this is bbc news. the headlines at 5pm: queues at petrol stations as the government prepares to announce a temporary visa scheme to make it easierforforeign lorry drivers to work in the uk. keir starmer heads for a showdown with labour's left over changes to the way the party chooses its mps and leaders. a book of condolence is opened for people to pay respects to teacher sabina nessa, who was killed in south—east london. and it's the final day of campaigning in germany, where voters will elect a new chancellor.

welcome to bbc news. the government is due to formally announce a visa scheme that will make it easier for foreign drivers to work in the uk. details of the plan will be set out tomorrow. it's expected the temporary plan will allow visas for about 5,000 drivers to tackle the hgv driver shortage, which has led to supply problems at some petrol stations and other businesses. the road haulage association estimates that the uk is short of about 100,000 hgv drivers in total, with existing shortages made worse by a number of factors, including the pandemic and brexit. despite assurances about the supply chain, it hasn't stopped the long queues of cars queuing outside petrol stations in the south east of england. these are some of the motorists in balham in south london. i've been queueing now for about an hour, and i'm only queueing because i'm in hybrid car, so i'm actually predominantly electric, but obviously if there's

going to be any shortage of petrol, i do use the petrol back—up. its like during lockdown, if you remember, when we were missing the toilet paper. it's the same thing. it'sjust panic. i have a gig in somerset today. i'm on red and i need to get petrol asap, l and i've been sat in_ this queue for 50 minutes and i l didn't want to risk getting petrol elsewhere en route. a book of condolence has been opened in south london in memory of the 28—year—old primary school teacher, sabina nessa, who was attacked and killed a week ago. hundreds of mourners gathered for an emotional candlelit vigil in kidbrooke last night. more than 500 people gathered at pegler square, not far from where a wanted suspect was captured on cctv. 0ur correspondent megan paterson is in south london where the vigil took place last night. the metropolitan police were at the vigil last night. they were talking to people handing out leaflets with

the details on them. they are trying to reassure people that it is still safe out here and people should not be worried but obviously there is concern and although the met police have said that women should not alter their behaviour and should not change the way they lead their lives, some people already are and the victims commissioner for england and wales has said today that women shouldn't be expected to change the way they behave. they shouldn't have to carry safety alarms. there should be better monitoring of offenders. she says there is such monitoring in place for drug dealers and burglars, but there isn't a mechanism in place which is sufficient for women to protect them and she is calling on that urgent change to be made now, so please investigation continuing today, police still appealing for information from the public and people here in the community still coming down to leave their cards, leave flowers, poems, pictures drawn by schoolchildren, still lots of people coming down here, remembering sabina nessa, trying to come to terms with what has happened here

this last week and trying to look ahead to the future. how do we guarantee people pot—mac safety and nature we are all safe when we got to meet our friends, nature we are all safe when we got to meet ourfriends, something which was not afforded to sabina nessa. sir keir starmer is heading for a conference showdown with labour's left over changes he wants to make to the way the party chooses mps and leaders. earlier, he was forced to drop plans to scrap one—member—one vote for leadership elections. but other measures will go to a conference vote on sunday after they were backed by labour's ruling body. 0ur political correspondent helen catt is at the conference in brighton. yeah, it's been a morning of two halves, really. so this morning before the conference opened, we had that further discussion of those changes to the rules for electing the next labour leader, and what came out of that in the end was a change to the number of mps who would have to nominate a labour mp for them to get on the ballot from the 10% of the parliamentary party as it currently stands would go up to 20%. that was passed by labour's ruling

executive committee this morning. it's going to go to the conference floor tomorrow. we have also since then had some policy. the deputy leader angela rayner setting out what she called a new deal for workers that she says a labour government would enact within the first 100 days. i've gotjonathan reynolds with me. he is the shadow secretary of state for work and pensions. let's start with those rule changes, jonathan. this looks like a climb—down from what sir keir was suggesting earlier in the week. no, i would really disagree with that, and as a member of the nec, i'm really happy with where we've got to this morning and i really hope conference is going to back them. i think there was a need in terms of rules that decisions over the last few years have meant to many bits of the labour party has been too inward facing and that was certainly true in terms of how we select our parliamentary candidates. i think people have recognised that. what we're looking at here, i think, is a set of proposals genuinely everyone can get behind. it will be an improvement in how we do things, and i think there will be some real benefits if we do it, so personally very pleased and i would recommend

