delighted to say that this initiative is at work in 11 commonwealth countries ensuring that girls are able to gain at least 12 years of quality education. we need to empower them to play their full part in the economy when they leave school. ~ . ., ., , , school. welcome to view is 'ust “oininu school. welcome to view is 'ust joining us fl school. welcome to view is 'ust joining us around i school. welcome to view is 'ust joining us around the i school. welcome to view isjust joining us around the world, . school. welcome to view is justi joining us around the world, we school. welcome to view is just - joining us around the world, we are currently live with the british prime minister borisjohnson in rwanda. to generate more than £32 million worth of sales. if anyone were to doubt the ability of the commonwealth to speak with one voice, it was injune 2020 that the uk delivered the first everjoint statement by all 5a commonwealth members before the human rights council in geneva. recalling, and i quote, our proud history of acting to strengthening good governance and the rule of law. one of the greatest

affronts to everything we stand for is russia's invasion of ukraine and hughton�*s blockade of the ports that would otherwise be shipping food to the world's paris people. —— vladimir putin. at this moment, nearly 25 million tonnes of corn and wheat is piled up in silos across ukraine, held hostage by russia. britain supports the united nations plan to get that food out and we will invest over £370 million in global food security this year including £130 million for the world food programme. we want to work alongside our commonwealth friends to understand your needs, your priorities, and to deliverjoint solutions to a crisis that president putin has deliberately engineered.

for now, it only remains for me to thank every commonwealth member for having given the united kingdom the chance to serve as during office and as i pass on this responsibility to the president, a close friend and partner, i know that he shares my boundless optimism about the future of the commonwealth at the forefront of the commonwealth at the forefront of the commonwealth at the forefront of the international agenda and benefiting all our peoples. thank you all very much. borisjohnson addressing the government heads in rwanda, and that comes as he suffered a major blow

after the conservatives lost two by—elections in one night. in the devon seat of tiverton and honiton, the liberal democrats secured more than twenty—two and half thousand votes — overturning a nearly 30% conservative majority swing. it's the biggest majority ever lost in a by—election. in west yorkshire, labour won back the wakefield seat, less than three years after the tories snatched it in the last election. the labour party won by almost 5,000 votes. in response, oliver dowden has resigned as conservative party chair saying the election �*result is a clear judgement�* on the party and that the country �*deserves better�* we�*ll have more reaction to the results in just a moment but first mark lobel reports. cheering and applause. one of borisjohnson�*s conservative safest seats, until now. foord, richard john, liberal democrats 22,547... cheering and applause. they have lost in what was a rock—solid area for his party in southern england, for decades.

the liberal democrats with a record win and a clear message aimed at him. your extraordinary efforts have delivered an historic result and sent a shock wave through british politics. tonight, the people of tiverton and honiton have spoken for britain, they have sent a loud and clear message — it is time for borisjohnson to go. and go now. cheering and applause. at the other end of the country, in northern england, there was utterjoy for the opposition labour party, another upset for the government who have lost a key brick in the so—called �*red wall�* that had symbolised their sweeping victory over labour 2.5 years ago. now it is labour�*s turn to celebrate. tonight, the people of wakefield have spoken

on behalf of the british people. they have said unreservedly, borisjohnson, your contempt for this country is no longer tolerated. your government has no ideas, no plan to address the big issues facing our country. it is not acceptable. it was the british foreign minister�*s first electoral test since the �*partygate�* scandal and a vote of confidence in his leadership called from his own mps. with his authority at stake, he is currently more than 4,000 miles away, in rwanda, but will no doubt have some explaining to do back home where he has been dealt another big blow with the resignation of the chairman of the conservative party. oliver dowden wrote to the prime minister,"we cannot carry on with business as usual." leaving borisjohnson with a key question to answer, whether he remains a vote winner. mark lobel, bbc news.

the prime minister has said he would listen to voters — but has vowed to keep going. he was speaking in rwanda — where he�*s attending the commonwealth leaders�* conference. i think that what governments have also got to recognise is that, although i don�*t want in any way to minimise the importance of what voters are saying, it is also true that in mid—term, a government will lose by—elections. i think if you look back to last may, the truly astonishing thing was we managed to win hartlepool in very different circumstances. what we need to do now is reflect on where voters are. i think what they are basically feeling is that we came from covid—19, we took a lot of the right decisions there, but we are now facing pressures on the cost of living, we are seeing spikes in fuel prices, energy costs, food cost, that is hurting people. we have got to... we have got recognise that there is more that we have got

to do and we certainly will, we will keep going, addressing the concerns of people until we get through this patch. our political corrspondent, alex forsyth is in kigali and told us how yesterday�*s by—election result will dominate much of the prime minister�*s visit. those events will inevitably overshadow what was planned here for today and that is the opening of this official meeting of commonwealth leaders, borisjohnson commonwealth leaders, boris johnson had commonwealth leaders, borisjohnson had wanted to be talking about that, about trade links, education, sustainability and climate change but instead it is those domestic problems which are going to dominate. there are no wobbles from the number ten team here this morning, i am told borisjohnson was up morning, i am told borisjohnson was up and about early as usual, fully across the news, has been in touch with senior members of his cabinet as i am told he regularly is, and they are keen to show he is getting on with the job. he spoke to

reporters a little earlier, let�*s have a listen to what he had to say. i think what governments have to recognise, — i think what governments have to recognise, although i don't want in any way— recognise, although i don't want in any way to— recognise, although i don't want in any way to minimise the importance of what _ any way to minimise the importance of what voters are saying, it is also _ of what voters are saying, it is also true — of what voters are saying, it is also true that in mid—term governments post—war loose by—elections, if you look back to last may, — by—elections, if you look back to last may, the truly astonishing thing _ last may, the truly astonishing thing was we managed to win hartlepool in a very different circumstances. what we need to do now is_ circumstances. what we need to do now is reflect on where voters are and i _ now is reflect on where voters are and i think— now is reflect on where voters are and i think what they are basically feeling _ and i think what they are basically feeling is — and i think what they are basically feeling is that we came through covid-i9 — feeling is that we came through covid—19 well, we took the right decision— covid—19 well, we took the right decision there, but we are now facing — decision there, but we are now facing pressures on the cost of living, — facing pressures on the cost of living, we _ facing pressures on the cost of living, we are seeing spikes in fuel prices, _ living, we are seeing spikes in fuel prices, energy costs, food courts, that is— prices, energy costs, food courts, that is hitting people, we have got to recognise that there is more that we have _ to recognise that there is more that we have got to do and we certainly will keep—

we have got to do and we certainly will keep going addressing the concerns of people until we get through— concerns of people until we get through this patch.— concerns of people until we get through this patch. boris johnson talkin: to through this patch. boris johnson talking to reporters _ through this patch. boris johnson talking to reporters in _ through this patch. boris johnson talking to reporters in rwanda i through this patch. boris johnson talking to reporters in rwanda al talking to reporters in rwanda a little earlier. the crucial part was when he said we have got to keep going. it reflects what he was telling us before we flew out earlier this week, the fact that governors governments often lose mid—term elections, it would be crazy to quite, but the scale of these defeats are bigger than many expected and what was not expected was the resignation of oliver dowden as the party chairman. for a lot of conservative mps will be taking stock and thinking for all that he is saying he is not going anywhere, he has a lot of work to do, is he the right man for them? in ossett, wakefield — where labour won back the seat it lost to the conservatives in 2019 — we can speak to our political corrspondent corinne wheatley

we are at the friday market where people are queueing up to get their fruit and veg and enjoying a cup of tea in the sunshine. the question, the results of last night�*s by—election may well be a topic of conversation about what has not been notable this morning is any sense of surprise. lots of people here saying it was inevitable, they felt it was inevitable that labour won back the sea from the conservatives. other people are saying that things are back to normal. i was a surprise here for the labour party was the size of the majority that they won last night, under 5000. size of the majority that they won last night, under5000. biggerthan labour expected and a more comfortable majority than the tories won with back in 2019 when they got the seat from labour after such a long time. this is the place that keir starmer chose to come and join supporters, join the new mp, simon lightwood and speak to reporters. this is what he had to say.

now we have had the sort of swing that puts on track not just for a labour government but for a majority labour government. so this is hugely significant for the labour party. and i'm so proud that we can present that confident labour party utterly focused on the voters. that is what i wanted to achieve and this is evidence, evidence that we are on course for a labour government. some of those voters are saying that they are defecting to you as a protest this time. it is a lack of enthusiasm for borisjohnson, not enthusiasm for you. off the back of that result here, that swing, i'm afraid that argument just doesn't carry. people came across to the labour party because the labour party was talking to them and for them. you can hear him play up the significance of the wind attracting labour voters although some people in the run—up to the election said it was a protest vote against boris johnson and partygate. labour could not have had more favourable conditions for a by—election if you

consider the previous incumbent was jailed, the cost of living crisis, day—to—day costs going up all the time, so could the conditions have been any more favourable for labour? i put it to another labour mp for the region who had been here over night celebrating the win with simon lightwood, are you confident you are pulling back the voters? they admitted that yes, there is an element of protest against boris johnson but thejoint element of protest against boris johnson but the joint with hear starmer to say that they wanted to show they were a united party. it —— will it translate into further wins going back to since the loss in 2019? let�*s go live to tiverton — where the lib dems overturned that 2a,000 majority and join shaun ley. good morning, welcome to tiverton in mid devon. one part of this enormous constituency which stretches from exmoor in the north of devon and

somerset all the way down to the bay in the south of devon, it is a vast area, large towns like axminster, famous for its carpets, and here in tiverton. the lib dems will be here in an hour orso tiverton. the lib dems will be here in an hour or so when the party leader comes to celebrate the remarkable success. that by—election win overturning a concert —— conservative majority of 2a,000 biggest in numerical terms any by—election ever and the scale of the victory is not only something lib dem activists have told me privately they were not expecting, one man who has lived in the town for 76 years told me this morning although he was a passionately demand lifelong supporter, he did not thing a week ago they would win the seat never mind that the majority like this. also, it is an alarming prospect for the conservative party because there are only a0 seats in the countries that have bigger majorities than the one neil parish had in the seat until he resigned. we will speak to him any

moment, here is what the leader of the lib dems, the fourth—largest party at westminster, the third pick english party at westminster, this is what he had to say. i think what happened was people were saying borisjohnson must go. when we talk to people on the doorsteps they were fed up of a prime minister who is not fit and decent to be the prime minister of our great country. they feel that he is a lying lawbreaker and he doesn't have a plan for the issues that are worrying people. people are deeply worried about rising prices, pensioners and families, you know, not able to put food on the table, worrying about _ the price of petrol to fill up their cars, and they do not feel that the prime minister has got a grip at all. was the leader of the lib dems this morning, he will be here in an hour celebrating, we will have that live on bbc news. neil parish was the mp until he resigned as a result of a

scandal over claims he admitted watching pornography on two occasions on his telephone in the house of commons. thank you for speaking to us this morning. how does this result compare, good morning to you, how does this result compare with what you feared might happen? figs compare with what you feared might ha en? �* , ., compare with what you feared might ha en? �*,., ., compare with what you feared might hae|1u7m.,., ' , �*, happen? as a on the prime minister's leadership and _ happen? as a on the prime minister's leadership and what _ happen? as a on the prime minister's leadership and what was _ happen? as a on the prime minister's leadership and what was happening . leadership and what was happening nationally, the local conservative candidate — nationally, the local conservative candidate tried to run a good local campaign — candidate tried to run a good local campaign and the activists worked very hard. — campaign and the activists worked very hard, but very difficult to fight — very hard, but very difficult to fight a — very hard, but very difficult to fight a campaign with so much negative — fight a campaign with so much negative media going on and a lot of, negative media going on and a lot of. you _ negative media going on and a lot of, you know, campaigning against the prime — of, you know, campaigning against the prime minister. this was the result _ the prime minister. this was the result the — the prime minister. this was the result. the people of tiverton are very sensible, i really enjoyed representing them for 12 years, i think— representing them for 12 years, i think we — representing them for 12 years, i think we really must take notice of

what they— think we really must take notice of what they are saying. i am think we really must take notice of what they are saying.— what they are saying. i am very interested _ what they are saying. i am very interested by _ what they are saying. i am very interested by the _ what they are saying. i am very interested by the point - what they are saying. i am very interested by the point you - what they are saying. i am very i interested by the point you make, what they are saying. i am very - interested by the point you make, a referendum on the prime minister, that referendum, he has lost, hasn�*t he? what message should he take from this? i he? what message should he take from this? ~ ~ , this? i think the prime minister does many _ this? i think the prime minister does many of — this? i think the prime minister does many of the _ this? i think the prime minister does many of the big _ this? i think the prime minister does many of the big issues, i does many of the big issues, covid-i9. _ does many of the big issues, covid—19, vaccination, keeping pressure — covid—19, vaccination, keeping pressure on the russians and supporting ukraine and i heard him speaking _ supporting ukraine and i heard him speaking earlier at the commonwealth, he deals with those issues _ commonwealth, he deals with those issues well— commonwealth, he deals with those issues well but the trouble is there issues well but the trouble is there is a lack— issues well but the trouble is there is a lack in — issues well but the trouble is there is a lack in confidence over his integrity— is a lack in confidence over his integrity and i think that is quite difficult — integrity and i think that is quite difficult i— integrity and i think that is quite difficult. ithink integrity and i think that is quite difficult. i think what he has to look— difficult. i think what he has to look at — difficult. i think what he has to look at and what the party membership and the mps have to look at and _ membership and the mps have to look at and in _ membership and the mps have to look at and in politics, in the end, it's at and in politics, in the end, it's a presidential style system whether we like _ a presidential style system whether we like it— a presidential style system whether we like it or not in the uk, and you need— we like it or not in the uk, and you need a— we like it or not in the uk, and you need a leader that can win new elections _ need a leader that can win new elections. and i think that will be

a decision— elections. and i think that will be a decision for members of parliament to make _ a decision for members of parliament to make going forward. i do not think— to make going forward. i do not think you — to make going forward. i do not think you should have been replaced through— think you should have been replaced through all— think you should have been replaced through all of these crises because they needed to be dealt with but the long-term _ they needed to be dealt with but the long—term future must be looked out of the _ long—term future must be looked out of the prime minister. let long-term future must be looked out of the prime minister.— of the prime minister. let me ask ou, ou of the prime minister. let me ask you. you do _ of the prime minister. let me ask you. you do not — of the prime minister. let me ask you, you do not have _ of the prime minister. let me ask you, you do not have a _ of the prime minister. let me ask you, you do not have a dog - of the prime minister. let me ask you, you do not have a dog in - of the prime minister. let me aski you, you do not have a dog in this fight nowadays although you are a passionate conservative, do you think he should still of the party in the next election speaking as a conservative voter? i speaking as a conservative voter? i think if he can show that they have put partygate behind him, and he can show a _ put partygate behind him, and he can show a proper leadership and a proper— show a proper leadership and a proper direction of travel, i think there _ proper direction of travel, i think there is— proper direction of travel, i think there is still time for the prime minister— there is still time for the prime minister to recover, but i think it is very— minister to recover, but i think it is very difficult because the problem is people are just, you know. — problem is people are just, you know. we — problem is people are just, you know, we do have to deal with the cost of _ know, we do have to deal with the cost of living crisis, people are finding — cost of living crisis, people are finding it — cost of living crisis, people are finding it difficult to heat their homes — finding it difficult to heat their homes and feed themselves, all of these _ homes and feed themselves, all of these things have to be dealt with, and we _

these things have to be dealt with, and we are, — these things have to be dealt with, and we are, but the trouble is what is happening with the prime minister at the _ is happening with the prime minister at the moment, we are talking about all of— at the moment, we are talking about all of these _ at the moment, we are talking about all of these things which are distracting from what the government is trying _ distracting from what the government is trying to— distracting from what the government is trying to do, so i think the party, — is trying to do, so i think the party. as— is trying to do, so i think the party. as a _ is trying to do, so i think the party, as a conservative, that's a judgment — party, as a conservative, that's a judgment will have to make. in the end, judgment will have to make. in the end. it _ judgment will have to make. in the end. it will— judgment will have to make. in the end, it will be the decision for the members— end, it will be the decision for the members of parliament, conservative, and the _ members of parliament, conservative, and the prime minister to make. the difference and the prime minister to make. tie: difference this time and the prime minister to make. ti9: difference this time and i and the prime minister to make. ti9 difference this time and i do not remember this, you may remember, i cannot think of the previous occasion, you are a member of the european parliament and subsequently in westminster, i do not remember a occasion when a party chairman has resigned in an election result, and he has said things like we cannot carry on with business as usual and someone must take responsibility. that is a symbol, that is a cabinet colleague notably saying in his letter of resignation nothing about what he thinks about the prime minister, he still feels loyalty to the conservative party but no mention to the prime minister. is

there a clear subtext in that that he needs to go?— there a clear subtext in that that he needs to go? he's a really nice .u l he needs to go? he's a really nice au , i he needs to go? he's a really nice guy. i know _ he needs to go? he's a really nice guy. i know him — he needs to go? he's a really nice guy, i know him well, _ he needs to go? he's a really nice guy, i know him well, he - he needs to go? he's a really nice guy, i know him well, he did - he needs to go? he's a really nice guy, i know him well, he did the l guy, i know him well, he did the honourable _ guy, i know him well, he did the honourable thing, but in the end, we have to _ honourable thing, but in the end, we have to decide and so does the prime minister. _ have to decide and so does the prime minister, argued... is borisjohnson going _ minister, argued... is borisjohnson going to _ minister, argued... is borisjohnson going to lead the conservative party into the _ going to lead the conservative party into the next general election? 0r into the next general election? or is he _ into the next general election? or is he going — into the next general election? or is he going to be replaced? and i think. _ is he going to be replaced? and i think. you — is he going to be replaced? and i think, you know, the pressure has been _ think, you know, the pressure has been put — think, you know, the pressure has been put on — think, you know, the pressure has been put on by the party chairman resigning. — been put on by the party chairman resigning. i— been put on by the party chairman resigning, i think now it is for members _ resigning, i think now it is for members to digest. what you cannot do is ignore — members to digest. what you cannot do is ignore very sensible people in tiverton. _ do is ignore very sensible people in tiverton. i— do is ignore very sensible people in tiverton, i would say that, i represented them for 12 years, but i genuinely— represented them for 12 years, but i genuinely believe that, and they actually— genuinely believe that, and they actually did quite like me despite my madness, and when they went to campaign, _ my madness, and when they went to campaign, but in the end, a decision will have _ campaign, but in the end, a decision will have to — campaign, but in the end, a decision

