hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. the scottish national party puts independence and the nhs at the centre of its general election promises to voters.

one of the snp's key pledges today — one that you will not hear from any other party — were scotland independent then they would "rejoin the eu". and the first minister was not mincing words. brexit he said has been "a disaster for scotland" has wiped billions of pounds from the scottish economy, has pushed up food prices starved our public services of cash and talent. in scotland of course where they voted to remain, europe is a wedge issue, and john swinney�*s language is quite the contrast with the messaging we are getting from labour and the conservatives. keir starmer is loath to mention it, in case he upsets the vote in the red wall seats. in an independent scotland we could be back in the eu for the first time as an equal member in our own right. we will be part of the huge single market, which by population is seven times the size of the uk. we would enjoy once again the benefits of european freedom of movement, vitalfor so many scottish businesses. our young people would have the opportunity again to study

and to work freely across europe. and in turn, we would welcome our fellow europeans to scotland. this is where polling on brexit is currently. the last six polls irrespective of how the question was worded shows there is an overwhelming majority to rejoin or to be in the eu, regardless of how the question is asked? before the break you said to is that some things in the manifesto are there to need all the labour party in particular. i think this is one of those issues. looking at it, let's presuppose that scotland was independent, it doesn't have a central bank, it would have to adopt the euro. it doesn't currently meet the euro. it doesn't currently meet the budget deficit limit of other eu members. the other key issue is the

border. we have seen with brexit already what an issue we have when the uk is up against the eu border. if scotland were locked outside its biggest single market, that is england and wales, how would it go about it? . , ., , ., , about it? that is a problem for this cuestion. about it? that is a problem for this question- it — about it? that is a problem for this question. it would _ about it? that is a problem for this question. it would be _ about it? that is a problem for this question. it would be that - about it? that is a problem for this question. it would be that island i about it? that is a problem for this question. it would be that island of ireland with bigger problems. rejoining the eu is one of the justifications of the snp for a further referendum on independence because the terms of membership have changed. it could be one of the problems facing the supporters of independence, if scotland were to be independence, if scotland were to be in the union and england outside there would be border you have to understand the bigger questions here, i am old enough to remember when the snp was against the common market because they believed it wouldn't be sufficiently independent status. the reason they have changed around, for example, on supporting

nato was aligned with the approach thatjohn swinney set out today. he was setting out core values, including international is inclusive approach. what they are doing when they say they would rejoin the eu and keep scotland within membership of nato, they are saying we wouldn't just be leaving the united kingdom, we wouldn't just just be leaving the united kingdom, we wouldn'tjust be breaking, we would bejoining and binding together. it's about a different sort of offer. of course, in terms of this election, it's about offering a distinction to the conservative party, but as you say, very much so a contradiction to labourfor them, they very much so a contradiction to labour for them, they will not speak the issue's name. we labour for them, they will not speak the issue's name.— labour for them, they will not speak the issue's name. we speak about the silence on tax. — the issue's name. we speak about the silence on tax, do _ the issue's name. we speak about the silence on tax, do you _ the issue's name. we speak about the silence on tax, do you think— silence on tax, do you think there is something akin to that when it comes about europe and the relationship to europe? clearly for keir starmer _ relationship to europe? clearly for keir starmer it _ relationship to europe? clearly for keir starmer it is _ relationship to europe? clearly for keir starmer it is a _ relationship to europe? clearly for keir starmer it is a weak— relationship to europe? clearly for keir starmer it is a weak spot - relationship to europe? clearly for keir starmer it is a weak spot for i keir starmer it is a weak spot for him _ keir starmer it is a weak spot for him he— keir starmer it is a weak spot for him he is— keir starmer it is a weak spot for him. he is trying to attract, of course — him. he is trying to attract, of course he _ him. he is trying to attract, of course he himself is one of the main components— course he himself is one of the main

