you're watching beyond one hundred days... how much do americans like or dislike donald trump? that is the single biggest question of today's midterm election. for a man who is not even on the ballot, as americans choose, their members of congress, we can say enough how much this vote is all about this president. supporters and critics have lined up across the country to cast their ballots in what could well be record turnout. this election will have a big impact on the rest of mr trump's time in office and may well dictate whether he wins a second term. also on the programme... 2016 was a disaster for the social media companies, so what are they doing this time to protect the integrity of the vote? whatever happens tonight the chances are congress will be younger, more female, and more diverse by the morning. with a number of states electing black, gay or transexual representatives for the first time. hello and welcome — i'm katty kay with christian

fraser in washington. americans are voting and the world is watching. in what may well be record numbers, democrats and republicans are going to the polls today to deliver their verdict on donald trump. some love him, some hate him. they started voting 8 hours ago on the east coast of the us. and here is a look at how things will evolve through the night as each state closes its polls — we will be here to take you through the results from east to west. key states like florida and virginia will come in early and then we'll have to wait for the critical races in the midwest before we finally get the tally from california. right now we do not know the results. but what we do know is that today's election will have a huge impact on donald trump, america and the rest of the world. here's the bbc‘s nick bryant. this is the day when the american people get their say, when their voices, notjust the president's, finally get to be heard. and despite the ugly weather, the lines at this polling station on the outskirts of philadelphia were the longest they have seen in ten years. for many, it was donald trump who drew them to the polls.

sometimes i don't agree with some of his antics, and i don't agree with his texting or twittering, but other than that i think the country is a better place than it was two years ago. donald trump and the whole republican party needs to go. we need to be done with them. we are ready for a change. these lines speak of how donald trump has energised the american electorate. he has rallied his blue—collar base for sure, but here in the suburbs we are also seeing a lot of white—collar discontent about the tone and the style of his presidency. suburban kitchens have been turned into election command posts, and what has been most striking in this campaign is the participation of women. volunteers such as lauren and joanna, who see themselves as part of a pink wave against donald trump. everything that comes out of his mouth is a lie, and it is frightening that he is the head of our

country at this point. though the suburbs of the major cities will decide if the democrats could win back control of the house of representatives, many key senate seats are in rural terrain, more friendly towards donald trump. and a question throughout america, are you with him oragainst him? his name, of course, is not on any ballot, but he has dominated this campaign and applied the trump political business model of raucous rallies and a hard—line stance of immigration. and then there is the booming economy. the contrast in this election could not be more clear. democrats produce mobs, that's what's happened. republicans produce jobs. so this is what democracy looks like in the trump era. what seems to be a huge turnout across the country. maybe one thing this divided nation can agree on is the importance of getting out to vote. and for more on the impact

these midterm elections could have on the white house agenda we're joined now byjonathan swan, national political reporter for axios who interviewed president trump last week and had this newsworthy exchange on birthright citizenship. we are the only country in the world where a person comes in, has a baby, and the baby is a citizen of the united states for 85 years with all of those benefits. it's ridiculous, and it has two end. have you talked about that with council? it's in the process. it will happen. so, jonathan swallow, that interview that you had with donald trump broke the news at the time and was part of the president's overarching message of the there of immigration, yet mexicans on the ca rava n immigration, yet mexicans on the caravan or the issue of birthright citizenship. to what extent was the white house on board with that as a

closing message for this campaign? for context, yes, ithink closing message for this campaign? for context, yes, i think in the moment when i sprung it on him coming he was delighted, something p°pped coming he was delighted, something popped into his brain and he was delighted to add fuel to the immigration fire. but this wasn't a planned announcement. i'd heard three orfour planned announcement. i'd heard three or four weeks earlier that he had been asking council whether he could do this. someone had been telling him that he could do it through executive action. a few people found out internally but he wasn't planning to talk about it that week. he was fine with the caravan, whipping that up. that question came as a surprise to him and it didn't help them, because they were worried about the suburban districts where there was a common sort of, a level of discomfort amongst officials with his rhetoric about the caravan, and this took it over to a new level. in your conversations with the white house

i'm nervous abhi about this election today? they are very nervous. -- how nervous are they? they know what we all know, there are 30 toss—up seats, and if they split, as a normal numerical split, the republicans lose the house, and they lose it vary substantially. they need systematic polling errors in order to win the house and that's not a good place to be. there are already questions appearing about where he went in the campaign, the tenure of the debate. last night in missouri he said that he had some regrets. just listen. is there anything as you look back, that you regret, that you wish you could take back and redo? they would be certain things, i'm not sure i want to reveal all of them. i'd say tone. i'd like to have a softer tone. to a