will have to be made. is he the right— will have to be made. is he the right one — will have to be made. is he the right one or not? is he a winner? in politics. _ right one or not? is he a winner? in politics. and — right one or not? is he a winner? in politics, and my parliamentary colleagues, they choose leaders to win, they _ colleagues, they choose leaders to win, they don't choose leaders to lose _ win, they don't choose leaders to lose that — win, they don't choose leaders to lose. that decision will have to be made _ lose. that decision will have to be made by— lose. that decision will have to be made by them. neil lose. that decision will have to be made by them-— lose. that decision will have to be made by them. lose. that decision will have to be made b them. . , :, ~ made by them. neil parish, former mp for tiverton. — made by them. neil parish, former mp for tiverton. you _ made by them. neil parish, former mp for tiverton, you will _ made by them. neil parish, former mp for tiverton, you will know _ made by them. neil parish, former mp for tiverton, you will know better - for tiverton, you will know better than me that borisjohnson spends a lot of time not very far from this constituency on exmoor where the family farm is, next time he comes then there might be some food for thought and the result here. thank you very much, i should say in leaving neil parish they are, i spoke to some party activists for the liberal democrats, a gentleman who lived in the 10% to six years, and he had his wife both said how much they liked neil parish and respected him as a local mp and they did not feel this was a personal vote against him but against his party and against the prime minister. perhaps they would say

that, they are liberal democrat activists. the taliban have appealed for international support after the devastating earthquake which struck afghanistan on wednesday. survivors of the deadliest quake in two decades say they have nothing to eat, no shelter, and fear a possible cholera outbreak. the bbc�*s secunder kermani reports from paktika province. aid agencies have been transporting food and tents to the earthquake hit parts of giyan and barmal districts, here in paktika province, travelling along the long, dirt bumpy road from sharan, the nearest big city which is where we are now. taliban military helicopters have also been used to fly in supplies because the location is so remote. taliban officials telling us the search and rescue operation is now over, the focus very much on those who survived this earthquake, getting them adequate food and shelter. mobile health teams are also visiting these villages. yesterday, in a briefing

at the un security council, a senior un official described this disaster as a tragic reminder of the myriad dangers facing the afghan people at this moment. the country was already in the middle of an economic and humanitarian crisis with average incomes slashed by about a third, that�*s in a country where many people were already struggling just to survive. and whilst humanitarian aid, that immediate short—term aid is being delivered, wider international development funding that the previous government used to rely on, well, much of that has been cut off ever since the taliban took power last august. i�*m joined now by neil turner, country director for the norwegian refugee council in afghanistan. thank you forjoining us. what is your organisation doing at the moment in terms of dealing with this? ~ moment in terms of dealing with this? 9 ., moment in terms of dealing with this? 9 . , :, this? we have completed our assessments _ this? we have completed our assessments in _ this? we have completed our assessments in the _ this? we have completed our assessments in the province | this? we have completed our. assessments in the province and today we are continuing in another

province, there are 1000 people dead, there are several thousands of households either destroyed or partially destroyed, and that means that we have tens of thousands of people in need at the moment. we are moving to bring in supplies, our focus is on tents, food items, and other things that can turn the situation i ran because at the moment, most people are living under temporary shelters they have cobbled together for themselves. we need temporary shelters they have cobbled togetherfor themselves. we need to as soon as possible replace them with at least more dry and secure shelters of some kind. beyond that, we need to look at further needs, of course, it is not only people�*s

lives and houses that have gone, it is their livelihoods as well. i think we are going to be in this for the long term to help people recover. :, ., �* , ., the long term to help people recover. :, . �* , :, :, recover. how hard hasn't been to out the assessment? _ recover. how hard hasn't been to out the assessment? it _ recover. how hard hasn't been to out the assessment? it has _ recover. how hard hasn't been to out the assessment? it has been - recover. how hard hasn't been to out the assessment? it has been hard, i the assessment? it has been hard, the assessment? it has been hard, the terrain is _ the assessment? it has been hard, the terrain is very _ the assessment? it has been hard, the terrain is very difficult, - the assessment? it has been hard, the terrain is very difficult, there . the terrain is very difficult, there are roads which are impassable because of the after effects of the earthquake in terms of landslides, we have managed to get into the eastern part of the province successfully, and as i said, the assessments are ongoing in the main area which was affected. and i think we need to point out that although the search and rescue operation has been called off, there are even more remote villages which have not been accessed yet at all. as we respond, we have to continue to assess and get out further. the

we have to continue to assess and get out further-— get out further. the picture could aet worse get out further. the picture could get worse in _ get out further. the picture could get worse in other _ get out further. the picture could get worse in other areas - get out further. the picture could get worse in other areas that - get out further. the picture could | get worse in other areas that have not been reached are accessed. certainly, i do not think we completely understood the level of need yet, but we need to get onto that as soon as possible.— that as soon as possible. thank you ve much that as soon as possible. thank you very much for— that as soon as possible. thank you very much forjoining _ that as soon as possible. thank you very much forjoining us, _ that as soon as possible. thank you very much forjoining us, the - very much forjoining us, the country directorfor the very much forjoining us, the country director for the norwegian refugee council in afghanistan. the ukrainian governor of the luhansk province says troops will have to abandon the key frontline city of severodonetsk, in the face of a brutal russian offensive that has turned the city to rubble. russia has focused its offensive on eastern ukraine after being repelled from the capital kyiv. let�*s cross live to kyiv now and our correspondentjoe inwood. what will this mean for several donetsk and the wider implications? no this would be the fault of the city, this has been the focus of russia�*s at agents for weeks now,

coming under huge levels of aerial bombardment and artillery fire and it seems they had decided it is not worth trying to hold on any more. ukrainian forces are being pushed back into a small pocket of the city, we understand they have confined to an area of the chemical plant, but they are going to withdraw from it. they would have to make it back across the river, that in itself would be a difficult task, but they can pull back to the city of lysycha nsk, but they can pull back to the city of lysychansk, it is just across the other side of the river, it is a more defensible position, but that city is coming under incredible pressure from the russians. we understand they are pushing from the south, they have taken a number of villages and are within firing distance of all of the city. in terms of russia achieving its goal of extending its control in eastern ukraine, how much of the game changer would this be? no it�*s more symbolic than strategic, i think.

there are two provinces that make up this area called the donbas, one of them is luhansk and the last two cities in that province that have not been taken are several donetsk and lysychansk. if they can take them, they can claim victory in one of the strategic aims in this conflict to take the donbas. what it means for the battle, the ukrainians have got a lot of defensive positions, i have seen them driving past. positions, i have seen them driving ast. , 9, positions, i have seen them driving ast, , ., . ~' positions, i have seen them driving ast. , . ., , past. they have full back positions and i think they _ past. they have full back positions and i think they would _ past. they have full back positions and i think they would then - past. they have full back positions and i think they would then fall - and i think they would then fall back and they can create a new defensive line, but from their perspective, to lose one of these two regions, would be a major loss. thank you very much. back now to the by—elections in britain which saw big swings to opposition parties and has left boris johnson�*s leadership under further pressure. one of his critics, sir roger gayle, the conservative mp for north thanet, spoke to the bbc this morning about the election results and mrjohnson�*s position. the results of the by—election,

and by the way, commiserations for both of our candidates who fought hard, they deserve better, but the result was clearly a massive vote of in the prime minister, another one, a1% of the conservative party have indicated they had no confidence in the prime minister. i think an honourable man would have gone at that time. this prime minister seeks to struggle on and i understand that this morning he said he will listen, but he will carry on. well he is not listening and he is a blundering on and frankly, now, we are fighting for the soul of the conservative party which is what i really care about. margaret thatcher had a majority and she honourably resigned, theresa may had a majority and she honourably resigned. this prime minister is choosing to hang the door handle at number ten, but he cannot go on forever and he certainly will not go on the next general election.

joining me now conservative commentator and founder of political blog conservative home, tim montgomerie. thank you forjoining us. on twitter earlier you referenced oliver dowden�*s resignation as chairman, someone has owner, prime minister, hashtag for goodness�* sake, go. he strongly indicating he will not go. do you think he will survive? i do not think he _ do you think he will survive? i do not think he will— do you think he will survive? i if not think he will survive because what has just been said by roger gale is absolutely what i am hearing from conservative mps. gale is absolutely what i am hearing from conservative mp5. i begin to fear as i think most conservative mps had not realised, is that the people inside downing street are not team tory, they are not team britain, they are team boris johnson. they are interested in keeping their man in power. they are

not so interested in being there because he has got a major programme of house—building, tax simplification, oranything of house—building, tax simplification, or anything of reform that certainly margaret thatcher or pretty much any other great prime minister which have done having won a majority that boris johnson to deliver in 2019. there is not really a purpose to this government. i did a little exercise of the conservative activist the other night and asked them to define what the conservative economic policy was and they couldn�*t. they didn�*t know. they tried, but the lack of coherence to this government�*s agenda, much more than the electability of the prime much more than some of the ethical failures with partygate, it is the lack of direction, the drift, the laziness about policy thinking, that is what makes my blood boil, and

lots of conservative mps blood boil too. it isa it is a government that has faced challenges different from previously, covid, and what has happened subsequently in terms of what is happening with the economy notjust in this country but globally. notjust in this country but aloball . 9, 9, ~' notjust in this country but aloball . :, :, ,, . notjust in this country but aloball . . :, globally. look, the pandemic, of course, globally. look, the pandemic, of course. was _ globally. look, the pandemic, of course. was a — globally. look, the pandemic, of course, was a massive _ globally. look, the pandemic, of| course, was a massive challenge, globally. look, the pandemic, of- course, was a massive challenge, but they are using it as an excuse i think. william beveridge wrote his report for the welfare state during world war ii. you can do big things, and it is often more important to do big things during trying times, because the pandemic has thrown up lots of social challenges, the acceleration of technology, it has thrown up the risks that are dominant china poses to the world. that was why i resigned from boris

johnson�*s teams are early in the parliament. i was never convinced they had an agenda, even before the pandemic struck. i�*m a proud conservative. i am not going to do anything other than vote conservative but, just at the moment, i am conservative but, just at the moment, iam really conservative but, just at the moment, i am really embarrassed that my party is not doing the thinking that always we have tried to do in the past about our nation�*s problems, and i don�*t see any prospect that that is going to change so long as borisjohnson remains inside number ten. what change so long as boris johnson remains inside number ten. what you 'ust said remains inside number ten. what you just said about. _ remains inside number ten. what you just said about, in _ remains inside number ten. what you just said about, in spite _ remains inside number ten. what you just said about, in spite of— remains inside number ten. what you just said about, in spite of your - just said about, in spite of your criticisms, saying i�*m a proud conservative and i will never do anything other than vote conservative, is that the sort of statement that will give succour to number ten in terms of what would happen at a general election when it comes to the crunch, because it is obviously a fairly normal course of events that by—elections get lost, but this is a government that one

and 80 seat majority under boris johnson. and 80 seat ma'ority under boris johnson. 9, and 80 seat ma'ority under boris johnson. :, , . , johnson. one of the differences between this — johnson. one of the differences between this government - johnson. one of the differences between this government and l johnson. one of the differences - between this government and previous governments, people talk about mid—term blues. normally when governments experience mid—term blues it is because they use the beginning of parliament to undertake difficult reforms and take on vested interests, make difficult changes, the costs of the adjustment have started but the rewards of the policy haven�*t yet sort of borne fruit and is the parliament goes on you hope that the changes have the desired effect but this government hasn�*t done those early reforms. it hasn�*t done those early reforms. it has wasted its early reforms. the mid—term popularity, and popularity of this government is dispiriting. it isn�*t about unpopular reforms. it is about the fact that lots of voters think the prime minister has behaved unethically and many others feel that it doesn�*t have an adequate response to the cost of living crisis. the assumption that

just because other governments have faced mid—term blues, this one will see its mid—term blues go is based on the false relativism of our time compared to those times. let�*s on the false relativism of our time compared to those times. let's speak to lewis goodall. _ he�*s been following developments throughout the night and he�*s still here. what would worry me if i were sat in downing street this morning most, is the eerie, ominous silence from conservative backbenchers and even cabinet ministers on twitter, the arena was much political communication is made, except in the last few seconds as you finish your fat interview, the chancellor rishi

sunak has just tweeted this, "i�*m sad that my colleague and friend oliver dowden took the decision to resign this morning. we�*ll take responsibility for the results and i�*m concerned you continue working to tackle the cost of living including delivering national insurance changes delivering on average £330." i will be interesting to see whether other cabinet ministers follow the lead of the chancellor and it may be because the number ten operation was taken aback by the resignation of oliver dowden. they have been trying to find a line to say to calibrate in the wake of these by—election results but it is true as well that cabinet ministers have been assessing themselves the political landscape, talking to colleagues, to backbench mps, to the journalist, and trying to reassess what their next move should be, because there had been pressure on members of the cabinet and from some in the parliamentary party, to say that ultimately this is probably only going to be solved in one of two ways, if we decide as a party

that we will remove borisjohnson, either the 1922 committee has to rewrite the rules and have another vote of no confidence which might succeed, the last one didn�*t come at a cabinet saying that the game is up. but number ten will be encouraging cabinet ministers to get out there and express support but it depends what they say. we had dominic rabbi priti patel taking to the airwaves before rishi sunak, and you can see in the line about how to react to the by—elections isn�*t exactly calibrated because they are saying we are listening, we want to listen, we want to take on board what voters are saying but in terms of what that means in translation to have policies going to change, they don�*t say, theyjust have policies going to change, they don�*t say, they just say that we have got to get away from distractions by things like partygate but people have voted everything like partygate and the economy is another good example. the economy, clearly having a bigger influence on these results in partygate and the economic story has

onlyjust begun. goodness knows what it will look like when we get into the winter, with industrial unrest, more inflation and energy price rises. how will they respond? they have already announced what they are going to do and some of the comments are very difficult indeed to know how to respond to. there is a sense in the conservative party, tim montgomeryjust alluded to it, that there is some inconvenience within borisjohnson�*s government, particularly around economic. sometimes they want to deregulate, sometimes to spend more, sometimes to level up and address regional imbalances, and sometimes they want to cut taxes and sometimes all in the same week and there is a feeling among some conservative mps for sure that there needs to be more coherence about what the government actually thinks. joining me now is kerian pedley, director of politics at polling company ipsos mori. welcome. what is your analysis of why the voters went so strongly

against the conservatives in these by—elections? taste against the conservatives in these by-elections?_ against the conservatives in these b -elections? 9 , :, , by-elections? we should remember that governments _ by-elections? we should remember that governments can _ by-elections? we should remember that governments can lose - that governments can lose by—elections during the course of a parliament. that is not unusual. they can then go on to win general elections but these two by—elections being lost in one evening is very damaging to this government because they are two different areas of the party, just like different parties with quite significant swings. our polling shows a number of factors contributing towards the government being reasonably unpopular at the moment, 6a% say they are dissatisfied with the job boris johnson is doing as prime minister, partygate has had a long—term impact on his personal poll ratings. what we are consistently seeing is people worried about the cost of living, concern about price rises, is the highest it has been for around a0 years, and people are looking for answers from the government for that. 9 �* 9, , answers from the government for that. 9 ., answers from the government for that.9 ., . that. when boris johnson and dominic raab and others _

that. when boris johnson and dominic raab and others say _ that. when boris johnson and dominic raab and others say boris _ that. when boris johnson and dominic raab and others say boris johnson - that. when boris johnson and dominic raab and others say boris johnson is i raab and others say borisjohnson is not going anywhere, he needs to listen to the voters and focus on thoseissues listen to the voters and focus on those issues that you have just raised, and dominic raab said similar this morning, raised, and dominic raab said similarthis morning, it raised, and dominic raab said similar this morning, it is time to strongly deliver on those concerns, what is your analysis of how entrenched voter opinion is now? is it something that can be turned around for the tories, if boris johnson holds tight for the next two years or however long it is until there is another election? governments do lose by—elections during the course of a parliament so there is president of government is turning it round so you can never say never, but i think we shouldn�*t underestimate the significance of the challenge the conservatives face this morning to stop what we saw last night was that the labour party had a highly symbolic victory in the so—called red wall, and there is often discussion about whether keir

starmer�*s labour party can win back support there, and they have done that in the by—election last night but you have this pincer movement of lib dems threatening conservatives in the south. the government has the ability to turn things around. it has a sizeable working majority. it does have some time, but that time is running out when you consider the political challenges that they face, and we shouldn�*t underestimate the scale of last night�*s defeats. lantigen scale of last night's defeats. when ou look scale of last night's defeats. when you look at — scale of last night's defeats. when you look at the _ scale of last night's defeats. when you look at the polling _ scale of last night's defeats. when you look at the polling and - scale of last night's defeats. when you look at the polling and how things have changed since a very short time ago, this party in the borisjohnson under borisjohnson boris johnson under boris johnson winning borisjohnson under borisjohnson winning an 80 seat majority, looking back historically, have you seen turnarounds like this? each parliament _ turnarounds like this? each parliament has _ turnarounds like this? each parliament has its - turnarounds like this? each parliament has its own - turnarounds like this? eacn parliament has its own unique character. david cameron, for example, would have negative ego satisfaction ratings in the 2010—15 parliament then went on to win an election but if i was a conservative i would not be taking too much comfort or otherwise from what has gone on in the past. it can be

