this is bbc news. we will have the headlines and all of the main news stories for you at the top of the hour, straight after this programme. newscast. newscast from the bbc. it newscast. newscast from the bbc- it is _ newscast. newscast from the bbc- it is at _ newscast. newscast from the sac. it is at the _ newscast. newscast from the sac. it is at the studio. - newscast. newscast from the sac. it is at the studio. it - newscast. newscast from the sac. it is at the studio. it is | bbc. it is at the studio. it is joe in bbc. it is at the studio. it is joe in the — bbc. it is at the studio. it is joe in the studio. _ bbc. it is at the studio. it is joe in the studio. alex - bbc. it is at the studio. it is joe in the studio. alex also | ssc. it is at the studio. it is | joe in the studio. alex also in the studio. _ joe in the studio. alex also in the studio. still— joe in the studio. alex also in the studio. still not _ joe in the studio. alex also in the studio. still not used - joe in the studio. alex also in the studio. still not used to l the studio. still not used to this. it the studio. still not used to this- it is — the studio. still not used to this. it is a _ the studio. still not used to this. it is ajoy. _ the studio. still not used to this. it is ajoy. it _ the studio. still not used to this. it is ajoy. it is - the studio. still not used to this. it is a joy. it is very i this. it is a “oy. it is very sossi _ this. it is a 'oy. it is very oosoi |s_ this. it is a 'oy. it is very close. is it _ this. it is ajoy. it is very close. is it a _ this. it is ajoy. it is very close. is it a bit - this. it is ajoy. it is very close. is it a bit too - this. it is a joy. it is very i close. is it a bit too close? what a day _ close. is it a bit too close? what a day it _ close. is it a bit too close? what a day it has - close. is it a bit too close? what a day it has been - close. is it a bit too close? what a day it has been at i what a day it has been at westminster, his has for the 900th time this year. except i

am dizzy- _ 900th time this year. except i am dizzy- i — 900th time this year. except i am dizzy. i really _ 900th time this year. except i am dizzy. i really am. - well, except i'm dizzy, actually, i really am. i mean, presenting earlier on today, and it all took off, and all that hoo—ha in the end about votes and motions and amendments and things, and in the end... i know, it's been another one of those days where it's felt quite significant butjust quite bamboozling. so i just wonder if we just sort of go through a timeline, just so we've got it all straight in our own minds. so, on wednesday night, labour published their motion saying, "here are four times we think borisjohnson misled parliament over partygate." "let's refer him to this committee on privileges, which can investigate if he's held parliament in contempt as a result." "but we won't do that until after the met police have finished issuing all theirfines and doing their investigation." then on wednesday night, we thought the tories were going to try and amend that motion. well, because the government got really nervous, because they were worried that actually loads of tories didn't want to not support that idea of borisjohnson being open to this scrutiny, right? so they're like, "god, what are we going to do about this? " and so they came up with their own amendment, which then said, "ok, look, you can do it, but not until after the sue gray report

and the met police investigation concludes." and the delay to the vote in order to decide whether it should be referred at all to the committee. i mean, ithink, alex, there were a lot of conservative mp who didn't fancy going into local elections, being accused by the opposition of blocking or preventing, or the word cover—up being used, and they didn't like that. labour made that quite clear, didn't they? "if you don't support us in this, we're going to suggest that you're not open to scrutiny, that you're stopping this being properly looked at," that it could be quite damaging to them personally. so yeah, the government put forward its amendment, which they thought would kind of placate the conservative mps that were worried about which way they were going to go on this vote. so we all thought that that was basically going to be kicked down the road a little bit, right? and then today happens. well, yeah, then there was a classic politics live episode, cos things tend to happen when you are on tv, jo. jo, you bring the drama. we're all sitting there... 0h, i'd love to think it was down to me, but it so happened it did unfold

as we were going on air, and we've got the tory mp peter bone, we've got the labour mp and frontbencher lucy powell. and what i love in those situations is everyone is saying, "do you know what's happening?" "i don't know what's happening." everyone's looking at their phones to try and work it out. and what was happening? at that particular point, the amendment by the government had been pulled. yeah. and then everyone was saying, "well, is there going to be a vote at all today, or is itjust going to go through, as they say in parliamentaryjargon, on the nod?" and that's basically what happened later this afternoon — after about, what, four or five hours of debate? and it was a weird debate, because actually, normally, the house of commons procedures means and etiquette means you can't call somebody a liar because everyone's an honourable member. so if you're all honourable, you can't have lies. but because this was a debate about, "is the prime minister a liar?", people were tossing around all sorts of allegations that you would never normally hear about him being misleading and untrustworthy and trashing democracy and all that stuff. but what was interesting is that, just literally 2a hours beforehand, a minister had been sat in the studio saying, "we can't have an investigation, it would be a distraction." so there was this sense of more important issues to sort of think about, talk about,

