ongoing, the latest there is that northern ireland are trailing 2—0 with minutes remaining. this programme continues on bbc one.

donald trump says his guilty verdicts are "a travesty". are his fellow republicans preparing to rip up the us legal system to protect him? here, sir keir starmer paves the way for diane abbott to be a labour candidate at the election. why the climb—down?

thank you very much. applause hello. welcome to newsnight, with you each week night with interviews and insight. our friday night political panel is here. sonia sodha — chief leader writer for the observer, and tom harwood — deputy political editor presenter at gb news. let's start by talking about donald trump. convicted felon donald trump. he is angry. a day after his guilty verdicts in that hush—money trial, he gave a ao—minute press conference at trump tower and said americans were living in a "fascist state". he called thejudge in his case "the devil", attacked joe biden and claimed — without any evidence — his trial had been "rigged". this is, uh, a case where if they can do this to me, they can do this to anyone. these are bad people. these are, in many cases, i believe, sick people. we just went through one of many experiences where we had a conflicted judge. highly conflicted.

there's never been a more conflicted judge. so i'm the leading person for president, and i'm under a gag order by a man that can't put two sentences together. you saw what happened to some of the witnesses that were on our side. they were literally crucified. i paid a lawyer, totally legal, i paid a lawyer a legal expense, and a bookkeeper — without any knowledge from me — marked it down on the books as a legal expense. so this is the crime that i committed, that i'm supposed to go to jailfor 187 years for. by the way, and nothing ever happened. there was no anything. nothing ever happened, and they know it. but they were as salacious as they could be. and it had nothing to do with the case, but it had to do with politics. but the press called it "slush fund" and all sorts of other things. "hush money". hush money. it's not hush money. it's called

a non—disclosure agreement. and it all comes out of the white house. crooked joe biden, the worst president in the history of our country. he's the worst president in the history of our country. the most incompetent. he's the dumbest president we've ever had. president, most incompetent president, and he's the most dishonest president we've ever had. we're dealing with a corrupt government. we have a corrupt country. our elections are corrupt, our borders are open. our borders are going to be closed very soon. november 5th is going to be the most important day in the history of our country. thank you very much, everybody. cheering and applause let's speak to a man who has watched american politics for 35 years. he's republican pollster frank luntz. thank you very much for talking to our audience. you've got your finger on the pulse. how is america feeling and how are you feeling? i’m

on the pulse. how is america feeling and how are you feeling?— and how are you feeling? i'm feeling as afraid as — and how are you feeling? i'm feeling as afraid as i've _ and how are you feeling? i'm feeling as afraid as i've ever— and how are you feeling? i'm feeling as afraid as i've ever been. - and how are you feeling? i'm feeling as afraid as i've ever been. afraid? l as afraid as i've ever been. afraid? afraid. it as afraid as i've ever been. afraid? afraid- it is — as afraid as i've ever been. afraid? afraid. it is not _ as afraid as i've ever been. afraid? afraid. it is not a _ as afraid as i've ever been. afraid? afraid. it is not a matter _ as afraid as i've ever been. afraid? afraid. it is not a matter of - afraid. it is not a matter of demonising and delegitimising someone, you are now dehumanising our opponents. there is no low republicans will not stoop to in attacking democrats and democrats will not stoop to in attacking republicans. we have stopped seeing each other as human beings and now we are just each other as human beings and now we arejust numbers. each other as human beings and now we are just numbers. and this anger and frustration and division, it is toxic. and it is destroying democracy. this is the number one place for news on the face of the globe, the bbc. and it is here that either we stand up and say, stop, enough, orwe either we stand up and say, stop, enough, or we could lose our democracy. enough, or we could lose our democracy-— enough, or we could lose our democracy. enough, or we could lose our democra . ., ., ., ., democracy. how do you get to that a ocal tic democracy. how do you get to that apocalyptic thought _ democracy. how do you get to that apocalyptic thought after _ democracy. how do you get to that apocalyptic thought after this - democracy. how do you get to that apocalyptic thought after this jury i apocalyptic thought after this jury has found donald trump guilty? and we will have, you will have your

democratic us presidential election in november. find democratic us presidential election in november-— democratic us presidential election in november. �* , ., ., ., in november. and it is amazing to me because 34 counts, _ in november. and it is amazing to me because 34 counts, felonies. - in november. and it is amazing to me because 34 counts, felonies. and - in november. and it is amazing to me because 34 counts, felonies. and you | because 34 counts, felonies. and you have seen the judicial system, the legal system politicised. because what they charged trump with is not what they charged trump with is not what they charged trump with is not what they have charged any other president who has had similar issues, and yet, trump does not accept in the way that he responds to these attacks is to be as vicious. he calls himself a political prisoner. i fought for decades to see political prisoner is released. donald trump is not a political prisoner. that said, the way the democrats have treated him, the way that he treats them, the way that voters now cannot talk to each other any more. we've got six, eight feet between us. in we have no reason, we fight with each other, we destroy each other —— in america, we have. we try only to win. it is not

