this is bbc news. i'm rebecca jones. the headlines at 8pm. a frantic last day of election campaigning as a0 million could go to the polls tomorrow — across england, scotland and wales. just hours after this meeting with priti patel, india's foreign minister self—isolates because two members of his team test positive for covid in some parts of wales the over eighteens are being offered a covid jab — we'll have the latest developments in the uk vaccination programme kent police release a new image of community support officerjulia james — in the same clothes she wore the day she was last seen. donald trump's suspension from facebook is upheld by the company's oversight board — but the ban will be reviewed in six month's time.

and the multi—billion pound project to save the world's coral reefs from overfishing and climate change. good evening and welcome to bbc news. political parties have spent the day trying to secure last—minute votes, ahead of a bumper set of elections in england, scotland and wales tomorrow. around 48 million people are eligible to vote on so—called "super thursday". it's the first test for parties since the general election in 2019, and the start of the pandemic. there are votes for both the scottish and welsh parliaments. in england, there are elections

for mayors in 13 of the biggest city areas, some council elections and the london assembly. there are also 39 police and crime commissioners up for election in england and wales. finally, there's a by—election in hartlepool which could tell us how labour is doing in what was once its heartland. the only place in the uk without any elections tomorrow is northern ireland. our political editor laura kuenssberg reports. watch the stunts. you might think it's a general election. it's not quite yet, but tomorrow there is a huge sweep of ballots and everyone in great britain has the first chance to have a say since his victory in 2019. these are a very important set of elections and the choice, i think, is clear between, you know, the labour opposition who seem absolutely determined

to continue to play political games and government that is getting on with our agenda, getting on with people's priorities. but it's the first time that keir starmer faces the electorate as the labour leader. i've got five plus one. 18 months since his party took a thumping, pressure on him to show it can get back on voters�* lists. fantastic. ready to roll. we are going into the elections tomorrow fighting for every vote. we've got excellent candidates and what we need across the country are labour candidates from their communities, of their communities, that are going to stand up against this government, and that's the choice before the country tomorrow. decisions have been on hold in some parts of the country, one of so many delays during the coronavirus emergency that emptied our streets, so now there's a whopping 4,000 council seats up for grabs, a vital election for an mp in hartlepool, city mayors and elections in scotland and wales, too.

but normal gladhanding and door—knocking has been restricted this time. less face—to—face and mask—to—mask. we have had a weird election campaign because of the pandemic and we have not been able to get on the doors as much as we would have liked to but when we have managed to talk to people they are responding positively to the liberal democrat message because we are community politicians. people know that if they get a liberal democrat councillor things get done. and with multiple contests in different corners of the country there are multiple parties fighting. there is growing recognition of the importance of the climate and ecological emergency, recognising that we are going to face a very uncertain and dangerous future if we don't do something right now, and that change needs to happen now, and it means you need to vote green to get green. this is a strange set of elections, notjust because of the pandemic

but because of the scale. millions upon millions of votes will be cast tomorrow and they will all matter. even the tiniest parish council has an impact on how we live our lives. but there are contests from the smallest to the most significant of levels. national elections in wales, particularly in scotland, that could trigger arguments about the future of the union, the future of the united kingdom itself. and the moment when the power, the decisions, transfer to you is nearly here. laura kuenssberg, bbc news. in scotland, there are 129 seats up for grabs at holyrood with the snp aiming for an overall majority. if that happens, it could re—ignite the argument with downing street over another independence referendum. here's our scotland editor sarah smith on the final day of campaigning.

in this unusual, socially distanced election it's not the pandemic that dominates the debate, but instead it's the question of scottish independence. that's tricky for scottish labour who know they need to rebuild a lot of support before they can really challenge the snp. if you want to help build a credible alternative to nicola sturgeon and the snp you need to support me in this election campaign. help me do it. but you don't expect to win this election campaign? you don't expect to be first minister yourself next week? iam many things, i doubt i am superman. given where we were ten weeks ago in the polls and where we need to get to i do not think it is possible, but that is up to the people of scotland. stirling castle gives our backdrop to what has been described as the most important election since the devolved parliament was set up, and that's because if the snp win an overall majority they will claim that's an electoral mandate for having another independence referendum. the tories want to do what it says on the posters. they claim they are the only party who can stop an independence referendum. what we can't have is an snp majority government

to go ahead and checked. we need to take to stop them forging ahead with plans to divide our country. even if you do not win you think you can block them? vote scottish conservatives to stop a second independence referendum and to allow us to focus on the economy and the issues that haven't got the attention during the election campaign because we have all been speaking about the independence because the snp have put that front and centre of their plans. let's get the debate back to what people want. the scottish lib dem leader will do almost anything to get his party notice that he is determined to stop another independence referendum. vote for liberal democrats in every part of scotland because that will make sure the next parliament is focused on recovery not independence. the scottish greens are focused on the climate emergency but believe that can be better tackled than an independent scotland. we would like to have a referendum to go back and ask the people - of scotland that democratic question — who would you like _ making your decisions?

i brexiteer tories in westminster, l or a government in scotland we've actually have voted for. the snp have taken their campaign across scotland that even if nicola sturgeon can persuade voters to back her campaign she will face another hurdle as the prime minister can veto a vote on independence. the prime minister is not immune or exempt from democracy. i know he thinks he is, but he's not. let me just be very clear, as i have been throughout this campaign. i am not proposing a referendum now. if i am re—elected tomorrow my priority, my focus, my 100% dedication is on continuing to lead scotland through the covid crisis. the holyrood parliament could become the centre of an unprecedented constitutional battle. if the snp do achieve a majority, they will demand a vote on scotland leaving the uk — a referendum that westminster insists it has the right to refuse. two parliaments at odds over the future of the union. sarah smith, bbc news, dumbarton.