whether it's ukraine or cost of living... which is the government's narrative by now. and then it all changed to, "of course i want scrutiny." "it's not a problem," says borisjohnson, the government, and it all changed. yeah, really striking intervention from steve baker today. and he is you know, let's be straight up about it, he's a fairly influential conservative mp... definitely. ..and he effectively said, "the game's up, your time's up, "pm, you know, it's time for you to go." and i think what's really interesting about this is that where the criticism in the conservative party is coming from now is interesting too, because this isn't a wing, is it? i mean, you're still individuals, the numbers are still quite small of the people who've actually put their head above the parapet and said that the prime minister needs to go, and we know that there's a whole chunk of conservative mps on the wait—and—watch, and there are conservative mp who are still really vocally outwardly supportive of the prime minister. but where you're getting these critics pop their heads up, one by one, in their own time, it's actually spread across different factions — if you want to use that word. now talking about the prime minister, the irony of all of this is that he was

thousands and thousands... he's not here! you can't get hugely further away than india! and ben wright, our colleague, was there, quizzing him all about this, and quite clearly, borisjohnson wanted to be talking about something else. what voters i think will want to see is the conclusion - of the investigation, - and then i think the house of commons can decide what... i will then come back, l as i've said, and explain what happened and give a fuller account than i've been able - to do so far, and we will getl sue gray's final words on this matter, and i think people will be able to make a judgment. i but until then, i have to say, i think that a lot of this - is not very useful. there's not a lot more i can say, and what i want to dol is focus on the things that i think are of massive - long—term benefit to thisj country and to the world. and you will now be, i think, the first prime minister to be investigated for potentially misleading the houses of parliament, very serious, and that could, you would agree, to your resignation. you know, let's wait| and see the outcome of the investigation. that's all i'm trying to say.

i don't think it's l that much to ask. i've been saying it very - consistently for a long time. the thing needs to conclude, l we need to hear what sue gray has to say, and, you know, if the opposition really- want to focus solely- and exclusively on this issue, that's fine, that'sj their prerogative. borisjohnson there, talking to our colleague ben wright, on this trip to india... it sounded like you were on the proper telly there, jo! sometimes ijust can't leave it at... you've thought exactly the same! i did, i was like, "oh, jo's being serious." do you know what? keep your thoughts to yourselves when it comes to that sort of thing. alex, you have been a bit closer to home and out and about. yeah, it'sjust really interesting, because what boris johnson's obviously saying is, "look, we don't need to talk about this, we've got much bigger things to focus on, we've got all this kind of big stuff, you know, this is where i want to be focused, business as usual." and i've just been out talking to people —

real people hate the phrase, but i've been spent the last couple of days just talking to people, and there has been a bit of a shift, i think, because what people when i say to them, "what's on your mind politically?" "what are the things that are playing out?" "what are the issues?" what people are saying now is the cost of living, prices going up. that's the first thing that comes up. back in december, back at the beginning of this year, you know, when details of partygate were emerging, when we had those kind of clips of allegra stratton and the rest of it, the first thing people were saying was partygate. were saying was partygate. now, that doesn't for a second mean that this hasn't done some damage, it doesn't for a second mean that this hasn't been really significant, and we'll see what kind of damage it has done to the conservative party. but i don't get the sense that people are following the kind of twists of what's happening in parliament in the same way any more. i kind of feel like this probably has done some damage, and of course this is wholly unscientific, whatever damage this has done is already done. do you think it's priced in, to use that awful phrase? i don't know, i mean, who knows? i go out and talk to people, it's no scientific polling.

