Advertisement

General Election 2017 briefing: Everything you need to know about Monday's campaigning

Theresa May will head to Wales today to try and get the Conservative election campaign back on track as pressure continues to mount over her social care plans.

The Prime Minister will once again seek to frame June 8 as a battle over Brexit with voters asked to choose who they want to represent the UK at the negotiating table with Brussels when talks begin in the immediate aftermath of the election.

With just three weeks to go until polling day, a new survey reveals that the Tory lead over Labour has shrunk to just nine points with the Tories on 43 per cent and Labour on 34.

Meanwhile, Labour will make a play for younger voters as the party sets out plans to fast track the scrapping of tuition fees and shake-off criticism of Jeremy Corbyn’s links to the IRA.

UK General Election 2017 polling

Mrs May is set to tell supporters in Wales, which voted overwhelmingly to leave the European Union at the referendum, not to risk letting Mr Corbyn lead the Brexit talks which will start just 11 days after polling day.

Launching the Conservatives’ Welsh manifesto, Mrs May will say: "There are just 17 days to go until this crucial general election. Just 11 days after that, the European Union wants the Brexit negotiations to begin.

"The UK's seat at the negotiating table will be filled by me or Jeremy Corbyn. The deal we seek will be negotiated by me or Jeremy Corbyn.

"There will be no time to waste and no time for a new government to find its way. So the stakes in this election are high."

Theresa May, the Prime Minister  - Credit: Toby Melville/AFP
Theresa May, the Prime Minister Credit: Toby Melville/AFP

Her visit comes as the Financial Times reports that Mrs May failed to consult senior colleagues on her social care plans with the paper claiming the policy was added to the party’s manifesto at a late stage by Nick Timothy, the Prime Minister’s co-head of staff.  

Meanwhile, Sir Steve Webb, the former pensions minister, has warned that the plans to recoup the care costs of elderly people from their estates after they die may be scuppered by poor-performing councils.

Mrs May's social care reforms, unveiled in the Conservative party manifesto, mean more pensioners will have to contribute to the cost of their care, although they will not have to pay during their lifetime.

Key articles | General Election 2017

Elsewhere, Labour is planning to fast-track its plans to scrap tuition fees so that it applies to people heading to university this September.

Under the proposals, the fees would be abolished from 2018 but the party would write off the cost of the first year of fees for those people starting this year.

The pledge comes on the final day that people can register to vote.

Mr Corbyn will be hoping the policy announcement will overshadow a growing row over his links to the IRA after he repeatedly refused to condemn the actions of republican terrorists.

The Labour leader was asked five times on Sunday to denounce the IRA but chose instead to state his opposition to "all bombing".

Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader - Credit: Joe Giddens/PA
Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader Credit: Joe Giddens/PA

When asked if he could unequivocally condemn the IRA, Mr Corbyn said: "No, I think what you have to say is all bombing has to be condemned."

The Green Party will today launch its manifesto as it sets out its plans for a "confident and caring country" in central London.

The party will promise to reverse privatisation in the NHS and to give people a referendum on the terms of the final Brexit deal.

The first of five television interviews with leaders of the main political parties will also be shown today with Theresa May the first to be grilled by Andrew Neil.

Top Stories

May's Brexit warning: Britain has “no time to waste” in Brexit talks, Theresa May will warn as she says formal negotiations about leaving the European Union will start just 11 days after the election.

Tightening polls: The Conservatives’ shrinking lead in the polls should “focus minds” among the party’s supporters that the election victory is not assured, a Cabinet minister has said.

Farron's fury: Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has accused his critics of "banging on" about his faith as he was questioned once again on his views on abortion.

Corbyn's refusal: Jeremy Corbyn has sparked outrage after refusing five times to unequivocally condemn the actions of the IRA as he responded to revelations in The Telegraph that MI5 opened a file on him about his links to the group.

The Campaign Diary
  • Theresa May campaigns in Wales to launch the Tories' Welsh manifesto

  • Jeremy Corbyn campaigns in Hull with a major policy announcement expected

  • Tim Farron visits Manchester and London

  • The Green Party to launch election manifesto in London

  • Ukip policy announcement in London

Quote of the Day

Theresa May weighs in on a crucial election issue

"I put jam on scones before cream - the Cornish method"

Tweet of the Day
Marginal Seat Briefing 

Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale

David Mundell, the Scottish Secretary, has held this seat north of the border since its creation in 2005.

But his majority currently stands at just 798 votes and the Tories will be hoping that the only Conservative MP in Scotland can hold on.

Could he do better? Strong poll numbers for the party suggest Mr Mundell could boost his majority.

 

Register Log in commenting policy