the next election that is important, it is the next generation. why are so many young people so negative and so many young people so negative and so pessimistic? the future of the country is suffering. because their parents and grandparents are behaving so badly.— parents and grandparents are behaving so badly. parents and grandparents are behavin: so badl . ~ ., . , behaving so badly. what we have seen in the last 24 — behaving so badly. what we have seen in the last 24 hours _ behaving so badly. what we have seen in the last 24 hours is _ behaving so badly. what we have seen in the last 24 hours is the _ behaving so badly. what we have seen in the last 24 hours is the us - behaving so badly. what we have seen in the last 24 hours is the us legal - in the last 24 hours is the us legal system doing what it does. 12 men and women, peers of donald trump, they listens to all the evidence, they listens to all the evidence, they found him guilty on all those charges. —— they listen to. now he will appeal. charges. —— they listen to. now he willappeal. so charges. —— they listen to. now he will appeal. so the system is working, is it not? the will appeal. so the system is working, is it not? the problem is the ublic working, is it not? the problem is the public doesn't _ working, is it not? the problem is the public doesn't see _ working, is it not? the problem is the public doesn't see it _ working, is it not? the problem is the public doesn't see it is - the public doesn't see it is working. i agree with you, there is substance behind it. but the issue is the perception. 85% of americans say this is the most divided we have ever been, over 90% of people aged over 65 say so. we now believe it is toxic. it is no longer divisive, it is now toxic. i toxic. it is no longer divisive, it is now toxic— toxic. it is no longer divisive, it is now toxic. i know you've done a coule is now toxic. i know you've done a couale of — is now toxic. i know you've done a couple of focus _ is now toxic. i know you've done a couple of focus group _ is now toxic. i know you've done a couple of focus group since - is now toxic. i know you've done a couple of focus group since those | couple of focus group since those guilty verdicts came in, what are

people saying in terms of their sentiments?— people saying in terms of their sentiments? , , , ., sentiments? they were upset that these charges _ sentiments? they were upset that these charges were _ sentiments? they were upset that these charges were even - sentiments? they were upset that these charges were even brought. | these charges were even brought. they thought they were politicised. and i want to win —— i want to use the word they used, weaponise. but most of them thought donald trump was guilty. so if you do bring the charges at committees guilty, do not send him to jail, this does not disqualify him from being president because i do not think this is significant. the other challenges against him, the charges against him, those are significant. we are showin: him, those are significant. we are showing pictures _ him, those are significant. we are showing pictures of _ him, those are significant. we are showing pictures of your - him, those are significant. we are showing pictures of your focus - showing pictures of your focus groups now. why were they saying to you don't send him to jail?— you don't send him to “ail? because the don't you don't send him to “ail? because they don't think this — you don't send him to jail? because they don't think this rises _ you don't send him to jail? because they don't think this rises to - you don't send him to jail? because they don't think this rises to the - they don't think this rises to the level of jail time they don't think this rises to the level ofjail time and that is the point. everything now is a crisis. everything now is explosive and we cannotjust sit and everything now is explosive and we cannot just sit and talk to each other and negotiate with each other. and cooperate with each other. and i am advising you this. they are afraid that on election day, we are going to have violence. i've never heard voters ever say to me that

they believe, and it is more the trump people than the biden people, but it is happening on both sides that they believe that people are going to take to the streets and they are not going to accept the results of this election. and god help the people in the uk if you follow us. this is my warning to you. you are heading there during brexit. the same challenges we have in our democracy now is happening with you, back in 2018 and 2019. you fixed it. and i am trying to deliver a wake—up call to the media in how you cover it, and congratulations to the bbc because what you did as she played donald trump unedited for about two minutes at the beginning of this programme. that means you are serious, that means you are showing people without demonising him what he had to say. now, what he had to say something i never heard before. uses language no president has ever used. and if we continue to dehumanise each other, how'd we find common ground. ==

dehumanise each other, how'd we find common ground-— dehumanise each other, how'd we find common ground. -- he uses language. thank ou common ground. -- he uses language. thank you for— common ground. -- he uses language. thank you for talking _ common ground. -- he uses language. thank you for talking to _ common ground. -- he uses language. thank you for talking to our _ thank you for talking to our audience tonight, frank luntz. republican pollster, thank you. let's talk now to elizabeth pipko, a spokeswoman for the republican national committee — the party's main fundraising and campaigning body, which also runs the republican national convention, where donald trump's set to be confirmed as their candidate injuly. thank you for talking to us. i don't know if you heard the end of what frank luntz was saying, focus groups have suggested to him that there could be violence on the streets of the states after your us presidential election in november. as a result, partly, of some of the language of mr trump is using right now. , ., ., " language of mr trump is using right now. , ., �* now. yes, look, iwouldn't sayi issue the _ now. yes, look, iwouldn't sayi issue the same _ now. yes, look, iwouldn't sayi issue the same concerns. - now. yes, look, iwouldn't sayi issue the same concerns. i - now. yes, look, iwouldn't sayi issue the same concerns. i am. issue the same concerns. i am concerned about what has become of my country, i certainly am. it is not simply because i saw what i saw yesterday, the position i am in now and with you, but i am a proud american citizen whose parents gave up american citizen whose parents gave up everything, left the former soviet union so i could be born here

