 January - BBC News

EU leaders have agreed in principle to extend Brexit until 31 January 2020 - meaning the UK will not leave as planned on Thursday.

EU Council President Donald Tusk said it was a "flextension" - meaning the UK could leave before the deadline if a deal was approved by Parliament.

It comes as MPs prepare to vote on proposals by Boris Johnson for an early general election on 12 December.

The SNP and Lib Dems have also proposed an election on 9 December.

The government has not ruled out getting behind that proposal date, if it fails to get its preferred date through the Commons later.

The UK was due to leave the EU on Thursday, but Mr Johnson was required to request an extension after Parliament failed to agree a Brexit deal.

The prime minister had repeatedly said the UK would leave on 31 October deadline with or without a deal, but the law - known as the Benn Act - requires him to accept the EU's extension offer.

Boris Johnson's "do or die" pledge to leave by 31 October is no more - it is dead.

Many will see this as a no-deal Brexit being taken off the table, at least until 31 January.

So it will increase the arguments in the Commons that with no-deal parked, Parliament now has to make a decision on an election.

And that is what Mr Johnson will be trying to argue over the next few days.

For the PM, there is a risk of calling an election without Brexit being resolved, as he may be punished for it at the ballot box.

So, while it buys more time, it also creates an element uncertainty for the prime minister.

He will now campaign for an election in the knowledge that he has failed in his signature policy which he campaigned for in the Conservative leadership election.

Mr Tusk will now seek the UK's formal agreement to the decision, before formalising the extension through a written procedure among the 27 other EU nations.

An EU official said they hoped for the process to be concluded by Tuesday or Wednesday.

MPs are due to vote on the prime minister's election call after 17:00 GMT.

Mr Johnson said if Parliament agreed to an election on 12 December, he would restart efforts to get his Withdrawal Agreement Bill - the legislation enacting the Brexit deal he struck with Brussels - into law.

The bill passed its first hurdle last week after MPs backed it at the second reading by a majority of 30.

But minutes later they voted against a timetable that would see it pass through Parliament in just three days, so the PM "paused" its progress.

Labour has repeatedly said it will not back an early general election until a no-deal Brexit is taken off the table.

The party was predicted to abstain in Monday's vote, effectively killing off the government's plans.

The SNP also said it would block the government's election attempt.

But it has broken with the Labour position and joined forces with the Liberal Democrats to push for an election on 9 December, provided there is an extension.

The SNP and Lib Dems have proposed a bill that would tweak the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 - the law which sets the time-frame for elections.

If passed, it would enable an election to take place with only a majority of one, rather than two-thirds of MPs.

Asked about the Lib Dem/SNP proposal, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said the government would "always look at every single option".

But he told BBC Breakfast: "The best way is to vote for the motion tonight. This Parliament is totally broken. Let the people decide the next step forward."

MPs have already twice rejected a call from the PM to hold a general election.

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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-50205603

2019-10-28 10:10:45Z
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