yeah, the sdlp and sinn fein.e there, but they don't actually have a position on the constitutional question. they don't describe themselves as unionists or nationalists. and one of the big stories — again, if we look kind of broad brush at the general election in northern ireland — will be about sinn fein. they're the biggest party in the northern ireland local government, in the councils. they're the biggest party in the assembly. michelle o'neill, the leader of sinn fein, is the first minister for the first time. so if they become... we're not expecting actually too much movement between the dup and sinn fein in terms of seats, but even if the dup lose a little bit of ground and sinn fein becomes the biggest party in northern ireland overall — a nationalist party who wants northern ireland to leave the uk — if they become the biggest party for the first time, that's really the hugely symbolic. that will be really, really big. i mean that's what sinn fein is all about. they want a united ireland, and if they're

that is sinn fein's ultimate aim.ough, sinn fein making clear that it's going to continue pushing for that and also a statement about the the financial state of affairs in the devolved administration. sinn fein has said that public services here are underfunded and that reform isn't possible unless northern ireland gets more money from the exchequer in london. keep up to date with all of the election news on bbc sounds. head to the app now, and look for the latest news section. away from the election. an old baileyjury has been discharged in the case of constance marten and mark gordon after being unable to reach verdicts over the death of the couple's newborn baby. earlier, our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford explained what this means for the case. this was a case that initially gripped the public imagination in january last year, when constance marten, who comes from a wealthy family with royal connections, who survives on a trust fund, and mark gordon, they went missing with a newborn baby. there was a n

mcgimpsey as well and sinn fein and the dup_ mcgimpsey as well and sinn fein and the dup in— mcgimpseygimpsey as well and sinn fein and the dup in their previously promised | the dup in their previously promised £1 billion _ the dup in their previously promised £1 billion extra _ the dup in their previously promised £1 billion extra on— the dup in their previously promised £1 billion extra on we _ the dup in their previously promised £1 billion extra on we saw— the dup in their previously promised £1 billion extra on we saw a - the dup in their previously promised £1 billion extra on we saw a 2.3% - £1 billion extra on we saw a 2.3% reduction, — £1 billion extra on we saw a 2.3% reduction, we _ £1 billion extra on we saw a 2.3% reduction, we saw— £1 billion extra on we saw a 2.3% reduction, we saw two _ £1 billion extra on we saw a 2.3% . reduction, we saw two executive... sorry— reduction, we saw two executive... sorry to _ reduction, we saw two executive... sorry to interrupt _ reduction, we saw two executive... sorry to interrupt. this _ reduction, we saw two executive... sorry to i

that is sinn fein�*s ultimate aim. the agenda at all at the moment, though, sinn fein making clear that it's going to continue pushing for that and also a statement about the the financial state of affairs in the devolved administration. sinn fein has said that public services here are underfunded and that reform isn't possible unless northern ireland gets more money from the exchequer in london. and as we count down to election day, we're speaking to people across the uk to find out what's important to them, and what might win their vote next month. we're in constituencies all over the country. our correspondent nicky schiller who is in hayle in cornwall today — which is part of the cambourne and redruth constituency. we are hail in cornwall. and you can see currently the flamingoes at paradise park and jungle barn, which is one of the tourist attractions that are here in cornwall. the reason we are in hayle is to talk about housing issues and the balance between the number of second homes that are in the county and a

you mention sinn fein competing in council- sinn fein competing in council elections in the republicin the manifesto launched today? yes. that will be mentioned in the manifesto launched today? yes, i think it certainly _ manifesto launched today? yes, i think it certainly will _ manifesto launched today? yes, i think it certainly will be _ think it certainly will be mentioned. the party has spoken of this decade, the 20205, of being the time that a border poll could and should happen. there are other people involved in a westminster conte5t, other parties, that will say they absolutely do not want a border poll, 5uch say they absolutely do not want a border poll, such as unionist parties or others such as the cross community alliance party who says it is not one for the agenda at the moment, and the focus should be on constitutional i55ue5, moment, and the focus should be on constitutional issues, but on issues like health, education, things that affect people's lives in the here and now. sinn fein make no secret of the fact that their ultimate desire is to take northern ireland out