useful context of course but each parliament has its own distinct quality. there was concern now with rising prices and inflation. that is reasonably unique in your back last couple of decades so what people are looking for is some solutions from government. if the government can provide the solutions there is every chance boris johnson provide the solutions there is every chance borisjohnson can go to the country and ask for four or five more years but if they can�*t then people might look for a change. our public polling shows that people trust the conservatives to grow the economy more than labour but they trust labour to deal with the cost of living crisis more than the conservatives, so that economic argument is going to be very important in the next months and years. fin important in the next months and ears. , :, years. on this, the government will oint out years. on this, the government will point out that _ years. on this, the government will point out that it _ years. on this, the government will point out that it has _ years. on this, the government will point out that it has spent - years. on this, the government will point out that it has spent £37 - point out that it has spent £37 billion on measures to support people through the cost of living crisis. is it clear, when you speak to voters, how they see the support that has come through, and what more they actually want?—

they actually want? probably the aood news they actually want? probably the good news for — they actually want? probably the good news for the _ they actually want? probably the good news for the government i they actually want? probably the i good news for the government is they actually want? probably the - good news for the government is that the proportion of people say the government isn�*t doing enough to combat the cost of living crisis has fully sharply, so there is recognition that the government are doing something, but the problem with that is that the public view is that there is more to be done and are looking for them to do more, not are looking for them to do more, not a question of having done enough already, there is more to combat the fact that labour are more comfortable in this position should consider the conservatives but there is time for them still to turn things around. thank you very much. become a narrow keiran pedley from ipsos. further disruption is expected across rail services in britain today following yesterday�*s national strikes. only 60% of services are expected to run. our consumer affairs correspondent coletta smith has been finding out how the reduced service affected commuters and businesses in yorkshire. this is day four of the hokey—cokey

of in—out rail strikes. staff are back in but it�*s another slow start, with trains in the wrong place again. just over half the normal timetable is scheduled, but if myjourney from manchester to bradford on wednesday is anything to go by, don�*t expect all the advertised trains to be running either. i�*ve come to manchester victoria to try to get a direct train to bradford. but there is nothing running here across the pennines. the next two trains have been cancelled in that direction. they said i will have to wait about an hour and 20 minutes for the next one and even that one, they�*re not sure whether it�*s going to run. so the lady in the ticket office wouldn�*t sell me tickets until she knows that the train is definitely running. unions are hoping if they hold their nerve, they�*ll get a better pay deal and a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies. network rail say they need to reduce staff to modernise the railways, and the government are worried about the precedent a pay increase would set. so talks have stalled, and passengers are picking their way through. well, i�*ve made it,

and although there are plenty of trains running today, i have been surprised by the number of cancellations, particularly to smaller towns across the uk. so there will be plenty of other passengers like me whose journey has taken a lot longer, and cost them more as a result. for asim, it means his commute to leeds has been more complicated this week. it�*s difficult to get to work now because of the strikes. i have had people who are going in the car have had to come and get me from bradford. people across yorkshire are also facing a double whammy of bus strikes on arriva services. without public transport, things become a lot more expensive. considering with fuel prices going up as well. and that means asim doesn�*t have much sympathy with those on strike. no—one has ever really said, you know what, i do get paid enough, i�*m happy to keep doing thejob i do, you know? everybody wants a little bit more. but despite the rail strikes, the roads haven�*t been chaos. congestion in most cities has only increased a bit. because so many more people can now work from home. if this had happened back in 2019, at the start of 2019 or 2018, it would have had a real impact on us.

because we would have needed people to come into the office. here at leeds building society, they have had about 50% fewer staff in the office than normal this week. but it has still been business as usual. now we can cope with 1000 people at any point in time working from home, so the benefit of that has been, when we see things like these strikes or indeed when there is an unexpected snowfall, people just work from home and there is no impact on the business. the option for hybrid working has watered down the power of weekday strike disruption. but industrial action at heathrow leaves few other options for passengers heading on holiday. because you can�*t head to the beach on zoom. coletta smith, bbc news. now, many festival—goers have had a difficult time trying to get to glastonbury — the five—day music festival in somerset which is back this year for the first time in three years — and the journey in doesn�*t seem to have dampened spirits.

steffan powell is in glastonbury for us. i tell you what is damping spirits, the rain has just started. i tell you what is damping spirits, the rain hasjust started. it i tell you what is damping spirits, the rain has just started. it has held off but as soon as you came to us live the clouds have come in and the weather is turning just before the weather is turning just before the music itself starts. half past 11, the first act on is going to be the macqueen. with the rail strikes this week people were concerned they might not be able to get here so have left earlier, this week, and this wednesday on site was the busiest wednesday in recent memory as people wanted to make sure they got here on time, and those who are here have already been having a party that is the biggest post—pandemic party that has been, 200,000 people on site. colin paterson has been speaking to some of those already here.

really excited to see paul mccartney. like, i grew up on the beatles and i don�*t know, it seems like a very special opportunity. who�*s the biggest beatles fan here? probably me. wait a minute, i�*ve seen a problem. rolling stones t—shirt right opposite here. is there going to be a fight? yes. let�*s have a song—off. you give us one line of a beatles song and you give us one line of a stones song. # the blackbird singing in the dead of night. # i'm not singing anything on tv! and the beatles won. round one to paul mccartney. thank you, thank you. where are you guys from? we are coming from south korea. especially? yeah. this year i really want to see sam fender. # will you talk in the morning? there we go. billy eilish, noel gallagher, mccartney. # la, la, la la la, la. # la la la la. # heyjude. we�*re not such good singers, are we? i don�*t feel i need to see him any more.

last night, people like the spice girl, _ last night, people like the spice girl, mel— last night, people like the spice girl, mel c— last night, people like the spice girl, mel c was _ last night, people like the spice girl, mel c was wearing - last night, people like the spice girl, mel c was wearing a - last night, people like the spice| girl, mel c was wearing a t—shirt saying _ girl, mel c was wearing a t—shirt saying play— girl, mel c was wearing a t—shirt saying play the _ girl, mel c was wearing a t—shirt saying play the spice _ girl, mel c was wearing a t—shirt saying play the spice girls, - girl, mel c was wearing a t—shirt saying play the spice girls, paull saying play the spice girls, paul mccartney— saying play the spice girls, paul mccartney headlines— saying play the spice girls, paul mccartney headlines the - saying play the spice girls, paul. mccartney headlines the pyramid stage _ mccartney headlines the pyramid stage tomorrow— mccartney headlines the pyramid stage tomorrow night, _ mccartney headlines the pyramid stage tomorrow night, doing - mccartney headlines the pyramid stage tomorrow night, doing a i mccartney headlines the pyramid i stage tomorrow night, doing a little intimate _ stage tomorrow night, doing a little intimate gig — stage tomorrow night, doing a little intimate gig in— stage tomorrow night, doing a little intimate gig in a _ stage tomorrow night, doing a little intimate gig in a pub _ stage tomorrow night, doing a little intimate gig in a pub around - stage tomorrow night, doing a little intimate gig in a pub around the i intimate gig in a pub around the corner— intimate gig in a pub around the corner so— intimate gig in a pub around the corner so the _ intimate gig in a pub around the corner so the secret _ intimate gig in a pub around the corner so the secret acts - intimate gig in a pub around the corner so the secret acts are i intimate gig in a pub around the i corner so the secret acts are taken off but _ corner so the secret acts are taken off but so — corner so the secret acts are taken off but so are _ corner so the secret acts are taken off but so are other— corner so the secret acts are taken off but so are other proper- corner so the secret acts are taken off but so are other proper stars. i off but so are other proper stars. tonight, — off but so are other proper stars. tonight, billy— off but so are other proper stars. tonight, billy idol— off but so are other proper stars. tonight, billy idol on _ off but so are other proper stars. tonight, billy idol on the - off but so are other proper stars. | tonight, billy idol on the pyramid stage _ tonight, billy idol on the pyramid stage tonight _ tonight, billy idol on the pyramid stage tonight -- _ tonight, billy idol on the pyramid stage tonight —— billy— tonight, billy idol on the pyramid stage tonight —— billy eilish, i tonight, billy idol on the pyramid stage tonight —— billy eilish, thel stage tonight —— billy eilish, the youngest— stage tonight —— billy eilish, the youngest sole _ stage tonight —— billy eilish, the youngest sole headliner - stage tonight —— billy eilish, the youngest sole headliner in i youngest sole headliner in glastonbury— youngest sole headliner in glastonbury street, - youngest sole headliner in glastonbury street, so i youngest sole headliner ini glastonbury street, so that youngest sole headliner in i glastonbury street, so that is a youngest sole headliner in - glastonbury street, so that is a big event _ glastonbury street, so that is a big event people — glastonbury street, so that is a big event people are _ glastonbury street, so that is a big event people are excited _ glastonbury street, so that is a big event people are excited about i event people are excited about tonight~ — event people are excited about tonight~ what _ event people are excited about tonight. what is _ event people are excited about tonight. what is interesting i event people are excited about i tonight. what is interesting about when _ tonight. what is interesting about when you — tonight. what is interesting about when you come _ tonight. what is interesting about when you come to _ tonight. what is interesting about when you come to glastonbury. tonight. what is interesting about when you come to glastonbury is| tonight. what is interesting about- when you come to glastonbury is that even though— when you come to glastonbury is that even though you _ when you come to glastonbury is that even though you have _ when you come to glastonbury is that even though you have all— when you come to glastonbury is that even though you have all of— when you come to glastonbury is that even though you have all of the - when you come to glastonbury is that even though you have all of the big i even though you have all of the big stars, _ even though you have all of the big stars, you — even though you have all of the big stars. you have _ even though you have all of the big stars, you have got _ even though you have all of the big stars, you have got paul— even though you have all of the big l stars, you have got paul mccartney, billie _ stars, you have got paul mccartney, billie eilish, — stars, you have got paul mccartney, billie eilish, but— stars, you have got paul mccartney, billie eilish, but people _ stars, you have got paul mccartney, billie eilish, but people are - stars, you have got paul mccartney, billie eilish, but people are more i billie eilish, but people are more excited _ billie eilish, but people are more excited about— billie eilish, but people are more excited about the _ billie eilish, but people are more excited about the cheesy - billie eilish, but people are more excited about the cheesy disco i billie eilish, but people are more i excited about the cheesy disco night in one _ excited about the cheesy disco night in one of— excited about the cheesy disco night in one of the — excited about the cheesy disco night in one of the tents _ excited about the cheesy disco night in one of the tents around _ excited about the cheesy disco night in one of the tents around the - in one of the tents around the corner — in one of the tents around the corner the _ in one of the tents around the corner. the excitement- in one of the tents around the corner. the excitement is- in one of the tents around the i corner. the excitement is building. people _ corner. the excitement is building. people are — corner. the excitement is building. people are getting _ corner. the excitement is building. people are getting ready— corner. the excitement is building. people are getting ready for- corner. the excitement is building. people are getting ready for what i people are getting ready for what will probably— people are getting ready for what will probably be _ people are getting ready for what will probably be the _ people are getting ready for what will probably be the biggest i will probably be the biggest post—pandemic— will probably be the biggest post—pandemic party. i

will probably be the biggest post—pandemic party. and i will probably be the biggest - post—pandemic party. and despite will probably be the biggest _ post—pandemic party. and despite the weather, _ post—pandemic party. and despite the weather, nobody— post—pandemic party. and despite the weather, nobody really _ post—pandemic party. and despite the weather, nobody really cares, - weather, nobody really cares, because — weather, nobody really cares, because they _ weather, nobody really cares, because they are _ weather, nobody really cares, because they are going - weather, nobody really cares, because they are going to i weather, nobody really cares, i because they are going to have a great _ because they are going to have a great time — because they are going to have a great time we— because they are going to have a great time. we spoke _ because they are going to have a great time. we spoke to - because they are going to have a i great time. we spoke to someone who knows _ great time. we spoke to someone who knows exactly — great time. we spoke to someone who knows exactly how— great time. we spoke to someone who knows exactly how many— great time. we spoke to someone who knows exactly how many days - great time. we spoke to someone who knows exactly how many days ago i great time. we spoke to someone who knows exactly how many days ago shel knows exactly how many days ago she bought _ knows exactly how many days ago she bought her— knows exactly how many days ago she bought her ticket, _ knows exactly how many days ago she bought her ticket, 991 _ knows exactly how many days ago she bought her ticket, 991 days— knows exactly how many days ago she bought her ticket, 991 days she - knows exactly how many days ago she bought her ticket, 991 days she has i bought her ticket, 991 days she has waited _ bought her ticket, 991 days she has waited for— bought her ticket, 991 days she has waited for this— bought her ticket, 991 days she has waited for this party— bought her ticket, 991 days she has waited for this party so _ bought her ticket, 991 days she has waited for this party so she - bought her ticket, 991 days she has waited for this party so she will i bought her ticket, 991 days she has waited for this party so she will be i waited for this party so she will be having _ waited for this party so she will be having a _ waited for this party so she will be having a nice — waited for this party so she will be having a nice time, _ waited for this party so she will be having a nice time, regardless i waited for this party so she will be having a nice time, regardless of. having a nice time, regardless of what _ having a nice time, regardless of what is _ having a nice time, regardless of what is happening. _ having a nice time, regardless of what is happening. the- having a nice time, regardless of what is happening.— having a nice time, regardless of what is happening. the rain does not look too bad- — what is happening. the rain does not look too bad. we _ what is happening. the rain does not look too bad. we always _ what is happening. the rain does not look too bad. we always see - what is happening. the rain does not look too bad. we always see those i look too bad. we always see those pictures of people very muddy at glastonbury, so we will see if it gets as bad as that but for now, it is looking all right. it is gets as bad as that but for now, it is looking all right.— is looking all right. it is the round, is looking all right. it is the ground, that _ is looking all right. it is the ground, that is _ is looking all right. it is the ground, that is the - is looking all right. it is the ground, that is the main i is looking all right. it is the i ground, that is the main thing, so far it has not turned muddy, so that is the main thing. fingers crossed that it holds up for the rest of the weekend as well. we that it holds up for the rest of the weekend as well.— that it holds up for the rest of the weekend as well. we hope that you have a great _ weekend as well. we hope that you have a great time, _ weekend as well. we hope that you have a great time, thank— weekend as well. we hope that you have a great time, thank you. i let�*s go back to the commonwealth heads of government meeting in rwanda. prince charles spoke to delegates in kigali earlier, let�*s hear some of that speech. on behalf of the queen in this platinumjubilee year, on behalf of the queen in this platinum jubilee year, my wife and i

are delighted to be with you all here in rwanda for this 26th commonwealth heads of government meeting. i would commonwealth heads of government meeting. iwould particularly like to thank president kagame and the people of rwanda for the most impressive preparations they have made. i know how difficult the decisions were to postpone this important gathering, as a result of covid, and can only applaud rwanda�*s determination and patience in ensuring our gathering is successful. throughout her reign, the queen has placed and continues to place, the greatest importance on the common friendship, humanity and values that all of us share in this room, not despite but because of the

diversity of the commonwealth represents. and i know how grateful she is that, in recognition of her majesty�*s unstinting service to our commonwealth family, all commonwealth family, all commonwealth member states have announced that they have now committed themselves to the queen�*s commonwealth kanepi. i treasure the friendships we have built —— canopy. i treasure these friendships and look forward to those deepening in the years ahead. as we build back from the pandemic that has devastated so many lives, as we respond to climate change and biodiversity loss that threatens our very existence, and as we see lives destroyed by the an attenuated aggression of violent forces, such

friendships are more important than ever. i take heart from the fact that, working together with urgent intent, there is a path to build a future for humanity that is sustainable, prosperous and just. our commonwealth family is and will always remain a free association of independent, self—governing nations. we meet and talk as equals, sharing our knowledge and experience for the betterment of all citizens of the commonwealth and indeed the wider world. the commonwealth contains within it countries that have had constitutional relationships with my family, some that continue to do so and, increasingly, those that have had none. iwant

and, increasingly, those that have had none. i want to say clearly, as i have said before, that each member�*s constitutional arrangements, as republic or monarchy, is purely a matterfor each member country to decide. the benefit of long life brings with it experienced that arrangements such as these can change, calmly, and without rancour, but, as i said in barbados last november, we should never forget the things which do not change, the close and trusted partnership between commonwealth members, our common values and shared goals, and perhaps most importantly, the strong and enduring connections between the peoples of the commonwealth which strengthen us

all, and he shared values, goals and friendships transcend the ties of shared history, as we saw in welcoming mozambique and rwanda to this great family of nations. and now, coming to rwanda for the first time, visiting the genocide memorial and speaking to survivors, i have been overwhelmed by resilience, grace and determination of the rwandan people. today, rwanda upholds so much that is extraordinary as a centre for innovation, a world leader in women�*s empowerment, a growing hub for the green economy, and the commitment to a united future. as leaders, you consider how to define

and strengthen our own commitment to common purpose, and i would only offer you the view that our commonwealth family have some of the world�*s most vulnerable and some of the most wealthy nations has the ability and indeed the obligation to be a force for global public good. why else, ladies and gentlemen, with an increasing number of countries want to enjoy —— tojoin an increasing number of countries want to enjoy —— to join this association? in the diversity of the 2.6 billion people on whose behalf you speak comes great strength which you speak comes great strength which you could use, for instance, to speak up for the values which bind us, to invest in the rapid transition to a sustainable future, and to create opportunities for our young people.

