we'll focus on two battleground constituencies. and commemorations begin for the 80th anniversary of the d—day landings. hello. some breaking news for you this morning — at the bbc has learned the chief treasury civil servant wrote to labour at two days ago saying the conservatives�* assessments of their tax plans should not be presented as having been produced by the civil service. they also said that ministers had been reminded on this. the tax claim was at the heart of rishi sunak�*s tanks on sir keir starmer in last night�*s election debate and in fact, he said that

independent treasury officials have costed labour �*s policies and they amount to a £2000 tax rights for working family. it looks like now the chief treasury civil servant actually wrote to labour at two days ago saying the conservative assessment of their tax plan should not be presented as having been produced by the civil service. the debate sought the labour leader sir keir starmer challenged over hospital waiting lists among other things. with a rant out of the highlights from that debate, this is our political correspondent ian watson. the first debate of the campaign was a head—to—head clash between the prime minister and the man who wanted to replace him. if you�*re still wondering about the key messages they want to hammer home at this election, wonder no longer. this election is all about a choice — more of the chaos and division we�*ve seen for the last 14 years, or turning the page and rebuilding with labour. no—one knows what labour would actually do. but you know what i would do.

i'll cut your taxes, protect your pension, and reduce immigration. last night, the party leaders faced questions not from members of parliament, but members of the public. i in the last few years, i found it. very difficult to make ends meet, and the money simply doesn't go far enough _ paula from huddersfield wanted to know what they�*d do about the cost of living. my priority has always been to do what i can to support you. that started with bold action like the furlough scheme during the pandemic, and more recently my clear plan to bring inflation back to normal. paula, ijust don�*t know how you feel when you hear a prime minister say — having heard what you�*re going through — that the plan is working, it�*s all all right. but in discussing serious issues — such as nhs waiting lists — there were still some lighter moments. waiting lists were 7.2 million, they�*re now 7.5 million, he says they�*re coming down — and this is the guy who says he�*s good at maths. yeah, they are... they are now coming down. laughter.

they are now coming down. 7.2 when you said you�*d get them down — 7.2 million — they�*re now 7.5 million. i�*d like you to explain how they�*re coming down. because they were coming down from where they were when they were higher. 7.2... laughter. and they're now on their way down. laughter and applause. both men were asked if they would raise taxes to help meet the many challenges the country faces. but, repeatedly, rishi sunak asserted that labour would have to put taxes up. keir starmer is going to raise taxes. but that's just the start, because there's a long list of other things that he needs to find the money for. so it's notjust going to start and stop there. there are £2,000 worth of tax rises coming for every working family. what�*s happened here is it�*s a classic — they put in pretend labour policies to the treasury and then they get a false read—out. the new reform uk leader nigel farage says he wants to make this an immigration election — he�*ll be one of seven leading party representatives taking part in a bbc debate later this week. but last night, divisions between the main two parties in this issue were obvious. we need to smash the gangs that are running this vile trade, making a huge amount of money... applause.

..putting some of the most vulnerable people in boats across the channel. they�*re making a fortune. 0k... what are you going to do? just tell everybody. let's... what are you going to do? and rishi sunak was asked if he was prepared to leave the european convention on human rights. but if i am forced to choose between securing our borders and our country's security or a foreign court, i'm going to choose our country's security every single time. applause. if i�*m prime minister, we will not pull out of international agreements and international law which is respected the world over. applause. but the debate wasn�*t over yet. afterwards, in the crowded spin room, party representatives tried to get voters to see their leaders�* performance in the best possible light, and to cast shade on their opponents. what they cannot answer is how they will plug the £71 billion hole in their own tax and spending plans. in fact, like tory britain, the lights have just gone out — this is a metaphor for the state of the country. what has he actually said? i what has he committed to? what is he going to do?

because every single i answer is looking back, is having a go, or, "well, what about liz truss?" i we're past that now — l this is about the future. if you haven�*t made up your mind who to vote for yet, well, there are more debates to come, and — oh, yes — another month of campaigning. rishi sunak 0k sir keir starmer traded blows on the nhs, the economy and the nhs in that election debate. lots of claims and counterclaims were made during the debate, and bbc verify�*s nick eardley�*s been looking into them. lots of claims in last night�*s debate — some of which stacked up more than others. the bbc�*s team of fact—checkers spent the night analysing them to put it all in a bit more context. first up, tax. here�*s a reminder of what was said. keir starmer would put all that progress at risk. he would put up everyone's taxes by £2,000. £2,000 in higher taxes for every working family in our country. he�*s the...

he�*s the british expert on tax rises — they�*re at the highest level for 70 years. let�*s start with that claim taxes would go up by £2,000 for every working family under labour. that is based on a dossier from the conservative party, which claims there�*s a £38 billion black hole in labour�*s spending plans over four years. but this is important — some of the assumptions behind the calculations are from politically appointed special advisers in the treasury. some of them are questionable. it assumes, for example, that it�*s always a lot less efficient for the public sector to do things than the private sector. so, with this figure, a dollop of caution. we will know more about labour�*s tax and spend plans when they publish their manifesto, but last night, after the debate, they emphasised they weren�*t going to put up income tax, national insurance, or vat. next, let�*s look at sir keir starmer�*s claim on the overall tax level.

it is right to say that taxes have gone up. this is the tax take since the last general election, compared to the size of the economy. you can see it�*s gone up quite a lot — in part because income—tax thresholds have been frozen — which means, as you earn more money in line with inflation, you pay more tax. rishi sunak has cut national insurance recently, but — as you can see from this graph here — overall, taxes are up. just to give you a flavour of what that means for people on different incomes... you are worse off if you�*re earning £15,000. if you earn 35,000 or 55,000, you�*re a bit better off. you�*re worse off if you earn £75,000. next, have a look at the exchange on the nhs — here�*s what we heard in the debate. but we are now making progress — the waiting lists are coming down. but what keir starmer... hang on. ..didn�*t mention to you... ..which you did, julie... waiting lists were 7.2 million, they�*re now 7.5 million, he says they�*re coming down — and this is the guy who says

he�*s good at maths. yeah, they are... they are now coming down. laughter. they are now coming down. 7.2 when you said you�*d get them down — 7.2 million — they�*re now 7.5 million. i�*d like you to explain how they�*re coming down. because they are coming down from where they were when they were higher. 7~2~~~ _ laughter. and they�*re now on their way down. laughter and applause. they are down, right? yes, because the nhs was impacted by industrial action. 0h! groaning. and if it wasn't for that, half a million appointments would have been saved. so it�*s somebody else�*s fault. so this is the picture with waiting lists in england. you can see they go up quite significantly after the pandemic — reaching 7.8 million waits a few months ago. now, as you can also see at the end, it goes down a wee bit, but the levels are higher than when rishi sunak took over as prime minister. he says that�*s down to strikes, and it�*s true to say they had an impact. but this is where you get the claim both that waiting lists have gone up, and that they�*ve gone down a bit. finally, let�*s quickly look at small—boats crossings. rishi sunak said they were down by a third.

keir starmer said they were up this year. well, actually they could both be right here. this is the picture. the number of small—boats crossings fell quite dramatically between �*22 and �*23 but, as you can see here, they are up this year so far. so, some context — all of this when it comes to making up your mind. there are a lot more fact—checks from bbc verify now on the bbc news website. that was nick ardley talking through some of the elements of that debate. back to our breaking news story, we understand a letter from the chief treasury civil servant has in the last hour or so cast doubt on the conservatives�* claims of that £2000 tax rise from labour. last night,

rishi sunak said in the debate that treasury officials have costed labour�*s policies and they amount to a £2000 tax rise for every working family. claire coutinho went on the rating earlier and said that line was signed off by the chief treasury secretary but the chief treasury civil servant wrote to labour two days ago saying the assessment should not have been presented as having been produced by the civil service. claire coutinho spoke to bbc breakfast earlier saying that the £2000 tax rise figure that was used by rishi sunak against labour in that debate relates to a four year period, not a one—year one. all of the proposals have been set up by the labour party and the costings have been done by treasury officials, but when you look at the most most expensive proposals, the green plan, we�*re probably hugely underestimating the cost to families. and i thought, actually, was very

telling because when kier starmer was asked about it 12 times, he couldn�*t rule it out. he didn�*t say simply, no, that�*s not the case. it took him a very long time and actually, that�*s because he knows it�*s true. well, actually, he said completely opposite and he�*s accusing you of lying. are you lying? there was 12 times he was asked and he couldn�*t rule it out. and absolutely not, these are costings that are based, as i said, on officials�* work in the treasury... i think he called it garbage. and very late in the day, i think he must have had a frantic text at some point from one of his advisers. he could not rule it out and there are multiple things like that, the £2000 of tax on working families, the fact that pensioners would be taxed for the first time next year — and we�*ve put in place a triple lock plus — he could not rule out the fact that pensioners would be taxed next year. labour�*sjonathan ashworth has also been speaking to bbc breakfast,

that is a desperate lie, categorically untrue. every single policy of the labour was putting forward in this campaign is fully costed and funded. when we say we�*re going to deliver 2 million more appointments in the nhs, were going to change the non—dom tax regime to fund that. when we say we are going to recruit more teachers and invest in mental health support, we are going to levy vat on private school fees. were not going to put up income tax, national insurance or vat, sue was lying about that. £30,000 referred to a document the conservatives have said was signed off by treasury officials.— off by treasury officials. every oli off by treasury officials. every policy we _ off by treasury officials. every policy we put _ off by treasury officials. every policy we put forward - off by treasury officials. every policy we put forward in - off by treasury officials. every policy we put forward in this i policy we put forward in this campaign, like our plans to cut energy bills for good by putting a windfall tax on the gas and oil producers, that will allow us to bring energy bills down and invest

in renewable energy. good, well—paid jobs like including here in the north west was topping with explain where the money will be coming from. let�*s speak to our chief political correspondent, henry zeffman. lots of questions for the conservatives to answer, least of all, are they lying?— all, are they lying? that is the line today- _ all, are they lying? that is the line today. every _ all, are they lying? that is the line today. every labour- all, are they lying? that is the line today. every labour party| line today. every labour party shadow ministerial official candidate that has been talking about this on social media or in interviews has been at accusing rishi sunak of lying. the shadow paymaster general has been talking to bbc breakfast and he said rishi sunak is no better than boris johnson, borisjohnson light over partygate, rishi sunak is lying over this. that is furiously denied by the conservative party, a spokesman saying the costings used to produce this figure came from publicly available information about the

labour party�*s policies. but a couple of hours ago the conservatives will have been delighted because there is a debate about labour�*s tax policy. if in a labour say the figure was a debate. now there is a debate developing about rishi sunak�*s honesty and that is not good for the prime minister. and cricketing year was on the programme this morning saying that this whole at £2000 tax rise line was signed off by the treasury secretary, at their chief treasury civil servant. and now we see a letter that says it wasn�*t. that civil servant. and now we see a letter that says it wasn't. that is particularly _ letter that says it wasn't. that is particularly embarrassing - letter that says it wasn't. that is particularly embarrassing for - letter that says it wasn't. that is i particularly embarrassing for her because she didn�*tjust make the same attack as rishi sunak, she defended the attack by saying it had been specifically approved by a man who is the permanent secretary at the treasury, the most senior official there. this is a letter that he sent a labour politician a

couple of days ago that appears to show that james bowler did not sign show thatjames bowler did not sign of the show that james bowler did not sign of the overall show thatjames bowler did not sign of the overall figure being used. that is really embarrassing for the line at the conservative party were using because the tax attack is one thing, it is nothing using a certain name in that it defends and then it turns out that person is not signed up turns out that person is not signed up to it. turns out that person is not signed u- to it. ., , ., ., turns out that person is not signed u- to it. ., ., ., , up to it. two days ago, so why did sir keir starmer _ up to it. two days ago, so why did sir keir starmer not _ up to it. two days ago, so why did sir keir starmer not have - up to it. two days ago, so why did sir keir starmer not have that - sir keir starmer not have that letter in his mind when debating last nights?— last nights? that's a really good auestion last nights? that's a really good question that — last nights? that's a really good question that others _ last nights? that's a really good question that others have - last nights? that's a really good question that others have been | question that others have been posing for. i think even before we saw this letter, there was frustration that they are parts of the labour party thought sir keir starmer was not a fleet of foot enoughin starmer was not a fleet of foot enough in response to this attack from rishi sunak. he took 25 minutes to start quibbling about some of the assumptions about the treasury and

20 minutes after that he delivered a clear rebuttal, saying this was absolute garbage. there is a question for labour�*s debate prep as to whether we should have armed him with that letter. though this figure has been doing the rounds in conservative attacks for some weeks but had not been at the heart of the campaign until last night when rishi sunak diverted almost every answer to a debate on labour�*s tax plans. i think that probably slightly confounded kier starmer and it was not what labour had prepared for. and they were making out it was £2000 a year, they never expressly said that but that was the feeling they trying to give over, and now they trying to give over, and now they are saying it is £2000 over four and. �* , four and. and even if this figure were correct. — four and. and even if this figure were correct, which _ four and. and even if this figure were correct, which is _ four and. and even if this figure were correct, which is then - four and. and even if this figure l were correct, which is then being divided by every household in the uk with at least one person in work, you wouldn�*t expect that tax burden

to be distributed evenly between all those households, that is not how the tax system works. conservatives would say that is illustrative of what they say is kier starmer�*s lack of a plan. but given this intervention it, not that they meant to make this intervention publicly, but given the intervention from the treasury, i think it will be harder for rishi sunak and other conservatives to make this claim without being assailed by questions about their basic honesty. thank ou. about their basic honesty. thank you- let's _ about their basic honesty. thank you. let's talk _ about their basic honesty. thank you. let's talk about _ about their basic honesty. thank you. let's talk about what - about their basic honesty. thank you. let's talk about what this . you. let�*s talk about what this debate meant in the world of social media. this is key for any strategy within a political campaign, particularly in this day and age and particularly in this day and age and particular because all the parties want to get hold of younger vote. we will speak to laura emily dunne, who

has worked with senior politicians, including theresa may�*s social media team in 2019. what goes into social media strategy within a political campaign like this?— media strategy within a political campaign like this? ahead of the election, both _ campaign like this? ahead of the election, both parties _ campaign like this? ahead of the election, both parties well- campaign like this? ahead of the election, both parties well have l election, both parties well have been crafting and refining strategy. the election it took us by surprise when it was announced as weeks ago. i think labour was straight off the starting blocks with their content. as the campaign goes a long — it is quite a long campaign at — these teams will be viewing how what they are putting out is performing are probably on an hourly basis and adapting to the messaging and the data they have in real time. it�*s interesting, the debates last night, both teams were to be looking at the messaging and how it has landed and at the changes and at this letter

this morning, how that will shape the social media war in the days to come. , ., , , ., the social media war in the days to come. , .,, , ., ., ., come. this letter has blown out of the water are _ come. this letter has blown out of the water are some _ come. this letter has blown out of the water are some claims - come. this letter has blown out of the water are some claims made l come. this letter has blown out of| the water are some claims made in the water are some claims made in the media this morning and also ddt bait last night. how important is the way these things play out on social media? some people who live in the real world talk about social media being a microclimate, not indicative of what the rest of the uk is thinking. it do politicians think about that as well? i think so. in think about that as well? i think so- in the _ think about that as well? i think so. in the westminster- think about that as well? i think so. in the westminster bubble, | think about that as well? i think i so. in the westminster bubble, we are always glued to our phones and seeing who is tweeting what. what we saw last night with this £2000 figure, the tories put out lots of different posts and you may have seen an inflatable flying pig ad that was going around and are still pushing that out this morning. but i

think politicians are more in tune with what voters are saying when they go out and meet them. politicians are using a facebook a lot to communicate with their voters. i had a quick look at the ad spends and what the parties are using and there are lots of local, focused that are using. what was interesting was an ad aik found as saying that a majority of labour voters would scrap the monarchy. that is not something that has been covered by the mainstream media, so you are seeing a lot of niche messages going out on social media to target specific groups. it is interesting — to target specific groups. it is interesting how _ to target specific groups. it is interesting how elections play it on social media these days. thank you. several major hospitals in london have declared a critical incident because of a cyber attack. it affected hospitals including king�*s college, the royal brompton and st thomas�*, where our reporter nickjohnson is outside.

what does this mean for patients? took me through the impact so far. it is continuing to have a significant impact. a number of operations have been cancelled, all those procedures have been diverted. it really is a stark example of how a cyber attack on the national health service can directly impact patients. went understand the attack targeted an it system which provides pathology services to hospitals and gp surgeries across london. those are things like blood tests, transfusions, test results, things critical to life—saving care. we know the nhs says things are significantly destructive that a number of hospitals in london. it was from the royal brompton that the

bbc spoke to a 70—year—old patient yesterday was about to go in to the operating theatre for open—heart surgery. he was on a stretcher before the surgeon came out and said the operation could no longer go ahead. another woman had to have a tumour removed from her neck and that operation are to be cancelled as well. these are not minor procedures, so you can see the impact this cyberattack is having. it is a ransomware attack, where hackers get hold of data and demand some payment for that data to be released. synnovis says it is in the early days of investigating to try to find out what has happened. what is also unclear is how long this attack is likely to last and how long it will take for those procedures at these hospital to get back up and running to some semblance of normal again. the nhs has pointed out that its emergency

care is running as normal, so if you do need to dial 999 in an emergency, you definitely should. if you do have an appointment at one of those affected hospitals, should turn up unless told otherwise.— affected hospitals, should turn up unless told otherwise. thank you. i want to bring _ unless told otherwise. thank you. i want to bring you _ unless told otherwise. thank you. i want to bring you some _ unless told otherwise. thank you. i want to bring you some breaking i unless told otherwise. thank you. i i want to bring you some breaking news coming into us from germany, a local candidate for the far right after party has been attacked with a knife late last night. the man was injured and is in hospital. the perpetrator has been arrested and police confirmed this morning there has been a police operation. they provided no details. the incident comes only days after last friday�*s stabbing when a 25—year—old afghan national injured six people in the market square of mannheim with a

knife in what is suspected to be an islamist attack. 0ne knife in what is suspected to be an islamist attack. one of the victims of that attack was a 29—year—old police man who delight from his injuries on monday. to reiterate what we are hearing from mannheim, germany, a local candidate for a far—right party has been attacked with a knife last night and is injured and being treated in hospital. we will try and bring you more on that as and when we get it here on bbc news. tomorrow marks the 80th anniversary of d—day, the landing of 1000 80th anniversary of d—day, the landing of1000 uk 80th anniversary of d—day, the landing of 1000 uk and allied forces troops on the normandy coast. this morning, veterans, the king and queen and thousands of members of the public will gather on southsea common, in portsmouth, for the uk�*s national commemorative event. i thought you might like to see one or two things that we have from my grandfather, king george vi. first—hand accounts of d—day are precious and increasingly rare. tonight, the king and queen will be

seen hosting d—day veterans at buckingham palace, listening to their stories. yes, i spoke to montgomery when i was in normandy. did you? and to churchill. newsreel: d-day has come. early this morning, the allies began the assault on the northwestern... this is the day and this is the hour. the sky is lightening. in whitsand bay, in cornwall, royal marine commandos have been practising amphibious landings. tomorrow morning, they�*ll be landing on beaches in normandy to mark the moment when, 80 years before, the first of the more than 150,000 allied troops went ashore on d—day. this morning, at 11am, on southsea common in portsmouth, the ministry of defence will host the uk�*s first major national commemorative event marking the 80th anniversary. the king, the queen and the prince of wales are all due to attend. to the north of portsmouth is southwick house, where d—day