an agendaj ireland, i think if we seek sinn. fein, they— irish unification, as part of that, they are — irish unification, as part of that, they are obviously _ irish unification, as part of that, they are obviously in _ irish unification, as part of that, i they are obviously in government in belfast _ they are obviously in government in belfast and — they are obviously in government in belfast and they— they are obviously in government in belfast and they were _ they are obviously in government in belfast and they were hoping - they are obviously in government in belfast and they were hoping and l belfast and they were hoping and previous— belfast and they were hoping and previous opinion _ belfast and they were hoping and previous opinion polls _ belfast and they were hoping and previous opinion polls had - belfast and they were hoping and previous opinion polls had them i belfast and they were hoping and i previous opinion polls had them to be in _ previous opinion polls had them to be in government— previous opinion polls had th

will emerge _ likelihood that sinn fein will emerge onjuly five as likelihood that sinn fein willi'm taken by what the snp said _ northern ireland. jenny, i'm taken by what the snp said there - northern ireland. jenny, i'm taken by what the snp said there about. by what the snp said there about austerity not being the answer, raise taxes, it would avoid spending cuts, highertaxes, highertax cuts, higher taxes, higher tax rates, cuts, highertaxes, highertax rates, mean that you can close that fiscal gap. is there a danger in all of this that the voters are confused? all the argument there between the labour party and the conservative party about who would raise taxes more and how that is an awful thing to do, we are told, and the snp is seen raise taxes because thatis the snp is seen raise taxes because that is the answer. is there an element where voters do not understand what is going on and just break it down for them in more simple ways? i break it down for them in more simple ways?— break it down for them in more simple ways? i don't think voters are confused, _ simple ways? i

sinn fein is committed to delivering on the _ sinn fein is committed to delivering on the things thatst to workers and families. that is health care, _ workers and families. that is health care, the _ workers and families. that is health care, the cost of living, housing, education — care, the cost of living, housing, education and childcare. we are focused — education and childcare. we are focused on _ education and childcare. we are focused on what is possible to achieve — focused on what is possible to achieve it— focused on what is possible to achieve if we work together, making politics _ achieve if we work together, making politics work. the workers party of britain has also launched its manifesto today. policies include building one—million council homes and scrapping nuclear weapons — which party leader george galloway said would give people hope and a patriotic purpose. he was the party's one mp in the last parliament, after winning the rochdale by—election in february. we wa nt we want 1 we want1 million constant houses, we want to put our own people back to work, we want to

sinn fein is committed to delivering on the things that matter most to workers and families.nd childcare. we're focused on what is possible to achieve if we work together, making politics work. the workers party of britain has also launched its manifesto today. policies include building one million council homes and scrapping nuclear weapons, which party leader george galloway said would give people hope and a patriotic purpose. he was the party's one mp in the last parliament, after winning the rochdale by—election in february. we want a million council houses. we want to put our own people back to work. we want to revive the whole concept of skilled work at which we once excelled. and we want to end britain's posture of confrontation around the globe. and tomorrow night, fiona bruce is hosting a question time leaders' special with the leaders of the four biggest political parties in great britain. the two—hour special will be broadcast on bbc one and bbc iplayer from eight o'clock tomorrow evening. a hospital consultant has told the jury at the lucy letby retrial that he sa

sinn fein have historic links — condemn ira violence. sinn fein have historic links with the ira.se dark days of the past and — return to those dark days of the past. and she said as a nurse, she treated _ past. and she said as a nurse, she treated victims from all communities and for— treated victims from all communities and for her. — treated victims from all communities and for her, their suffering was the same _ and for her, their suffering was the same. ., , ~' and for her, their suffering was the same. . a i. ,., and for her, their suffering was the same. . . same. let me ask you both about the ke issues same. let me ask you both about the key issues for — same. let me ask you both about the key issues for voters _ same. let me ask you both about the key issues for voters in _ same. let me ask you both about the key issues for voters in your - key issues for voters in your constituencies.— key issues for voters in your constituencies. 1, . ,, ., , ., . constituencies. back to you, emma. i have 'ust constituencies. back to you, emma. i have just lost — constituencies. back to