hello. a big change to the weather over the next few days. let�*s go to north—east wales, this was the scene yesterday, 28 celsius, the same place this weekend, 19 degrees, a degree or so down for this stage injune instead of significantly above. there will be some heat around today across the east of the country, elsewhere, it starts cooler, a mixture of sunshine and showers. showers in the midlands, northern england and scotland in the afternoon, could be heavy and thundery, some will stay dry with sunny spells, more cloud from northern ireland,

wales and the south—west. longer spells of rain and drizzle, 17 degrees here, but the eastern parts of scotland down to eastern england, 20 to 26 celsius. that is where we see the best of the afternoon sunshine, that is where the height of the pollen will be. we will see the cloud increase later, some glimpse of sunshine this afternoon, late afternoon into the evening, rain and drizzle across the site. we could see heavy showers towards the end of play in the england— new zealand test match, at headingley, heavy thundery showers in the area which will push north over night, while the weather front, cloud, rain and drizzle pushing through most parts into the morning, clearing to leave clearer skies, sunny start to saturday, not cold but not as warm as it was this morning. the weekend shows an area of low pressure driving the change

to our conditions, to the west of ireland, the rain wrapping around and spiralling into northern ireland throughout the day, some in the east may stay dry. scotland, england and wales, sunny start, dry with sunny spells all day long, a few showers here and there. temperatures down on recent days, 16 to 22 celsius. out of the breeze it will feel pleasant in the sunshine. the breeze gets stronger towards the west as we go into saturday evening, an area of low pressure starts to go east, not a great deal, but if you are in wales, north—west england and parts of scotland, rain here for a time on sunday. rain on and off in northern ireland, heavy thundery showers, a few showers south and east but many will stay dry with sunny spells, cooler but much windier. bye for now.

this is bbc news. i�*m joanna gosling. the headlines at 11... crushing defeats for the prime minister and the conservative in two by—elections — prompting the resignation of the party chairman. but borisjohnson vows to "keep going". we�*ve got to recognise that voters are going through a tough time at the moment and i think as a government, i�*ve got to listen. labour re—takes wakefield, which it lost at the 2019 general election. and the lib dems overturn a huge conservative 2a,000 majority in tiverton and honiton. now we�*ve had this sort of swing that puts us on track notjust for a labour government but for a majority labour government, so this is hugely significant for the labour party.

i�*m so proud. people were saying borisjohnson must go. when we talked to people on the doorsteps, they were fed up of a prime minister who is not fit and decent to be prime minister of our great country. officials in afghanistan say another five people have been killed following tremors close to the epicentre of wednesday�*s earthquake. the governor of the eastern ukrainian region of luhansk says troops in severodonetsk have been ordered to withdraw because of russia�*s relentless assault on the city. and...let the music begin. the glastonbury festival — one of the biggest in the world — is underway in the somerset countryside after a three year break due to the covid pandemic.

borisjohnson has suffered a major blow after the conservatives lost two by—elections in one night. in the devon seat of tiverton and honiton, the liberal democrats secured more than 22,500 votes — overturning a nearly 30% conservative majority swing. it�*s the biggest majority ever lost in a by—election. in west yorkshire, labour won back the wakefield seat, less than three years after the tories snatched it in the last election. the labour party won by almost 5,000 votes. in response, oliver dowden has resigned as conservative party chair lets go live now to our correspondent in tiverton where sir ed davey is going to be speaking. let�*s hear from ed let�*s hearfrom ed davey.

let's hear from ed davey. this is what the people _ let's hear from ed davey. this is what the people of _ let's hear from ed davey. this is what the people of tiverton i let's hear from ed davey. this is what the people of tiverton and | what the people of tiverton and taunton have said. it�*s time to show boris the door! good morning. it�*s great to be in the liberal democrat seat of tiverton and taunton! cheering. i'd like cheering. i�*d like to start by congratulating devon�*s newest mp richard ford. richard served our country as an officer in the british army for ten years. and i know richard will serve the people of devon in parliament with the same devotion and distinction. today the people of

tiverton and taunton have spoken for the british people and they have sent a loud and clear message. it�*s time to show boris the door! over the past year the liberal democrats have been beating the conservatives across the country in their former heartlands. and the conservative excuses for their defeats are beginning to wear thin. liberal democrats beat them a year ago in cheshire and amersham and they dismiss that asjust cheshire and amersham and they dismiss that as just a local matter. six months ago the liberal democrat beat them in north shropshire and their excuse was they had chosen the wrong candidate. when liberal democrats beat them across the country last month, in cumbria, in

somerset, in wimbledon, in woking... cheering. they chalked it up as just mid—term blues. it is what the spinners in number ten call expectations management. but i can tell number ten the british people are fed up and tired of having their expectations managed. for years borisjohnson has said, things will get better. but under boris johnson�*s leadership, things keep getting worse. so let me tell the prime minister what the british people expect. they expect to be led and to be led with these —— led with decency. under borisjohnson there is no leadership and there is no

decency. we have the worst inflation for decades. we are seeing our living standards fall, drop by the fastest amount since the 19505. people cannot afford to fill up their cars, familie5 cannot afford to put food on the table, pensioners who have worked all their lives for their retirement are seeing their savings disappear before their ri5e. 5aving5 disappear before their ri5e. bori5 5aving5 disappear before their ri5e. borisjohnson has deceived the british people and taken them for granted for far too long. he british people and taken them for granted forfar too long. he has lost the confidence of his own party, he has lost the confidence of the people of tiverton and honiton, a seat they have held for over 100 years and borisjohnson has lost the confidence of the british people. bori5 confidence of the british people. borisjohnson has got to go! but

until the next election, the only people who can show bori5 until the next election, the only people who can show borisjohnson the door are conservative mp5. so i want to manage the expectations of conservative mp5. if you fail to get rid of this lawbreaking prime minister, if your party keeps putting up taxes and failing to help people, if you continue to allow bori5 people, if you continue to allow borisjohnson to drift people, if you continue to allow boris johnson to drift with people, if you continue to allow borisjohnson to drift with no plan for our country, the liberal democrats are coming after you seat by 5eat. liberal democrats will assemble an army of activists. we will offer the change people once. we will offer the change our country

needs. and we will drive you conservatives out of power. so for all of you who are struggling just to make ends meet, who are making difficult choices today just to to make ends meet, who are making difficult choices todayjust to get by, who fear what the next day�*5 bills might bring, let me say this, i know it might not always feel like this but there can be a better tomorrow. the people of tiverton and honiton have shown that change can happen. we can build a country well you get a fair deal. a country where people who have worked all their lives can be looked after and cared for in their old age. a country where people are free from the fear

of higher bills and higher taxes. a country where our leaders stand for what is right and what is decent. today the liberal democrats have shown that the rule of borisjohnson and this uncaring conservative government can be ended. but today is just government can be ended. but today isjust a government can be ended. but today is just a start. so join us and let�*s get rid of them. thank you very much. cheering. thank you very much. thank you. you have been fantastic!— have been fantastic! that's the lib dem leader— have been fantastic! that's the lib dem leader ed _ have been fantastic! that's the lib dem leader ed davey _ have been fantastic! that's the lib dem leader ed davey introducing i have been fantastic! that's the lib i dem leader ed davey introducing his newest mp richard for —— forward. newe5t mp richard for —— forward. everybody knows that in by—election5

prote5t votes happen, sometimes voter5 vote for another party and they go back to the party that used to hold the seat when it came to the general election. the conservatives are worried though that although that may be the case, perhaps it won�*t be and if not, perhaps they face a twin challenge from the liberal democrats in 5eat5 like tiverton and honiton and from labour 5eat5 like wakefield. john maguire report5 now on what this knight has meant for the conservatives. the size of these victorie5 or defeat5 for the conservatives sends a loud and damning message. it�*s not unusualfor a loud and damning message. it�*s not unusual for governments to lose 5eat5 between general elections will stop the conservatives 5till 5eat5 between general elections will stop the conservatives still hold a large majority despite the losses but in specially in devon, the

result was 5ei5mic. true blue tiverton and honiton had a conservative majority in excess of 2a,000. that was wiped out by a tsunami a5 2a,000. that was wiped out by a tsunami as the liberal democrats t5unami as the liberal democrats took the seat and broke a record for the size of the turnover. the winning candidate was in no doubt as to why he won in such an emphatic way. to why he won in such an emphatic wa . :, , :, , :, :, way. tonight the people of tiverton and honiton — way. tonight the people of tiverton and honiton have _ way. tonight the people of tiverton and honiton have spoken _ way. tonight the people of tiverton and honiton have spoken for- way. tonight the people of tiverton l and honiton have spoken for britain. they have sent a loud and clear message, it�*5 they have sent a loud and clear message, it�*s time for borisjohnson to go. and go now. the message, it's time for boris johnson to go- and so now— to go. and go now. the by-election was caused — to go. and go now. the by-election was caused by _ to go. and go now. the by-election was caused by neil— to go. and go now. the by-election was caused by neil parish - to go. and go now. the by-election was caused by neil parish was i to go. and go now. the by-election was caused by neil parish was not i to go. and go now. the by-election| was caused by neil parish was not a was caused by neil pari5h was not a resignation after he admitted watching pornography while in the house of commons. embarrassing for him and his party and the beginning of the end for the conservative party here. for now at least. and

270 miles north in west yorkshire, wakefield i5 270 miles north in west yorkshire, wakefield is a traditionally labour seat but not by much. it was won by the tories three years ago with a majority of around 3300 but that has now been overturned and the labour majority is almost 5000. the declaration came just minutes before the one in devon and the successful candidate�*s 5peech the one in devon and the successful candidate�*s speech was remarkably similar. candidate's speech was remarkably similar. 9, candidate's speech was remarkably similar. :, , :, , candidate's speech was remarkably similar. :, , :, similar. tonight the people of wakefield have _ similar. tonight the people of wakefield have spoken i similar. tonight the people of wakefield have spoken on i similar. tonight the people of i wakefield have spoken on behalf of the british people. they have said unreservedly, bori5 the british people. they have said unreservedly, borisjohnson, your contempt for this country is no longer tolerated. the contempt for this country is no longer tolerated.— contempt for this country is no longer tolerated. the vote was full steer after the _ longer tolerated. the vote was full steer after the conviction - longer tolerated. the vote was full steer after the conviction of - longer tolerated. the vote was full steer after the conviction of the i 5teer after the conviction of the conservative mp imran ahmad khan. he was jailed for sexually assaulting a teenage boy. in devon the conservative candidate left without being interviewed at the party chairman oliver dowden has spoken with his feet. he re5igned this

morning saying in his letter to bori5 morning saying in his letter to borisjohnson, oursupporters morning saying in his letter to borisjohnson, our supporters are di5tressed and disappointed by recent events and i share their feelings. then, somebody mu5t recent events and i share their feelings. then, somebody must take feeling5. then, somebody must take responsibility. so does that mean the prime minister, who is in rwanda for the communal conference, one backbench mp is doubling down on his long—held call for borisjohnson to go. pa. long-held call for boris johnson to co. : :, ., ., long-held call for boris johnson to go. a fortnight ago, a1% of the conservative _ go. a fortnight ago, a1% of the conservative parliamentary i go. a fortnight ago, 41% of the l conservative parliamentary party indicated they have no confidence in the prime minister. i think an honourable man would have gone up that time. this prime minister seeks to struggle on and i understand this morning he has said he will listen, but he will carry on. he is not listening and he is blundering on and frankly, we are now fighting for the soul of the conservative party which is what i really care about. the prime minister insists he is listening to what voters have said, albeit from thousands of miles away

he is hearing some harsh home truths. john maguire, bbc news. parliamentary by—election held between by—elections are rare, even rarer in the south—west of england. the last one was in 1986, the truro by—election. they are rare and this one has been dramatic but much rarer than by—elections is cabinet ministers resigning because of those by—elections as oliver dowden did in the early hours of this morning. let's talk to doctor hannah ponting at the university of exeter. this let's talk to doctor hannah ponting at the university of exeter.- at the university of exeter. this is at the university of exeter. this is a big story- _ at the university of exeter. this is a big story. absolutely. _ at the university of exeter. this is a big story. absolutely. going - at the university of exeter. this is l a big story. absolutely. going from a big story. absolutely. going from a 40% majority to then having that overturned to a 14% majority of another party, it's a historic victory and the liberal democrats are rightly celebrating. the victory and the liberal democrats

are rightly celebrating.— are rightly celebrating. the other oint to are rightly celebrating. the other point to explain _ are rightly celebrating. the other point to explain to _ are rightly celebrating. the other point to explain to people - are rightly celebrating. the other point to explain to people who i point to explain to people who perhaps don't know this part of the country is that although the lib dems have been strong in places like somerset and cornwall and they were strong in north devon, not least because their former party leader was the mp there for 20 years, this part of devon has been consistently resistant to their charms. it part of devon has been consistently resistant to their charms.— resistant to their charms. it has. it has a strong — resistant to their charms. it has. it has a strong tradition - resistant to their charms. it has. it has a strong tradition of- it has a strong tradition of conservatism here but it tends to be quite liberal conservatism and the working class that are here, instead of turning to labour, they were turned towards the liberal democrats so we are seeing that they are the only other option in this part of the country. when people are not happy with the conservatives in government, they turned to was the liberal democrats. the government, they turned to was the liberal democrats.— liberal democrats. the question is what this means _ liberal democrats. the question is what this means father _ liberal democrats. the question is. what this means father conservative mps in the region who will already be thinking about the implications of oliver dowden�*s resignation. presumably they had to think of the implications for their own survival.

some analysis yesterday indicated that if this trend continues, in the south—west the conservatives could lose up to half of their seats, including jacob rees—mogg's seat. evenif including jacob rees—mogg's seat. even if they do not quite do as badly as this, there are a lot of conservative mps that have a majority much smaller than this one and they will be very worried about going into another election. how does this fit _ going into another election. how does this fit with _ going into another election. how does this fit with the trend of results? we had some striking locally election results a few months ago. locally election results a few months age-— locally election results a few months ago-— locally election results a few months ago. locally election results a few monthsauo.~ , ., , months ago. we saw similarly bad results for the _ months ago. we saw similarly bad results for the conservatives. - months ago. we saw similarly bad | results for the conservatives. some voters were going towards labour but the liberal democrats also did very well here, so it is part of a trend and the liberal democrats, this is their third by—election they have won in this parliament. it looks like a trend for sure.— won in this parliament. it looks like a trend for sure. thank you. talkin: like a trend for sure. thank you. talking about _ like a trend for sure. thank you. talking about a _ like a trend for sure. thank you. talking about a split _ like a trend for sure. thank you. talking about a split vote - like a trend for sure. thank you. talking about a split vote and i like a trend for sure. thank you. i talking about a split vote and that is the big fear for the

conservatives at westminster at the next general election. that labour hoovers up seats in the north of england and in the midlands, seats that perhaps had been labour until boris johnson's that perhaps had been labour until borisjohnson's win in 2019 and that the conservatives lose seats at the same time in the south and west of england to the liberal democrats. the prime minister perhaps unfortunately for him is out of the country for the next ten days. he will be in munich from tomorrow and then madrid next week for the g7 and nato summits. today he is in kigali the capital of rwanda and it was from there he gave his reaction to the results. i think that what governments have also got to recognise is that, although i don't want in any way to minimise the importance of what voters are saying, it is also true that in mid—term, a government will lose by—elections. i think if you look back to last may, the truly astonishing thing

was we managed to win hartlepool in very different circumstances. what we need to do now is reflect on where voters are. i think what they are basically feeling is that we came from covid—19, we took a lot of the right decisions there, but we are now facing pressures on the cost of living, we are seeing spikes in fuel prices, energy costs, food cost, that is hurting people. we have got to... we have got recognise that there is more that we have got to do and we certainly will, we will keep going, addressing the concerns of people until we get through this patch. i'm joined now by caroline bowden, a former mep. thank you for being with us. it is stating the obvious that you are delighted with the result,

the question is what you think the significance is. you know that by—election wins don't always mean that there is something changing more broadly, they can bejust a let's give the government of today a kick in the teeth. why do think this is different? this kick in the teeth. why do think this is different?— is different? this is the third amazin: is different? this is the third amazing by-election - is different? this is the third amazing by-election win - is different? this is the third amazing by-election win in l is different? this is the third j amazing by-election win in a is different? this is the third - amazing by-election win in a row for amazing by—election win in a row for the liberal democrats. it's a huge majority to overturn, over 211,000 votes, this is the biggest by—election shock in generations. i think that makes it significant. i think that makes it significant. i think the fact we won with a majority of over 6000 votes shows that it majority of over 6000 votes shows thatitis majority of over 6000 votes shows that it is more than just a protest vote and we heard it over and over again on the doorsteps, that people who are lifelong conservatives can no longer support a party they feel has lost its way. you no longer support a party they feel has lost its way.— has lost its way. you capture the oint has lost its way. you capture the point brilliantly, _ has lost its way. you capture the point brilliantly, lifelong - point brilliantly, lifelong conservatives, in other words all

the instincts are to vote conservatives. they did it once for significant reasons. but what is to stop them just saying, we have protested, let say they get rid of the prime minister and the next year or the year after, they are back voting conservative? the conservative _ voting conservative? the conservative party, - voting conservative? the conservative party, all. voting conservative? the conservative party, all of voting conservative? tue conservative party, all of us voting conservative? tte conservative party, all of us think the conservative party is not the conservative party it used to be. the party has moved. it has lost its trust with its voters and we believe we are offering something more appealing to traditional conservative voters. we are offering decency and honesty in politics. that decency and honesty in politics. not least tax cuts. there was a time the lib dems were very proudly saying, we think there should be higher taxes, a penny on income tax for education, policies that were not popular here. is that a reflection

of the fact that you also have had to change? t of the fact that you also have had to change?— to change? i think we are being realistic to _ to change? i think we are being realistic to the _ to change? i think we are being realistic to the situation - to change? i think we are being realistic to the situation people | realistic to the situation people are facing and people are facing real hardship every day. this is a rural constituency, things like the rise in the cost of fuel hits an area like this much harder than it might hit a big city where people are not driving. there isjust an inability for the conservatives to understand what that means four people on the ground and we believe that because we knock on doors, because we talk to voters, because we listen, we are much more in tune with what they really want. tt’s we listen, we are much more in tune with what they really want.— with what they really want. it's not a flash in the _ with what they really want. it's not a flash in the pan, _ with what they really want. it's not a flash in the pan, do _ with what they really want. it's not a flash in the pan, do you - with what they really want. it's not a flash in the pan, do you think? i a flash in the pan, do you think? absolutely not. this signals a change across the south—west, it's a brilliant result for the south—west of england and the liberal democrats are back. . ~ of england and the liberal democrats are back. ., ~ , ., , . of england and the liberal democrats are back. . ~' ,, , . h are back. thank you very much. let's hear from my — are back. thank you very much. let's hear from my colleague _ are back. thank you very much. let's hear from my colleague corinne - hear from my colleague corinne wheatley in wakefield. good morning.