was planned and overseen by allied commanders. veterans have been gathering there this week to reflect on the role they played. marie scott was a 17—year—old radio operator relaying crucial information to those landing in normandy. i could hear machine gunfire. cannon. bombs. and shouting. and screaming. you realise, my goodness, these young men are placing their lives on the line. i can see france, the outline of france and hear these shells. it made me realise we were in a war. it wasn't an exercise or rehearsal or training — we were there and anything can happen — and i was scared. many veterans have now crossed the channel to attend tomorrow�*s commemorative events

at the british normandy memorial in ver—sur—mer. poignant and powerful, a chance for all of us to remember and say thank you. joining me now are charlotte gallagher, who is in portsmouth, this is a hugely important day for so many people. talk me through what is going to happen throughout the day today. this is going to happen throughout the da toda . , , ., , day today. this is the main events here in the — day today. this is the main events here in the uk _ day today. this is the main events here in the uk to _ day today. this is the main events here in the uk to mark _ day today. this is the main events here in the uk to mark the - day today. this is the main events here in the uk to mark the start . day today. this is the main events | here in the uk to mark the start of those commemorations of the 80th anniversary of d—day. finds me, you can see the big stage erected here on southsea common and later on, that�*ll be filled with military bands, drummers, dame helen mirren is going to be presenting, some

veterans will be up on the stage sharing their stories and will also hearfrom sharing their stories and will also hear from the soldiers who didn�*t make it back from d—day, in letters they sent loved ones to be opened on their death will be right by various performers. there offence will be a mixture of what they achieved on d—day. it changed the course of history and saved western europe. d—day marked the beginning of the end for the nazis�* control of europe. but also remembering the sacrifice that so many people made, 10,000 allied firm that soldiers were either wounded, killed or went missing in normandy. we don�*t know what to come to some of them but their remains will be in normandy now and they don�*t even have a grave that the families can visit. some of the d—day veterans have begun to arrive and will be sat in the royal box of with the king farm, the queen

and the prince of wales. it is a twinkling group, that number of entrants, and they want to pass on their recollections. the youngest is in his late 90s and you realise how young these people were when you hear them talking about d—day. they were in their late teens, some of them had never been on a boat before they went to nor made, some of them had never been on a beach before they went to portsmouth and then landed in non—dom tea. they never fought in a battle before and then work confronted with the worst of humanity. the bodies of fallen servicemen around them, it was horrific so many of them. there is also a huge allied forces representation here today because it�*s notjust about representation here today because it�*s not just about the representation here today because it�*s notjust about the uk — terror american, canadian, australian soldiers being represented here in portsmouth. the focus will be on those veterans who can be here today

and also the descendants of soldiers that fought in d—day. it was important for the ministry of defence that as many relatives of those d—day veterans are to be here and to watch this event. there will also be local schoolchildren, about 900 of them here, when it then perhaps learning about d—day for the first time because this is moving from any event which some people remember to a historical event. that the last thing those d—day veterans want is for carrying a sacrifice to be forgotten. and a big royal involvement in the uk and in france. the and a big royal involvement in the uk and in france.— and a big royal involvement in the uk and in france. the king, queen and the prince _ uk and in france. the king, queen and the prince of— uk and in france. the king, queen and the prince of wales _ uk and in france. the king, queen and the prince of wales will - uk and in france. the king, queen and the prince of wales will be - uk and in france. the king, queen and the prince of wales will be in l and the prince of wales will be in portsmouth and you would expect them to meet some of the veterans and talk about that day back in 80 years ago in 19114. they will be talking to veterans, we assume. and we have not

seen much of the king out and about because he has been treated for cancer, but it was hugely important to him to be here today, it is a cause close to his heart, he is a patron of the normandy dressed, and then he will travel to normandy, is a first overseas visit since his cancer diagnosis was announced, but he will be in normandy tomorrow to mark the official start of the anniversary of the invasion and he will be carrying out various events. it was hugely important for him to be able to commemorate those achievements and those sacrifices. thank you very much indeed. charlotte gallagher, our correspondent marking those d—day landings in portsmouth. let�*s cross life now to the normandy coast and speak to our correspondentjohn maguire, who is there, and talk us through what is happening there this morning. well, a special ceremony has just

begun, really about 30 seconds ago, so just at the beginning of it. montgomery, named after field marshal bernard montgomery, who played such a crucial role in d—day and the subsequent battle for normandy. this stretch of the coastline codenamed sword beach. there will be commemorations like this across the next couple of days. the 6th ofjune being the actual anniversary, will be the main day. probably around 30 veterans of the battle of normandy are with us this morning, front row seats. we have bands here, a male voice choir, standard bearers from the royal british legion as well, and a speech just taking place from the spirit of normandy trust, who bring a lot of the veterans to normandy every year, but this being the 80th anniversary makes it an even more special year. max is with us from the commonwealth

war graves commission. when you come to this part of the world, you get a sense just how important it is for the people of france. there are cemeteries, there are commemorative stones and statues right the way across this huge stretch of coast. this is such an emotional part of the world — this is such an emotional part of the world and you see it when you are here _ the world and you see it when you are here for— the world and you see it when you are here for big anniversaries like this with — are here for big anniversaries like this with thousands of people coming to visit, _ this with thousands of people coming to visit, they open their homes to the veterans, because they came as liherotors— the veterans, because they came as liberators eight years ago and now they are _ liberators eight years ago and now they are welcomed with open arms. the commonwealth war graves commission maintain cemeteries throughout the year and when we get to have _ throughout the year and when we get to have a _ throughout the year and when we get to have a veteran at one of our sites. — to have a veteran at one of our sites. we — to have a veteran at one of our sites, we are delighted to see them and take _ sites, we are delighted to see them and take them to the graves and hear their stories — and take them to the graves and hear their stories. they are men we now look after— their stories. they are men we now look after in — their stories. they are men we now look after in perpetuity. we their stories. they are men we now look after in perpetuity.— their stories. they are men we now look after in perpetuity. we had the 75th anniversary _ look after in perpetuity. we had the 75th anniversary five _ look after in perpetuity. we had the 75th anniversary five years - look after in perpetuity. we had the 75th anniversary five years ago, - 75th anniversary five years ago, many thought that would be the last hurrah, but luckily we have still have a significant number of veterans are still with us and when

they come here, they are treated like rock stars. fishd they come here, they are treated like rock stars.— like rock stars. and rightly so. man of like rock stars. and rightly so. many of them _ like rock stars. and rightly so. many of them are _ like rock stars. and rightly so. many of them are superstars i like rock stars. and rightly so. - many of them are superstars after you speak — many of them are superstars after you speak to them and the stories they have — you speak to them and the stories they have to tell. this is the 80th anniversary— they have to tell. this is the 80th anniversary and the few veterans that are — anniversary and the few veterans that are alive and are becoming fewer— that are alive and are becoming fewer over— that are alive and are becoming fewer over time, that are alive and are becoming fewer overtime, and that are alive and are becoming fewer over time, and the commonwealth war graves commission is working _ commonwealth war graves commission is working to _ commonwealth war graves commission is working to make sure the memory lives on _ is working to make sure the memory lives on. d—day veterans have been passing _ lives on. d—day veterans have been passing the — lives on. d—day veterans have been passing the torch to the next generation and the next generation is ready— generation and the next generation is ready to — generation and the next generation is ready to take on responsibility for commemoration and we have just been delighted by the reception it has had~ — been delighted by the reception it has had. tonight there is going to be a has had. tonight there is going to he a major— has had. tonight there is going to be a major bbc broadcast from 9:30pm, — be a major bbc broadcast from 9:30pm, i— be a major bbc broadcast from 9:30pm, i encourage everybody to watch _ 9:30pm, i encourage everybody to watch that — 9:30pm, i encourage everybody to watch that broadcast on the bbc, and we will— watch that broadcast on the bbc, and we will he _ watch that broadcast on the bbc, and we will be lighting every single grave. — we will be lighting every single grave, over 4600 servicemen commemorated, it will be spectacular, so were not to miss. it spectacular, so were not to miss. promises to spectacular, so were not to miss. ht promises to be a spectacular sight. they will be commemorations across the next couple of days. the new

british normandy memorial trust, a memorial that sits at gold beach. 80 years ago. that will be the focus of another commemoration tomorrow. the king will be there also. very special moments. we are just hearing from the local mayor of normandy, the region. very well attended. it will celebrate but primarily commemorate and remember those who never made it home. back to you. thank you so much. john maguire on the normandy coast. if you want to watch the ceremony, which will be taking place in the uk and france, you can watch it on the bbc news channel from 11am this morning. the first minister of wales, labour�*s vaughan gething, could lose a vote of no confidence today over controversial donations to his leadership campaign. the vote follows months of pressure

from welsh conservatives over the payments. labour holds exactly half the seats in the welsh assembly but two of its members are off sick. let�*s speak to our wales correspondent, tomos morgan, who is outside the senedd. just explain to me, if he does lose this vote, what does it mean? it is not binding, is it? it does not mean he has to walk. h0. not binding, is it? it does not mean he has to walk.— he has to walk. no, it is not binding- _ he has to walk. no, it is not binding- it _ he has to walk. no, it is not binding. it will— he has to walk. no, it is not binding. it will be _ he has to walk. no, it is not binding. it will be a - he has to walk. no, it is not binding. it will be a huge i he has to walk. no, it is not l binding. it will be a huge blow he has to walk. no, it is not - binding. it will be a huge blow to the confidence in his leadership of course and it will not be a great look during a general election campaign. the pressure has been building for some time now. a transparent —— transpired during the leadership campaign that he had accepted £200,000 from a company run by a man who has twice been convicted of environmental offences and since then this story has just kept being repeated with a little bit more detail every now and then with regards to the company, that individual david neal and the

relationship between himself and the first minister. the first minister has always maintained that he has broken no ministerial rules and he has broken no rules at all and that he did not know about the criminal investigation that was looking into david neal�*s other companies when he was given this donation. the development this morning is that two labour members in the senedd are ill so they will not be voting today, which would mean he would lose this vote. labour have 30 of the 60 senedd seats, so for this no—confidence vote to be passed and for there to be a vote of no—confidence in the first minister, it would need 31 members to vote against the first minister. it is unclear at the moment if these two could vote remotely. they are able to, there are rules because it is a hybrid system, where members can vote remotely if required, but it is unclear they are unable to do so.

there is another system which means every member between the opposition and the ruling party can be paid up so if someone is not available, a member of the opposition would not vote, but the leader of the welsh conservatives have made it clear they will not be appearing in this circumstance. as you mentioned, the vote is not binding, but during a general election campaign, this is another huge dent to the confidence in the first minister and it is not a great look during this time. thank ou. within the wider general election, it�*s the battleground seats where the fiercest campaigning is taking place. we�*re focussing on two of those constituencies today. in somerset, we are looking at a battleground between the conservative party and the liberal democrats in taunton and wellington. and in birmingham, we will be discussing the key issues at play in the central constituency of birmingham ladywood. joining me now, from taunton, is bbc radio somerset�*s ruth bradley. and from the mailbox, in birmingham, bbc political

reporter, simon gilbert. thank you forjoining us. let me ask you, what is it that makes this constituency so on a knife edge? well, welcome to somerset and specifically the taunton and wellington constituency. i want you to imagine you are a voter in taunton and wellington and some of those knife edge issues that are at play, as you said. perhaps you work in the public sector, as lots of people here do. you might work for the local council or the uk hydrographic office, part of the ministry of defence, or perhaps you work in the nhs, and those are going to inform the biggest issues for you as you go to vote in this election. the nhs is bound to be one for the electorate here. we have got the biggest hospital in taunton, the biggest hospital in taunton, the biggest hospital in somerset. that

has been promised a rebuild for many years but we have not seen that start in earnest. the maternity services have also been given inadequate rating so the nhs is bound to be a big issue for voters as they cast their votes. the cost of living, another one, like many other places in the country. but specifically in taunton and wellington, perhaps that vote that we are picturing goes wild swimming in the river on the weekend. the water quality, the pollution and the possibility of sewage being in that water is going to be really important to them. that is another issue voters will be considering. interestingly, the local river has been given bathing water status, so the wild swimmers will be glad to hear that. and another issue i am always talking to people about is transport, getting around. lots of people like to complain to me about potholes, about bus services, but they are also happy that wellington is going to be getting a new train station and that should be up and

running next year. now, this is a typical southwest constituency in many ways because as you said it is not labour who are the main rivals to the conservatives but the liberal democrats. the taunton seat has a flip—flop between the liberal democrats and the tories over the last few decades. it has most recently had a conservative mp but there are six candidates standing this time so a lot to play for. fight! this time so a lot to play for. and how have the _ this time so a lot to play for. and how have the boundary changes in somerset impacted the election this time? it somerset impacted the election this time? . , ., ., ., somerset impacted the election this time? ., , ., ., ., , time? it means there are going to be more mps time? it means there are going to be more mp5 to — time? it means there are going to be more mp5 to be _ time? it means there are going to be more mps to be voted _ time? it means there are going to be more mps to be voted in _ time? it means there are going to be more mps to be voted in for- more mps to be voted in for somerset. we have gone from having six in the patch that i cover to having eight, and in some of those other constituencies, there are some really interesting factors at play. let me tell you about the wider county of somerset. two little secrets about somerset. number one, while we might look like a bucolic, countryside a deal, we have a rolling countryside, lovely

coastline, secret number one is we are also a hive of industry. just up the coastline we have got europe�*s biggest building site, the hinkley point c nuclear power station, that is being built, thousands of workers employed there and living in the local area, so that is going to be a factor influencing this election. and up the m5 motorway, we have what is going to be britain�*s biggest diggerfactory, a £4 billion plant, which will produce electric car batteries. that is going to employ 4000 people. we are a hive of industry. the second secret i want to let you in on is that somerset is a county that likes to party. we have got the glastonbury festival in a couple of weeks�* time, in the autumn we have the world—famous bridgwater illuminated carnival, and in this park in the summer, they will be a series of big gigs, and conveniently, for political points, two bands playing are going to be status quo and the boy band busted,

so by the time they came to the stage, we will know whether it is going to be the political status quo or which candidate�*s dream have been busted. t or which candidate's dream have been busted. ., .,, or which candidate's dream have been busted. ., , , busted. i love those political puns. i t to busted. i love those political puns. i try to get — busted. i love those political puns. i try to get them — busted. i love those political puns. i try to get them out _ busted. i love those political puns. i try to get them out of _ busted. i love those political puns. i try to get them out of bristol - i try to get them out of bristol yesterday but i did not get as many. i have some fond memories of glastonbury myself. great to talk to you. let�*s cross to simon gilbert. talk me through what we expect to be the key issues in the heart of that battleground in birmingham ladywood? quite right, it is at the heart of birmingham. it is in the city centre. _ birmingham. it is in the city centre, which is the second biggest city in _ centre, which is the second biggest city in the _ centre, which is the second biggest city in the uk and the heart of the country. _ city in the uk and the heart of the country, but people living here and the other— country, but people living here and the other birmingham because it was might— the other birmingham because it was might be _ the other birmingham because it was might be forgiven for thinking they are more _ might be forgiven for thinking they are more on the periphery at three. we are _ are more on the periphery at three. we are about a third of the way through— we are about a third of the way through that countdown and no visits to this _ through that countdown and no visits to this area _ through that countdown and no visits to this area of the country from any of the _

to this area of the country from any of the major— to this area of the country from any of the major party leaders. if you leave _ of the major party leaders. if you leave a _ of the major party leaders. if you leave a vacuum in politics, someone will fail— leave a vacuum in politics, someone will fail it. _ leave a vacuum in politics, someone will fail it, and that is exactly what — will fail it, and that is exactly what has _ will fail it, and that is exactly what has happened this week in birmingham. 0n what has happened this week in birmingham. on monday, we had a visit from _ birmingham. on monday, we had a visit from george galloway, the leader— visit from george galloway, the leader of— visit from george galloway, the leader of the workers party of britain — leader of the workers party of britain. he was here campaigning, endorsing — britain. he was here campaigning, endorsing independent candidates and candidates standing for his party. and the _ candidates standing for his party. and the main issue that they are standing — and the main issue that they are standing on in birmingham is gaza and palestine and the conflict with israel _ and palestine and the conflict with israel we — and palestine and the conflict with israel. we have seen that it really is a key— israel. we have seen that it really is a key election issue in birmingham. you might think, birmingham. you might think, birmingham has got a lot of things going _ birmingham has got a lot of things going on — birmingham has got a lot of things going on. we have a council which has had _ going on. we have a council which has had to— going on. we have a council which has had to increase council tax by 10% because of financial mismanagement, we know there are struggles _ mismanagement, we know there are struggles with the finances, and that is— struggles with the finances, and that is a — struggles with the finances, and that is a labour run council, but birmingham itself is something of a lahour— birmingham itself is something of a labour stronghold. eight to ten of the constituencies are labour run. 80%_ the constituencies are labour run. 80% of— the constituencies are labour run. 80% of the — the constituencies are labour run. 80% of the vote went to the labour

candidate — 80% of the vote went to the labour candidate. you might be questioning why that _ candidate. you might be questioning why that is _ candidate. you might be questioning why that is an issue in birmingham. it is why that is an issue in birmingham. it isa— why that is an issue in birmingham. it isa very— why that is an issue in birmingham. it is a very diverse city, particularly in ladywood. there is a very large — particularly in ladywood. there is a very large muslim population. why is that important? there was a very big clue that important? there was a very big due at _ that important? there was a very big due at the _ that important? there was a very big clue at the local elections we recently— clue at the local elections we recently saw, particularly the west midlands _ recently saw, particularly the west midlands elections in birmingham. there _ midlands elections in birmingham. there was— midlands elections in birmingham. there was an independent candidate, he stood _ there was an independent candidate, he stood on _ there was an independent candidate, he stood on a pro—gaza platform, and he stood on a pro—gaza platform, and he attracted _ he stood on a pro—gaza platform, and he attracted 80,000 votes and finished — he attracted 80,000 votes and finished third. in ladywood, it is a large _ finished third. in ladywood, it is a large muslim population, it is an issue _ large muslim population, it is an issue that — large muslim population, it is an issue that comes up time and again. it is issue that comes up time and again. it is not _ issue that comes up time and again. it is not the — issue that comes up time and again. it is not the only issue. there are also _ it is not the only issue. there are also issues — it is not the only issue. there are also issues around social housing. it is also issues around social housing. it is one _ also issues around social housing. it is one of— also issues around social housing. it is one of the most deprived areas of the _ it is one of the most deprived areas of the country and we have seen council — of the country and we have seen council tax — of the country and we have seen council tax hiked by 10% by a labour council~ _ council tax hiked by 10% by a labour council~ so— council tax hiked by 10% by a labour council. so labour will be looking over— council. so labour will be looking over their — council. so labour will be looking over their shoulders in ladywood and across— over their shoulders in ladywood and across the _ over their shoulders in ladywood and across the city when it comes to the general— across the city when it comes to the general election.— general election. thank you very much indeed. _ general election. thank you very much indeed. thank— general election. thank you very much indeed. thank you - general election. thank you very much indeed. thank you to - general election. thank you very much indeed. thank you to both | general election. thank you very i much indeed. thank you to both of you. and here are the candidates who have

been selected so far to battle it out in the constituency of taunton and wellington. and these are the candidates in birmingham ladywell. as the election campaign continues, we want your help to cover it. you can tell at the issues that matter to you. throughout the campaign, bbc news analysis ross atkins, will be looking through your comments and comments and questions and doing his best to answer them. through the election campaign, bbc news is asking you to let us know what issues you would like us to explain and you are keeping us on our toes. already we have received thousands of questions. some are about party manifestos. a number of you, including luke in dartford, have asked, do you know when the manifestos will be released? not