but what i think it is, is that people have made theirjudgments, and perhaps members of the public were a lot quicker to reach those judgments than some mps have been. and perhaps some mps are actually catching up now on where the public mood on this is at. and i think what's happening in parliament is really important politically, because it's going to effectively potentially determine borisjohnson's political fate. but from a public perspective, you just wonder if it's one of those sort of brexit moments — there's a lot of important stuff about this an awful long time ago. happening in parliament, the public made their minds up about this an awful long time ago. and actually may not be persuaded to move off their original sort of conclusion or thoughts about it. there could be significant developments yet to come in this, right, this kind of saga is far from over. but i sort of get the sense that people have reached a conclusion, and that doesn't for a second mean they don't care — ithink they really care. but whether or not, you know, when you're talking about energy and everything else, there's a lot going on for people right now. well, now things are going to get even more squished in this studio now that there are no more covid rules, because wes streeting, the shadow health secretary, is here. hello! i'm not that fat!

there's plenty of room! it's a reference to the space, the budget space that we have for this podcast. it is cosy. so is this a massive, massive victory for the labour party today? i think it's a victory _ for democracy and a humiliating climbdown for government whips, who right up until the 11th - hour, were trying desperately to find a smoke screen, - a cover for conservative mps. to avoid doing their democratic duty of holding boris johnson to account, not just - for breaking the rules - that he imposed on other people, really enormous pain and sacrifice for them, - but also the fact he lied about it. j and i think that's no longer in dispute, and i think- what became clear today, as events unfolded, - as it was clear the government withdrew its amendment, - as it was clear the government said to tory mps, "you've got. a free vote now, you canjustl go home for the weekend," it became very clear, as one - conservative mp after another spoke, that what we've been saying as the labour - oppposition about what's gone wrong, why this matters, - is not just a sentiment - reflected across the opposition party, but lots of decent - conservative mps stood up today and said the same.

if this committee of mps finds that borisjohnson has not misled parliament when it comes to what he said about parties, will that be the end of it for you? will you accept that judgment? well, it would be aboutl deliberately misleading, but look, we've handed it over. to the committee on privileges. and that committee, especially now, the labour chair, - chris bryant, has recused himself from any part - in the deliberations, - there'll be four conservative mps, one labour mp and one snp mp making that decision. - so we, the opposition, - have handed this to a committee that's stacked with - a conservative majority, you know, in good faith. and chris bryant, who's i the chair of the privileges committee, stood up today and said, you know, - in the chamber, in the commons, he has faith in his _ conservative colleagues and all colleagues on the committee . to do the right thing, and i hope they will.| for us, this was about - the principle of democratic accountability to the house of commons, the fact thatl

borisjohnson lied to the parliament, lied| to the voters. the question is, didl he do so knowingly? and i've got my own views on that — i think he did, i knowingly. but the question is, - can we hold him in contempt of parliament, is there enough evidence? - and he will get a fair hearing. i'm just really interested in the fact you said that you think that you've been talking today about what matters. i wonder how much you think it matters to people, because obviously people have been really angry about what's happened with this so—called partygate saga, but i've been out and about, i was talking a bit earlier about the fact i've been out and about the past couple of days in bury in greater manchester, in london, and people aren't talking to me about this. they're talking about the cost of living. they're talking about other issues. you know, they're not volunteering their kind of outrage and anger right now about what's happening. it seems like, for a lot of people, actually, they've got other priorities. so is it right that labour is kind of using all this parliamentary time to talk about this, when there are other things that perhaps people really do care about? i wouldn't dispute - what you've said, alex, about what are the issues that voters care most about — -

undoubtedly, number one, cost of living. i people's bills are going up, their outgoings going up, l things like food - prices, energy prices. they're about to be hit next week. - and i'm not sure the penny'sl really dropped for people yet, but it will when their pay slips land, the national. insurance rise kicks. in in people's payslips at the end of this month, - that's going to be another dent in people's pocket. so that's their number one . priority, it's labour's number one priority, it's the number one issue we've been- campaigning on inl the local elections. but, actually, some of the best speeches on this issue today i came from the - conservative benches. and william wragg in l particular, a backbench conservative mp, said thati actually, in a time of crisis, when there are these big - challenges at home and abroad, you need someone with - the moral authority to lead. and that's why not only was he voting against l the government. today — or planning to until they bottled the vote — he was arguing very- strongly on the principle. and we can we can do more than one thing at once, - i think it's important that parliament can. so i wouldn't want anyone out there to think that - because we're talking - about boris johnson's conduct,