certain extent i feel i have no choice, but maybe i do wind could have been softer from that standpoint. regrets, i had a few. was that cynthia? it's hard to imagine that it is particularly sincere. we pressed him really hard on his rhetoric and the fact that he calls most of the media, the enemy of the people. i said, don't you think that someone could get shot, literally, you are labelling good people, and he said, if it works for me. my people want it. you saw what happens when i'm with my crowds, and i say, i'm going to be responsible, they all do. ifind i say, i'm going to be responsible, they all do. i find that clip very discordant with the donald trump that i sat down with a week ago. he says he has no choice. this isn't him talking to the audience he's in

front of at any one time. he does it from sentence to sentence. in the same interview he tells us he's going to pursue anti—trust action against google, facebook and amazon, but then he goes, maybe i won't, i wa nt to but then he goes, maybe i won't, i want to help these companies. where does he go from here? if they lose the house tomorrow, there are an awful lot about unknowns, but if they do, where does his agenda go, and how does he treat the democrats? does he work with them or use them asa does he work with them or use them as a foil? i don't think there's an agenda no matter what happens. if republicans get their 14% on sleepover, and take the house by three seats, i don't think there's an agenda. it's completely dysfunctional. i don't think there's an agenda of the democrats take the house. the biggest agenda item will be investigations and subpoenas, and the tramp white house will find

itself under assault from democrats who now have chairmanships of key committees. the white house counsel is pretty emaciated. and donald trump himself is going to use democrats as they follow no matter what happens. the idea that they are going to work together on infrastructure, its like fan fiction. thanks very much for coming in to join us. we don't know what's going to happen tonight. that's why i'm looking forward to it so much. in 2016, of course, it was a shock. i had a conversation this morning with the democratic speaker of the house, she's feeling determinate the confident. perhaps that might not be the best strategy, but her argument is that the closing moments of this campaign we've had enough negativity, and she's looking at potentially being the next speaker

of the house. donald trump himself has recently said, you know, i can work with the democrats. be it as a foil, or to get things done, i think it suits donald trump better if the house goes democratic than it does the republican party. the conservatives won't like that but he likes a fight. he may feel like he has some strength going into the next election. well, the voters have been lining up for hours now in all 50 states and we can cross to alexandria, virginia where the bbc‘s jane 0'brien is at a polling station for us. it is filthy outside, pouring down. is it making any difference to the turnout? 0h, is it making any difference to the turnout? oh, no. not meeting even a dent. to give you an idea of the numbers coming 2014 they were processing about 100 voters every hour at this polling station, today it went up to 250 an hour, and at

times even 300. triple the number in 2014. there's enormous enthusiasm here. of course, we don't know if this is favouring democrats or republicans, we do know that both bases are highly energised. if we are going to see a blue wave here tonight, it could be in virginia where we've got four very vulnerable republican seats, in some of the most tightly fought, closest races on the eastern time zone. we could see that blue wave starting to break ashore here. the special election in virginia was a year ago, it was pouring with rain and there was a record turnout them. they stood for hours in the rain. those house seats that you're looking at, the four house seats in virginia that could flip from republican to democrat, how representative are they of the rest of the country? could we look at them, could our viewers look at

them and say, all those virginia seats have gone, that means the democrats and republicans are going to have a good night tonight? people who look into crystal balls often get it wrong. i would say that it's very strong. it would be an indication, because where these house seats are, art in urban areas, they are areas that have seen a big demographic shift, a lot of immigrants coming in, boosting the economy, not being a detriment to the state as president camp might have you believe. and so there are a lot of incomers and new chances for democrats to make gains in these areas. i think that if virginia sees these houses flipping, again, they we re these houses flipping, again, they were won by donald trump, three of them were won in 2016, if we see them were won in 2016, if we see them flip it could spell big trouble

for the republicans. 0k, let me put the counter facts into you, that virginia as both democrats and republicans have said over the last year or republicans have said over the last year 01’ so, republicans have said over the last yearorso, is republicans have said over the last year or so, is basically a democratic state? that's the way it's going. there are so many immigrants and wealthy young people who have moved into the suburbs, it isn't representative of the rest of the country. again, it might not be, but i think what we are seeing is a lot of indecision and a lot of drift from the republican party here. that might well be reflected across the country. don't forget that the voting block we've been talking so much about is educated white women. women who may traditionally have voted republican, but have been put off by donald trump, and are now either going to stay at home or start moving towards the democrats. those are the big unknown is. i have

to say, they really are unknown. i've spoken to a lot of women over the last couple of weeks or so, many of them say they are voting on the economy. they are fed up with donald trump, but they do like the economy, and a lot of them aren't admitting that they are trump supporters or republicans because of the backlash. the privacy of the voting booth they could still vote republican. wejust don't know. in that case, i think this is representative of a lot of the country. that is such a good point. it's a point that applies to educated women voters. they might feel nervous about saying, you know, they understand all of the baggage that came with the president, and all the issues about health care, and the kinds of things that the president has said, and they might say i don't like to be the kind of person who says say i don't like to be the kind of erson who sa s i'm say i don't like to be the kind of person who says i'm voting for donald trump, but when i pull that curtain, in the privacy of the polling booth... there are people