so once we know the outcome of the elections how does scotland focus on economic recovery after the pandemic? let's talk to sandy begbie, the chief executive of scottish financial enterprise, which represents scotland's financial services industry. good evening. thank you. it's an important _ good evening. thank you. it's an important industry. _ good evening. thank you. it's an important industry. financial- important industry. financial services about 13 billion bounce to scotland's economy. just give us a since of how the past year has been for your members. it’s since of how the past year has been for your members.— for your members. it's a very important — for your members. it's a very important sector— for your members. it's a very important sector for - for your members. it's a very| important sector for scotland. for your members. it's a very i important sector for scotland. it also employs the hundred 60,000 people and i think last 12 months, the financial services have shown and responded to what has been absolute challenges for businesses and consumers. whether it is been supporting them with the government loan schemes, administering them,

supporting consumers with payment holidays and advice, financial services have stepped up, i believe and responded to what has been a real crisis. in and responded to what has been a real crisis. , , ., real crisis. in the days that we have seen _ real crisis. in the days that we have seen of— real crisis. in the days that we have seen of campaigning, . real crisis. in the days that we l have seen of campaigning, what real crisis. in the days that we - have seen of campaigning, what have you been saying to politicians and have they been listening? i believe the have have they been listening? i believe they have been _ have they been listening? i believe they have been listening, - have they been listening? i believe they have been listening, we - they have been listening, we launched our first ever manifesto on the 20th of april and be coloured forfour the 20th of april and be coloured for four things. the 20th of april and be coloured forfour things. and they the 20th of april and be coloured for four things. and they were all based around collaborations. recovery, between government and climate change, collaboration on skills and inclusion for our recovery. to make sure that scotland possible his position and financial services is not only maintained but enhanced as part of that economic recovery. i do believe through my interactions with all parties that they have taken on board our manifesto would have responded positively. manifesto would have responded ositivel . . ~ manifesto would have responded ositivel . ., ~ ., manifesto would have responded

ositivel . w ., manifesto would have responded ositivel. w ., , manifesto would have responded ositivel. ., , positively. taken on board but so much of the _ positively. taken on board but so much of the focus _ positively. taken on board but so much of the focus has _ positively. taken on board but so much of the focus has been - positively. taken on board but so much of the focus has been on i much of the focus has been on independence, hasn't it, and in terms of policy, i do wonder how confident you are that what you want to be seen as a priority. i do believe economic _ to be seen as a priority. i if believe economic recovery, all parties have talked about that is their priority. we are facing into unprecedented times economically. i think the potential impact is different than 2008 on back of the financial crash and we really need to understand the peoples jobs lives, etc. the financial services can help businesses recover, can help create jobs, can help businesses recover, can help createjobs, can help can help businesses recover, can help create jobs, can help create new sectors that will go on to that economic recovery that we want. i believe they are listening to his messages. believe they are listening to his messages-_

believe they are listening to his messaues. ~' ., ~ voters will be electing 60 politicians to sit in the welsh parliament — known as the sen—eth. welsh labour have held power for more than two decades — but face significant challenges from the welsh conservatives and plaid cymru. 0ur wales correspondent hywel griffith has more. labour may have been in charge for 22 years, but their campaign is focused on the last 1a months. the role in leading wells through the pandemic quiet and cautious, but the recognition has made him a bit of a political rock star, certainly he rather than keir starmer has led the charge in wales. while conservatives want people to think back to pre—pandemic times and not 2019 general election when several seats turn blue in north wales, it is inside west wells that they see the pandemic is potentially a precursor to independence, given how many decisions have been made here in

wales about people state. for the lib dems tomorrow, it's a question of survival, they only had one member and can they hold onto their one seat was make at this stage, it has not delivered much drama over the years, only 12 of the a0 constituency seats have changed hands since 1999. but many are marginal and hands since 1999. but many are marginaland turn hands since 1999. but many are marginal and turn out be key. it never reached 50% in wales, will pandemic make a difference? with the weather keep people away? will find out on friday. that is when the counting begins. kent police have made a fresh appeal to the public for help in catching the killer of police community support 0fficer, julia james. she was found dead in woodland near snowdown eight days ago after taking her dog for a walk. detectives have released a new picture of her in clothes she was last seen wearing. helena wilkinson reports. this new image, released by kent police, shows

julia james walking her dog, just as she had been on the day she was killed. she's also wearing the same clothing, apart from the gloves. police hope it'll trigger people's memories. police have yet to establish a motive for the attack. i do not know if it's somebody she knew, i do not know if it's a stranger attack. of course, that possibility is particularly frightening to local residents. i don't know, therefore, if it's someone who's regularly in the area. not far from where julia james was killed, officers are continuing to speak to residents as part of the investigation. so far, they've received over 700 pieces of information from the public — but they need more help. today, they also released this map of the crime scene. they want to speak to anyone who was in the area between 1pm and a:30pm last tuesday afternoon. the police community support officer had been with the kent force since 2008, described as completely dedicated

to serving the people of kent. some of the forces�* most experienced detectives are working on the murder investigation. it is clear from today's renewed appeal that they really need the public�*s help. helen wilkinson, bbc news, aylesham in kent. the prime minister says there is a need to de—escalate tensions, after france threatened to cut power supplies to jersey. after the uk imposed access rules for french fishing boats near the channel islands, france said its response to the move could involve electricity supplied to jersey via underwater cables. borisjohnson says any blockade of the island would be completely unjustified. the headlines on bbc news. a frantic last day of election campaigning as a0 million could go to the polls tomorrow — across england, scotland and wales.

