the liberal democrats criticise conservative cuts to the army, and the tories are having a go at labour. you have got keir starmer promising everything on defence, 2.5%, - when conditions allow. i would love to do everything i when conditions allow, it's just, you can't believe a word this guy says _ let's talk about money. you've talked about labour spending 2.5% of national income on defence, but you've not put a timeframe on it. isn't it meaningless without a time frame? we must increase defence spending to deal with the increasing threats we face. but by when? we'll undertake a defence review within the first year. we'll look at the threats we face, the capabilities we need, and we will set the plan to hit 2.5% as part of that review. labour look and sound very different on defence than they did. the question for you is how that might change your view of them, or not. chris mason, bbc news, in bury.

the conservatives say they want to update equality laws to define sex as someone�*s biological sex. they say current confusion over definitions cannot be allowed to continue, and updating the law would make biological sex a protected characteristic. that means it would be easier to create protected spaces for women and girls. labour say they wouldn't amend the law, and accuse the conservatives of stoking a culture war. here's alex forsyth. flanked by young footballers, the prime minister claimed today he was tackling an issue to improve the safety of women and girls. the conservatives want to change the equality act so sex would mean biological sex. they say that would make it clearer that single sex spaces, from public toilets to refuges, can be for biological women and girls only, not those born male, even they have legally changed their sex on their birth certificate. the equalities minister claims this is necessary because there has been

confusion and legal challenges over the issue. we have, you know, rapists being put in women's prisons and that being said to be legal. we can'tjust leave this and say, "oh, well, you know, we'lljust put out some more guidance." we've put out the guidance, it's not working, people going to court, endless tribunals. we need to settle this once and for all. labour point out there is already provision for single sex spaces. they would issue more guidance, but claim the tories are just trying to divert attention. we've seen, whether it's through this or national service, i think an attempt by the conservatives to generate some debates which are not about the economy, or the nhs, or law and order and criminaljustice to move away from those issues where the conservatives have an appalling record. even the lib dems, no stranger to political stunts of their own, called this a distraction to stoke a culture war. where a public service needs to have further guidance, we are happy to issue that guidance, but let's not pick apart legislation that reflects the hard—fought and hard—won protections given to women, to trans women, and to all sorts of people from protected characteristics.

the conservatives have been accused of trying to stoke tensions, not least in other political parties. they say it's a point of principle. this is a complex and sensitive area that can involve balancing the rights of those involved, and it's already been proven this issue is not easy to navigate. tensions were brought to the fore when the scottish government tried to change the law to make it easier for people to change their legal sex, only to be blocked by uk ministers. now the tories say decisions on this issue should be taken in westminster — not something welcomed by the snp. it's just another example of undermining the powers of the scottish parliament. now, obviously i don't want to see that, because i believe we should have a parliament with the full range of powers to tackle all of the issues that affect the people of scotland. so, a policy change that's needed, or an issue being used as a political football? another point of contention in this campaign. alex forsyth, bbc news.

the liberal democrats have called for new protections for rivers and coastlines, to end what they call "environmental vandalism". the party has announced an expansion of marine protected areas and a new blue flag status for rivers, which will be included in its general election manifesto. the lib dems�* deputy leader daisy cooper has been campaining in henley—on—thames in oxfordshire. the fact is that there's been this absolute environmental catastrophe of raw sewage being pumped into our rivers and streams for far too long now. liberal democrats have been at the forefront of trying to call for an end to water sewage dumping for the last three years. we put out lots of incredibly bold proposals to tax the sewage companies so they can pay for the clear up. we've called for an end to sewage dumping, and today we are calling for blue flag status. we've had blue flag status for many of our beaches around the country, which is a guarantee to people that it's a safe place to swim. we think there should be the