that we're not talking - about the pain that people are feeling in their pockets. he's still here, isn't he, despite your best efforts? yeah, and ijust think... is this there a sense in your mind that, first of all, you have to rely, on a practical level, on conservative mps? you've mentioned a few notable examples of people who have lost faith within the party, with borisjohnson. but other than that, you can't actually get rid of him, can you? so i don't think there's - a mechanism open to the labour party beyond a general. election, and the sooner we have one of those the better. _ i do think, though, that the thing that| conservative mps are really wrestling with,j and i was struck by something today actually on the today i programme this morning, - before they withdrew the motion and basically said conservative mp are going to get _ a free vote. i went quite hard on some - of my conservative colleagues, because i know that there - are many decent conservative mps who know that boris johnson isn't up to the job. _

psy—ops! no, no, no, no. ijust said, look, in the end you've got to remember, . if you don't do your duty. to your voters, your voters will hold you to account. and so, and so voters- have an opportunity on may 5th to send a message to boris johnson and toi you as conservative mps. and they were so rattled, - i had, you know, conservative mps who i would consider sort of friends outside of politics, i you know, came up to me today and said, well, - what you said - was really unfair. and i was like, i it really wasn't. and i think i think that it's slowly dawning on them l that they do have a - responsibility to speak up. and the thing i found most extraordinary in all of thisi stuff about boris johnson and his conduct. - are they seriously saying that boris johnson is the best - that the conservative party has to offer? . you know, and i say this i as a labour politician and, you know, a lifelong labour supporter. .

the conservative party isjust, factually it is the oldest - and most electorally successful political party in the history- of western democracy. and i do not understand how a party of winston churchill. and the big figures we've seen across the 20th century - in particular has- been reduced to this. you are laying it on thick on these guys! ijust want to ask you one thing that you mentioned there when you said about how conservative mp had a responsibility to their voters. but again, coming to this point, a lot of people are saying actually they don't think that labour has been that brilliant in all of this. there's a sort of plague on both your houses sense in this as well. actually there's a lot of faith been diminished across the board. you know, it's not necessarily that people are going, oh, thank god, we've got labour to sort all this out. yeah. so i definitely acknowledge i that there's collateral damage on the body politic - and on democracy generally and a bit of a plague on all your houses, i on all of this. borisjohnson, because of his own conduct, has borne - the brunt of it. the conservative party. is hearing a greater brunt of it as time goes on. but i think it's really- important in this moment for labour to step forward, - not just in terms of what we've been saying on the cost - of living, the number one issue

facing people, but also to put into stark contrast now - the contrast between the prime minister you could have - in keir starmerand thej prime minister we have in borisjohnson, because it is the difference - between night and day. you know, keir starmer is someone of decency, j integrity, honesty, i he's dedicated his life to public service. borisjohnson has been sacked repeatedly throughout his - career, as a journalist, - as a front bench opposition spokesperson and now- potentially as prime minister because he's a serial liar. and sir keir starmer yesterday relied on a newspaper report that he didn't check whether it was true or not and based entire attack attack on borisjohnson at prime minister's questions on and had to withdraw it today because it turned out it wasn't. so actually what he's a bit sort of... no, no, no, no hang on. hang on a second, adam, let'sjust be really- clear about this. and the conservative letter that went out overnight - was just a totaljoke, i as far as i'm concerned. it wasn't just that keir . picked up the front page of the daily telegraph, i a conservative supporting paper, which said that, - which said that borisjohnson had smeared the bbc. he'd heard the bbc challenge

a conservative minister- on the today programme, and the minister not... i he didn't say boris - johnson never said that. he just tried to move the conversation on. | and then it turns out| on the flight to india, boris johnson acknowledged to lobbyjournalists - on the plane with him, i actually my spokesperson got it wrong. so instead of writing i letters to keir starmer, why did he write a letter. to his own spokesperson? and the second thing i'd say is, again, it comes back- to the contrast in conduct, . keir starmer, borisjohnson. the moment the inaccuracy was pointed out, what did i keir starmer do today? stood up in the house i of commons, said, this is what i said on wednesday. it subsequently turns out - that the spokesperson was wrong and the reporting was wrong, and i want to correct - the record. that's how it's done. we're not perfect. we do make mistakes, - and sometimes we say things in good faith which are proven not to be true. | so you nip it in- the bud straightaway. you hold your hands up, say sorry, you know, - fair cop, guv, i i got that wrong. you've talked about morality quite a lot, and some of the pressure as adam was saying that you're putting on conservative mps when it