components in parliament for a second — components in parliament for a second referendum. he doesn't hide the fact_ second referendum. he doesn't hide the fact that he is a remain but every— the fact that he is a remain but every time _ the fact that he is a remain but every time he is asked about it he is categorical that he does not want towin— is categorical that he does not want tojoih the — is categorical that he does not want tojoin the eu and does not want to bring _ tojoin the eu and does not want to bring back— tojoin the eu and does not want to bring back freedom of movement. however. — bring back freedom of movement. however, overthe bring back freedom of movement. however, over the last few days, we have had _ however, over the last few days, we have had rachel reeves say various about _ have had rachel reeves say various about being willing to renegotiate brexit _ about being willing to renegotiate brexit. keir starmer has also said things— brexit. keir starmer has also said things that — brexit. keir starmer has also said things that essentially making the argument that boris johnson's things that essentially making the argument that borisjohnson's brexit deal was _ argument that borisjohnson's brexit deal was so bad that he wants to reopen— deal was so bad that he wants to reopen it~ — deal was so bad that he wants to reopen it. anyone who was involved in brexit— reopen it. anyone who was involved in brexit negotiation at the time say that— in brexit negotiation at the time say that ultimately the last thing the eu _ say that ultimately the last thing the eu will be willing to accept as cherry— the eu will be willing to accept as cherry picking on the last thing they— cherry picking on the last thing they will— cherry picking on the last thing they will do is reopen negotiation unless— they will do is reopen negotiation unless it — they will do is reopen negotiation unless it knows that it will get something very beneficial for eu member— something very beneficial for eu member states. there is not going to be some _ member states. there is not going to be some kind of magic wand that is going to _ be some kind of magic wand that is going to give keir starmer, even if it is seen— going to give keir starmer, even if it is seen the back of the tories and feeling quite happy with that,

they are _ and feeling quite happy with that, they are not going to get very favourable terms without something like giving way on all of the old arguments, fisheries, free movement, etc. ~ , ., , etc. wright, yeah. interesting you sa that. etc. wright, yeah. interesting you say that the _ etc. wright, yeah. interesting you say that. the time _ etc. wright, yeah. interesting you say that. the time reported - etc. wright, yeah. interesting you say that. the time reported that i etc. wright, yeah. interesting you i say that. the time reported that one issue would be greater access to uk fishing waters. he is already shaking at the thought of brexit being reopened again having spent a lot of time talking about it. we shouldn't talk about reopening, shouldn't talk about reopening, should we? what could they do on the fringes of that agreement in terms of services, chris? the fringes of that agreement in terms of services, chris?— of services, chris? the sort of thins of services, chris? the sort of things in _ of services, chris? the sort of things in the _ of services, chris? the sort of things in the labour— of services, chris? the sort of| things in the labour manifesto of services, chris? the sort of- things in the labour manifesto are a possibility of an agreement on veterinary checks, as you say, an agreement of mobility, possibly security operation, as mentioned, rachel reeves said something about people voted for brexit because they

didn't like the fact that chemical regulations were the same right across europe. if you make that less much longer, it does feel like cherry picking which is exactly what the eu has always ruled out. the other thing is that it feels like all of those things are in many ways tinkering at the edges. if labour's big narrative is that we are going to bring back economic growth, it's hard to see how those things, even taken together, they may reduce some of the inconvenience of brexit, you know, people trading across the border experience, but they are not going to create a whole new dynamic... it going to create a whole new dynamic - -_ going to create a whole new dynamic... if you look at the veterinary — dynamic... if you look at the veterinary agreement - dynamic... if you look at the veterinary agreement that l dynamic... if you look at the - veterinary agreement that would do away with export health certificates. the aston business school thinks that is worth about £2 billion a year to the economy. that is small fry compared to the £150 billion of exports that we send currently to europe. when we talk about growth and bringing back growth, we have to put in context. you can make it interesting, the liberal democrats say they want to

rejoin the single market and long term look at rejoining the eu. labour simply can't go there at the moment. that said, democracy is that you do what the people want. 0verwhelmingly so in these polls, people want to be in the european union so why are the main part is not responding to that?— not responding to that? because they are scared. because _ not responding to that? because they are scared. because there _ not responding to that? because they are scared. because there would - not responding to that? because they are scared. because there would be l not responding to that? because they are scared. because there would be aj are scared. because there would be a block of opinion standing against them that it would seem that they are going back on the word that they gave that they would accept the outcome in 2016. they are frankly for it to use margaret thatcher's word. well, the man who steered the uk out of the europe has spent the last few weeks in sardinia and is reportedly returning to his holiday, rather than spend any time helping rishi sunak. the times team reports that his absence on the ground is essentially down to the game being up for the tories in the red wall seats that he snatched in 2019, with one tory strategist telling them: "this is not a campaign that is looking to win seats in the red wall. this is a fight for survival. if you look at the seats we're targeting they don't have