— and gets people out for the fear of sinn fein being in a position of primacy— sinn fein being inome a hostage of fortune. nationalist continue to demand and want to— nationalist continue to demand and want to talk about the issue and think— want to talk about the issue and think that — want to talk about the issue and think that post—brexit i5 want to talk about the issue and think that post—brexit is much more than issue. — think that post—brexit is much more than issue, people can connect with them _ than issue, people can connect with them was _ than issue, people can connect with them was the before. there are no straightforward answers to that for that we _ straightforward answers to that for that we found ourselves talking about _ that we found ourselves talking about whether or not they might be a border— about whether or not they might be a border poll— about whether or not they might be a border poll and before constitutional change. as to whether there“— constitutional change. as to whether there“ be _ constitutional change. as to whether there'll be any significant mov

and nationalism by sinn fein, who had seven seats. the sdlp had two.northern ireland voted to remain in the eu and it's the only part of the uk to share a land border with an eu state — ireland. since the referendum, one party, alliance, has grown significantly. it's pro—remain, but neutral on whether northern ireland should be part of the uk or ireland — and it's challenging the pro—leave dup in some of their strongholds. chris page looks at how these two thorny issues — northern ireland's place in the uk and its place in the eu could be changing the face of politics here. the brexitjourney has taken northern ireland in a different direction to the rest of the uk and the final destination is still uncertain. at this music festival, people say there have been years of political disharmony since the referendum. there was a lot of misinformation that maybe led to a vote that people didn't want. northern ireland really isn't capitalising on the position that we're in, being the link between the uk and the rest of europe. i feel like that's been a complete

sinn fein came second with seven seats, the sdlp secured two and the alliance party won a single seatld affect turnout. constituency boundary changes may also have an impact. let's speak to our ireland correspondent, sara girvin in belfast. great to see you, talk as to what's happening. great to see you, talk as to what's happening-— happening. rehearsals are still under way _ happening. rehearsals are still under way here _ happening. rehearsals are still under way here this _ happening. rehearsals are still under way here this evening. i happening. rehearsals are still - under way here this evening. ahead of the leaders debate and all five political party leaders of northern ireland's main political parties were invited to take part in this debate. we now know that not all of them will be representing here this evening, it is deputy leader robbie butler and representing sinn fein will be the southdown mp who is defending his seat, chris has had. i think is fairto defending his seat, chris has had. i think is fair to say it has been a lacklustre campaign here in northern ireland. eve

a5. >> and that was sinn fein leader mary lou mcdonald launching the manifesto in belfast.er some very disappointing results at the local and european elections in june. favour thought to be widely out of step with the population on the topic, particularly of immigration. so all eyes on on northern ireland. but now let's move on to the story that i broke at the top of the hour. and it's more terrible for news prime minister rishi sunak, because a new comprehensive opinion poll has predicted that the tories will suffer their worst general election defeat in over a century. it also says that labour is on course to win a 162 seat majority in 16 days time . well, let's take a look at time. well, let's take a look at the big mlp poll that was done by more in common and the newsagents. it has labour winning one 406 seats. it also puts the conservatives on just 155 seats. and it says jeremy hunt and grant shapps will be among the senior ministers who will lose their seats. now the poll also predicts a major comeback for the liberal democrats , who it says will pick democrats, who

available on the conservatives, snp, and liberal democrats, who have all been talking today along with sinn feinay with us here in bbc news. hello. good afternoon. the unsettled and rather cool team is going to continue this weekend. sunny spells and showers to come in the forecast. it is of coursejune, the best of the sunshine feels pleasantly warm. plenty of shower surround, heavy and thundery at times. across the north of england and southern scotland in particular, light winds here mean the showers could last for some time and perhaps lead to flooding. really quite blustery in the south, across south wales and the midlands, the south wales and the midlands, the south of england in particular. gusts here could reach 40—50 mph. average wind speed, of course. the showers will rattle through. temperatures and sunshine dependent. 14-18 c, that is temperatures and sunshine dependent. 14—18 c, that is below the seasonal average. heading through the evening and overnight, many of the sham is fading away. the wind easing towards the south. some heavy and persistent rain tracking westwards across nort

