Election news in brief
Corbyn promises more money for grassroots football
Jeremy Corbyn has called for more of football’s wealth to be re-invested in the grassroots of the game, as he announced a new Labour policy of a “flexible football ticket” to stop travelling fans losing money on pre-booked train tickets when their match is rescheduled at short notice.
The Labour leader repeated the pledge in his party’s manifesto that at least 5 per cent of new Premier League TV rights deals should be diverted to the grassroots game. In an event at the amateur pitches in Hackney Marshes, east London yesterday, Mr Corbyn said: "Despite the game we all love receiving lucrative domestic and international TV deals, the grassroots game has been shamefully starved of funding over recent years. Too often, youth football teams cannot find pitches to play on and when they do they are expensive and the facilities are not fit for purpose."
Osborne says May and Corbyn retreat from ‘international liberalism’
Theresa May has joined Jeremy Corbyn in offering a "retreat from international liberalism and globalisation", which marks a sharp shift in direction from David Cameron's administration, former
chancellor George Osborne has said. And Mr Osborne contrasted the Prime Minister's approach with the "socially liberal, pro-business and pro-free market" values which he wants to promote in his new role as editor of the London Evening Standard.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Political Thinking, he stood by criticisms of Ms May's policies on social care and immigration, which have been the subject of stinging headlines and editorials since he took the helm at the Standard. He denied that he was taking revenge on the woman who sacked him from the Cabinet last July, but said he would not "pull punches" in his coverage of the Tory government. And he declined to say whether London's evening paper would endorse the Conservatives for the June 8 general election.
"Both Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn are offering, in very different ways, a retreat from international liberalism and globalisation. That is quite a development in British politics, and I think there are quite a lot of people who are uncertain whether that is the right development and I want to make sure that the Evening Standard is asking on their behalf questions about that," he said.
Rudd to represent Tories in live TV debate
Home Secretary Amber Rudd is to represent the Conservatives in a live TV General Election debate with leaders of some of the other parties, after Theresa May refused to take part. Labour has yet to confirm who it will send to the BBC Election Debate in Cambridge on 31 May, though aides have previously said that leader Jeremy Corbyn will only join debates if the Prime Minister is also present.
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron, Ukip leader Paul Nuttall, Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood and Green co-leader Caroline Lucas will line up in the seven-way clash, alongside Scottish National Party depute leader Angus Robertson. Ms Rudd was considered to have performed well appearing for the Remain side in TV debates in the EU referendum, when she accused pro-Brexit colleague Boris Johnson of "misleading the public" and said: "The only number that Boris is interested in is the one that says Number 10."
The 90-minute broadcast, moderated by Mishal Husain, will see each of the panellists make short opening statements followed by questions from the audience and closing remarks. Party representatives drew lots to decide podium positions, which will see Mr Farron placed on the left, next to the Labour spokesman, and Mr Robertson on the right, with Ms Wood and Ms Rudd in the middle. Ms Wood will have the first opening statement, while Ms Rudd will wrap up the show with the final closing remarks, with the order also determined by drawing lots.
Sturgeon promises to put young people first
The SNP manifesto will focus on opportunities and support for young people, Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday. The party is to publish its proposals on Tuesday after delaying it in the wake of the Manchester bombing. Visiting the East Dunbartonshire constituency yesterday, the First Minister promised to put young people at the centre of the manifesto.
"Now more than ever, we need strong SNP voices at Westminster standing up for Scotland's young people. Young people are our future – the most valuable resource that we have - and it's important that we create the best opportunities for them to get ahead in life and to achieve their potential," she said.
The SNP's manifesto will commit to investing in education, the removal of Child Tax Credits clauses, the restoration of housing support for 18 to 21-year-olds across the UK and lowering the voting age to 16 in all elections.