hoping to never have to see what i saw yesterday, hoping to never have to sit with you tonight and hear the words i heard tonight spoken by frank luntz that people are debating what happened yesterday it was weaponisation of our legal system, something that should never have happened. there is a lack of faith in the institutions in this country. we are talking about the legal system obviously because of what we saw yesterday, but also congress, the supreme court, and so other things. so the supreme court, and so other thins. the supreme court, and so other thins, y” the supreme court, and so other thins. ,, ., the supreme court, and so other thins. ., ., ., things. so if you are also worried, for: ive things. so if you are also worried, forgive me _ things. so if you are also worried, forgive me for— things. so if you are also worried, forgive me for interrupting. - things. so if you are also worried, forgive me for interrupting. if- things. so if you are also worried, forgive me for interrupting. if you j forgive me for interrupting. if you are also worried, does that not mean donald trump has a responsibility to calm things down? i donald trump has a responsibility to calm things down?— calm things down? i think he has a hue calm things down? i think he has a huge responsibility, _ calm things down? i think he has a huge responsibility, but— calm things down? i think he has a huge responsibility, but his - huge responsibility, but his responsibility is to the american people. and he is angry, they should also be angry, what happened yesterday was not ok. i wish to god what happened in 2015 when he announced he was running and the world turned against him did not happen and we would not be where we are today right now. but for the attacks that have come his way, what i have seen happen to him in the last eight years, it would not blame

him or anyone for being angry. i think the american people share that sentiment, they are furious. the response we saw yesterday. you say that they are — response we saw yesterday. you say that they are furious. _ response we saw yesterday. you say that they are furious. but _ that they are furious. but yesterday, what we saw was 12 men and women, peers of mr trump, listen to all the evidence from both sides a week after week after week and they came to the decision that he was guilty. that is how your system works. it was guilty. that is how your system works. , �* was guilty. that is how your system works. , ~ , ., , works. it is. and the question is whether the _ works. it is. and the question is whether the system _ works. it is. and the question is whether the system is - works. it is. and the question is whether the system is working | works. it is. and the question is. whether the system is working as works. it is. and the question is - whether the system is working as it should or whether it is being used. i think it is a fair question to ask. i hope to god you're right and it isjust our system ask. i hope to god you're right and it is just our system working as it should. it isjust our system working as it should. �* ~ , , ., ., should. but mr trump is going to a- eal. should. but mr trump is going to appeal- so _ should. but mr trump is going to appeal. so although _ should. but mr trump is going to appeal. so although he _ should. but mr trump is going to appeal. so although he said - should. but mr trump is going to appeal. so although he said the l appeal. so although he said the outcome yesterday, the trial was my country, he still using that system for his appeal. he country, he still using that system for his appeal-— for his appeal. he is, i don't know if he has any _ for his appeal. he is, i don't know if he has any other— for his appeal. he is, i don't know if he has any other choice. - for his appeal. he is, i don't know if he has any other choice. what l if he has any other choice. what we are not paying attention to is what happened before the trial was brought. there are countless irregularities in this case. this case was looked at by several agencies who did not want to bring

the case, it was only brought against president trump when he decided he was going to run again for office and it was also brought by a very political da, alvin bragg. forgive me for interrupting. all thatis forgive me for interrupting. all that is history. in the end, that jury that is history. in the end, that jury listened to every second of evidence and they came to their conclusions independently. right, but the case _ conclusions independently. right, but the case was _ conclusions independently. right, but the case was also _ conclusions independently. right, but the case was also incredibly i but the case was also incredibly unusual, based on an untested legal theory, it was brought in new york city after people asked for the case to be moved and a differentjudge and countless things and they were continuously denied. let and countless things and they were continuously denied.— and countless things and they were continuously denied. let me look to the future. — continuously denied. let me look to the future. if _ continuously denied. let me look to the future, if i _ continuously denied. let me look to the future, if i make? _ continuously denied. let me look to the future, ifi make? again, - the future, if i make? again, apologies. if donald trump does get re—elected, would you expect him to target, direct the offices of state at the legal system to exact some kind of revenge? i do at the legal system to exact some kind of revenge?— kind of revenge? i do not expect president trump _ kind of revenge? i do not expect president trump to _ kind of revenge? i do not expect president trump to target - kind of revenge? i do not expect i president trump to target anybody. kind of revenge? i do not expect - president trump to target anybody. i expect him to come into office and