same for our rivers, as well. it’s a same for our rivers, as well. it's a little bit mid _ same for our rivers, as well. it's a little bit mid class, _ same for our rivers, as well. it's a little bit mid class, while - same for our rivers, as well. it's a little bit mid class, while swimming in the thames, but it's an indication of the quality of the water? h indication of the quality of the water? ~ , indication of the quality of the water? ~' , , , , water? i think will be surprised, there are people _ water? i think will be surprised, there are people across - water? i think will be surprised, there are people across the - water? i think will be surprised, . there are people across the country that use our lakes and rivers for fishing, swimming, for walking the dog, just for pure enjoyment, and a walk may be at the weekend. it doesn't matter where you are in the country, everything a person is outraged about this scandal with raw sewage. the fact that people cherish our local environment, it's good for your mental and physical health to get out and about, and i think people want to see in and to this raw sewage dumping. —— and and two. research by leading pollsters yougov indicates that labour are on track for victory, with an even bigger landslide than their historic win in 1997. their polling suggests that the conservatives are set to have the lowest number of mps in over a century — naming jacob rees—mogg, penny mordaunt, and grant shapps among those who could lose their seats. so what does this poll tell us? patrick english is the director

of political analytics at yougov. if the election was being held right now, and people had the current vote intentions for and what they were telling us was a reflection of what would happen at the ballot box, then labour would be on course for an historic win, the kind of when they've never seen before. they would have 422 constituencies, while the conservatives would be reduced down to mo. it's quite a remarkable turnaround, cast our minds back to only a few years ago and boris johnson was sauntering down with a huge majority of seats for every single day of the year. we are saying that in the course of one parliament, not only have labour managed to reduce that majority to nothing, and have a majority of their own of that size, but they've gone even further, doubling the majority of the size borisjohnson was able to put together, and putting a coalition for notjust the five years, but a decade of renewal planned that keir starmer has been

talking about on the campaign trail. patrick english there. the israeli army has confirmed the deaths of four hostages abducted by hamas on october 7th. one of them was named as israeli—british man nadav popplewell. hamas had said last month he had died of wounds. 120 hostages remain unaccounted for. work has begun today on the rob burrow centre for motor neurone disease — as tributes continue to pour in for the former rugby league star, who died yesterday aged ai. gfx fans have been laying flowers and cards at headingley stadium, where he played for leeds rhinos before his diagnosis with motor neurone disease five years ago. john maguire has this report. two, one... cheering and applause it's the moment that rob burrow was determined would go ahead today without delay. a spade went into the ground for the first time to create

the motor neurone disease centre in leeds that will bear his name. along with rob's family was his former team—mate kevin sinfield. between them, they've raised almost £15 million. some of that money will help to build this centre. it will be rob's legacy. i wish he could have seen the outpouring of love. i think we all lose special people, but it's very, very rare you lose someone who is so special to so many different people. rob's family say this new facility meant the world to him, and despite this being such a difficult day, it's a very proud moment. it's just amazing to be here today for rob. he'll be flying the flag, and we'll beat the drum, and we will keep doing it, raising money, and we will get a cure. not just the care centre - but a breakthrough for people

with mnd so it's not the hell on earth that it's been. - rob played a part in designing the centre purpose—built and a one—stop shop for patients and theirfamilies. well, in the hours since rob's death, the tributes have built and built here at headingley. he played for the leeds rhinos 400 times during his career and won absolutely everything there was to win. lots of shirts, flowers, scarves, and in particular this one seems to be the perfect sentiment. it says he was a legend on the pitch and a hero off it. the centre in his name will stand testament to his life, defined by determination and by defiance. john maguire, bbc news, leeds. and you can watch a bbc special programme about rob tonight on bbc one, at 8.30pm. that documentary�*s called there's only one rob burrow.

officers have arrested two men wanted by the french authorities over the death a young girl who was attempting to cross the channel in a small boat. seven—year—old sara died after boarding the vessel on a beach in northern france, on 23 april. the boat continued on into uk waters and those on board were brought to shore. the pair, sudanese nationals aged 19 and 2a, were detained in london. they are wanted by the french authorities on suspicion of causing the death. hm revenue and customs has apologised after about half a million people went without their child benefit payment today. they now say those who didn't get there benefit will receive it on wednesday. about 30% of today's scheduled payments didn't go through. many parents took to social media to complain about the missing payments, with some saying its left them unable to buy food.