to conference that we adopt them. you said that everyone can get behind them, but this is going to cause division when it comes to the floor tomorrow, isn't it? i think there will always be a strong discussion about the internal rules of the labour party. every labour conference starts this way, and in history there have been many moments like it. what we have here is on things such as the future leadership election, we will still have the vast member based democracy. more people participate in a labour leadership election than all the other political parties put together with the current membership numbers. we will make sure they have got the right significant level of support that i think is the minimum required in the parliamentary labour party. the threshold as we've set it in the nec this morning for recommendation. you're really talking about making sure people can form a shadow cabinet and a whip�*s office. i mean, it's nota bar to any candidate. i think that's the wrong level to set it out. and some other changes about how we can look at involving affiliated members from the unions and councillors and reflect not the new, but the devolved structure that is the reality in the uk and better involved some of those other elected representatives. 0n the whole, i really do think this will command the support of conference. labour has wanted this to be about policy.

0bviously, so far, what you've done is spend a lot of time talking about the internal rules of labour. how do you think that comes across to voters? well, we always start this way, and i'm aware of the criticism that maybe comes across, but you've got to remember, the labour party is a big confederation of lots of different constituent parts and it's right that we come together and have these democratic decisions and decide how we are going to do things. we've always done it this way, but we are here in brighton for the week. we've had some cracking announcements coming from the shadow cabinet speeches and other parts of conference. it's a huge event, this. it's also a great way to engage with our members and affiliates. and to be honest, it's lovely to be here in person as well. i think we have missed that and even though we might say we haven't, it's lovely to have the conference atmosphere, and of course, for a party in opposition, it's a huge moment to be able to command the attention of the country and get across what we are all about and i think we're going to be able to do that. and we've of course, today some of those policies on work. keir starmer mentioned on the steps of the hoteljust when he arrived earlier that he talked about the government hammering

people on universal credit. you're the shadow work and pensions secretary. are we going to hear what you would do this week? yes, you're going to hear some detailfrom me when i speak on monday at conference, and indeed all my colleagues will be talking about that. what we want is to get a message across from this conference is how we understand how we can get the best of how we have come together to respond to covid. now, what i see from the government is they are running away. they are not building on any of the achievements of how people have had to respond to this massive challenge, whether it's cutting universal credit or not recognising that we can all do work maybe in a different way based on how things have been for the last 18 months, so yes you're going to see some real alternatives from us and you're going to see us trying to harness the spirit of how we responded to covid. it's been a very difficult time for everyone. we have seen people come together to get through it, and that's what we want to build on this week. jonathan reynolds, thank you. so the promise of some real alternatives we'll hear on labour policy this week. those rule changes to go to the full conference floor tomorrow. prince andrew's us lawyers have accepted he has been served with legal papers alleging

that he sexually assaulted virginia giuffre in 2001. it follows a dispute over whether the prince had been formally notified of the civil claim against him. ms giuffre is seeking unspecified damages. prince andrew has consistently denied the allegation. that's it for now — reeta chakrabarti will be here in a moment with all the national news.

