you said the tory party wasn't split any more you've just had david and others saying it doesn't really because they chucked them out not because of some amazing uniting genius superpower! it's because they chucked out their opponents! i think if you look at generally the parliamentary party now, there isn't a big divide on europe any more. i have a question for all of you learned friends l which is, we have spokenl about the unity of the tory party in the wake of brexit. what about the unity. of the united kingdom? would you have expectedl the strains that there have been on northern ireland - and scotland following brexit? i think northern ireland and scotland were two big parts of the campaign. that was discussed a lot during the campaign. i think clearly northern ireland and the rules and regulations that need to be put in place around the free movement of goods and so on was going to be a complicated issue that needed to be worked through in the negotiations. i do think it was also used quite badly by the eu in parts of the negotiations and i think the backstop was a way to get the

it's the tory party's good luck. they would not have that kind of appeal. he somehow has, he has been lucky i think partly with the help of our european friends dusting the conservative party that does create problems with our relationship with the scots. because the scots do not like boris. they traditionally if not like the tory party or men haven't. so the success of the tory party in england does create another division with scotland. >> so now i want to turn because you do cover this in the sovereign aisle, the discontent with european urine within europe. and you described that using poll data opinion poll data and many countries. could you just tell us about that? they are stuck but their unhappiness is just as strong is that correct? make it certainly was not 2016. that is one reason i'm cautious about explaining in terms of our difference from europe. >> we are all different in every country has its own history and its own particular strengths and weaknesses. but look, sparse european union is concerned it was no more unpopular in britain than it wa

there's this — concerns within the tory party that there's this tension between the parties _ there's— parties intentions to gain redwall seats and — parties intentions to gain redwall seats and appeal to former labour voters _ seats and appeal to former labour voters in — seats and appeal to former labour voters in the north of the country, as well— voters in the north of the country, as well as — voters in the north of the country, as well as trying to maintain its hold _ as well as trying to maintain its hold over— as well as trying to maintain its hold over the other seats and we mavcee — hold over the other seats and we maycee building in the next couple of years— maycee building in the next couple of years certainly. -- maycee building in the next couple of years certainly.— a framed photo of a rather dejected looking harry kane who was booed off the pitch. you looking harry kane who was booed off the itch. ., ., ., , ., the pitch. you had to feel sorry for harry came- _ the pitch. you had to feel sorry for harry came- he — the pitch. you had to feel sorry for harry came. he is

he says. _ withering attack on the tory party. he says. he — withering attack on the tory party.g that the conservative party is not. and he scholes— conservative party is not. and he scholes and boris johnson a successful campaigner but a lousy governor~ — successful campaigner but a lousy governor. people are sick of lies, empty— governor. people are sick of lies, empty slogans and a failure to deliver. — empty slogans and a failure to deliver, he says, so he is not mincing — deliver, he says, so he is not mincing his _ deliver, he says, so he is not mincing his words. there is some speculation— mincing his words. there is some speculation in the piece about whether— speculation in the piece about whether this is a sort of revenge move _ whether this is a sort of revenge move by— whether this is a sort of revenge move byjohn bercow because when he steps move byjohn bercow because when he steps down _ move byjohn bercow because when he steps down as speaker, he did not become _ steps down as speaker, he did not become a — steps down as speaker, he did not become a peer in the ho

she made social care reform the centrepiece of the tory party— reform the centrepiece of the tory partyundly attacked by not least _ ideas were being roundly attacked by not least andrew delmont, who a decade _ not least andrew delmont, who a decade ago did something for the government to try to get across party— government to try to get across party consensus on long—term care, in the _ party consensus on long—term care, in the mail, _ party consensus on long—term care, in the mail, you're right, it is thundering away. it is saying there was a _ thundering away. it is saying there was a planned meeting between the pm and rishi _ was a planned meeting between the pm and rishi sunak that was you to be taking _ and rishi sunak that was you to be taking place tomorrow, is apparently cancelled. _ taking place tomorrow, is apparently cancelled, and this broader sense that the _ cancelled, and this broader sense that the issue of long—term care 'ust that the issue of long—term care just keeps— that the issue of long—term care just keeps on being kicked down the road _ just keeps on being kick

