‘us ‘ us have god's children, each of us have a purpose in our lives. we have a purpose in our lives. we have a great purpose as a nation, to open the doors of opportunity to all americans, to save our democracy, to be a light to the world once again, and finally, to live up to and make real the words written in the sacred document that founded this nation, that all men and women are created equal. endowed by their creator, with certain inalienable rights, among them life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. you know, my dad was an honourable, decent man. he got knocked down a few times pretty ha rd, he got knocked down a few times pretty hard, but he always got back up. he worked hard and he built a great middle—class life for ourfamily. he built a great middle—class life for our family. he used built a great middle—class life for ourfamily. he used to built a great middle—class life for our family. he used to say, joey, i don't expect the government to solve my problems but they sure as hell expect them to understand them. he would sayjoey, a job is

about a lot more than a paycheck. it's about your dignity, it is about your respect and your place in the community, being able to look your kid in the eye and say, honey, it's going to be ok, and mean it. i've neverforgotten those lessons. that's why my economic plan is all about jobs, dignity, respectand community. together we can and will rebuild our economy and when we do, we will not only build back, we will build back better with modern roads, bridges, highways, broadband, ports and airports, a foundation for economic growth, a foundation for clean water to every community, with 5 million new manufacturing and technology jobs so the future is made in america. with the healthcare ‘s that's pouring premiums, deductibles, drug prices, by building on the

audible care act is trying to rip away, and education system the trains are people for the best jobs of the the trains are people for the bestjobs of the 21st the trains are people for the best jobs of the 21st century. there is not a single thing american workers can't do and where cost doesn't prevent young people from going to couege young people from going to college and student debt doesn't crush them when they get out. the childcare and elder system that makes it possible for parents to go to work and the elderly to stay in their homes with dignity. with an immigration system that powers oui’ an immigration system that powers our economy and reflect our values, and with newly empowered labour unions, they are the ones that built the middle—class, equal pay for women with rising wages you can raise a child on, a family on, and yes, we are going to do more than praise our essential workers, we are finally going to pay them, pay them. we can

and we will deal with climate change, it's not only a crisis, it's an enormous opportunity, an opportunity for america to lead the world in clean energy and create millions of new good paying jobs in the process. and we can pay for these investments by ending loopholes, unnecessary loopholes, unnecessary loopholes in the president's 1.3 trillion —— one $.3 trillion tax giveaway to the wealthiest 1% and the biggest and most profitable corporations, some of which don't pay any tax at all. because we don't need a tax code that rewards wealth more than its rewards work. i'm not looking to punish anyone, far from it. but it's long past time the wealthiest people in the biggest corporations of this country paid their fair share. and for our seniors, social security is a sacred obligation, a sacred commerce

made, they paid for. the current resident is threatening to break that thomas, is proposing to eliminate attacks that pays for almost half the social security without any way of making up for that lost revenue. resulting in cuts. —— promise. i will not let that happen. if i were president, we are going to protect social security and medicare, you have my word. one of the most powerful voices we hear in the country today is from our young people. they are speaking to the inequity and injustice that has grown up in america, economic injustice, racial injustice, environmental injustice. i hear their voices and if you listen, you can as well. where there is an existential threat posed by climate change, the daily fear of being gunned down in school,

and the inability to get started in their firstjob, and the inability to get started in theirfirstjob, but with the work of the next president to restore the promise of america to everyone, and i'm not going to have to do it alone. because i will have a great vice president at my side, senator kamala harris, she is a powerful voice for this nation. her story is the american story. she knows about all the obstacles thrown in the way of so many in this country, women, black women, black americans, asian—americans, immigrants, the left out and left behind. she is overcome every obstacle she's ever faced. no one's been tougher on the big banks and the gun lobby, no—one ‘s been tougher and calling out the current administration or its extremism, its failure to follow the law, its failure to simply tell the truth. kamala

andi simply tell the truth. kamala and i both draw from our families, that's where we get our strength. for kamala, families, that's where we get ourstrength. for kamala, it families, that's where we get our strength. for kamala, it is dug and their families. our strength. for kamala, it is dug and theirfamilies. for me, it's dug and theirfamilies. for me, it‘s jill dug and theirfamilies. for me, it'sjill and dug and theirfamilies. for me, it's jill and hours. thanks i've said one man doesn't deserve to love that his life but i've known too. jill came into our life and put our family back together. she is an educator, mum, a military mum and an unstoppable force. if she puts her mind to it, just get out of the way, she is just going to get it done. she was a great second lady and i know she will make a great first lady for this nation. she loves this country so much. and i will always have the strength that can only come from family. hunter, ashley, all the grandchildren, my brothers, my