despite the wet and dull conditions some of the uk has been having, it turns out it has been the warmest may — and spring — since records began in 1884. so how has this happened? bbc weather�*s ben rich gave me some clarity on these record—breaking temperatures. yes, it has been the warmest spring on record, the warmest may on record. it's also been the six the wettest spring on record. so how's all that happened to? well, a few different things. one thing about may particularly as we've had some high temperatures in the north of the uk, so temperatures in scotland have been well above the previous records will stop so obviously, we take an average across the uk, temperatures in one part of the uk will push that whole average upwards. but the other thing we've seen this spring, and this has been a future right across the spring really, is some really warm nights —— a feature. we haven't had many cold nights. spring is a transition season, the transition from winter towards summer, it's not summer yet — of course we still get cold nights in spring, but we haven't seen many

of those. now one thing — a lot of things that people have been asking me, how is it so warm in spite of all that cloud and rain? cloudy weather at night keeps the temperatures up, the cloud act like a blanket. so partly because of that cloud, we've had some really warm nights pushing those averages up overall. since russia's full—scale invasion of ukraine, the crackdown on dissent inside russia has been intense, and getting worse. a string of repressive laws have been adopted to silence criticism of the war, and the kremlin. but, as steve rosenberg reports, some russians are still finding ways to express their deep concerns. there are some faces you expect to see now in any russian town. but there are faces, too, that may surprise you. in ivanovo, this is the george orwell library — an oasis of free thought in an increasingly repressive russia.

alexandra runs the library, which opened after the invasion of ukraine. there are books on russia's totalitarian past and dystopian novels about big brother controlling you. so, what are the lessons of orwell�*s 1984 for russia 202a? translation: that mankind must resist total control, _ total brainwashing. that everyone can protect their personal space and freedom if they understand what's going on around them, if they want to be free and have the will. there are talks, too. this one on how to overcome a sense of helplessness. lectures and literature encouraging russians to think about what's happening in their country. the library insists it's not breaking any laws, but the subject matter here is very sensitive.

any honest discussion about russia's past or present can bring trouble — and trouble they have. the local businessman who's been funding the project has fled abroad, wanted by police. now the library has been told to vacate the building. but most people in ivanovo pass the library by, for a variety of reasons. in the city centre, a big band, but no talk of big brother. some here embrace the direction in which russia is moving. "we are growing more independent," vladimir says, "less reliant on the west." "we are making progress," says natalia. "as putin says, it's a new stage for russia." and russia's war in ukraine? "i don't watch anything about that now," nina says, "it's too upsetting."

i find that, for many russians, it's too distressing to even contemplate that what is happening today carries the risk of a dystopian tomorrow. steve rosenberg, bbc news, ivanovo. time now to digest the day's election campaigning — and there's a lot to digest today — here's newscast — with adam fleming and the team. chris, let me get this straight. i can't see anyone, but you can see both me and alex forsyth?- both me and alex forsyth? that's riaht, both me and alex forsyth? that's right. although — both me and alex forsyth? that's right, although that's _ both me and alex forsyth? that's right, although that's only - both me and alex forsyth? that'sl right, although that's only because i was sent a little picture of the two of you. just remind me what you look like with you and your studio, and alex in hers, and me in mind. we last saw each other on thursday, you've forgotten already?- last saw each other on thursday, you've forgotten already? know, i “ust like you've forgotten already? know, i just like to — you've forgotten already? know, i just like to be _ you've forgotten already? know, i just like to be reassured. - you've forgotten already? know, i just like to be reassured. what. you've forgotten already? know, i | just like to be reassured. what was that came just like to be reassured. what was that game you _ just like to be reassured. what was that game you play _ just like to be reassured. what was that game you play where - just like to be reassured. what was that game you play where you - just like to be reassured. what wasj that game you play where you have to lie in the dark? i that game you play where you have to lie in the dark?— lie in the dark? i don't know what came lie in the dark? i don't know what game you're _ lie in the dark? i don't know what game you're talking _ lie in the dark? i don't know what game you're talking about, - lie in the dark? i don't know what