just hours after this meeting with priti patel, india's foreign minister self—isolates because two members of his team test positive for covid. kent police release a new image of community support officerjulia james — in the same clothes she wore the day she was last seen. sport and a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre. chelsea can join manchester city in the champions league final tonight if they can get the better of real madrid. the 13—time european champions will need to score after thomas tuchel�*s side picked up an away goal in spain last week. kai havertz started for chelsea while both former blues star eden hazard and the influential sergio ramos return for real. the chelsea women's team returned to the top of the wsl with one match

left to play after sam kerr scored both goals in a 2—0 win at tottenham this evening. the australian international picked up one in each half as they made it seven wins in eight games for emma hayes�*s side. victory over reading on sunday would see them retain the title having already won the league cup and they have the champions league final against barcelona to come. a glance at the table shows how tight it is in the race to win the title and the battle to avoid relegation. manchester city have to win at west ham on sunday and hope chelsea slip up while bristol city will be desperate to pick up a win and hope aston villa lose out. 0le gunnar solskjaer said fans went one step too far, following the injury to a police officer during sunday's protests at old trafford. frustrations spilt over, as fans broke into the stadium and invaded the pitch in protest at the glazer ownership, forcing the postponment of their fixture with liverpool. the owners have faced heavy critcism for their part in the super league proposals,

and solskjaer says he has spoken to them. i've been communicating with the owners. i've got an apology, personally. they have apologised to the fans how this came out. it is a difficult position for me to be in, this, because i got to focus on the football, and i've always had a good relationship, and they listen to me, and they do listen to the fans, and i'm sure there will be better communication coming. those protests meant manchester united's game against liverpool was postponed, but it's now been rescheduled for tomorrow week. that means united face the prospect of playing four games in eight days with the first coming in italy against roma tomorrow in the second leg of their europa league semifinal. they then return to england and will face aston villa on sunday, leicester on tuesday and liverpool on the thursday.

away fans will not be able to attend the final two rounds of premier league matches. 10,000 spectators — or 25% of a stadium's capacity — will be made up of home fans only due to operational challenges. it means every premier league club will play at least one home game in front of fans before the season's out. britain's dan evans has continued his fine run of form — he's through to the third round of the madrid 0pen, after he beat tenth seed john millman. evans came from a set down to win 6—3 in the decider. he now faces a tough test against world number six alexander zverev in the final 16. rory mcilroy says the proposed super golf league is nothing more than a "money grab" and he's still against it, as reports suggest the saudi—led plan has resurfaced. world number one dustinjohnson and britain'sjustin rose are among 11 players who have reportedly been offered lucrative contracts, said to be worth up to a staggering £36million up front. but players have been warned by pga tour commissionerjay monahan

that they could incur instant suspensions and lifetime bans — which will affect their chances of playing in this year's ryder cup. horse racing has started a two—month pilot of saliva testing jockeys, to provide on—the—day screening for cocaine and other banned substances. previously, testing methods used blood, urine and hairsampling. the british horseracing authority said they were concerned by the rise in cases over the past two years, and they expect penalties to be increased for jockeys who test positive. ireland's sam bennett sprinted to victory in the first stage at the tour of the algarve 2021. the de—curnick quick—step rider had a good lead—out, and even though he's had a short time away from racing, he showed the power that won him the green jersey at last year's tour de france — beating dutch sprinter danny van poppel to the line. from the goalless and that one in 19 minutes play. i will be back with

more support later on. —— sport. the seven leading economies in the world, including the uk, have tonight criticised china and russia for failing to meet international standards of behaviour. it comes after talks in london between foreign ministers from the g7 being hailed as a return to face to face diplomacy. earlier in the day it emerged that the entire indian delegation is self—isolating after two members tested positive for covid—19. 0ur diplomatic correspondent james landale reports. borisjohnson dropping by the g7 talks this afternoon determined to show confidence in an international meeting hit by a covid scare, determined to show that face—to—face diplomacy as possible in a pandemic. i had a very good meeting with secretary blinken... india's foreign minister, a guest at the talks, has spent the last few deays in london meeting counterparts from the united states and south africa, even the home secretary, priti patel.

but then this morning, this. in a tweet, he said... india has suffered grievously in recent weeks, and it appears two junior officials may have travelled while infected. the foreign office has imposed tight covid rules at lancaster house and the indian delegation had yet to attend any meetings here, but the cases were picked up by mandatory daily tests. despite this, officials at public health england had ruled the talks could continue, to the prime minister's relief. i think it's very important to try to continue as much business as you can as a government. we have a very important relationship with india, with our g7 partners. as i understand it, what's happened is the individuals concerned, they are all isolating now.

so, today, the indian ministerjoined the meeting in the now—traditional way. officials say the discovery of these two cases show the effectiveness of the tight regulations they put in place. but it will surely raise questions about whether it's too early for face—to—face diplomacy like this, and whether future planned international meetings should go ahead in person as planned. and so, today's meeting continued. top of the agenda? yes, the covid pandemic. james landale, bbc news. the latest figures published by the office for national statistics show that the uk has recorded its lowest weekly number of deaths involving coronavirus since last september. but ministers say they are already looking ahead to the autumn when the nhs will be ready to give boosterjabs to those over 50. and in some parts of wales, as our health editor hugh pym reports, people over 18 are already being offered a jab.

waiting for vaccinations in north wales today. and in some areas, like this, those as young as 18 are being invited to have a first dose. people under 30 who work in social care, and those who have health conditions, have already been offered a jab. now welsh health boards have been given flexibility to offer it to the rest. got a letter one day and just came here. i got my letter, my twin sister hasn't had hers. got a letter through the post, got a text message and came in. very quick, very good, to be fair. really surprised, but really happy. finally got it done and can start going back to normal. - latest figures on vaccinations for those aged 18 and over show in wales 7a% have had a firstjab. in england, it is 66% of adults. in northern ireland, 65%, and in scotland 6a% of adults. as the drive to offer all adults a first dose continues,

ministers are already planning an autumn booster campaign. a range of options are being looked at, including tweaking jabs to protect against variants. and mixing vaccines with a third dose different from the first two. the nhs team is already planning to be ready for deployment from september onwards. but the decision hasn't been made as to whether we go september or later in the year, or early next year. that depends on the clinicians. testing existing and new vaccines against variance will be stepped up at porton down, run by public health them. nearly £30 million will be invested by the government to increase capacity to analyse blood samples. these will show levels of antibodies generated by vaccines. officials say, for now, they are watching closely the spread in the uk of indian variants of the virus. at the moment, we have not declared those variants of concern,

and that is because we don't have any evidence so far that they are either more severe in terms of clinical presentation, or, for example, they have an adverse impact on the vaccine. but our investigations are ongoing, and they are not completed yet. aid flights to india are continuing. british airways is flying 27 tons of medical items, including oxygen cylinders, to delhi. a reminder of, however positive the news here, the virus is taking a deadly toll in some other countries. hugh pym, bbc news. let's take a look at the latest government figures, which show there were 2,1aa new infections in the latest 2a—hour period. so, that's an average of 2,020 new cases per day in the last week.