boris johnson supporters." and so instead, he has been sending personal endorsement on twitter to around 50 tory candidates around the country which is always dangerous because it encourages comedians like matt green. taking a break from my well deserved holiday from running the country to tell all of you in east, erm, east west somewhere or other to vote for my close personalfriend harryjames. james harry. sorry, is that a john? anyway... joking aside. if you are faced with an existential crisis which we are told the conservatives are. don't you deploy every asset you have got?— are. don't you deploy every asset you have got? absolutely. i mean, look, you have got? absolutely. i mean, look. itoris — you have got? absolutely. i mean, look, boris johnson _ you have got? absolutely. i mean, look, boris johnson will _ you have got? absolutely. i mean, look, boris johnson will say - you have got? absolutely. i mean, look, boris johnson will say that i look, boris johnson will say that every single look, borisjohnson will say that every single mp, every single conservative candidate who was asked in for an endorsement, he is sending these messages too. now we are going to see letters from borisjohnson.

having spoken to candidates, some of them who are very long—term mps, quite well known ones, what they were really hoping for was boris johnson coming on the doorstep with them, coming up and physically campaigning because in certain scenes that would make a difference and that would shift the dial. that does not look like as good as going to happen. —— it is going to happen. it shifted because safe seats, supposedly safe seats, i don't know if they are going to liz truss's seat which is a toss—up, she has a majority of 26,000. they are in crouch position in seats that you could never imagine a couple of years ago they would be any danger of losing. i years ago they would be any danger of losina. ~' ., ., of losing. i think there are two factors to _ of losing. i think there are two factors to bear _ of losing. i think there are two factors to bear in _ of losing. i think there are two factors to bear in mind - of losing. i think there are two | factors to bear in mind because first of all, with regard to boris johnson, i am sure you thrills many

of the voters but i am sure he chills quite a few of them as well. he's a bit of a mixed blessing when it comes to campaigning, i understand why he is seen as a powerful campaigner and a vigorous campaigner but he is also a reminder, as i mentioned earlier, of the trials, tribulations and turmoil that the conservative party find itself in. certainly under boris johnson with partygate but also with the thrilling and frightening direction of liz truss. i think there is another thing going on in there is another thing going on in the conservative party, senior figures in cabinet members are not really fighting this election. yes they are fighting it ostensibly but what they are looking to as the fight that they see coming which is first of all for the leadership of the conservative party but for the soul of the conservative party, the soul of the conservative party, the soul of the right in uk politics. and you've heard in the mix there nigel faraj and reform back, could they merge with the conservative

party? nigel says, no. what is going on there is nothing to do with directly with the election, it's about the battle to come, the nature of the writing uk politics. it’s of the writing uk politics. it's really interesting you mention to. i just looked back at this politico piece and they have done analysis on a yougov poll which predicted they would get around 140 seats, 44 of those back liz truss, 49 of them back rishi sunak, fairly evenly split. looking at that, you can predict a battle royale the other side of the 4th ofjuly in which way the party is going to go. the phrase wra -s in the party is going to go. the phrase wraps in the — the party is going to go. the phrase wraps in the sack _ the party is going to go. the phrase wraps in the sack comes _ the party is going to go. the phrase wraps in the sack comes to - the party is going to go. the phrase wraps in the sack comes to mind. i the party is going to go. the phrase| wraps in the sack comes to mind. -- wraps in the sack comes to mind. —— rats in the sack. borisjohnson, whether you like him or not, he certainly brings attention but whether you —— when you are defending updates liberal democrats you probably don't want him out