game you're talking about, i - lie in the dark? i don't know what| game you're talking about, i don't know where you're going with it. less _ know where you're going with it. less about — know where you're going with it. less about your weekend. a game where ou less about your weekend. a game where you can't — less about your weekend. a game where you can't shout _ less about your weekend. a game where you can't shout over - less about your weekend. a game where you can't shout over each . where you can't shout over each other, but you can't see anyone else? basically that's what this podcast will be light, people who can't see each other having to talk in sequence. but the main subject will be nigel farage's — i can even say his name, his return of his return. his upgrade of his return. he's a master of the political theatre, farage. i interviewed him less than a week ago, it was last tuesday? it was last tuesday where he said, "i'm not standing, there's no point it's too late, you have to spend six months working a seat, bob loblaw," and kept talking about how his eye was being drawn across the atlantic towards the presidential race in autumn. a week later, he's running, and oh, he's the leader of

reform uk! and that means he'll get more profile and a greater platform during the campaign, as opposed to being honorific precedent, which was his title prior to today. he is grab the attention last week, his grubby attention today. he is grab the attention last week, his grubby attention today. he he is grab the attention last week, his grubby attention today. he will play a far bigger role in the next five and a bit weeks then he otherwise would've done. he was already playing quite a roll. we have loads _ already playing quite a roll. we have loads to talk about in this episode of newscast. hello, it's adam �*s the studio. hello, it's adam 's the studio. it's chris and hello, it's adam 's the studio. it�*s chris and salford. hello, it's adam 's the studio. it's chris and salford. alex in - chris and salford. alex in westminster. _ chris and salford. alex in westminster. before - chris and salford. alex in westminster. before we | chris and salford. alex in - westminster. before we dive into chris and salford. alex in _ westminster. before we dive into the niel westminster. before we dive into the nigel farage — westminster. before we dive into the nigel farage news, _ westminster. before we dive into the nigel farage news, what _ westminster. before we dive into the nigel farage news, what did - westminster. before we dive into the nigel farage news, what did you - westminster. before we dive into the | nigel farage news, what did you work on today, alex? h nigel farage news, what did you work on today. alex?— on today, alex? i was working on what the conservatives _

on today, alex? i was working on what the conservatives probably l what the conservatives probably wanted — what the conservatives probably wanted to talk about today before said nigel farage news, which is a plan that— said nigel farage news, which is a plan that the conservatives have come _ plan that the conservatives have come up — plan that the conservatives have come up with to rewrite the equality act, which _ come up with to rewrite the equality act, which was an act that dates back— act, which was an act that dates back to — act, which was an act that dates back to 2010 and effectively enshrines in the law the rights of some _ enshrines in the law the rights of some protected characteristics. one of them _ some protected characteristics. one of them is _ some protected characteristics. one of them is six, and what the conservatives have been saying is their— conservatives have been saying is their plan— conservatives have been saying is their plan is they want to change that to _ their plan is they want to change that to make it clear it refers to biological six, and the reason they say this— biological six, and the reason they say this is— biological six, and the reason they say this is needed is because they say this is needed is because they say it— say this is needed is because they say it will— say this is needed is because they say it will make it clear that single — say it will make it clear that single sets spaces, so think things like domestic abuse refuges or rape crisis _ like domestic abuse refuges or rape crisis centres or even public toilets, _ crisis centres or even public toilets, it— crisis centres or even public toilets, it will make it clear that they— toilets, it will make it clear that they can — toilets, it will make it clear that they can be for only biological women — they can be for only biological women and girls and not for people who were _ women and girls and not for people who were born male, even if those people _ who were born male, even if those pecule do— who were born male, even if those people do go through the process, which _ people do go through the process, which means they legally changed their six. — which means they legally changed their six, even on the birth certificates, so the conservatives are basically saying there needs to be clarity— are basically saying there needs to be clarity in this area because there — be clarity in this area because there have been court cases and legal— there have been court cases and legal challenges and a lot of