27 deaths were reported in the latest 2a hour period, that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. on average in the past week, 13 deaths were announced every day. the total number of deaths is now 127,570. as for vaccinations — a total of nearly 35—million people have now had their first dose of a covid vaccine. and nearly sixteen million people have had both doses and are now fully vaccinated. professor devi sridhar is the chair of global public health at the university of edinburgh. good evening. some very encouraging fiuures good evening. some very encouraging figures there. — good evening. some very encouraging figures there, infections, _ good evening. some very encouraging figures there, infections, deaths - figures there, infections, deaths and vaccinations. would you support and vaccinations. would you support a relaxation of all restrictions now sooner rather than later? i a relaxation of all restrictions now sooner rather than later?- sooner rather than later? i think those decisions _ sooner rather than later? i think those decisions have _ sooner rather than later? i think those decisions have to - sooner rather than later? i think those decisions have to be - sooner rather than later? i think| those decisions have to be driven sooner rather than later? i think- those decisions have to be driven by the data and also caution. we are

unlocking things quite rapidly. we have indoor hospitality opened, outdoor hospitality fully opened across all coronations. we have seen things relaxing, but it is doing it step—by—step because so far, we've kept it under one, we have seen the numbers continue to come down under lock. :: , , ., ' lock. the under 50s will be offered a third re booster— lock. the under 50s will be offered a third re booster before _ lock. the under 50s will be offered a third re booster before the - lock. the under 50s will be offered a third re booster before the end i lock. the under 50s will be offered | a third re booster before the end of the year. is that sensible and can you give us a sense of what sort of vaccination that will actually be? there is some scientific uncertainty as to how long the immunity lasts. some scientists say will be fine for several years, some say it would deplete by six months due to repeated jabs in the uk string to get ahead of the spacing just in case we see waiting immunity, but that that stockpile vedic of most vulnerable groups, those with health

conditions that can deploy them quickly in the event that we actually need them and we start seeing the effect of the vaccine wearing off. 50 seeing the effect of the vaccine wearing off-— seeing the effect of the vaccine wearin: off. u, , ., wearing off. so we could see tweaks vaccines? we _ wearing off. so we could see tweaks vaccines? we are _ wearing off. so we could see tweaks vaccines? we are seeing _ wearing off. so we could see tweaks vaccines? we are seeing with - wearing off. so we could see tweaks vaccines? we are seeing with the i vaccines? we are seeing with the vaccines? we are seeing with the vaccines like _ vaccines? we are seeing with the vaccines like pfizer _ vaccines? we are seeing with the vaccines like pfizer and _ vaccines? we are seeing with the i vaccines like pfizer and modernity, that they have already started tweaking them for the south african variant and can easily change them. astrazeneca started changing its vaccine and science is trying to get to some generic coronavirus vaccine they can manage multiple different strains. but i think right now we have to change the sex scenes significantly different strains may emerge nerd to get the antibody response we need. == emerge nerd to get the antibody response we need.— emerge nerd to get the antibody response we need. -- change the vaccine significantly. _ response we need. -- change the vaccine significantly. in _ response we need. -- change the vaccine significantly. in my - response we need. -- change the vaccine significantly. in my view l vaccine significantly. in my view listing here in britain, this issue

with the majority of population will get back to normal life and with a little bit of uncertainty creeps and for scientists is about these variants like the candidate variant becoming more transmissible, it's across the road we see india struggling with new variants, loosing the african one, resilient one because that uncertainty, we have to take this new variants and test whether a vaccines work against them in laboratories, also on trials and we have the search testing ready actually test these to make sure they do not spread further. that is they do not spread further. that is the little hesitation we have and it is not always smooth sailing ahead, but it is the issue of variance. talking about richer countries steaming ahead, is it your view that third jab, boosters are the priority

when so many countries have not been able to give their population the first vaccine?— first vaccine? there both ethical and selfish _ first vaccine? there both ethical and selfish reasons _ first vaccine? there both ethical and selfish reasons why - first vaccine? there both ethical and selfish reasons why we - first vaccine? there both ethical i and selfish reasons why we should first vaccine? there both ethical - and selfish reasons why we should be worried about covid—19 circulating in poor countries. you are seeing huge numbers of deaths in india, nepal, bangladesh, pakistan and south america, brazil, peru, they need vaccines and the only way get through this. if he continues to circulate, they will see variants because the virus is a chance to reproduce multiple times, you get these changes in what has selective advantage so it spreads more rapidly. i think there's a real need to get enough doses out and manufacture enough and get them out and there are more questions in the autumn if britain is in a strong position should be using those doses are giving it to countries that are really struggling?— really struggling? where do you stand on reopening _ really struggling? where do you | stand on reopening international travel. we

stand on reopening international travel. ~ ., ., ., , travel. we are going to see it restored- _ travel. we are going to see it restored. but _ travel. we are going to see it restored. but he'll— travel. we are going to see it restored. but he'll probably l travel. we are going to see it. restored. but he'll probably be travel. we are going to see it - restored. but he'll probably be done through vaccine passports. there are discussing this, which is the process that if you fully vaccinated, get some kind of status to let you enter countries. talks between the united states and europe saying that for tourism, they will approved travel. a lot of people have not been vaccinated, younger people and poor countries, how they will be treated when they want to move across borders, and away, it is inevitable. we are seeing vaccine passports are going to be the way forward for at least the next six months, if the next year.- forward for at least the next six months, if the next year. from the university of _ months, if the next year. from the university of edinburgh _ months, if the next year. from the university of edinburgh always - months, if the next year. from the | university of edinburgh always good to talk to you. thank you. well, it's been another very showery day across the uk, thunder and lightning, a few hailstorms around too. not as many of these showers around through the late evening but we are expecting some winteriness across scotland through the night.