that worked out last time, it's on the democratic unionist party is the biggest party with 8 seats, sinn fein with seven, sdlp had2, alliance had one. final preparations are underway here where the northern ireland leaders debate should be taking place. audience members are taking their seats, and we know the politicians, the leaders are in the building. they may not be as jovial as audience members are, but i think it is fair to say it has been a lackluster campaign here in northern ireland so far. even the party's manifesto launches have been low-key. what has been in those manifestoes, there has been no surprises. it's all issues rehearsed by the parties again and again. dup and sdlp launched their manifestoes yesterday. it does feel like things are getting up and running in a northern ireland with seven days to go. audience members you can see behind me, some of them will be asking questions of those political leaders. and i for listening into some of the discussions, some of the snippets. we can, i hope, give you an idea of the issues of her discussion. health service is a big one in nor

as _ another historic moment for sinn fein as they grow in northern ireland — fein as they growmore about voting packs that are going on.— us a bit more about voting packs that are going on. within unionism cover there — that are going on. within unionism cover there is _ that are going on. within unionism cover there is a _ that are going on. within unionism cover there is a single _ that are going on. within unionism cover there is a single unionist - cover there is a single unionist candidate in fermanagh and south to rome. unionism has not been on the same page on that as they have been in previous elections, there has been a bit of internal tension between factions. so, they are not totally on the same page. sinn fein also had a unilaterally decided not to stand in some key constituencies, like lagan valley, south belfast and midday. and north down, where of course stephen harry, the alliance mp, is looking to win a second term. they are looking to help what they call progressive candidates to see off, in effect, the dup.— off, in effect, the dup. northern ireland is off, i

so that could affect sinn fein.n most of this will stand in these seats and may pick up the seats also just by default because of the shredding of the unionist vote. >> dougie beattie, thank you very much . very much. >> we're going to go to wimbledon now where the lib dem leader, sir ed davey. he's been speaking to reporters on the election trail with him. >> we've made the nhs and care the centre point of our manifesto, with a huge package of £9 billion of investment. partly that's in gps and local services, so people don't have to go to hospital quite so much. part of it is in care so people can be discharged from hospital, and that relates to ambulance services. we've seen in many parts of the country delays at hospitals for the handover, because there aren't enough beds, because people haven't been able to be discharged. so we've invest in care services so people can leave hospital when they're ready. that's better for them. it's better for their families. and it frees up space in hospital. >> the health founda

and the way that all work out last time, it's all the dup as the biggest party with eight seats, sinn feinhad one. as you can see, final preparations are here under way in the studio where this evening's northern ireland leaders debate will be taking place. studio and audience members are taking their seats, and we know the politicians, the leaders are in the building — they may not be quite asjovial as are in the building — they may not be quite as jovial as the audience and for ours, but i think it's fair to say it's been quite a lackluster campaign here in northern ireland so far. even on the party —— all the parties must make manifest have been quite low—key. there's been no surprises, it's been all issues that have been rehearsed by the parties again and and the uup and sdlp launch their manifestos just yesterday — so it only feels things are getting up and running here with seven days to go. you can see the audience numbers behind me, some of them will be asking questions of those political leaders, and i've just been listening in on some of the discussions of those snippets, so it c

>> but the irony is sinn fein, don't take those seats at westminster.etary. we have to go to west streeting. >> good morning. thank you very much for standing by. good to see you. and i want to start with the betting scandal, if you will. we've been talking in the last half an hour to chris heaton—harris for the government, he was pretty relaxed with the way it's being handled by the prime minister, but he was very concerned, actually, about labour's involvement in all of this, saying that they perhaps could have been putting undue , have been putting undue, pressure on the gambling commission . commission. >> we are. i think he's got a bit of a cheek , actually, given bit of a cheek, actually, given that rishi sunak and the conservative party are trying to hide who's involved duck scrutiny and accountability dunng scrutiny and accountability during a general election campaign run and hide behind the gambling commission rather than come up and take some responsibility. rishi sunak is the only person in this country who knew for certain when the election