_ ken clarke of the current tory party in terms of— ken clarke of the current tory party in terms ofhot spot and _ in terms of being lowered into a hot spot and picking up the pieces ensuring — spot and picking up the pieces ensuring the business can go on. he was very— ensuring the business can go on. he was very bullish today in the press conference, saying he was very busy, don't _ conference, saying he was very busy, don't stop— conference, saying he was very busy, don't stop me to talk to you now, i have _ don't stop me to talk to you now, i have business to do! very much sleeves — have business to do! very much sleeves rolled up, a lot of tasks ahead, — sleeves rolled up, a lot of tasks ahead, not— sleeves rolled up, a lot of tasks ahead, not least picking up the pieces— ahead, not least picking up the pieces of— ahead, not least picking up the pieces of the continuing lockdown and how— pieces of the continuing lockdown and how to navigate his way through that, plus _ and how to navigate his way through that, plus all of those other things that, plus all of those other things t

they traditionally have not like the tory party or many of them haven't. and so the success of the tory party and england does create another division was scotland. >> you do cover this in the sovereign aisle, the discontent with the european europe. you described that using a poll data and opinion poll data in many countries. could you just tell us about that? they are stuck with their unhappiness is just as strong is that correct? >> truly wasn't 2016. that is one reason why i am cautious about explaining everything in terms of our difference from europe. we are all different. every country has its own history and its own particular strengths or weaknesses. but as far as the european union is concerned, it was no more unpopular in britain than it was in holland, germany, was less unpopular in france, much less unpopular in italy or greece. and yet of course that brings us back to earlier point they cannot do anything about it because the risks of losing the year old are much too great. so we were not so alienated from the european union. many people rega

tory party about tech giants paying theirshare. if tory party about tech giants paying their share. ,my memory sermons are right, this was exercising a - are right, this was exercising a requirement in george osborne when they were in number ten and number 11. more than a decade ago. —— david came in. and we haven't made much progress. a quick yes or no to you in the lincolns —— england can stop taking the knee. should they? abs, taking the knee. should they? difficult one. if they feel there is another way to express solidarity, they should go forward and do what they should go forward and do what they feel is right. yes they should go forward and do what they feel is right.— they feel is right. yes or no, joe? take it. good. _ they feel is right. yes or no, joe? take it. good. a _ they feel is right. yes or no, joe? take it. good. a nice _ they feel is right. yes or no, joe? take it. good. a nice clear- they feel is right. yes or no, joe? take it. good. a nice clear and i take it. good. a nice clear and consistent _ take it. good. a nice clear and consistent answer. _ take it. good.

this is something that was promised in the tory party manifesto a while back.dging from... banned by 'udging from... you do have to banned byjudging from... you do have to ask. _ banned byjudging from... you do have to ask, what _ banned byjudging from... you do have to ask, what about - banned byjudging from... you do have to ask, what about the i banned byjudging from... you do i have to ask, what about the european convention on human rights? yes indeed, convention on human rights? yes indeed. and _ convention on human rights? yes indeed, and how should that interact with law— indeed, and how should that interact with law in _ indeed, and how should that interact with law in this country. the label or party— with law in this country. the label or party are — with law in this country. the label or party are making the claim —— labour— or party are making the claim —— labour party. i see this poke brexit tends _ labour party. i see this poke brexit lends the _ labour party. i see this poke brexit lends the government want to be delivering on that promise —— po

, remember, today, _ benches of the tory party, remember, today, sajid _ benches of the tory party, remember the — today, sajid javid was obliged to get the house of commons and updates on whether— get the house of commons and updates on whether there could potentially be a lifting of restrictions even earlier— be a lifting of restrictions even earlier thanjuly the be a lifting of restrictions even earlier than july the 19th. be a lifting of restrictions even earlier thanjuly the 19th. this time — earlier thanjuly the 19th. this time next _ earlier thanjuly the 19th. this time next week, in fact, he said that— time next week, in fact, he said that we — time next week, in fact, he said that we are _ time next week, in fact, he said that we are not quite there yet. i think— that we are not quite there yet. i think what— that we are not quite there yet. i think what they want to do is buy more _ think what they want to do is buy more time, — think what they want to do is buy more time, essentially coming to get more _ more time, essentially coming to get more people vaccinated, get more people