yet. they could be launched next week but aside from the 30th ofjune for plaid cymru, we don�*t have the dates confirmed yet. at the last general election, in 2019, the labour manifesto was launched three weeks before polling day, the conservatives followed three days later. right now, we arejust conservatives followed three days later. right now, we are just over four weeks away from polling day. francisco in china and weir highlights the unexpected timing of this election and asks, our party is ready to publish their manifestos? rishi sunak knew about this election before everyone else and already several conservative manifesto announcements have been made. labour has also unveiled a pledge card with six key policies that will be in its manifesto. the liberal democrats, the snp and other parties have made policy announcements too. so work on the manifestos is well under way. now, dick�*s next question is coming up now, dick�*s next question is coming up a lot too. how can we trust the 20/20 for manifesto promises? those promises will not be legally

binding. we can�*t be sure they will happen, but politically they do matter as the institute for government points out, parties will frequently refer to their manifesto commitments or mandate while working to deliver policy. there is also a convention that policies based on manifestos are not blocked by the house of lords, giving further weight to these promises. and failing to keep manifesto commitments can bring political risk. as the conservatives campaign, critics are highlighting that several key promises from the conservative manifesto in 2019 haven�*t happened. responding to this, the government points to unexpected events such as covid and the war in ukraine. and one further question. is there a place where someone can easily read the party�*s manifestos? the answer to that is yes, not least at bbc news. 0nce manifestos? the answer to that is yes, not least at bbc news. once the manifestos are published, i work website will have summaries of them and links if you want to read them in full. thank you very much to all of you who have sent questions. if

there is an election issue you would like us to explain, you can we dress on the bbc news app awed via their website. last night was the first leaders debate in salford in greater manchester, our correspondent, rajini vaidyanathan is out on the road visiting the different constiuencies in and around greater manchester. and right now she�*s in leigh. can we see you? before we get into politics, have you had a full english yet? l politics, have you had a full english yet?— politics, have you had a full english yet? politics, have you had a full enrlish et? . �* , , english yet? i haven't yet but i have not english yet? i haven't yet but i have got the — english yet? i haven't yet but i have got the bbc _ english yet? i haven't yet but i have got the bbc branded - english yet? i haven't yet but i - have got the bbc branded election mug so i am right on message and we are going to be travelling around the country having a cup of tea or coffee and a bit of a cliche but thatis coffee and a bit of a cliche but that is the best way to find out what people are thinking, over a cup of tea or coffee. tell what people are thinking, over a cup of tea or coffee.— of tea or coffee. tell me a little bit now about _ of tea or coffee. tell me a little bit now about what _ of tea or coffee. tell me a little bit now about what the - of tea or coffee. tell me a little bit now about what the big - of tea or coffee. tell me a little i bit now about what the big issues are where you are.— bit now about what the big issues are where you are. let's have a chat with some — are where you are. let's have a chat with some people. _ are where you are. let's have a chat with some people. yesterday - are where you are. let's have a chat with some people. yesterday i - are where you are. let's have a chat with some people. yesterday i was. are where you are. let's have a chat. with some people. yesterday i was at the debate in salford and i was talking to the politicians but

really, what matters is how their message in that debate last night translates to voters. we are in the constituency of lee and atherton. it was for many years a very safe labour seat, which switched hands in 2019 to the conservatives. it is part of the so—called red wool which the labour party is hoping to win back. well, at this cafe, it opened in the early 60s, back when harold macmillan was prime minister. we have had quite a few prime ministers since then. linda, you own this cafe. it is very nice to be here. tell me what you thought of the debate last night. l tell me what you thought of the debate last night.— debate last night. i watched the debate last night. i watched the debate last _ debate last night. i watched the debate last night. _ debate last night. i watched the debate last night. i _ debate last night. i watched the debate last night. i don't - debate last night. i watched the debate last night. i don't really| debate last night. i don't really find them a very good thing to be americanised and all the shouting that they— americanised and all the shouting that they do at each other. there was about— that they do at each other. there was about five or six points that they— was about five or six points that they were — was about five or six points that they were speaking about. it is not

very clear — they were speaking about. it is not very clear what anybody is actually going _ very clear what anybody is actually going to _ very clear what anybody is actually going to do. it is really not. towns like this, _ going to do. it is really not. towns like this, we — going to do. it is really not. towns like this, we are all run down. we have _ like this, we are all run down. we have lost— like this, we are all run down. we have lost our— like this, we are all run down. we have lost our industry. that times have _ have lost our industry. that times have changed. we can't go back in time _ have changed. we can't go back in time. ~ ., ., have changed. we can't go back in time. . ., ., ,., have changed. we can't go back in time. . ., ., y., ., have changed. we can't go back in time. ., ., ., time. who do you think performed the best of the two? _ time. who do you think performed the best of the two? you _ time. who do you think performed the best of the two? you are _ time. who do you think performed the best of the two? you are a _ time. who do you think performed the best of the two? you are a labour - best of the two? you are a labour voter traditionally. l best of the two? you are a labour voter traditionally.— voter traditionally. i must admit, the quietest _ voter traditionally. i must admit, the quietest one, _ voter traditionally. i must admit, the quietest one, which - voter traditionally. i must admit, the quietest one, which isn't - voter traditionally. i must admit, i the quietest one, which isn't always the quietest one, which isn't always the best— the quietest one, which isn't always the best thing to do because people don't hear— the best thing to do because people don't hear the quiet person, it was keir starmer. do don't hear the quiet person, it was keir starmer-— keir starmer. do you think that confirmed _ keir starmer. do you think that confirmed your— keir starmer. do you think that confirmed your vote _ keir starmer. do you think that confirmed your vote for - keir starmer. do you think that confirmed your vote for him - keir starmer. do you think that l confirmed your vote for him after last night? confirmed your vote for him after last nirht? confirmed your vote for him after last night?— confirmed your vote for him after last nirht? ., ., last night? oh, i will vote for keir starmer. morris, _ last night? oh, i will vote for keir starmer. morris, you _ last night? oh, i will vote for keir starmer. morris, you are - last night? oh, i will vote for keir starmer. morris, you are a - starmer. morris, you are a conservative _ starmer. morris, you are a conservative voter. - starmer. morris, you are a conservative voter. you i starmer. morris, you are a i conservative voter. you didn't conservative voter. you didn�*t actually watch last night. it is important to talk to you because in the immediate we talk about how everybody is hooked on the debate. why didn�*t you watch it? l had everybody is hooked on the debate. why didn't you watch it? i had other lans last why didn't you watch it? i had other plans last night- _ why didn't you watch it? i had other plans last night. i _ why didn't you watch it? i had other plans last night. i did _ why didn't you watch it? i had other plans last night. i did watch - why didn't you watch it? i had other plans last night. i did watch the - plans last night. i did watch the highlights — plans last night. i did watch the highlights online _ plans last night. i did watch the highlights online this _ plans last night. i did watch the

highlights online this morning. i plans last night. i did watch the| highlights online this morning. i think— highlights online this morning. i think with — highlights online this morning. i think with what _ highlights online this morning. i think with what linda _ highlights online this morning. i think with what linda said - highlights online this morning. i think with what linda said about keir starmer— think with what linda said about keir starmer being— think with what linda said about keir starmer being quiet, - think with what linda said about keir starmer being quiet, it - think with what linda said about keir starmer being quiet, it is l keir starmer being quiet, it is actually— keir starmer being quiet, it is actually his _ keir starmer being quiet, it is actually his plan _ keir starmer being quiet, it is actually his plan that - keir starmer being quiet, it is actually his plan that the - keir starmer being quiet, it is actually his plan that the less| keir starmer being quiet, it is i actually his plan that the less he says. _ actually his plan that the less he says. the — actually his plan that the less he says. the less _ actually his plan that the less he says, the less people _ actually his plan that the less he says, the less people can - actually his plan that the less he says, the less people can hold . actually his plan that the less he says, the less people can hold it against — says, the less people can hold it against him _ says, the less people can hold it against him. the _ says, the less people can hold it against him. the one _ says, the less people can hold it against him. the one who- says, the less people can hold it against him. the one who had i says, the less people can hold it against him. the one who had a| says, the less people can hold it i against him. the one who had a lot to say, _ against him. the one who had a lot to say, rishi — against him. the one who had a lot to say, rishi sunak, _ against him. the one who had a lot to say, rishi sunak, seemed - against him. the one who had a lot to say, rishi sunak, seemed to- against him. the one who had a lot. to say, rishi sunak, seemed to have plans— to say, rishi sunak, seemed to have plans for— to say, rishi sunak, seemed to have plans for where _ to say, rishi sunak, seemed to have plans for where the _ to say, rishi sunak, seemed to have plans for where the country- to say, rishi sunak, seemed to have plans for where the country is - plans for where the country is going — plans for where the country is going keir— plans for where the country is going. keirstarmer_ plans for where the country is going. keirstarmerseemsi plans for where the country is going. keirstarmerseems toj plans for where the country is i going. keir starmer seems to think if i going. keir starmer seems to think if i say— going. keir starmer seems to think if i say nothing. _ going. keir starmer seems to think if i say nothing. i— going. keir starmer seems to think if i say nothing, i won't _ going. keir starmer seems to think if i say nothing, i won't offend i if i say nothing, i won't offend anybody. _ if i say nothing, i won't offend anybody. and _ if i say nothing, i won't offend anybody. and i_ if i say nothing, i won't offend anybody, and i don't - if i say nothing, i won't offend anybody, and i don't want i if i say nothing, i won't offend anybody, and i don't want to i if i say nothing, i won't offend i anybody, and i don't want to make anybody, and i don't want to make any promises _ anybody, and i don't want to make any promises. you— anybody, and i don't want to make any promises-— anybody, and i don't want to make any promises. you are going to vote conservative — any promises. you are going to vote conservative again _ any promises. you are going to vote conservative again this _ any promises. you are going to vote conservative again this time? - any promises. you are going to vote conservative again this time? i - conservative again this time? i think that we have been through a very difficult — think that we have been through a very difficult period _ think that we have been through a very difficult period with _ think that we have been through a very difficult period with brexit, i very difficult period with brexit, with covid. _ very difficult period with brexit, with covid, and _ very difficult period with brexit, with covid, and with _ very difficult period with brexit, with covid, and with what i very difficult period with brexit, with covid, and with what has . very difficult period with brexit, i with covid, and with what has gone on in _ with covid, and with what has gone on in ukraine. _ with covid, and with what has gone on in ukraine, and— with covid, and with what has gone on in ukraine, and it— with covid, and with what has gone on in ukraine, and it has— with covid, and with what has gone on in ukraine, and it has not - with covid, and with what has gone on in ukraine, and it has not been. on in ukraine, and it has not been handled _ on in ukraine, and it has not been handled very _ on in ukraine, and it has not been handled very well— on in ukraine, and it has not been handled very well by _ on in ukraine, and it has not been handled very well by the - on in ukraine, and it has not been i handled very well by the predecessor but i handled very well by the predecessor but i think— handled very well by the predecessor but i think he — handled very well by the predecessor but i think he is— handled very well by the predecessor but i think he is starting _ handled very well by the predecessor but i think he is starting to _ handled very well by the predecessor but i think he is starting to get - handled very well by the predecessor but i think he is starting to get a i but i think he is starting to get a .rip but i think he is starting to get a grip of— but i think he is starting to get a grip of it — but i think he is starting to get a grip of it i— but i think he is starting to get a grip of it ido— but i think he is starting to get a grip of it. i do think— but i think he is starting to get a grip of it. i do think that- but i think he is starting to get a grip of it. i do think that we i but i think he is starting to get a | grip of it. i do think that we need some _ grip of it. i do think that we need some fresh— grip of it. i do think that we need some fresh blood _ grip of it. i do think that we need some fresh blood in— grip of it. i do think that we needj some fresh blood in westminster grip of it. i do think that we need i some fresh blood in westminster but not necessarily— some fresh blood in westminster but not necessarily a _ some fresh blood in westminster but not necessarily a fresh _ some fresh blood in westminster but not necessarily a fresh party. - some fresh blood in westminster but not necessarily a fresh party. 50 i not necessarily a fresh party. so who not necessarily a fresh party. who are you going to vote for? probably conservatives. before we

came on air. _ probably conservatives. before we came on air. you _ probably conservatives. before we came on air, you said _ probably conservatives. before we came on air, you said you - probably conservatives. before we came on air, you said you were i came on air, you said you were toying with voting for reform. simply because i was in favour of brexit— simply because i was in favour of brexit and — simply because i was in favour of brexit and i— simply because i was in favour of brexit and i think _ simply because i was in favour of brexit and i think that _ simply because i was in favour of brexit and i think that reform i simply because i was in favour of brexit and i think that reform is. brexit and i think that reform is representative _ brexit and i think that reform is representative of— brexit and i think that reform is representative of the _ brexit and i think that reform is representative of the ground i brexit and i think that reform is l representative of the ground level of working—class _ representative of the ground level of working—class voters _ representative of the ground level of working—class voters from i representative of the ground level. of working—class voters from working northern _ of working—class voters from working northern towns _ of working—class voters from working northern towns. do _ of working-class voters from working northern towns.— northern towns. do you think that labour is northern towns. do you think that labour is the _ northern towns. do you think that labour is the party _ northern towns. do you think that labour is the party for _ labour is the party for working—class voters? you are going to vote for them? working-class voters? you are going to vote for them?— to vote for them? yes, i do, actually- _ to vote for them? yes, i do, actually- we _ to vote for them? yes, i do, actually. we don't _ to vote for them? yes, i do, actually. we don't actually i to vote for them? yes, i do, i actually. we don't actually have a class _ actually. we don't actually have a class system as it was. i don't think— class system as it was. i don't think people call themselves lower class. _ think people call themselves lower class, working class, middle class any more — class, working class, middle class any more i— class, working class, middle class any more. i think that is a thing of the past — any more. i think that is a thing of the past. but you have got well off people. _ the past. but you have got well off people, you have got comfortable people _ people, you have got comfortable people and you have got people who come _ people and you have got people who come to _ people and you have got people who come to work. me and my husband works— come to work. me and my husband works six— come to work. me and my husband works six days a week. we have to work _ works six days a week. we have to work we — works six days a week. we have to work. we have two. but then you have

got _ work. we have two. but then you have got we _ work. we have two. but then you have got... we could not say that we were anything _ got... we could not say that we were anything other than labour voters. we have _ anything other than labour voters. we have two. and anything other than labour voters. we have two-— we have two. and very briefly, before we _ we have two. and very briefly, before we go _ we have two. and very briefly, before we go back _ we have two. and very briefly, before we go back to _ we have two. and very briefly, before we go back to the - we have two. and very briefly, i before we go back to the studio, i want to ask you both what the top issueis want to ask you both what the top issue is for you in this campaign. what matters to you most? l issue is for you in this campaign. what matters to you most? i want some law and — what matters to you most? i want some law and order— what matters to you most? i want some law and order back. - what matters to you most? i want some law and order back. we i what matters to you most? i want| some law and order back. we need some _ some law and order back. we need some police — some law and order back. we need some police on the streets. 30 it some law and order back. we need some police on the streets.- some police on the streets. so it is crime? it some police on the streets. so it is crime? it is — some police on the streets. so it is crime? it is crime. _ some police on the streets. so it is crime? it is crime. you _ some police on the streets. so it is crime? it is crime. you cannot i some police on the streets. so it is crime? it is crime. you cannot say| crime? it is crime. you cannot say an hinr crime? it is crime. you cannot say anything because _ crime? it is crime. you cannot say anything because we _ crime? it is crime. you cannot say anything because we had - crime? it is crime. you cannot say anything because we had the - anything because we had the divisional headquarters right around the corner— divisional headquarters right around the corner from us but yet which is all closed — the corner from us but yet which is all closed up now. there is telephone number on the front of the building _ telephone number on the front of the building. you pick the phone up and it puts _ building. you pick the phone up and it puts you — building. you pick the phone up and it puts you through to manchester. we are _ it puts you through to manchester. we are 12 — it puts you through to manchester. we are 12 miles away at least from manchester. before you had policemen on the _ manchester. before you had policemen on the street. manchester. before you had policemen on the street-— on the street. what about you? we hear a lot about _ on the street. what about you? we hear a lot about the _ on the street. what about you? we hear a lot about the issues - on the street. what about you? we hear a lot about the issues that i hear a lot about the issues that matter but what are you going to be thinking about the most?— thinking about the most? certainly crime. dealing _

thinking about the most? certainly crime. dealing with _ thinking about the most? certainly crime. dealing with immigration. i thinking about the most? certainly i crime. dealing with immigration. not so much _ crime. dealing with immigration. not so much immigration _ crime. dealing with immigration. not so much immigration but _ crime. dealing with immigration. not so much immigration but illegal- so much immigration but illegal immigration _ so much immigration but illegal immigration i_ so much immigration but illegal immigration. i saw— so much immigration but illegal immigration. i saw nigel- so much immigration but illegalj immigration. i saw nigel farage so much immigration but illegal. immigration. i saw nigel farage on tv the _ immigration. i saw nigel farage on tv the other— immigration. i saw nigel farage on tv the other day— immigration. i saw nigel farage on tv the other day talking _ immigration. i saw nigel farage on tv the other day talking about i tv the other day talking about turkish — tv the other day talking about turkish barbershops. - tv the other day talking about turkish barbershops. we i tv the other day talking about turkish barbershops. we havej tv the other day talking about - turkish barbershops. we have maybe six or— turkish barbershops. we have maybe six or seven — turkish barbershops. we have maybe six or seven in — turkish barbershops. we have maybe six or seven in a _ turkish barbershops. we have maybe six or seven in a town— turkish barbershops. we have maybe six or seven in a town like _ turkish barbershops. we have maybe six or seven in a town like this. i six or seven in a town like this. what's — six or seven in a town like this. what's wrong _ six or seven in a town like this. what's wrong with _ six or seven in a town like this. what's wrong with that? - six or seven in a town like this. what's wrong with that? more. six or seven in a town like this. - what's wrong with that? more choices what�*s wrong with that? more choices to where you get your hair cut? but we did not need that... we did not need _ we did not need that... we did not need seven— we did not need that... we did not need seven turkish _ we did not need that... we did not need seven turkish barbershops i need seven turkish barbershops before — need seven turkish barbershops before we _ need seven turkish barbershops before. we needed _ need seven turkish barbershops before. we needed three - need seven turkish barbershops before. we needed three or- need seven turkish barbershops. before. we needed three or four. what _ before. we needed three or four. what are — before. we needed three or four. what are they _ before. we needed three or four. what are they all _ before. we needed three or four. what are they all doing _ before. we needed three or four. what are they all doing in - before. we needed three or four. what are they all doing in town? i before. we needed three or four. i what are they all doing in town? has our hair— what are they all doing in town? has our hair grow— what are they all doing in town? has our hair grow quicker— what are they all doing in town? has our hair grow quicker since _ what are they all doing in town? has our hair grow quicker since covid? i our hair grow quicker since covid? do you _ our hair grow quicker since covid? do you need — our hair grow quicker since covid? do you need a _ our hair grow quicker since covid? do you need a haircut? _ our hair grow quicker since covid? do you need a haircut?— our hair grow quicker since covid? do you need a haircut? perhaps i do. thank ou do you need a haircut? perhaps i do. thank you very _ do you need a haircut? perhaps i do. thank you very much _ do you need a haircut? perhaps i do. thank you very much for _ do you need a haircut? perhaps i do. thank you very much for sharing i do you need a haircut? perhaps i do. | thank you very much for sharing your perspective. it is always important to get the views of the voters. this is a very key seat. it is part of that red wall. in the next hour i will be with kevin fitzpatrick. he is from radio manchester and he has been travelling the length and

breadth of this red wall, finding out what people think. we will have more throughout the course of the day. more throughout the course of the da . . ~' , ., , more throughout the course of the da . . ,, , ., , . day. thank you very much indeed. time for the _ day. thank you very much indeed. time for the weather. _ it was particularly chilly this morning forjune but the showers have been bubbling up, they have been really frequent across scotland already and we will see plenty more today. and blustery winds to go with them. but those blustery winds are coming down from the north—west, which is why it is chillier during the day ahead, and it will be the case through thursday and friday. thejune sunshine is strong so if you are sheltered from the breeze, particularly in the south and east, in the sunshine it will feel warm, but they will be a lot of showers, heavy and sundry in the north and west, for west further south and east. but wintry over the scottish mountains. a chilly 11 or 12 here. perhaps 17, it may be 18. but that

goes hand—in—hand with some high levels of pollen today across the southern half of the uk and high levels of uv, strong sunshine, despite feeling chilly. those showers and that brisk wind continue through the evening and overnight, particularly in the north—west. it is going to be really chilly, close to freezing in the glens, but further south it will be a nippy start to the thursday morning given the time of year. that is because the time of year. that is because the north—westerly winds continue, the north—westerly winds continue, the low pressure is anchored to the north of us, not many isobars in the south close to this ridge of high pressure, so that will influence the weather across england and wales, few were showers here, but it will not be an altogether dry day. there will be the odd shower around but they will be more frequent, coming into northern and western parts of scotland and the islands with that brisk north—west wind. perhaps a notch down on today so temperatures might also get up a degree on those of today as well, so 14 to 18, potentially, but that is still below

average for the time of year. there is a chance on friday we will see a weather front with more persistent rain driving southwards across scotland. a bit more cloud for england and wales because of the low pressure is closing in, getting closer to the north of scotland. 0nce closer to the north of scotland. once again, 11 to 18. strong sunshine at this time of year, but we would expect as he temperatures a little higher. and it is at the same story as we go into the weekend. low pressure, so more likely chance of showers across scotland and northern ireland. furthersouth, lengthier ireland. further south, lengthier dry ireland. furthersouth, lengthier dry and bright spells.