sister, they give me courage, they lift me up. while he is no longer with us, beau inspires me every day. beau served our nation in uniform. in a wright, a decorated iraqi war veteran. soi a decorated iraqi war veteran. so i take very personally and i have a profound responsibility of serving as commander—in—chief. i will be a president who will stand with our allies and friends and making clear to our adversarial the days of cosying up to dictators is over. under president biden, america will not turn a blind eye to russian bounties on the heads of american soldiers. nor will i put up with foreign interference on our most sacred democratic exercise, voting. and i will always stand for our values, human rights and dignity, i will work in common purpose or a more secure,

peaceful and prosperous world. history, history has thrust one more urgent task on us. will we be the generation that finally wa kes be the generation that finally wakes out the stain of racism from our national character? i believe we are up to it. i believe we are up to it. i believe we are ready. just a week ago yesterday, the third anniversary of the events in charlottesville. anniversary of the events in cha rlottesville. close anniversary of the events in charlottesville. close your eyes, remember what you saw on television, rememberseeing those neo—nazis and clansmen and whites of premises coming in off the field with lit torches, veins bulging, spewing the same anti—semitic bile heard in europe in the 30s. remember the violent clash that ensued between those spreading hate and those with the courage to stand against it. and remember what the president

said when asked? he said there were, quote, very fine people on both sides. that was a wake—up call for us as a country and for me, a call to action. at that moment, i knew i'd have to run. that my father taught us that silence was complicity. and i can never remain silent on complicity. at the time, i said we are in the battle for the soul of this nation. and we are. you know, one of the most important conversations i've had this entire campaign was with someone who was much too young to vote. i met with six—year—old gianna floyd, the day before her daddy, george was laid to rest. she is incredibly brave little girl. i

never forget, incredibly brave little girl. i neverforget, i incredibly brave little girl. i never forget, i leaned incredibly brave little girl. i neverforget, i leaned down to speak to her and she looked in my eyes and said, "daddy change the world. daddy change the world. " the world. daddy change the world." her words burrowed deep into my heart. maybe george floyd's murder was a breaking point, maybejohn lewis's passing, the inspiration. but however it's come to be, however it's come to be, however it's come to be, however it's happened, america is ready, in john's however it's happened, america is ready, injohn's words, to lay down both the heavy burden of hate at last. and the hard work of rooting out our systemic racism. american history tells us it's been in our darkest moments that we've made our best progress, that with bound the lights. and in this dark moment, i believe we are poised to make great

progress again, that we can find the light once more. you know, many people have heard me say this but i've always believed you can define america in one word, possibilities. it's a defining feature of america, everything is possible. that in america, everyone, and i mean everyone should be given an opportunity to go as far as their dreams. we can never lose that. in times as challenging as these, i believe there is only one way forward. as a united america, united in our pursuit of a more perfect union, united in our dreams of a better future for us dreams of a better future for us and for our children. united in our determination to make the coming years right. are you ready? i believe we are. this

isa ready? i believe we are. this is a great nation, we are good and decent people. for lord's sake, this is the united states of america. there has never been anything we haven't been able to accomplish when we've done it together. the irish poet seamus heaney once wrote, "history says, don't hope on this side of the grave but then, once—in—a—lifetime, the long tidal wave ofjustice can rise up and hope and history right." this rise up and hope and history right. " this is rise up and hope and history right." this is our moment to make hope and history rhyme with passion and purpose. it is begin, you and i together, one nation, under god, unite our love for america, united in our love for america, united in our love for america, united in our love for each other, for love is more powerful than hate, hope is more powerful than fear and light is more powerful than dark. this is our moment, this is our mission. history will be

able to say at the end of this chapter of american darkness began here tonight as love and hope and light join began here tonight as love and hope and lightjoin in the battle for the soul of the nation. and this is a battle we will win and we will do it together. i promise you. thank you, and god bless you, and may god protect our troops. music plays. joe biden hasjust delivered the most important political speech of his life. he was saying that he will be the ally of the light, not the dark, choose hope over fear, fact of affection, talked about hope, light and love, did criticise

donald trump, talked about his first plan of action, his first step is to get control of the virus. let's get our immediate reaction to that speech from laura trevelyan in wilmington delaware where he just delivered that speech. your reaction? he talked, quoting the irish poet seamus heaney about wanting to make hope and history rhyme. he talked about wanting to restore light where there was darkness, and optimistic speech talking about how there was always a possibility when there is peril, he was appealing to the —— appealing to the american psyche, talking about the crises, the pandemic, economic calamity, racial injustice and climate change and he pledged