he described the tory party as sometimes even being xenophobic.y, justice and internationalism which is the labour brand. 0n the inside pages, a lot more coverage with his views. people are sick of lies, empty slogans and failure to deliver. geraldine, how much influence does he have? how significant do you think this is? i he have? how significant do you think this is?— he have? how significant do you think this is? i think the thing to sa is it's think this is? i think the thing to say is it's not — think this is? i think the thing to say is it's not a _ think this is? i think the thing to say is it's not a massive - think this is? i think the thing to | say is it's not a massive surprise, is eight? i don't think anyone is looking at this this morning thinking i could never have imagined that happening. but it's a significant intervention. they are very strong commentsjohn bercow has made. 0ne very strong commentsjohn bercow has made. one thing that struck me was he was not really overly praising labour, but reallyjust seeing if you only vehicle

all these usual things we remember from tory party stories, but that seems to be going limp.k if he's got any sense, he's keeping his head down and hoping this blows over.- sense, he's keeping his head down and hoping this blows over. yeah, a eriod of and hoping this blows over. yeah, a period of silence _ and hoping this blows over. yeah, a period of silence on _ and hoping this blows over. yeah, a period of silence on your— and hoping this blows over. yeah, a period of silence on your part - and hoping this blows over. yeah, a period of silence on your part would be welcome for him. he wrote rather short letters, and you feel matt hancock is in that position. even if he doesn't say anything, a lot of other people are saying things about him, not least the daily mail. as a parliamentary reporter, can you to try to give us some sense? there will be picked pull thinking he's gone, his private life, he's separated from his wife. it's a terrible thing for both families. why are they banging on about it when it has their scout, but if there is a reason for that? {131 there is a r

what the telegraph the sea as a libertarian move of the tory party would be borisjohnson talking aboutthe covid—19 recovery group in the backbenchers will be disappointed by this. ~ ., ., .,~ ., backbenchers will be disappointed by this. ., ., this. what do you make of this? it is the nice — this. what do you make of this? it is the nice joke _ this. what do you make of this? it is the nice joke help _ this. what do you make of this? it is the nice joke help my _ this. what do you make of this? it is the nice joke help my but - this. what do you make of this? it is the nice joke help my but when | is the nice joke help my but when you said about the photograph of the anti—lockdown protesters and admittedly, they been campaigning against this from the start, but over the disappointment of the last few days, do you get a sent that they got the rhetoric wrong in the comments tonight, they're saying that it has not been helpful to use things like talk about freedom day would actually we know realistically they're going to be stuck with this virus in the long term and we do not know and no

he had no sense of the tory party parliament rallying around him. he wasjust doing it alone.i thought, around him, during the course of today. which i thought was peculiar. what which i thought was peculiar. what we are picking _ which i thought was peculiar. what we are picking up _ which i thought was peculiar. what we are picking up on _ which i thought was peculiar. what we are picking up on in _ which i thought was peculiar. what we are picking up on in terms of backbenchers and privately and people think back to dominic cummings in last year. are they making comparisons and to which was the worst crime. to making comparisons and to which was the worst crime.— the worst crime. to be honest the 've the worst crime. to be honest they've been _ the worst crime. to be honest they've been keeping - the worst crime. to be honest they've been keeping their. the worst crime. to be honest - they've been keeping their council. tory mps had been, even in private and off the record, remaining pretty quiet about what they feel about this and perhaps that was a concerted effort from n

in the sunday express, it says that tory party donors had had enough and started making a lot of fusshe sense that there is an alternative regime, government available to do it better. we 'ust showed the fi available to do it better. we 'ust showed the front i available to do it better. we 'ust showed the front page i available to do it better. we 'ust showed the front page of h available to do it better. we just showed the front page of the i showed the front page of the telegraph, same front story and an image from the resignation video. i want to take people to the front page of the sunday times. i'm sure we've all travelled on trains and we've all travelled on trains and we've all travelled on trains and we've all heard the announcements. infuriating train announcements will terminate here. what is this all about? . , ., terminate here. what is this all about? . ., ., ., about? have you ever sat on a train and ou about? have you ever sat on a train and you want _ about? have you ever sat on a train and you want information _ about? have you ever sat on a train and you want informat