do what he said, to unite this country, to bring success back to this country and unite us around success. the only thing that can work to put this country back on its feet. you interrupted me four or five times now, i understand you have a show to finish and we don't have a show to finish and we don't have that much time, but people are genuinely concerned. what happened in this case, i understand the result after six weeks of a child make sense, but unless you saw what happened before that and you heard the countless statements from alvin bragg saying he was running for this office he could target donald trump, i don't know if you understand the amount of concern half or if not more of this country share. when he was president. _ more of this country share. when he was president, didn't _ more of this country share. when he was president, didn't he _ more of this country share. when he was president, didn't he encourage. was president, didn't he encourage his attorney general to target his political opponents? i his attorney general to target his political opponents?— political opponents? i don't think that he did _ political opponents? i don't think that he did and _ political opponents? i don't think that he did and i _ political opponents? i don't think that he did and i don't _ political opponents? i don't think that he did and i don't think- that he did and i don't think anything he has done well compared to what we have seen from this administration and what we have seen from this district attorney, the attorney general in new york as well and from countless political leaders across this country since donald

trump left the office of the white house. less than four years ago, right now, i don't think anyone has been targeted like he has, i don't think our system has ever been use the wait has been used by this administration and this political da right now. administration and this political da riaht now. ., ., administration and this political da riaht now. ., ,, ,, , administration and this political da riaht now. ., ~' ,, , . administration and this political da riaht now. ., ,, , . ., right now. thank you very much for talkin: to right now. thank you very much for talking to our _ right now. thank you very much for talking to our british _ right now. thank you very much for talking to our british audience - talking to our british audience tonight, thank you.— talking to our british audience tonight, thank you. let's talk about politics there, and here, it's the end of the first full week of campaigning, ahead of our general election. let's get insight from our political panel — sonia sodha, who is chief leader writer for the observer, and tom harwood, deputy political editor and presenter at gb news. borisjohnson boris johnson sayings borisjohnson sayings the case against trump should never have been brought and it will help him win re—election, what to you think? think there is a fair bit of analysis there to make, one, this is widely seen to be the weakest case against trump and a built of a counting about hush money paid to a important star, it is the sort of

thing you would expect trump to be doing, it was priced in in his victory back in 2016. perhaps what would have been the more pernicious case to draw, and i perhaps shouldn't have used that word, but what would be the more advantageous a case to draw would be the florida case, the georgia case, which is of course about january, about the whole process of that presidential election, the lost votes, trying to engineer a different result through the one that people voted for. that is comint the one that people voted for. that is coming down _ the one that people voted for. that is coming down the track. but - the one that people voted for. that is coming down the track. but here j is coming down the track. but here is coming down the track. but here is the problem. — is coming down the track. but here is the problem, right. _ is coming down the track. but here is the problem, right. this - is coming down the track. but here is the problem, right. this first - is the problem, right. this first case was arrived at and so trump can just say they are trying to go after me, it is locker room talk, the rest of it, and...— of it, and... boris johnson is sa int of it, and... boris johnson is saying that- _ of it, and... boris johnson is saying that. and _ of it, and... boris johnson is saying that. and i _ of it, and... boris johnson is saying that. and i think- of it, and... boris johnson is| saying that. and i think there of it, and... boris johnson is i saying that. and i think there is some merit _ saying that. and i think there is some merit to _ saying that. and i think there is some merit to the _ saying that. and i think there is some merit to the argument. saying that. and i think there is. some merit to the argument that saying that. and i think there is - some merit to the argument that this case should not have been brought, and instead, that we should have been talking about the disgraceful attempts from donald trump to overturn the last election, but

instead we are talking about stormy daniels and that what drags this debate down.— daniels and that what drags this debate down. sonia, it is possible that donald _ debate down. sonia, it is possible that donald trump _ debate down. sonia, it is possible that donald trump will— debate down. sonia, it is possible that donald trump will be - that donald trump will be re—elected. it is possible that keir starmer could be the uk prime minister, that is an ex—director of public prosecution, potentially that room shaking hands with a convicted felon. �* , ,., , felon. absolutely, well if keir starmer finds _ felon. absolutely, well if keir starmer finds himself - felon. absolutely, well if keir starmer finds himself the - felon. absolutely, well if keirl starmer finds himself the next felon. absolutely, well if keir - starmer finds himself the next prime minister_ starmer finds himself the next prime minister of— starmer finds himself the next prime minister of this country, i mean will have — minister of this country, i mean will have to work with donald trump and he _ will have to work with donald trump and he said — will have to work with donald trump and he said will. there is no way that_ and he said will. there is no way that the — and he said will. there is no way that the prime minister of the uk could _ that the prime minister of the uk could not— that the prime minister of the uk could not you know, try and have a constructive — could not you know, try and have a constructive work, relationship with the president of the united states, so i the president of the united states, so i think— the president of the united states, so i think that is something that we will see _ so i think that is something that we will see i_ so i think that is something that we will see. i think what will be quite interesting, is what that means for the sort _ interesting, is what that means for the sort of— interesting, is what that means for the sort of politics of the labour party. _ the sort of politics of the labour party. if— the sort of politics of the labour party, if labour are the sort of politics of the labour party, if labourare in the sort of politics of the labour party, if labour are in government. so, party, if labour are in government. so. i_ party, if labour are in government. so. i imagine— party, if labour are in government. so, i imagine you know, we have been seeing _ so, i imagine you know, we have been seeing tensions in our own general election— seeing tensions in our own general election campaign round keir starmer's relationship with the lift left, i_ starmer's relationship with the lift left, i manage it might be a source of tension — left, i manage it might be a source of tension within the labour government, that relationship with,

