i am a black man and she earned my vote. joining me tonight are jessica elgot, deputy political editor of the guardian and kendra barkoff lamy, former press secretary tojoe biden when he was vice—president. first, a roundup of the latest news... uk inflation slowed by more than expected last month to 1.7%. that is the lowest rate in three and a half years. it's heightened expectations that the bank of england could cut interest rates twice before the end of the year. a seven—year—old boy has died after an explosion at a house in newcastle in northeast england. six other people were taken to hospital with injuries. the blast destroyed three houses that were

divided into flats. an investigation is under way into how the blast happened. the un says some supplies are now getting into northern gaza, after a period when they say no aid reached thousands of people trapped there. israel says 50 trucks carrying humanitarian aid went in today. it follows a letter from the us, warning that israel might lose some military support unless it boosted aid to the territory. canada's prime minister has said that india has made a "horrific mistake" by aggressively interfering in ca nada's sovereignty. justin trudeau told an inquiry into foreign interference that while he did not want to pick a fight over the murder of a sikh separatist, he would protect his country's interests. in three weeks from now it'll all be over — after the primaries, conventions, debates and polling day, we should have a result in the us presidential election. but until those booths close

on november 5th, it's a mad scramble for every last vote. in the next hour we'll be focusing on where things stand. spoiler alert... it's still too close to call. as we know, us elections essentially come down to mini contests in a few swing states, of those pennsylvania is seen as the kingmaker, worth 19 electoral votes. the winner has to cross 270. let's take a look at the battleground state poll tracker, showing the democratic nominee kamala harris slightly ahead in that state and others as you can see — though still within the margin of error. her republican rival donald trump has a slender lead in north carolina, arizona and georgia. the vice president is currently addressing a rally in pennsylvania, a place called washington crossing — also attending

are a hundred republicans, who are backing her. and later, she's due to sit down for herfirst—ever formal interview with the conservative—leaning fox news. now let's turn to her republican rival donald trump who has doubled down on his description of some high level democrats as "the enemy from within", saying they were more dangerous than china and russia. the republican nominee was appearing on fox news in a pre—recorded town hall with an entirely female audience, as polls show him trailing with female voters, particularly on reproductive rights. he told the audience that his party supported in vitro fertilization — ivf. this was what he had to say when told there was a question to be posed by an audience member on the issue. oh, i want to talk about ivf. i am the father of ivf. i'm the father of ivf so i want to hear

this question. the father of ivf, he said. kamala harris has responded, describing that comment by mr trump "quite bizarre". meanwhile leonard cohen's estate has reportedly issued a cease and desist letter to donald trump. "turn that music up" till music fade. great song. it's after he used rufus wainwright's cover of hallelujah at a rally. canadian—american singer wainwright has also issued a statement saying he was "horrified" by his recording of the song being used. we'll be talking to him live later in the programme. my panel tonight: jessica elgot, deputy political editor of the guardian and kendra barkoff lamy, former press secretary tojoe biden when he was vice—president.

it has been a busy few weeks already, busy few months, hasn't it? festival, where do you see things less than three weeks out, kendra?— you see things less than three weeks out, kendra? yes, thank ou for weeks out, kendra? yes, thank you for having _ weeks out, kendra? yes, thank you for having me _ weeks out, kendra? yes, thank you for having me on. - weeks out, kendra? yes, thank you for having me on. it's - weeks out, kendra? yes, thank you for having me on. it's a - you for having me on. it's a really tight race, everybody has said it's going to be really tight for a really long time and the harris campaign is getting out there and it's talking to people who she needs to talk to, she goes out and talking on a variety of different news outlets and publications. i think doing pod cast, as you know, she was on one last week. talking about women and economic, talking about women, yesterday on youtube, targeting black voters. she is out there trying to meet voters where they get their news. that's not always