comes to borisjohnson. what is, and how important is faith to you? is it a sort of central part of your politics? definitely my christian i anglican faith definitely informs my politics. i think sometimes i the reluctance to talk about religion in politics i and one of the things i find sad sometimes when i talk- to people who aren't religious, there's sometimes an anxiety that if an mp is of— a particular faith, that means they're going to be voting - against their rights on social issues. . and yet, you know, i don't. think there's an inconsistency with my own religious beliefs . and the way that i cast my vote on things like a woman's right to choose or lgbt equality, . which is pretty lucky hearing i in mind i'm a gay bible basher. so, you know, that's where some of the anxiety comes in. - but certainly when it comes to ethics and morals, - of course, my faith informs my views. | but that does that doesn't mean that my colleagues who are not i religious don't have a moral

compass, because i think. we develop our values in all sorts of ways. i some of it comes. from spiritual faith. some of it comes fromj wider family influences and perspectives. but i think i'd say especially given what we were just - discussing about the collateral damage to politics, _ i would just point out - i genuinely think most mps right across the house of commons are in it i for the right reasons _ and are fundamentally honest, decent people trying to do - something good for our country. so does that mean it's actually ok for borisjohnson to be annoyed with the archbishop of canterbury for him not being happy with the rwandan refugee policy because that's just separating faith from opinion? it's perfectly legitimate... it's fine to have a go at the archbishop of canterbury. it's perfectly legitimate - to criticise the archbishop of canterbury. i've done that - myself in the past. i think the reason why i was angry this weekl is because i felt that. borisjohnson smeared the archbishop of canterbury when he suggested that- the church of england had been softer on putin than they'd - been on the government. i thought that was

deeply unfair. - i actually think he should i apologise to the archbishop and to the church. and i also just thought - it was pretty gross actually on easter sunday, - the conservative mps to be on social media saying what the archbishop . of canterbury should i and shouldn't be saying in his easter sermon. if they wanted to say, i think the archbishop of canterbury is bang out of order because this - is why our policy on rwanda is the right policy, - well, they're entitled to their view. - and i don't think that people in public life, | including religious leaders, are beyond criticism. - but i genuinely think that - what number 10 did was smear the archbishop of canterbury. |and one of the challenges i put| down to conservative colleagues this week is how many more institutions in this country . are you going to allow. borisjohnson to trash? well, one former conservative mp said what they felt about you today.

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into the rocks that therefore votersjust say, well, this i into the rocks that therefore | votersjust say, well, this lot are terrible, _ votersjust say, well, this lot are terrible, we _ votersjust say, well, this lot are terrible, we have - votersjust say, well, this lot are terrible, we have to - votersjust say, well, this lot are terrible, we have to vote j are terrible, we have to vote for the — are terrible, we have to vote for the other— are terrible, we have to vote for the other lot. _ are terrible, we have to vote for the other lot. actually, . are terrible, we have to vote for the other lot. actually, ii for the other lot. actually, i don't — for the other lot. actually, i don't want _ for the other lot. actually, i don't want to _ for the other lot. actually, i don't want to go _ for the other lot. actually, i don't want to go into - for the other lot. actually, i don't want to go into a - for the other lot. actually, i. don't want to go into a general election— don't want to go into a general election with _ don't want to go into a general election with people _ don't want to go into a general election with people saying, i election with people saying, the lesser— election with people saying, the lesser of— election with people saying, the lesser of two _ election with people saying, the lesser of two evils - election with people saying, the lesser of two evils or-