nda alliance live from london, this is bbc news. controversy after last night�*s leaders debate as a civil servant�*s letter cast out on conservative claims about labour�*s tax plans. the first minister of wales at vaughan gething look set to lose a vote of no confidence in his leadership in

the senedd. and commemorations begin for the 80th anniversary of the d—day landings. the prime minister is under pressure over his claim that labour�*s collection pledges would mean a 2000 pentax price for each family of over four years. pentax price for each family of over fouryears. he pentax price for each family of over four years. he said the election debate had been produced by partial civil servants at the treasury. but to submerge that a letter from the treasury said civil servants do not calculate the consultants firm�* total figures and said ministers calculate the consultants firm�* totalfigures and said ministers had been told not to say they had. the tax claim was at the heart of rishi sunak�*s tax unsteer kier starmer last night. is ian watson

reports. the first debate of the campaign was a head—to—head clash between the prime minister and the man who wanted to replace him. if you�*re still wondering about the key messages they want to hammer home at this election, wonder no longer. this election is all about a choice — more of the chaos and division we�*ve seen for the last 14 years, or turning the page and rebuilding with labour.

what has happened here is, it what has happened here is, it is what has happened here is, it is a what has happened here is, it is a classic, they have put in a pretend labour— classic, they have put in a pretend labour policy— classic, they have put in a pretend labour policy to _ classic, they have put in a pretend labour policy to the _ classic, they have put in a pretend labour policy to the treasury i classic, they have put in a pretend labour policy to the treasury and i labour policy to the treasury and then _ labour policy to the treasury and then they — labour policy to the treasury and then they get _ labour policy to the treasury and then they get a _ labour policy to the treasury and then they get a false _ labour policy to the treasury and then they get a false readout. i labour policy to the treasury and i then they get a false readout. nigel fara . e then they get a false readout. nigel farare sa s then they get a false readout. nigel farage says he _ then they get a false readout. nigel farage says he wants _ then they get a false readout. nigel farage says he wants to _ then they get a false readout. iliigjizi farage says he wants to make then they get a false readout. farage says he wants to make this then they get a false readout.- farage says he wants to make this an immigration election. he will be one of seven leading party representatives taking part in a bbc debate later this week but last night divisions between the main two parties on this issue were obvious. we need to smash the gangs that are running _ we need to smash the gangs that are running this _ we need to smash the gangs that are running this while _ we need to smash the gangs that are running this while trade _ we need to smash the gangs that are running this while trade making i we need to smash the gangs that are running this while trade making a i running this while trade making a huge _ running this while trade making a huge amount— running this while trade making a huge amount of— running this while trade making a huge amount of money— running this while trade making a huge amount of money putting i running this while trade making a i huge amount of money putting some of the most _ huge amount of money putting some of the most vulnerable _ huge amount of money putting some of the most vulnerable people _ huge amount of money putting some of the most vulnerable people in- huge amount of money putting some of the most vulnerable people in boats i the most vulnerable people in boats across_ the most vulnerable people in boats across the _ the most vulnerable people in boats across the channel. _ the most vulnerable people in boats across the channel. the?— the most vulnerable people in boats across the channel.— the most vulnerable people in boats across the channel. they are making across the channel. they are making a fortune. what _ across the channel. they are making a fortune. what are _ across the channel. they are making a fortune. what are you _ across the channel. they are making a fortune. what are you going - across the channel. they are making a fortune. what are you going to - across the channel. they are making| a fortune. what are you going to do? and rishi sunak was asked if he was prepared to leave the european convention on human rights. but if i am forced to choose between securing our borders and our country's security or a foreign court, i'm going to choose our country's security every single time. applause. if i'm prime minister, we will not pull out of international agreements and international law which is respected the world over. applause.

but the debate wasn't over yet. afterwards, in the crowded spin room, party representatives tried to get voters to see their leaders' performance in the best possible light, and to cast shade on their opponents. what they cannot answer is how they will plug the £71 billion hole in their own tax and spending plans. in fact, like tory britain, the lights have just gone out — this is a metaphor for the state of the country. what has he actually said? i what has he committed to? what is he going to do? because every single i answer is looking back, is having a go, or, "well, what about liz truss?" i we're past that now — l this is about the future. if you haven't made up your mind who to vote for yet, well, there are more debates to come, and — oh, yes — another month of campaigning.

top treasury officials have cast doubts on those tory attacks attacks on labour when she heard about in ian's report. rachel reeves has accused the prime minister of lying about labour's tax plans in that televised debate last night. she was speaking on a visit to a deli in glasgow and said the prime minister lied in the debate last night, labour has no plans to increase taxes on working people. the shadow chancellor said that labour and also ruled out an increase on income tax, national insurance and vat. said there is — the truth is, it's the conservatives are taking the tax burden to the highest it's been for 70 years. our chief political correspondent said a letter had been sent from their chief treasury official to sir keir starmer two days ago. rachel reeves was asked why sir keir had not used that letter to respond to this attacks

and rachel reeves said it was important to reiterate that what the prime minister said was utter garbage. claire coutinho told bbc breakfast earlier that the £2000 tax rise figure which was quoted a number of times by rishi sunak against labour in that debate relates to a four year period. firstly, all of the proposals have been set up by the labour party and the costings have been done by treasury officials, but when you look at the most most expensive proposals, the green plan, we're probably hugely underestimating the cost to families. and i thought, actually, was very telling because when kier starmer was asked about it 12 times, he couldn't rule it out. he didn't say simply, no, that's not the case. it took him a very long time and actually, that's because he knows it's true. well, actually, he said completely opposite and he's accusing you of lying. are you lying? there was 12 times he was asked and he couldn't rule it out. and absolutely not, these are costings that are based,

as i said, on officials' work in the treasury... i think he called it garbage. and very late in the day, i think he must have had a frantic text at some point from one of his advisers. he could not rule it out and there are multiple things like that, the £2000 of tax on working families, the fact that pensioners would be taxed for the first time next year — and we've put in place a triple lock plus — he could not rule out the fact that pensioners would be taxed next year. 0ur correspondent is in westminster for us. this letter was sent two days ago and yet here we are today, with ministers on the bbc this morning, on radio four, think this was signed off by the chief treasury civil servant and chief treasury civil servant and chief treasury civil servant and chief treasury civil servant saying, say that. and civil servant saying, say that. and james civil servant saying, say that. and james bowler _ civil servant saying, say that. and james bowler has _

civil servant saying, say that. situc james bowler has hit civil servant saying, say that. jim james bowler has hit back civil servant saying, say that. ji"ic james bowler has hit back today civil servant saying, say that. fi."ic james bowler has hit back today in this letter which she wrote earlier this letter which she wrote earlier this week, saying that the conservative assessment of labour's tax plans should not be presented as having been produced by the civil service. that is exactly what rishi sunak did last night, saying that these figures had been costed by independent civil servants. civil servants may have been involved in costing individual policies but they were also asked to work on assumptions behind those policies that were set by politically appointed special advisers. the conservative were looking at a labour's plans and are putting their own assumptions on them. they're defending that today but certainly, that's why labour had challenged that's why labour had challenged that figure of £2000 over four years ago say it's simply not true, labour

will need to put up taxes and now pointing to the chief civil servant at the treasury, who said they should not be presented as having been produced by the civil service. what this means for the conservatives is that today, instead of us talking about £2000 tax rises for families, of us talking about £2000 tax rises forfamilies, which of us talking about £2000 tax rises for families, which they wanted us to be talking about, were talking about what their lives have been told during this debate.— about what their lives have been told during this debate. that's true but i think the — told during this debate. that's true but i think the conservatives - told during this debate. that's true but i think the conservatives are i but i think the conservatives are keen on a continuous debate about labour's tax plans. they said last night that labour want to put up taxes and that is a key plank of the conservatives were' attack plans. labour can rebut that by saying the tax burden is rising to its highest for 17 years because of things like freezing it tax thresholds, people

will be paying more tax. despite the row about integrity and honesty and lying and so on, conservatives won't be too unhappy to have a debate about labour's tax plans and to plant that in a voters' minds. let’s plant that in a voters' minds. let's talk a little — plant that in a voters' minds. let's talk a little more _ plant that in a voters' minds. let's talk a little more about _ plant that in a voters' minds. let's talk a little more about that - plant that in a voters' minds. let's talk a little more about that debate last night, there were many other issues between the two men. what is the feeling now in westminster? who won? if the feeling now in westminster? who won? , ., the feeling now in westminster? who won? i. . the feeling now in westminster? who won? i., . , . won? if you look at the instant yougov poll. _ won? if you look at the instant yougov poll, that _ won? if you look at the instant yougov poll, that gave - won? if you look at the instant yougov poll, that gave it - won? if you look at the instant yougov poll, that gave it to i won? if you look at the instant i yougov poll, that gave it to rishi sunak by about a point. the problem for the conservatives is that the polls suggest they are training by about 20 points. so as long as sir keir starmer didn't trip over his shoelaces last night, it wasn't the game—changer rishi sunak may need. i

think some conservatives were heartened by the prime minister's aggressive approach. some tories have been a little unhappy about the campaign so far but they were quite happy last night to see him actually take the fight to labour. but they knew that given the campaign so far and the opinion poll lead enjoyed by labour over the last two years, it is something of an uphill struggle. thank you. several major hospitals in london have declared a critical incident because of a cyber attack. it affected hospitals including king's college, the royal brompton and st thomas'. earlier, i spoke to our reporter nickjohnson who was outside st thomas hospital. he gave us the latest update on what's happened. it is continuing to have a significant impact, a number of operations have been cancelled, those have been diverted and patients gone elsewhere. it is a stark example of how a cyber attack

on the national health service can directly impact patients. understand the attack targeted an it system called synnovis, which provides pathology services to hospitals and gp surgeries across london. those are things like blood tests, blood transfusions, test results — things that are critical to life—saving care. we know that the nhs, things are significantly disrupted still at hospitals across london, here, and others. it was from the royal brompton hospital that the bbc spoke to a 70 why a patient who was about to a 70 why a patient who was about to go into the operating theatre yesterday, he was on the stretcher before the surgeon came out and said that operation could no longer go ahead. we also heard from a women who had to have a tumour removed from her neck, that operation also cancelled. these are not minor procedures, so you can see the sort

of impact this cyberattack is having. we know it's a ransomware attack, where hackers get a hold of data, they lock it and demand payment for that data to be released. synnovis says it is still in the very early days of investigating, trying to find out exactly what happened. what is also unclear is how long that this attack is likely to last and how long it's going to take for those procedures to get back up and running to some semblance of normal again. the nhs has pointed out that its emergency care is running as normal, so if you do need to dial 999, you definitely should. and if you have a appointment at one of the affected hospitals, you should still turn up unless told otherwise. nick thomas there.

the snp first minister will be talking about boosting business on a visit to linlithgow. lorna, took us through what the snp will be talking about today? they are pushing the line that they support small businesses. it has been a recurring theme from kate forbes, the deputy first minister. as she arrived at this business in linlithgow a few minutes ago, she has been chatting to the owner and snp supporters here. she is now painting a mug, i think the photographers just painting a mug, i think the photographersjust got painting a mug, i think the photographers just got in the way of our camera but i am told that she is putting i think green and yellow

spots on a mug there. she looks as though she is ensuring that, she has an mum herself so he is familiar with this kind of environment. the snp line today is that, again, they are referring back to the fact that in their opinion, labourand are referring back to the fact that in their opinion, labour and the conservatives are pretty much speak with a similar voice, not least when it comes to brexit and they say it is hard to back small businesses, these parties can't say they are backing small businesses while they are backing brexit barriers at the same time. kate forms way to argue that the snp is doing a lot for small businesses here in scotland. she points to policies like abolishing or slashing a lot for small businesses here in scotland. she points to policies like abolishing or slashing the business rates. they also say that they established the scottish national investment bank as well. so, a clear line about business today from the snp and from some of the other parties here on the campaign trail in scotland today. labour focusing

on the cost of living, the conservatives looking at business support while the liberal democrats look at water quality. a big campaign push here in scotland. john swinney is at the d—day commemorations but kate forbes is out on the campaign trail here in linlithgow, speaking to supporters and the small business as well. thank you. some more breaking news, this is something we've been talking about today, a letterfrom this is something we've been talking about today, a letter from the chief treasury civil servant which cost a lot of doubt on conservative claims of a £2000 tax rises from labour overfour of a £2000 tax rises from labour over four years. of a £2000 tax rises from labour overfouryears. rishi of a £2000 tax rises from labour overfour years. rishi sunak said last night that independent treasury officials costed labour from's policies and they amounted to £2000 tax rise for every working family. but two days ago, the chief treasury

civil servant wrote to labour saying this should not be presented as having been produced by the civil service. rachel reeves has been speaking and accuse the prime minister of lying about labour's tax plans in a televised debate last night. she was speaking in glasgow. the letter from the permanent secretary of the treasury confirms that labour have said last night, that labour have said last night, that the prime minister light in the debate. labour has no plans to increase taxes on working people and increase taxes on working people and in fact, i have ruled out increases in fact, i have ruled out increases in income tax, national insurance and vat for the duration of the next parliament. and vat for the duration of the next parliament-— parliament. since becoming a bit of a tartare campaign _ parliament. since becoming a bit of a tartare campaign where _ parliament. since becoming a bit of a tartare campaign where tactics . a tartare campaign where tactics like this are going back and forward? �* . . like this are going back and forward? �*, , ,, . ~ like this are going back and forward? �*, , ,, .~ ., like this are going back and forward? �*, , ,, ., ' forward? it's rishi sunak who lie 12 times in the _ forward? it's rishi sunak who lie 12 times in the debate _ forward? it's rishi sunak who lie 12 times in the debate last _ forward? it's rishi sunak who lie 12 times in the debate last night - forward? it's rishi sunak who lie 12 | times in the debate last night about labour's tax plans. the truth is, it is for conservatives have the tax burden to the highest it has been in

the last 17 years. it burden to the highest it has been in the last 17 years.— the last 17 years. it looks like the civil service _ the last 17 years. it looks like the civil service talk _ the last 17 years. it looks like the civil service talk to _ the last 17 years. it looks like the civil service talk to labour - the last 17 years. it looks like the civil service talk to labour last i civil service talk to labour last night about this, why did kier starmer not have this on his back pocket last night? kier starmer not have this on his back pocket last night?— starmer not have this on his back pocket last night? kier starmer was clear that what _ pocket last night? kier starmer was clear that what the _ pocket last night? kier starmer was clear that what the prime _ pocket last night? kier starmer was clear that what the prime minister l clear that what the prime minister said utter garbage. i'll go further, the prime minister light in the debate last night about labour's tax plans. labourwill debate last night about labour's tax plans. labour will not be raising taxes on working people, i am very clear about that and everything in our festival fully costed. you clear about that and everything in our festival fully costed._ our festival fully costed. you said kier starmer _ our festival fully costed. you said kier starmer was _ our festival fully costed. you said kier starmer was clear _ our festival fully costed. you said kier starmer was clear in - our festival fully costed. you said kier starmer was clear in the i our festival fully costed. you said i kier starmer was clear in the debate last night, he took quite a long time to report that. a lot of reaction saying he wasn't as clear as it could have been. i reaction saying he wasn't as clear as it could have been.— reaction saying he wasn't as clear as it could have been. i don't think kier starmer _ as it could have been. i don't think kier starmer expected _ as it could have been. i don't think kier starmer expected the - as it could have been. i don't think kier starmer expected the prime l kier starmer expected the prime minister to lighten the debate last night, which is what he did. what the prime minister said was utter garbage and i would go further, the prime minister light in the debate last night and the letter from the

permanent secretary of the treasury makes it absolutely clear.— makes it absolutely clear. thank ou. makes it absolutely clear. thank yom she's _ makes it absolutely clear. thank yom she's not — makes it absolutely clear. thank you. she's not mincing - makes it absolutely clear. thank you. she's not mincing her i makes it absolutely clear. thank i you. she's not mincing her words. you can go to the bbc website for more on this and our live page. the first minister of wales could lose a vote of no confidence today after controversial donations to his leadership campaign. the vote follows months of pressure from welsh conservatives over those payments labour holds over half the seats in the assembly but two members of sec. it seats in the assembly but two members of sec.— seats in the assembly but two members of sec. it will be a huge blow to the _ members of sec. it will be a huge blow to the confidence _ members of sec. it will be a huge blow to the confidence in - members of sec. it will be a huge blow to the confidence in its i blow to the confidence in its leadership and also, it won't be a good look during a general election campaign. the pressure has been building some time now. it transpired during the leadership campaign that he accepted £20,000 to his campaign from a company run by a man it twice convicted of

environmental offences. since then, this story has been repeated with details coming out about that individual and the relationship between himself and the first minister. the first minister has always stated his broken no rules and he didn't know about the criminal investigations are being looked into by one of the other companies are at the time this relation was given. two labour msps in the senedd are ill so may not be voting, which means he would lose this vote. labour had 30 of the 60 senedd seats so there may well be a vote of no confidence in the first minister, he would need 31 members to vote against the first minister. it is unclear whether these two

could vote remotely. they are able to, there are rules because it is a hybrid system and members can vote remotely if required but it is unclear whether they are able to do so. there is also a pairing system within the senedd which means that every member between the opposition and the ruling party can be paired up and the ruling party can be paired up so someone is not available, a member of the opposition then wouldn't vote. but the leader of the welsh conservatives have made it clear they would not be peering in these circumstances. the vote is not binding so he doesn't have to go but this is another huge dent the confidence in the first minister and not a great look at this time. thomas morgan there. now, tomorrow marks the 80th anniversary of d—day — the landing of thousand of uk and allied forces troops on the normandy coast. this morning, veterans, the king and queen and thousands of members of the public will gather on southsea common in portsmouth for the uk's national commemorative event,

and this evening the commonwealth war graves commission will host a vigil at the bayeux war cemetery in normandy. the start of what promises to be a remarkable anniversary, as tim muffet explains i thought you might like to see one or two things that we have from my grandfather, king george vi. first—hand accounts of d—day are precious and increasingly rare. tonight, the king and queen will be seen hosting d—day veterans at buckingham palace, listening to their stories. yes, i spoke to montgomery when i was in normandy. did you? and to churchill. newsreel: d-day has come. early this morning, the allies began the assault on the northwestern... i this is the day and this is the hour. the sky is lightening. in whitsand bay, in cornwall, royal marine commandos have been practising amphibious landings. tomorrow morning, they'll be landing on beaches in normandy to mark the moment when, 80 years before, the first of the more than 150,000 allied

troops went ashore on d—day. this morning, at 11am, on southsea common, in portsmouth, the ministry of defence will host the uk's first major national commemorative event marking the 80th anniversary. the king, the queen and the prince of wales are all due to attend. to the north of portsmouth is southwick house, where d—day was planned and overseen by allied commanders. veterans have been gathering there this week to reflect on the role they played. marie scott was a 17—year—old radio operator, relaying crucial information to those landing in normandy. i could hear machine—gunfire. cannon. bombs. and shouting. and screaming. you realise, my goodness, these young men are placing their lives on the line.