i hope the weather is better where you are today. tt i hope the weather is better where you are today-— you are today. it certainly is. excellent _ you are today. it certainly is. excellent weather _ you are today. it certainly is. excellent weather for - you are today. it certainly is. excellent weather for the - you are today. it certainly is. | excellent weather for the very you are today. it certainly is. - excellent weather for the very busy, very popular friday market in this corner of the wakeful constituency. we have had people queueing up for the fruit and veg all morning and if the fruit and veg all morning and if the result of the by—election last night has been a topic of conversation, what there hasn't been as much surprise about it. lots of people here telling us that they felt it was inevitable, some even saying things are back to normal, a reference to the fact labour have held this seat for about 90 years until they lost it to the conservatives in 2019. proceedings for this market disrupted by the fact that lots of reporters, lots of politicians and the labour leader all descended here quite early this morning at about half eight to celebrate simon light would's win

last night in the by—election. simon stood alongside keir starmer as he made a speech trying to play up the significance of this win for labour. now we have had the sort of swing that puts on track not just for a labour government but for a majority labour government. so this is hugely significant for the labour party. and i'm so proud that we can present that confident labour party utterly focused on the voters. that is what i wanted to achieve and this is evidence, evidence that we are on course for a labour government. some of those voters are saying that they are defecting to you as a protest this time. it is a lack of enthusiasm for borisjohnson, not enthusiasm for you. on the back of that result here, that swing, i'm afraid that argument just doesn't carry. people came across to the labour party because the labour party was talking to them and for them. you could hear keir starmer they're trying to highlight the significance of this win because what was a

surprise, certainly to the labour party, was the size of the majority they gain, just under 5000. it was better than some analysts expected, it was better than the labour party were prepared to predict publicly. but how far can we expect this pattern to continue across the other seats that labour lost to the tories backin seats that labour lost to the tories back in 2019? don't forget one of the big drivers in wakefield that drove traditional labour voters to the conservatives was brexit because wakefield had such a strong turnout in favour of leaving the eu around two thirds of people voted for brexit. that was the big factor back then. there was hardly a more favourable set of conditions for labour in this particular by—election if you consider the previous incumbent was jailed, the fact we are in a cost of living crisis and the voters have had concerns about downing street lockdown parties and the role of borisjohnson himself in that. the question of course we had put to

keir starmer there is this a move towards labour? because keir starmer is attracting them or is it a protest at boris johnson and is attracting them or is it a protest at borisjohnson and his leadership being driven away from the tories? there is certainly a huge mountain to climb in huge part of the north, yorkshire, the midlands and north—west to win back those seats, the so—called red wall they lost in 2019. corinne wheatley in wakefield. just one last thought from here in tiverton and honiton. the liberal democrats were accused by some of their critics are creating the perfect candidate in a factory. he turned out to be the perfect candidate because he won, richard ford is a former army officer. the liberals also selected a former army

officers for the by—election in yeovil in 1983, a man called paddy ashdown. i wonder what happened to him? thank you. ok we will go now to conservative mp mark prichard. thank you forjoining us. was this a referendum on the prime minister? what it is is clearly a message to the conservative party, to the government that we need to listen to people �*s concerns, whether it be in the south—west, whether it be in the north of england and the prime minister is right in his comments today to say the government will be listening. i think we need to take every vote that was cast both for us and against us in the by—election

yesterday very seriously, to listen to people �*s concerns and to show that we continue to deliver the people �*s priorities. having had the recent queen's speech, we have the autumn statement coming soon, i think the government will want to reflect on these results and listen to people to address their concerns. when you say listen, when boris johnson says we will listen, dominic raab says we will listen and we will work religiously to address voters concerns, what you think needs to be done? , ., ., concerns, what you think needs to be done? ,., , ,, ., done? there is a global pressure on inflation not — done? there is a global pressure on inflation not just _ done? there is a global pressure on inflation notjust in _ done? there is a global pressure on inflation notjust in the _ done? there is a global pressure on inflation notjust in the united - inflation notjust in the united kingdom but around the world. ithul’htzat kingdom but around the world. what ou think kingdom but around the world. what you think the — kingdom but around the world. what you think the tory — kingdom but around the world. what you think the tory party specifically needs to do? the problems are clear but is it absolutely clear what the tory party stands for in terms of what is to be done to address voters concerns, which have been acknowledged by you, the prime minister and dominic raab? there are two questions within your

original one question. clearly the conservative party is a party of defence, freedom, of low taxation and aspiration, to see everybody to prosper in our society and that clearly links to the second half of your question about what we need to do. what we need to do is ensure we are delivering through the economy and as i said, the queen �*s speech set out a very economic focused agenda for the government over the coming months and of course we have got to continue to bear down on the costs that everybody�*s are feeling, whether that be fuel or rises in food prices. a lot of these things are driven by global events by the government has responded, can do more and i think the government will listen and reflect on these results and will do more but i certainly don't think it is a reflection on

the prime minister. every government of whatever political colour loses by—elections and hopefully we will win the trust of the majority of people both in devon and in tiverton and in wakefield and win their seats back at the next election. i personally got on well with keir starmer, i'd like him and we have always had a good relationship but on his point about on his way to downing street, that is out. tony blair was having swings of 20% and it was a respected chief political commentator who has written the wakefield result is not enough to bring sir keir starmer into downing street. i think the conservative party needs to rally round the prime minister, focus on people's priorities, not to panic, to see this in the context of a mid—term by—election but nevertheless listen to people and draw lessons from it and to press on delivering the

people �*s priorities. this and to press on delivering the people 's priorities.— and to press on delivering the people 's priorities. this is not unusual. _ people 's priorities. this is not unusual, but _ people 's priorities. this is not unusual, but what _ people 's priorities. this is not unusual, but what is _ people 's priorities. this is not unusual, but what is unusual l people 's priorities. this is not - unusual, but what is unusual though is for a conservative party chairman to go in the immediate aftermath of by—election results, saying, we cannot carry on with business as usual, someone has to take responsibility.— usual, someone has to take responsibility. usual, someone has to take resonsibili . ., , responsibility. oliver dowden has riven a responsibility. oliver dowden has given a long _ responsibility. oliver dowden has given a long service _ responsibility. oliver dowden has given a long service to _ responsibility. oliver dowden has given a long service to the - given a long service to the conservative party and i think made a very honourable decision to resign. i think you will come back into government very soon and that will be the case. clearly i don't know everything he was thinking when he came to his decision. i respect that but the conservative party is much more than just conservative party headquarters. it is a family, of people who want to do the best for britain and we will all be reflecting on the results of the coming hours. that doesn't mean we

had to panic, we have to refocus relentlessly on delivering the people's priorities and that is what we intend to do. th people's priorities and that is what we intend to do.— we intend to do. in terms of what that looks — we intend to do. in terms of what that looks like, _ we intend to do. in terms of what that looks like, you _ we intend to do. in terms of what that looks like, you said - we intend to do. in terms of what that looks like, you said the - that looks like, you said the conservative party must be a low taxation party, that has been the stated position of the party for some time and yet, taxes have gone up some time and yet, taxes have gone up and we have seen the highest tax burden there has been for some time. actually it is the liberal democrats who are saying they were cut taxes, cut vat. , . , who are saying they were cut taxes, cut vat. , ., _ ., , ., cut vat. it is easy for the liberal democrats _ cut vat. it is easy for the liberal democrats to — cut vat. it is easy for the liberal democrats to say _ cut vat. it is easy for the liberal democrats to say things - cut vat. it is easy for the liberal democrats to say things in - democrats to say things in opposition. they are not even a credible what are you saying the conservatives would do to deliver on being the party of low taxation? me

being the party of low taxation? we are being the party of low taxation? 7 are the party of low taxation and we have come out of a global pandemic which is affected every economy around the world and because of leadership of the prime minister of the vaccination programme we were the vaccination programme we were the first g7 economy to come out of the first g7 economy to come out of the pandemic. clearly that has had a huge impact on the budget, our fiscal position, and the uk needed to temporarily in my view raise taxes when we are in a position to do so we will lower taxes and it is in the dna of the conservative party and all the members of parliament that i supply and parliament more so than the history of the labour party. i think the late brian moore whene said dogs bark and cats meow and the labour party put up taxes. —— mawhinney. i hope along with my colleagues we will start to see the

taxes reduced in the current months, notjust because it is now dna at the right thing to do for the british people giving them more money in their pockets to spend in the way they want rather than spend on taxes. d0 the way they want rather than spend on taxes. ,., , ., the way they want rather than spend on taxes. ,, , the way they want rather than spend on taxes. i. , 1, , on taxes. do you believe boris johnson is _ on taxes. do you believe boris johnson is the _ on taxes. do you believe boris johnson is the right _ on taxes. do you believe boris johnson is the right person - on taxes. do you believe boris johnson is the right person to | on taxes. do you believe boris - johnson is the right person to take the concepts into the next election? your mac i believe borisjohnson will text into the next election i believe we will win that election. that that jollity is believe we will win that election. that thatjollity is greater or smaller —— he will lead us into the next election. smaller -- he will lead us into the next election.— smaller -- he will lead us into the next election. whether the ma'ority is creater next election. whether the ma'ority is greater or — next election. whether the ma'ority is greater or smaller * next election. whether the ma'ority is greater or smaller remains _ next election. whether the majority is greater or smaller remains to - next election. whether the majority is greater or smaller remains to be | is greater or smaller remains to be seen. we have two years to rebuild the trust of the people of tiverton and wakefield. just a couple of years ago borisjohnson delivered one of the largest majorities under any of the prime minister and i believe we can do that again if you

stand united as a party. no party divided wins elections, let is not a gift that to the labour party and work hard to give the trust of the british people and work hard and i believe that borisjohnson is the right person to do that. that ma'ori right person to do that. that majority of _ right person to do that. that majority of 80 _ right person to do that. that majority of 80 is _ right person to do that. that majority of 80 is a _ right person to do that. that majority of 80 is a considerable majority of 80 is a considerable majority to have one but quite fragile when you look at what has been happening at the by—election and you look at tiverton where the first time and 99 years it is a seat represented by a party other than the conservatives without enormous 30% swing. if the tories lose 40 seats it takes away the majority and in the context of politics and what has gone before, that would mean the tories being out, wouldn't it? because you can assume the liberal democrats would not go into a coalition with the tories if it was the same situation again. t coalition with the tories if it was the same situation again. i respect the same situation again. i respect the results — the same situation again. i respect the results of _ the same situation again. i respect the results of those _ the same situation again. i respect the results of those by-elections i the results of those by—elections but if you take wakefield, for

example, that swing across the country for labour would not be big enough to put sir keir starmer into westminster. the analyst and labour will know that this morning despite the celebrations. tt will know that this morning despite the celebrations.— will know that this morning despite the celebrations. it might be enough to deliver a hung _ the celebrations. it might be enough to deliver a hung parliament. - the celebrations. it might be enough to deliver a hung parliament. i - to deliver a hung parliament. i think we are mid—term and to deliver a hung parliament. t think we are mid—term and you are an experienced journalist. and you will have seen by—elections under other political parties, governing parties as well and i think this is mid—term but we take it seriously, we need to listen and i don't think anybody should panic. the listen and i don't think anybody should panic.— listen and i don't think anybody should panic. listen and i don't think anybody should anic. ~ , , should panic. the prime minister is out of the country _ should panic. the prime minister is out of the country for _ should panic. the prime minister is out of the country for another - should panic. the prime minister isj out of the country for another eight days, do you think you should come back? you're like he has some very important is this not only the commonwealth summit but the nato summit in madrid and of course in munich as well. the world is a very unsafe place at the moment and the prime minister has been living on ukraine and other matters. as a

prime minister, you have to be very local and he has a mp and that a great model we have, regional, national and international. ithink that leadership in the world hr; national and international. i think that leadership in the world by the uk is very important. _ that leadership in the world by the uk is very important. it _ that leadership in the world by the uk is very important. it is - that leadership in the world by the uk is very important. it is in - that leadership in the world by the uk is very important. it is in all. uk is very important. it is in all our interests, what happens over there does matter over here and we see that through migration to europe, said that with the refugee crisis out of ukraine caused by rushing a legal attack on ukraine, so what happens internationally really matters at home and we are also seeing that of course and peoples fuel tanks and rising food prices and i fully support his international meetings over the next few days. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's isaac. good morning.

it has been announced this morning that players who took part in the saudi arabian—backed liv golf event injune have been banned from the scottish open by the dp world tour. the breakaway saudi—backed event has already seen players such as dustinjohnson suspended from the american pga tour. the scottish open is the week before the open championship and is used by many players as preparation. the players have also been fined £100,000. the second day of the test match between england and new zealand is under way. the black caps started the day 225—5. matthew potts has taken the wicket of tom blundell this morning. at the moment the kiwis are 246—6. the draw for wimbledon has taken place. british number one emma raducanu will take on belgium's alison van uytvanck in the first round. our sports correspondent laura scott is at wimbledon, laura, what a difference a year makes, raducanu burst onto the scene as a wildcard last year, now she's the number—ten seed. there are few people who would have

known who emma raducanu was this time last year and now all very different because a lot of eyes will be on how she performs at wimbledon given she reach the fourth round last year and went on to when the us open. she comes here as the tenth seed and has quite a difficult first round draw against the belgian alison van uytvanck who is the world number 46 and has reached the fourth round here before. emma raducanu has played just seven games on the grass so far this season, seven games and not seven matches. she retired in the first round of nottingham entered but as things stand she will be here and will be practising later on today on number one court so we will get a chance to see just how she is moving. the ladies drop is headed by the top seed from poland who is 35 wins in a row which is

mightily impressive and has drawn the world number 254. a lot of eyes on serena williams who is making her singles return in a year since hobbling off court at wimbledon last year and since then she has turned 40 and has not played a singles match but she has played doubles at eastbourne and is playing at wimbledon first timer, the world number 113 in the first round. as serena williams i is a remarkable eighth wimbledon title on 24th grand slam win. as for the men's draw, murray mound will be full throughout the tournament but the question is, will we get to see andy murray? as far as we know yes he posted a picture of him serving which would suggest his abdominal industry is

healing and he has drawn the australian james healing and he has drawn the australianjames duckworth, number 77 djokovic. as the top seed because of the absence of the belarusian players and nadal also plays in the first round. none of the british players have drawn a seed in the first round at wimbledon. back now to the by—elections, which have left borisjohnson's leadership under further pressure. let's get some analysis with newsnight�*s policy editor, lewis goodall. when the letter from oliver dowden

landed that it is a double—edged sword. from downing street to point to be no one else is walked out on made critical comments but no one has made comments at all apart from the deputy prime minister dominic raab who was taking the morning round and we had a bit from priti patel and five hours after rishi sunak commented other way has just said they're all taking responsibility for the by—elections and getting on governing. we haven't really had anything from them yet. the prime minister is in wonder at the commonwealth summit and has a full week of international

engagements planned, going to the g7 and clearly number of ten of disgust for the not to return but they were clear that would not happen. from their point of view to do so would mean that the prime minister was not at this very big international events zoomable he would receive criticism for not being able to represent britain abroad because he was politically blinkered and it would also like to a sense of panic so for the time being safer any for the crucial elements that is what he will do. in the meantime the conservative party is simply digesting what has happened and it is understandable they will take a bit of a breath to do just that, such as the scale of the results. i think of itjust been wakefield, i don't think we should undermine it because it is the first live again from the tories for ten years in a very solid swing of 12 years and on that basis labour would have majority at the next election if it were replicated, but if itjust in that i think the conservatives would have seen it was i was quite

marginal and only 3500 majority and you would necessarily expect a government mid—term particular with the economic travails in the last six months and so on, the ratings of keir starmer is no better —— might although better than those of boris johnson are not that impressive but not only has the tiverton result sat with extraordinaire, the third biggest tory to lib dem result but follows chesham and amersham and north shropshire over the course of last year. the prime minister at the time said it was local difficulties and about but it is not easy —— and

about owen paterson in terms of about owen paterson in terms of about how much room for manoeuvre for the conservative party and dominic raab saying they would relentlessly address the pressures, what can they do? this is the intractable thing for conservative mps to do because clearly all the political damage incurred over the last six months, that is baked in but there is so much more potential for political damage to come with the economy. we have onlyjust started to see that unwind both politically and economically. think about what is to come, more industrial unrest over the summer and energy prices going up on average to £3000 in the autumn, crippling an extraordinary figures let alone the rest of inflation. the problem for the government is

although they are being criticised saying they could do more in common is enormously more, in an environment where we seem to be heading for recession but also have inflation the policy prescriptions not obvious is if you decide to spend more you risk making inflation was and if you don't try and stimulate the economy as potentially making the recession if that is what we end up in worse so it is very difficult and it's true to say our borrowing costs are going up as well. they could choose to tax business more and many people want them to cut taxes more and it isn't easy. in 2008 and 2009 for example, gordon brown at that time had a pretty clear idea of what he wanted to do, to stimulate the economy. it isn't as easy in this environment as the government of the 19705 and the united states in the uk phone to know exactly where to turn next and

