Diane Abbott says she intends to run as Labour candidate - BBC News

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Blog Finished For Today

The campaigning for the upcoming election has wrapped up once again, indicating that the voting day, which falls on the 4th of July is quickly approaching. This day will be a pivotal moment when the public will make their choices heard.

We will stop reporting for today, but if you didn't catch any of the major news:

Tomorrow, we will return to this place early in the morning to provide you with the most up-to-date information as candidates campaign to gain the support of voters across the nation. Additionally, it will only be one day away until the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, and the leader of the Labour party, Keir Starmer, engage in their first televised debate, which will air on ITV at 9 PM BST on Tuesday.

At the moment, we express our gratitude for participating with us.

Labour's Net Migration Promises?

As we mentioned earlier, the Labour party has vowed to reduce net immigration if they win the election. Here are some additional details on their statement.

The level of net migration is currently very high when compared to previous years. In fact, it hit an all-time high in 2022 and then decreased slightly to 685,000 in 2023.

The number of migrants that the Conservatives promised to limit to was much higher compared to the current limits that have been put into place. Back when net migration reached 237,000 in 2007, David Cameron set a target of tens of thousands. However, the Conservatives were unable to fulfill this promise and may be the reason why politicians are hesitant to set such targets in present times.

Labour did not provide a specific figure today. They did indicate that net migration would decrease, with shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper expressing a desire for a significant reduction. However, forecasts already predict a decline in net migration. Various calculations have been performed by the Office for Budget Responsibility for the upcoming years, and all indicate a decrease in the number of migrants.

The government has implemented stricter regulations in response to concerns regarding the significant rates of net migration, which is a contributing factor to the current scenario. The Oxford Migration Observatory experts have identified some evidence which suggests that there may be a substantial decrease in net migration by the year 2024.

In this context, politics is crucial. Labour intends to communicate its desire to restrict immigration, but it is essential to consider the circumstances when evaluating promises.

Apprenticeship System 'broken', Says Shadow Home Secretary

Let's talk about the campaign for a moment. Shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, gave an interview to the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg earlier today, and then went on to visit South London with Shadow Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson.

They encountered aspiring engineers at SNG, the enterprise responsible for distributing gas.

In an interview with journalists, Cooper stated that the number of engineering apprenticeships has decreased by 50% while the number of visas has increased, indicating a flawed system.

Phillipson announced on Saturday that, in the event of being elected, the Labour Party will enable businesses to utilize a maximum of 50% of funds provided by the government for the purpose of financing apprenticeships or staff training.

On the other hand, the Tories have promised to finance a total of 100,000 apprenticeship schemes annually by doing away with what they refer to as “overpriced” degree programs.

No Rest Day During Election Campaign!

Many people view Sunday as a day to rest and regroup before the start of a new week at their job.

When candidates are busy campaigning, it's unlikely that they can safely assume the same level of security.

Today has been a hectic day, what with the recent update about Diane Abbott just now, the launch of the SNP's campaign in Glasgow this afternoon, and new policy pledges made this morning by Labour, the Tories, and the Lib Dems.

We have also observed the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, distributing leaflets in London. Additionally, we have been informed that the Green Party co-leader, Adrian Ramsay, believes their party has the potential to secure victories in four constituencies - namely Bristol Central, Waveney Valley, North Herefordshire and Brighton Pavilion.

Undoubtedly, there will be further events taking place in the upcoming day, but we appreciate your continued presence with us thus far.

Our live stream will be ending shortly, but before that happens, we have some more highlights from today to share with you.

Recap: Diane Abbott's Story Unravelled

Perhaps you have recently come across the news that Diane Abbott has made public her desire to run as a Labour representative in the upcoming election (if not, you can find it in the section below).

Let's recall how we reached this stage:

Abbott: I'll Run And Win For Labour

We have some additional information regarding the latest news we recently reported.

Diane Abbott got into a heated debate with the Labour leadership this week. She used X to announce that she is still the Labour candidate for Hackney North & Stoke Newington, which she has represented for over 30 years.

She expressed her determination to compete and emerge victorious as the chosen representative for the Labour Party. In a statement made on the X platform, she dismissed the idea that certain left-wing individuals were promised peerages in exchange for their resignation as entirely untrue.

Following days of uncertainty regarding the future of veteran left-winger, Abbott, party leader Sir Keir Starmer stated on Friday that Abbott had the freedom to pursue becoming a Labour candidate.

Beforehand, Abbott, who was the initial black female MP, asserted that she was prohibited from being a Labour candidate for the general election held on the 4th of July. This was despite the fact that the party whip had been reinstated after an inquiry into her statements made in a newspaper in the previous year.

Once nominations come to a close on Friday, the BBC News website will post a comprehensive inventory of competitors for the Hackney North & Stoke Newington race.

Diane Abbott To Run As Labour Candidate In Election

Experienced progressive politician, Diane Abbott has announced her plans to compete as the official Labour representative for Hackney North & Stoke Newington in the upcoming election, with a strong determination to emerge victorious.