confusion about this. so they were going _ confusion about this. so they were going to _ confusion about this. so they were going to rewrite the equality act. the other— going to rewrite the equality act. the other parties, the lib dems and say, actually, you don't need to do that because there's already provision in the law that there can be single — provision in the law that there can be single sets spaces can we just need _ be single sets spaces can we just need to— be single sets spaces can we just need to assure, they accuse the conservatives stoking up tensions about _ conservatives stoking up tensions about this — conservatives stoking up tensions about this issue, creating culture wars: _ about this issue, creating culture wars, said — about this issue, creating culture wars, said it was a completely unnecessary thing and the other part of this, _ unnecessary thing and the other part of this, actually, is that the conservatives also said that when it comes— conservatives also said that when it comes to this issue, legislation should — comes to this issue, legislation should be — comes to this issue, legislation should be made in westminster. now, you can _ should be made in westminster. now, you can imagine that left the snp pretty— you can imagine that left the snp pretty unhappy because the snp said it should _ pretty unhappy because the snp said it should be up to the governments of devolved nations to have a say in this process — of devolved nations to have a say in this process as well and you will remember— this process as well and you will remember there was this process as well and you will rememberthere was a this process as well and you will remember there was a back—and—forth in scotland _ remember there was a back—and—forth in scotland when the scottish government tried to change the law on this— government tried to change the law on this to _ government tried to change the law on this to make it easier for people to change _ on this to make it easier for people to change their legal sex and it was blocked _ to change their legal sex and it was blocked by— to change their legal sex and it was blocked by westminster in the end. a bit of pushback as well. that was a long—winded way of saying that's what _ long—winded way of saying that's what the — long—winded way of saying that's what the conservatives wanted to talk about, but as so often happens in electioh— talk about, but as so often happens in election campaigns, that was taken _ in election campaigns, that was taken over— in election campaigns, that was taken over later in the day by that nigel— taken over later in the day by that nigel farage mu. —— nigel farage.|

nigel farage mu. —— nigel farage. i been looking into anti—social on radio four, the current series which has come to an end, but a lot of back catalogue to.— has come to an end, but a lot of - back catalogue to._ never back catalogue to. good plug. never miss the chance. _ back catalogue to. good plug. never miss the chance. this _ back catalogue to. good plug. never miss the chance. this hasn't - back catalogue to. good plug. never miss the chance. this hasn't come i miss the chance. this hasn't come out of nowhere, it's been a debate for quite a long time about whether you needed to clarify the equality act and what was the best way of doing that. just the fact that the discussion about sex and gender had moved on quite a lot from when the equality act was passed in 2010 when the decade before gender recognition certificates were introduced. it's not come out of nowhere. the equalities and human rights commission had been looking into this earlier in the year and recommended something be done about this. other people will then say to the conservatives if it was so important to you, why didn't you do it when you were in power rather than promising to do it if you are returned to power. talking to things that people started the day off doing, you started off talking about military and defence spending,

particularly labour's triple lock. everyone's got a triple lock of their own. everyone's got a triple lock of their own-— everyone's got a triple lock of their own. , _, , ., ., their own. yes, here comes another little bit of — their own. yes, here comes another little bit of political _ their own. yes, here comes another little bit of political language. - little bit of political language. labour were at the fuse alisa museum in greater manchester doing the whole please trust us on defence routine. there's been a fair build—up to all of this. we've seen keir starmer go out, we have seen british nato troops in estonia a couple of times, he went out to nato hq himself in brussels on an occasion. he went to barron furnace in cumbria where british nuclear submarines are made. he's been going out of his way to try and say, look, whatever happened under labour in the recent past, he served injeremy corbyn�*s shadow cabinet, labour has changed since. now, labour have often historically faced a sort of battle when it comes to credibility, believability and trust on defence. it's not traditionally a strong subject for the party. then you

throw into the mixjeremy corbyn, who was a sceptic about nuclear weapons, sceptic about nato, the defence alliance, and labour were trounced at the last general election. what keir starmer has been trying to do ever since he got the job is to reassure people that a labour government under his leadership could be trusted with national security. there is a kind of bigger strategy here, so what he's trying to do is acknowledge that if you can't be trusted, this is their view at a senior level in the labour party come if you can't be trusted on defence and the economy, you might as well pack your bags and go home because anything else you say, no one is going to pay attention because they are not going to elect you because they don't trust you on the economy. national security and the economy. that is what is the underlying foundational drive behind, as they hoped, nailing trust on defence, because they say they believe and because it underpins alongside the economy of hitting us. so what happened today

