2016 election candidates

Labour is facing yet another anti-Semitism storm as at least 30 candidates have been linked to the deepening scandal in the party. Nineteen of the election hopefuls are first-time candidates, with half of them having faced claims directly. Six of those under the microscope are backbench MPs who are vying for reelection on Thursday. Nineteen of the election hopefuls are first-time candidates, with half of them having faced claims directly. Pictured: Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn last niht There are other backbenchers who have been criticised for defending those peddling anti-Semitism conspiracy theories. And four candidates have been axed by Labour following anti-Semitism-related issues since the election was announced, according to the Telegraph. Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has previously said any member 'who is attacking people with anti-Semitic lanuage or abuse in any form is in breach of our party procedures, is in breach of our rules and will be dealt with'. Yet nine candidates … [Read more...] about Labour’s anti-Semitism crisis deepens as at least THIRTY candidates are linked to claims of racism in party with less than a week until General Election

Blackpool may have many a slot machine and amusement arcade on its seafront, but it seems there is only one game in town as the general election approaches - Brexit.A couple of days before Boris Johnson visited the seaside resort, and as the wind howled along the famous beach, I asked people what would influence their vote on 12 December.Would it be local issues like the state of the NHS or schools perhaps? Or social deprivation and the state of the economy?No. Without exception - and regardless of how they voted in the 2016 referendum - the issue of how, when and whether the UK should leave the European Union trumped everything else.Josh Sheard said he was "right behind" Jeremy Corbyn's push for a new Brexit deal and a second referendum."I studied the EU when I did my A-levels and, to put it tactfully, we will go down the toilet if we leave," he said.The 22-year-old said he knew "a lot of people" who regretted voting to leave.He said they were "naive to the consequences" and many now … [Read more...] about General election 2019: ‘It’s all about Brexit’ in Blackpool South key marginal

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage had a mixed reception on a visit to a south Wales rugby club on Saturday.He went to watch a Welsh Premiership match in Ebbw Vale in Blaenau Gwent.Two other party leaders were in Wales on Saturday, with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in various locations and Plaid Cymru's Adam Price visiting Holyhead.During the rugby club visit, a Jeremy Corbyn chant rang out while one supporter said Mr Farage was not welcome.Others did greet Mr Farage, who was campaigning in the area which saw the biggest Leave vote in Wales in the 2016 referendum.The Westminster seat of Blaenau Gwent is being defended by the Labour Party.When asked about his reaction to reports of Russian interference in leaked documents detailing UK-US trade talks, Mr Farage said the content of the documents is "suspect" and criticised Labour's use of the papers.However Mr Farage said he was "not unduly" concerned there is a problem with interference in British politics. Corbyn heads to Wales in final … [Read more...] about General Election 2019: Ebbw Vale gives Farage gets mixed reaction

The Taliban militant group on Wednesday claimed responsibility for killing an Afghan parliamentary candidate and three of his advisers days before parliamentary elections. A bomb had been planted in a sofa at Afghan politician Abdul Jabar Qahraman's campaign headquarters in the Helmand city of Lashkargah. It exploded while he was in a meeting with advisers. In a statement, the Taliban said they had killed him and described him as "a renowned communist." Qahraman served as a commander for the Soviet-backed Democratic Republic of Afghanistan during the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s. He was also appointed a regional security adviser to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in 2016, but later stepped down. 'Brutal acts' In the wake of the attack, President Ghani condemned the group, saying they will not undermine citizens' faith in democracy. "Such brutal acts of the terrorists and their supporters cannot weaken people's trust in the peaceful and democratic processes," said Ghani. Read … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: Taliban kills ‘renowned communist’ days before elections

Afghans will go to the polls on October 20 to elect representatives for the lower house of parliament. The lower house of parliament comprises 250 members that are directly elected by single, non-transferable vote and serve a five-year term. At least 68 seats are reserved for women delegates, 10 for Kuchi nomads, and one each for Sikh and Hindu minorities, as mandated by the Afghan constitution. The vote was originally scheduled for 2016 but a lack of security and political conflicts have caused delay. The parliamentary election is considered crucial in determining whether Kabul can hold next year's presidential polls. Volatile security and powerbrokers Security remains the biggest challenge in Afghanistan. Around 54,000 security personnel will be deployed to some 5,000 polling centers across the country to ensure voter safety. According to Afghan officials, voting won't be held at more than 2,000 polling centers due to a high risk of violent attacks by the Taliban and "Islamic … [Read more...] about Afghanistan election faces major organizational challenges