The situation arose due to a dispute about her career path after she was initially banned from the political party in 2023 due to her remarks on racism. However, shortly after her ban, she was allowed to return to the party.

We will provide additional information on this matter shortly.

Scottish Lib Dem Leader: People Don't Prioritize Independence

We have received the latest response to John Swinney's address at the SNP's election campaign launch, and it is from the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

During the launch event, Swinney presented arguments in favor of Scottish independence and urged the electorate to remain steadfast in their support for the cause, disregarding any distractions from other political factions. The Scottish Conservative Party similarly emphasizes the topic of independence throughout their campaign, depicting the SNP as being overly fixated on the subject and lacking focus on their governmental responsibilities.

In contrast to previous elections, some leaders do not think that the constitutional issue should play a major role in the current one. Alex Cole-Hamilton, the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, is actively campaigning today with an emphasis on a "brighter and more hopeful" campaign. He also shared with me that people do not prioritize independence.

According to him, they are interested in knowing which candidates will prioritize easy access to general practitioners, improving the quality of education, and ensuring availability of National Health Service dentists.

Independence is not a topic that concerns people anymore. It is a positive development as it has restricted our discourse for an extended period of time.

Leader Of Scottish Labour Rejects SNP's Critique

Swinney's previous speech - which is summarized in this section - criticized both the Conservatives and Labour, with the Scottish First Minister indicating that it is difficult to distinguish between the two parties.

The Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, has responded to the SNP's recent relaunch by asking why they are targeting Labour instead of focusing on overthrowing the current Conservative government, which he believes to be corrupt.

On X, he stated that having a Labour government could put an end to the Tory's disastrous 14-year tenure, something that Scotland mustn't let slip through its fingers.

Sarwar didn't give a direct answer to Swinney's negative comments about the Labour party.

Swinney Puts SNP Before Scotland, Accused

The response to John Swinney's speech during the SNP's campaign kickoff is starting to surface, with Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross being the first to react.

He characterizes it as a "last-ditch effort" to revive the SNP's campaign following the Michael Matheson controversy.

The police are examining a fresh complaint regarding the data roaming bill for SNP MSP Michael Matheson's iPad. Matheson, who used to be the health secretary, stepped down from his position when it was discovered that his official device accumulated a costly £11,000 charge while he was on a family vacation in Morocco. The reason behind the excessive charge was that his sons used the device as a hotspot to watch a football match, as professed by Matheson himself.

"Unsurprisingly, he utilized it to further emphasize the SNP's fixation on independence, instead of addressing the genuine concerns of the people - which are improving our struggling public services and expanding the economy," commented Ross regarding the speech.

John Swinney demonstrated in the Matheson scandal that he prioritizes his party over his country.

"Swinney's Summary: What He Said"

Earlier, we listened to the SNP's campaign launch in Glasgow where Scotland's first minister spoke.

The essence of John Swinney's message is as follows:

The speech was delivered several hours after the Conservative and Labour parties declared their most recent plans for the upcoming general election on July 4th. Let me refresh your memory on those promises.

Scottish FM Queries Labour's Success In Scotland

After spending a portion of his speech criticizing the Tories and drawing comparisons between them and Labour, Swinney is questioned by a different journalist on why he believes Labour is thriving in Scotland.

He admits that the SNP has faced some challenges lately. This comes after the departures of ex-first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf, as well as the ongoing investigation into the party's financial management.

Nonetheless, he states that the organization at present has an advantageous position and is actively promoting its agenda throughout Scotland.

According to Swinney, individuals have been enduring a long period of financial restraint from the Conservative government, and this must stop. However, he is uncertain about how Labour's assurances to abide by existing fiscal regulations will function given that they have pledged not to increase corporation tax, VAT, income tax, or National Insurance.

Swinney Answers Reporters' Questions About Independence

The Scottish First Minister, John Swinney, is currently answering questions from journalists. The first query is from James Cook, an editor at BBC Scotland, who asks Swinney about his statement that departing from a 50-year alliance with the European Union has caused a loss of billions of dollars to the economy.

What reasons are there for not making things worse by breaking away from a 300-year-old alliance with England?

The crowd expressed discontent with their disgruntled mutterings, but Swinney reminded them about the importance of disagreeing respectfully. They adhered to his request and the question was finally heard.

The leader of Scotland expressed that if Scotland was to become independent, it would give the power to make choices that will positively impact the quality of living for Scottish citizens.

Are Voters Aligned With Swinney On Labour's View Of Scotland As A Guaranteed Win?

I am writing this from the unveiling of the SNP's latest initiative in Glasgow.

According to John Swinney, a lot of people have already taken into account the possibility of a Labour victory in the upcoming election.

During his launch event, he forecasted that the Conservative Party is headed for an enormous loss, a complete failure.

The argument being put forward is that the Conservative party is already in a bad position, and the Labour party will win with a large majority. Therefore, Scottish voters do not necessarily need to vote for Labour to achieve this outcome. Instead, they should vote for the SNP in order to ensure that Labour stays accountable and does what they promised. It is important to keep their promises and not let them off the hook.