a potential— government, that relationship with, a potential president trump. sure, let us talk more _ a potential president trump. sure, let us talk more about _ a potential president trump. sure, let us talk more about the - a potential president trump. sure, let us talk more about the first - let us talk more about the first full week of campaigning, here is a flavour of the last few days. they haven't given a reason for banning me. theyjust want me excluded. the whip has obviously been restored to her now, and she is free to go forward as a labour candidate. for all these reasons — austerity, brexit, - a cost—of—living crisis — for all these reasons, l the tory government deserves to be removed from office. _ i fell in five times. they were not all intentional, but it was a serious message that sewage is a big problem. my mum died in 2020, - at the height of the pandemic. a month after, you attended

a gathering where you got i a fixed penalty notice. and i'm sorry for what was going on in downing street, and for my part, i apologise. tom, what does the way keir starmer has handled the diane abbott case this week tell us about what kind of prime minister he might be, if labour win? prime minister he might be, if labour win?— labour win? they is the right auestion labour win? they is the right question to _ labour win? they is the right question to ask, _ labour win? they is the right question to ask, asking - labour win? they is the right| question to ask, asking about labour win? they is the right - question to ask, asking about how it will affect the general election, i am notre—dame sure lit affect it that much. but it rays questions about how keir starmer in number ten will operate, how he will balance the various issues in the labour party and various faction, the warring factions within the labour party. there is this eternal civil war between different groups in party e when corbyn was in charge headquarters, he tried to kick out certain people, now the other lot are if charge they try to kick out other people. what was most interesting, is where keir starmer

over the last three or four days or people round him, tried to take someone out and failed. and that shows that perhaps he is not all powerful, when it comes to making decisions. d0 powerful, when it comes to making decisions. , ., . . decisions. do you agree with that? perha -s decisions. do you agree with that? perhaps he — decisions. do you agree with that? perhaps he was — decisions. do you agree with that? perhaps he was overstretched - decisions. do you agree with that? perhaps he was overstretched and | perhaps he was overstretched and kicked _ perhaps he was overstretched and kicked round by the union bosses and angela _ kicked round by the union bosses and angela rayner. there a big difference between diane abbott and some of— difference between diane abbott and some of the other left wing candidates that have been excluded. diane _ candidates that have been excluded. diane abbott was handled badly. i agree _ diane abbott was handled badly. i agree with tom, this won't have massive — agree with tom, this won't have massive implication in terms of the election. _ massive implication in terms of the election, we are seen poll, they can't _ election, we are seen poll, they can't fully— election, we are seen poll, they can't fully capture to extent which this has— can't fully capture to extent which this has cut through but the indications are this hasn't made a bil indications are this hasn't made a big dent — indications are this hasn't made a big dent in — indications are this hasn't made a big dent in their poll ratings. it was ever— big dent in their poll ratings. it was ever thus, so on to first past the post. — was ever thus, so on to first past the post, both political parties are broadchurches, every labour leader, i broadchurches, every labour leader, i worked _ broadchurches, every labour leader, i worked for — broadchurches, every labour leader, i worked for ed miliband back in the day, every— i worked for ed miliband back in the day, every labour leader has to manage — day, every labour leader has to manage a — day, every labour leader has to manage a party, it is i think much more _ manage a party, it is i think much more difficult in opposition to

manage — more difficult in opposition to manage that broadchurch, sometimes than when _ manage that broadchurch, sometimes than when you are in government. | than when you are in government. mean if you than when you are in government. i mean if you were marking him, how do you think he is managing that broadchurch?— you think he is managing that broadchurch? ~ ., ._ broadchurch? well, i would say, i would say on _ broadchurch? well, i would say, i would say on diane _ broadchurch? well, i would say, i would say on diane abbott, - broadchurch? well, i would say, i would say on diane abbott, it - broadchurch? well, i would say, i would say on diane abbott, it has| would say on diane abbott, it has been _ would say on diane abbott, it has been handled poorly, i don't think there _ been handled poorly, i don't think there many people round keir starmer who would _ there many people round keir starmer who would privately say, try and make _ who would privately say, try and make the — who would privately say, try and make the case it has been handled welt _ make the case it has been handled welt is _ make the case it has been handled well. , ., make the case it has been handled well. . ., , ., , make the case it has been handled well. , ., , ., , ., well. is it him or the people round him? i well. is it him or the people round him? ithink— well. is it him or the people round him? | think it — well. is it him or the people round him? i think it is _ well. is it him or the people round him? i think it is always _ well. is it him or the people round him? i think it is always going - well. is it him or the people round him? i think it is always going to . him? i think it is always going to be a mixture. — him? i think it is always going to be a mixture, but— him? i think it is always going to be a mixture, but i _ him? i think it is always going to be a mixture, but i think- him? i think it is always going to be a mixture, but i think if- him? i think it is always going to be a mixture, but i think if you l be a mixture, but i think if you look— be a mixture, but i think if you look more _ be a mixture, but i think if you look more broadly, in terms of the handling _ look more broadly, in terms of the handling around kind of candidates, there _ handling around kind of candidates, there is— handling around kind of candidates, there is a _ handling around kind of candidates, there is a lot of complaints from there is a lot of complaints from the left — there is a lot of complaints from the left of— there is a lot of complaints from the left of the party about people being _ the left of the party about people being parachuted into seats late, about _ being parachuted into seats late, about certain candidates of the left being _ about certain candidates of the left being excluded because of complaints about conduct online, this always happens — about conduct online, this always happens and i would say actually it shows _ happens and i would say actually it shows that storm is quite effectively thinking about what parliamentary labour party he wan, you can _ parliamentary labour party he wan, you can see — parliamentary labour party he wan, you can see from some of the candidates that the party have been involved _ candidates that the party have been involved in — candidates that the party have been involved in selecting, they are selecting _ involved in selecting, they are selecting some very highly able