to be the leader who could take america out of this moment. he didn't spare donald trump from the punches but he presented —— presented himself as being the person who could heal this grieving nation and he promised very specifically as you said that that on day one, they would get the pandemic under control, introduce rapid coronavirus testing and would provide schools with the resources to open, which is a keyissue resources to open, which is a key issue in broiling america at the moment. this was his pitch to the voters, that he is the person who could bring light where there is darkness, the person who can restore the soul of america and in a little over 70 days will find out if it's successful. we will find out if the picture success. like the pictures, everyone watching at home, this no big crowds in all. so the attempt to create atmosphere is to have lots of people in front of

their mobile phones and webcams clapping and car parks is flashing lights of people got together with car park drive—through is to watch the speech and it was a pretty good attempt to recreate the razzmatazz and energy from a normal enter these events but not quite the same. interesting, he seemed to be trying, well, he said in his own words that america is at an inflection point. he's trying to make a clear choice here between what he described as too much anger and too much division or a vote for him, for joe biden. do you think that pitch, the theme, the idea cut through? well, we will see. america is an optimistic country with a belief in itself, a country beat —— built on immigration and joe biden is trying to contrast his message with what he says is a very divisive a negative message of

donald trump but what was interesting was he addressed all of the crises roiling the nation at the moment and finally being in a position to confront the stain and injustice of racism without necessarily specifically saying how that could happen. but he was appealing to the optimistic, the strength and resilience in america and he also, interestingly, took a moment to praise barack obama and thank him for being a great president which again, that is part, barack obama is the most popular president that democrats feel they have had. so by evoking this man, aligning himself sensually with the legacy, that is also an attempt to really cement his support and his wearing a mask onstage now with his wife, jill biden, as a complete contrast to president trump, who has barely been seen in public

wearing a mask, rarely, a very few times so joe wearing a mask, rarely, a very few times sojoe biden trying to present himself as a man who will govern the most on science and now there are... (explosion) . . .. and now there are... (explosion).... they are taking place, the fireworks are now going up on the other side of the building! there you go, no balloons on stage that you normally have at the end of the convention but we are seeing a fireworks display, classically american, usually something again on the fourth ofjuly and that you have joe again on the fourth ofjuly and that you havejoe biden and jill biden, watching with their masks, happily choreographed there to show celebration and hope. that is definitely enough razzmatazz for me! we will let you enjoy the fireworks from

your vantage point. let's speak to democratic strategist mary anne marsh and republican strategist ron christie. there we have it, this feature is done and dusted. marianne, what did you make of it? it was a pitch perfect speech byjoe biden. we delivered it well. he promised to be an american president that would restore the promise of america to everyone. it certainly made the case against trump. he made the case against trump. he made the case for himself and then he laid out his plan has to how we would deal with the pandemic and once he did that, he really moved onto a litany of concerns and causes and talked about them ina and causes and talked about them in a way that democrats really care about and addressed every single one of them and it ended unopposed that is positive, hope field and unity filled message that most americans, will find is a relief, to hear a speech like this at a time when it is dark and difficult when they see thatjoe biden will be the

light to take them out of difficult times. i think it is exactly what he needed to do and what people needed to hear —— hope filled white and what did you make of the speech quickly he did what he needed to do which was to reassure those who thought maybe he is too old. or not really with the mental facilities to be the president of the united states. i think he gave a powerful speech but in many ways a contradiction in contrast to what he said. he started and ended talking about a very positive and uplifting vision but the interior of the speech, it was about race, gender and ethnicity and at a time when americans are looking for a positive message, when he said that he wanted to bring us all together it was again, from my opinion, it was putting americans in different camps, different groups, rather than bringing us all together. on balance, he did what he needed

to do tonight which was to reassure the american people that he will be a formidable opponent against president trump's. standby for a second as we watch the fireworks outside the convention centre, where joe outside the convention centre, wherejoe biden outside the convention centre, where joe biden and outside the convention centre, wherejoe biden and his family are watching. this is an exempt of the speech earlier. take a listen to what he said. here and now, i give you my word, if you entrust me with the presidency, i will draw on the best of us not the worst, i will be an ally of the light, not the darkness. it is time for us, for we, the people, to come together. and make no mistake, we can and will overcome this season of darkness in america. we will choose hope over fear, facts overfiction, choose hope over fear, facts over fiction, fairness and a

privilege. i'm a proud democrat. and i will be proud to carry the banner of our party into the general election, so it is with great honour and humility that i accept this nomination for president of united states of america. but while i will be a democratic candidate, i will be an american president. i will work hard for those who did not support me, as hard for them as they did for those he did vote for me. that is the job of a president. to represent all of us. notjust our base or our party. this is not a part of the moment. this must be an american moment. one with calls for hope and light and and love for hope and light and and love for one another. america is not just a collection of clashing interests, i've read states all blue states. we are so much bigger than that. so much