who can compartmentalise the issues. i don't like the president, but i like what he's done for the economy. that's what makes this so difficult. both parties have a lot riding on this result. for the republicans it means being able to push donald trump's agenda even further, tough policies on immigration. someone who knows a lot about counting the numbers is the former governor of mississippi and cheer of the republican national committee. thank you very much for coming in. 3.5% gdp growth, 3.7% unemployment, the lowest since 1969, even wages are moving up for the first time. should be republicans be walking away with this? if the election were about policy .doc wouldn't that be nice! in northern virginia, as an example,

this part of america is recession proof. they don't have recessions in northern virginia. everybody works for the government, or is constructed to the government, it's a very wealthy state. we used to say, for decades, mid—term elections are about pocketbooks. if your pocketbook is bigger you wrote for the inns, and if it's not you vote for the alps. in this election, president trump instead of trying to make the election about a very, very strong economy, he's tried to make the election about himself. in america there are three groups of people, people that hate donald trump, no matter what he talks about bill trump, no matter what he talks about b i ll vote trump, no matter what he talks about bill vote against him. secondly, there are people that love donald trump, and no matter what he talks about they will vote for the people that are with him. and in the middle, and there isn't much middle left in this country, in the middle

of this equation are people who don't like trump personally, don't feel good about him, but they like the results. those are the people this election ought to be about. however, they haven't done a very good job of focusing on them. what percentage of the american electorate is in the middle? will probably 20 or 25% of people who don't like donald trump, some of them voted for them anyway in 2016 because the choice was hillary clinton or donald trump. if you looked at exit polling 19% said they didn't like either of them in 2016. but the 19% had voted for trump, it was a question of voting against her, more than for him. now we are ata her, more than for him. now we are at a point with a guy has got a record. it's typical for president in mid—term elections to keep a low profile, because traditionally the

incumbent gets hit for six. why has this president put himself front and centre? you've been covering these elections for 50 odd years? the president wants the election to be about himself. it doesn't sound to me that you would be advising him to do that? i wouldn't be. their reasoning is, he doesn't have to make the election about himself to get the people who really like him to vote for him. they are going to vote for the republicans because there are a lot of people in the heartland of america who went barack 0bama was president couldn't tell the difference between recovery and recession. they were peachy keen on wall street, but it wasn't worth the flip on main street. now those people are sold, but this other group of people who aren't sold on trump looked like the results, they need the results, those people aren't gathered on the bicoastal

over no bills, they are across the middle of america. i have to ask about mississippi. we have all these fascinating battles, but mississippi is an interesting one because there's a special election there, cindy hyde smith is in seat at the moment, running against an african—american. it's a close battle, we could get to a situation, if she doesn't get 50%, where the whole senate hangs on mississippi.” think it's unlikely either of them will get 50% of the vote, because there is a third candidate, who will probably get 20%, maybe even more. so the likelihood of somebody getting 50% in special elections in our state, the law requires a 50% majority in our state, so it will be most likely between sb and hyde smith. it will probably be hyde

smith, the lady who is sitting in the seat right now, and that would bea the seat right now, and that would be a very competitive process i would think. just before we let you 90, would think. just before we let you go, what is the impact on donald trump in terms of the republican party and republican leaders if they have a bad night tonight? do they stay with him or say he's not as teflon as we thought he was?‘ stay with him or say he's not as teflon as we thought he was? a bad night would be to lose 70 seats. when i was party chairman and bill clinton was in his first mid—term he lost 54 and 0bama lost 63. so how do you define a bad night for donald trump compared to those two.” you define a bad night for donald trump compared to those two. i think imight trump compared to those two. i think i might have to get you back on that one. thank you very much for coming 0k, lets get the view from the democrats we can speak to emily cain, executive director emily's list, its a progressive organization dedicated to getting women elected to office.

and this is definitely the year of the woman. i was just looking at the figures today, we have got, if you include all the candidates for the house, senate and governor positions, 276 women all told. when i look bad list, two thirds of them are on the democrat side. why do democrats have a more diverse list than the republicans? it's nothing new. emily ‘s list has been around more than 30 years looking to elect pro—choice democratic women. we don't have a counterpart on the republican side. the truth is, when we look at what's at stake in this direction, particularly for women and families, it's no surprise that so many women have stepped up to run. we are also working with more than 550 women running for state and local office around the country. this isn't a way

for women in politics, this is a sea change moment for women in politics and for democratic politics in america. here's the thing, two of the seats we are looking at tonight, north dakota and missouri, women democrats in republican states, is there a problem for the democratic party, that however centrist, and however non—liberal these women are, they are perceived as such by white republican men, doesn't that pose a problem going forward in swing states ? it's really about elections based on a coalition of voters. i think what we're going to see in north dakota, and in missouri, is that the voters they know these women. they know how ha rd they know these women. they know how hard they work and they aren't afraid to fight when it matters for their state. i think the turnout in these two states for the democrats, again, they know who these women aren't what they stand for. we have to look at the senate races arizona

