hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. our determination to stand with israel, to be part of the collective defence if they come under direct attack again — as they have done before — remains resolute and absolute. to my mind, there's ample evidence that not only weapons have been used at risk of violating ihl, but they have indeed violated ihl. will you let the palestinian. families return to this area? joining me tonight on the panel, the former leader of scottish labour, kezia dugdale, and wills robinson, associate editor of the daily mail us.

looking forward to talking to our panel very shortly. first, the latest bbc news. the french interior minister says at least 12 people have died and two are still missing, after a boat carrying migrants capsized in the english channel. ten of them were female, six of them said to be young girls. there's been a large search and rescue operation under way since this morning. ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, says 51 people have been killed and more than 200 injured by a russian missile strike in the city of poltova. he said two ballistic missiles partially destroyed a building belonging to the institute of communications. it is one of the deadliest single strikes of the war to date. five children have been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of an 80—year—old man who was attacked in a park. bhim kohli died in hospital after being assaulted while walking his dog at franklin park in leicestershire

on sunday evening. you are very welcome to the programme. "shameful" is how benjamin netanyahu described today the british government's decision to suspend 30 of its 350 arms licenses to israel. on social media, the israeli prime minister said the decision would "embolden hamas". he vowed to continue the war with or without british arms. the uk's chief rabbi sir ephraim mirvis said the decision "beggars belief". the former prime minister borisjohnson asked on x whether labour wanted hamas to win. and yet the review was started by the last conservative government. the foreign secretary david lammy said the report found there was a "clear risk" that uk arms may be used in violation of international humanitarian law. here is the uk defence secretaryjohn healey defending the announcement. we are a staunch ally of israel, we remain a staunch ally of israel. we've made this a legal judgment as a result of the process we're required to follow. but our determination to stand with israel,

we suspended the export licenses of the 250 parts. these are ones that could be a clear risk in reaching international law in gaza. —— suspended 30 of the 350. but our determination to stand with israel, to be part of the collective defence if they come under direct attack again — as they have done before — remains resolute and absolute. kezia, clearly we can see what the labour government is trying to do, they are trying to satisfy their backbenchers will not causing a golf and relations with the israeli government and there's a very strong likelihood here there will not achieve either objective. i will not achieve either objective.— will not achieve either objective. will not achieve either ob'ective. ., �* ~ ., �*, objective. i don't think that's what happened _ objective. i don't think that's what happened here - objective. i don't think that's what happened here at - objective. i don't think that's what happened here at all. l objective. i don't think that's i what happened here at all. the reasons you outlined, if labour wanted to move on this issue for political reasons, they would know well they would not be able to please either camp. i actually think this is a strict question of international lawful stop this

was review commissioned by the last uk government, and it has determined that it is possible if not likely that some of the arms that are produced in this country are used for more crimes in gaza. iii country are used for more crimes in gaza.— country are used for more crimes in gaza. if that's the case, crimes in gaza. if that's the case. then _ crimes in gaza. if that's the case, then why _ crimes in gaza. if that's the case, then why have - crimes in gaza. if that's the case, then why have we - crimes in gaza. if that's the j case, then why have we not taken a similar approach to saudi arabia, in their long air campaign against the who the rebels in yemen? we know full well civilians have been told repeatedly. well civilians have been told repeatedly-— well civilians have been told repeatedly. christian, ithink that's a good _ repeatedly. christian, ithink that's a good question - repeatedly. christian, ithink that's a good question and i repeatedly. christian, ithink. that's a good question and you like to the logic of this decision will apply to all conflicts, wherever they are in the world. this is the first time this labour defence secretary has made such an intervention. it may not be the last. i do think it is important to reckon eyes this is a question of law. there's also a proportionality issue here as well. we're talking about britain being 0.2% of an exporter of all ammunitions and arms israel receives, a tiny, tiny, tiny fraction of them come from the united kingdom,