i wouldn't be surprised if there's some snow settling over the hills even down to lower levels through the night, so perhaps some icy patches developing here as well as temperatures fall to around freezing or below for some of our northern towns and cities, even a touch of frost in the south of the country but i think cities themselves falling no lower than around 3 or a celsius. so onto thursday's weather forecast and early in the morning, there could be some cloud and rain just flirting with the south coast of england. a few showers lurking around here and there, but i think generally speaking, it's a drier, brighter day for the southern half of the uk. the northern half however in for further showers — again, thunder, lightning, and the possibility of hail. hello this is bbc news with rebecca jones. the headlines. a frantic last day of election campaigning as a0 million could go to the polls tomorrow —

across england, scotland and wales. just hours after this meeting with priti patel, india's foreign minister self—isolates because two members of his team test positive for covid. in some parts of wales the over eighteens are being offered a covid jab — we'll have the latest developments in the uk vaccination programme. kent police release a new image of community support officerjulia james — in the same clothes she wore the day she was last seen. more now on one of our main stories tonight — the final few hours of campaigning for tomorrow's elections across great britain. in scotland voters are electing the holyrood parliament. the result could have a bearing on whether there is another independence referendum. throughout the day here on bbc news we've heard from leaders of scotland's main parties. let's hear now from anas sarwar — leader of scottish labour.

he says his priority is ensuring his party can provide an alternative to nicola sturgeon and the snp. we're taking the labour party on a journey, i recognise where we were nine weeks ago when i became leader, and we've had a mountain to climb but we are building a credible alternative to the snp and the tories, the only credible alternative, and if you want to be part of that journey, you need to vote labour. can you democratically stop an independence referendum if there is that pro—independence majority? i want us to choose something different. on focusing on recovering, i want us to choose on focusing on yourjob, your education, the climate emergency, of your children's education and building the credible alternative to nicola sturgeon and the snp. but you've got to vote labour. would you boycott a referendum that wasn't sanctioned by the courts or by boris johnson? look, i'm focusing on the recovery. i don't want to focus on those arguments. i want to focus on having a recovery that works for every part of this country, that prioritises cancer care, that prioritises your children's education, job, and building the credible

alternative to nicola sturgeon and the snp. day one of the new parliament, what are the first things in your entry? i want us to obsess about saving yourjob. about saving your children's education and mental health. i want us to obsess about confronting the climate emergency. i want to obsess about saving our nhs and finding those missing 7000 and let's over the next five years build a credible alternative to nicola sturgeon in the snp. be part of the journey, vote labour. we have led the most positive campaign, we have led the most energetic campaign, we have been the only campaign that's focus on what unites our country, not what divides it. we've talked about a recovery that works for everyone. i don't care whether you are a yes or no. i don't care if you were leave or remain. we are building a credible alternative during thatjourney. well let's talk about the contest in scotland — and also the elections across wales and england — with professor of politics at the university of strathclyde, sirjohn curtice. good to have you with us sirjohn and let us start in scotland and i

suppose the big question is with the snp get a majority were not? to be snp get a ma'ority were not? to be honest that-s— snp get a majority were not? to be honest that's the _ snp get a majority were not? to be honest that's the question - snp get a majority were not? to be honest that's the question to - snp get a majority were not? trr as: honest that's the question to which we do not know the answer. some polls suggest they mightjust. 0thers suggest they mightjust miss. and that in a sense is almost inevitable because probably the snp's chances rest on whether or not they can pick up two thirds of nine opposition held marginal constituents seats with tight market which the opposition either conservative or labour won by five percentage points last time. and the national polls are saying the snp are roughly at the point where they might be able to do that butjust a percentage point to more or less, that could make the crucial difference and what is inevitably true is national opinion polls can't tell you what is going on in the individual constituencies. so it is

a 50-50 individual constituencies. so it is a 50—50 chance for the snp at the beginning of the campaign and at the end of the campaign too but the snp with nearly half of the constituencies in scotland, but that might not be enough to get them over the line. we might not be enough to get them over the line. ~ ., ., , the line. we will have to see them. let's move — the line. we will have to see them. let's move to _ the line. we will have to see them. let's move to england _ the line. we will have to see them. let's move to england and - the line. we will have to see them. let's move to england and the - let's move to england and the hartlepool bio action. how big a testis hartlepool bio action. how big a test is that for the labour leader keir starmer? it test is that for the labour leader keir starmer?— test is that for the labour leader keir starmer? it is important that circular has _ keir starmer? it is important that circular has a _ keir starmer? it is important that circular has a set _ keir starmer? it is important that circular has a set this _ keir starmer? it is important that circular has a set this as - keir starmer? it is important that circular has a set this as one - keir starmer? it is important that circular has a set this as one of. circular has a set this as one of his objections trying to get back some of those and leave supporters in so—called redwall seats who wandered off to the conservative party. —— some of those leave supporters. and hartlepool had the highest leave vote in 2016 and had the highest brexit party vote in the 2019 general election. the difficulty circular faces is 2019 general election. the difficulty circularfaces is much 2019 general election. the difficulty circular faces is much of that person party route is probably not going to vote for its reform uk

so what ever potato of the vote is there is in play, and research my and my colleagues have done and what might�*ve happened in 2019 if the person party had not stood in labour constituencies suggests somewhere between two and three to one that would have split in favour of the conservatives and if you do the arithmetic of it than basically if the brakes party supporters do split in the proportion towards the conservatives, that gets them close to line and the point we have had in the consistency perhaps that consists —— the conservatives might do better than this so it is a particular tough test for labour, probably unfortunate for them that it was in this constituency that they should get the first violation of this parliament.— of this parliament. parliamentary elections in _ of this parliament. parliamentary elections in wales, _ of this parliament. parliamentary elections in wales, no _ of this parliament. parliamentary elections in wales, no one - of this parliament. parliamentary elections in wales, no one has i of this parliament. parliamentary i elections in wales, no one has ever had a majority in the welsh parliament. how is it looking there? it is looking as though that record will continue. we had a poll out today suggesting that labour will do