is that keir starmer gathered at this military museum, surrounded by everything that oozed military. and there is a semicircle behind them of labour candidates who are ex—military. many of them wearing their metals from their service in their metals from their service in the forces. and what we heard from keir starmer actually wasn't anything new for people who follow every kind of cough of politics. so they are saying that they are committed to the uk's nuclear weapon system. they are committed to defence, they want to spend two and half percent of national income on defence, albeit they want to actually put a date on it. the conservatives have promised to do that by 2030. reassuring whereas alex was talking about doing a whole load of announcements that are kind of like a firework, the create news, they are saying something new and

different and distinctive, and that generates headlines. labour's strategy has two b to almost to the opposite, to reassure, to double down on what they've already been saying too him and to not create hostages to fortune and to try to be reassuring. reassuring is the kind of key thing they hope they can secure in the minds of a decent chunk of voters from the stuff they are saying. chunk of voters from the stuff they are sa in. ~ ., chunk of voters from the stuff they are sa in. ~ . ., chunk of voters from the stuff they aresa in. ~ . ., , chunk of voters from the stuff they aresa in. . . ., , ., are saying. what i have “ust on there is broker * are saying. what i have “ust on there is broker a fi are saying. what i have “ust on there is broker a news _ are saying. what i have just on - there is broker a news compromise because i know there are people that love hearing about nigel farage and i know there are people that do not love hearing about him, and they think we talk about him too much even though i think it's pretty justifiable. so what i did was we had a bit of nigel farage fireworks at the start of this episode and now we can have... in between some marshmallows of other news from the election campaign gently toasted on that fire. i don't know where this metaphor is going. out of control. you do know he didn't call in a

november— you do know he didn't call in a november election, right? i�*m you do know he didn't call in a november election, right? i'm still on the old tramlines _ november election, right? i'm still on the old tramlines of _ november election, right? i'm still on the old tramlines of the - november election, right? i'm still on the old tramlines of the old - on the old tramlines of the old timeline. we will get chris's analysis and a second and hear the moment where nigel farage committed all of this news. but we knew something was going on for mid—morning, didn't we? because the nigel farage... that is not going to work. nigel farage tweeted himself that he had something big. 50 it that he had something big. so it was “ust that that he had something big. so it was just that kind — that he had something big. so it was just that kind of... _ that he had something big. so it was just that kind of... and _ that he had something big. so it was just that kind of... and this is - just that kind of... and this is come — just that kind of... and this is come up _ just that kind of... and this is come up nigel farage had to play the game, _ come up nigel farage had to play the game, work the system, whatever you want to— game, work the system, whatever you want to call— game, work the system, whatever you want to call it. game, work the system, whatever you want to call it— game, work the system, whatever you want to call it.- he's _ game, work the system, whatever you want to call it.- he's been - want to call it. totally. he's been around for _ want to call it. totally. he's been around for an _ want to call it. totally. he's been around for an awful _ want to call it. totally. he's been around for an awful long - want to call it. totally. he's been around for an awful long time - want to call it. totally. he's been| around for an awful long time and politics— around for an awful long time and politics and what he's always managed to do is find a way to generate headlines, find a way to put himself at the centre of it. i mean _ put himself at the centre of it. i mean it. — put himself at the centre of it. i mean it, love him or hate him, whatever— mean it, love him or hate him, whatever you want to say, there is deftly _ whatever you want to say, there is deftly people who do both, he is the kind of— deftly people who do both, he is the kind of master of the game and he played _ kind of master of the game and he played that game this morning with a forward _ played that game this morning with a forward tweet or something... "major forward tweet or something... �*ma'or announcement. d forward tweet or something... �*ma'or