and in this particular instance, we are talking about 10% of that tiny tiny fraction, i do that we need to put this into proportion and recognise that ultimately for labour, i think this is a question of legaljudgment, one that was started by the previous government.— started by the previous covernment. ~ , . , ., government. wills, as kezia said, it government. wills, as kezia said. it was _ government. wills, as kezia said, it was commissioned l government. wills, as kezial said, it was commissioned by the previous government and published by the labour government. there was a suggestion... is the interpretation and legal one or is it political? i interpretation and legal one or is it political?— is it political? i think you can see _ is it political? i think you can see it _ is it political? i think you can see it both _ is it political? i think you can see it both ways. - is it political? i think you | can see it both ways. this obvious_ can see it both ways. this obvious concern with the civilian _ obvious concern with the civilian deaths, that keep building every in gaza, and on this side — building every in gaza, and on this side of the atlantic, the response _ this side of the atlantic, the response to this is quite muted, _ response to this is quite muted, surprisingly muted, considering the tide that is turning _ considering the tide that is turning against net yahoo, and the us— turning against net yahoo, and the us actually sits outside the us actually sits outside the international legal bodies,

such— the international legal bodies, such as — the international legal bodies, such as the icc, but there's got — such as the icc, but there's got to— such as the icc, but there's got to he _ such as the icc, but there's got to be some sense of legal factors, — got to be some sense of legal factors, sorry, political factors, _ factors, sorry, political factors, involved in this. the left, — factors, involved in this. the left, very— factors, involved in this. the left, very angry and furious at the fact— left, very angry and furious at the fact that the civilian conditions are so poor in gaza, and _ conditions are so poor in gaza, and israet— conditions are so poor in gaza, and israel are going on unabated with their so you've -ot unabated with their so you've got to— unabated with their so you've got to read between the lines a little _ got to read between the lines a little bit — got to read between the lines a little bit and see that the fact — little bit and see that the fact the labour government have done _ fact the labour government have done this— fact the labour government have done this so quickly into the ministration. it�*s done this so quickly into the ministration.— ministration. it's the third such decision _ ministration. it's the third such decision they - ministration. it's the third such decision they have . ministration. it's the third - such decision they have taken eight weeks. the arms decision yesterday, the reinstating of financial support for unrwa and its operations in gaza and then the decision not to challenge the decision not to challenge the right of the icc to seek an arrest warrant. for prime minister net yahoo. it does appear to be more sceptical approach to israel. where do you think it leaves our relations with them? do they care? ,., relations with them? do they care? , ., relations with them? do they care? do israel care? in netanyahu's _ care? do israel care? in netanyahu's eyes, - care? do israel care? in netanyahu's eyes, he . care? do israel care? in netanyahu's eyes, he is care? do israel care? in- netanyahu's eyes, he is going to go—

netanyahu's eyes, he is going to go on— netanyahu's eyes, he is going to go on whatever happens. he is determined, never seal statement he has made since prirnus— statement he has made since primus insert of this war, that he is — primus insert of this war, that he is going _ primus insert of this war, that he is going to keep going until hamas— he is going to keep going until hamas is— he is going to keep going until hamas is completely eradicated. he is— hamas is completely eradicated. he is going to be angry, he is losing — he is going to be angry, he is losing key— he is going to be angry, he is losing key support from a key ally. — losing key support from a key ally. but _ losing key support from a key ally, but he is a huge amount of sunport_ ally, but he is a huge amount of support from the us. the us over_ of support from the us. the us over the — of support from the us. the us over the last couple of days, president biden has been criticai— president biden has been critical of hound and yahoo has been _ critical of hound and yahoo has been in — critical of hound and yahoo has been in the cease—fire talks, but the — been in the cease—fire talks, but the us is still backing him and they'll keep going —— corticat— and they'll keep going —— cortical of netanyahu. that's an yahoo's determination keep going. — an yahoo's determination keep going, state empower, keep going — going, state empower, keep going. he may not care. if this were _ going. he may not care. if this were to — going. he may not care. if this were to strike out it is going to have _ were to strike out it is going to have an_ were to strike out it is going to have an impact on their war effort — to have an impact on their war effort. �* , . ~ to have an impact on their war effort. �*, ., ,, ., ., effort. let's talk about other issues today. _ this is the strike in ukraine. at least 51 people have been killed and more than 200 injured today in a russian missile strikes in poltova, in central ukraine. president zelensky said two ballistic missiles were fired by the russians at an educational facility and a nearby hospital, as well as a communications