and nevada where we have female candidates running. these are to key pick—ups that are similarly middle—of—the—road states that trump one or came close in, and we are going to be watching those tonight. cani going to be watching those tonight. can i ask a broader question about the democratic party, what happens if this isn't a good night for the democrats? if you don't take the house, you don't take back the senate, where does the party go after this? this is the big chance for the democratic party after all of the energy we've seen in the women's marches and around the country, i don't understand what happens to the party if you don't do well tonight. the thing i know is that we get out of bed tomorrow and go back to work. it's what we did after 2016. we've beenin it's what we did after 2016. we've been in the business of recruiting women for more than 30 years, we've actually had more than 42,000 women sign up with us over the last two yea rs sign up with us over the last two years to say they want to make a

plan to run for office. we're going to see a lot of women win tonight in places that they've never before. we are going to see new, diverse women running and 2020. thank you very much forjoining us. 0ne thank you very much forjoining us. one woman who will be front and centre tomorrow morning is someone you were sitting next to this morning. nancy pelosi. she was sounding very confident today. tomorrow morning she will be madame speaker if the democrats have taken back the house. there is no doubt they will keep her in that leadership position. the republicans a lwa ys leadership position. the republicans always talk about her. they've used herfor always talk about her. they've used her for years always talk about her. they've used herfor years as a always talk about her. they've used her for years as a file. i suspect she stays in the speaker ‘s chair, andi she stays in the speaker ‘s chair, and i thing the democrats don't take back the house tonight then she will give up her seat and go back to california. it's hard to say. emily avoided answering the question

there, but there is this big question about what happens to the democratic party if after all of these women that they signed up, if they don't take back the house, and don't take back the senate tonight, they will have a lots of big questions about how they are going to tackle the mid—term election. it looks like trump was ‘s chances of keeping the white house go up. don't forget we will be here hosting a programme with all the action from washington and around the usa from midnight gmt. that's 7pm eastern time. we are looking forward to that. this is beyond 100 days in struggle. florida is always a key battle ground state we have the first african—american hoping to win office there.

good evening. we are set to continue with some mild weather for the rest of the week ahead. it's coming up from the continent, particularly warm in switzerland on tuesday, 16 degrees is the average in lucerne. it would normally be about 7 degrees. pulling in the warm air from the south is this area of low pressure, we have this where the french things were clear across northern ireland during the small hours, misty and murky here. wales experiencing some rain. first thing on wednesday thump and she she was possible for the south—west of england and wales with hayle and thundered during the rush hour. 0utbreaks thundered during the rush hour. outbreaks of rain clear from wales by this stage and push back into antrim. dumfries and galloway will

see some rain along with argyll and bute. scotland is the driest and brightest first thing. throughout the day i can't promise the same for the day i can't promise the same for the mainland. some of the heavy rain from eastern england, by the time we get to the afternoon we could see some deeper sunshine elsewhere though, well, the rain is certainly looking like it will be hanging on for much of the day. temperatures, however, are very healthy, 13, 14, 15 degrees, ranks to let southerly wind. it will be particularly gusty along the channel coast. that weather front will fill out and move away wednesday night into thursday, but another one pushes in, and where is it going to rest on thursday? at the moment it looks like it will focus on the south—west of england and wales, the heaviest of the rain

late in the day and into the south—west. northern ireland in for a dry day, as eastern areas of england c temperatures of 40 and 15 degrees. it is likely to come to a wet and windy close this week, pressure from the atlantic means the west will bear the brunt of it. this is beyond one hundred days... i'm katty kay and christian fraser is with me in washington. our top stories... people across america go to the polls as republicans and democrats go into battle to win more seats in the house and the senate in the midterm elections. people have been queuing all across the country to cast their vote in what could be a record turnout. and these midterm elections will go down in history also for the diversity of candidates running for office. we will look at some of those who are changing the face of american politics. coming up in the next half hour... the brexit deal or no deal saga continues, the cabinet agrees there needs to be a deal this month as brussels warns

that a solution to the irish border is still missing. the brexit campaign group founded by arron banks and an insurance company he owns, are to be fined £135,000, for serious breaches of privacy rules. back to our special election coverage. as political correspondent for the washington post, mary jordan has travelled the country covering these midterm races and she joins us from the paper's headquarters now. good to see you, this is an america divided like we have never seen before we are talking about the way women are voting, do republicans have a woman problem tonight? yes. yes, i think that's exactly cute story because we are expecting, if the houses looked as expected it's