to add to that, but it charitably, many conservative mp5 will tell you that filling is boris johnson many conservative mp5 will tell you that filling is borisjohnson of many conservative mp5 will tell you that filling is boris johnson of all the conservative prime minister since margaret thatcher i5 the conservative prime minister since margaret thatcher is the most nebulous in terms of economic policy and bushes and lots of directions and bushes and lots of directions and sometimes about levelling up and sometimes talking about wanting to deregulate and sometimes tax cut and in some ways that's material is copper advantage but when it comes to giving a sense of precision, what do we do next, that is the sort of downside and that is not much sense of that and i think a lot of tory mp5 and activists want a clear idea of what his conservativism in regards to economics is. further disruption is expected across rail services in britain today following yesterday's

national strikes. only 60& of services are expected to run.0ur consumer affairs correspondent coletta smith has been finding out how the reduced service affected commuters and businesses in yorkshire. this is day four of the hokey—cokey of in—out rail strikes. staff are back in but it's another slow start, with trains in the wrong place again. just over half the normal timetable is scheduled, but if myjourney from manchester to bradford on wednesday is anything to go by, don't expect all the advertised trains to be running either. i've come to manchester victoria to try to get a direct train to bradford. but there is nothing running here across the pennines. the next two trains have been cancelled in that direction. they said i will have to wait about an hour and 20 minutes for the next one and even that one, they're not sure whether it's going to run. so the lady in the ticket office wouldn't sell me tickets until she knows that the train is definitely running. unions are hoping if they hold their nerve, they'll get a better pay deal and a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies. network rail say they need to reduce staff to modernise the railways, and the government are worried

about the precedent a pay increase would set. so talks have stalled, and passengers are picking their way through. well, i've made it, and although there are plenty of trains running today, i have been surprised by the number of cancellations are particularly to smaller towns across the uk. so there will be plenty of other passengers like me whose journey has taken a lot longer, and cost them more as a result. for asim, it means his commute to leeds has been more complicated this week. it's difficult to get to work now because of the strikes. i have had people who are going in the car to have to come and get me from bradford. people across yorkshire are also facing a double whammy of bus strikes on arriva services. without public transport, things become a lot more expensive. considering with fuel prices going up as well. and that means asim doesn't have much sympathy with those on strike. no—one has ever really said, you know what, i do get paid enough, i'm happy to keep doing thejob i do, you know? everybody wants a little bit more. but despite the rail strikes,

the roads haven't been chaos. congestion in most cities has only increased a bit, as so many more people can now work from home. if this had happened back in 2019, at the start of 2019 or 2018, it would have had a real impact on us. because we would have needed people to come into the office. here at leeds building society, they have had about 50% fewer staff in the office than normal this week. but it has still been business as usual. now we can cope with about 1,000 people at any point in time working from home, so the benefit of that has been, when we see things like these strikes or indeed when there is an unexpected snowfall, people just work from home and there is no impact on the business. the option for hybrid working has watered down the power of weekday strike disruption. but industrial action at heathrow leaves few other options for passengers heading on holiday. because you can't head to the beach on zoom. coletta smith, bbc news.

the journey to glastonbury has started. it is glorious and the sun is out and the court is going to come off and things have totally changed even although the atmosphere not been affected by the bad weather. when the music started it seems as if some divine intervention at happened worthy farm at and the libertines are kicking things off in earnest. the headline set on the headline the pyramid stage tonight

with on the pyramid stage billie eilish. , , , ., , , ., eilish. this is elvis and this is a dell. it eilish. this is elvis and this is a dell- it has _ eilish. this is elvis and this is a dell. it has been _ eilish. this is elvis and this is a dell. it has been a _ eilish. this is elvis and this is a dell. it has been a lot - eilish. this is elvis and this is a dell. it has been a lot more - dell. it has been a lot more difficult bringing the kids and hard work and your legs and trying to manage everything. we have been to hold different parts of the festival we have never been to before. what might we talk about the big acts that are here but notjust families but people who want circus acts or whatever, there is a lot of variety. there are parts of the festival you didnt— there are parts of the festival you didn't know existed unless you have kids and _ didn't know existed unless you have kids and it _ didn't know existed unless you have kids and it opens up a new world to you and _ kids and it opens up a new world to

you and certainly in the mornings. will you _ you and certainly in the mornings. will you get a charity see some live music and will you take elvis? me music and will you take elvis? we are auoin music and will you take elvis? e are going to see billie eilish later because he knows some of the music and we will see paul mccartney tomorrow. t and we will see paul mccartney tomorrow— and we will see paul mccartney tomorrow. ., ., ., ., tomorrow. i looking forward to paul mccartney? — tomorrow. i looking forward to paul mccartney? so _ tomorrow. i looking forward to paul mccartney? so mike _ tomorrow. i looking forward to paul mccartney? so mike yes, _ tomorrow. i looking forward to paul mccartney? so mike yes, i - tomorrow. i looking forward to paul mccartney? so mike yes, ithink- tomorrow. i looking forward to paul| mccartney? so mike yes, i think last time we saw the who. and we are looking forward to mccartney. me time we saw the who. and we are looking forward to mccartney. we are lookin: looking forward to mccartney. we are looking forward _ looking forward to mccartney. we are looking forward to _ looking forward to mccartney. we are looking forward to seeing _ looking forward to mccartney. we are looking forward to seeing some - looking forward to mccartney. we are looking forward to seeing some of- looking forward to seeing some of the other stages and just having a mooch around and enjoyed. i might elvis, have a lovely time with and dad. thank you very much for speaking with us. a sense of the variety here on offer at glastonbury. the libertines of pick stuff off tonight and —— they have picked stuff off and billie eilish

will be playing. last night, mel c from the spice girls was doing a secret tg date. —— dj show. and if you have an —— if you live in froome paul mccartney is playing a secret gig there tonight. the performers and organisers and people coming at throwing the kitchen sink at this and they want to have a nice time and they want to have a nice time and are trying the very best. as we've heard, the commonwealth heads of government meeting is under way in rwanda. prince charles spoke to delegates in kigali earlier, where he paid tribute to the influence of the commonwealth.

throughout her reign the queen has placed and continues to place a common humanity on representation in this room, because of the diversity the commonwealth represents. i know how grateful she is in recognition of the outstanding service from her majesty to our commonwealth family, commonwealth member states have announced they have no committed themselves to the queens commonwealth canopy. i treasure the friendships we have built over these past 70 years and look forward to their deepening in the years ahead as we build back from the pandemic that has devastated so many lives, as we respond to climate change and

biodiversity loss that threatens our very existence and as we see lives destroyed by the un—attenuated aggression of violent forces, such friendships are more important than ever. i take heart from the fact that working together and with urgent intent there is a path to build a future for humanity that is sustainable, prosperous and just. our commonwealth family is and will always remain the free association of independent self governing nations. we meet and talk as equals, sharing our knowledge and experience for the betterment of all citizens of the commonwealth, and indeed the

wider world the former glamour model katie price has been given an 18—month community order after admitting breaching a restraining order. let's cross live now to greg mckenzie outside the high court. katie price lewes crown court this morning having pleaded guilty of breaching our restraining order against her ex—husband husbands fiance, michelle pentecost. th fiance, michelle pentecost. in january this year katie price sent an abusive text to her ex husband about his fiancee, michelle pentecost which was a direct breach of a 2019 restraining order meant to last five years. in sentencing katie price a day, thejudge had already won the last month when she pled guilty he was considering giving her jail time but given how mitigating circumstances, mainly pertaining to

her five children and in circumstances, mainly pertaining to herfive children and in particular herfive children and in particular her eldest son, harvey, thejudge spared herjail time and instead gave her an 18 month community order which must be 170 hours of unpaid work. katie price gave no emotion when sitting in the dock and as she left hope she gave the glimmer of a smile. katie price will be back in court next month to answer to a driving offence. some news from the old bailey where a child, james watson has been jailed old bailey where a child, james watson has beenjailed for old bailey where a child, james watson has been jailed for life at the minimum term of 15 years modelling six—year—old schoolboy ricky neve who was 13 at the time of the murder. jurors heard he strangled recce and woodland. he —— that he strangled ricky neve.

20 to 26 celsius the expected highs. this area of rain and drizzle princess southwards but it does clear the skies into tomorrow morning with many places appealing drive. not quite as cold as this morning but by no means cold, 15 to 20 degrees. a few showers already in the south—east. showers will develop through the day but some places avoiding them completely with sunny spells. not ireland, particularthe west, a good deal wetter. feeling

fresher in the west and even in the east temperatures will have dropped.

this is bbc news. i'm joanna gosling and these are the latest headlines... crushing defeats for the prime minister and the conservative in two by—elections — prompting the resignation of the party chairman. but borisjohnson vows to "keep going". we've got to recognise that voters are going through a tough time at the moment and i think that as a government, i've got to listen. the lib dems overturn a huge conservative 211,000 majority in tiverton and honiton and say it's time mrjohnson left number 10. people were saying borisjohnson must go. when we talked to people on the doorsteps, they were fed up of a prime minister who is not fit and decent to be prime minister of our great country. labour re—takes wakefield,

which it lost at the 2019 general election with the party's leader also insisting that it's time for a new non—conservative government. now we've had the sort of swing that puts us on track notjust for a labour government but for a majority labour government, so this is hugely significant for the labour party and i'm so proud. officials in afghanistan say another five people have been killed following tremors close to the epicentre of wednesday's earthquake. the former glamour model katie price is given an 18—month community order after admitting breaching a restraining order. # upside down, boy you turn me, inside out.# and...let the music begin. the glastonbury festival — one of the biggest in the world — is underway in the somerset countryside after a three year break due to the covid pandemic.

borisjohnson has suffered a major blow after the conservatives lost two by—elections in one night. in the devon seat of tiverton and honiton, the liberal democrats secured more than 22,500 votes — overturning a nearly 30% conservative majority swing. it's the biggest majority ever lost in a by—election. in west yorkshire, labour won back the wakefield seat, less than three years after the tories snatched it in the last election. the labour party won by almost 5,000 votes. in response, oliver dowden has resigned as conservative party chair saying the election "result is a clearjudgement" on the party and that the country "deserves better". and in the past hour, the chancellor rishi sunak tweeted he was sad to see mr dowden quit as party chair but acknowledges

the party takes responsibility for the results and was determined to continue working to tackle the cost of living. we'll have more reaction to the results injust a moment the size of these victories, or the defeats for the conservatives, sends a loud and damning message. it's not unusual for governments to lose seats between general elections. the conservatives still hold a large majority despite the losses but, especially in devon, the result was seismic. true blue tiverton and honiton had a conservative majority in excess of 211,000. that was wiped out by a tsunami as the liberal democrats took the seat and broke a record for the size of the turnover. the winning candidate was in no doubt as to why he won

in such an emphatic way. tonight the people of tiverton and honiton have spoken for britain. they've sent a loud and clear message, it's time for borisjohnson to go. and go now. the by—election was caused by neil parish's resignation after he admitted watching pornography while in the house of commons. embarrassing for him and his party, and the beginning of the end for the conservative party here. for now at least. and 270 miles north in west yorkshire, wakefield is a traditionally labour seat but not by much. it was won by the tories three years ago with a majority of around 3,300 but that has now been overturned and the labour majority is almost 5,000. the declaration came just minutes before the one in devon and the successful candidate's

speech was remarkably similar. tonight the people of wakefield have spoken on behalf of the british people. they have said unreservedly, boris johnson, your contempt for this country is no longer tolerated. the vote was forced here after the conviction of the conservative mp imran ahmad khan. he was jailed for sexually assaulting a teenage boy. in devon the conservative candidate left without being interviewed but the party chairman, oliver dowden, has spoken with his feet. he's resigned this morning saying in his letter to borisjohnson, "our supporters are distressed and disappointed by recent events and i share their feelings." then, "somebody must take responsibility." so does that mean the prime minister, who is in rwanda for the commonwealth conference, one backbench mp is this morning doubling down

on his long—held call for borisjohnson to go. a fortnight ago, a1% of the conservative parliamentary party indicated they have no confidence in the prime minister. i think an honourable man would have gone at that time. this prime minister seeks to struggle on and i understand this morning he has said he will listen, but he will carry on. he is not listening and he is blundering on and, frankly, we are now fighting for the soul of the conservative party which is what i really care about. the prime minister insists he is listening to what voters have said, albeit from thousands of miles away, he is hearing some harsh home truths. john maguire, bbc news. the prime minister has said he would listen to voters — but has vowed to keep going. he was speaking in rwanda — where he's attending the commonwealth leaders' conference. i think that what governments have also got to recognise is that, although i don't want in any way

to minimise the importance of what voters are saying, it is also true that in mid—term, a government will lose by—elections. i think if you look back to last may, the truly astonishing thing was we managed to win hartlepool in very different circumstances. what we need to do now is reflect on where voters are. i think what they are basically feeling is that we came from covid—19 well, we took a lot of the right decisions there, but we are now facing pressures on the cost of living, we are seeing spikes in fuel prices, energy costs, food cost, that is hurting people. we have got to... we have got recognise that there is more that we have got to do and we certainly will, we will keep going, addressing the concerns of people until we get through this patch.

let's go to our correspondent in tiverton. sun is coming out once again, the sun came out about an hour ago and then we had showers, that was for then we had showers, that was for the lib dems launching their new mp, richard foord, who won this seat. the by—election was the biggest numerically big defeat for an incumbent party ever recorded, significant swing as well. that is the context. the third of three by—elections of safe conservative seats which the liberal democrats have taken. the other by—election in wakefield had been a labour seat for about 99 years. borisjohnson won in 2019, a red seat that had been smashed by the tories for the first time. they lost wakefield also

overnight, not as big a swing but labour is happy enough about it as we will hear now. nick thomas simmonsjoins me. good afternoon. good news from your party point of view but you are only winning back territory you always represented. how can you see this as a confident sign that people are yet ready to vote for a labour government? tt is vote for a labour government? it is a treat vote fora labour government? tt 3 a great confidence sign that people are willing to vote for a labour government. the swing that happened in wakefield last night, it replicated it would give labour a majority at a general election, that is clear, but this was a real moment. it is that moment when we start winning back the seats that have been referred to in recent years as the red wall. simon like word, our successful candidate, now mp, ran a great campaign up there.

we won the vote in every single ward across wakefield, so it is a resounding result and a very strong message as well to borisjohnson and this conservative government, which in the crisis it has been in in recent months, just isn't standing up recent months, just isn't standing up for people. it isn't standing beside people in this cost of living crisis. ~ ., , ., , , ., ., crisis. word this to be repeated at a reneral crisis. word this to be repeated at a general election, _ crisis. word this to be repeated at a general election, this _ crisis. word this to be repeated at a general election, this kind - crisis. word this to be repeated at a general election, this kind of- a general election, this kind of swing, labourwould a general election, this kind of swing, labour would be back but it would onlyjust be back. it is not a great vote of confidence given the government is so unpopular at the moment. t government is so unpopular at the moment. ,., , ., moment. i disagree. the point you 'ust ma moment. i disagree. the point you just may just _ moment. i disagree. the point you just mayjust reflects _ moment. i disagree. the point you just mayjust reflects how - moment. i disagree. the point you just mayjust reflects how far- moment. i disagree. the point you just may just reflects how far we i just mayjust reflects how far we had fallen in 2019. if you look at the percentage of the vote, the two parties received in wakefield, labour and the conservatives, it is very similar to the percentages the parties received in the 2001 general

election when labour had a very large majority of parliament of over 160. this is clearly back to a stage where labour is forming a government and the conservatives are back in opposition. that is absolutely what this result shows. we ran a great campaign up there and people were responding very positively on the doorsteps. when i went to wakefield, which i did a number of times, i saw thatjudgment on the conservatives, thatjudgment on the conservatives, thatjudgment on borisjohnson's that judgment on boris johnson's appalling thatjudgment on borisjohnson's appalling conduct, the way the government is focused on saving his job and not on the cost of living crisis, but also a real openness to labour forming the next government. this is a step on the road for us back to government now. you this is a step on the road for us back to government now. you say you are a -a back to government now. you say you are a party of — back to government now. you say you are a party of the _ back to government now. you say you are a party of the country, _ back to government now. you say you are a party of the country, did - back to government now. you say you are a party of the country, did you - are a party of the country, did you campaign in tiverton and honiton?