in recent years, sinn fein has become the first nationalist party to win the most seats in councils andpeople want to see that strong leadership. people want to see the positive change in their communities. unionists say they want to work with the next westminster government to remove any remaining trade barriers between here and the rest of the uk. are you prepared to work with them on that? we will work with anybody at the end of the day to eradicate any barriers there may be, but as we said from the outset of brexit, brexit was always going to mean friction. brexit was always going to mean barriers and new borders. brexit has arguably increased the focus on constitutional issues, but the party, which is neither unionist nor nationalist, has grown strongly. alliance isn't advocating for a united ireland or for the united kingdom. what we're advocating for is the best possible outcome for northern ireland. i believe that closer alignment between the uk and the eu is best for northern ireland. i also believe it has benefits for the rest of ireland and the rest of the uk. concert—goers s

the majority of sinn fein voters are dead against it.s to be all for it. >> yes, they've changed their position recently, but when it passed its first stage in the lower house in the dail, it received , i think, nearly two received, i think, nearly two thirds support. so the main opposition party, even supported it. so that level of, i suppose orthodoxy and compliance with this new measure is extraordinary and it ignores the fact, really. and i think sinn fein probably are starting to realise that, that people are very unhappy about this very interesting. >> well, i'll be there at the wmmw >> well, i'll be there at the summit. can people still get tickets? is it they can, certainly, yes. >> so if they check out free speech ireland or adf international on on x or twitter, they'll find links to the tickets. >> fantastic . lorcan price, >> fantastic. lorcan price, thank you so . thank you so. >> so next on free speech nation we're going to get from your emails and your tweets. please do not go >> welcome back to free speech nation. >> so le

sinn fein has also launched its election manifesto, promising to deliver �*postive change' for northernaken their first point in the tournament — with a 1—1 draw with switzerland. scotland took the lead in the first half, scoring on the break, thanks to this deflected shot from scott mctominay. but midway through the half, xeridan shaqiri seized on a loose

sinn fein, the irish republican party, has held this constituency for most of the last 20 years and hasin uk wide strike action this year. she is facing a challenge from the ulster unionist diana armstrong who has the backing of other unionist parties here, so it is shaping up to be another head battle here, and judging by previous results, this one could once again come down to the wire.— come down to the wire. brendan, thank you- _ and now let's head to newquay and seb. good evening. this is one of the most _ good evening. this is one of the most picturesque parts of the country. _ most picturesque parts of the country, but when it comes to owning a home, _ country, but when it comes to owning a home, life — country, but when it comes to owning a home, life is anything but a beach for local_ a home, life is anything but a beach for local people. it is a popular area _ for local people. it is a popular area for— for local people. it is a popular area for second homes and holiday lets, _ area for second homes and holiday lets, putting pressure on local housing — lets, putting pressure o

currently sinn fein holds seven. >> the dup hold eight, the sdlp hold two and the alliance party one.y. it's neither nationalist or unionist, but when you look at its voting record inside stormont, the most of the time it votes with the nationalists. about 70% of its votes go that direction. so what do you now have in areas like east belfast, where last time around gavin robinson, who's the current leader of the dup , won current leader of the dup, won by 1900 votes? if you can imagine if the tuv are standing in there, well of course that will come down much further. and quite possibly the alliance party could take that seat. the same thing will happen in east belfast and in areas like east antrim and again in fermanagh, south tyrone . but that brings us south tyrone. but that brings us then on to the nationalist side of the electorate, where, of course, sinn fein, just lost an amazing amount of support in the repubuc amazing amount of support in the republic of ireland during those eu and local council elections because mainly of their stance on immigration and their opposition to th

want to see a united ireland, and its leader colum eastwood criticised the other nationalist party, sinn feinies, there are no sure things. if you want sdlp mps to go to westminster, speak up for you, you have to actually vote for them. do not waste your opportunity in that election, don't give... don't wake up the next day and say, "god, i thought they were safe." i'll be back a little later with the views of young voters and a look ahead to polling day with clive and laura — but for now back to ben in the studio. a couple who were accused of the manslaughter of their newborn baby by gross negligence will face a retrial, after an old baileyjury failed to reach a verdict last week. it can now be reported that constance marten and mark gordon have been found guilty of concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice. their daughter's body was found in a shed in brighton last year, after a nationwide search. daniel sandford reports. it was when their car burst into flames on the m62 near bolton and police found evidence of a recent birth — a placenta on the back seat — that