in its share of the votes roughly as it did in 2016 when it was a couple of seats short but the difference is that in 2016, you kept it very well in wales. it was into the high teens. —— ukip did well. much of that vote is dissipated and much of it looks like it will go to the conservatives because they were primarily leave potus so the conservatives ahead for a good second place as opposed to the third place they had in 2016 and even though it labour might be standing still, there is a risk that labour will loose some crucial constituency seats to the conservatives and that could well leave them having to become —— to come with some understanding with a third and much of the same shares and 26 and had to deal with plaid cymru which are not necessarily been an easy task and certainly i think it will mean a welsh government that will adopt a pretty robust attitude towards the uk government insofar as the uk government is minded for example to start spending in reserve there,

something that neither the scottish nor the welsh governments are very keen on. 5ir nor the welsh governments are very keen on. ,, g ., nor the welsh governments are very keen on. ,, . ., ., nor the welsh governments are very keen on. ,, i ., ., ., keen on. sirjohn we are running out of time but — keen on. sirjohn we are running out of time but i — keen on. sirjohn we are running out of time but i want _ keen on. sirjohn we are running out of time but i want to _ keen on. sirjohn we are running out of time but i want to asked - keen on. sirjohn we are running out of time but i want to asked one - of time but i want to asked one quick question if i may, what do you think the results will really tell us about the political landscape in britain given the backdrop of the pandemic and the extraordinary circumstances of these elections? i think they will give us an idea of the parties but also illustrate the fractured nature of britain. in england the conservative party look like it will emerge ahead in the local elections albeit because we are two different baselines with a mixture of gains and losses but that will still be of every good record for the government so we have a strong conservative government in england but in wales, we will have an administration that is not necessarily going to be sympathetic to the conservatives and in scotland, definitely not you will the diversions across the different parts of the united kingdom. we must

leave it there. — parts of the united kingdom. we must leave it there, good _ parts of the united kingdom. we must leave it there, good to _ parts of the united kingdom. we must leave it there, good to talk _ parts of the united kingdom. we must leave it there, good to talk to - leave it there, good to talk to professorjohn curtice, many thanks. let's continue the discussion — and talk about what might happen in the coming days — with me is the political editor of the scottish daily mail, michael blackley. and the political commentator, julia langdon, is with us too. and welcome to you both. michael if i might perhaps start with you and let's start in scotland. so much at stake in scotland. how much is the independence issue at the forefront of voters minds in your view? it has been a bit of _ of voters minds in your view? it has been a bit of a _ of voters minds in your view? it has been a bit of a dominant _ of voters minds in your view? it has been a bit of a dominant issue - of voters minds in your view? it has been a bit of a dominant issue all i been a bit of a dominant issue all the way— been a bit of a dominant issue all the way through the campaign, certainly— the way through the campaign, certainly when it has come to the bil certainly when it has come to the big set_ certainly when it has come to the big set piece moments such as the tv debates. _ big set piece moments such as the tv debates, the issue over whether there _ debates, the issue over whether there should or should not be an independence referendum has really dominated the issue that is possibly one of— dominated the issue that is possibly one of the _ dominated the issue that is possibly one of the key factors for a want of voters _ one of the key factors for a want of voters whether they are pro—independence or pro union so it is going _ pro—independence or pro union so it is going to _ pro—independence or pro union so it is going to be a very big factor on

the election and also on with at the snp does _ the election and also on with at the snp does or doesn't manage to get the majority that it is looking for the majority that it is looking for the selection.— the selection. multiple contests julia, is it the selection. multiple contests julia. is it your— the selection. multiple contests julia, is it your view _ the selection. multiple contests julia, is it your view that - the selection. multiple contests julia, is it your view that the - the selection. multiple contests| julia, is it your view that the one in scotland is the most important? it is because on the most crucial constitutional issue in britain at the moment is the future of the union, i might say there is also the problem of north and ireland but northern ireland are not voting tomorrow. the outcome of the scottish parliament to reelection however is going to be very, very important for borisjohnson who is not paying a great deal of attention although he ought to be. he says wild horses wouldn't stop them from campaigning in scotland but wild horses actually somehow did manage to stop him because he did not go there largely because his government

is pretty unpopular. find there largely because his government is pretty unpopular-— is pretty unpopular. and the conservatives _ is pretty unpopular. and the conservatives michael - is pretty unpopular. and the conservatives michael of. is pretty unpopular. and the - conservatives michael of course not doing very well in london but if you make marginal gains in marginal seats in england, i am thinking of dudley, derby, that will be a real boost for boris johnson, wanted? dudley, derby, that will be a real boost for borisjohnson, wanted? yes boost for boris johnson, wanted? yes indeed boost for borisjohnson, wanted? yes indeed these elections across the uk are very— indeed these elections across the uk are very important for boris johnson _ are very important for boris johnson i_ are very important for boris johnson. i think you have seen in scotland — johnson. i think you have seen in scotland the conservatives potential voters _ scotland the conservatives potential voters are _ scotland the conservatives potential voters are really changed in recent years _ voters are really changed in recent years a_ voters are really changed in recent years a lot — voters are really changed in recent years. a lot of their focus in recent— years. a lot of their focus in recent days have been on the working class neighbourhoods that people may be useful— class neighbourhoods that people may be useful to vote labour so one of the key— be useful to vote labour so one of the key factors in the selection will be — the key factors in the selection will be whether these voters who might _ will be whether these voters who might believe in the union more than anything _ might believe in the union more than anything else will switch to the conservatives on the peach regionalists about paper where they have been— regionalists about paper where they have been devoting most of their campaign — have been devoting most of their campaign as opposed to the

constituency ballots where voters are selecting candidates. and julia how bi a are selecting candidates. and julia how big a test _ are selecting candidates. and julia how big a test is _ are selecting candidates. and julia how big a test is hartlepool - are selecting candidates. and julia how big a test is hartlepool for - how big a test is hartlepool for labour?. it how big a test is hartlepool for labour?. , , .,, labour?. it is huge. it is the most crucialjudgment _ labour?. it is huge. it is the most crucialjudgment on _ labour?. it is huge. it is the most crucialjudgment on keir - labour?. it is huge. it is the most crucialjudgment on keir starmerl labour?. it is huge. it is the most i crucialjudgment on keir starmer as the professor was saying, he has been up to hartlepool a great deal. i should say that it is very, very rare for a governing party to take a seat off the opposition in a by—election and that looks like what might happen here. it must have been 35 years ago and the time before that was even longer. it's a very unusual thing to happen but hartlepool is fascinating because of the redwall issue that we have heard so much about. and the signs are i think that the labour vote is not going to come back to the labour party. the poster governments and