i’m former leader of the tory party. i'm so sor , former leader of the tory party. i'm so sorry.re making it up as they go along, it's more mismanagement of

i think there is alarm, _ through the tory party yet?re is alarm, particularly - through the tory party yet? i think there is alarm, particularly in - there is alarm, particularly in certain seats in the south of england. there are a number of seats that have now been held by for years, but were formally liberal democrats dumb democratic seats, seats like winchester, romsey in the south as well, and i think there will be mps who are nervous today looking at that result, that by—election result, and one conservative mp for the south i spoke to this morning said this result should send shock waves into no 10. of course, there are soon mitigating factors, by—elections can throw up unusual results, i certainly think that's what the government may point to today but for the liberal democrats, they are absolutely delighted. their leader sir ed davey reacting this morning. i think this will send a shock wave through british politics. liberal democrats have had good wins in the past but this is our best ever by—election victory and if it was rep

you could argue that this is a rich territory for the tory party i a rich territory for the tory partyople are undecided, who or who are starting to make up their minds. eunice is head of employment law at a yorkshire law firm, vice chair at a yorkshire law firm, vice chair at a mosque. julia townsend runs a make—up training academy. thank you forjoining us here today. why are you undecided, eunice? what a lot of people — why are you undecided, eunice? what a lot of people are _ why are you undecided, eunice? hisusgit a lot of people are saying here. traditionally it is a labour heartland, but labour has lost credibility. as a muslim there are things that are important to me. they are important. labour seems to have moved away from those issues, issues of human rights, fairness, equality, justice, notjust on my doorstep, globally. do equality, justice, not 'ust on my doorstep, globally._ doorstep, globally. do you find because there _ doorstep, globally. do you find because there is _ doorstep, globally. do you find because there is this _ doorstep, globally. do you find l because ther

here to party history is a carefully engineer narrative. to jazz is tory and at the party history institute, which is supervised by the center committee. there are materials we cannot publish . this has to do with our position. research or communication have to deposit the people. that is our standpoint of movies. aging is pulling out all the stops to celebrate the centennial of the chinese communist party. but it's a party that remains under extremely tight control. when my 2nd gets denied, grew up during chinese cultural revolution. today she lives in the us and runs china. change a website covering the stories that don't make it past the sensors shining a light on human rights abuses in china. joshua tell joins me now. it's good to have you on the program. trying to communist party is turning a 100 years old. it has ruled the country for over 70 years. it out lived the soviet union. what is the secret to success? pipe control. so the 1st 30 years, i've heard the program before me it was the disastrous right? so the, the opening up and the reform, it's r

party? hard to gauge what tory mps are feelin: party? rd to gauge what tory mps are feeling about _ party? hard to gauge what tory mps are feeling about this, _ party? hard to gauge what tory mps are feeling about this, they - party? hard to gauge what tory mps are feeling about this, they will - party? hard to gauge what tory mps are feeling about this, they will be l are feeling about this, they will be well aware though that matt hancock has been under some pressure recently. there was for one thing all the claims made by dominic cummings at the select 28 a few weeks ago about what he said what the primer minister's views about mr hancock's performance and in mr cummings multi macro view he should have been sacked in the early days of the pandemic, there are a catalogue of things that can be pinned on mr hancock. mr hancock then had a robust performance as he answered back those criticisms and he had through that rather dicey couple of weeks the full backing of number ten and the committee said there was no evidence for mr cummings mul