candidate, they are thelic about if we are _ candidate, they are thelic about if we are a — candidate, they are thelic about if we are a two term government who do wow want— we are a two term government who do wow want to _ we are a two term government who do wow want to be in our cabinet. there are some people _ wow want to be in our cabinet. there are some people who _ wow want to be in our cabinet. there are some people who have _ wow want to be in our cabinet. tues are some people who have discovered, let us take one case. lloyd russell, the day before dissolution, anonymous complaint about his behaviour was brought against him. he is not allowed to know who has made it. it dates back eight years and because that process has now kicked in, he is no allowed to stand for that seat. he is not allowed to clear his name. he will be out of a job as an mp for however many years the next parliament runs. that is a gross extension off power. but you can criticise — gross extension off power. but you can criticise those _ gross extension off power. but you can criticise those sorts _ gross extension off power. but you can criticise those sorts of- can criticise those sorts of processes and i don't think they are not necessarily, processes that are would _ not necessarily, processes that are would defend, but every labour leader. — would defend, but every labour leader. in— would defend, but every labour leader, in fact every party leader does _ leader, in fact every party leader does use — leader, in fact every party leader does use these kinds of processes so for example... does use these kinds of processes so for example- - -_ for example... every party leader uses anonymous... _

for example... every party leader uses anonymous... too - for example... every party leader uses anonymous... too if - for example... every party leader uses anonymous... too if you - for example... every party leader. uses anonymous... too if you look underjeremy _ uses anonymous... too if you look underjeremy corbyn _ uses anonymous... too if you look underjeremy corbyn for _ uses anonymous... too if you look underjeremy corbyn for example, j underjeremy corbyn for example, there was a key keir starmer ally, sally again son who was selected by a local party and who was deselected very late in the day, as a result of complaints, so, unfortunately, politics is a dirty business, you know, things, things happen like this. i don't think it is unusual though. in terms of diane abbott case, it has overshadowed a number of announcements this week, whether it is gb energy, whether it is easing the pressure on nhs waiting lists, and keir starmer today said she is free to go forward as a labour candidate. he could have done that 24 hours. labour candidate. he could have done that 24 hours-— that 24 hours. none of the announcements _ that 24 hours. none of the announcements are - that 24 hours. none of the announcements are new, . that 24 hours. none of the i announcements are new, he that 24 hours. none of the - announcements are new, he has announced them before, there is slightly more detail. gb energy was announced at the conference, in september, these are alljust repeating and this, non—is listening to this general election campaign, he could say anything on policy,

no—one is listening to, the country has made up its mind. the polls haven't budged for monday, rishi sunak has announced one new policy every day, it hasn't shifted thing, people are glazed over, this is not an election about policy, this is an election about punishment. but this is a reflection _ election about punishment. but this is a reflection of _ election about punishment. but this is a reflection of the _ election about punishment. but this is a reflection of the sort _ election about punishment. but this is a reflection of the sort of - is a reflection of the sort of general— is a reflection of the sort of general election campaign that labour— general election campaign that labour are intentionally running, so they are _ labour are intentionally running, so they are playing a risk—averse strategy. _ they are playing a risk—averse strategy, that is intentional because _ strategy, that is intentional because they want to convince voters. — because they want to convince voters, that they can deliver, and therefore — voters, that they can deliver, and therefore they don't mind if they -et therefore they don't mind if they get tarred with the brush of promising incremental change, they are going _ promising incremental change, they are going for exactly the opposite strategy— are going for exactly the opposite strategy ofjeremy are going for exactly the opposite strategy of jeremy corbyn are going for exactly the opposite strategy ofjeremy corbyn in 2019, where _ strategy ofjeremy corbyn in 2019, where it _ strategy ofjeremy corbyn in 2019, where it was a bells and whistles manifesto, lots of expensive pledge, people _ manifesto, lots of expensive pledge, people like the pledges but they didn't— people like the pledges but they didn't believe labour could deliver. let didn't believe labour could deliver. let us _ didn't believe labour could deliver. let us talk— didn't believe labour could deliver. let us talk about what the conservatives announced. the compulsory national service, the