institute, which was also partially destroyed. you will see huge holes in the side of several of these buildings. pro—kremlin bloggers in russia say two iskander missiles were fired at ukrainian military communications. they are short range missiles fired from the ground. kezia, i guess on days like this, ukrainians would be scratching their head, asking why the uk and the united states a play double standard to self—defense? why is israel allowed to use weapons that risk and expansion but not ukraine which is not under daily bombardment? i ukraine which is not under daily bombardment? i think eo - le daily bombardment? i think peeple in — daily bombardment? i think people in ukraine _ daily bombardment? i think people in ukraine in - daily bombardment? i think people in ukraine in the - people in ukraine in the ukrainian government will also be equally concerned about the degree to which we talk less about them, less about the conflict that is happening there, because of other world events. really serious develop its in ukraine over the past couple of days. and really serious consequences in the months to come yet if the us presidential elections choose to focus on ukraine to do the degree to which the west supply

weapons. he said today they need help with the defence weapons. this attack is the most deadly so far this year so the lesson we can afford to do is take our eyes away from what is take our eyes away from what is happening in ukraine. ukrainians were in washington on friday to plead the case for the use of those longer—range weapons, there were generals who we have had on the programme, who have second if we keep doing the same thing, ukraine will eventually lose because right now, we are purposely not giving ukraine what they need to win. do you think days like today, the attacks we have seen in the last week or so, are going to sharpen the focus in washington? sharpen the focus in washinrton? , , , , washington? definitely, because it rinus washington? definitely, because it rings back— washington? definitely, because it rings back to _ washington? definitely, because it rings back to the _ washington? definitely, because it rings back to the forefront. - it rings back to the forefront. the _ it rings back to the forefront. the war— it rings back to the forefront. the war in— it rings back to the forefront. the war in gaza has definitely in some — the war in gaza has definitely in some ways put ukraine on, i'd in some ways put ukraine on, i'd say, — in some ways put ukraine on, i'd say, an_

in some ways put ukraine on, i'd say, an equal footing. they are both — i'd say, an equal footing. they are both horrific tragedies but on equal— are both horrific tragedies but on equal footing for events like — on equal footing for events like these, the lenski will use to say, — like these, the lenski will use to say, these are critical, and there — to say, these are critical, and there are _ to say, these are critical, and there are already negotiations going — there are already negotiations going on— there are already negotiations going on for the longer—range ballistic— going on for the longer—range ballistic missiles that can reach _ ballistic missiles that can reach deep into russian territory. we know ukraine have made _ territory. we know ukraine have made and — territory. we know ukraine have made and risen to russia and zelensky— made and risen to russia and zelensky said today in interview with nbc he is not giving — interview with nbc he is not giving any of that territory. the — giving any of that territory. the long—range missiles from the us— the long—range missiles from the us could take months. that of course — the us could take months. that of course his barrier in the brutai— of course his barrier in the brutal winter months in ukraine which _ brutal winter months in ukraine which is — brutal winter months in ukraine which is going to be terrible for civilians and the soldiers, so today— for civilians and the soldiers, so today is, for lack of a better _ so today is, for lack of a better word, an opportunity for zelensky— better word, an opportunity for zelensky to say, we need these air defences, we need more munitions— air defences, we need more munitions to survive, to beat hack— munitions to survive, to beat back russia, and congress, when congress — back russia, and congress, when congress returns next week, aid to ukraine — congress returns next week, aid to ukraine will be on the forefront and it may be easier to pass — forefront and it may be easier to pass the six e1 billion—dollar package that was approved six months ago. —— 60 $1 billion — approved six months ago. —— 60 $1 billion |— approved six months ago. -- 60 $1 billion. ~ ., , approved six months ago. -- 60 $1 billion-— $1 billion. i know they see the threat of the _

$1 billion. i know they see the threat of the return _ $1 billion. i know they see the threat of the return of- $1 billion. i know they see the threat of the return of the - threat of the return of the trip administration which is why they are talking but the surgeon and doing this work in the next few weeks, which is why they were in washington at the weekend. the irony is that the weekend. the irony is that the russian resident, while his forces were killing civilians, he was in mongolia, which is a member of the international criminal court, and you will remember that in march of last year, they issued an international arrest warrant for putin over the war crimes. you might be surprised or maybe not surprised to hear looking at these pictures, mongolia did not arrest him! sorry, not sorry, said the government. mongolia imports a lot of petroleum from our neighbours russia, supply which they say is critical to our existence and that of our people. we can see the position they are in, the truth is, he is never going to face justice, izzy? certainly not for as long as he is a and land. farfrom a warm welcome, that is a red carpet welcome, that is a red carpet we can see in the background! you have a spleen with the