cabinet ministers are urging the prime minister to pay more attention to traditionally tory values after the partyeat in the chesham and amersham by—election. according to the times — many senior conservatives mps have warned the prime minister that he risks alienating many southern tory voters unless he softens planning laws. the express covers borisjohnson�*s remarks following the defeat. he vowed to use rocket boosters remarks following the defeat. a daily mail investigation reveals the full details of a police chiefs interview with prince charles following the death of princess diana. according to the i — the royal british legion has been forced to close its online poppy shop across the eu because of extra expense and paperwork created by brexit. on the front page of the mirror, a smiling duchess of cambridge sporting a colorful umbrella as she launches her new centre for early childhood. the i sport leads with the headline �*great scots�*. tonight's match england v scotland ended goalless but england's frustration means now scotland has a chance of victory. the sun has the headline ”bad news

party. but it's a tight contest, with the tories pushing hard to build on recent wins in traditional labour forsyth has been talking to voters and party members. the pitch is rolled and it's all to play for. these voters are at the heart of a fierce contest to choose their next mp, and at this local bowls club they know what they want delivered. the bus service is not all that brilliant for people like older people who need them. the high street, probably. it's very sad in batley, i think. many here talk of the need to understand an area that can feel overlooked. the conservatives know what working men's aspirations are, whereas the labour party usually tell us what our aspirations are. the tories have recently shifted the political landscape, tapping into frustration in post—industrial areas with the promise of a better future. it's what their candidate, ryan stevenson, wants to replicate in this once—thriving textile town. and this local community leader and new tory member thinks there is a chance. i think it's just about people not feeling that, look, just because i'm born in a certain

as i mentioned earlier, the tory party have amnesia because it was under the coalition government thatit is part of a narrative that is being pushed by the likes of tony sule, in terms of seeing that institutional racism does not exist, that black people in this country are better off than white people. that�*s not the case. you scrutinise certain groups within ethnic groups will be doing better than some. afro—caribbean boys are still at the bottom of that table. thank you forjoining us. i�*m joined now by robert halfon. just to pick up now by robert halfon. just to pick up on that point first of all, the accusation that you are stalking a culture war. first of all, i have got respect for kym johnson, she is a hard working member of the committee and comes every week and has very important things to add on every occasion. but we do have a fundamental disagreement here about this. let as look at the story. the story is this. it is a bleak one. there are over 900,000 pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, white working class, on free school meals, who are underperforming at every stage

party cross benches. typically, the liberal democrats, there aren't many tories, but the appears to be coming together in appreciation of the challenges that facing the welsh governor will the welsh economy in general, we haven't yet been tackled. for example, these come under to us. we seems one is with regards to agriculture and the way in which the independent agricultural policy of the welsh governments can be pursued within a strait jacket that seems to be run from london. and i know that the very strong tensions felt indeed, by the end, if you, for example, in northern iowa as well as scotland and wales with regard to the australian deal. it's coming up. that's one instance. there's a question of state aid, the extent to which the house government can help an industry such as a steel industry currently going through the difficulties and the danger that we won't have the lot to do that we had to use funds from the european i'm source as they were in the past, the new funding arranged by the body of johnson government, you're going to be manipulated from london and not in the hands of the wealth gove

party. but it's a tight contest, with the tories pushing hard to build on recent wins in traditional labour voters are at the heart of a fierce contest to choose their next mp, and at this local bowls club, they know what they want delivered. bus service is not all that brilliant for people like older people who need them. the high street, probably. it's very sad in batley, i think. many here talk of the need to understand an area that can feel overlooked. the conservatives know what working men's aspirations are, _ whereas the labour party usually | tell us what our aspirations are. | the tories have recently shifted the political landscape, tapping into frustration in post—industrial areas with the promise of a better future. it's what their candidate, ryan stevenson, wants to replicate in this once—thriving textile town. and this local community leader and new tory member thinks there is a chance. i think it's just about people not feeling that, look, just because i'm born in a certain town or live in a certain town, i'm never going to be able to earn as much money or get as good a job as

opposition parties agree a new coalition government. toryebels want to force a government u—turn on cuts to the foreign aid budget. america's last great wilderness. president biden blocks drilling for oil and gas in a wildlife refuge in alaska. and warming up for the euros — england secure a narrow victory against austria, while scotland draw, and wales lose. and coming up in the sport on the bbc news channel, fans return to watch england at lord's but its new zealand that take control after the opening day of the first test. good evening. the man charged with developing a long—term strategy to help pupils make up for lost learning due to the coronavirus pandemic has resigned, in a row over funding. sir kevan collins took on the role in february, but now says the government's offer of an extra eli; billion will not lead to "a successful recovery," and "betrays an undervaluation of the importance of education." he'd put forward plans that would have cost more than £10 billion. borisjohnson says there'll hopefully be more money coming down the

