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
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General election 2019: ‘It’s all about Brexit’ in Blackpool South key marginal
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
General election 2019: Six ways to improve TV debates
TV election debates are still a bit of a novelty in the UK. Each time an election is called, there's the question of whether any will take place, how they will be organised and who will take part. Broadcasters are still experimenting - this time putting on two-way debates, seven-way debates, a climate change debate and a special youth audience debate, among other permutations.So is there room for improvement? And, if so, what might that look and sound like? Here are some expert suggestions. 1. Turn off the microphonesNo-one likes it when leaders interrupt and talk over each other. It puts the focus on confrontation rather than discussion and does little to showcase anyone's qualities as a potential prime minister. As US academic Bryan Van Norden puts it, writing for the Hipporeads website, "There is absolutely no professional or political context in which elegantly interrupting others or being interrupted by others is a useful skill."He suggests simply switching off leaders' … [Read more...] about General election 2019: Six ways to improve TV debates
General Election 2019: Ebbw Vale gives Farage gets mixed reaction
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
Tories investigate three candidates over alleged antisemitism
The Conservatives are investigating three parliamentary candidates over antisemitism and are facing calls to suspend them before the election. Sally-Ann Hart, standing in the Tory marginal seat of Hastings, shared a video with an image implying that the billionaire George Soros, who is Jewish, controls the EU, and she also liked a Nazi slogan on Facebook. Lee Anderson, standing for the Conservatives in Labour-held Ashfield, is an active member of Ashfield Backs Boris, a Facebook group where Soros conspiracy theories have been promoted and which includes supporters of the far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Richard Short, the candidate for St Helens South and Whiston, is being investigated for asking whether a Jewish journalist was more loyal to Israel than to Britain. Labour has called for all three candidates to be suspended and is also demanding that Boris Johnson account for his 2004 novel Seventy-Two Virgins, which it claims contains antisemitic descriptions of a Jewish character. … [Read more...] about Tories investigate three candidates over alleged antisemitism