reasons why. we have known the longer the conflict happens in ukraine, the more to the advantage it is of the russians because the russians are relying on the west shrugging his shoulders, slowly giving up, and he goes by, becoming less willing to commit the finances and the munitions required ukrainians to win this war. the longer it goes on, the end confident putin will feel. we will leave it there. we will focus on where it might add up to into the election campaign which is ongoing. we will talk about the campaigning that has been under way during the labour day weekend. that is also come. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

welcome back. 63 days to go — that is nine weeks to election day in america. and, as is always

the case after labor day, the sprint is on. a week today will come the first presidential debate between donald trump and kamala harris. absentee ballots will be mailed out in north carolina on friday. early voting starts in pennsylvania in two weeks' time. and today the vice president is out with a new ad on the economy. we all know costs are too high. but while corporations are gouging families, i trump is focused onl giving them tax cuts. but kamala harrisj is focused on you. building up the middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency. she'll make groceries more| affordable by cracking down on price gouging and she'll cut housing costs by taking - on corporate speculators. middle—class families build america. - we need a leader. who has their back. i'm kamala harris and i approve this message. in the national polling, kamala is in the lead. but it is not about national mood, it's the polling in the six or seven swing states that will decide this. and in those states, it is

within the margin of error. no clear leader. the key issue in any election in the final few weeks is momentum, which for now appears to be with harris. the clearest evidence of that, the gallup poll out last week measuring the changes in electoral enthusiasm among democrats and republicans. democrats have a iii—point edge on republicans — a major shift from polling in march. biden then the candidate, republicans had a four—point lead. you can talk about policy, you can talk about the threat on the other side that each would perceive, but if you have people on your team who are enthusiastic, who want to vote, that really does make a difference, doesn't it? the chan . e difference, doesn't it? the change has _ difference, doesn't it? the change has been _ difference, doesn't it? the change has been staggering since — change has been staggering since biden was on the ticket. there — since biden was on the ticket. there was— since biden was on the ticket. there was a usa today poll out today— there was a usa today poll out today which shows enthusiasm has gained by was 20 points amongst some democrats. the

momentum is really, really bind kamala — momentum is really, really bind kamala at — momentum is really, really bind kamala at the moment. the trump camping _ kamala at the moment. the trump camping have been hoping it was 'ust camping have been hoping it was just a _ camping have been hoping it was just a honeymoon period after the dnc. _ just a honeymoon period after the dnc, and it seems to be going — the dnc, and it seems to be going on. _ the dnc, and it seems to be going on, and it shows how pivotal— going on, and it shows how pivotal next week's debate is going — pivotal next week's debate is going to _ pivotal next week's debate is going to be, because the tide is with— going to be, because the tide is with kamala, the enthusiasm is with kamala, the enthusiasm is with— is with kamala, the enthusiasm is with kamala, the enthusiasm is with kamala, democrats are very. _ is with kamala, democrats are very. they— is with kamala, democrats are very, they sense they were stuck — very, they sense they were stuck in _ very, they sense they were stuck in the mud with biden at the candidate, they did not see a future — the candidate, they did not see a future and now they do. trump, _ a future and now they do. trump, again, is something, some — trump, again, is something, some would say, in the past, and _ some would say, in the past, and so — some would say, in the past, and so this— some would say, in the past, and so this enthusiasm could keep— and so this enthusiasm could keep building and trump has got a way— keep building and trump has got a way to— keep building and trump has got a way to find it and next week in the — a way to find it and next week in the debate could be a key factor— in the debate could be a key factor in _ in the debate could be a key factor in that. it in the debate could be a key factor in that.— factor in that. it really could- _ factor in that. it really could. in _ factor in that. it really could. in the - factor in that. it really could. in the add, - factor in that. it really - could. in the add, obviously the democrats are trying to flip the script on the cost of living, trying to blame it on corporate entities, on price gouging, it's still really thin on detail and on policy, although i think she is going to new hampshire tomorrow to talk about some of the policy.