i can see france, the outline of france and hear these shells. it made me realise we were in a war. it wasn't an exercise or rehearsal or training — we were there and anything can happeh — and i was scared. many veterans have now crossed the channel to attend tomorrow's commemorative events at the british normandy memorial in ver—sur—mer. poignant and powerful, a chance for all of us to remember and say thank you. let's speak to our reporter charlotte gallagher, who joins us now from portsmouth. talk us through what the event is going to look like throughout today. it's a beautiful morning here in

portsmouth. behind me, the audience is filling up, hundreds of local schoolchildren are out here, military service men and women, people from the local community. some d—day veterans are here as well, seated in the royal box and will be joined soon by the well, seated in the royal box and will bejoined soon by the king, queen, prince of wales, the prime minister and the leader of the opposition. today is a day to remember those remarkable events 80 years ago. on stage, we'll hear from veterans, there will be a military band, drummers from the army and also people who didn't make it back from normandy — the letters they wrote to their loved ones to be opened after their deaths, they will be read out on stage. it will be a poignant day and a day to mark those incredible achievements, because d—day really did change the course of history. what happened over out those days really take europe back from the nazis. it was the beginning

at the end of the nazis' control of europe. we have spoken about what happened to the men on those boats on the beaches of normandy, but were some women involved in the days following, taken over to normandy to provide nursing roles. tell us about those women, what they would have been mashed up when they landed in normandy? been mashed up when they landed in normand ? , , ., ., ., normandy? debit two women who went across to normandy _ normandy? debit two women who went across to normandy on _ normandy? debit two women who went across to normandy on the _ normandy? debit two women who went across to normandy on the 12th - normandy? debit two women who went across to normandy on the 12th of- across to normandy on the 12th of june and _ across to normandy on the 12th of june and they set foot on juno beach and they— june and they set foot on juno beach and they saw aircraft everywhere, soldiers _ and they saw aircraft everywhere, soldiers everywhere, and it was still quite — soldiers everywhere, and it was still quite a hot operational environment. the beach master, who was in _ environment. the beach master, who was in charge, said good god when he saw two _ was in charge, said good god when he saw two women on the beaches. they slept in— saw two women on the beaches. they slept in the _ saw two women on the beaches. they slept in the trenches and were part

of number— slept in the trenches and were part of number 50 mobile field hospital. they established the field hospital there in— they established the field hospital there in normandy and very quickly started _ there in normandy and very quickly started receiving casualties from the battlefield. a lot of men are coming — the battlefield. a lot of men are coming up through with a very serious, — coming up through with a very serious, traumatic injuries. they cared _ serious, traumatic injuries. they cared for— serious, traumatic injuries. they cared for them, provided them with morphine. — cared for them, provided them with morphine, antibiotics, dress their wounds _ morphine, antibiotics, dress their wounds and prepare them for evacuation it back to the uk. the following — evacuation it back to the uk. the following day, some more nurses flew across— following day, some more nurses flew across from _ following day, some more nurses flew across from a raf base near swindon and they— across from a raf base near swindon and they landed on a small landing strip that _ and they landed on a small landing strip that was hastily prepared. 0n the way— strip that was hastily prepared. 0n the way out, the aircraft carried soppties— the way out, the aircraft carried supplies for the military and on the way back, — supplies for the military and on the way back, they took casualties.

there _ way back, they took casualties. there were three nurses on that first day~ — there were three nurses on that first day. there was a dust storm in normandy. — first day. there was a dust storm in normandy, so the flight back was delayed _ normandy, so the flight back was delayed for a period of time and then— delayed for a period of time and then one — delayed for a period of time and then one of them was on the first flight _ then one of them was on the first flight back— then one of them was on the first flight back to the uk, followed shortly — flight back to the uk, followed shortly by the other two. they had a whole _ shortly by the other two. they had a whole press — shortly by the other two. they had a whole press pack waiting for them at. whole press pack waiting for them at they— whole press pack waiting for them at. they casualties were floated into the — at. they casualties were floated into the care of the field hospital that have — into the care of the field hospital that have been set up locally and the three — that have been set up locally and the three nurses had some very iconic— the three nurses had some very iconic photographs taken of them in front of— iconic photographs taken of them in front of the — iconic photographs taken of them in front of the aeroplanes, and they were _ front of the aeroplanes, and they were told — front of the aeroplanes, and they were told they nightingales, a name that stuck— were told they nightingales, a name that stuck with them at all the way through— that stuck with them at all the way through the war and its use by raf nursing _ through the war and its use by raf nursing today. did through the war and its use by raf nursing today-— nursing today. did they talk about their experiences _ nursing today. did they talk about their experiences and _ nursing today. did they talk about their experiences and what - nursing today. did they talk about their experiences and what they l nursing today. did they talk about i their experiences and what they saw on those beaches. it must have been horrendous at times? i

on those beaches. it must have been horrendous at times?— horrendous at times? i think it was horrendous — horrendous at times? i think it was horrendous to _ horrendous at times? i think it was horrendous to see _ horrendous at times? i think it was horrendous to see the _ horrendous at times? i think it was horrendous to see the scale - horrendous at times? i think it was horrendous to see the scale of i horrendous to see the scale of casualties— horrendous to see the scale of casualties in terms of numbers and the seriousness of the injuries. but the seriousness of the injuries. but the noted _ the seriousness of the injuries. but the noted how good it was for the morale _ the noted how good it was for the morale of— the noted how good it was for the morale of the men to see female nurses— morale of the men to see female nurses in— morale of the men to see female nurses in the thick of it with them and providing that medical care. i think— and providing that medical care. i think for— and providing that medical care. i think for any service person, service — think for any service person, service people are prepared to be sent into — service people are prepared to be sent into very dangerous but they do so knowing _ sent into very dangerous but they do so knowing there is great medical back up— so knowing there is great medical back up there for them, and having those _ back up there for them, and having those nurses there was heart—warming for the _ those nurses there was heart—warming for the military. how those nurses there was heart-warming forthe military-— for the military. how the nurses seen battle _ for the military. how the nurses seen battle before? _ for the military. how the nurses seen battle before? i— for the military. how the nurses seen battle before? i was i for the military. how the nurses seen battle before? i was with i for the military. how the nurses i seen battle before? i was with one ofthe seen battle before? i was with one of the regular— seen battle before? i was with one of the regular raf _ seen battle before? i was with one of the regular raf nursing - seen battle before? i was with one of the regular raf nursing sistersl of the regular raf nursing sisters and she _ of the regular raf nursing sisters and she had been into field hospitals which had been bombed out by hospitals which had been bombed out try the _ hospitals which had been bombed out by the germans, and she was recognised in the national honours for her— recognised in the national honours for her work rescuing casualties from _ for her work rescuing casualties from those two bombed field

hospitals. they had seen action on uk grounds, and these were the first women _ uk grounds, and these were the first women to— uk grounds, and these were the first women to be flowing into mainland europe _ women to be flowing into mainland europe and taken across in a landing craft post _ europe and taken across in a landing craft post d—day, said they were quite _ craft post d—day, said they were quite iconic. craft post d-day, said they were quite iconic-— quite iconic. true pioneers. absolutely. _ quite iconic. true pioneers. absolutely. and _ quite iconic. true pioneers. absolutely. and women i quite iconic. true pioneers. l absolutely. and women who quite iconic. true pioneers. i absolutely. and women who they monitoring day nursing country within— monitoring day nursing country within the raf are very proud to follow — within the raf are very proud to follow. they are our forebears and we have _ follow. they are our forebears and we have taken up that mantle and provide _ we have taken up that mantle and provide the same care to troops these _ provide the same care to troops these days. provide the same care to troops these days-— they are just starting up, as you can probably hear. struggling to be heard over the military band on stage. there is so much to look forward to. we had a sneak preview yesterday at the dress rehearsal and it is emotional, celebrate to read, and the start of the show and the focus of the show are those surviving d—day veterans who will be

sat in the royal box with the king, queen and the prince of wales. thank ou ve queen and the prince of wales. thank you very much- _ queen and the prince of wales. thank you very much- in _ queen and the prince of wales. thank you very much. in around _ queen and the prince of wales. thank you very much. in around half- queen and the prince of wales. thank you very much. in around half an i you very much. in around half an hour, for those who want to see the event live, stay with us on bbc news. last night was the first leaders debate in salford in greater manchester, our correspondent, rajini vaidyanathan is out on the road visiting the different constiuencies in and around greater manchester. and right now she's in leigh. talk us through what the main issues are in leigh. what are people saying? 50 are in leigh. what are people sa ini? , are in leigh. what are people sa inc? , .y , are in leigh. what are people saina? , .y , ., saying? so this constituency is now leiah and saying? so this constituency is now leigh and atherton. _ saying? so this constituency is now leigh and atherton. in _ saying? so this constituency is now leigh and atherton. in 2019, - saying? so this constituency is now leigh and atherton. in 2019, this | leigh and atherton. in 2019, this was a seat that went to the conservatives. it is part of the so—called red wall. that has likely changed due to boundary changes. we will talk to kevin from radio manchester about that in a second.

this is the sort of seat labour is really targeting. part of that red wool for decades, solidly labour, thenit wool for decades, solidly labour, then it switched to the conservatives. i am here all day. we are going to be travelling around some of the seats. having a cup of tea or coffee, the best way to get to know people, and having a chat. i am joined by peter and kevin and patrick. patrick, this is your cafe. we will come to you in a second. peter, you are a taxi driver. almost the pulse of what people are thinking. you are not going to vote, are you? thinking. you are not going to vote, are ou? ., thinking. you are not going to vote, are you? ihla. why not customer i are you? no. why not customer i thou~ht are you? no. why not customer i thought it — are you? no. why not customer i thought it pointless. it is your chance to have a say.- thought it pointless. it is your chance to have a say. change only im act chance to have a say. change only impact the — chance to have a say. change only impact the rich, _ chance to have a say. change only impact the rich, in _ chance to have a say. change only impact the rich, in my— chance to have a say. change only impact the rich, in my opinion. i chance to have a say. change only impact the rich, in my opinion. soj impact the rich, in my opinion. so what impact the rich, in my opinion. what issues impact the rich, in my opinion. fir what issues matter impact the rich, in my opinion. 5r what issues matter to you? what are

your biggest concerns? i what issues matter to you? what are your biggest concerns?— your biggest concerns? i don't think about it. i don't _ your biggest concerns? i don't think about it. i don't really _ your biggest concerns? i don't think about it. i don't really do _ about it. i don't really do politics _ about it. i don't really do politics i_ about it. i don't really do politics. ijust know that politics is pointless. i don't really vote. what _ is pointless. i don't really vote. what would you say to peter about the fact he is not using his democratic right on the lith ofjuly? with him being a taxi driver, my brother—in—law_ with him being a taxi driver, my brother—in—law and _ with him being a taxi driver, my brother—in—law and brother- with him being a taxi driver, my. brother—in—law and brother owned with him being a taxi driver, my- brother—in—law and brother owned a taxi~ _ brother—in—law and brother owned a taxi~ i_ brother—in—law and brother owned a taxi~ ithink— brother—in—law and brother owned a taxi~ i think he — brother—in—law and brother owned a taxi. i think he should _ brother—in—law and brother owned a taxi. i think he should use _ brother—in—law and brother owned a taxi. i think he should use his - taxi. i think he should use his vote — taxi. i think he should use his vote get _ taxi. i think he should use his vote. get some _ taxi. i think he should use his vote. get some more - taxi. i think he should use his vote. get some more police l taxi. i think he should use his - vote. get some more police helping you. vote. get some more police helping ou. . . vote. get some more police helping ou. , ., , ,, vote. get some more police helping ou. , . , , , ., vote. get some more police helping ou. ,, you. crime is a big issue for you. linda was _ you. crime is a big issue for you. linda was saying _ you. crime is a big issue for you. linda was saying the _ you. crime is a big issue for you. linda was saying the same. i you. crime is a big issue for you. linda was saying the same. you | you. crime is a big issue for you. i linda was saying the same. you have run this cafe for a long time. you watched the debate. what did you take away from the debate? i think it is oorl take away from the debate? i think it is poorly presented. _ take away from the debate? i think it is poorly presented. she - take away from the debate? i think it is poorly presented. she let i it is poorly presented. she let people — it is poorly presented. she let pe0ple shout— it is poorly presented. she let people shout all— it is poorly presented. she let people shout all over. - it is poorly presented. she let people shout all over. and . it is poorly presented. she let. people shout all over. and there it is poorly presented. she let- people shout all over. and there was not anything — people shout all over. and there was not anything settled. _ people shout all over. and there was not anything settled. nothing - people shout all over. and there was not anything settled. nothing camel not anything settled. nothing came over as _ not anything settled. nothing came over as definite. _

not anything settled. nothing came over as definite. they— not anything settled. nothing came over as definite. theyjust - not anything settled. nothing came over as definite. theyjust shouted i over as definite. theyjust shouted over as definite. theyjust shouted over one _ over as definite. theyjust shouted over one another. _ over as definite. theyjust shouted over one another. keir— over as definite. theyjust shouted over one another. keir starmer- over as definite. theyjust shouted i over one another. keir starmerjust over one another. keir starmer just held over one another. keir starmerjust held his _ over one another. keir starmerjust held his hands _ over one another. keir starmerjust held his hands up _ over one another. keir starmerjust held his hands up as— over one another. keir starmerjust held his hands up as though, - over one another. keir starmerjust held his hands up as though, i- over one another. keir starmerjust held his hands up as though, i have had enough — held his hands up as though, i have had enough of— held his hands up as though, i have had enough of this. _ held his hands up as though, i have had enough of this. you _ held his hands up as though, i have had enough of this.— held his hands up as though, i have had enough of this. you are a labour voter. i had enough of this. you are a labour voter- i am — had enough of this. you are a labour voter. i am guessing _ had enough of this. you are a labour voter. i am guessing that _ had enough of this. you are a labour voter. i am guessing that last - had enough of this. you are a labour voter. i am guessing that last nightl voter. i am guessing that last night did not change your mind on that? no, because he did not want to talk about— no, because he did not want to talk about the _ no, because he did not want to talk about the last — no, because he did not want to talk about the last 14 _ no, because he did not want to talk about the last 14 years, _ no, because he did not want to talk about the last 14 years, he - no, because he did not want to talk about the last 14 years, he wanted i about the last 14 years, he wanted to talk— about the last 14 years, he wanted to talk about — about the last 14 years, he wanted to talk about the _ about the last 14 years, he wanted to talk about the next _ about the last 14 years, he wanted to talk about the next five - about the last 14 years, he wanted to talk about the next five years. i to talk about the next five years. the damage _ to talk about the next five years. the damage that _ to talk about the next five years. the damage that has _ to talk about the next five years. the damage that has been - to talk about the next five years. the damage that has been donel to talk about the next five years. - the damage that has been done over the last— the damage that has been done over the tast14 _ the damage that has been done over the tast14 years. _ the damage that has been done over the last 14 years, i— the damage that has been done over the last 14 years, ithink— the damage that has been done over the last 14 years, i think it— the damage that has been done over the last 14 years, i think it is- the last 14 years, i think it is irreparable _ the last 14 years, i think it is irreparable.— the last 14 years, i think it is irreparable. the last 14 years, i think it is irrearable. ., ., ., irreparable. you are nodding your head on that. _ irreparable. you are nodding your head on that. so _ irreparable. you are nodding your head on that. so although - irreparable. you are nodding your head on that. so although you - irreparable. you are nodding your| head on that. so although you are not political by definition, everybody is affected by what is happening. why did you not your head? he happening. why did you not your head? ,,, .~ head? he is speaking the truth. surely everybody _ head? he is speaking the truth. surely everybody in _ head? he is speaking the truth. surely everybody in this - head? he is speaking the truth. surely everybody in this country head? he is speaking the truth. - surely everybody in this country can see it _ surely everybody in this country can see it is _ surely everybody in this country can see it is in _ surely everybody in this country can see it is in disrepair. _ surely everybody in this country can see it is in disrepair. i— surely everybody in this country can see it is in disrepair. i don't- see it is in disrepair. i don't think— see it is in disrepair. i don't think it _ see it is in disrepair. i don't think it can— see it is in disrepair. i don't think it can be _ see it is in disrepair. i don't think it can be fixed - see it is in disrepair. i don't think it can be fixed by- see it is in disrepair. i don't- think it can be fixed by anybody, no ntatter— think it can be fixed by anybody, no matter who — think it can be fixed by anybody, no matter who comes— think it can be fixed by anybody, no matter who comes into _ think it can be fixed by anybody, no matter who comes into power. - matter who comes into power. whichever— matter who comes into power. whichever party _ matter who comes into power. whichever party is _ matter who comes into power. whichever party is in _ matter who comes into power. whichever party is in power, . matter who comes into power. whichever party is in power, ii matter who comes into power. - whichever party is in power, idon't whichever party is in power, i don't think— whichever party is in power, i don't think it _ whichever party is in power, i don't think it would — whichever party is in power, i don't think it would be _ whichever party is in power, i don't think it would be fixed. _ whichever party is in power, i don't think it would be fixed. if— whichever party is in power, i don't think it would be fixed.— think it would be fixed. if you were in charue, think it would be fixed. if you were in charge. what — think it would be fixed. if you were in charge, what is _ think it would be fixed. if you were in charge, what is the _ think it would be fixed. if you were in charge, what is the first - think it would be fixed. if you were in charge, what is the first thing i in charge, what is the first thing you would do? i in charge, what is the first thing you would do?— you would do? i have no idea. i would have _ you would do? i have no idea. i would have to _ you would do? i have no idea. i would have to sit _ you would do? i have no idea. i would have to sit down - you would do? i have no idea. i would have to sit down and - you would do? i have no idea. i l would have to sit down and really think— would have to sit down and really think about — would have to sit down and really