their news. that's not always the straight television, unfortunately. she is doing the smart things and is really trying to expand the electorate as much a she can by introducing these new policies that she has laid out. but also reaching out to different types of voters. . �* reaching out to different types of voters. ., �* ., ., of voters. kendra, i'm going to brin: jen of voters. kendra, i'm going to bring jen a _ of voters. kendra, i'm going to bring jen a scare _ of voters. kendra, i'm going to bring jen a scare in _ of voters. kendra, i'm going to bring jen a scare in on - of voters. kendra, i'm going to bring jen a scare in on this. - bring jen a scare in on this. she has a challenge because if you look at those polls, they are still within the margin of error, it's anyone's to play for. donald trump still has a very loyal base as well. the fact is that both of them, really, have a lot of work to do , , ~' . really, have a lot of work to do , , ~ ., ., do yes, i think a media strategy _ do yes, i think a media strategy over - do yes, i think a media strategy over last - do yes, i think a media| strategy over last week do yes, i think a media i strategy over last week or do yes, i think a media - strategy over last week or so has been _ strategy over last week or so has been fascinating see. because there are such tight margins _ because there are such tight margins in this race, the pennie _ margins in this race, the people she needs to talk to are those _ people she needs to talk to are those undecided voters, non—voters disillusioned from democratic voters. she has to meet — democratic voters. she has to meet anyone wherever she can. thai— meet anyone wherever she can. that is— meet anyone wherever she can. that is why—

meet anyone wherever she can. that is why she has been doing these _ that is why she has been doing these pod _ that is why she has been doing these pod casts, we hear that she might be doing joe rogan, which — she might be doing joe rogan, which is — she might be doing joe rogan, which is the most popular pod casi— which is the most popular pod cast in— which is the most popular pod cast in the world at the moment. she needs this alternative media scene because she needs to speak to those people — she needs to speak to those people who don't hear her, and we often — people who don't hear her, and we often hear politicians repeat _ we often hear politicians repeat the same phrases, catchphrases, the time. those brushed — catchphrases, the time. those brushed by interviews that we saw her— brushed by interviews that we saw her doing those clips, but there — saw her doing those clips, but there are _ saw her doing those clips, but there are plenty of people who 'ust there are plenty of people who just never hear those and don't consume — just never hear those and don't consume that kind of media. it's consume that kind of media. it's very— consume that kind of media. it's very interesting to see her— it's very interesting to see her reach those kinds of people because — her reach those kinds of people because the margins are so tight — because the margins are so tiuht. ., because the margins are so tiuht. . ., , tight. kendra, when i was in the states — tight. kendra, when i was in the states just _ tight. kendra, when i was in the states just after - tight. kendra, when i was in the statesjust after kamala j the states just after kamala harris was confirmed as the democratic nominee there was a lot of concern that she was not putting herself out there enough. she wasn't doing enough interviews. now of course she is but is it too little too late? time will tell, ultimately. - late? time will tell, ultimately. her - late? time will tell, - ultimately. her campaign in

general is a very condensed campaign given that she did not have the year—long lead up time, it was a short campaign period and i think that she is rolling out these policies on an ongoing basis. she is speaking to a whole new audience is, the fact that she is going on fox news is her way of trying to expand the electorate and trying to get those additional voters to try and look at her and take a second look and say, maybe i can vote for her because of x, y, z policies that she is putting in place. on the other hand, you see that donald trump is doing the old, reaching the same audiences, he is not trying to expand his electorate as kamala harris is. i trying to expand his electorate as kamala harris is.— as kamala harris is. i could aruue as kamala harris is. i could argue that _ as kamala harris is. i could argue that maybe - as kamala harris is. i could argue that maybe he - as kamala harris is. i could argue that maybe he is - as kamala harris is. i could argue that maybe he is in l as kamala harris is. i could argue that maybe he is in a as kamala harris is. i could - argue that maybe he is in a way because you have seen his position on ivf and women's reproductive rights at odds with some parts of the republican party, haven't we, jessica? i republican party, haven't we, jessica? ., republican party, haven't we, jessica? ~' ., republican party, haven't we,