wrote a book called beyond the redwall and this time lester she was interviewing labour photos last year and i think the figure was 76% of former labour voters saying they needed a great deal to vote labour again. —— this time last year. the signs are they have not got in. they are looking for hope, looking for some sort of vision of things changing. not that might have happened with the labour vote in scotland. i think the new labour leader in scotland is making a real difference there but keir starmer just isn't floating anybody�*s boat around the teesside area i don't think. , �* , ., around the teesside area i don't think. , �*, ., ., ., think. interesting. let's move onto wales, michael. _ think. interesting. let's move onto wales, michael. and _ think. interesting. let's move onto wales, michael. and it _ think. interesting. let's move onto wales, michael. and it will- think. interesting. let's move onto wales, michael. and it will be - wales, michael. and it will be interesting to see wanted with at the welsh conservatives make any gains. the welsh conservatives make any aains. , ~ , the welsh conservatives make any aains. , . , ., , gains. yes, the welsh conservatives had a difficult _ gains. yes, the welsh conservatives had a difficult time _ gains. yes, the welsh conservatives had a difficult time in _ gains. yes, the welsh conservatives had a difficult time in recent - gains. yes, the welsh conservatives had a difficult time in recent time i had a difficult time in recent time so it will— had a difficult time in recent time so it will be indeed important. i

know— so it will be indeed important. i know they— so it will be indeed important. i know they are talking about trying to get _ know they are talking about trying to get back a few years ago to when they were _ to get back a few years ago to when they were performing better before they were performing better before the break— they were performing better before the break said referendum. in many ways you _ the break said referendum. in many ways you are — the break said referendum. in many ways you are seeing some of the similar— ways you are seeing some of the similar issues in scotland. —— the brexit— similar issues in scotland. —— the brexit referendum. i think these issues _ brexit referendum. i think these issues will— brexit referendum. i think these issues will be to the fore in the selection — issues will be to the fore in the selection as well.— issues will be to the fore in the selection as well. julia what you think of the _ selection as well. julia what you think of the issue _ selection as well. julia what you think of the issue of _ selection as well. julia what you i think of the issue of independence in wales, what role will that play? it is fascinating. it didn't used to be an issue. at the time that there was a growing demand for devolution in scotland before we got the scottish parliament, it wasn't an issue at all in wales. and even six years ago, there was only 3% per support for this independence widespread in wales for some in march that figure was 39%. that doesn't mean that plaid cymru would doesn't mean that plaid cymru would do particularly well, they are not looking as if they will be doing brilliantly. but the labour leader

in wales has already before the selection said there will be a need for some sort of new institutionalised machinery. what he is talking about their is there is going to have to be a looking at what they are going to do in order to stop wales also seeking to move towards independence. julia langdon, michael blackley, _ towards independence. julia langdon, michael blackley, unfortunately - towards independence. julia langdon, michael blackley, unfortunately we i michael blackley, unfortunately we must leave it there. really good to have your insight so thank you. there's been a funeral in the pakistani city of lahore for a young woman from london — who was murdered in the city on monday. mayra zulfiqar, who was 2a, was shot at a flat she was renting. police are investigating allegations that she was killed by two local men after turning down their marriage proposals. 0ur south asia correspondent secunder kermani has more. this is the street in a quiet upmarket neighbourhood where mayra zulfiqar and a female friend rented the upper portion of a house.

the law graduate arrived in pakistan around two months ago with her parents but when they returned to the uk funnelling a family wedding, she stayed on here. on monday morning, police received an emergency call from a maid who had discovered her dead body inside the home. she had been shot twice. her uncle has registered a case with the police saying she told him she was being threatened by two men who had wanted to marry her but who she had turned down. today at a mosque in lahore, funeral prayers were held for mayra zulfiqar. her father and one of her brothers have travelled over from the uk. understandably, they were too emotionally distraught to talk to us. police say so far, they've carried out a number of interrogations but made no formal arrests. this case is resonating both in the uk and in pakistan where as in so many countries, activists say more needs to be done to prevent violence against women. 0ur correspondent there secunder kermani. the israeli president has asked the leader of the centrist yesh atid party,

yair lapid, to try to form a coalition government. it could mean an end to 12 consecutive years in power for benjamin netanyahu — who was unable to form a coalition of his own after the elections in march. israel has held four elections in the past two years. 0ur middle east correspondent yolande knell has more. israel has held four elections in the past two years. donald trump's suspension from facebook has been upheld by the company's oversight board, but it also said the ban must be reviewed in six months�* time. the former us president was suspended after posts he made when his supporters attacked the us congress injanuary. mr trump attacked the board�*s decision — and bans from the main tech platforms — saying it was "a total disgrace and an embarrassment to our country". 0ur correspondent in washington, gary 0�*donoghue, says despite the former president�*s social media ban, he is still managing to get his message out. he�*s still doing interviews with some of his favourite networks. he�*s holding meetings.

he�*s having a lot of sort of free media coverage when republican leaders and politicians go to mar—a—lago and take selfies with him there. that�*s happening still, and he�*s set up this sort of blog on his website called from the desk of donald trump in which he is a sort of firing out missives including this one condemning the social media platforms including facebook as a total disgrace. so, he�*s doing all that. it�*s worth saying, ben, that despite his sort of bully pulpit of twitter being taken away from him, those 88 million followers, he still has maintained and continues to maintain a viselike grip on the republican party in this country. so, it�*s not affecting his ability to remain relevant certainly in gop politics. 0ur washington correspondent gary 0�*donoghue there. they are known as the rainforests