do you see similarities with where keir starmer was some months ago? i was talking about it last week as carrying the divorce? can the enthusiasm take her to the line without policy? ! take her to the line without oli ? ~ .., take her to the line without oli ? ~' . ., ., policy? i think it can and keir starmer had _ policy? i think it can and keir starmer had substantial - policy? i think it can and keir| starmer had substantial more policies than keir starmer might have at this moment, and that's not to say the labour manifesto was full with a very clear plan of everything they would do it with the next five years. a lot of it is about feeling, how the country feels and how the leaders... feeling, how the country feels and how the leaders. . .- and how the leaders... don't need a mandate, _ and how the leaders... don't need a mandate, if- and how the leaders... don't need a mandate, if you're i and how the leaders... don't i need a mandate, if you're going to govern? can you set out things you can get things across the line, if the going gets tough coachella of course you do, but kamala harris was vice president, is vice president tojoe biden and president to joe biden and carries a — president to joe biden and carries a lot _ president to joe biden and carries a lot of _ president to joe biden and carries a lot of that - president to joe biden and carries a lot of that a - president tojoe biden sic carries a lot of that a comic record and his mandate with her. what she has talked up his two brand—new issues which he never heard biden talk much about. one is the cost of food and the others the cost of housing. i understand you, i

know how hard it is, i will help you with that. president biden has — help you with that. president biden has been _ help you with that. president biden has been on _ help you with that. president biden has been on stage - help you with that. president| biden has been on stage with the vice president over the weekend. he was in pittsburgh yesterday. he will be in wisconsin thursday, michigan on friday. they have to be careful how they use them. he has been talking this evening at the white house. have a listen. the bottom line is, thousands of cities and towns all across america are seeing the great american comeback story, whether they're in red states or blue, all part of what we're calling an invest in america agenda. it's about seeking my commitment, speaking to the commitment i made as president to be president for all americans, whether you voted for me or not, whether you're in a red state or a blue state, and it's what being... we're doing that today to highlight and show... we're just getting started. ican i can see why the enthusiasm suddenlyjumped on democrats suddenly jumped on democrats side, suddenlyjumped on democrats side, just watching that. do

they have to be a bit careful how they use him? kezia has talked about this enthusiasm that can sustain, but he has a real full factor in pennsylvania, the boy from scranton, but also he is deeply unpopular still in some other pulling? he unpopular still in some other ullin: ? , ., , unpopular still in some other nullin? , ., , ., pulling? he is and is also the fact that a — pulling? he is and is also the fact that a lot _ pulling? he is and is also the fact that a lot of _ pulling? he is and is also the fact that a lot of people - fact that a lot of people across _ fact that a lot of people across the country are tying the economic problems they face to biden — the economic problems they face to biden for bidenomics has been — to biden for bidenomics has been deemed a failure. we talk about— been deemed a failure. we talk about food prices, people are very— about food prices, people are very angry with how high the price — very angry with how high the price of— very angry with how high the price of food is, how high gas price — price of food is, how high gas price is — price of food is, how high gas price is. inflation, very high under— price is. inflation, very high under the _ price is. inflation, very high under the biden demonstration. harris, — under the biden demonstration. harris, looking forward, you might— harris, looking forward, you might see in some of those ads, in a fleeting reference to joe biden, — in a fleeting reference to joe biden, but as you said places like this— biden, but as you said places like this a _ biden, but as you said places like this a venue, scranton, the — like this a venue, scranton, the blue _ like this a venue, scranton, the blue wall, the working class, _ the blue wall, the working class, i_ the blue wall, the working class, i really a big factor —— place — class, i really a big factor —— place like _ class, i really a big factor —— place like pennsylvania. there, you might _ place like pennsylvania. there, you might see him, but as time goes _ you might see him, but as time

goes on — you might see him, but as time goes on kamala has to form her own identity. they sound very similar— own identity. they sound very similar to _ own identity. they sound very similar to what the biden administration were trying to combat — administration were trying to combat when she was in office and she — combat when she was in office and she was the vice president, and she was the vice president, and acetyl— and she was the vice president, and acetyl of democrats are and you get — and acetyl of democrats are and you get around at the moment especially. —— that is what a lot of— especially. —— that is what a lot of democrats are trying to -et lot of democrats are trying to get around. the level of that enthusiasm we talked about can be seen in the campaign fuding the vice president has raised since she became the nominee six weeks ago — over half a billion dollars. that's it staggering. it's almost twice as much as the trump campaign has raised since january. but donald trump is never short of an idea on how to close the gap. we can never forget the "never surrender" gold sneakers, which sold out in hours at $400 a pop. last week, he was promoting a new set of digital trump trading cards — $1,500 for a set which he said would come with a piece of his suit from the debate withjoe biden. and now we have this. my new book is coming out. it's called save america. i think you're going to love it. tremendous pictures, tremendous history.