jessica? ~ ., ., jessica? i think one of the most, jessica? i think one of the most. it's _ jessica? i think one of the most, it's one _ jessica? i think one of the most, it's one of - jessica? i think one of the most, it's one of the - jessica? i think one of the | most, it's one of the curve hails — most, it's one of the curve hails hy— most, it's one of the curve balls by donald trump and it's the reason why it makes it so difficult — the reason why it makes it so difficult for harris in this race _ difficult for harris in this race because trump can literally— race because trump can literally say anything, he can handbrake turn the conversation into practically any other random _ into practically any other random topic and it can be quite — random topic and it can be quite difficult to predict what he's — quite difficult to predict what he's going to say on each one so at — he's going to say on each one so at any— he's going to say on each one so at any time, there is even an attempt to make the race about— an attempt to make the race about concrete issues of policy, _ about concrete issues of policy, whether that might be reproductive rights but it might— reproductive rights but it might be things about the economy, housing, suddenly the whole _ economy, housing, suddenly the whole terrain is pulled onto this— whole terrain is pulled onto this random discussion about ivf where donald trump calls himseif— ivf where donald trump calls himself the father right to free — himself the father right to free ivf. it's a very difficult race — free ivf. it's a very difficult race to _ free ivf. it's a very difficult race to fight if you are donald trump's — race to fight if you are donald trump's opponent.— race to fight if you are donald trump's opponent. jessica and kendra, will— trump's opponent. jessica and kendra, will be _ trump's opponent. jessica and kendra, will be back— trump's opponent. jessica and kendra, will be back with - trump's opponent. jessica and kendra, will be back with you | kendra, will be back with you in a moment, don't go away. we mentioned the importance of pennsylvania in us elections — back in 2016 when i covered donald trump versus hillary clinton, the views were so entrenched, they often divided families. here's a flavour of

the views from a couple i met back then. i think she has, you know, some ideas that really need to be pushed through, on the democratic side hasn't been able to push through. you really think she comes off as a good person, seriously? yes. ijust find her totally... she reminds me of the evil schoolmarm, schoolteacher, you know, she's old, she's overweight, just like some of those other women. just like mrtrump? husband and wife there. in an election it's on a knife edge this time and marriages are being tested by political differences once again. let's speak to one married couple in pennsylvania, leslie and alan. leslie, you have a dentist won't get to and alan is in his office. lesley, you are voting democrat and alan you are

voting republican, i'm going to give leslie the first word if i may. lesley, how do you and alan navigate your political differences? we have lost sound with a lesley so i think we will go to alan first, alan, how do you and lesley navigate your political differences? it's a great question, the united _ it's a great question, the united states was founded on a great _ united states was founded on a great democracy and we have got an amazing constitution so we put ourm _ an amazing constitution so we put our... we have a very loving, — put our... we have a very loving, respectful relationship and i— loving, respectful relationship and i respect lesley's background, where she came from and she _ background, where she came from and she respects me. we always find a _ and she respects me. we always find a common ground and we usually— find a common ground and we usually end up with some form of humour— usually end up with some form of humour if there is a spirited _ of humour if there is a spirited debate. the fact of the matter is that we actually both — the matter is that we actually both want the same thing so we are not— both want the same thing so we are not too dissimilar. if both want the same thing so we are not too dissimilar.— are not too dissimilar. if you both want — are not too dissimilar. if you both want the _ are not too dissimilar. if you both want the same - are not too dissimilar. if you both want the same thing i are not too dissimilar. if you i both want the same thing why you voted for donald trump and she is voting for kamala