there. let's be honest, people haven't cast votes yet, only a few postal votes haven't been cast —— have been cast. so let's not call the election before we get to the day. but there is already movement under way for the future of the conservative party. the under way for the future of the conservative party.— under way for the future of the conservative party. the names that are bein: conservative party. the names that are being put _ conservative party. the names that are being put forward _ conservative party. the names that are being put forward for _ conservative party. the names that are being put forward for the - are being put forward for the moderate wing of the party penny mordaunt who we have seen in recent weeks. the party working quietly in the background, the health secretary victoria atkins but those are all names from the sunak wing of the party. the elephant in the room, depending on whether he wins a seat as nigel farage. depending on whether he wins a seat as nigel farage— as nigel farage. guess if we're talkin: as nigel farage. guess if we're talking about _ as nigel farage. guess if we're talking about the _ as nigel farage. guess if we're| talking about the conservatives as nigel farage. guess if we're i talking about the conservatives on the right the party, priti patel and

suella braverman come up as the front runners who would battle out. penny more dunz depending on how she presents herself. nigel farage is very much hinted that he wants to be prime minister in 2029. he is not really hinting any more. he sees all of this is a hostile takeover as opposed to a merger. he very much thinks, i believe, i mean, either he would have to go and become a conservative mp and certainly suella braverman who is another contender who will try as well for the leadership, she has said that nigel farage would be welcome in the party. 0thers farage would be welcome in the party. others that very much said that no, he would not be. in which case, we might see conservative mps who are happy with whoever is left in the final two left running the party, they might at that pointjust go and defect. certainly some have told me that that is their plan. {lilia

most of the programme tonight will be devoted to issues in scotland with the launch of the snp manifesto. so only right that we check in on how scotland are faring at the euros. they have are playing switzerland tonight in cologne, while we have been on air. steven camley, the cartoonist at the herald, has probably got it about right. i was looking at his cartoon today. it was hiding behind the sofa. before i let you go, because i will let you go because you have recorded the match. we're not going to talk the match. we're not going to talk the results. i do want to talk about the results. i do want to talk about the scots in cologne and in germany and the general atmosphere around the tartan army. it’s and the general atmosphere around the tartan army.— the tartan army. it's been fantastic. _ the tartan army. it's been fantastic. it's _ the tartan army. it's been fantastic. it's been - the tartan army. it's been - fantastic. it's been incredible. with what has been thrown at them they turn up with watered—down beer because the germans were worried that their beer was too strong, doesn't seem to bother our lads too much. they go along and they sing for scotland and then they get thumped 5—1 by host nation. that

cartoon in the herald is excellent, it shows the guy getting the best seat of the house, he is scouring doctor who style behind the sofa. it sums up the scottish attitude, determined to be their own attitude but worrisome and anxious at the same time. but worrisome and anxious at the same time-— same time. brian, we will say aoodb e same time. brian, we will say goodbye to — same time. brian, we will say goodbye to you- _ same time. brian, we will say goodbye to you. best - same time. brian, we will say goodbye to you. best of- same time. brian, we will say goodbye to you. best of luck. | goodbye to you. best of luck. fingers crossed. we will take a short break and once we have taken as a piece out, we will talk about it. stay with us. —— once he has taken his earpiece out, we will talk about it.

iam i am assured that brian has gone and i am assured that brian has gone and i hope his recording has worked. i am told it is 1—1 in the game. it's gone to extra time which is really good news for chris because he has got switzerland in the office sweepstake. is that right? it is. good vibes _ sweepstake. is that right? it is. good vibes for _ sweepstake. is that right? it is. good vibes for them. _ sweepstake. is that right? it is. good vibes for them. robustlyl good vibes for them. robustly neutral but, for my grandfather who used to watch the henderson will not be impressed. i