election with people saying, i the lesser of two evils or less of a _ the lesser of two evils or less of a had — the lesser of two evils or less of a bad bunch. _ the lesser of two evils or less ofa bad bunch. i— the lesser of two evils or less of a bad bunch. i want- the lesser of two evils or lessj of a bad bunch. i want people to of a bad bunch. ! want people to go— of a bad bunch. i want people to go into _ of a bad bunch. i want people to go into the _ of a bad bunch. i want people to go into the next _ of a bad bunch. i want people to go into the next election i to go into the next election looking _ to go into the next election looking at— to go into the next election looking at keir— to go into the next election looking at keir starmer- looking at keir starmer thinking, _ looking at keir starmer thinking, i_ looking at keir starmer thinking, i want - looking at keir starmer thinking, i want him i looking at keir starmer thinking, i want him to| looking at keir starmer. thinking, i want him to be prime _ thinking, i want him to be prime minister, _ thinking, i want him to be prime minister, i- thinking, i want him to be prime minister, i have - thinking, i want him to be - prime minister, i have worked with_ prime minister, i have worked with them _ prime minister, i have worked with them and _ prime minister, i have worked with them and see _ prime minister, i have worked with them and see the - prime minister, i have worked with them and see the way . prime minister, i have worked. with them and see the way that he leads— with them and see the way that he leads the _ with them and see the way that he leads the labour— with them and see the way that he leads the labour party. - with them and see the way that| he leads the labour party. what is our he leads the labour party. what is your standard _ he leads the labour party. what is your standard answer - he leads the labour party. is your standard answer when people say, do you want to be labour leader and prime minister one day? copy and paste? it minister one day? copy and aste? , �* i, minister one day? copy and aste? ,�* i,,,i ii, paste? it isn't a specific form of words. _ paste? it isn't a specific form of words. it _ paste? it isn't a specific form of words, it is _ paste? it isn't a specific form of words, it is more - paste? it isn't a specific form of words, it is more like, - of words, it is more like, there's— of words, it is more like, there's never— of words, it is more like, there's never a _ of words, it is more like, there's never a right - of words, it is more like, i there's never a right answer of words, it is more like, - there's never a right answer to this of— there's never a right answer to this of question _ there's never a right answer to this of question in _ there's never a right answer to this of question in the - there's never a right answer to this of question in the sense . this of question in the sense that— this of question in the sense that also_ this of question in the sense that also summarising - this of question in the sense i that also summarising answer. you have — that also summarising answer. you have to _ that also summarising answer. you have to do _ that also summarising answer. you have to do one _ that also summarising answer. you have to do one of- that also summarising answer. you have to do one of two - you have to do one of two things. _ you have to do one of two things. have _ you have to do one of two . things, have self—awareness you have to do one of two - things, have self—awareness and humility— things, have self—awareness and humility but _ things, have self—awareness and humility but also _ things, have self—awareness and humility but also an _ humility but also an understanding - humility but also an understanding of. humility but also an i understanding of very humility but also an - understanding of very modern political— understanding of very modern political history. _ understanding of very modern political history. westminster| political history. westminster is littered _ political history. westminster is littered with _ political history. westminster is littered with metaphorical. is littered with metaphorical causes — is littered with metaphorical causes of— is littered with metaphorical causes of future _ is littered with metaphorical causes of future leaders. . is littered with metaphorical i causes of future leaders. think about— causes of future leaders. think about some _ causes of future leaders. think about some of _ causes of future leaders. think about some of the _ causes of future leaders. think about some of the names- about some of the names builders _ about some of the names builders future _ about some of the names builders future labour- about some of the names- builders future labour leaders, a lot— builders future labour leaders, a tot of— builders future labour leaders, a tot of them _ builders future labour leaders, a lot of them aren't _ builders future labour leaders, a lot of them aren't even - builders future labour leaders, a lot of them aren't even mpsi a lot of them aren't even mps anymore _ a lot of them aren't even mps anymore. secondly, - a lot of them aren't even mps anymore. secondly, the - a lot of them aren't even mps anymore. secondly, the prop| a lot of them aren't even mps i anymore. secondly, the prop is someone — anymore. secondly, the prop is someone from _ anymore. secondly, the prop is someone from this _ anymore. secondly, the prop is someone from this background| anymore. secondly, the prop is .