it started as a two—horse race between labour and the tories, but then george galloway arrived for the workers partytomers could swing the result here. post—pandemic, people are looking for investment in jobs and opportunities, and just regeneration within the town. i don't think there's any such thing as a muslim vote. i think george galloway has done a split right through the middle. usually it does, usually everybody votes for one party, but he has caused a stir and definitely divided the community in that sense. everybody has their own opinions, | not to follow our previous parentsj or told we need to vote labour, we've all now got an opinion . which we express. and there are actually 16 candidates to choose from. thrilling for political pundits. for the voters of batley, a little bit exhausting. adam fleming, bbc news, batley and spen. well, there are 16 candidates standing in the batley and spen by—election, and you can find more information and the full list of the contenders on the bbc news website. buckingham palace has admitted it has to do more to increase diversity among its staff. its a

some tory voters that this boris johnson sense potentially among some tory voters that this borisjohnson in incarnation of the partyon keeping the books balanced when it comes to finances and so on and so forth. is there a sense that this party has changed the grassroots conservatives and, as a result, that is why the liberal democrats can make hay? i result, that is why the liberal democrats can make hay? i think that is riaht democrats can make hay? i think that is ri . ht and democrats can make hay? ! think that is right and i— democrats can make hay? i think that is right and i think _ democrats can make hay? i think that is right and i think what _ democrats can make hay? i think that is right and i think what this _ democrats can make hay? i think that is right and i think what this by - is right and i think what this by election— is right and i think what this by election result is more evidence of it is a _ election result is more evidence of it is a fult— election result is more evidence of it is a full realignment going on in british— it is a full realignment going on in british politics sojust it is a fu

conservatives know what working men's aspirations are, _ whereas the labour party usually | tell us what our aspirations are. | the tories—industrial areas with the promise of a better future. it's what their candidate, ryan stevenson, wants to replicate in this once—thriving textile town. and this local community leader and new tory member thinks there is a chance. i think it's just about people not feeling that, "look, just because i'm born in a certain town or live in a certain town, i'm never going to be able to earn as much money or get as good a job as somebody in the south." if that perception can change, but it's backed up by real opportunities, then i think people will be happy about that. but labour's roots here do run deep. we only do it for labour. i working class will vote for labour, i always have done and always will do. this was the seat ofjo cox before she was murdered. her legacy is still felt. now her sister, kim leadbeater, is standing for labour, pledging to be a local champion. and this party member and local volunteer thinks their candidate's community ties could be key. for a long time since the m

the former speaker of the house of commons and ex—tory mp, john bercow, has been defending his decision to join the labour party had several run—ins with the conservatives. he was also accused of presiding over a culture of bullying — something he rejects. he denies the move to labour is a tactic to distract from the legacy of these claims but does admit some regrets from his time in office. we all make mistakes. have i been perfect in every instance? can i say that, with the benefit of hindsight, i have never done something differently? of course i couldn't, but i come back to the central proposition one has as a private citizen the right to make a judgment about which political party to support. i believe, in terms of values, the labour party is preferable to the conservative party. more than 800,000 jobs in the uk's travel sector could be at risk — that's the warning from a union representing aviation workers. the british airline pilots association is appealing for urgent action from the government to end restrictions on travel which it calls "ludicrously cautious". the government says it is working with the