triple lock and fly—tipping, policies that an feel a certain demographic, not i was going to ask why do you hate young people so much? you're making us go into the army,,. no, you'll have a choice, you'll have a choice. i've volunteered all my life. then you will love it. you will love it. why do i have to do it again when i am finally coming out of education? a cultural service is a good thing for our country and you'll have the choice. that happened today. i wonder if that young man was watching newsnight on tuesday when we spoke to conservative secretary of state for transport mark harper. look at what you've done for pensioners, look at what you've done for young people. you're going to force them to do national service, you've tripled their tuition fees. you froze the threshold at which they have to start paying back their student loan. you've extended the student loan repayment term from 30 to 40 years, meaning many graduates will be paying off the debt in their 60s. you invested only a third of what was recommended by the catch—up tsar to help kids catch up after the pandemic.

rents rose nearly 9% in the last year and houses are at their most expensive since 1876. that's why i ask, have the tories got a problem with young people? no, not at all. that's why, for example, we've cut national insurance contributions for working people. that applies to everyone who works for a living. we've increased the national living wage to a record level, to make sure those on the lowest incomes have had significant rises. you are under 30, tom harwood. do you think the conservatives have given up on young people? yes. do given up on young people? yes, do ou? it is given up on young people? yes, do you? it is evident. _ given up on young people? yes, do you? it is evident. they _ given up on young people? yes, do you? it is evident. they obviously l you? it is evident. they obviously have this is _ you? it is evident. they obviously have this is a _ you? it is evident. they obviously have this is a core _ you? it is evident. they obviously have this is a core vote _ you? it is evident. they obviously have this is a core vote retention | have this is a core vote retention strategy. anyone under the age of 64 doesn't matter to the government right now, they have looked at the poll, they have looked at the new polls that are out. i should mention there is a new poll out this evening sponsored by gb news this and the daily mail, and it shows what would be the largest labour majority in the history of the country, the tories going down to below 100 seats. this matters because this is

quite special form of poll, one of the big 10,000 voter polls using what is known as multilevel post vatfication, and that is very complicated, but it is all about individual level polling seats and... ., , , and... that will be terrifying. that is terrifying- _ and... that will be terrifying. that is terrifying. that _ and... that will be terrifying. that is terrifying. that is _ and... that will be terrifying. that is terrifying. that is why _ and... that will be terrifying. that is terrifying. that is why there - and... that will be terrifying. that is terrifying. that is why there is l is terrifying. that is why there is a lot a strut yes to mitigate losses. i a lot a strut yes to mitigate losses. ., ., . , . . losses. i would totally agree that. the other thing _ losses. i would totally agree that. the other thing i _ losses. i would totally agree that. the other thing i would _ losses. i would totally agree that. the other thing i would is - losses. i would totally agree that. the other thing i would is a - losses. i would totally agree that. the other thing i would is a when | the other thing i would is a when you see — the other thing i would is a when you see this kind of poll you might think— you see this kind of poll you might think that — you see this kind of poll you might think that labour people in labour hq think that labour people in labour h0 would — think that labour people in labour hq would jump think that labour people in labour hq wouldjump up think that labour people in labour hq would jump up and down in glee, they will— hq would jump up and down in glee, they will find it worrying because i think— they will find it worrying because i think the — they will find it worrying because i think the biggest risk for labour coming — think the biggest risk for labour coming back to what some of what tom was saying _ coming back to what some of what tom was saying about an anti—politics mood _ was saying about an anti—politics mood in— was saying about an anti—politics mood in the country, the risk is that— mood in the country, the risk is that people see these polls with labour — that people see these polls with labour 20 points ahead and they think— labour 20 points ahead and they think labour are going to walk this, don't _ think labour are going to walk this, don't need — think labour are going to walk this, don't need to bother voting, or i can go— don't need to bother voting, or i can go out— don't need to bother voting, or i can go out and vote as i did in the

local— can go out and vote as i did in the local election, so i don't need to vote _ local election, so i don't need to vote tactically in a westminster two horse _ vote tactically in a westminster two horse race, — vote tactically in a westminster two horse race, so labour are very, very worried _ horse race, so labour are very, very worried about — horse race, so labour are very, very worried about complacency setting in among _ worried about complacency setting in among voter, labour will walk this, therefore _ among voter, labour will walk this, therefore we don't need to vote for them _ therefore we don't need to vote for them so— therefore we don't need to vote for them. so they not going to be that pleased _ them. so they not going to be that leased. ~ ., , �* . ., pleased. when tony blair won in 1997, he pleased. when tony blair won in 1997. he won — pleased. when tony blair won in 1997, he won with _ pleased. when tony blair won in 1997, he won with a _ pleased. when tony blair won in 1997, he won with a 12.5 - pleased. when tony blair won in 1997, he won with a 12.5 poll- pleased. when tony blair won in l 1997, he won with a 12.5 poll lead. everyone is looking at the polls and projection of seats and saying the tories couldn't get below 100 seat, you will have to explain why the labour party is currently polling twice the lead that tony blair managed, to get, are all of the polls wrong? 0r managed, to get, are all of the polls wrong? or is there something completely broken about how we are... �* ., . completely broken about how we are... �* ., , are... before this massive poll came out, i are... before this massive poll came out. i know — are... before this massive poll came out. i know you _ are... before this massive poll came out, i know you have _ are... before this massive poll came out, i know you have messages - are... before this massive poll came j out, i know you have messages from tory mps on your phone, i had a conversation with one conservative mp who called the week thus far, an shit mp who called the week thus far, an sh1t show and that is before this