of the sea — coral reefs that are home to around a quarter of all marine species, and a precious part of our global ecosystem. but they are under growing threat — over—fishing and rising sea temperatures mean more and more coral reefs have become grey and lifeless. now, in indonesia, there�*s a pioneering initiative to try to restore them — as our science editor david shukman reports. it is one of the most shocking sites in the underwater world when cross die either because they are damaged or because the sea becomes too hot for them and they turn into what looks like a graveyard. when you dive on a reef and it is just quite an all molten grey and desolate, it is so depressing. the solution pioneered by professor smith involves whole communities in indonesia. they take these metal

frames called reef stars and fix them to the sea bed, fragments of live corals are attached to them and the result is a revival of a habitat that many depend on. you the result is a revival of a habitat that many depend on.— the result is a revival of a habitat that many depend on. you see fish come in and _ that many depend on. you see fish come in and double _ that many depend on. you see fish come in and double and _ that many depend on. you see fish come in and double and one i that many depend on. you see fish come in and double and one day, l that many depend on. you see fish i come in and double and one day, you see the small fish finding a home in the reef stars, in the core, six months later, medium—size fish, the whole ecosystem responds when you give it this chance to kick start. the latest reef to be helped in this way is called hope, the word is speued way is called hope, the word is spelled out in the new corals and the aim is to apply the same technique in other areas around the world. 0ver technique in other areas around the world. over the years there have been dozens of attempts to try to bring reefs back to life. some more successful than others and they have all been on a really small scale as was this latest initiative, so there will be questions about it. it is funded by the pet food company she boat which uses a lot of fish and its product is so can this venture really make any kind of difference?

scientists i have spoken to are impressed by the way that reefs that were once dead are now being revived. and because the task is so huge, they welcome funding from big—name companies. the huge, they welcome funding from big-name companies. the businesses involved are — big-name companies. the businesses involved are dependent _ big-name companies. the businesses involved are dependent on _ big-name companies. the businesses involved are dependent on fish i big-name companies. the businesses involved are dependent on fish and i involved are dependent on fish and marine resources to actually invest in restoring the ocean and recovering is a good thing. 0bviously with business you always have that extra filter of scrutiny. and because most corals are threatened as global temperatures continue to rise, any attempt to save even small areas will need real determination. david shukman, bbc news. well, let�*s talk to director of science management from the living 0ceans foundation, alexandra dempsey. thanks for being with us on bbc news. what are your thoughts first of all about that initiative? it is

a phenomenal— of all about that initiative? it 3 a phenomenal initiative that the nature conservancy has taken that first step in implementing a large—scale choral restoration programme and i�*m quite optimistic about it. programme and i'm quite optimistic about it. . , programme and i'm quite optimistic about it. ., , programme and i'm quite optimistic aboutit. ., , ., ., ., about it. that is good to hear. how bad dare i about it. that is good to hear. how bad dare i ask _ about it. that is good to hear. how bad dare i ask is _ about it. that is good to hear. how bad dare i ask is the _ about it. that is good to hear. how bad dare i ask is the situation? i about it. that is good to hear. howj bad dare i ask is the situation? the coral reefs — bad dare i ask is the situation? iie: coral reefs really bad dare i ask is the situation? ti2 coral reefs really are bad dare i ask is the situation? “ii2 coral reefs really are in bad dare i ask is the situation? i“i2 coral reefs really are in crisis, at a tipping point. all around the world, corals are suffering from the stressors of overfishing, pollution, coastal development. but really the greatest that the coral reefs is climate change and ocean warming. and we have lost their essay almost half of the coral reefs around the world in the past 30 years so it is really a dire situation to try to take conservation steps and methods to try to protect what we have and preserve so what protective measures are in place at the moment and from what you are saying, whatever they

are there clearly not doing enough? well because this is a global problem, it is a one step at a time approach, right? so the first would be to look at what the local reef community is doing in some of these island nations. and protecting them. setting up management practices, setting up protected areas. and for most education, right? teaching and educating people all over the world, how important coral reefs are not only for the animals that live there before the people that really depend on them for their livelihood. teiiii on them for their livelihood. tell us more about _ on them for their livelihood. tell us more about that, why do they matter so much?— matter so much? coral reef ecosystems _ matter so much? coral reef ecosystems i _ matter so much? coral reef ecosystems i believe i i matter so much? coral reef| ecosystems i believe i heard matter so much? coral reef- ecosystems i believe i heard earlier in the programme are analogous to that of the rain forest of the sea and what happens is a sin forest fire when the trees and start to

disappear or in this instance the court rules, there is habitat loss, there is loss of coastal protection from storms. and as these corals are dying, and actually has a domino effect that not only affects the fish and the creatures on the reef but also people as well. alexandra dem se , but also people as well. alexandra dempsey. we _ but also people as well. alexandra dempsey, we must _ but also people as well. alexandra dempsey, we must leave - but also people as well. alexandra dempsey, we must leave there, i dempsey, we must leave there, director of science management from the living 0ceans foundation, good to talk to you. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with tomasz schafernaker. well, it�*s been another very showery day across the uk, thunder and lightning, a few hailstorms around too. not as many of these showers around through the late evening but we are expecting some winteriness across scotland through the night. i wouldn�*t be surprised if there�*s some snow settling over the hills even down to lower levels through the night, so perhaps some icy patches developing here as well as temperatures fall to around freezing or below for some of our northern towns and cities, even a touch of frost in the south of the country but i think cities themselves falling no lower

than around 3 or a celsius. so onto thursday�*s weather forecast and early in the morning, there could be some cloud and rain just flirting with the south coast of england. a few showers lurking around here and there, but i think generally speaking, it�*s a drier, brighter day for the southern half of the uk. the northern half however in for further showers — again, thunder, lightning, and the possibility of hail.

this is bbc news — trump is still banned but facebook is in hot water again. and no one seems entirely happy about it all. an oversight board says facebook has six months to review its decision to keep the former president off its platform. then what, you ask? good question. mr trump, not enitrely surprisingly, has responded with outrage — saying his free speech had �*been taken away�* by the lunatic left. we�*ll speak with a representative from the 0versight board. the uk is sending two patrol vessels to monitor a planned blockade ofjersey�*s main port. it�*s the latest escalation with france over post—brexit fishing rights. also in the programme. after all those hours spent in lockdown, nothing much to do, you might have thought birth rates would be up.