announcement. emergency. i forward tweet or something... �*ma'or announcement. emergency. " i forward tweet or something... �*ma'or announcement. emergency. " allh forward tweet or something... "major announcement. emergency. " all thatj announcement. emergency. " all that does isjust— announcement. emergency. " all that does isjust set _ announcement. emergency. " all that does is just set every _ announcement. emergency. " all that does is just set every journalist - does is just set everyjournalist off on— does is just set everyjournalist off on their phones trying to work out what — off on their phones trying to work out what it's going to be, and because — out what it's going to be, and because there had been this thing where _ because there had been this thing where he — because there had been this thing where he ruled out standing but there _ where he ruled out standing but there was— where he ruled out standing but there was still, i think, you know, there _ there was still, i think, you know, there was— there was still, i think, you know, there was a — there was still, i think, you know, there was a sense of maybe he will because _ there was a sense of maybe he will because the deadline is not until friday. _ because the deadline is not until friday, which is also my birthday, i will friday, which is also my birthday, i willjust— friday, which is also my birthday, i willjust drop that in now in case you want— willjust drop that in now in case you want to _ willjust drop that in now in case you want to send me a present. that set the _ you want to send me a present. that set the hairs— you want to send me a present. that set the hairs running, everyone was like what _ set the hairs running, everyone was like what is — set the hairs running, everyone was like what is going on? i, like every body else, — like what is going on? i, like every body else, put in the calls and told we don't _ body else, put in the calls and told we don't know. i was also from somebody— we don't know. i was also from somebody in reform ukjust said like classic— somebody in reform ukjust said like classic nigel farage theatre. and that is— classic nigel farage theatre. and that is exactly what it was. and that is exactly what it was. and that is— that is exactly what it was. and that is what he does.— that is exactly what it was. and that is what he does. let's hear the moment, that is what he does. let's hear the moment. then- _ that is what he does. let's hear the moment, then. this _ that is what he does. let's hear the moment, then. this is _ that is what he does. let's hear the moment, then. this isjust- that is what he does. let's hear the moment, then. this isjust after- moment, then. this isjust after four o'clock on monday afternoon. this is nigel farage doing the double, announcing that he is going to stand as a candidate and in essex and also that he, from that second on come alive, take over as leader of reform uk, basically booting out tyson for most of that party's

existence. tyson for most of that party's existence-— tyson for most of that party's existence. �* , ., ., , ., ~ ., existence. it's allowed, you know! it's not existence. it's allowed, you know! it's not always _ existence. it's allowed, you know! it's not always a _ existence. it's allowed, you know! it's not always a sign _ existence. it's allowed, you know! it's not always a sign of— existence. it's allowed, you know! | it's not always a sign of weakness. it's not always a sign of weakness. it could _ it's not always a sign of weakness. it could potentially— it's not always a sign of weakness. it could potentially be _ it's not always a sign of weakness. it could potentially be a _ it's not always a sign of weakness. it could potentially be a sign - it's not always a sign of weakness. it could potentially be a sign of- it could potentially be a sign of strength — it could potentially be a sign of strength so— it could potentially be a sign of strength so i _ it could potentially be a sign of strength. so i am _ it could potentially be a sign of strength. so i am going - it could potentially be a sign of strength. so i am going to - it could potentially be a sign of. strength. so i am going to stand in this election — strength. so i am going to stand in this election. i— strength. so i am going to stand in this election. i will— strength. so i am going to stand in this election. i will be _ strength. so i am going to stand in this election. i will be launching. this election. i will be launching my candidacy _ this election. i will be launching my candidacy at _ this election. i will be launching my candidacy at midday - this election. i will be launching . my candidacy at midday tomorrow this election. i will be launching - my candidacy at midday tomorrow in the essex _ my candidacy at midday tomorrow in the essex seaside _ my candidacy at midday tomorrow in the essex seaside town _ my candidacy at midday tomorrow in the essex seaside town of— my candidacy at midday tomorrow in the essex seaside town of claxton. i the essex seaside town of claxton. there _ the essex seaside town of claxton. there we _ the essex seaside town of claxton. there we go — the essex seaside town of claxton. there we go. once _ the essex seaside town of claxton. there we go. once we _ the essex seaside town of claxton. there we go. once we have - the essex seaside town of claxton. there we go. once we have a - the essex seaside town of claxton. there we go. once we have a full. there we go. once we have a full list of candidates for the constituency, which will be on alex's birthday on friday, what a great present. you will be able to go on the bbc news website and see a full list! ., �* , , go on the bbc news website and see a full list! . �* , , , ., go on the bbc news website and see a full list!_ 0k. _ full list! that's my plan. 0k, chris, full list! that's my plan. 0k, chris. give — full list! that's my plan. 0k, chris, give us— full list! that's my plan. 0k, chris, give us your _ full list! that's my plan. 0k, chris, give us your big - full list! that's my plan. ok, | chris, give us your big picture thoughts. he chris, give us your big picture thou~hts. , chris, give us your big picture thoughts-— chris, give us your big picture thou~hts. , ., , ., thoughts. he is the master of the ark of jeepardy — thoughts. he is the master of the ark of jeopardy news _ thoughts. he is the master of the l ark of jeopardy news management, thoughts. he is the master of the - ark of jeopardy news management, the ark ofjeopardy news management, the big reveal. so as alex was saying, that's tantalising teasing tweet that's tantalising teasing tweet that had politicaljournalists agog with what it might be about. so managing to extract every morsel of