poll came out. i sh1t show and that is before this poll came out-— poll came out. i have had people messaging _ poll came out. i have had people messaging me — poll came out. i have had people messaging me who _ poll came out. i have had people messaging me who you - poll came out. i have had people messaging me who you would i poll came out. i have had people i messaging me who you would think poll came out. i have had people - messaging me who you would think had their seats guaranteed. some of the safe nest the country who want to know the detail of these new polls of, seat by seat, just to see if the tories are below 100 seat, seats that were held in 1997 are lost. you can see the — that were held in 1997 are lost. you can see the level— that were held in 1997 are lost. you can see the level of— that were held in 1997 are lost. you can see the level of despair, so you know, _ can see the level of despair, so you know. it _ can see the level of despair, so you know. it very. — can see the level of despair, so you know, it very, this very much is an election— know, it very, this very much is an election campaign that is being fronted — election campaign that is being fronted by rishi sunak, other cabinet — fronted by rishi sunak, other cabinet minister, you have david cameron— cabinet minister, you have david cameron who is on holiday, does feel like the _ cameron who is on holiday, does feel like the conservative party have given _ like the conservative party have given up — like the conservative party have given up. sir like the conservative party have tiven u. ., like the conservative party have t-ivenu. ., , like the conservative party have tivenu-. ., , ,, given up. sir ed davey looks like he is on holiday- _ is on holiday. he is living his best life what is the political strategy behind some of the stunts? i the political strategy behind some of the stunts?— of the stunts? i think it is quite a smart strategy. _ of the stunts? i think it is quite a smart strategy, because - of the stunts? i think it is quite a smart strategy, because if - of the stunts? i think it is quite a smart strategy, because if you i of the stunts? i think it is quite a . smart strategy, because if you are the liberal— smart strategy, because if you are the liberal democrats, and it is a campaign — the liberal democrats, and it is a campaign where where there is one party— campaign where where there is one party way— campaign where where there is one party way out in front in the poll there. _ party way out in front in the poll there. is— party way out in front in the poll there. is no— party way out in front in the poll there, is no prospect of a hung parliament as far as people are looking — parliament as far as people are looking at— parliament as far as people are looking at it. your number one challenge _ looking at it. your number one challenge as the liberal democrats is to get— challenge as the liberal democrats is to get people to talk about you,

a as third — is to get people to talk about you, a as third party, and to be fair to them, _ a as third party, and to be fair to them, he— a as third party, and to be fair to them, he looks a bit silly in some of the _ them, he looks a bit silly in some of the shot. — them, he looks a bit silly in some of the shot, he looks like he is having — of the shot, he looks like he is having a — of the shot, he looks like he is having a good time, sliding down a water— having a good time, sliding down a water slide — having a good time, sliding down a water slide in a rubber ring, but he is getting _ water slide in a rubber ring, but he is getting the lib dems talked about and some _ is getting the lib dems talked about and some of these shots, there is one baking — and some of these shots, there is one baking a cake taste linked to the lib— one baking a cake taste linked to the lib dem policy of free school meal, _ the lib dem policy of free school meal, they are getting policies talked — meal, they are getting policies talked about more than otherwise, any clem _ talked about more than otherwise, any clem inches is good news for the lib any clem inches is good news for the lib dems _ any clem inches is good news for the lib dems an— any clem inches is good news for the lib dems an it is working.— lib dems an it is working. 100%, he needs to lib dems an it is working. 10096, he needs to remind _ lib dems an it is working. 10096, he needs to remind people _ lib dems an it is working. 10096, he needs to remind people that - lib dems an it is working. 10096, he needs to remind people that the - lib dems an it is working. 10096, he needs to remind people that the libj needs to remind people that the lib dems exist, i am looking forward to him going zorbing or surfing or what is happening next. it is an endless round of entertainment which is brilliant for news the industry, but if they were going to announce a new policy on a tax change or a some extra standing we wouldn't be talking about it, we wouldn't have devoted much time. it talking about it, we wouldn't have devoted much time.— devoted much time. it says a lot about us in _ devoted much time. it says a lot about us in the _ devoted much time. it says a lot about us in the media. - it says a lot about us in the media. that's it from us tonight, i'll see you monday. have a great weekend