used to watch the henderson will not be impressed-— be impressed. i am obviously rooting for scotland — be impressed. i am obviously rooting for scotland tonight. _ be impressed. i am obviously rooting for scotland tonight. if— be impressed. i am obviously rooting for scotland tonight. if you _ be impressed. i am obviously rooting for scotland tonight. if you got - be impressed. i am obviously rooting for scotland tonight. if you got a - for scotland tonight. if you got a team in a sweepstake? hat for scotland tonight. if you got a team in a sweepstake?— team in a sweepstake? not a sweepstake _ team in a sweepstake? not a sweepstake that _ team in a sweepstake? not a sweepstake that i _ team in a sweepstake? not a sweepstake that i have - team in a sweepstake? not a sweepstake that i have been | team in a sweepstake? not a sweepstake that i have been keeping an eye _ sweepstake that i have been keeping an eye on _ sweepstake that i have been keeping an eye on the game and it looks like an eye on the game and it looks like an absolute — an eye on the game and it looks like an absolute nailbiter. it an eye on the game and it looks like an absolute nailbiter.— an absolute nailbiter. it does look like a nailbiter, _ an absolute nailbiter. it does look like a nailbiter, yes. _ an absolute nailbiter. it does look like a nailbiter, yes. i— an absolute nailbiter. it does look like a nailbiter, yes. i am - an absolute nailbiter. it does look like a nailbiter, yes. i am actually| like a nailbiter, yes. i am actually in a conference tomorrow with people from denmark at five o'clock. i'm presuming that the conference all i will be standing at the end of the day is going to be empty. we talked as the euro started whether it would have an impact on the election and whether it would be a good mood in the country, do you think it does do that? iii the country, do you think it does do that? 4' the country, do you think it does do that? ~ ., ., , that? if it felt like a nailbiter of election, people _ that? if it felt like a nailbiter of election, people would - that? if it felt like a nailbiter of election, people would pay - that? if it felt like a nailbiter of election, people would pay a i that? if it felt like a nailbiter of| election, people would pay a lot of attention, the euros is going to be another distraction, we've got wimbledon starting a few days before the election takes place. does it create a feel—good factor in england or scotland? it can do, will it make a difference to the election? no.

will in france, we've got the olympics than still no sign of 0lympics than still no sign of the polls that is making a difference for micron. thank you for your company this evening. we will do it all again tomorrow. i hope some of you willjoin us tomorrow after the game between england and denmark tomorrow. we will be at the same time. goodbye. hello from the bbc sport. starting at the euros — scotland are in the final few moments of their crucial group a match against switzerland in cologne. it was a dream start for scotland with manchester united midfielder scott mctominay putting them ahead,

helped by a deflection, with less than quarter of an hour gone. but switzerland soon hit back, yet another goal from outside the box in this tournament, with former liverpool player xherdan shaqiri capitalising on a loose anthony ralston back—pass. midway through the second half scotland almost scored a winner. but grant hanley couldn't find the net. switzerland have had two goals disallowed. it is 1—1 in the final 30 seconds of stoppage time. hosts germany are the first team through to the last 16 after they saw off hungary 2—0 in stuttgart. germany scored the opener after 22 minutes. good persistence from ilkay gundogan, who pulled it back forjamal musiala to fire home his second goal of the tournament. gundogan then got on the score—sheet himself, with 23 minutes to play, as he swept home germany's second. albania rescued a late point against croatia, in the opening match of the day.

croatia thought they'd won it, when with 15 minutes to go klaus gjasula put in to his own net. this after andrej kramaric had cancelled out qazim laci's early opener. but deep in stoppage time, gjasula scored at the right end to make amends — and make it 2—2. albania with their first point at these euros, keep their hopes of progressing from group b alive. south africa survived a scare, before beating the usa by 18 runs in the first game of the super 8s at the t20 world cup in antigua. the usa won the toss and put south africa into bat. quinton de kock hit a 26 ball half century, on the way to helping his side post their highest score of the tournament so far — 194. in reply an unbeaten 80 from andries gous gave usa hope of a stunning victory. they needed just 28 runs from 12 balls, but south africa held on for the win. england and west indies are the other two sides in group two, with their opener taking place in st lucia later.