He's portraying them as having a sense of complacency, believing that Scotland's support for them is guaranteed.

The main inquiry is if voters will grasp the idea that a Labour government is possible without physically casting their vote for the Labour party. This message may not be as easily understood as Sir Keir Starmer's more direct approach of promoting change.

"Swinney: Why Not Scottish Independence?"

Swinney proudly informs his followers of the Scottish government's successful exploits in tackling the financial struggles faced by individuals. He proceeds to list some of these headway accomplishments before addressing the audience: "Our administration has truly made a significant impact on the Scottish populace and we should be gratified by our achievements."

He continues to say that Junior Doctors in England have declared a strike, while in Scotland, we have invested in staff pay, making it the only place in the UK that hasn't had to strike. The SNP still considers the state of the NHS and the cost of living as primary concerns.

Swinney emphasized that the well-being of Scotland will always be given top priority, as he expresses his leaning towards separation from the rest of the United Kingdom.

In his blog post, he discussed how he examined other European nations such as Denmark, Norway, and Ireland as an exemplar of what independence could bring to Scotland. According to him, these countries are more affluent than the UK, have a superior level of fairness and equality, boast greater productivity and lower levels of poverty.

Focusing on Scotland's academic institutions, energy field, and manufacturing, he poses the question: "Why isn't Scotland being considered?"

Scottish Leader Slams Tories As 'disastrous' And Praises Labour - Live Updates!

The person in charge of the Scottish National Party makes a humorous remark that the day of the election, which is on 4 July, is referred to as Independence Day in America. He mentions it would be a great occasion for Scotland to do the same, making the audience chuckle.

According to him, the residents of Scotland are keen on getting rid of the "disastrous" administration that is the Tory government. He goes on to propose that the sole political party that has the best interests of Scotland at heart is the SNP.

He keeps criticizing the Tories and states that no party has ever given such a clear reason to be ousted from power. Swinney brings up the Tories' latest national service proposal and declares that the SNP's own national service will be to remove the Conservative government.

When discussing the Labour Party, he expresses that he's not stating that they are identical to the Conservative Party, but they are exhibiting similarities. To elaborate on his point, he claims that Labour is slowly moving towards incorporating private businesses within the NHS.

Don't forget, you can listen to Swinney's speech by clicking on Pay at the upper part of this webpage.

"Swinney's Pleasant Surprise As SNP Leader"

John Swinney, who is currently speaking at the event, recognizes that he has not been in his position for a long time.

"I believe we can both agree that neither of us anticipated me being in this position as the leader of SNP and the FM of Scotland. However, I am thrilled to share with you that it comes as a delightful surprise, just as much for me as I hope it does for you," Swinney asserts as the audience claps in approval.

About a month ago, he was appointed as the head of the SNP party and also became Scotland's initial minister. This happened soon after Humza Yousaf stepped down due to a failed attempt to terminate the alliance agreement between the SNP and the Scottish Greens.

Swinney expresses his sincere appreciation for being chosen as the head of the party, and proceeds to shift his focus towards campaigning for the upcoming election.

Scotland Deserves Better - Flynn

Stephen Flynn, the leader of the SNP in Westminster, appeared on stage with his sleeves up and declared during the party's launch event that what currently exists in Westminster is nothing more than a conventional state of affairs.

Amid cheers, Flynn proudly declared that the NHS had not experienced any strikes thus far. He went on to clarify that this was not simply an election, but rather a shift in leadership.

He states that Scotland should receive a higher level of treatment and improvements are necessary. He strongly believes in a brighter future for Scotland.

We are preparing to listen to the speech of the First Minister John Swinney. Stay connected for the latest updates or click on the Play button located at the top of the page to watch his speech.

Speakers Compare Starmer's Labour To Conservatives Successively

Writing from the SNP launch event in Glasgow

It appears that the SNP is trying to strengthen its support base today. The event is dominated by individuals clad in "Yes Scotland" t-shirts, putting the independence cause at the forefront of the launch.

During the event, Stewart Hosie, a member of parliament who is retiring, declared to the audience that the Scottish National Party (SNP) is the sole means to achieve independence for Scotland.

Although the Scottish Greens and Alex Salmond's Alba Party pose a constitutional threat to them, Hosie cautions that "casting your vote in favor of another party could impede progress towards independence."

It could also be interpreted as a criticism aimed at the Labour party, as they are attempting to regain backing in areas such as Glasgow in their attempt to remove the ruling Tories from power.

Different speakers have claimed that there is no disparity between Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Party and Rishi Sunak's party. The SNP are not willing to give up their established status as the main opposition to the Tories in Scotland, which they have worked hard to establish during past elections.

Sunak Spotted Handing Out Leaflets With Candidates

Let's promptly go over to London, where Rishi Sunak has been spotted distributing leaflets alongside Conservative candidates in the city.

Members of the party uploaded photos of the premier taking pictures with supporters during his election campaign in the city.

Today, we haven't received any updates from Sunak. He visited the north-eastern part of England yesterday, after the launch of the Conservative campaign battle bus.