think about it. — would have to sit down and really think about it.— would have to sit down and really think about it. patrick, what issues are the primary — think about it. patrick, what issues are the primary concern _ think about it. patrick, what issues are the primary concern to - think about it. patrick, what issues are the primary concern to you? i are the primary concern to you? obviously, the audience last night asked about a range of questions. the national health service, immigration, even foreign policy, so what are the main concern is for you? in what are the main concern is for ou? , ., , ., ., . ,, ., you? in my town, it is a lack of policing- _ you? in my town, it is a lack of policing- we — you? in my town, it is a lack of policing. we don't _ you? in my town, it is a lack of policing. we don't see - you? in my town, it is a lack of policing. we don't see any - you? in my town, it is a lack of- policing. we don't see any policemen walking _ policing. we don't see any policemen walking past — policing. we don't see any policemen walking past at — policing. we don't see any policemen walking past at all. _ policing. we don't see any policemen walking past at all. none _ policing. we don't see any policemen walking past at all. none at - policing. we don't see any policemen walking past at all. none at all. - policing. we don't see any policemen walking past at all. none at all. i - walking past at all. none at all. i think— walking past at all. none at all. i think immigration— walking past at all. none at all. i think immigration is— walking past at all. none at all. i think immigration is to _ walking past at all. none at all. i think immigration is to deflect i think immigration is to deflect people — think immigration is to deflect people from _ think immigration is to deflect people from the _ think immigration is to deflect people from the main - think immigration is to deflect people from the main issues. i think immigration is to deflect| people from the main issues. i think immigration is to deflect - people from the main issues. i think immigration — people from the main issues. i think immigration isn't _ people from the main issues. i think immigration isn't that _ people from the main issues. i think immigration isn't that big _ people from the main issues. i think immigration isn't that big a - people from the main issues. i think immigration isn't that big a problemi immigration isn't that big a problem whereas— immigration isn't that big a problem whereas the — immigration isn't that big a problem whereas the standard _ immigration isn't that big a problem whereas the standard of— immigration isn't that big a problem whereas the standard of living, i immigration isn't that big a problem whereas the standard of living, thel whereas the standard of living, the cost of _ whereas the standard of living, the cost of living, — whereas the standard of living, the cost of living, inflation, _ whereas the standard of living, the cost of living, inflation, young i cost of living, inflation, young kids— cost of living, inflation, young kids paying _ cost of living, inflation, young kids paying the _ cost of living, inflation, young kids paying the mortgage i cost of living, inflation, young kids paying the mortgage off, | cost of living, inflation, young - kids paying the mortgage off, those are the _ kids paying the mortgage off, those are the main— kids paying the mortgage off, those are the main issues— kids paying the mortgage off, those are the main issues they— kids paying the mortgage off, those are the main issues they should i kids paying the mortgage off, those are the main issues they should bel are the main issues they should be addressing — are the main issues they should be addressing we _ are the main issues they should be addressing. we get— are the main issues they should be addressing. we get people - are the main issues they should be addressing. we get people comingi addressing. we get people coming here who _ addressing. we get people coming here who don't _ addressing. we get people coming here who don't switch _ addressing. we get people coming here who don't switch their- addressing. we get people coming| here who don't switch their heating on. here who don't switch their heating on it— here who don't switch their heating on it is— here who don't switch their heating on it is 2024. _ here who don't switch their heating on. it is 2024, they— here who don't switch their heating on. it is 2024, they can't _ here who don't switch their heating on. it is 2024, they can't afford i here who don't switch their heating on. it is 2024, they can't afford toi on. it is 2024, they can't afford to keep— on. it is 2024, they can't afford to keep warm — on. it is 2024, they can't afford to keep warm i_ on. it is 2024, they can't afford to keep warm. i think— on. it is 2024, they can't afford to keep warm. i think it— on. it is 2024, they can't afford to keep warm. i think it is— on. it is 2024, they can't afford to keep warm. i think it is a - on. it is 2024, they can't afford to keep warm. i think it is a scandal. i keep warm. i think it is a scandal. and we _ keep warm. i think it is a scandal. and we heard _ keep warm. i think it is a scandal. and we heard one _ keep warm. i think it is a scandal. and we heard one of— keep warm. i think it is a scandal. and we heard one of the - keep warm. i think it is a scandal. i and we heard one of the questions last night was all about the cost of

living. the first question, in fact. talking about how they batch cook food because of the challenges in this cost of living crisis. to discuss this in a bit more detail, we did have a conservative voter in the last hour but we have someone who is not voting at all and a labour voter, who is not voting at all and a labourvoter, but who is not voting at all and a labour voter, but we have spoken to a range of people in the last day or so. kevin fitzpatrick, this is a seat that the conservatives want to hold onto, a real target for labour. give us a flavour of the broader picture. give us a flavour of the broader icture. , , ., ., picture. this seat, when it went to the conservatives, _ picture. this seat, when it went to the conservatives, was _ picture. this seat, when it went to the conservatives, was the - picture. this seat, when it went to the conservatives, was the big i the conservatives, was the big shocker— the conservatives, was the big shocker around greater manchester and it _ shocker around greater manchester and it was _ shocker around greater manchester and it was part of the story of that night _ and it was part of the story of that night where brexit, borisjohnson, his promise — night where brexit, borisjohnson, his promise to get brexit done, to level— his promise to get brexit done, to level up— his promise to get brexit done, to level up the country, he swept in with five — level up the country, he swept in with five new mps in constituencies across _ with five new mps in constituencies across this — with five new mps in constituencies across this area. the cost of living has been — across this area. the cost of living has been biting, frustration about the lack— has been biting, frustration about the lack of— has been biting, frustration about the lack of opportunities in the town— the lack of opportunities in the town centres, town centres on

decline, — town centres, town centres on decline, and just this sense that there _ decline, and just this sense that there was— decline, and just this sense that there was some need for change. that was partly— there was some need for change. that was partly why boris johnson won those _ was partly why boris johnson won those mps in these towns last time, but five _ those mps in these towns last time, but five years is a long time in politics— but five years is a long time in politics and it does appear that the swing _ politics and it does appear that the swing would be going the other way this time, _ swing would be going the other way this time, with labour, according to the polls— this time, with labour, according to the polls at— this time, with labour, according to the polls at least, taping leigh back— the polls at least, taping leigh back quite comfortable and picking up back quite comfortable and picking up seats _ back quite comfortable and picking up seats across greater manchester, and a _ up seats across greater manchester, and a big — up seats across greater manchester, and a big reversal of what was a bit of a shock— and a big reversal of what was a bit of a shock in— and a big reversal of what was a bit of a shock in the red bull seat in 2019 _ of a shock in the red bull seat in 2019. ~ ., , of a shock in the red bull seat in 2019. . ., , , ~ 2019. what is quite striking as well is how the issues _ 2019. what is quite striking as well is how the issues that _ 2019. what is quite striking as well is how the issues that sometimes i is how the issues that sometimes dominate the national agenda, things like immigration, are not necessarily the first things people talk about when you get out of london or the westminster bubble. immigration has been a big concern. there _ immigration has been a big concern. there is— immigration has been a big concern. there is a _ immigration has been a big concern. there is a feeling that with all the immigration in this century, it change — immigration in this century, it change the dynamics and bee population of the town, and 64% of people _ population of the town, and 64% of people in— population of the town, and 64% of people in the borough of wigan,

where _ people in the borough of wigan, where leigh is, voted for brexit, which _ where leigh is, voted for brexit, which is — where leigh is, voted for brexit, which is why it was such a big issue back in— which is why it was such a big issue back in 2019 — which is why it was such a big issue back in 2019. this time, the concerns— back in 2019. this time, the concerns are the cost of living, the sense _ concerns are the cost of living, the sense that — concerns are the cost of living, the sense that people are struggling day in, sense that people are struggling day in. day— sense that people are struggling day in. day out — sense that people are struggling day in, day out. levelling up in many people's— in, day out. levelling up in many people's fuse has not really materialised. the town centre in leigh— materialised. the town centre in leigh has— materialised. the town centre in leigh has had £11 millionjust in the last— leigh has had £11 millionjust in the last year or so and that is going — the last year or so and that is going to _ the last year or so and that is going to go to sprucing up the high street— going to go to sprucing up the high street and — going to go to sprucing up the high street and trying to make some improvements at the indoor market, but the _ improvements at the indoor market, but the idea — improvements at the indoor market, but the idea that levelling up was going _ but the idea that levelling up was going to — but the idea that levelling up was going to radically change the quality— going to radically change the quality of people's lives, it has 'ust quality of people's lives, it has just not— quality of people's lives, it has just not happened, so there is a sense _ just not happened, so there is a sense that — just not happened, so there is a sense that 2019 has not materialised in the _ sense that 2019 has not materialised in the way _ sense that 2019 has not materialised in the way people hoped and that is informing _ in the way people hoped and that is informing people's decisions at this time when — informing people's decisions at this time when they vote. | informing people's decisions at this time when they vote.— informing people's decisions at this time when they vote. i think what is strikina is time when they vote. i think what is striking isiust _ time when they vote. i think what is striking is just how _ time when they vote. i think what is striking isjust how many _ time when they vote. i think what is striking isjust how many people i time when they vote. i think what is striking isjust how many people we | striking is just how many people we have spoken to talk about crime and the importance of keeping the streets safe. we have spent a bit of time up and down the high street and people saying, which you hear in a

lot of parts of the greater manchester area, the high street, which was once thriving, it is boarded up, not as many shops, it does not have the life it used to, so as much as those national issues dominate, sometimes it is what is happening on the high street and how safe people feel. thank you to kevin and to peter and to patrick. i am just getting you all mixed up. we will be back throughout the day, travelling, going to other parts of the constituencies in this area, which are key battlegrounds, to give you a flavour of what it feels like a day after that leadership debate. one quick thing to say, a couple of people i spoke to said they did not even watch it. it is obviously seen as a key game changer for a lot of people but there are a lot of people who did not necessarily pay attention to that showdown between keir starmer and rishi sunak. thank ou ve keir starmer and rishi sunak. thank you very much- _

the letter from james bowler, the treasury permanent secretary, says the £2000 for get which rishi sunak used against sir keir starmer a number of times should not be presented as having come from the civil service, which of course is impartial. bbc cost matt —— bbc verify has the latest on this. what that claim from rishi sunak that labour would put up household taxes by £2000 produced by the treasury? that is certainly what the conservative leader implied. it is what he actually said. independent treasury officials have costed labour policies and they amount to a £2000 tax rise for every working family. now, first, let's explain how that £2000 figure is generated. the conservatives have added up what they say are the net cost of

labour�*s additional spending commitments over the next four years. they can do a cumulative same of £385 years. they can do a cumulative same of 58.5 billion. they have then divided this figure by the number of households in the uk with one person in work, around 18 million, and that produces the figure of £2000 per household. but this morning, a letter emerged from the chief civil servant at the treasury, written to labour on the 3rd ofjune, which distances the treasury from that calculation, and it says this. the 13 point —— £38.5 billion figure includes costs beyond those provided by the civil service and published online by hm treasury. and it adds, any costings derived from other sources or produced by other organisations should not be presented as having been produced by the civil service. and i have reminded ministers and advises that this should be the case. now, this

is important. the treasury is saying that it did produce some costings of labour�*s policies, but that it did not produce that £38.5 billion figure. that is because at the figures were used by the tories to get to that overall total. therefore, the £2000 figure of suppose it tax rises under a future labour government, a figure which derives from the overall total, also cannot be attributed to the treasury. and by the way, the assumption fed into the costings of labour�*s policies that the treasury did produce were based on assumptions fed to them by political special advisers, and some of those assumptions are questionable. so thatis assumptions are questionable. so that is another reason to be wary of this £2000 per household tax claim which so dominated last night's leaders debate. back to you. thank you very much. the post office inquiry continues in earnest today

with the former chair, alice perkins facing questions. she was made chair when the post office split from royal mail in 2011 the post office inquiry continues in earnest today with the former chair, alice perkins facing questions. she was made chair when the post office split from royal mail in 2011 at the height of the horizon scandal. let's speak to our correspondent azadeh moshiri. what are we going to be hearing today? what have we been hearing today? what have we been hearing today? abs. today? what have we been hearing toda ? �* , today? what have we been hearing toda ? . , ., ., today? what have we been hearing toda ? ~ , ., ., ., today? a message that i have heard time and time _ today? a message that i have heard time and time again _ today? a message that i have heard time and time again is _ today? a message that i have heard time and time again is that - today? a message that i have heard time and time again is that they i time and time again is that they don't want anyone to be scapegoated over the scandal, they want any were potentially responsible to be held to account. and so every phase of this inquiry, every witness, is particularly important. as you say, alice perkins was chair of the post office from 2011 until 2015, when there was mounting evidence about problems with the horizon it system, and so we are likely to hear questions about business priorities as well as the alleged cover—up. so

far, we saw a stunning handwritten note from 2011, the beginning of alice perkins's tenure as chair, and it was in reference to advice that she and the post office received from independent auditors ernst and young, and they raised problems already to do with the horizon it system. this is how the council summarised the advice she was given. she was told horizon was a real risk to the post office, that the auditor questioned whether the horizon system captures data accurately and reference the fact that broad suspects suggest it is a systems problem. this is at the heart of the scandal. whether the horizon it system was robust and reliable as the post office had been suggesting and an outright saying. and whether there were any systemic issues. this is right at the beginning of her ten

you are, although alice perkins explained they were so much information she was receiving, there was a learning curve and she did not make the connection is that the inquiry now has been able to make. these are all assertions that she is sure to be challenged on throughout her testimony. sure to be challenged on throughout her testimony-— her testimony. thank you very much indeed. we go to india next where prime minister, narendra modi, is due to start talks on forming a coalition government. his bjp party is celebrating but it failed to secure a majority on its own for the first time in 10 years. mr modi thanked voters for their mandate, and said he would "do everything" to eradicate corruption and poverty. the world's biggest election was held over six weeks with almost a billion people registered to vote. our correspondent arunoday mukharji reports from delhi. victory celebrations at the bjp headquarters in new delhi. prime minister narendra modi returning to power for a record third time. the victory bittersweet — modi's aim of crossing

400 seats unfulfilled. in his victory speech, choosing to call it a win for his nda alliance and not a win for the bjp. translation: on this pious day, . it is definite that the national. democratic alliance will make a government for the third consecutive time. we are all very grateful to the people of this country as they have expressed their trust in the bjp and the nda. over two dozen indian opposition parties had united to form the india alliance to take on the bjp — the grouping doing much better than expected. opposition leader rahul gandhi called the alliance's improved performance a verdict against modi's style of politics. to a question on whether he may still try and gobble up a bigger alliance to form the government, gandhi remained noncommittal. translation: the opposition india alliance meeting - onjune the 5th, where our alliance will decide our next move. there is a very fine line

to make the majority, so we will do whatever the alliance decides. what was widely anticipated to be a runaway election wasn't to be and after ten years of the bjp's absolute majority, india will be returning to coalition politics, where consensus will be key. just over a year since his coronation and the king now appears on our notes — coins have already been out for a little while. but unless you're very lucky, it may be a little while until you get your hands on some of them. in the meantime, some 4.7 billion of the more familiar notes featuring the late queen will continue to be legal tender. and as nice as the new notes are — it comes at a time when we're using less cash in general — as kevin peachey reports. cash may no longer be king. but finally, the king is on our cash.

printed months ago, preparations are complete for these banknotes to enter circulation from today. and if it's your portrait on them... i wondered how it would come out. ..you'll be curious about how they look. these are the first issues. the rest will be introduced steadily. we are only printing enough to replace — we are only printing enough to replace worn out notes. what i can tell you _ replace worn out notes. what i can tell you is — replace worn out notes. what i can tell you is that cash centres up and down _ tell you is that cash centres up and down the _ tell you is that cash centres up and down the country have got the new notes _ down the country have got the new notes in _ down the country have got the new notes in and so they should start to be seen _ notes in and so they should start to be seen nationwide as of today, but over the _ be seen nationwide as of today, but over the next few weeks people will start to _ over the next few weeks people will start to see them coming into their wallets~ _ but while the king's now appearing on notes and coins, is cash disappearing from our lives? here in the harbour town of looe in cornwall, a county with rich links to the monarch and where the ferry only takes cash, they've witnessed a sea change. well, i can tell you that because i'm the local window cleaner. so most people pay straight into the bank account, the company bank account. you see people pay

with their phones these days. i don't do that. usually card or my phone, to be honest. it's just... i've just got so used to it. yeah, everywhere you go, it's got card readers. i even the toilet down there, they're preparing to put i a little card reader for 20p. surveys suggest most people still rely to some extent on cash, but with fewer banks around, it's getting harder to find. with more than 6,000 branches across the uk having closed in the last nine years, hundreds of places like this have been left with none at all. and for those who want or need banking services and cash, one possible alternative stands right here. behind a cafe and heritage centre underneath an award winning restaurant... through this magic door... ..and next to a disused climbing wall, there's a new hub. premises shared by the major banks and run by the post office. so they can come and take money out. they can come and put money in. they can deposit cheques. they can...

we do change giving for businesses. people come and pay their bills. you can top up your gas and electric, with a friendly service and a smile. the cafe manager says the hub — one of 50 around the country — is a lifeline. obviously for all the businesses in the town, they need to use it, you know, because if they don't, you know that old saying, "if you don't use it, you're going to lose it." so whether or not you think cash still counts, it will be with us with a new look for a while yet. kevin peachey, bbc news. within the wider general election, let's go back to that.

within the wider general election, it's the battleground seats where the fiercest campaigning is taking place. we're focussing on two of those constituencies today. in somerset, we are looking at a battleground between the conservative party and the liberal democrats in taunton and wellington. and in birmingham, we will be discussing the key issues at play in the central constituency of birmingham ladywood. we heard more from taunton with bbc radio somerset�*s ruth bradley in taunton, and from the mailbox in birmingham bbc political reporter, simon gilbert. well, welcome to somerset and specifically the taunton and wellington constituency. i want you to imagine you are a voter in taunton and wellington and some of those knife edge issues that are at play, as you said. perhaps you work in the public sector, as lots of people here do. you might work for the local council or the uk hydrographic office, part of the ministry of defence, or perhaps you work in the nhs, and those are going to inform the biggest issues for you as you go to vote in this election. the nhs is bound to be one for the electorate here. we have got the biggest hospital in somerset.

that has been promised a rebuild for many years but we have not seen that start in earnest. the maternity services have also been given an 'inadequate' rating so the nhs is bound to be a big issue for voters as they cast their votes. the cost of living, another one, like many other places in the country. but specifically in taunton and wellington, perhaps that voter that we are picturing goes wild swimming in the river on the weekend. the water quality, the pollution and the possibility of sewage being in that water is going to be really important to them. that is another issue voters will be considering. interestingly, the local river has been given bathing water status, so the wild swimmers will be glad to hear that. and another issue i am always talking to people about is transport, getting around. lots of people like to complain to me about potholes, about bus services, but they are also happy that wellington is going to be getting a new train station and that should be up and running next year. now, this is a typical southwest constituency in many ways because as you said it is not labour

who are the main rivals to the conservatives but the liberal democrats. the taunton seat has flip—floped between the liberal democrats and the tories over the last few decades. it has most recently had a conservative mp but there are six candidates standing this time so a lot to play for. and how have the boundary changes in somerset impacted the election this time? it means there are going to be more mps to be voted in for somerset. we have gone from having six in the patch that i cover to having eight, and in some of those other constituencies, there are some really interesting factors at play. let me tell you about the wider county of somerset. two little secrets about somerset. number one, while we might look like a bucolic, countryside a deal, like a bucolic, countryside idyll, we have a rolling countryside, lovely coastline, secret number one is we are also a hive of industry.