was formerly eight dup mvp who broke with the dup over his decision to enter power—sharing with sinn feinn ireland in all 18 constituencies. and if you say, they are a thorn in this item of his enlistment unionism and the dup in particular because they prorate the dup for being who to call implementers. but it's turned out this week with the change of leadership at the top of reform uk that nigel farage is actually endorsed to dup candidates, who are both a sort of on the right of the dup and would not be over protocol and for mentors that has created a particularly messy situation for the unionist voice and it turns out this tie up with reform uk seems to have backfired on them.— backfired on them. we've been talkin: backfired on them. we've been talking as _ backfired on them. we've been talking as well _ backfired on them. we've been talking as well about _ backfired on them. we've been talking as well about what's - talking as well about what's happening in france with the president they're calling the snap election try to draw people to the middle ground, the centre and saying stop l

later on we'll also see the manifesto launches of sinn fein and george galloway�*s workers�* party of britain. but first, speaking on lbc, rishi sunak said the 2% figure showed the economy had "turned a corner" because of what he called "bold action" by the conservatives. it is very good news. the last few years have been really tough for everybody. i know that and we've had lots of shocks, inflation putting up people's bills, but, you know, stuck to a plan, we've taken the action, wasn't always easy, but we've got there and inflation is back to target. and that means people will start to feel the benefits and ease some of the burdens on the cost of living. and it's because of that economic stability that we've restored, which was my priority when i got this job, that we've now been able to start cutting people's taxes. and if i win this election, i'm going to keep doing more of that, cutting people's taxes at every stage of their life. labour's shadow chancellor, rachel reeves, welcomed the news that inflation has fallen, but said working people are still worse off. unlike conservati

and this divided sort of element and you've got sort of a sinn fein type type and then you've got the ira underneath them both agitating toward same goal. but the clean cut politicians and the paramilitary types underneath them and in in boston, boston patriots had really struggled in the previous several years after the end of the last boycott when up and down the colonies they had agreed, we will we'll stop our boycott of other british goods, but we'll continue our boycott of tea. they were supposed to continue while new yorkers and philadelphians managed this quite successfully. bostonians like virginians. carolinians completely failed and ended up consuming and importing large amounts of tea in 1771 and 1772 and 72, i think about 40% of all the tea that came to north america duty british tea originally purchased in london from an auction from these india company and brought here by private merchants. 40% of that was was coming to boston and that that says that patriots had to have been quite anxious about getting people to subscribe to these political ideas they had about consumin

the third manifesto being launched today is sinn fein�*s.e most seats in northern ireland's devolved government and on local councils there. the party will be defending seven constituencies, but its mps don't take their seats at westminster. the deadline if you want to apply for a postal vote in england, scotland and wales is 5 o'clock today. applications can be made online at gov.uk. the deadline in northern ireland has already passed. the jury has been discharged in the trial of constance marten and mark gordon, who were accused of the manslaughter of their newborn baby. our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford joins us from the old bailey. daniel, what more can you tell us? it was in january last year that the case of constance martin and mark gordon gripped the public imagination. there was a nationwide police manhunt for them and their newborn baby. they were found at the end of february last year in brighton, and on the 1st of march the body of their newborn baby victoria was found in a shopping bag in a shed in an allotment in b

if they lose a couple of seats that would mean sinn fein would be in the running to be then largest partynd in westminster for the first time. that is something that dup would galvanise its voters to come out and vote. they will say the westminster elections are very much about whether northern ireland is represented by mainly unionists, mainly irish nationalists or parties that are neither. they will say for the future of the union it is important that the dup retains its position, as it were, on top of the league regarding westminster representatives for northern ireland. ., ~' , representatives for northern ireland. ., ~ , . throughout the day, we're taking a close look at northern ireland and the key issues and political battlegrounds there. annita mcveigh is in the titanic quarter, which is in the belfast east constituency. thank you very much. welcome back to belfast. we have been talking to quite a few different people are today. i am standing in front of the famous titanic museum, commemorating the ill—fated ship. we are standing on the historic slipway where the titanic would hav