someone from this background or this part — someone from this background or this part of— someone from this background or this part of the _ someone from this background or this part of the country, - someone from this background or this part of the country, but - this part of the country, but then— this part of the country, but then turns _ this part of the country, but then turns into _ this part of the country, but then turns into a _ this part of the country, but then turns into a newsline, i this part of the country, but. then turns into a newsline, and i then turns into a newsline, and hust— then turns into a newsline, and iiust think— then turns into a newsline, and iiust think it _ then turns into a newsline, and ijust think it is _ ijust think it is disrespectful. ijust think it is| disrespectful to ijust think it is - disrespectful to the ijust think it is _ disrespectful to the person doing — disrespectful to the person doing the _ disrespectful to the person doing the job, _ disrespectful to the person doing the job, which - disrespectful to the person doing the job, which is - disrespectful to the person doing the job, which is the| doing the job, which is the most — doing the job, which is the most difficult _ doing the job, which is the most difficultjob- doing the job, which is the most difficult job in - doing the job, which is the most difficultjob in british politics— most difficultjob in british politics and _ most difficultjob in british politics and people - politics and people underestimate - politics and people underestimate my| politics and people - underestimate my loyalty to keir — underestimate my loyalty to keir starmer. _ underestimate my loyalty to keir starmer. for— underestimate my loyalty to keir starmer. for the - underestimate my loyalty to keir starmer. for the first. keir starmer. for the first time _ keir starmer. for the first time since _ keir starmer. for the first time since labour- keir starmer. for the first time since labour left - time since labour left government- time since labour left government more - time since labour lefti government more than time since labour left - government more than one time since labour left _ government more than one decade a-o, government more than one decade ago, i— government more than one decade ago. i really— government more than one decade ago. i reattyfeet— government more than one decade ago, i really feel like _ government more than one decade ago, i really feel like labour- ago, i really feel like labour is in — ago, i really feel like labour is in with— ago, i really feel like labour is in with a _ ago, i really feel like labour is in with a shot _ ago, i really feel like labour is in with a shot of - ago, i really feel like labour is in with a shot of winning i is in with a shot of winning the — is in with a shot of winning the next _ is in with a shot of winning the next general— is in with a shot of winning the next general election. | is in with a shot of winning i the next general election. [it the next general election. it is the next general election. is about one year since you told ronnie were diagnosed with kidney cancer, which you have recovered from, as a recover, do you have milestones customer do you have milestones customer do you have milestones customer do you think, it is one year since that or two years? fin do you think, it is one year since that or two years? on the 21st of may. — since that or two years? on the 21st of may, one _ since that or two years? on the 21st of may, one year— since that or two years? on the 21st of may, one year since - since that or two years? on the 21st of may, one year since my | 21st of may, one year since my operatiom _ 21st of may, one year since my operation. good _ 21st of may, one year since my operation. good spirits, - 21st of may, one year since my operation. good spirits, goodi operation. good spirits, good health. — operation. good spirits, good health. i_ operation. good spirits, good health, i feel— operation. good spirits, good health, i feel very, _ operation. good spirits, good health, ifeelvery, very- operation. good spirits, good health, ifeel very, very lucky for it— health, ifeel very, very lucky for it to — health, ifeel very, very lucky for it to be _ health, ifeel very, very lucky for it to be caught— health, ifeel very, very lucky for it to be caught so- health, ifeel very, very lucky for it to be caught so early, . for it to be caught so early, and — for it to be caught so early, and the _ for it to be caught so early, and the experience - for it to be caught so early, and the experience i- for it to be caught so early, and the experience i had i for it to be caught so early, . and the experience i had with the nhs _ and the experience i had with the nhs was _ and the experience i had with the nhs was mostly- and the experience i had with the nhs was mostly great. i and the experience i had with - the nhs was mostly great. there were _ the nhs was mostly great. there were some — the nhs was mostly great. there were some things— the nhs was mostly great. there were some things that _ the nhs was mostly great. there were some things that were - the nhs was mostly great. there were some things that were not. were some things that were not so great — were some things that were not so great that _ were some things that were not so great that were _ were some things that were not so great that were informing. were some things that were not| so great that were informing my perspective _ so great that were informing my perspective as _

so great that were informing my perspective as a _ so great that were informing my perspective as a shadow - so great that were informing my perspective as a shadow health| perspective as a shadow health secretary. _ perspective as a shadow health secretary, and, _ perspective as a shadow health secretary, and, interestingly, l secretary, and, interestingly, wheh — secretary, and, interestingly, when i — secretary, and, interestingly, when i talked _ secretary, and, interestingly, when i talked about _ secretary, and, interestingly, when i talked about my - secretary, and, interestingly, . when i talked about my positive experiehce. _ when i talked about my positive experience, lots _ when i talked about my positive experience, lots of— when i talked about my positive experience, lots of people - when i talked about my positive experience, lots of people got i experience, lots of people got in touch— experience, lots of people got in touch to _ experience, lots of people got in touch to say _ experience, lots of people got in touch to say i _ experience, lots of people got in touch to say i am _ experience, lots of people got in touch to say i am really - in touch to say i am really glad — in touch to say i am really glad you _ in touch to say i am really glad you had _ in touch to say i am really glad you had a _ in touch to say i am really glad you had a positive i glad you had a positive experience, _ glad you had a positive experience, let - glad you had a positive experience, let me - glad you had a positivei experience, let me tell glad you had a positive - experience, let me tell you about — experience, let me tell you about mihe _ experience, let me tell you about mine which - experience, let me tell you about mine which wasn't i experience, let me tell you - about mine which wasn't good. that— about mine which wasn't good. that has— about mine which wasn't good. that has been— about mine which wasn't good. that has been really— that has been really instructive - that has been really instructive for- that has been really instructive for me. i and that's been really instructive for me, . because if there's one i thing i want to achieve, if i'm the health secretary after the next general- election, is to be - the patients' champion and to make sure we're dealing with these big backlogs - and to make sure that everyone has a great experience - of healthcare in this country. has it changed you? i think it has in a way. it's made me feel a bit more mortal, if i'm honest. - you know that you sort of grow up and you never really think . about your own mortality. until you do. and this has been one of those moments where i have it's not| i mean, i was very lucky- in that because of the nature of the diagnosis, i was never kind of sat there thinking, i i'm going to die because i knew that it was highly unlikely - unless i was really unlucky. or there's medical negligence