because of democratic women, but noticeably while many of them are black, native american, muslim american, all kinds of diversity except for republican women. and so when you look at the ballot, you wa nt when you look at the ballot, you want a legislative representing america, there are still many republican female voters but they're not the candidate —— candidates and their numbers are expected to go down after tonight in congress. their numbers are expected to go down after tonight in congressm the republicans lose the house tonight, it'll be the third time in 12 years that house has switched sides, why do americans like voting for government? i think it's, sides, why do americans like voting for government? ithink it's, it's clearly a check on the power of whoever is in office. and i'm sure that donald trump tomorrow at the house of blitz will say that oh well in the past, people lost by bigger margins, this is a victory for me, it has been the wait is, the country has a lot of republicans and democrats and if one is in the white house they want a legislative that's going to check on the powers. marry,

you have been travelling around the country, we just had you have been travelling around the country, wejust had haley you have been travelling around the country, we just had haley on the programme who told us something like he thinks 25% of americans were persuadable in the middle, that had not decided who they will vote for, you think the number is that height? i have not seen it that height, and i haven't seen polls that showed that height, but again, it's what's happening this year, not a presidential year, and i think many people even if they like it republican as a president, they're going to do vote democratic because of what we talked about saying i don't want one party to have all power. how many people who don't like donald trump might decide that going to hold their noses and vote for him anyway because they like the policies and state of american economy? does a lot of people like that, people say to me you know, i did not like that donald trump to

tell my kids how to act or i did not elect him to be my moral leader, i just wanted to do what he's doing, i like the tax cuts, i like the booming economy, i like that he's strong on immigration. and they say they don't like his nastiness and tweets and ten are all kinds of stuff, but they're willing to forgive it, and i think those people are wary that if they do vote democratic, they will actually do a skit on the economy and so they will hold their nose and vote republican. since we are on policy, one of the to kill your things for me is that in the last three times repeal and replace 0bama care was what the republicans ran on and now they're on the defensive, and if the democrats they are campaigning on the affordable care act. it's really a stunning turnaround and the number one thing that i am hearing on the campaign trail is health care because what happened was all across america people got the bill and

instead of $400 a month suddenly they're paying $1400 a month and i think because it hit home hard about how much it cost and the idea that people with chronic medical problems might not get any coverage, you know, finally it hit home that there isa know, finally it hit home that there is a reason for having coverage for all. if our viewers want to sound smart tonight, you travelled around the country went to the races, which number one state would you advise them to be watching?” number one state would you advise them to be watching? i think michigan is a really important state, it was a republican state is a democratic woman who might win, and actually in an unprecedented move, and actually in an unprecedented move , every and actually in an unprecedented move, every single one of the state—wide offices democrats put a woman up because state—wide offices democrats put a woman up because this is the year of women and its women powering the democratic takeover of congress that looks like it's coming of the house. the thing we all recognise of the election in 2016 was how the midst —— middle west states went for

trump, tonight is lots of thai governor races in the states, does state—wide election show a pattern? yes that's where everyone is looking because states that he won by little bit or a lot, all of a sudden democratic candidates are in play. i think governors are springboard to the presidency people want to look out and break—out candidate so if democrats take over the helm of state, which by the way have huge power for abortion rights and for medicaid coverage, that's a huge story tonight. thank you very much. a reminder to keep watching those races a reminder to keep watching those ra ces you a reminder to keep watching those races you may not hear about them but they're races you may not hear about them but they‘ re important races you may not hear about them but they're important because it huge impact on which way that state goesin huge impact on which way that state goes in the presidential election.” got school today, we were talking about this issue of america voting for the government and you told me maybe that's not the pattern any more. yeah because, the thing about america everyone says as you raise

that, people go for a split ticket they can vote for republican at top of ticket for president but they'll vote democrat down it, but actually since clinton took office in 1992, look at that graph, the green line you are seeing, those are the numbers of people who voted straight ticket meeting republican all the way or democratic all the way. and the orange line, that's the number people who vote one party and the other party for different post, that number is declined radically since. because we were just told that his 25% in the middle which is bigger than i anticipated. she suggested that may not be the case and here's the reason because as america becomes more divided and the culture becomes more divided and the culture becomes more divided and the culture becomes more polarised, what are the chances that you're going to split your ticket you know, all i like democratic president but i want republican senator it does not happen any more the country his way too divided, you're either democratic camp or republican. maybe

that's the case in a state we watch closely tonight. and that's florida. voters across the us are currently lined up to cast their ballots in the midterm elections and among the states we'll be watching most closely tonight is florida. there is a high stakes senate race as well as a governor's contest which has grabbed national attention. plus what happens tonight could have an impact on the presidential race in 2020. the bbc‘s rajini vaidyanathan is in for miami and we can cross to her now. we crossed her now. you get miami the sun is shining, standing in the rain in virginia though, i think all of us should move every election cycle down to florida in just saying. the race to now exploit it we heard about other places but between the governors race at a senate race, and a bunch of house races florida up for grabs.” senate race, and a bunch of house races florida up for grabs. i should point out first that it's slightly humid here is a not perfect weather conditions, the moving on, i'm struggling. i was at a polling station in miami off at eight o'clock this morning and unsurprisingly there were lines