no, i didn't. campaign in tiverton and honiton? no, ididn't. our candidate campaign in tiverton and honiton? no, i didn't. our candidate that did a very good job, did her best but thatis a very good job, did her best but that is an extremely, was an extremely safe conservative seat. tiverton was in, the last time it was represented by a non—was back before world war ii when stanley baldwin was the prime minister. an extremely safe conservative seat. it wasn't a seat that we were focusing on but that the voters have also clearly sent a message against the prime minister borisjohnson. prime minister boris johnson. interesting prime minister borisjohnson. interesting the historical aspect of this. it was 1923, the result of that year was the first ever labour government but it was a minority government but it was a minority government and it only lasted eight months. just in terms of where this vote leaves you both in wakefield

and the liberal democrats success in tiverton and honiton, there is no pact, your parties are clear about that but sir ed davey said there is an understanding between your two parties. you cooperate at westminster, you know what happens though when there is a danger of a hung parliament or a possible coalition, an electoral agreement of some kind and that is the conservatives run a campaign that says if you vote labour, you get the snp tail wagging the dog. are you worried about that? just 30 seconds or so. , ., ., or so. there will be no deal with the snp before, _ or so. there will be no deal with the snp before, during - or so. there will be no deal with the snp before, during or- or so. there will be no deal with the snp before, during or afterl or so. there will be no deal with l the snp before, during or after an election. with regard to the swing in wakefield, that would be leading to a labour majority government so there wouldn't be an issue of these election pacts. it is a majority government that we are aiming for. nick thomas simmons, who is the shadow international trade secretary and labour mp, thank you very much

for talking to us from wakefield. wakefield in yorkshire, one seat here in tiverton and honiton, also an opposition for opposition parties. he was on bbc two are leaving us. that is bbc news. for view are staying with us, thank you for staying with us. it was worth staying with us because we will get more reaction now. i am joined by the leader of devon county council. thank you for being the conservative voice here in tiverton and honiton. it's a toughjob but somebody has to do it. tn and honiton. it's a tough 'ob but somebody has to do it. i'm quite ha . . l somebody has to do it. i'm quite happy. i'm _ somebody has to do it. i'm quite happy. i'm known _ somebody has to do it. i'm quite happy, i'm known here, - somebody has to do it. i'm quite happy, i'm known here, and - somebody has to do it. i'm quite happy, i'm known here, and i i somebody has to do it. i'm quite l happy, i'm known here, and i have public meetings periodically here on budgets etc. but public meetings periodically here on buduets etc. �* , ., public meetings periodically here on budgets etc-— budgets etc. but you would never have thought _ budgets etc. but you would never have thought in _ budgets etc. but you would never have thought in your— budgets etc. but you would never have thought in your lifetime - budgets etc. but you would never have thought in your lifetime that this would leave the conservative fold at a parliamentary election? it's a by—election. anything goes at

a by—election. i have been in politics a long time. things happen beyond your control. by—election always create surprises. it is a by—election, the constituency will not exist in two years time anyway because of boundary changes and this end of devon is changing again, so i will be intrigued to see what happens then rather than what has happened yesterday. lets happens then rather than what has happened yesterday.— happens then rather than what has happened yesterday. lets forget what ha--ened happened yesterday. lets forget what happened yesterday, _ happened yesterday. lets forget what happened yesterday, think _ happened yesterday. lets forget what happened yesterday, think about - happened yesterday. lets forget what happened yesterday, think about the | happened yesterday, think about the future. but as you said, events happen. prime ministers happen, they come and go. it is clearfrom all the opinion survey evidence that 60% of voters think he should go. he says he is listening. if he is listening he will go, won't he? he won a listening he will go, won't he? he: won a vote of confidence. what i will say to you is that the people... will say to you is that the people- - -_ will say to you is that the people- - -— will say to you is that the --eole... �* ., .,

people... he didn't hear though, did he? we do — people... he didn't hear though, did he? we do not _ people... he didn't hear though, did he? we do not vote _ people... he didn't hear though, did he? we do not vote for— people... he didn't hear though, did he? we do not vote for a _ people... he didn't hear though, did he? we do not vote for a split - he? we do not vote for a split -a . he? we do not vote for a split party- we _ he? we do not vote for a split party- we have _ he? we do not vote for a split party. we have got _ he? we do not vote for a split party. we have got to - he? we do not vote for a split party. we have got to sort - he? we do not vote for a splitj party. we have got to sort out he? we do not vote for a split - party. we have got to sort out what is going on in london but they have to sort it out. i am not a member of parliament. to sort it out. i am not a member of parliament-— to sort it out. i am not a member of parliament. ., , ., ., ., parliament. right now you would want to be, parliament. right now you would want to he. would — parliament. right now you would want to be, would you? _ parliament. right now you would want to be, would you? i _ parliament. right now you would want to be, would you? i like _ parliament. right now you would want to be, would you? i like being - parliament. right now you would want to be, would you? i like being a - to be, would you? i like being a county councillor— to be, would you? i like being a county councillor where - to be, would you? i like being a county councillor where we - to be, would you? i like being a county councillor where we do l to be, would you? i like being a - county councillor where we do things for people. let county councillor where we do things for --eole. ., county councillor where we do things for --eole. . county councillor where we do things for eole. , for people. let me ask you, boris johnson grew— for people. let me ask you, boris johnson grew up _ for people. let me ask you, boris johnson grew up not _ for people. let me ask you, boris johnson grew up not far - for people. let me ask you, boris johnson grew up not far from - for people. let me ask you, boris i johnson grew up not far from here, just as i grew up not far from johnson grew up not far from here, just as i grew up not farfrom here. the family farm is on exmoor. you could deliver this personally. i hope you are on his drinks list. t hope you are on his drinks list. i am never on the drinks list of london mp5 because unfortunately i am a bit too honest for them! do london mps because unfortunately i am a bit too honest for them! do you want him as — am a bit too honest for them! do you want him as your _ am a bit too honest for them! do you want him as your party _ am a bit too honest for them! do you want him as your party leader- am a bit too honest for them! do you want him as your party leader come i want him as your party leader come the next general election? t am the next general election? i am aaivin the next general election? i am giving you _ the next general election? i am giving you the _ the next general election? i am giving you the straight - the next general election? t —tt giving you the straight answer, i want london to sort itself out. at

the present moment it is in a mess. the members of parliament have to sort themselves out. we have a large majority in the house of commons, we will have that majority until the next election. next election will be the choice of the prime minister. at the choice of the prime minister. at the present moment, this constituency will not exist. all of eastern devon will change because we finish up with one new constituency... finish up with one new constituency. . .- finish up with one new constituency... finish up with one new constituen ., , ., constituency... same voters though. same voters. _ constituency... same voters though. same voters, different _ constituency... same voters though. same voters, different issues - constituency... same voters though. same voters, different issues in - constituency... same voters though. same voters, different issues in two| same voters, different issues in two years time. same voters, different issues in two ears time. . .. same voters, different issues in two years time-— years time. thank you very much. let's aet years time. thank you very much. let's get back _ years time. thank you very much. let's get back to _ years time. thank you very much. let's get back to wakefield - years time. thank you very much. let's get back to wakefield now i years time. thank you very much. l let's get back to wakefield now and corinne wheatley. we spoke earlier, you heard nick thomas simmons there, what has been the feeling in wakefield today? is this result the people were expecting? absolutely, es. that people were expecting? absolutely, yes- that is — people were expecting? absolutely, yes- that is the _ people were expecting? absolutely, yes. that is the main _ people were expecting? absolutely, yes. that is the main feeling - people were expecting? absolutely, yes. that is the main feeling we - people were expecting? absolutely, yes. that is the main feeling we are | yes. that is the main feeling we are getting this morning. there were people are using is inevitable. some

saying things are back to normal because having a labour mp in the wakefield constituency is quite familiar ground. they has been a labour mp for about 90 years. a sense among people here that it was what they expected to happen. what wasn't expected, certainly amongst the labour party itself in this area, was the size of the majority, just under 5000. they were saying that was better than they expected, it was better than they were prepared to predict publicly in any case. it wasjubilant prepared to predict publicly in any case. it was jubilant scenes follow per head this morning. this is the very busy friday market. this was the spot that simon lightwood and keir starmer chose to come and speak to reporters this morning. they were very keen to play up the significance of this win for them, talking about it being hugely

significant, saying labour voters could see a united and confident party was the words keir starmer used. but i suppose there is still a huge challenge for the party across the north of england, yorkshire, the north west and the midlands to win back those seas. let's look at the numbers for this constituency this time round. the turnout for this by—election was 39%, lower than there was in the general election, partly to be expected because it is a by—election but also because there have been bus and train strikes in this area this week. lots of voters in the run—up were saying perhaps they were turned away from the conservatives back to labour or to labour for the first time because of party gait, because of borisjohnson himself. there have been favourable conditions for this particular by—election along with the fact the previous incumbent was jailed and the fact they are dealing with a cost of living crisis, but there is

still a mountain to climb across the north of england to win back those seats that they lost in 2019. corinne wheatley, thank you very much. i am joined corinne wheatley, thank you very much. iamjoined by corinne wheatley, thank you very much. i am joined by wendy chamberlain, the liberal democrat chief whip, the mp for north—east fife. bit]! chief whip, the mp for north-east fife. �* ., ~ , . fife. all our mps were here and i think that shows _ fife. all our mps were here and i think that shows how _ fife. all our mps were here and i think that shows how passionate | fife. all our mps were here and i i think that shows how passionate we were about this campaign and how determined we were to win but also to listen to local residents concerns. to listen to local residents concerns-— to listen to local residents concerns. ., ., ., concerns. you have some fascinating tools, one concerns. you have some fascinating tools. one of — concerns. you have some fascinating tools. one of your— concerns. you have some fascinating tools, one of your former _ concerns. you have some fascinating tools, one of your former mps - concerns. you have some fascinating tools, one of your former mps were l tools, one of your former mp5 were showing me today, that gives you a photo by votre snapshot of different parts of the constituency. what is clear it was this was a victory across the board in this seat, a seat unlike some other parts of devon which used to be the seat of

your local party leader. solid liberal democrat territory, swings between lib dem and tory. this seat has been tory. the suspicion will be is that it is a by—election, it's a protest vote. john hart has also said, come next general election the area will swim back to two conservatives.— area will swim back to two conservatives. ., ., ., . conservatives. we have a fantastic candidate in _ conservatives. we have a fantastic candidate in richard _ conservatives. we have a fantastic candidate in richard foord. - conservatives. we have a fantastic candidate in richard foord. we - conservatives. we have a fantastic. candidate in richard foord. we have a by—election operation speaking to people. helen morgan has been working incredibly hard in relation to ambulance waiting times which is an issue here as well. the mp for north shropshire. we have a new liberal democrat mp and i hope we demonstrate that once you have one, you don't want to lose him. that

you don't want to lose him. at working, start working. you don't want to lose him. at - working, start working. absolutely. that is what — working, start working. absolutely. that is what we _ working, start working. absolutely. that is what we do. _ working, start working. absolutely. that is what we do. what _ working, start working. absolutely. that is what we do. what should i working, start working. absolutely. that is what we do. what should be the message from tiverton and honiton and wakefield? i think we made it quite clear that boris johnson needs to be shown the door. we recognise it is only conservative mp5 that can do that and it looks to me the conservative mp5 how to be looking at what they think their own prospects are for the next general election. so potentially 148 of them decided borisjohnson was not the leaderfor them a couple decided borisjohnson was not the leader for them a couple of weeks ago. that number will be growing, i am confident of that and oliver dowden's resignation demonstrates that too. ., ., , dowden's resignation demonstrates thattoo. ., ., , , , �* that too. labour and lib dems didn't cam aiun that too. labour and lib dems didn't campaign so — that too. labour and lib dems didn't campaign so aggressively _ that too. labour and lib dems didn't campaign so aggressively as - that too. labour and lib dems didn't campaign so aggressively as they i campaign so aggressively as they might have done in a general election in the respective seats. there are those who wonder whether this cooperation agreement which exists at westminster is effectively now starting to exist on the ground as well. in other words, there may

not be an agreement but at least is there an understanding to maximise your potential to unseat the conservatives nationally? hide your potential to unseat the conservatives nationally? we are a smaller party. _ conservatives nationally? we are a smaller party. the _ conservatives nationally? we are a smaller party, the third _ conservatives nationally? we are a smaller party, the third party - conservatives nationally? we are a smaller party, the third party in i smaller party, the third party in england and wales so we had to target our resources appropriately. it was clear that we were seen as a good prospect in tiverton and honiton. the bookies who rarely get these things wrong had us down from an early stage. it is appropriate this is where we focus our resources and over a 6000 majority demonstrates that and i am hugely grateful to the people putting their faith in us. tia grateful to the people putting their faith in us. ., , ., faith in us. no quite understanding that ou faith in us. no quite understanding that you don't _ faith in us. no quite understanding that you don't campaign _ faith in us. no quite understanding that you don't campaign on - faith in us. no quite understanding that you don't campaign on each i that you don't campaign on each other�*s patches? hide that you don't campaign on each other's patches?— that you don't campaign on each other's patches? we were definitely on the ground _ other's patches? we were definitely on the ground there. _ other's patches? we were definitely on the ground there. thank- other's patches? we were definitely on the ground there. thank you. - on the ground there. thank you. cock-a-hoop — on the ground there. thank you. cock-a-hoop here _ on the ground there. thank you. cock-a-hoop here in _ on the ground there. thank you. cock-a-hoop here in tiverton i on the ground there. thank you. | cock-a-hoop here in tiverton and cock—a—hoop here in tiverton and honiton. labour cock—a—hoop in wakefield. we will see how the conservative party reacts during the course of the weekend.

breaking news on the number of covid infections. they are up 20% on last week, 1.7 million had coronavirus in the week ending the 18th ofjune according to the latest estimates from the office of national statistics. it is up about 23% from around 1.4 million the week before. the ons says it is likely infections compatible with omicron variants and it is about 2.7% of the population which is roughly one in 35 people, up which is roughly one in 35 people, up from one in 45 the week before. a man's been sentenced to life with a minimum of 15 years

for the murder of six—year—old rikki neave almost 28—year—ago. rikki neave's naked body was found near his peterborough home the day after he disappeared in november 1994. in april this year, the child—killerjames watson, now 41 but 13 at the time of rikki's death, was found guilty of his murder. ricky neave when the six—year—old was found murdered in whitland, detectives believed ruth need of a mother of four who had been involved with drugs killed her own son. she was jailed for child cruelty but cleared by a jury of ricky's murder. now nearly 28 years on ricky's real killer has been brought to justice. today james watson is 41 but he was a 13—year—old schoolboy when he strangled ricky, stripped him naked and posed his dead body in the shape of a star. police believe this was for what's on's sexual gratification. ricky's mother says he is a monster. t gratification. ricky's mother says he is a monster.— he is a monster. i say rot in hell. how could _ he is a monster. i say rot in hell.

how could you — he is a monster. i say rot in hell. how could you murder— he is a monster. i say rot in hell. how could you murder a - he is a monster. i say rot in hell. how could you murder a little i he is a monster. i say rot in hell. | how could you murder a little boy like that? have you got no shame? ruth neave is now in ill health but aided by her husband gary wants to talk about the years they spent fighting for the truth about her son's death. t fighting for the truth about her son's death-— fighting for the truth about her son's death. i met ruth 14 years aro. son's death. i met ruth 14 years auo. she son's death. i met ruth 14 years ago- she told — son's death. i met ruth 14 years ago. she told me _ son's death. i met ruth 14 years ago. she told me on _ son's death. i met ruth 14 years ago. she told me on the - son's death. i met ruth 14 years ago. she told me on the first. son's death. i met ruth 14 years| ago. she told me on the first day son's death. i met ruth 14 years - ago. she told me on the first day we went out— ago. she told me on the first day we went out and i made hera ago. she told me on the first day we went out and i made her a promise and i_ went out and i made her a promise and i said. — went out and i made her a promise and i said, when you are ready, we will fight _ and i said, when you are ready, we will fight it— and i said, when you are ready, we will fight it and i will get you an ricky— will fight it and i will get you an ricky truth and justice. a will fight it and i will get you an ricky truth and justice.- ricky truth and 'ustice. a year later in ricky truth and 'ustice. a year later an 2015, _ ricky truth and 'ustice. a year later in 2015, a — ricky truth and justice. a year later in 2015, a cold _ ricky truth and justice. a year later in 2015, a cold case - later in 2015, a cold case investigation into ricky's death began and a fresh team of officers was brought in to re—examine the evidence. back in 1994 the school uniform ricky had been wearing on the day he died was found dumped in a bin. years later, using forensic techniques not available at the time, dna on ricky's clothing was linked to james watson. it was a key

piece of evidence but he concocted a story telling police it was there because he had lifted ricky up to see over a fence and get a better view of diggers on a nearby building site. but detectives were able to prove that fans didn't exist back in 1994. for ricky's family, the conviction has brought some comfort but they still miss ricky. he has brought some comfort but they still miss ricky.— still miss ricky. he was so cheeky. a gorgeous — still miss ricky. he was so cheeky. a gorgeous little _ still miss ricky. he was so cheeky. a gorgeous little thing. _ still miss ricky. he was so cheeky. a gorgeous little thing. it - still miss ricky. he was so cheeky. a gorgeous little thing. it has - a gorgeous little thing. it has taken nearly _ a gorgeous little thing. it has taken nearly three _ a gorgeous little thing. it has taken nearly three decades i a gorgeous little thing. it has i taken nearly three decades with a gorgeous little thing. it has taken nearly three decades with many twists and turns but the ricky neave made a case has finally been served. —— sold. the former chief constable who led

the cold cases at the old bailey. it's a tricky point and the judge summed up today in terms of the sentence of a 13—year—old child is a tariff in terms of where they are and nothing will ever take away the death of ricky neave, the trauma to his family, a dreadful loss of a six—year—old boy, there where he was killed, the way he was stripped. they hurt, carnage, nothing will replace that but we are where we are in terms of his sentencing. watson has denied this all the way through but justice has denied this all the way through butjustice has prevailed today hopefully. any other questions? ok, thank you for your time. that hopefully. any other questions? ok, thank you for your time.— thank you for your time. that was paul fullwood. _ thank you for your time. that was paul fullwood. a _ thank you for your time. that was paul fullwood. a line _ thank you for your time. that was

paul fullwood. a line from - thank you for your time. that was paul fullwood. a line from the i paul fullwood. a line from the senior crown prosecutor. she said the life sentence given to james watson brings to an end the horrific case of the murder of six—year—old ricky neave in 1994. she said i am very proud of the hard work done by the crown prosecution service and police to catch and prosecute james watson who has never accepted wisp responsibility —— responsibility. time for a weather update. hello. whilst there will be some warmth in eastern areas and sunny spells for many through this afternoon, a few showers breaking out, particularly across parts of the midlands into northern england and parts of scotland, but even here, many will avoid them. more cloud starting to spread into northern ireland, south—west england and wales bringing some patchy rain and drizzle. temperatures, as the breeze picks up, but still some warm air across the east, 20 to 26 celsius expected highs. this area of cloud, rain or drizzle pushes its way northwards, some showers preceding it,

but it does clear the skies out into tomorrow morning with many places becoming dry. not quite as mild as this morning but not cold by any means at 11 to 15 degrees. lovely sunny start though for many. cloud and patchy rain in northern scotland clears, a few showers already in the south—west. showers will develop through the day but some places avoid them altogether, staying completely dry with sunny spells. northern ireland though particularly in the west a good deal wetter. windy as well, turning fresher in the west and even in the east temperatures will have dropped.