well england qualified for the super 8s, with some unconvincing performances in the initial group stage. bowler reece topley says the defending champions still have belief they can reach the last four. we're always confident in our abilities, if we put together four solid games of cricket we would always end up there or thereabouts, and that is how it is worked out. obviously, it's a different challenge this week, three really good teams coming up in one week and i think once we play, hopefully saturday morning, we put together 80 overs of good cricket, and we will be there or thereabouts again, and we can go into the usa game knowing what we need or hopefully already qualified. some worrying news. andy murray says he's a doubt for wimbledon after retiring injured in the first set of his second round match at queens. after showing signs of discomfort in the warm—up murray called for the trainer at the first change of ends — and received

treatment on his lower back. he then forfeited the match whilst 4—1 down. australian jordan thompson progresses to the quarterfinals. it's not yet clear what the injury means for murray's chances of playing at wimbledon next month. the issue today it wasn't the pain that stop me from playing the match, it was that i had no coordination in my legs so i couldn't move, i couldn't drive up to serve. that's what stopped me from playing. so i have no idea how long it would take to get better or what the treatment options are from now until wimbledon. let's hope that it's going to be ok and with some rest and treatment, i'll still be able to play. staying with wimbledon and emma raducanu has been given a wild card to play at sw19. she is one of four previous grand slam winners to be given entry in to the women's singles, joining naomi 0saka, caroline wozniacki and angelique kerber, who won the wimbledon title in 2018.

raducanu is still on the comeback trail after missing most of last year — including wimbledon — after wrist and ankle surgeries. to rugby league, and head coach rohan smith has left leeds rhinos by mutual consent. despite leading the side to the 2022 grand final, the rhino's currently lie in 7th in the super league table, having suffered three defeats in four games, including saturday's loss at hull fc, who had previously won just once all season. ican i can tell you that switzerland and scotland have drawn 1—1. and that's all the sport for now. hello. thanks forjoining me. it's been a fine day for most of us, feeling a little warmer, too. those temperatures have been rising in the last few days. the weather settling down, a clear evening on the way. skies a little hazy in places. in fact, if we look at the satellite picture from earlier on,

you can see also a weather front very close to our neighbourhood here. and that may keep things cloudy and damp, at least for a time this evening and overnight in the northwest of the uk, but the evening, not particularly cold. eight o'clock, we will have had temperatures around 15 in the lowlands of scotland, 18 or 19 in the south. and also, what's particularly high are the pollen levels across england, wales, northern ireland, too — not quite so high further north in scotland. so, the forecast, then — for the night, generally clear across most of england, wales, much of northern ireland, too, but then later on in the night, western and southwestern scotland and the north of northern ireland could be damp. not particularly cold, although outside of town centres temperatures could dip to single figures. the forecast for tomorrow, then, lots of sunshine right from the word go, but then i think the clouds will bubble up, in places, the skies will also be hazy and maybe cloudy at times here in the northwest. again, a few spits and spots of rain possible with the weather fronts close by. but every bit as warm, temperatures in the low 20s in the south — pushing 20 degrees in the northeast

of england as well. now, the forecast into friday, then. now, admittedly, a bit of a blip on the way. this weather front approaches from the atlantic, and that does spell thick cloud and the possibility of some rain across ireland, eventually around the irish sea into western and northern scotland. but the further east you are and the further south, the brighter, if not sunnier, the weather will be on friday. and these are southerly winds, so these temperatures could creep up a little further — 23 in london and into the low 20s expected across northern england. a little bit cooler out towards the west here, remember, where we have that weather front. the weather front will fall apart, and then, as we head through the course of the weekend, high pressure will start building across the uk. light winds, generally bright if not sunny weather. so, here's the outlook for the weekend and into next week when that real warming trend will begin. we could even see temperatures approaching the high 20s. it's been on the cool side recently. now, it could turn a little too warm for some.

bye— bye.

live from london. this is bbc news scotland get off the mark at euro 2024 — keeping their hopes of progressing alive with a draw against switzerland. a police officer working as part of the prime minister's close protection team is arrested on suspicion of betting on the timing of the general election.

the inflation rate has fallen to 2% , the first time in almost three years that the bank of england's target has been met. the snp launches its election manifesto, pledging a major investment in the nhs, and a promise to deliver independence. sinn fein has also launched its election manifesto, promising to deliver �*postive change' for northern ireland. the jury is discharged in the trial of constance marten and mark gordon after being unable to reach verdicts. hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones. at euro 2024, scotland have taken their first point in the tournament — with a 1—1 draw with switzerland. scotland took the lead in the first half, scoring on the break, thanks to this deflected shot from scott mctominay.

but midway through the half, xeridan shaqiri seized on a loose