good afternoon. the government will set out tomorrow more details of a temporary visa scheme to make it easier for foreign lorry drivers to work in the uk. it comes after a frustrating day for some motorists, with queues and congestion around some petrol stations following a disruption to fuel deliveries because of a shortage of hauliers. the visa scheme could bring in around 5,000 drivers, but the haulage industry says it needs 100,000. here's katy austin. people have been told not to panic buy, there is no shortage of fuel itself. but again today, there were queues at petrol stations. in some areas there has been traffic chaos as a result. it is in some areas there has been traffic chaos as a result.— chaos as a result. it is zero, i won't make _ chaos as a result. it is zero, i won't make it. _ chaos as a result. it is zero, i won't make it. people - chaos as a result. it is zero, i won't make it. people have l chaos as a result. it is zero, i i won't make it. people have half chaos as a result. it is zero, i - won't make it. people have half a tank and they are going in there to fill up. tank and they are going in there to fill u -. ., ., , fill up. three i am three hours, it is ridiculous. _ fill up. three i am three hours, it is ridiculous. we _ fill up. three i am three hours, it is ridiculous. we go _ fill up. three i am three hours, it is ridiculous. we go down - fill up. three i am three hours, it is ridiculous. we go down the - fill up. three i am three hours, it. is ridiculous. we go down the road and it_ is ridiculous. we go down the road and it is_ is ridiculous. we go down the road and it is the — is ridiculous. we go down the road and it is the same again. |

is ridiculous. we go down the road and it is the same again. i am is ridiculous. we go down the road and it is the same again.— and it is the same again. i am on red and need _ and it is the same again. i am on red and need petrol— and it is the same again. i am on red and need petrol asap. - eg group, which operates 400 sites, has set a £30 per customer limit. the initial problems experienced by bp were due to a shortage of lorry drivers. i wider pre—existing issue that has worsened during the pandemic and following brexit. four months, the government resisted calls from freight and retail groups to introduce temporary visas for foreign drivers, but it is now expected to announce a scheme tomorrow with 5000 visas available. there will also be a raft of longer—term measures. haulage firms welcome anything that might ease the pressure but say there is no silver bullet to. i pressure but say there is no silver bullet to. ., ~' pressure but say there is no silver bullet to. ., ~ , , bullet to. i do think this will be helful bullet to. i do think this will be helpful and _ bullet to. i do think this will be helpful and l— bullet to. i do think this will be helpful and i hope _ bullet to. i do think this will be helpful and i hope it _ bullet to. i do think this will be helpful and i hope it will - bullet to. i do think this will be helpful and i hope it will be - helpful and i hope it will be helpful. 5000 doesn't seem a lot when you are talking of deficits of 90,000 drivers a short but hopefully that will be reflected on forecourts and on the shelves and help relieve the burden a bit. isluiith

and on the shelves and help relieve the burden a bit.— the burden a bit. with this visa, do ou think the burden a bit. with this visa, do you think there _ the burden a bit. with this visa, do you think there are _ the burden a bit. with this visa, do you think there are thousands - the burden a bit. with this visa, do you think there are thousands of. you think there are thousands of foreign drivers who will now want to come and work in the uk? i foreign drivers who will now want to come and work in the uk?— come and work in the uk? i would like to help _ come and work in the uk? i would like to help that _ come and work in the uk? i would like to help that they _ come and work in the uk? i would like to help that they do. - come and work in the uk? i would like to help that they do. what - come and work in the uk? i would | like to help that they do. what you countries have actually got a driver shortage. countries have actually got a driver shortaae. , . ., , ., ., shortage. other sectors have also found it hard _ shortage. other sectors have also found it hard to _ shortage. other sectors have also found it hard to find _ shortage. other sectors have also found it hard to find enough - found it hard to find enough workers. the business group the cbi said a more proactive approach was needed so the economy's recovery wasn't a stifled. we needed so the economy's recovery wasn't a stifled.— wasn't a stifled. we have labour shortaues wasn't a stifled. we have labour shortages not — wasn't a stifled. we have labour shortages not just _ wasn't a stifled. we have labour shortages not just in _ wasn't a stifled. we have labour shortages notjust in hgv - wasn't a stifled. we have labour shortages notjust in hgv driver| shortages notjust in hgv driver sped across the economy. we have supply chain problems, energy problems. i think what we need is the government to break these things with us in business and get ahead of them rather than behind them. the auestion them rather than behind them. the question now is how many drivers from overseas will apply for a visa and how quickly? business is one thing is to improve before the crucial christmas period. katy is here. how soon can we expect to see any difference from this visa scheme? there is still some detail yet to be confirmed about that scheme, such as