and go out and get it. you're going to be very happy. a new book for your coffee table, which has a photo on the front cover of him surrounded by his secret service agents, escaping that assassination attempt last month. full of photos from his first term in office, his meetings with foreign leaders — a must—have, says the former president, for all those interested in us history. and in typical trump fashion, it includes some biting commentary on some of his opponents. there is a picture of liz cheney in there, who voted to impeach him after the january 6 riots with a caption that reads, "liz cheney would often come to the white house asking for �*baskets of goodies', to which i said no." there is also a warning to the meta boss mark zuckerberg, that he "will spend the rest of his life in prison" if he does "anything illegal" to influence this election. 0n shelves now, yours for $94.12. on shelves now, yours for $94.12. 4' on shelves now, yours for 594-12— on shelves now, yours for $94.12. ~ "~ :: i:

$94.12. or i think $500 if i want $94.12. or | think $500 if | want him _ $94.12. or i think $500 ifl want him to _ $94.12. or i think $500 ifl want him to sign _ $94.12. or i think $500 ifl want him to sign it, - $94.12. or i think $500 ifl want him to sign it, right? | want him to sign it, right? what a bargain next a piece of his suit, how about that. he has had his own way of raising campaign funds and quite clearly he needs a boost to the conference at the moment, given the figures you've outlined for kamala harris. more than money, what he needs now is a strategy. 0ne he needs now is a strategy. one of the things they need to determine is what his actual attack lines on kamala harris are. we have had 57 varieties of that up until this point. it's a serious point, that, he is struggling to define how he is struggling to define how he is going to approach kamala harris, notably in the debate, he is saying she is not a good debater — i never think that is good strategy, because you set a low bar for good strategy, because you set a low barfor your good strategy, because you set a low bar for your opponent. you've got to remember about nine _ you've got to remember about nine weeks ago, the bar was set their— nine weeks ago, the bar was set their loaferjoe biden and their loafer joe biden and donald _ their loaferjoe biden and donald trump in that debate and went— donald trump in that debate and went below that bar —— set very low _

went below that bar —— set very low you — went below that bar —— set very low. you never know, debates are so — low. you never know, debates are so embraceable, but you are right, _ are so embraceable, but you are right, trump has not releasable on the — right, trump has not releasable on the attack. he is calling her— on the attack. he is calling her comrade kamala, commonest price _ her comrade kamala, commonest price gouging to bring out the price — price gouging to bring out the price of— price gouging to bring out the price of food, and he even posted _ price of food, and he even posted a _ price of food, and he even posted a picture of her in a commonest uniform, or sorry, elon— commonest uniform, or sorry, elon musk— commonest uniform, or sorry, elon musk did, and they are trying — elon musk did, and they are trying to— elon musk did, and they are trying to strategize how they -et trying to strategize how they get her _ trying to strategize how they get her. there have been some suggestions he should trying discuss — suggestions he should trying discuss her lack of policy. and ithink— discuss her lack of policy. and i think that will come. nine weeks _ i think that will come. nine weeks is _ i think that will come. nine weeks is a short amount of time, — weeks is a short amount of time, but _ weeks is a short amount of time, but it is also a very long _ time, but it is also a very long amount of time, it is a lot that's _ long amount of time, it is a lot that's going to happen, so as kamala pausing policy start to come — as kamala pausing policy start to come out, it should, trump should — to come out, it should, trump should really poke those, trying _ should really poke those, trying poke holes in those, because _ trying poke holes in those, because it's a lot of name—calling at the moment which — name—calling at the moment which we _ name—calling at the moment which we know from past elections and he needs to really— elections and he needs to really change his focus. obviously, all roads to the white house lead through the blue wall states and principally the three blue states, wisconsin, pennsylvania

and michigan. only one since 1980 have they not picked the president, only once have they not picked the governor and on the same way. they always go the same way. they always go the same way and have done since 1980 for some incredible. although she is opening a pathway through nevada, arizona, the easiest way is through pennsylvania, and it is those three states that are going to see the book of the campaigning. it going to see the book of the campaigning-— going to see the book of the campaigning. it is, and that's why think _ campaigning. it is, and that's why think momentum - campaigning. it is, and that's why think momentum does i campaigning. it is, and that's - why think momentum does matter, because what it will lead to is turnout, and if democrats are more like to stay at home, given everything we have heard about attitudes ofjoe biden, if she can rally that base, that could carry her through to victory in those three states and therefore take her to the presidency. and therefore take her to the presidency-— and therefore take her to the presidency. just on that point, do ou presidency. just on that point, do you still... _ presidency. just on that point, do you still... you _ presidency. just on that point, do you still... you talk - presidency. just on that point, do you still... you talk to - presidency. just on that point, do you still... you talk to a - do you still... you talk to a lot of people out there. do you still see her as the underdog? it's a tough one. not now.