0pposition parties agree a new coalition government. tory rebels want to force a government u—turn

beyond the private matter for both of the parties involved and their families, there is a national matter. and when we seen telegraph the fact that you've got toryre very worried when we saw, and it went on for these two weeks, i remember reporting on it daily — dominic cummings became the story. so now that hancock has become the story. and this undermines the authority, the credibility of the policy of the health secretary, of the government, so it is not surprising that labour and the liberal democrats are calling for matt hancock to resign or indeed that there are calls for inquiry but it seems, in one of the other articles also cover that for the moment, the prime minister boris johnson is not minded to ask for investigation into this. would that change in the coming days? and will there be a reshuffle? benedicte, do you think this story will have an a residence for your audience on france when he for not? —— a residence for your audience on france 24? it depends on matt hancock was to busy -- if —— if he is forced to resign, it will get international residence. it already is. of course george boyd any verdict is evening will occupy a lot o

tory donors over the awarding of coronavirus contracts. in a heated debate, conservatives countered with accusations of party politicking, which in turn angeredthe leader of the snp at westminster asked an urgent question about a high court ruling that found the way a half million pound covid contract had been awarded was unlawful. the secretary of state ordered the use of a £560,000 emergency covid contract to conduct constitutional campaigning on the union. instead of using an emergency covid contract to order ppe for the nhs, the minister chose to order political polling. this isn't media speculation, and it isn't even a political accusation. it is, mr speaker, a plain fact. the minister said the research was used to inform public messaging on the pandemic. these key communication campaigns were seen on television and social media, and i'm sure we will all be familiar with them. ministers had no personal involvement in the decision towards this contract, and they do not personally approve contract awards. this contract did not relate to constitutional campaigning, and any suggestion that the government carries out party political research

former speaker of the house of commons and previously tory mp john bercow has been defending his decision to change allegiances and join the labour partycow made controversial procedural decisions over the brexit process and had several run—ins with the conservatives. he was also accused of presiding over a culture of bullying, something he rejects. he denies the move to labour is a tactic to distract from these allegations, but admits he does have some regrets from his time in office. we all make mistakes. have i been perfect in every instance? can i say that with the benefit of hindsight i would never have done something differently? of course i couldn't, but i come back to the central proposition one has, as a private citizen, the right to make a judgment about which political party to support. i believe in terms of values the labour party is preferable to the conservative party. seaside resorts are bouncing back faster than big cities when it comes to in—shop spending — that's according to new research by the think—tank centre for cities. it suggests large urban centres are still struggling to attract shoppers, partly due to office

tory cycle. nothing like that obtains at the moment. we have a new political ball game. and the attachment of individuals to partiesedictable. boris can write his luck a little longer yet, i'm sure. steve richards, the wider situation beyond england in the uk is very interesting. there are signs of perhaps a strengthening of welsh nationalism, labour seems to be pretty secure in wales, judging by the results in the welsh parliamentary and welsh assembly elections, the senate, we have scotland and the pressures on scottish independence. hard to know what that will have on the wider uk. in northern ireland you have a parallel system where none of the parties have a presence and therefore arguably governments don't take northern ireland voters that seriously. the whole package is very, very fluid at the moment. it's incredibly fluid and there are not really parallels with the 80s, beyond the fact that this is another long serving conservative government for the reasons you suggest. in the 1980s, it's easy to forget, all power in effect was centralised at westminster. there was no scottish parliament. there was no nort

former speaker of the house of commons and tory mpjohn bercow has been defending his decision to change allegiances to join the labour partye as speaker, mr bercow made controversial procedural decisions over the brexit process and had several run—ins with the conservatives. he was also accused of presiding over a culture of bullying — something he rejects — and denies the move to labour is a tactic to distract from these allegations — but admits he does have some regrets from his time in office. we all make mistakes. have i been perfect in every instance? can i say that with the benefit of hindsight i'd never have done something differently? of course i couldn't, but i come back to the central proposition, one has as a private citizen the right to make a judgment about which political party to support. i believe, in terms of values, the labour party is preferable to the conservative party. mcdonalds has announced its recruiting 20,000 more staff across the uk and ireland. the fast food chain insists new staff will not replace the jobs lost throughout the pandemic. it says the additional roles are being driven by plans to