better than that. —— red states. that was joe biden a few moments ago. when you think the battle lines are now ahead of the election between the two candidates? lewis, ithink of the election between the two candidates? lewis, i think it will be a contrast in style and leadership. he said he had hoped, light and love and not about red states and blue states, he will have to work between now and november three to convince many independents and republicans that he means what he said and he will act in such a way that he can draw those voters, though supporters, who have been sceptical about his ability not to bea sceptical about his ability not to be a partisan democrat but to be a partisan democrat but to be a partisan democrat but to be the american president for all. i think donald trump will say he will keep america great again and the vice president will say no, mr president, i'm going to remake the american image and make it stronger and happier. it'll be a fun contest to watch. contest, certainly. maryann,

what you make of the battle lines drawn and you thinkjoe biden has done enough tonight? will the messages cut through tomorrow and between now and the election? it's the best startjoe biden could hope for going into the general election, the perfect set up for it. it promised to be a president of every american, eve ryo ne president of every american, everyone in the country think it's an a very unifying message and it is a referendum on donald trump. he now has a four year record to defend and joe biden is going to keep him accountable to the record and at the same time show it into a betterjob than donald trump has done over the last four yea rs, has done over the last four years, and that is what this election is all about. ron, very briefly, looking ahead to next week, do you think the gau ntlet next week, do you think the gauntlet has been thrown down? what do you think republicans have to respond to now? lewis, the gauntlet has been thrown down and i think you are going

to see mostly life speeches by the republicans and i think they will look at the last several days and draw contrasts on everything we have heard about where joe biden wants to lead the country and how president donald trump, and they will draw a contrast and say why this is my my vision and leadership is better for americans in these challenging times. thank you both for your analysis. we will finally let you go but we appreciate your thoughts and analysis over the last couple of hours. thank you, both. that is it. the democratic national convention is over. four days, a virtual online event all building up to the big speech we just saw in the big speech we just saw in the last hour or so, the biggest speech of the convention and the biggest speech ofjoe biden's long, political career and it is now done and our voters will make thejudgement. thank done and our voters will make the judgement. thank you very much for your company. i am lewis vaughan jones and much for your company. i am lewis vaughanjones and this is

bbc news. goodbye. in the last day or so, we've had some very windy weather across western parts of the uk. a storm swept across ireland, but on friday, it is going to be blowing a gale across many parts of the uk, certainly wales, england, southern parts of scotland as well. and all because of this low which has decided to park itself very close to the uk, and it will be with us until around about saturday night. eventually on sunday, it should finally pull away into scandinavia. but until then, blustery conditions expected throughout friday. on top of that, some heavy showers, thunderstorms are possible, too. the heaviest of the showers will be across more western and northern areas of the uk.

but let's focus on those winds because they will be hazardous. in fact, strong enough to take branches off trees, and even this time of the year, 50—60 mph winds are capable of bringing down weaker trees. so, some really nasty conditions for some of us. the funny thing is it's actually going to be a mostly sunny day, particularly across many eastern and southern areas of the uk. yes, with a few showers, but predominantly bright or sunny, and the temperatures will get up to around 25 degrees in norwich. obviously a lot fresher around western coasts where we'll see those howling gusts of wind. now, friday night into saturday, the low pressure is starting to pull away, but it's still very much in charge of our weather. so, saturday, once again it's going to be a blustery day across the uk. the gusts of wind won't be quite as strong, but strong enough. on top of that, we've got further showers in the forecast and thunderstorms as well. i think the winds will be gusting more like 30—a0 mph on saturday, so not quite as strong as the ones on friday. temperatures despite the wind still managing to get up to around 22 degrees in london and norwich,

and not far off 20 for our northern towns and cities as well. now, sunday, the low pressure has actually by this stage pulled into norway, and the winds are falling lighter across the uk. still a few showers in the forecast carried on a mostly north—westerly breeze. temperatures in the north dipping down to around 1a degrees, so a bit of a chill in aberdeen. but in the south, still making around 20 degrees celsius. so, once again, a very blustery day on friday. saturday's going to be quite windy, too. and then from sunday, it is going to finally calm down.

this is bbc news, the headlines:

the former us vice—president joe biden has accepted the democratic party nomination, to challenge donald trump in the 3rd of november us presidential election. in the biggest speech of his almost 50 years in public service, the 77—year—old set out a vision for bringing america together. president trump's former chief strategist, steve bannon, has pleaded not guilty at a court in new york to fraud and money laundering charges related to an online campaign to build a us border wall. he was released on bail of five million dollars, and must not leave the country. the russian government says it's prepared to consider a request for the kremlin critic, alexei navalny, to be transferred outside the country for medical treatment, after his supporters said he was poisoned. he's now in a coma after collapsing on an internal