just up the coastline we have got europe's biggest building site, the hinkley point c nuclear power station, that is being built, thousands of workers employed there and living in the local area, so that is going to be a factor influencing this election. and up the m5 motorway, we have what is going to be britain's biggest gigga factory, a £4 billion plant, which will produce electric car batteries. that is going to employ 4000 people. we are a hive of industry. the second secret i want to let you in on is that somerset is a county that likes to party. we have got the glastonbury festival in a couple of weeks' time, in the autumn we have the world—famous bridgwater illuminated carnival, and in this park in the summer, there will be a series of big gigs, and conveniently, for political puns, two bands playing are going to be status quo and the boy band busted, so by the time they came

to the stage, we will know whether it is going to be the political status quo or which candidate's dreams have been busted. and here are the candidates who have been selected so far to battle it out in the constituency of taunton and wellington. we are covering the celebrations and commemorations of dj. the uk, france and the us marking the 80th anniversary of the normandy landings. —— d—day. there is prince william. i think we can now go live to the event and our colleagues on

bbc. he will then bejoined by he will then be joined by canadian d—day veterans, as well as canadian armed forces personnel and cadets, and wider youth representatives. following on from that, the prince of wales will attend the international commemoratives ceremony on omaha beach, joining over 25 heads of state and veterans from around the world in marking this historic d—day anniversary. in may 2024, king charles presented william with the title of colonel in chief of the army air court. the aache, chief of the army air court. the apache. they — chief of the army air court. the apache, they did _ chief of the army air court. tie: apache, they did not have helicopters in 1944, but there were aircraft doing similar roles, observing, trying to bring down fire support, supporting the troops. the

event will begin in a matter of seconds. the state trumpeters of the household cavalry should play a fanfare followed by a flyover by two da kota fanfare followed by a flyover by two dakota aircraft. they have begun. fanfare.

applause

your royal highness. ambassadeurs. ladies and gentlemen. _ your royal highness. ambassadeurs. ladies and gentlemen. welcome i your royal highness. ambassadeurs. ladies and gentlemen. welcome to i ladies and gentlemen. welcome to portsmouth. 80 years ago today, thousands of naval vessels and warships stretched along the south coast as our service men prepared to set off across the english channel on a quest for freedom. here they waited, a tide of allied hope. their mission, liberating europe from the tyranny of the nazi regime seemed impossible. this mission forfreedom was breathtaking in scale and

overwhelming in complexity. quite simply the future of the world was at stake. yet, while the danger was grave, the carriage was unflinching. so, with the soldiers, sailors and airmen of the allied nations united and the home fans and supporters, one of the most challenging military operations in history began. the presence today of some of those who contributed to that remarkable venture is an extraordinary privilege. your bravery remains as inspiring now as it was eight decades ago. thank you.

the legacy of this extraordinary mission is one of hope. it was on this day 80 years ago the supreme commander of the allied expeditionary force, general eisenhower, gave the go—ahead for operation overlord. we would not stop until europe was free. i was operation overlord. we would not stop until europe was free. i was 17 when i stop until europe was free. i was 17 when lioined _ stop until europe was free. i was 17 when ijoined up. _ stop until europe was free. i was 17 when ijoined up. i— stop until europe was free. i was 17 when ijoined up. i used _ stop until europe was free. i was 17 when ijoined up. i used to - stop until europe was free. i was 17 when ijoined up. i used to like i when ijoined up. i used to like doing _ when ijoined up. i used to like doing boxing and that. i only had one girlfriend, and i married her. i was 18— one girlfriend, and i married her. i was 18 and — one girlfriend, and i married her. i was 18 and i— one girlfriend, and i married her. i was 18 and i was in college at the time, _ was 18 and i was in college at the time, trying to make of the years i lost by— time, trying to make of the years i lost by being evacuated. i think i was always as serious as a young

boy _ was always as serious as a young boy i_ was always as serious as a young boy iwent— was always as serious as a young boy. i went along the back streets, strangling — boy. i went along the back streets, strangling cigarettes. | boy. i went along the back streets, strangling cigarettes.— strangling cigarettes. i was 18 when i 'oined. i strangling cigarettes. i was 18 when lioined- i used _ strangling cigarettes. i was 18 when ijoined. i used to _ strangling cigarettes. i was 18 when ijoined. i used to fly. _ strangling cigarettes. i was 18 when ijoined. i used to fly. in _ strangling cigarettes. i was 18 when ijoined. i used to fly. in the - ijoined. i used to fly. in the blitz, ijoined. i used to fly. in the blitz. some _ ijoined. i used to fly. in the blitz, some of— ijoined. i used to fly. in the blitz, some of my _ ijoined. i used to fly. in the i blitz, some of my schoolmates ijoined. i used to fly. in the - blitz, some of my schoolmates were killed _ blitz, some of my schoolmates were killed and _ blitz, some of my schoolmates were killed and i_ blitz, some of my schoolmates were killed and i wanted tojoin up. we killed and i wanted to 'oin up. we knew killed and i wanted tojoin up. knew what killed and i wanted tojoin up. we knew what the germans were doing to the jewish— knew what the germans were doing to the jewish people _ knew what the germans were doing to the jewish people. i_ knew what the germans were doing to the jewish people. i had _ knew what the germans were doing to the jewish people. i had a _ knew what the germans were doing to the jewish people. i had a great- the jewish people. i had a great sense _ the jewish people. i had a great sense of— the jewish people. i had a great sense of purpose _ the jewish people. i had a great sense of purpose to _ the jewish people. i had a great sense of purpose to this - the jewish people. i had a great sense of purpose to this joint i sense of purpose to this joint germany _ sense of purpose to this joint germany l— sense of purpose to this 'oint germanyfi sense of purpose to this 'oint german . , ., ., germany. i started off as a fighter ilot. germany. i started off as a fighter pilot- when _ germany. i started off as a fighter pilot- when we — germany. i started off as a fighter pilot. when we did _ germany. i started off as a fighter pilot. when we did go on - germany. i started off as a fighter pilot. when we did go on d-day, l germany. i started off as a fighter| pilot. when we did go on d-day, it pilot. when we did go on d—day, it did go— pilot. when we did go on d—day, it did go guiet— pilot. when we did go on d—day, it did go quiet especially when the first shell came coming over. that is about— first shell came coming over. that is about we — first shell came coming over. that is about we knew trouble was coming,

and it— is about we knew trouble was coming, and it did _ is about we knew trouble was coming, and it did come. gur is about we knew trouble was coming, and it did come.— and it did come. our advanced unit had been torpedoed _ and it did come. our advanced unit had been torpedoed on _ and it did come. our advanced unit had been torpedoed on the way i and it did come. our advanced unit i had been torpedoed on the way over. there _ had been torpedoed on the way over. there was— had been torpedoed on the way over. there was a _ had been torpedoed on the way over. there was a deathly— had been torpedoed on the way over. there was a deathly hash. _ had been torpedoed on the way over. there was a deathly hash. i— had been torpedoed on the way over. there was a deathly hash. i thought, | there was a deathly hash. i thought, i will there was a deathly hash. i thought, i will set _ there was a deathly hash. i thought, i will set an— there was a deathly hash. i thought, i will set an example. _ there was a deathly hash. i thought, i will set an example. as— there was a deathly hash. i thought, i will set an example. as a _ there was a deathly hash. i thought, i will set an example. as a jew- there was a deathly hash. i thought, i will set an example. as a jew i- i will set an example. as a jew i felt i _ i will set an example. as a jew i felt i had — i will set an example. as a jew i felt i had to _ i will set an example. as a jew i felt i had to.— i will set an example. as a jew i felt i had to. ~ ., ., ., , felt i had to. we went to normandy and the crew was _ felt i had to. we went to normandy and the crew was apprehensive. i i felt i had to. we went to normandy i and the crew was apprehensive. i was scared at times. _ and the crew was apprehensive. i was scared at times. you _ and the crew was apprehensive. i was scared at times. you couldn't run away— scared at times. you couldn't run away anywhere. you just had to take it. away anywhere. you 'ust had to take it. ., ., , , away anywhere. you 'ust had to take it. ., , , , . away anywhere. you 'ust had to take it. that was my first experience of war and i it. that was my first experience of war and l was _ it. that was my first experience of war and i was frightened. - it. that was my first experience of war and i was frightened. i - it. that was my first experience of war and i was frightened. i got i it. that was my first experience of| war and i was frightened. i got out a book— war and i was frightened. i got out a book of— war and i was frightened. i got out a book of psalms. _ war and i was frightened. i got out a book of psalms. whether- war and i was frightened. i got out a book of psalms. whether it i war and i was frightened. i got out a book of psalms. whether it gavej war and i was frightened. i got out i a book of psalms. whether it gave me solace. _ a book of psalms. whether it gave me solace. i_ a book of psalms. whether it gave me solace. ithink— a book of psalms. whether it gave me solace, i think it— a book of psalms. whether it gave me solace, i think it did. _ a book of psalms. whether it gave me solace, i think it did. little— a book of psalms. whether it gave me solace, i think it did.— solace, i think it did. we were -~ickin solace, i think it did. we were picking up _ solace, i think it did. we were picking up bodies _ solace, i think it did. we were picking up bodies and - solace, i think it did. we were picking up bodies and taking l solace, i think it did. we were i picking up bodies and taking them to the medical ship. i said, just like them _ the medical ship. i said, just like

them back— the medical ship. i said, just like them back into the sea because we've .ot them back into the sea because we've got too _ them back into the sea because we've got too many dead people on—board ourselves _ got too many dead people on—board ourselves. so many were lost. it was terrible _ ourselves. so many were lost. it was terrible l _ ourselves. so many were lost. it was terrible. . , ourselves. so many were lost. it was terrible. ., , ., ., ., d—day changed the war completely. i do d—day changed the war completely. do think of d—day changed the war completely. i do think of it with pride because it finished _ do think of it with pride because it finished the — do think of it with pride because it finished the war. _ do think of it with pride because it finished the war. it— do think of it with pride because it finished the war.— finished the war. it was an operation _ finished the war. it was an operation that _ finished the war. it was an operation that had - finished the war. it was an operation that had to i finished the war. it was an operation that had to be i operation that had to be accomplished. i am pleased that i did what i could — could. everyone done could. — everyone done their bit. we _ everyone done their bit. we cannot— everyone done their bit. we cannot know - everyone done their bit. we cannot know how. everyone done their bit. we cannot know how iti everyone done their bit. i we cannot know how it felt to everyone done their bit. _ we cannot know how it felt to leave the safety of these shores. but a

few can. that memory is as vivid today as it was 80 years ago. it is my great honour to welcome to the stage d—day veteran, ray hayward. applause.

my my name is roy, i was 19 and a trooper in the sherwood rangers. on d—day, i was regarded as a reserve tank crew and i landed on the evening of the day and subsequently, i was in reserve tank crew and it was then i was finally called into a tank and when i was on the tank, three weeks later, the tank was hit and i ways so badly damaged that they had to amputate both my legs below the knee. i returned home eventually and i have to say that i always considered myself one of the lucky ones that survived because so many of us didn't. i've always

regarded myself as very lucky. today, i represent the men and women who have put their lives on hold to go and fight for democracy and this country. i am go and fight for democracy and this country. iam here go and fight for democracy and this country. i am here to know their memory and their legacy. and to ensure their story is never forgotten. thank you very much. applause.

music plays. major rodney maud was a engineer. he wrote this letter onjune the 4th 1944. my dear mum. you certainly won't get this letter until after

the event, as it were, but i hope it won't be delayed too long. at the moment, we are at anchor off the coast of england surrounded by a great many other ships and craft. we embarked yesterday afternoon, we drove very slowly down to the harbour. the men were all very cheerful, cracking jokes and cheering every girl he passed on the way. i have known for over a year now of course that we would eventually go off and i used to dread the last preparations, the final parting is from friends and england. but in actual fact i final parting is from friends and england. but in actualfact i hadn't minded at all, now that it is really happening. we all feel very confident and optimistic about the result of the landings and we all think it is going to be a walkover. at first, anyway. it simply didn't occur to anyone that anything unpleasant could possibly happen.

two other people, yes, but not to oneself. we are all intensely interested to see how this thing, which we have been planning and training for so long, there is work out in practice. anyway, please don't worry. i am sure to be all right. and no news is good news. all my love, i don't worry, your living rodney. he landed on sword beach on d—day. he survived the war and became a lieutenant colonel. applause the prospect of victor d with the foundations upon which the normandy

campaign was built. in those final days and hours, spirits were high, some even singing as they made their way to the ships. songs of courage and camaraderie as they bid farewell to home. soldiers sing

# give me a smile i can keep all the while # till we meet once again, you and i # wish me luck as you wave me goodbye.# applause this is a tale of ingenuity, cooperation and courage. and it began in 1940. and our army was driven towards the sea, britain was bloodied, but unbowed.

churchill: we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. we shall never surrender. as the battle against germany, italy and then japan raged, a plan to return to the coast of france began to take shape. troops supported by air and by sea, would [and on the beaches of normandy. if successful, the strategy could turn the tide of the second world war. but success was precarious, and the danger, real. it all depended on one crucial thing — the allied nations uniting. in an unprecedented moment in our military history, armed forces from more than a dozen countries came together to execute an invasion of staggering ambition.

victory though, would require more thanjust cooperation. for d—day to work, ships, munitions, aircraft and equipment were needed on a scale never seen before. and quickly. in late1943, the plan was finally agreed. but this mission wasn't reserved for those in uniform. success depended on ordinary people achieving extraordinary things. calling all workers. every time ourfighting forces go into action, they depend upon the skill of the workers of britain, by day and by night in all the workshops of war, that huge army, without uniform is on active service. the women of britain have answered the call magnificently. on this battlefront,

there is a constant offensive. ats, land army, civil nursing reserve, beauty on the bus, railway staff, naafi helpers, afs, salvage squads and munition workers. in this war everyone had their role to play. these are the memories of kitty morgan, one of thousands who contributed tirelessly to the national war effort. i worked in the munitions factory in aycliffe, county durham. we travelled there by train from bishop auckland and then by bus from heighington to aycliffe every day. we worked shifts. when you were 18 you were conscripted and i chose the munitions factory, so i didn't have to go away from home. and it was more money than my friend doris got in the [and army! the factory was buried down into the ground so that only the roof

was showing — this was because the factory was an enemy target. i didn't work where the powder was, but i worked on the bullets, putting the detonator in the end. i never thought about the danger as i was working, even though a few people had been killed before i got there. the people working with the powder had their hands turned yellow. i was at aycliffe for about two years and then moved to spennymoor where the bullets were packed to be sent to the navy. we used to put letters in for the sailors, and we used to get some back — some were in french! i enjoyed working there, everyone was happy, and we became friends. in our breaks there was music and singing — it was music while you worked! hello ladies!

# sing as we go # and let the world go by # singing a song, we'll march along the highway # say goodbye to sorrow # there's always tomorrow # to think of today # sing as we go # although the skies are grey # beggar or king, you've got to sing a gay tune # a song and a smile making life worthwhile # so sing # as we go along # blues, where are you now? # you ought to know that i've no use for you # frown, get off my brow # it's plain to see that from now on we're through # turn to the south and sing, morning and night # i see a better day coming in sight # sing as we go

# and let the world go by # singing a song, we'll march along the highway # say goodbye to sorrow # there's always tomorrow # to think of today # sing as we go # although the skies are grey # beggar or king, you've got to sing a gay tune # a song and a smile making life worthwhile # so sing # as we go along # sing as we go # and let the world go by # singing a song, we'll march along the highway # say goodbye to sorrow # there's always tomorrow # to think of today # sing as we go # although the skies are grey # beggar or king you've got to sing a gay tune # a song and a smile

making life worthwhile # so sing # as we go along. # applause essential to the success of d—day, was a coordinated attack by air, by land and by sea. made up of military personnel from across the allied nations, and commanded by british leaders like general bernard montgomery and admiral bertram ramsay, each of the armed forces would play a vital role. the scale of the operation had never before been attempted. more than 6,000 ships and 11,000 aircraft would be mobilised. but victory in battle depended on ensuring

the enemy's resources were already depleted and the skies secure. pilots flew tens of thousands of missions, bombing munitions factories, damaging supply routes, and drawing out german fighters. their efforts were essential, but the hazards enormous. thousands of aircrew would lose their lives before the invasion itself. many risked it all, among them, those flying along the channel seeking out german u—boats. from a very early age i was interested in aeroplanes. that's why when the war came it was automatic for me to volunteer forflying in the raf.

i was posted to 143 squadron coastal command. we were known as an attack squadron. in the build up to d—day our orders were to patrol the english channel to seek and destroy fast, heavily—armed e boats. we knew of course there were risks and dangers. there was one occasion we were suddenly enveloped with fire. it was like being in the middle of a firework display. i couldn't see any way out for us at all. there were red hot tracer bullets coming up all round us. i was feeling very scared.

in my desperation i sat on my helmet instead of putting it on my head because that's where the fire was coming from, underneath. i thought, "this must be the end, "this is so intense that we can't get out of it." and i said a prayer, and we got through, yeah, yeah. sometimes other aircraft in our formation would not return home. i think the general feeling that you can't dwell on this. if you did, you'd get so worried that you wouldn't want to fly. we did want to fly, so we carried on. all we can say is that d—day went off all right.

it was not upset by e—boats. quite satisfied to have been a little part of it. applause i am deeply honoured to join you today to recognise the bravery of all of those likejohn haddock who participated in the d—day landings, the start of the liberation of france and europe, that led to victory of the allied powers. our guests of honour today are those veterans from the normandy landing, that came from across our nation and from all walks of life tojoin in the fight against tyranny. many of those that took up arms had never seen combat. had

never seen combat before. some were still only in their teens. in their letters and diaries, we see their great strength. this is an extract from a letter by captain alastair bannerman of the royal warwickshire regiment, addressed to his wife and written in his diary on the morning of d—day. "it is now 03:00 hours in the morning and i havejust been up to the bridge. it is rather light, because the moon is shining, though heavy clouds cover her. one can see the row of small ships and of darker balloons silhouetted in front and behind us against the grey sea. you, my angel, sleep gently in the nursery, i hope. your thoughts have helped me so much. they have given me real strength. i can imagine how you listen to the news at 9 o'clock and think of me with love.

i hope that andrew's golden head rests gently and quietly upon his small pillow, and that richard is nice and comfortable lying in his narrow little carry—cot. a long line of flares hangs over cherbourg, or i suppose it is cherbourg, and a few anti—aircraft tracer shots go up in the air above the immediate front line. funny to imagine that there, germans run around with their guns. i would like to know what they are thinking. the whole channel between us and cherbourg is filled with little ships which all, quietly and efficiently, sail towards france. the british, canadian and american fighting forces on the war—path. i do not believe that i can now write for very long. we can now see the french coast and very soon we will have to play our part.

i must go now and look for the landing markings with my binoculars to ascertain our landing points. so, my darling, on we go! i know that you are with me. au revoir, god bless, i love you!" captain bannerman survived the landings and the war, being taken prisoner and returning home to his wife and sons in april the next year. too many never returned. they remain in "some corner of a foreign field that is forever england." we will always remember those who served and those who waved them off. the mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters who watched their loved ones go into battle, unsure if they would ever return. today we remember the bravery of those who crossed this sea to liberate europe. those who ensured that

operation overlord was a success. and those who waited for their safe return. applause as the allies prepared for the d—day invasion, britain was transformed. farmers' fields became airfields and towns and villages became military encampments. as much a cultural shift as a physical one, it was a shock notjust for britons, but also to our foreign visitors. by 1944, troops from more than a dozen nations had arrived — coming from across the world to join the fight for freedom.

many of the 1.5 million americans had never travelled abroad. but the united states war department did their best to prepare them by publishing instructions about life in britain. boys, you will soon face the enemy. but before that, you will face the people of britain. and you must be prepared for both. i present you with "a short guide to great britain". let's start with customs and manners. you will quickly discover differences that seem confusing and even wrong.

like driving on the left side of the road, and drinking warm beer. but once you get used to things like that you will realise that they belong to england just as baseball and jazz and coca—cola belong to us. the british have seen a good many americans, and they like americans. they are shy about showing their affections. but once they get to like you, they make the best friends in the world. don't be misled by the british tendency to be soft—spoken and polite. if they need to be, they can be plenty tough. british soldiers respect the women in uniform. they have won the right to the utmost respect. they have pulled aviators from burning planes. they have died at the gun posts and as they fell another girl has stepped directly into

the position and "carried on". do's and don'ts. don't make fun of british speech or accents. you sound just as funny to them, but they will be too polite to show it. never criticise the king or queen. you will soon find yourself among a kindly, quiet, hard—working people, who have been living under a strain such as few people in the world have ever known. let this be your slogan: it is always impolite to criticise your hosts. it is militarily stupid to criticise your allies. good luck, boys. oh, and don't forget — try and have a good time.