tory mp john bercow says he has switched allegiance to join labour. he said the government "needs to be replaced" and sir keir starmer�*s party "is the only vehicle thatsn't a surprise and it's continuing to pursue an ambitious agenda. last year, covid restrictions wiped out the uk's summer festival season. this year, despite many events being delayed or cancelled, some are going ahead. download festival at donington park near derby is one of them. it's taking place this weekend as part of the government's live event pilot scheme. 0ur correspondent luxmy gopal has joined the music fans. the closest return to normality yet, a 10,000 capacity crowd and no masks or social distancing. this weekend's download festival pilot is the latest in the government's testing of live events, and hosts the first legal mosh pit since the start of the pandemic. to be back here, it's incredible. i'll go through every guideline and jump through every hoop they want me to do get back here like this. live festivals are basically what i want to do with my spare time, and live music, so it'sjust incredible to be here again and experience that. everyone attending the festival

tory mp john bercow says he has switched allegiance to join labour. he said the government "needs to be replaced" and sir keir starmer�*s party "is the only vehicle thate government says his move isn't a surprise and it's continuing to pursue an ambitious agenda. this is bbc news. the headlines: protests have been taking place in brazil against the president's handling of the pandemic as the country passes 500,000 covid deaths. the us says it will continue negotiating with iran to revive the international nuclear deal following the election of the hardline cleric ebrahim raisi as the next iranian president. let's stay with that story. earlier, i spoke to professor abbas milani, director of the iranian studies programme at stanford university. i asked him where he thought we were with the iran nuclear deal now. i think it's under way towards the resolution. i think the iranian regime, in spite of its bombast, clearly needs to make a deal — wants to make a deal. the economy is on the verge of collapse and if they make a deal now, then they will have mr raisi hand—picked by mr khamenei as the next president, and reap the benefits of improved economic con

has always voted tory, who has never, ever voted liberal democrat in my life, but did so at this election. labour received a dismal 622 votes, the worst by—election result in the party'snting result, but there were particular circumstances there, and we are getting on with delivering our agenda for the whole country. cheering. this victory could be down to many things. a well—organised campaign on local issues and lingering anti—brexit sentiment in a remain—voting area. but many conservatives believe in a general election the result would still go their way. vicki young, bbc news, amersham. from today, all adults in england can book in their coronavirus vaccine — as part of the governments plan to vaccinate as many over 18's as possible ahead of the new target date, for the end of restrictions onjuly 19th. it comes as new data from public health england suggests that a single dose of the pfizer or astrazeneca vaccine reduces the risk of needing hospital treatment by three quarters. here's our health correspondent catherine burns. in normal times, this would be entirely unremarkable — festivalgoers braving the british summer weather. i feel a wee bit damp, but this wil

tory cycle. nothing like that obtains at the moment. we have a new political ball game. and the attachment of individuals to partieslittle longer yet, i'm sure. . write his luck a little longer yet, i'm sure. ,, . ., , i'm sure. steve richards, the wider situation beyond _ i'm sure. steve richards, the wider situation beyond england _ i'm sure. steve richards, the wider situation beyond england in - i'm sure. steve richards, the wider situation beyond england in the - i'm sure. steve richards, the wider situation beyond england in the uk| situation beyond england in the uk is very interesting. there are signs of perhaps a strengthening of welsh nationalism, labour seems to be pretty secure in wales, judging by the results in the welsh parliamentary and welsh assembly elections, the senate, we have scotland and the pressures on scottish independence. hard to know what that will have on the wider uk. in northern ireland you have a parallel system where none of the parties have a presence and therefore arguably governments don't take northern ireland voters that seriously. the whole package is very, very fluid at the

party to consolidate power or is it a combination of both? yes, combination of a number of things. i think that the ruling was that the tories would run elections 912 months after the time, then it was considered to be under control. so there is a window to hold elections, the opposition on the elements who being excluded from this election, including an or the my liberation army which has grown and popularity. incapability, as it seems, since the, the formal opposition party is boycott at the election. now they are essentially trying to disrupt this process, which they say is illegitimate and conduct conducted by illegitimate authorities. so it's a canceled the election in the face of that sort of threat would be a submission to that sort of opposition activity. so it really does make sense to go ahead from the election from the, from the federal authorities perspective. of course, the prime minister is ruling party. they see a chance to win a mandate form of formal democratic mandates. even if it lacks some popular legitimacy and push ahead with that agenda. so i think those are the, the core reasons for pushing heads of t