sinn fein came second with seven seats, the sdlp secured two, and the alliance party won a single seate political- party leaders of northern ireland's main political parties were invited to take part in this debate. we now know that not all of them will be representing the uup here this evening, robbie butler and representing... tonight, senior leaders from the five larger parties take questions from our studio audience. i'm tara mills. this is the northern ireland leaders' debate. applause.

and the third manifesto being launched today is sinn fein's.n the most seats in northern ireland's devolved government and on local councils for the first time. the party will be defending seven westminster seats. anyone intending to vote by post but hasn't yet applied for a ballot paper online, only has a few hours left to do so. the deadline to submit a postal vote application for people in england, scotland and wales is 5pm today. the deadline for people in northern ireland has already passed. applications can be made online at gov.uk. russia's president vladimir putin is beginning the first full day of his highly—anticipated trip to north korea. he's due to attend a series of meetings with the north korean leader, kim jong un. 0ur tokyo correspondent shaimaa khalil is in seoul. it's been a busy and colorful morning in pyongyang's central square as both kim jong—un and vladimir putin attended the welcoming ceremony. we've seen pictures shared by the russian news agency showing both men at the kim il—sung square. pictures also showing floatin

for the dup they have _ hat—trick for sinn fein.ahead of the general election. it is shaping up to be a really interesting election in northern ireland.— to be a really interesting election in northern ireland. thank you very much indeed- _ in northern ireland. thank you very much indeed. wherever— in northern ireland. thank you very much indeed. wherever you - in northern ireland. thank you very much indeed. wherever you are - in northern ireland. thank you very much indeed. wherever you are in l in northern ireland. thank you very i much indeed. wherever you are in the uk, if you go on to the bbc website, put on your postcode, you will get details of the candidates taking part in the election. let�*s return to our main story now, and disappointment for scotland after their euros journey came to an abrupt end last night, following a 1—0 defeat to hungary. it was looking so good for so long. john is in stuggart for us this morning. morning. all those caravans and tents full of fans, they have now got to start thinking about heading

lagan valley has always been a unionist seat, but with that vote now being split three ways and sinn feinnot to run, it will be in rural areas such as this that will decide the outcome. the sdlp and green party may pick up votes from the recent boundary changes, but this seat is now difficult to call and a four way race is underway . call and a four way race is underway. dougie call and a four way race is underway . dougie beattie call and a four way race is underway. dougie beattie gb news. >> well, that was the lagan , the >> well, that was the lagan, the lagan valley constituency. so here's the full list of candidates. there's jonathan buckley, who is democratic unionist party, robbie butler , unionist party, robbie butler, ulster unionist party, patricia denvir , green party, sorsha, denvir, green party, sorsha, lucy eastwood , alliance party of lucy eastwood, alliance party of northern ireland, simon lee, social and democratic labour party and lorna smith, traditional unionist voice . traditional unionist voice. >> now the father of jay slater, has hit out at online trolls dunng has

sinn fein came second with seven seats, the sdlp secured two and the alliance party won a single seatervice for example, cost of living. so how fluid is the backdrop, do you think? no, you're absolutely correct. it comes against the backdrop of the devolved power—sharing governments here in northern ireland. it had a hiatus of two years after the du p walked out of that power—sharing government, leaving northern ireland without a devolved executive for over two years. it did only come back to stormont a matter of months ago and that will for sure come up in tonight's debate. you mention things like the cost of living, of course like it is across the uk, it“s course like it is across the uk, it's a massive issue here. at the health service is a particularly big issue in northern ireland because waiting lists here are the longest in the uk. and because it's northern ireland up for the season with winter, it takes a tiny percentage of the votes. things tend to feel localised, so the constitutional question that comes into things whether northern ireland should leave the uk or state as pa