going around the block huge interest in all the races you mentioned, i did my own unscientific exit polls spoke to about 20 people and i'm afraid to say this, as usual when a report from florida it once again seems to be too close to call. as both a i—person if it republican and said democrat. really most of the races here look incredibly tight but i will say, one conversation i had with a woman name i was interesting because it relates to the conversation you had just been. anna is usually a republican, she's a christian and normally goes republican in 2016 she did not and thatis republican in 2016 she did not and that is because of donald trump. and we spoke to her after she voted today, and she again voted for the democratic party and she decided not to go with the republican candidate, she's not happy that many republican candidates hear of course have very similar platforms when it comes to immigration how refugees are dealt with an anti—health care. so she has

stated that she stayed away from the republican party and another boat or imac in 2016 at a trump rally isn't about to vote to his texting me as she went into the polling station but she said she'll never vote for donald trump again because of his sta nce donald trump again because of his stance on immigration. and there ever was considering whether she should go for bill nelson who's a democratic senator here hoping to get a fourth term rather than going to the republican candidate. the former governor of the state. it's people like them, if they vote in greater numbers when you have a race so greater numbers when you have a race so incredibly close like your florida, that will suggest the democrats have a slight advantage here, but again i always say this to it's too close to call. we saw pictures on the right of the mayor tallahassee who could become the first african—american governor in florida, if he did, why would that make such a difference perhaps to the election in 2020? welcome i think ina the election in 2020? welcome i think in a way if we talk about this

governor race, it has become a reflection of america as a whole, and it's divisions you are both talking about in your earlier discussion. you've got two very polarising candidates on the republican side, you have a rendezvous is supported by donald trump and has very right—wing positions on things like immigration and health care, and you have a progressive liberal candidates in andrew, the mayor tallahassee who as you say is hoping to become the state's first african—american governor, and often in florida politics candidates and parties try to move close to the middle ground but what we have seen in the governor race isjust how polarising these candidates are and how entrenched they are in their position, so in a way this could reflect just how 2020 position, so in a way this could reflectjust how 2020 might position, so in a way this could reflect just how 2020 might look as well. thank you very much, interesting that the democrats are really focusing on governor race because they feel in 2009 when the republicans took the statehouses

they weed —— redrew districts, which set up the next ten years for republicans, that's why these races are so important. if every ten years 2010, 2020 liver controls governor race 2010, 2020 liver controls governor ra ce gets 2010, 2020 liver controls governor race gets to draw up a district with big impact on who winds presidency. now, every modern election is fought on the web. social media such a powerful tool for parties and pressure groups. but with memories of what happened in 2016 still fresh in the memory you can understand why there is so much focus this year on the integrity of the ballot and on the type of information that is being directed at voters. the tech companies, grilled by congress these past two years are painfully aware that they must improve. so how are they performing and how big is the threat? our technology correspondent dave lee has been investigating. 2016 clearly a complete disaster for them, they have to be seen to be doing something so how proactive are they? every hearing which i was at are you going to protect the midterms is what they question and

social media said we will do everything we can and i was watching today to see what kind of information is being spread around, andl information is being spread around, and i want to bring to attention a few interesting snippets and in michigan we have seen the senate race there, the republican candidate john race there, the republican candidate jothames has race there, the republican candidate john james has seen race there, the republican candidate jothames has seen around 2000% more bot activity promoting that campaign from various sources so accounts that are automating posting of information. from where? possibly abroad, russia is a source but we are also made seeing lots of home—grown activity like people are looking at what is happening in 2016 by farand using looking at what is happening in 2016 by far and using it this way as a way to promote candidates, so we see that michigan and in georgia, the governor race was mentioned, and the midterms very bitter race there between stacy abrams the democrat and brian kept the republican, we saw a flurry of activity earlier,

tweet making extremely racially charged insults about stacy abrams, although having said that, that does seem there's a lot of pressure on those companies. it does seem those companies, they actually seem to be doing quite well, with the messages being removed quickly, quickly than imagined. to what extent -- extent does the prospect of actual ballots being tampered with or the system being tampered with or the system being infected by cyber interference. to what extent is there fear that could suppress turnout like if i'm on the fence and i think it's raining well i go vote a nyway i think it's raining well i go vote anyway it's artie been rigged and i don't know whether it's safe not going to bother. it comes into hives, there's one where you have attempt to manipulate a person's thought on who to vote in the second is integrity of the system, so we have seen lots of concern in the run up have seen lots of concern in the run