when it will start. i understand it is likely to last three months, which is shorter than some business groups had wanted. the underlying issues behind the shortage of drivers, which the road haulage association has said could be as much as 100,000, will take a lot longer to address. they will take some time to address because there is a cocktail of factors that have added up to the decline of the domestic workforce, and many in the industry actually will accept that more could have been done earlier to try to make it a more attractive career, so for now a temporary visa scheme is something really of a short—term bridge, particularly try to help in the run—up to christmas. thank you. katy austin there. the labour leader sir keir starmer has had to row back on some of his plans to change the voting rules for future leadership elections. but the remaining proposals are still likely to spark a confrontation with the left. the party is in brighton for its annual conference, where the focus was also on new rights for workers. from brighton, our political correspondent iain watson reports —

and i should warn you it contains some flashing images. it wasn't an ideal start to his party conference. keir starmer wanted to attack the conservatives. this government is letting people down so badly. but under attack from some in his own party, he was forced to ditch plans to reduce the role of the rank and file in future leadership elections, and further rows could overshadow more positive policies aimed at the wider public. the focus was supposed to be on workers' rights, not his members' rights. the deputy leader gave a crowd pleasing speech, including a promise to ban zero—hours contracts. some things are not negotiable. so labour in power will give all workers' rights from day one in theirjob, sick pay, holiday pay, parental leave and protection against unfair dismissal. but most

ofthe against unfair dismissal. but most of the action _ against unfair dismissal. but most of the action took _ against unfair dismissal. but most of the action took place _ against unfair dismissal. but most of the action took place not - against unfair dismissal. but most of the action took place not on - against unfair dismissal. but mosti of the action took place not on the conference floor but behind closed doors. keir starmer has just come out of a crunch meeting where he has had to discuss his party reforms, junk some of his ideas about —— but a significant number will go ahead to the conference tomorrow and that is sure to infuriate his party's are left—wing. under keir starmer�*s plans, in any future leadership contest candidates would need 20% of labour mps, ratherthan contest candidates would need 20% of labour mps, rather than 10% now. labour mps, ratherthan10% now. it is highly political. if the rules have been in place during the last leadership election, they would have been only one candidate. and in the previous contest, jeremy corbyn would not have got on the ballot. that is why the party left will vote against plans tomorrow. gets organised _ against plans tomorrow. gets organised in _ against plans tomorrow. gets organised in every _ against plans tomorrow. (av organised in every single way we possibly can, let's reject all of these rules, stay strong, every single labour member. solidarity, thank you. single labour member. solidarity, thank ou. , , ,, ., , single labour member. solidarity, thank ou. , , , ., thank you. first impressions matter. if he wins thank you. first impressions matter. if he wins a — thank you. first impressions matter. if he wins a battle _ thank you. first impressions matter. if he wins a battle with _ thank you. first impressions matter. if he wins a battle with his _ thank you. first impressions matter. if he wins a battle with his own - if he wins a battle with his own party, keir starmer could be

decisive, but the risk is that in the process you will also highlight his party's divisions. iain watson, bbc news, brighton. the government's latest coronavirus figures for the uk show there were 31,348 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period, with another 122 deaths reported — that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid test. 0n vaccinations, 89.6% of people aged 16 or over have had theirfirstjab, while 82.2% are now fully vaccinated. in germany, it's the final day of campaigning ahead of the country's general election tomorrow. angela merkel is stepping aside as chancellor after 16 years in power, and her cdu party is facing a tight race against the social democrats. 0ur correspondent jenny hill is in berlin. a new leader soon but it is also the end of an era.