# doo—doo—doo—doo—doo—doo doo... # sing, sing, sing, sing # everybody start to sing # woo—oo, waa—ah # now you're singing with a swing # sing, sing, sing, sing # everybody start to sing # woo—oo, waa—ah # now you're singing with a swing # when the music comes around # everybody goes to town # there is something you should know # grow up, baby # woah, woah, woah, woah # sing, sing, sing, sing

# everybody start to sing # woo—oo, waa—ah # now you're singing with a swing # sing, sing, sing, sing # everybody start to sing # woo—oo, waa—ah # now you're singing with a swing # listen to the trumpets swing # i said, blow, oh, oh, oh # listen to the trombones go # when the music goes around # everybody goes to town # there is something you should know # grow up, baby # woah, woah, woah, woah # sing, sing, sing, sing # everybody start to sing # woo—oo, waa—ah # now you're singing with a swing # da—da—da, da—da # da—da, da—da, da

# dwe do—do, dwe do—do # dwe do—do, dwe # do—do, do—do, do—do, do—do # do, do—do, do, do—do, do—do, do # woo # sing, sing, sing, sing # everybody start to sing # woo—oo, waa—ah # now you're singing with a swing # when the music comes around # everybody goes to town # there is something you should know # grow up, baby # woah, woah, woah, woah # sing, sing, sing, sing # everybody start to sing # woo—oo, waa—ah #just sing!

#. applause these are the memories of trevor butler who was a young child as d—day approached. like me, he lived local to portsmouth. i don't know where they came from. one morning i woke to the sound of strange noises outside our house in francis road. i was off to see what it was all about. breakfast was unimportant. on both sides of the road were military vehicles from one end to the other and i later found out that these vehicles were parked in all the nearby streets.

i rushed back into the house to tell my mother. she told me that they had arrived after i had gone to bed the previous evening, and they were preparing to go to war. most of the soldiers were american. they were very friendly and i remember sitting with other children, cross—legged, eating a wonderful mince stew which they cooked in a huge tin. i don't know how they spared the food for us but after the rationed war years, the food was wonderful. i don't know how long they were there — but our days were filled with wonderful excitement. one morning i noticed the vehicles were no longer outside our house. hundreds of different types of army vehicles just disappeared.

where had they gone? it was only in later years that i learnt where they went and what they did. those wonderful men who shared their food with us, many of them not making it back to their families. i and many like me owe them a great debt of gratitude, and i, who met them, will not forget them. applause please welcome to the stage — their majesties the king and queen. applause fanfare

applause ladies and gentlemen, 80 years ago today, field marshal montgomery, commander—in—chief of the allied ground forces, wrote in his message to all soldiers on the eve of d—day, to all soldiers on the eve of d—day, to us is giving the order of striking a blow for freedom which will live in history and in the better days that lie ahead, men will speak with pride of our doings. today, we come together to honour

those nearly 160,000 british, commonwealth and allied troops, who, on the 5th ofjune 1944, assembled here and along the shores, to embark on the mission which would strike that blow for freedom and be recorded as the greatest amphibious operation in history. those who gathered here in portsmouth would never forget the sight. it was, by far, the largest military fleet the world has ever known. yet, all knew that both victory and failure were possible. and none could know their fate. aircrew flying overhead, sailors manning warships, or troops in a sort draft, battering their way

through the stormy swell to the shore, whether dropping by parachute, landing in a wooden glider, ortaking parachute, landing in a wooden glider, or taking that terrible leap of faith on to the beaches. all must have questioned whether they would survive, and how they would respond when faced with such mortal danger. the poet keith douglas, who was killed in action three days later, wrote of the embarkation," actors waiting in the wings of europe, we already watch the lights on the stage, and listen to the colossal overture begin. for us, entering at the height of the din it will be hard to hear our thoughts, hard to

gauge how much our conduct owes to fear orfury. at this remove, eight decades later, it is a near impossible task to imagine the emotion of that day. the pride of being part of so great an enterprise. the anxiety of, in some way, not coming up to scratch, and the fear of that day being the last. i recently, myself, spoke to veterans who, to this day, remember with such heartbreaking clarity the sight of those many soldiers lying on the beach, who drowned before they could even engage in combat. the stories of courage, resilience

and solidarity which we have heard today and throughout our lives cannot fail to move us. to inspire us. and to remind us of what we are to that great wartime generation. now, tragically dwindling to serve you. —— to so few. it is our privilege to hear the testimony. but, our role is not purely passive, it is our duty to ensure that we, and future generations do not forget their service and their sacrifice in replacing tyranny with freedom. our rights and the liberty won at such terrible cost bring with them responsibilities to others, in the exercise of that liberty. the allied actions of that day insured the

forces of freedom secured first a toehold in normandy, then liberated france, and then ultimately the whole of europe from the stranglehold of a brutal totalitarianism. and as you remember with humility, pride and gratitude, let us never forget that the soldiers who fought in the campaign, launched from this place, came from 30 nations, from across the united kingdom, commonwealth and allied countries while, elsewhere in europe, allied forces continued to make vital progress in their successful italian campaign. and, while halfway around the world, at that same moment, the critical

battles raged on in what was then burma. in 1944, the victoria cross roll of honour included sikh muslim and hindu soldiers, a reminder that events that year —shaped arab world, then, and the society we share today. —— shaped our world. it was the front line troops that fate is the front line troops that fate is the greatest dangers but the privations and sacrifices of war were enjoyed by so many more. the allied victory was a truly collective effort, born of the fortitude and hard work of those who remained on the home front, toiling in factories, under our land remained on the home front, toiling

infactories, under our land in remained on the home front, toiling in factories, under our land in the mines, out in the fields or working in secret, men and women alike. their collective industry, ingenuity and commitment helped our soldiers, sailors and airmen to prevail. so, as we give thanks to all those who gave so much to win the victory, whose fruits we still enjoy to this day, let us once again commit ourselves always to remember, cherish and honour those who served that day and to live up to the freedom they died for by balancing rights with civic responsibilities to our country. for we are all eternally in their debt.

applause the d—day landings were planned using information that had come from bletchley. on d—day we thought something big was happening. if we hadn't managed to break the codes then we might not have won the war. i was 17 when i decided to join the wrens, just an ordinary schoolgirl. we were taken into a room with the leading wren and she said

we're doing very secret work. you didn't even know what the person in the next hut or the next room even was doing. the only thing we were ever told is we are breaking german codes, the more codes we broke the more nazis we would kill. at bletchley i was typing decoded messages that were sent out to wireless stations on the front line and they were all various positions of the german army and the german navy. sometimes i would say "oooh, i'm chasing a u boat". just like old times. as an operator you were eight hours

on your feet my shoes were always wearing out. when the machine stopped all you knew is your machine maybe had helped to break the code. when it was d—day i was on night duty and one of the girls said it's going to be very busy, and it was. what we did was in paramount importance for saving thousands of thousands of lives. i'm just really proud that i had some involvement in helping to win the war. yes, i think we women did very well. applause the code breakers of bletchley like ruth and gladys

armed the allies with a formidable weapon — information. and they weren't the only ones. the secret war of the french resistance had long been waging. resistance had long been raging. but now their quest to sabotage the enemy was essential. made up of men and women from all walks of life, they were instrumental to the liberation of france — frequently destroying communications and damaging railway lines. this army of quiet disrupters — skilled, who also gathered vital intelligence — were often directed by the british special operations executive. tasked by winston churchill to "set europe ablaze" the soe were trained in the art of combat, spying and bomb—making.

in may 1944, atjust 23, wireless operator pippa latour was parachuted into france. it was the dead of night, this is her story. i looked up at the light above me, waiting for it to change as the signal to exit the aircraft. the dispatcher shouted, "go!" i pushed myself through the hole, into the night sky. i was happy with the way i landed but the wind was troublesome and blew my parachute towards a nearby tree, dragging me along with it. hearing a scuffle behind me, i spun around to see a young man. he told me that we needed to move fast. i was to cross the forest alone and someone would meet me at the other side. it was nerve—racking, walking through the trees. a woman dressed in

a mustard—yellow french suit, complete with sten gun and revolver — how could i possibly explain any of this to a german soldier? clearly i could not, so it was best that i avoided them. my new identity paperwork arrived the next morning. i would be working in the middle of the second line of the germans' defence, a very dangerous place to be. the area i would cover lay along the normandy coast. myjob was to take down what england sent to me to decode and to send them my encoded messages. passing on information that was dangerous in the wrong hands — with lethal repercussions — felt remarkably normal in quite a short amount of time. d—day was on the horizon. in preparation for the landings, the brief to soe was to destroy all lines of german communication, and to blow up railways, telephone lines and fuel depots.

we all knew that d—day, would be a pivotal turning point in the war. if successful — the beginning of the end of nazi germany's control of western europe. pippa received multiple awards for her extraordinary bravery, including an mbe. she went on to have a family and was the last surviving soe agent out of more than 400 that were sent to france. applause in a war of vast destruction, a brotherhood was built. on d—day, more than 130,000 soldiers from across the allied nations would need to land on a 50—mile stretch of treacherous coastline. as troops descended

from ships, laden with weaponry and supplies, the brutal onslaught of german firepower began. yet despite the grave risks, many young men were desperate to serve. fighting forfreedom and for their comrades in arms. if you liked your country and someone was trying to take it, would you sit back? you had a duty, you had to do what you could. i went into the recruiting office and the bloke said, "how old are you?" i said "well, i'm15." and he said, "if you came in here and told me you were 18 you could join the royal sussex regiment." and i thought, well, "i'll have a go," and i went back in. that was it.

they said, "well, you'll be a wireless operator." all day and every day we were hanging morse code. morse code — it was like learning a new language. we knew there was going to be an invasion. we had no idea where it was. there was an element, i suppose, of excitement. a lot of apprehension. one night we went along to southampton and the whole area was stuffed full of troops. we were only allowed to take one blanket and they said, "that's if you get killed, you're buried in your blanket." we had to write our will. you understood that, you know, if you didn't come home, and that was it. you didn't come home. there was this ship there with its mouth wide open.

never seen anything like it before, and they gave us this map and they said, "this is it, you're going to normandy, "and that's where you're landing." the biggest worry — can we do the job? are we capable? we don't don't want to let anybody down. every unit had wireless communications. you had to get the message through. somebody�*s life would depend on that message. when you're in the military, you join a family. you fight for the bloke next to you. people ask me why i wear the medals. well, i don't wear them for me, i wear them for the blokes who can't wear them, blokes who never came back. well, you look back and you think to yourself, "well, i'm damn lucky." # ah, ah, ah, ah

# ah, ah, ah # a little high, little low # everything in between # when you're caught in the cold # and you can't find your feet # if you're losing control # and you're low on belief # just put it on me # put it on me # i will be there # when you need a hand # i will never let you go # when you're lonely # and you're needing a friend # you can call me # i'll be there till the end # when you're falling # and you don't understand # you can call, you can call me # i'll be there till the end # i've been broken before

# i've been down on my luck # had my heart on the floor # and i couldn't get up # your smile was my hope # brought me out of the blue # you let me put it on you # put it on you # i will be there # when you need a hand # i will never let you go # oh—oh # when you're lonely # and you're needing a friend # you can call me # i'll be there till the end # when you're falling # and you don't understand # you can call, you can call me # i'll be there till the end # oh—oh #ah # i'll be there till the end

# oh—oh # yeah # i'll be there till the end # when you're lonely # and you're needing a friend # you can call me # i'll be there till the end # when you're falling # and you don't understand # you can call, you can call me # i'll be there oil the end. # # i'll be there till the end. # applause

d—day was a naval operation unlike any other. alongside allied servicemen, thousands of vehicles and tonnes of supplies would need to cross the perilous, mine—filled seas of the channel and land on the beaches — a task so difficult that new craft had to he invented and floating harbours created for resupplying troops. with warships providing unmatched gunfire support, this would be one of the royal navy's finest hours. and a moment in history that will forever be etched in the memories of those who lived it. build up to d—day. i was sent across to hms belfast

to collect a top—secret package. i thought at the time, "i wonder if that's our orders." in my mind's eye, i could see it was going to be heavily involved. lots of ships. you had a good idea it was going to be pretty noisy. i had been selected to talk to the spitfire pilots. i was very proud of my position. my role was submarine detector. i wasn't told why i was signing the official secrets act until i was put in a submarine and told i was using a secret weapon to destroy u—boats. it was one of those very importantjobs. as far as the eye could see, right to the horizon, i could see ships of all shapes and sizes. it was a huge armada of ships. we were doing ourjob. each one knew what we were doing,

and if one didn't do theirjob properly, the whole ship was in danger. i had to concentrate and clear my mind of anything extraneous to the task in hand. it was a question of doing what you were trained to do and hope for the best. we got ourselves allocated position and we were in a line. everybody opened fire. a huge crash of guns. the noise was immense. i was 27 foot beneath the water line. all we could hear below was explosions. i can't remember being scared. even now when i go over to normandy,

i feel an immense sense of pride to have taken part in the invasion. i thought how proud i was to be there, and to have this front seat view of this historical moment in time, never been done before, and it will never be done again.

applause

the allies were poised for battle, but there remained one, final hurdle — the weather. thunder rolls success depended on calm conditions in the channel. anything less could be a disaster. supreme commander of the allied forces general eisenhower would give the final order for d—day, planned forjune 5th. but his decision would rest on the advice of british meteorologist, group captainjames stagg. i had to go before general eisenhower and his commanders twice a day during those fateful days, down in southwick house behind portsmouth. as the time went on, the seriousness of the whole situation got worse until by saturday night, the third ofjune, it became obvious

that there would certainly be a storm in the channel area on the sunday night and monday. next morning, general eisenhower suspended the whole operation. that day, sunday the fourth ofjune, was a day of dreadful tension. then, mercifully, miraculously, the almost unbelievable happened at about midday. we spotted two reports from the atlantic indicating that there might be an interlude and if it arrived in the channel at the proper time, it mightjust allow for the operation to get started again. when we arrived with the news, the atmosphere was tense and grave. admiral ramsay said; "let's be clear — if overlord

is to proceed on tuesday i must issue provisional warnings to my forces within the next half hour." we were not likely to be further required, so withdrew. in the halljust outside the conference room, groups of senior staff were standing about, waiting to hear what had been decided. general eisenhower came out almost immediately and said: "well, stagg, we're putting it on again. "now for heaven's sake hold the weather to what you told us and "don't bring any more bad news." a few hours later, early in the morning of monday 5thjune, he deserved that for the weather report! a few hours later, early in the morning of monday 5thjune,

the allied commanders met one final time. it was here that stagg confirmed one of the most important weather predictions in the history of meteorology. the forecast was good. eisenhower gave the order. d—day was on. near portsmouth, on shore at hms tormentor, maureen bolster was a naval wren. with her boyfriend stationed in the middle east, she would write letters to him every week. this one was dated june the 5th, 1944. we are gated. no—one can phone in or out. dearest eric, i probably won't even try and send this letter to you for several days. our craft have all slipped away.

still we are not absolutely sure it's the real thing, as the weather is so cold, grey and windy. some are wondering if it's another big exercise, but...in my heart i'm sure. i'm trying not to think of individuals. the crew of 516, the stripey off 515, that sparks with the lovely smile, pixie mcnab's boyfriend, the bearded jock, so many marvellous young men. i am haunted by the memory of passing the soccer field the other day and seeing masses of young commando lads resting, with tin helmets and kit. some were lying asleep in the sun. they looked so heartbreakingly young i could hardly bear it and tears ran down my cheeks. where are they now?

patricia has gone on night duty. anne is silent. pam, moll and i are restless and i doubt if we'll sleep both maureen and her boyfriend eric survived the war. applause on the eve of d—day, as soldiers steeled themselves along this shore, a personal message from general bernard montgomery, commanding all allied ground forces, was read to all troops. this reading is a personal message

from general montgomery, commander—in—chief of the first army group, and it was to be read out to all troops on the eve of d—day. the time has come to deal the enemy a terrific blow in western europe. the blow will be struck by the combined sea, land and air forces of the allies — together constituting one great allied team, under the supreme command of general eisenhower. on the eve of this great adventure i send my best wishes to every soldier in the allied team. to us is given the honour of striking a blow for freedom.

we have a great and a righteous cause. let us pray that "the lord mighty in battle" will go forth with ourarmies, and that his special providence will aid us in the struggle. i want every soldier to know that i have complete confidence in the successful outcome of the operations that we are now about to begin. with stout hearts, and with enthusiasm for the contest, let us go forward to victory. and, as we enter the battle, let us recall the words of a famous soldier spoken many years ago. "he either fears his fate too much, "or his deserts are small, "who dare not put it to the touch "to win or lose it all." good luck to each one of you.

and good hunting the mainland of europe. —— on the mainland. a letter written by captainjack lee of the royal artillery to his wife, two days before d—day. "darling olive, if you read this letter, i've been reported killed. i asked reg to send it to you as there are just a few things that i couldn't put into an ordinary letter. firstly, thank you for everything — you've been the most wonderful wife any man could ever have had.

i can't imagine any way that we could have been happier, except to have been together more. oh, i've been terribly lucky to have found you out of all the world and to have been so happy. teach the boys, not so much about church but about god. at times like these we need some extra support and i pray that you'll get it. let them like all the splendid things — birds and trees and sunsets and books and music and friendship. i've loved all these things next to you, darling. as for me — you know that i'd sooner be in the army than anywhere at the moment — i believe that we're on the right side in this war.

so i mustn't grumble if anything happens and i'll try not to. a love like ours doesn'tjust stop — i can only believe we shall be together again one day. god bless you, dearest one, until we meet again. captain lee died onjune the 7th, as his regiment advanced through normandy. applause # we'll meet again

# don't know where, don't know when # but i know we'll meet again some sunny day # keep smiling through # just like you always do # till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away # so will you please say hello to the folks that i know # tell them i won't be long # they'll be happy to know that as you saw me go # i was singing this song # keep smiling through # just like you always do

# we'll meet again # don't know where, don't know when