harris? ., ~' ., she is voting for kamala harris?— she is voting for kamala harris? ., 4' ., . . harris? you know, i am a businessman, _ harris? you know, i am a businessman, i'm - harris? you know, i am a businessman, i'm in - harris? you know, i am a businessman, i'm in the l harris? you know, i am a - businessman, i'm in the defence and aerospace industry, i'm an executive _ and aerospace industry, i'm an executive engineer and as a backdrop _ executive engineer and as a backdrop on that. i get to work with— backdrop on that. i get to work with both — backdrop on that. i get to work with both sides of the aisle and — with both sides of the aisle and my— with both sides of the aisle and my beliefs from a conservative perspective are mostly — conservative perspective are mostly on the financial aspect and our— mostly on the financial aspect and ourforeign mostly on the financial aspect and our foreign policy. and lesley— and our foreign policy. and lesley ceasing slightly different. if that answer your questions, i hope it does. lesley. _ questions, i hope it does. lesley. i— questions, i hope it does. lesley, i think we maybe have connection with you again. lesley, i'll ask allen the same question but how do you see it from your perspective, how do you navigate those differences when you are talking about how much you like kamala harris is alan kind of screwing his face had been talking about donald trump? had been talking about donald trum - ? ., had been talking about donald trum? ., . , had been talking about donald trum? ., ., , ., had been talking about donald trum? ., . , ., ~' trump? not any more! i think in 2020 and _ trump? not any more! i think in 2020 and before _ trump? not any more! i think in 2020 and before we _ trump? not any more! i think in 2020 and before we had - trump? not any more! i think in 2020 and before we had a - trump? not any more! i think in 2020 and before we had a little| 2020 and before we had a little but now — 2020 and before we had a little but now we just respect each other— but now we just respect each other and _ but now we just respect each other and tease each other a little — other and tease each other a little bit _ other and tease each other a little bit. i other and tease each other a

little bit. .. , little bit. i call him my adorable, _ little bit. i call him my adorable, deplorable. | little bit. i call him my - adorable, deplorable. what little bit. i call him my _ adorable, deplorable. what were their struggles _ adorable, deplorable. what were their struggles before _ adorable, deplorable. what were their struggles before and - adorable, deplorable. what were their struggles before and how. their struggles before and how did you overcome them? it was about the _ did you overcome them? it was about the pandemic _ did you overcome them? it was about the pandemic in - did you overcome them? it was about the pandemic in part - did you overcome them? it was about the pandemic in part and| about the pandemic in part and it was also about who we were voting for and the principles we stand for. i think we have learned more about each other and we have just gotten past a lot of their difficult stuff. let me ask about one of the issues that divide men and women and that's the issue of reproductive rights, and of course, abortion rights have been rolled back after donald trump became president and the supreme court he installed overturns the roe v wade decision, when that came in and we see the bowling of abortion rights, what do you think, leslie, and the conversations you have a ballad about that? we both believe strongly in a foster care and adoptive... how wonderful that can be. my mum has taught me a lot about women

who died in her ear before abortion was legal. i know women who have had needed to do that for medical reasons so while it is a very difficult issue, alan and i were both raised catholic, i do believe at the end of the day it is private between woman and her doctor but it is a difficult issue. �* ., , doctor but it is a difficult issue. �* . , ., issue. alan, 'ust your thought on that, issue. alan, just your thought on that, dividing _ issue. alan, just your thought on that, dividing lines - issue. alan, just your thought on that, dividing lines on - on that, dividing lines on policies you would never degree disagree with lesley on? it’s a disagree with lesley on? it's a treat disagree with lesley on? it's a great question. _ disagree with lesley on? it's a great question. particularly . disagree with lesley on? it's a great question. particularly onj great question. particularly on the abortion and things of that nature — the abortion and things of that nature i— the abortion and things of that nature. i don't believe that wem — nature. i don't believe that we... were not that far apart onany— we... were not that far apart on any of— we... were not that far apart on any of these things and that is the _ on any of these things and that is the beauty of the way we handle _ is the beauty of the way we handle things. i can't say that there — handle things. ican't say that there is— handle things. i can't say that there is any one thing that would _ there is any one thing that would be a breaker in any of this— would be a breaker in any of this stuff _ would be a breaker in any of this stuff-— this stuff. ok, let's bring a anel this stuff. ok, let's bring a panel in. — this stuff. ok, let's bring a panel in. do _ this stuff. ok, let's bring a panel in, do stay