sinn fein have seven seats and hope to hold onto.s been a i mp to that. we were talking about independence. it has been a lot i mp to that. we were talking about independence. it has been a lot ofj independence. it has been a lot of change for the snp, a new leader, not much time in the role as a party leader. how does that play out in terms of the ability of other parties, labourand terms of the ability of other parties, labour and conservatives etc, to make ground because of that? john swinney came in as the new snp leader— john swinney came in as the new snp leader recently. — john swinney came in as the new snp leader recently, he _ john swinney came in as the new snp leader recently, he would _ john swinney came in as the new snp leader recently, he would have - leader recently, he would have wanted — leader recently, he would have wanted more _ leader recently, he would have wanted more time _ leader recently, he would have wanted more time in _ leader recently, he would have wanted more time in an- leader recently, he would ha

does _ question maybe how well sinn fein does this — question maybe how well sinn fein does. happens and _ long time ago and obviously we have to see what happens and it _ to see what happens and it all carries— to see what happens and it all carries on— to see what happens and it all carries on until— to see what happens and it all carries on until 10pm - to see what happens and it all carries on until 10pm on - to see what happens and it all. carries on until 10pm on polling to see what happens and it all- carries on until 10pm on polling day but i carries on until 10pm on polling day but i think— carries on until 10pm on polling day but i think the — carries on until 10pm on polling day but i think the message _ carries on until 10pm on polling day but i think the message i've - carries on until 10pm on polling day but i think the message i've had to| but i think the message i've had to people _ but i think the message i've had to people like — but i think the message i've had to people like to _ but i think the message i've had to people like to hear— but i think the mess

sinn fein launched earlier on in the week the tuv reform launched last friday, and the dup today on, to northern ireland. broadband with that theresa may conference supply deal theresa may conference supply deal. many of the roads that were brought in because of that money, they've they've really went down the route of look at what we've done rather than what we can do in the future. more about not shredding the unionist vote. because, of course, as we've spoken about before, many unionist parties standing in areas where there are fine , fine areas where there are fine, fine lines of losing the seat or not, and, gavin robinson, he really is up against it because of course, he's just the new leader of the dup after sir jeffrey donaldson's court appearances and we found out today that one of those court appearances for sir jeffrey is next. one is due to be on july the 3rd, of which the dup are not too happy with at all, because you can imagine the reporting that will go on there. so it is a very strange campaign . the manifesto campaign. the manifesto launched. he concentrated on thing

an unofficial electoral pact in 2019 saw the green party, sinn fein and the sdlp stand aside that allowedand beyond, but what are voters looking for from their member of parliament? >> honesty. >> honesty. >> honesty. >> honesty , integrity and >> honesty, integrity and somebody who's prepared to actually go to work this time, somebody with a bit of sense , somebody with a bit of sense, somebody with a bit of sense, somebody who could do the job because the ones we have at the minute don't seem to be doing the job very well. >> someone that takes every different aspect of the community that we live in, into consideration. i don't think much, just like no one probably help and education with young people who do not fit into mainstream education. >> if unionists are to retain the seat votes from working class areas will be crucial . class areas will be crucial. >> issues around social housing, health, education and immigration will be at the front of most of the campaigns in the coming weeks. of most of the campaigns in the coming weeks . dougie beattie gb coming weeks. dougie beattie gb ne

an unofficial electoral pact in 2018 saw the green party, sinn fein and the sdlp stand aside that allowedlasses and beyond, but what are voters looking for from their member of parliament? honesty. >> honesty , integrity and >> honesty, integrity and somebody who's prepared to actually go to work this time, somebody with a bit of sense , somebody with a bit of sense, somebody with a bit of sense, somebody who could do the job because the ones we have at the minute don't seem to be doing the job very well. >> someone that takes every different aspect of the community that we live in, into consideration. i don't think much, just like no one probably helping education with young people who do not fit into mainstream education. >> if unionists are to retain the seat votes from working class areas will be crucial . class areas will be crucial. >> issues around social housing, health, education and immigration will be at the front of most of the campaigns in the coming weeks. of most of the campaigns in the coming weeks . dougie beattie gb coming weeks. dougie beattie gb news, east belfast . ne