or malpractice, very unlikely that that i would die. - so i didn't reallyi worry about that. but it has made me think about, you know, my lifei and what i spend my time doing, what's important to me. - it has really concentrated my mind on what's important - and also given me a sense of, i think, a greater sense - of urgency about what i want to do with my life as well. i one of the things you've been doing is filling in forjames o'brien on lbc, which you did as your little holiday job. and actually, i mean, these headphone microphone, that's kind of working for you. coming up next on newscast! can you just do the next item for us? yeah, i was i was gutted - when chris mason got the bbc political editorjob. i thought that was going to be mine. | did you? do you like broadcasting? is that something you want to do more? and actually, is that like another avenue that you guys, as professional politicians could be like? i don't know. the wescast, like a podcast. i don't know about that. one thing i would say, - filling in forjames o'brien for three hours on lbc last. week was that i really respect the work that you do. you had to say that, wes! in the event that my voters| boot me out at some point, you know, if you got. a better offer than lbc, you know, i'm not| ruling out the bbc.

so the time now is 6:36 and we're just going - to the news and weather. oh, well done. very professional. there's a future for you. kind of narrowing the eyes there. wes, thank you very much coming on. it's been us a pleasure. and thanks to you too as well. come again. i will! so, yeah, there'll be another episode of newscast very soon. thanks for listening and for watching. bye. hello. our weather's going to be pretty settled over the next few days. it's fairly quiet out there right now and not much change on the way for friday. one thing that we will notice is that cool breeze strengthening day by day, particularly noticeable on the north sea coast, and this often happens when we have high pressure close to iceland there over the norwegian sea, low

pressure to the south, and that basically shunts quite a strong airstream from scandinavia across the north sea and cuts through the uk. particularly chilly on those north sea coasts. it'll also drag in some cloud, some moisture, particularly to central and eastern parts of england, so a slow grey, breezy, chilly start to the day here, whereas out towards the west, there'll be sunshine. also, a few showers developing anywhere from london into the south midlands, southern wales, maybe salisbury plain, perhaps the west country but elsewhere, it should be sunny. so, cold on the north sea. on the actual coast, it could be ten degrees, but warmer spots, maybe southwestern parts of scotland, perhaps as high as 19, most of us somewhere in between. also worth noting the tree pollen levels will be generally moderate to high on friday. so, the weekend, then, that pattern continues, so the high across the north, low pressure to the south. we can see the rain across spain and france, so the bad weather's

to the south of us, but we still have that strong breeze and, again, a few showers. perhaps a little more widespread, maybe, spreading into northern parts of england during the course of saturday. again, chilly on the north sea coast, maybe 12 in newcastle, typically 16 there in plymouth and not far off that in belfast as well. here's sunday's weather forecast — more of the same — cold wind out of the north sea and all the bad weather staying way to the south of us and similar temperatures, perhaps not even making double figures there in aberdeen. so, let's have a look at the outlook into monday. slight change in the wind direction, so you could see the high pressure builds down again across the uk, the wind switches direction — it will be more of a northerly. so, temperatures will actually drop as we go through the course of next week, maybe making around 10, ii, 12 degrees across some northern towns and cities. bye— bye.

welcome to bbc news — i'm nuala mcgovern. our top stories... president biden announces another $800 million of military help for ukraine — in what he calls a critical phase of the war. to modernise teddy roosevelt's famous advice, sometimes you will speak softly and carry a large javelin, because we are sending a lot of those in as well. as president putin claims to have taken control of mariupol — we report on how some have managed to leave the besieged city. dozens of people are killed in four bomb attacks across afghanistan — a shia mosque was among the targets. and — cultue clash — why did lawmakers in the us state of florida strip disney of its self—governing status?