a new leader soon but it is also the end of an era-— end of an era. yes, germany is on the threshold _ end of an era. yes, germany is on the threshold of _ end of an era. yes, germany is on the threshold of a _ end of an era. yes, germany is on the threshold of a new— end of an era. yes, germany is on the threshold of a new political. end of an era. yes, germany is on | the threshold of a new political era but you know tonight the race to succeed angela merkel is simply too close to call. the conservatives, the cdu party, isjust behind close to call. the conservatives, the cdu party, is just behind the social democrat party in the polls, but that gap has been narrowing and actually one poll suggests there is actually one poll suggests there is a single percentage point between them. angela merkel herself has vowed to stay out of the election campaign but the very idea that the social democrat 0laf scholz could snatch victory from her party's are candidate armin laschet is forced to rethink. the green party looked on course to come in third, but they are likely to still possibly end up as part of the government, because whoever comes out on top tomorrow will have to form a coalition. it won't be easy, there are a lot of combinations possible. it could be weeks if not months before in this

country gets a new government and angela merkel stepped aside for a new german chancellor.— angela merkel stepped aside for a new german chancellor. thank you, jenn hill. europe are facing an uphill task in keep in touch with the united states at golf�*s 43rd ryder cup. the americans were looking to build on their 6—2 overnight lead at the whistling straits course. 0ur sports correspondent andy swiss reports from wisconsin. sunrise at whistling straits and the now familiar dawn chorus. after a dazzling day one, american confidence was once again in the air. and with good reason, it seemed, as in the early matches the us surged ahead. look seemed, as in the early matches the us surged ahead.— us surged ahead. look at this, look at this. dustin _ us surged ahead. look at this, look at this. dustin johnson _ us surged ahead. look at this, look at this. dustin johnson showing - us surged ahead. look at this, look at this. dustin johnson showing the | at this. dustin johnson showing the wei . ht at this. dustin johnson showing the weight while _ at this. dustin johnson showing the weight while you're _ at this. dustin johnson showing the weight while you're once _ at this. dustin johnson showing the weight while you're once again - at this. dustin johnson showing the | weight while you're once again were struggling. jon rahm is the world number one, but you wouldn't have guessed it from this. just number one, but you wouldn't have guessed it from this.— guessed it from this. just the same as yesterday- _

guessed it from this. just the same as yesterday. but _ guessed it from this. just the same as yesterday. but at _ guessed it from this. just the same as yesterday. but at last, _ guessed it from this. just the same as yesterday. but at last, some - as yesterday. but at last, some ho e. as yesterday. but at last, some hope- the _ as yesterday. but at last, some hope. the stroke _ as yesterday. but at last, some hope. the stroke of _ as yesterday. but at last, some hope. the stroke of genius - as yesterday. but at last, some | hope. the stroke of genius from sergio garcia.— hope. the stroke of genius from sergio garcia. oh, it is magnificent from garcia- _ sergio garcia. oh, it is magnificent from garcia. if _ sergio garcia. oh, it is magnificent from garcia. if that _ sergio garcia. oh, it is magnificent from garcia. if that was _ sergio garcia. oh, it is magnificent from garcia. if that was good, - from garcia. if that was good, thou . h, from garcia. if that was good, though. just _ from garcia. if that was good, though, just watch _ from garcia. if that was good, though, just watch this. - from garcia. if that was good, though, just watch this. paull from garcia. if that was good, - though, just watch this. paul casey conjuring the shot of the day, but europe know they need a few more magic moments if they are to keep their ryder cup hopes alive. brilliant! sergio garcia and john brown have just won their match but europe are still trailing in the other three matches, so the score currently — three to the us, europe still need some comeback. that's it — we're back with the late news at 10:15. now on bbc one, it's time for the news where you are. goodbye.

a tense diplomatic and legal stand—off between the united states, china and canada has come to an abrupt conclusion. the huawei executive meng wanzhou is flying back to china after being released from home detention in canada, following the temporary resolution of a us legal case against her. apparently in return, china has released two canadians it had imprisoned on espionage charges. david willis reports. leaving her home in vancouver for the last time after nearly three years of house arrest, meng wanzhou, a key figure in one of china's biggest companies, was facing extradition on charges of helping to evade us economic sanctions on iran. she was freed suddenly after striking a deal with us prosecutors, which saw her admit in a virtual appearance before a new york courtroom to lying to banks on huawei's behalf. in return, the usjustice department