should hello, this is bbc news. i'm joanna gosling and these are the headlines: crushing defeats for the prime minister and the conservative in two by—elections — prompting the resignation of the party chairman. but borisjohnson vows to "keep going". the lib dems overturn a huge

conservative 24,000 majority in tiverton and honiton and say it's time mrjohnson left number 10. and labour re—takes wakefield, which it lost at the 2019 general election with the party's leader also insisting that it's time for a new non—conservative government. officials in afghanistan say another five people have been killed following tremors close to the epicentre of wednesday's earthquake. a 41—year—old man is jailed for life with a minimum term of 15 years for murdering six—year—old schoolboy rikki neave in 1994. the former glamour model katie price is given an 18—month community order after admitting breaching a restraining order. and let the music begin —

the glastonbury festival — one of the biggest in the world — is under way in the somerset countryside after a three—year break due to the covid pandemic. back now to the by—elections which saw big swings to opposition parties and has left boris johnson's leadership under further pressure. the big question everyone will be asking is are these flash in the pan or a worrying sign for the conservative government what will happen at a general election? by—elections come and go and people win seats and lose seats. i'm joined now by the liberal democrat mp, sarah olney. she first won the richmond park seat at a by—election and then lost it at sequim general election and then won it back. you're obviously delighted by this election result, but presumably you would say to your colleague in the parliamentary

liberal democrat party, richard ford, great success, but you can't take anything from it.— ford, great success, but you can't take anything from it. absolutely. i massively thrilled _ take anything from it. absolutely. i massively thrilled with _ take anything from it. absolutely. i massively thrilled with the - take anything from it. absolutely. i massively thrilled with the results. massively thrilled with the results yesterday in tiverton, it was such a huge majority to overcome and richard was such a fantastic candidate, i'm so delighted we can welcome him into the liberal democrat parliamentary party. you're absolutely right and i think richard is a very committed to working hard on behalf of his constituents as we all do as liberal democrat mp5. he is very committed to ambulance claims and access to dentists and gps and the cost of petrol in particular and how much impact on a rural constituency when onto public transport they can use and i know he will go straight into westminster on monday and get weight on the job of deliverfor his monday and get weight on the job of deliver for his constituents for the people of tiverton and honiton and

holding this government to account. in richmond park in south—west london we had long—standing success since 1997 of the parliamentary level, you lost a seat at the general election won it back in the by—election, what went wrong between the by—election and subsequent general election in 2017 that meant you were not able to hold the seat question mark what lessons would you offer from that experience for your contemporary and your equivalent here in tiverton and honiton? slightly painful memory but i don't only lose by 45 votes in 2017 so it wasn't as if it was a massive swing against me and i think also one of the distinctive things about the by—election as there was no conservative candidates, zac goldsmith was standing as an independent when it did in 2019 back as a conservative candidate and i think that had an impact on my particular case. i think the important thing to take away is working very hard and responding to

constituents and doing everything you can. i think what will make the difference for a wretched compare to me is the context in which she is coming into the party. we have had quite a lot of success recently and a party on the up. when i won in 2016 it wasjust a party on the up. when i won in 2016 it was just after the referendum and a valuable election result in 2015 but i think people have renewed confidence and the liberal democrats as a parliamentary party that we can hold the government to account and i think more than anything yesterday's result in tiverton and honiton was sending a very clear message the payments that people want him to go. in some ways it is a message rather hope it does not heed the denture is to get a new conservative leader and prime minister in the conceptus get a fresh start and a mixer that much harder not only to hold it's like this in areas where they have never voted conservative before or two when new territory or when bike

territory in places like cartmel when one point the liberal democrats at every seat in right now you only have one seat west of bath and that is this seat. t have one seat west of bath and that is this seat-— is this seat. i think it is quite amusina is this seat. i think it is quite amusing when _ is this seat. i think it is quite amusing when tory - is this seat. i think it is quite amusing when tory mps - is this seat. i think it is quite | amusing when tory mps over is this seat. i think it is quite - amusing when tory mps over the last amusing when tory mp5 over the last few months have been talking about what a vote winner borisjohnson is, and he is a vote winner for us as we have seen in the three very good by—election results in the local election results last month as a constituency mp i can see the impact this government is having on everyday lives of people i represent and i want borisjohnson to go because we are simply not making progress on the cost of living crisis and economic growth and the fight against climate change, we need serious action all these things and the conservatives are boris johnson not providing it. i'm very committed to making sure the next election the liberal democrats fight very hard at all the seats where we

think we have a chance of winning and most of the seats have a tory mp and most of the seats have a tory mp and we will work very hard. and that includes parts of the south—west i think a new poll has been produced by you golf this week that on polling the liberal democrats could do quite well in the south—west. —— yougov. that remains to be seen but i want to reiterate the clear message from yesterday that boris johnson needs to resign.— message from yesterday that boris johnson needs to resign. thank you very much- — johnson needs to resign. thank you very much- and _ johnson needs to resign. thank you very much. and essentially - johnson needs to resign. thank you very much. and essentially is - johnson needs to resign. thank you very much. and essentially is a - johnson needs to resign. thank you | very much. and essentially is a good example of one of the other things conservatives fear and as part of the country. once liberal democrats getting somewhere out there tend to dig in and try to make it permanent. it doesn't always work that she is back as the mp, not quite the longest gap by sometime from being the mp once and being the mp again

from the same seat. that is held by paul tyler who one not, in 1974, lost at the second general election of that year and came back and won it 18 years later. the former glamour model katie price has been given an 18—month community order after admitting breaching a restraining order. earlier our correspondent greg mckenzie gave us this update. in sentence today the judge had

already won last month when she pled guilty that he was considering giving herjail time but given her mitigating circumstances mainly pertaining to her five children and in particular to her eldest son, harvey, thejudge spared herjail time instead giving her an 18 month community order where she must do 170 hours of unpaid work. katie price gave no emotion when sitting in the dock and as she left court she gave the glimmer of a smile. katie price lewes crown court this morning having pleaded guilty of breaching our restraining order against her ex—husband husbands fiance, michelle pentecost. in january this year katie price sent an abusive text to her ex husband about his fiancee, michelle pentecost which was a direct breach of a 2019 restraining order meant to last five years. in sentencing katie price a day, thejudge had already won the last month when she pled

guilty he was considering giving her jail time but given how mitigating circumstances, mainly pertaining to her five children and in particular her eldest son, harvey, thejudge spared herjail time and instead gave her an 18 month community order which must be 170 hours of unpaid work. katie price gave no emotion when sitting in the dock and as she left hope she gave the glimmer of a smile. katie price will be back in court next month to answer to a driving offence. another significant increase in the number of people who the ons had the coronavirus in the uk from last saturday but there was a bigger increase in the uk. a slight slowdown but it is out there and spreading in different communities. breaking news on the number of covid infections. they are up 20% on last week, 1.7 million had coronavirus in the week ending the 18th ofjune according to the latest estimates from the office of national statistics. it is up about 23% from around 1.4 million the week before. the ons says it is likely infections compatible with omicron variants and it is about 2.7% of the population which is roughly one in 35 people, scotla nd scotland had the highest infection rates with one in 20 people having the virus. it is not as big as it was in march with nearly one in five people having the virus and clearly thanks to vaccinations the impact of it due to serious illness is down but the warnings are out there that

people should be as cautious as the need to be. what is happening with hospital numbers? they have gone up a little bit uk and the different nations. that is potentially a bit of a concern for hospitals because thatis of a concern for hospitals because that is more pressure when they're dealing with all the other health issues at the moment and it means that infection control is to be looked at more carefully. some of their numbers in hospital admissions are people going into hospital with different conditions who also test possible for covid and it is not always the main cause for them to be there. it is something the nhs could do without but because of vaccination and because of drugs the outcomes are a lot better so the number of people who get seriously ill as a percentage of overall cases is law and the former chief medical officerfor england is doing a bbc interview this morning saying it would be watched closely but really all about living with covid narrow,

all about living with covid narrow, a bit like living with flu and people would be affected and some would get l and people would be off work at it would be inconvenient and hopefully the hospital numbers would not become anything like as bad as before. a man's been sentenced to life with a minimum of 15 years for the murder of six—year—old rikki neave almost 28 years ago. for so many years the family of rikki neave who was six years old when he was murdered james watson who is now 41, he was convicted today at the old bailey and for the family it has been incredibly long way to get justice. family it has been incredibly long way to getjustice. he has been sentenced in the last hour or so far the murder of six—year—old rikki

neave for life for the murder with a minimum term of 18 years. rikki neave's naked body was found near his peterborough home the day after he disappeared in november 1994. the court start shape by james watson. —— mike the court heard that he had been strangled and his body deliberately put in a star shape by james watson. we also had impact statements made on behalf of the mother of rikki neave, ruth, who described him as a beautiful person, thoughtful and kind and very funny, a quiet little boy and very clever. we also heard a victim impact

statement read by two other sisters. one them broke down in tears and it was clear after such a long time the raw pain there continue to feel after the murder of their brother. in the last half—hour we held from the former chief constable, paul fullwood the sentencing today marks the final chapter and a journey to secure justice for rikki neave and his family. tt secure justice for rikki neave and his famil . . , secure justice for rikki neave and his famil . .,, ., ~ secure justice for rikki neave and his famil . .,, ., ,, ., his family. it has taken time to get to this point _ his family. it has taken time to get to this point but _ his family. it has taken time to get to this point but we _ his family. it has taken time to get to this point but we made - his family. it has taken time to get to this point but we made a - his family. it has taken time to get l to this point but we made a promise we would find the person responsible for his death and it is a promise we capped. historical markers are notoriously difficult to investigate and this came with significant challenges. we have used every tool

available to overcome these obstacles. this result was possible thanks to a committed and hard—working team closely linked ha rd—working team closely linked into hard—working team closely linked into the crown prosecution service and the support from the family of rikki neave and the witnesses involved in the original case. he was a six—year—old little boy, he was a six—year—old little boy, he was a six—year—old little boy, he was a kind and cheeky chap who was cruelly taken under the most horrendous of circumstances. his memory lives on through his family who have had to deal with this loss and deal with it for the rest of their lives. but now they finally know that they have answers, they know that they have answers, they know what happened and they know who took rikki from them and we really hope this gives them some peace. for years watson had hidden away knowing he was responsible rikki's for

rikki's murder and thinking he had gotten away with it but this is no longer the case. he will spend years behind bars and the truth is finally out. ., ., , ., , .,, out. the former chief constable was brou . ht in out. the former chief constable was brought in to _ out. the former chief constable was brought in to reinvestigate - out. the former chief constable was brought in to reinvestigate the - out. the former chief constable was brought in to reinvestigate the case| brought in to reinvestigate the case in 2015 and thanks mainly to advancesin in 2015 and thanks mainly to advances in forensic science and dna testing which led them to watson. no reaction from watson as he was handed down the sentence and we have had in the last few months a statement from the crime prosecution service in the life sentence given to james watson today gives to an end the horrific case of the murder of six—year—old rikki neave and it goes on to say his family continue to live with the tragic loss and all our thoughts remain with them.

crushing defeats for the prime minister and the conservative in two by—elections — prompting the resignation of the party chairman. but borisjohnson vows to "keep going". in tiverton and honiton. a 41—year—old man is jailed for life with a minimum term of 15 years for murdering six—year—old schoolboy rikki neave in 1994. more tremors have been felt in eastern afghanistan — following wednesday's powerful earthquake which killed over 1,000 people. efforts are continuing to get aid to the worst hit areas — survivors say they have nothing to eat, no shelter, and fear a possible cholera outbreak. the bbc�*s secunder kermani reports from paktika province.

aid agencies have been transporting food and tents to the earthquake—hit parts of giyan and barmal districts, here in paktika province, travelling along the long, dirt bumpy road from sharan, the nearest big city which is where we are now. taliban military helicopters have also been used to fly in supplies because the location is so remote. taliban officials telling us the search and rescue operation is now over, the focus very much on those who survived this earthquake, getting them adequate food and shelter. mobile health teams are also visiting these villages. yesterday, in a briefing at the security council, a senior un official described this disaster as a tragic reminder of the myriad dangers facing the afghan people at this moment. the country was already in the middle of an economic and humanitarian crisis with average incomes slashed by about a third, that's in a country where many people were already struggling just to survive. and whilst humanitarian aid, that immediate short—term aid is being delivered,

wider international development funding that the previous government used to rely on, well, much of that has been cut off ever since the taliban took power last august. and that what real the talks with the rmt union continue with maintenance reforms and seem to be good conversations and the are moving together but the rmt stumbling block is no written commitment to no redundancies. the strikes tomorrow i still set to go ahead. the commonwealth heads of government meeting is under way in rwanda. prince charles spoke to delegates in kigali earlier, where he paid tribute to the qualities the commonwealth

union brings to the world. throughout her reign, the queen has placed and continues to place the greatest importance on the common friendship, humanity and values that all of us share in this room. not despite, but because of the diversity the commonwealth represents. and i know how grateful she is that in recognition of her majesty's unstinting service to our commonwealth family, all commonwealth member states have announced that they have now committed themselves to the queen's commonwealth canopy. i treasure the friendships we have built over these past 70 years and look forward to their deepening in the years ahead. as we build back from the pandemic that has devastated so many lives,

as we respond to climate change and biodiversity loss that threatens our very existence, and as we see lives destroyed by the unatenuated aggression of violent forces. such friendships are more important than ever. i take heart from the fact that working together and with urgent intent, there is a path to build a future for humanity that is sustainable, prosperous and just. our commonwealth family is and will always remain a free association of independent, self—governing nations. we meet and talk as equals, sharing our knowledge and experience for the betterment of all citizens of the commonwealth and indeed the wider world.

we expect a news conference from borisjohnson in the next hour which will bring to you in the next few hours. a former paratrooper has set what he hopes is a new world record for the lowest ever parachute jump. john bream — nicknamed the flying fish — made the leap of just 85 feet into a field in hampshire. he did thejump to raise money for the people of ukraine as duncan kennedy has been finding out. this is the cherry picker that john bream has picked to pickle the existing record for low parachute jumping. that's claimed to be 95 feet. john is going forjust 85 feet. in other words, it's only half the height of nelson's column. go for it. but, wait, let'sjust see howjohn got here. two years ago, we filmed him off the south coast when he set

the world record for a leap out of an aircraft over water. he has made daring drops off trees, bridges and cliffs. no wonder they call john bream the flying fish. john is an ex—paratrooper who spent months training with experts to attempt this new record. it's literallyjump, bang, crash, yes, we've done it. come on. and this is it. he only has two seconds for the parachute to open. whoo—whoo—whoo—hoo! he's hit the ground at 25 mph. just watch his reaction. i'm a modern—day evel knievel. ijust need to ride a motorbike. you did it. i did it, i did it. happy birthday, isla. john says the jump is

about helping ukraine. he is just back from there, where he delivered aid for the charity vans without borders. he even managed to get a practice jump in and says his record attempt is a way of highlighting the desperate situation for the ukrainian people. this lowjump is for the people of ukraine. they need help. when i was there, it was a very proud moment being british. because what they would say, the locals, they would say the british public were the first to come out and help. it will take a few months to officially confirm the 85 footjump. but in the week of the solstice, this is whatjohn might call a midsummer night's bream. duncan kennedy, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with louise.

hello. there are first signs of our weather story changing from the west at the moment. so the best of the sunshine certainly today. out to the east, a beautiful morning so far in lewes, kent. can we take a look at wales, though? the cloud is thick enough for a spot or two of drizzle here in powys and the cloud will continue to thicken. you'll see some rain by the end of the day. here's the satellite picture at the moment, the thicker cloud always out towards the west, the best of the sunshine, albeit hazy across eastern scotland and eastern england. there will be a few scattered showers generally through the day today. some of them could be quite heavy as well, chiefly across northern england. but the cloud thickens. the rain arrives into the south west to wales and northern ireland by the end of the afternoon.

here, temperatures perhaps mid—teens as a daytime maximum. 205 once again. but once this low pressure arrives, it is going to park itself to the northwest of the uk and really influence the story for a few days to come. and really influence the story so first thing on saturday morning, expect a mild start to double figures, but there's the low quite clearly, and it's going to be throwing in some stronger winds and some showers as we go through the day. some of those showers could be heavy, possibly thundery as well. obviously, not everybody�*s going to see the showers. and if you do manage to dodge them and with a little bit more shelter away from the breeze, we're still likely to see temperatures peaking at 22 celsius. now, if you are heading off to the cricket, well, it does look likely, fingers crossed that it'll be largely dry. but we still can't rule out the risk potentially of a shower interrupting play into the afternoon. but certainly it's not all going to be doom and gloom. but some of those showers could be heavy, possibly thundery. we'll need to keep an eye on that. the low pressure is still with us for part two of the weekend. and you can see the isobars circulating around that low. so it's going to be windier than of late, but the most heaviest and persistent rain is always

likely to be further west. so once again, sheltered eastern areas starting off dry and sunny. we should cling onto some sunshine through east anglia, again into the low 205. disappointing out to the west. the low stays with us into the week ahead. it stays pretty unsettled, particularly to the north and west.

borisjohnson says he will keep going as prime minister, despite the double blow of two crushing by—election defeats. with a swing of almost 30%, the liberal democrats took the previously rock—solid tory seat of tiverton and honiton, overturning a massive conservative majority. cheering and labour have taken back wakefield, the red wall seat they lost at the last general election. historically, in the last 50 years, more, you've seen governments being punished at the polls during term, when people are particularly feeling economic pressures,

and h totally get that.