up today that voting machines were insecure which they are, that's a given, security experts agree on that, but also they're unreliable we have seen very few reports of voting machines of breaking in acute districts with georgia being one of them, but! districts with georgia being one of them, but i happens about every year. but they are insecure, they could... it interesting, because with them in virginia they said they we re with them in virginia they said they were back to paper ballots because of these machines not being trusted. the question is whether the machines are bad and don't work well like an old computer or if they have been tampered. it seems for what we have seen so tampered. it seems for what we have seen so far, tampered. it seems for what we have seen so far, seems tampered. it seems for what we have seen so far, seems to be the former they're just old machines haven't been updated and looked after and as a result places are falling back onto the paper ballot which is why much of activity on twitter today has been pictures of people lined up around the block waiting for the syste m around the block waiting for the system to catch up. thank you very much, i'm not sure from reassured or

alarm and a look at other news. in the uk, the cabinet has been meeting to discuss the state of negotiations with brussels over brexit. theresa may told senior ministers she remains confident of reaching a deal but it must "not be done at any cost" to the uk. downing street confirmed the main sticking point remains the irish border. the eu's chief negotiator, michel barnier, says there has not yet been enough progress to call a special summit this month, which would finalise the deal. a pro brexit campaign group, and an insurance company owned by the controversial businessman arron banks — are to be fined 135 thousand pounds by the uk data watchdog. the information commissioner's office said both organisations had committed "serious breaches" of the law after they used the personal data of each other‘s customers without their consent. it comes as mr banks faces a criminal inquiry over the source of funds for his leave—dot—eu group during the brexit referendum two years ago. the united states olympic committee has taken the first step towards stripping usa gymnastics of its status as the national governing body for the sport. the organization said the move was prompted by the sports body's failure to deal adequately

with revelations about the sexual abuse of female athletes. more than 160 women accused former usa gymnastics doctor, larry nassar, of sexual abuse. as voters head to the polls they're facing dreadful weather conditions, as a significant storm system sweeps across the united states. heavy rain, strong winds and even tornadoes are battering parts of the country. homes and buildings have been damaged in tennessee, leaving thousands without power. the national weather service's storm prediction center has issued a weather warning for a number of southern states, saying at least four tornados have been reported. this is beyond one hundred days. still to come... could these candidates end up reflecting the changing face of america? we take a look at some of the politicians running in these midterms, in what's been described as the most diverse us elections of all time. police are still questioning 5

men from south london about footage posted online which shows a group of people laughing as they burnt a cardboard model of grenfell tower on a bonfire. the men aged between 19 and 55 handed themselves last night. june kelly reports. this afternoon a house in southeast london became the focus for police gathering possible evidence 24 hours from the appearance of the video of the investigation was well under way. this is a still from the video which shows a model of grenfell tower on a bonfire, the footage emerged on social media. the men being questioned are being held under the public order act, which says that... the reality is that as grossly

offensive as it is it does not necessarily mean it's a criminal offence, when you post offensive material online you can be guilty in the communication act for going to prison for six months. the video has horrified all those affected by the tragedy. like this woman who escaped from the tower with her grandson. there are still people who have no, no human feelings. particularly when there are people going through the inquiry now, they're going through what they went through, and that fire, and some of the people are making it like a joke, with children at the background. today, scotland ya rd at the background. today, scotland yard announced further arrests, a 19—year—old was detained after he

went to a police station in south london today, he is now in custody with the five others who handed themselves in last night. and we have a drum roll? now for the moment you've all been waiting for. no sadly we can't tell you the outcome of the elections just yet but we may have something better. after nearly two years of bringing you this program i am now happy to say that for the first time not only are christian and i together in washington but we are joined by ron christie, our political analyst and former advisror to george w bush on set. how nice a full house my two boys on set with me, this is a pleasure because of course we been together in london, you and ron have been in london together, and we are always together washington.” london together, and we are always together washington. i don't get many invites is the first time. it's

great to see you in our neck of the woods. election they finally hear how do you feel? i feel good, i said it last night i've been taking flak for it i don't think the house of representatives is gone yet, i think the... meaning you don't think democrats take it. back the change we will see what happens stopped in love for you said you bet your money they won't go. here's the key for me, as we look at some of the suburban districts in her washington and tennessee and kentucky, republicans are going to fare how? if they hold the line that may be in good shape but one thing i will say that struck me looking at numbers, and the fundraising year, the democrats in many of the races are outspending the republicans 2—1,3—1 with multiples factors of millions how will the impact turnout tonight and result tonight? unique for viewers outside the united states

because often focuses not on fundraising, how does that make a difference in the final few days of the campaign? it's about getting the vote effort out there and television and radio commercials, last week here in america especially here in virginia it after ad after ad and if you have the money to be competitive to be on air and voters will hear the message and if you don't they won't. we talked about the programme before these elections, they're going to bring in a whole wave of people who are first in their field, it could change face of americans institutions, and considering the house and the senate and the government raises, the total two under 76 women run for election that's a record, 216 candidates are black, hispanic, asian, native or multiracial. all practise that word. let's look at some of them on the republican side, young that kim could be the first korean—american