excitement and certainty out of the moment, walking into the venue, our colleague lucy manning was asking him, "are you going to stand? " and he's teasing "who knows? i've not decided yet." knowing that contributes in the packaging up of the news into that sense of the drama that surrounds nigel farage. so, he knows exactly what he's doing. he is one of the best political communicators of his generation, and this is the latest case study in it. he was able to extract attention and news coverage a week ago when he said he wouldn't be standing, but he would be popping up be standing, but he would be popping up around the country campaigning for reform uk. here we are less than a week later extracting more news and attention saying the exact opposite. as i said a couple of minutes ago, taking on the party leadership will afford him a greater platform because he is a party leader of a party that is pulling, as it is, when it's crunched through the various kind of processes that determine from the broadcasters how

much coverage different parties get will mean that reform will get a certain amount and he, as the leader, will be able to justifiably come if you like front that. there was going to be limits on how much we see of as the honorary precedents, there is now a race in claxton that will fascinate a good number of our fellow political journalists because it would just be interesting. can he do it? can he make it to westminster at the eighth time of asking? also, perhaps more importantly than that, in terms of the outcome of this general election as opposed to what might happen near this —— on the other side of it is his capacity to potentially, and let's see, transform or not reform , s let's see, transform or not reform �*s prospects. and what he can certainly do, and this is happening already as we recall on newscast, is frightened the whatsit �*s out of plenty of conservatives, because they are he is with hisjocular plenty of conservatives, because they are he is with his jocular kind

of casual and yet devilish torment, of casual and yet devilish torment, of the party of which he used to be a member become a because they fear a member become a because they fear a disproportionate number of their recent voters are lured towards his party and already were stop and now nigel farage at the helm and the prospect that because of his capacity to generate attention and to be to some of the magnitude terms of lowering towards him the other end of the microphone, not pushing them away, can be dangerous for the conservatives, as if rishi sunak needed any more grim news after some opinion polls from the last few days suggesting things look really bleak for him. it’s suggesting things look really bleak for him. �* , ., suggesting things look really bleak for him. �*, ., suggesting things look really bleak for him. 3 ., ., suggesting things look really bleak forhim. �*, ., ., , for him. it's worth saying, what is interesting _ for him. it's worth saying, what is interesting is _ for him. it's worth saying, what is interesting is that _ for him. it's worth saying, what is interesting is that when _ for him. it's worth saying, what is interesting is that when nigel - interesting is that when nigel farage — interesting is that when nigel farage was saying why he wouldn't stand. part — farage was saying why he wouldn't stand, part of the reason he said is because _ stand, part of the reason he said is because he — stand, part of the reason he said is because he couldn't get a campaign together, _ because he couldn't get a campaign together, it caught him by this prize _ together, it caught him by this prize and — together, it caught him by this prize and all the rest of it. there is another— prize and all the rest of it. there is anotherto prize and all the rest of it. there is anothe ., , prize and all the rest of it. there is anothe— prize and all the rest of it. there is anothe ., , ., is another to this, the fact that he is another to this, the fact that he is now going _ is another to this, the fact that he is now going to — is another to this, the fact that he is now going to have _ is another to this, the fact that he is now going to have to _ is another to this, the fact that he is now going to have to try - is another to this, the fact that he is now going to have to try and . is now going to have to try and win a constituency seat because he has