dropped its extradition request. over the past three years, my life has been turned upside down. it was a disruptive time for me as a mother, a wife, and as a company executive. but i believe every cloud has a silver lining. it really was an invaluable experience in my life. huawei is the largest telecom equipment manufacturer in the world, but its success unnerved the trump administration, which accused the company of using its technology to spy on the us. meng wanzhou's detention was all the more controversial given she is the daughter of huawei's founder, and it prompted the arrest of two canadian citizens in china — diplomat michael kovrig and businessman michael spavor — in what the canadian government branded an act of hostage diplomacy. to the delight of the canadian prime minister, they have now been released as well. about 12 minutes ago, the aircraft carrying michael kovrig and michael spavor left chinese airspace and they are on their way home. they boarded at about 7:30 0ttawa time, along with dominic barton, canada's ambassador to china. meng wanzhou left canada on an air china flight bound

for shenhzen, but any prospect of a thaw in the adversarial relationship between the united states and china may prove to be short lived. huawei remains on a trade blacklist here and still faces charges of corporate espionage. david willis, bbc news, los angeles. keir starmer is heading for a showdown with labour's left over changes he wants to make to the way the party chooses mps and leaders. the measures will go to a conference vote tomorrow after they were backed by labour's ruling body. i'm joined now by andrew fisher, former director of policy of the labour party, underjeremy corbyn. thank you forjoining us. how divisive is this issue of changing the way the party selects its

leadership? it the way the party selects its leadership?— the way the party selects its leadershi-? ., , , ., ., leadership? it has been a real distraction — leadership? it has been a real distraction over _ leadership? it has been a real distraction over the _ leadership? it has been a real distraction over the last - leadership? it has been a real distraction over the last few i leadership? it has been a real. distraction over the last few days and i think that has overshadowed what labour is trying to say at this conference. he has already backed down because he started wanting to change the whole system back to unelected college, which it wasn't until 2014. unelected college, which it wasn't until2014. now unelected college, which it wasn't until 2014. now he is doing something about the mps nomination threshold. the problem is not the detail, it is the fact that instead of talking about the crisis in the country and losing universal credit and people not been able to top their cars up with petrol and energy companies collapsing and the lack of government preparation for any of these things, they are talking about how the labour party elect the successor to sir keir starmer. unless he is going somewhere, this is an utterly irrelevant discussion to be having at this time. but the conference _ to be having at this time. but the conference was _ to be having at this time. but the conference was formerly - to be having at this time. but the | conference was formerly launched to be having at this time. but the - conference was formerly launched by the deputy leader, angela rayner,

and she came out very clearly talking not so much about how you elect labour mps and labour leaders, but talking about this idea of fair pay agreements to make sure that employees are treated properly in the workplace. how much traction is that going to have because that is part of her remit as well, isn't it? absolutely and i think it is really good that members of the shadow cabinet are focusing on the policy areas. that is what people want to hear and that is why people vote or not for labour, it is on the basis of what we are offering the country, so she is right but when she was on the media this morning 20 talk about that all of the journalists wanted to ask, i am not criticising the bbc but every channel and every media outlet, all they wanted to ask about was is sir keir starmer going to face down the unions? it was a very short of natural barilla t—test nonsense that really doesn't trouble anyone else outside of s w1, really. it is important that we talk about

this because they care workers, 70% of them are paid less than the living wage and that is a disgrace. we have got to do something about that. what angela rayner said was rarely important and what lizzie powell was talking about was really important as well, so hopefully we can put this behind us now. it has been watered down almost to the level of homeopathy and we can hopefully move on and i hope that is what will happen for the rest of the conference. what will happen for the rest of the conference-— what will happen for the rest of the conference. you say no one outside of s w1 is interested _ conference. you say no one outside of s w1 is interested but _ conference. you say no one outside of s w1 is interested but the - conference. you say no one outside of s w1 is interested but the wider. of s w1 is interested but the wider leadership surely will be interested in any of these divisions that remain within the party, that whether you are a jeremy corbyn fan, whether you are a jeremy corbyn fan, whether you are still a fan of tony blair, there are all of those labourers that get bandied about and how does the labour party get past that? i how does the labour party get past that? 4' how does the labour party get past that? ~ ., ., y ., how does the labour party get past that? ~ ., ., _, ., ., that? i think for one you do not rovoke that? i think for one you do not provoke these _ that? i think for one you do not provoke these debates - that? i think for one you do not - provoke these debates unnecessarily. no union, no labour party delegate, member who is coming to conference wanted to put this on the table.