immigrant woman to be elected in congress, and colorado a democrat. he could be the first openly gay state governor and in vermont, someone we have had on the programme, already making history as the first transgender nominee of a political party she could go even further tonight by becoming a state governor. it looks like after tonight results come in, congress is going to represent the country a little bit more. i think that's right when you look traditionally this 13% of african—american population, i think after tonight you'll see over a lot more black representation and hispanic representation and hispanic representation i think it's a great drink —— ping to go and recruit and get them to run for office and when. does the republican party have to do more because we were just talking to one of our earlier guests about the women problem republicans have any look at the number of women candidates this time, two thirds or democrat. almost 80%. but candidates this time, two thirds or democrat. almost 8096. but one individual who is not gone

recognition is debbie, she is more time and money thanjohn does recognition is debbie, she is more time and money than john does that he'sa time and money than john does that he's a army combat helicopter pilot to the republican and african americans and there are many out there running for not getting attention. i want to ask you, your republican you worked in the bush administration but you're pretty sceptical of donald trump and there's lots about him you don't like, is there any scenario which you might think that actually it'll bea you might think that actually it'll be a good thing for democrats to ta ke be a good thing for democrats to take the house of representatives because the president need to check? know, and here's why i look at the way the economy is booming, look at the fact that like unemployment rate is the lowest in history since been recording it and these factors one other if you put democrats back in, they in, they say they want to race track —— taxes impose regulation i think that'll harm the economy. but you know that if republicans do well tonight the president will say to himself and to his advisers you see,

the tone of the last couple of weeks, that nationalist in february anti—immigrant tone is what got us through the midterms, that's what the 2020 campaign will be, it'll be more of that. i think the republicans and the congress need a backbone and should've stood up to a lot of this talk before and they haven't. but they will if they have a good night. i do want the country to go back, i don't be economy to stall i want the country to do well andl stall i want the country to do well and i think with a republican majority, that's where we go. do you think that tomorrow morning if they lost the house, these republicans are going to take a very different attitude towards them they will work with them as close? bide the time willie tonight, i think republicans will be ecstatic with where they are or furious and say you know what, starting tomorrow morning we're going our way. it's either love or hate him and even more so after to tonight you very much forjoining us. don't forget, we will be hosting

a special programme with the latest news and results and reactions from washington and around the united states will be with you from 2300 gmt. weir double shifting for the same cost. we will see what a few hours don't miss it usually we say tomorrow but will be back soon. good evening, we are set to continue with very mild weather through the rest of the week ahead, we're going to pull up from the continent and its particularly warm answer to on tuesday 60 degrees above average in a high of 23 degrees, normally that's 7 degrees. pulling in the warm airfrom the that's 7 degrees. pulling in the warm air from the south is an area of low pressure however it'll be a weather front into the west brought to make things clearer northern

ireland getting misty and murky but more heavy rain pretty good for wealth of the southwest of england also extending across scotland and central eastern areas and first thing wednesday. punchy showers is uplifting win and wales with hail and thunder early morning rush hour and thunder early morning rush hour and outbreaks of rain to further ease, the more persistent rain starting to clear from wales by this stage pushing back into galloway and far north of scotland particularly northeast, drier and brighter first thing in the morning and then it stays find out the day, can't promise that for the north east of the mainland. some of the heavier rain and from eastern england will ease, by the time we get afternoon cities of sunshine post—op elsewhere, the rain is certainly looking like it'll set in for much of the day perhaps our third west of ireland alert drier. temperatures

healthy, 13 — 15 celsius thanks to southern winds, by defining feature for the debut particularly gusting on the english channel coast and parts of the west country. the weather front fizzles out and moves away wednesday and thursday but another wind pushes and around the big area of low pressure and where go on thursday, at the moment sadly it looks like it'll focus on the southwest of england and wales, targeting heaviest rain here, later in the day pushing across northern england and scotland scotland, northern ireland has a drier day and central areas of england not too bad as it stands, temperatures are 14-15d. the as it stands, temperatures are 14—15d. the leak is likely to come toa 14—15d. the leak is likely to come to a what close thanks to all of the low pressure coming in from the atla ntic low pressure coming in from the atlantic but the west will have the brunt of it. this is bbc news. i'm rebecca jones. the headlines at eight: millions of americans are voting in the us mid term elections — being seen by many as a verdict on donald trump's presidency so far.

the selection will have a big impact on the rest of the president's time in office and may dictate whether he wins a second term. you can see the scene live here in california, we will bring you the latest news and analysis. the number of children at risk of serious harm has more than doubled to nearly 200,000 in a decade — more and more are being taken into care. obviously it's going to be a heartbreaking time for the parents of stuff. but we will try to look for the positives, and support them.