because _ it's a tough one. not now. because she still has a sense of incumbency, she is the vice president. _ of incumbency, she is the vice president, and we talked about enthusiasm earlier, she may have — enthusiasm earlier, she may have the _ enthusiasm earlier, she may have the aura of the underdog because — have the aura of the underdog because people are getting excited, she's only been in the race _ excited, she's only been in the race a — excited, she's only been in the race a few— excited, she's only been in the race a few weeks, but she's got to be _ race a few weeks, but she's got to be encroaching on the favourite, and so it depends what — favourite, and so it depends what definition you have of underdog. you have that character and you have that sense — character and you have that sense of— character and you have that sense of being newly installed into the — sense of being newly installed into the race, but in terms of when — into the race, but in terms of when we _ into the race, but in terms of when we look at the polls, where _ when we look at the polls, where the projection of the races — where the projection of the races going, she definitely is not an— races going, she definitely is not an underdog.— races going, she definitely is not an underdog. ok, we are auoin to not an underdog. ok, we are going to turn _ not an underdog. ok, we are going to turn to _ not an underdog. ok, we are going to turn to matters - not an underdog. ok, we are| going to turn to matters here after the break. we will talk about austerity, whether there is any of it spending cuts announced today in scotland, a lot of passing the buck in edinborough and also here in london, so we will get kezia �*s thoughts on that, and also how we view history. might have some thoughts on that of the weather fuse on british and us

—— thoughts on that, whether our views on britishness have changed, after the break. hello. today has been a very mixed affair weather—wise across the uk. we've seen some spells of warm sunshine in place, but also some sharp showers. high pressure, this big area of high pressure tantalisingly close to us in the atlantic, but not quite close enough to kill off these various frontal systems, these old weather fronts, if you like, just bringing bands of clouds and bits and pieces of showery rain, some clear spells in between. it'll be quite misty and murky in places. not as muggy as last night across the southeast corner — 14 in london, maybe dropping all the way to four in the highlands. so, as we head on into tomorrow, we will still have those old weather fronts bringing areas of cloud, some showers which will break out through the day, some heavy ones across eastern england. this cluster of heavy showers drifting southwards across scotland, but there will be one or two showers elsewhere, some spells of sunshine, too, and it will be quite a cool, fresh day compared with some we've had recently.

14—20 degrees covers things for most of us. now, into thursday, this little weather system here drops its way southwards and tends to combine with this broad area of low pressure spinning over continental europe, and that is going to bring some rain. in fact, could be quite a lot of rain that affects southern england, wales, the midlands as we go through the day on thursday. further north, perhaps quite a lot of cloud feeding in, especially across eastern parts. some spells of sunshine, particularly for western scotland and for northern ireland. breezy, in fact quite blustery in the south, lighter winds further north and it will start to feel a bit more humid. that will continue into friday. our low still swirling to the south, still bringing some outbreaks of rain, particularly across southern parts. but with the winds coming from the near continent where it has been very warm of late, it is going to feel really quite warm and humid as we end the week. so, friday looks like this — outbreaks of rain, particularly across parts of southern england, the midlands, into wales further north. areas of cloud, yes, but some spells of sunshine.

and with that feed of humid air, we will see some pretty high temperatures on friday, widely into the 20s, mid 20s for some including western scotland. we could get up to 25 degrees with some sunshine across that western side of scotland. what about the weekend? well, still rather warm and humid, at least for a time. some rain, particularly down towards the south, drier and brighter further north.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. are you proud to be british or would you trade it for a different citizenship? a national survey has revealed that answer is now almost split across the country. if you are, you are not alone. the scottish government confirmed today it is cutting government spending by £500m. the finance secretary shona robison said the "savings" were necessary to support the scottish government's next budget. the snp has blamed prolonged westminster austerity, brexit, a global pandemic, the war in ukraine, and the cost of living crisis which mr robinson said had placed enormous and growing pressure on the public finances."

but a report from the scottish fiscal commission says