keir starmer chose to put on the table and i think it was a mistake and i think he is reflecting on that now. we move on and we have to talk about the policies that the party is going to put forward at the next election, not talking to ourselves about how his successor might be elected. that is really not a debate we ought to be having in the country has got multiple crises facing it and a lot of people have got crisis and a lot of people have got crisis and the personal lives around tax hikes or losing their universal credit, the end of the tenancy arrangements coming in at the end of furlough canal of the sort of things that are actually worrying people, not whether we have an electoral couege not whether we have an electoral college or a one member, one vote, which most people won't understand what we are talking about, so it is about being focused as an opposition. it about being focused as an opposition-— about being focused as an ouosition. , ., ., , . opposition. it is all a bit esoteric at times. thank _ opposition. it is all a bit esoteric at times. thank you _ opposition. it is all a bit esoteric at times. thank you very - opposition. it is all a bit esoteric at times. thank you very much l opposition. it is all a bit esoteric. at times. thank you very much for talking to us. 0n the eve of the german election, chancellor merkel has made

a strong appeal on behalf of armin laschet, her party's embattled candidate to succeed her. she told a rally in aachen that mr laschet was the unifier the country needed, and the best candidate to guarantee continued stability. mrs merkel initially stood aside from the campaign, but has played a more active role after the spd overtook her christian democrats in the opinion polls. let's go live to the bbc�*s ros atkins who's in potsdam, where a town hall event held by mr scholz has been taking place. i thing we will find out tomorrow night. it has been interesting that she has largely stood to the side and allowed the next candidate to do his own think that the polls have suggested that may not be enough so we have had these interventions from

angela merkel, but despite that, all of the polling is putting the social democrats at the top at the moment. that is remarkable. the social democrats were languishing a couple of months ago in third but the candidate and his colleagues have seen their polling improve a great deal and a lot of it has been built around this style of politics that he is offering, very, and measure land in his words stable. he basically is saying that i am from a different party but you can expect to similar style of politics to the one you have had from angela merkel because all of these candidates are very aware that the germans have liked what angela merkel has done. potsdam is getting a lot of attention because the leader of the greens and the other candidate or post on here. at the end, there was

a media scrum and i managed to ask about his future relationship. i always worked hard to have good relationships. i invited the former prime _ relationships. i invited the former prime minister cameron when i was the mayor— prime minister cameron when i was the mayor and chancellor to help the decision— the mayor and chancellor to help the decision on— the mayor and chancellor to help the decision on brexit. but this is truly— decision on brexit. but this is truly from _ decision on brexit. but this is truly from my heart because i think the uk _ truly from my heart because i think the uk is _ truly from my heart because i think the uk is important for the development in europe, and that we will have _ development in europe, and that we will have to — development in europe, and that we will have to work together as friends _ will have to work together as friends. 50 will have to work together as friends. , ., ., �* will have to work together as friends. ., �* , friends. so you don't see the uk as a rival? i friends. so you don't see the uk as a rival? i see _ friends. so you don't see the uk as a rival? i see that _ friends. so you don't see the uk as a rival? i see that we _ friends. so you don't see the uk as a rival? i see that we will _ friends. so you don't see the uk as a rival? i see that we will have - a rival? i see that we will have aood a rival? i see that we will have good relationships _ a rival? i see that we will have good relationships between i a rival? i see that we will have | good relationships between the european union and the uk, and i hope _ european union and the uk, and i hope that— european union and the uk, and i hope that the political representatives in the uk understand that the _ representatives in the uk understand that the process of former process and the _ that the process of former process and the european union will

continue _ and the european union will continue-— and the european union will continue. . ., ., , ,