Boris Johnson faced scrutiny as he launched the Tory manifesto over its lack of a long term plan for social care, with the party’s commitment of £1bn a year having already been announced in September.
The document, titled “Get Brexit Done, Unleash Britain’s Potential”, also promises £1bn for primary schools to develop after-school and holiday childcare.
His pledge of “50,000 more nurses” led to accusations of “deceit”, as it turned out to include 18,500 existing nurses hopes to convince not to leave the workplace.
The PM also stumbled when quizzed on the Tories' fake fact checking debacle, stuttering incoherently before turning a series of metaphors about croutons, minestrone and the Bermuda Triangle into an attack on Jeremy Corbyn's Brexit stance.
Nigel Farage welcomed the manifesto, particularly on immigration, and claimed he recognised many of the ideas within it, as they resembled many of Ukip’s in the 2015 election.
Jacob Rees-Mogg was the only cabinet member not in attendance at Telford, continuing his conspicuous absence ever since he questioned Grenfell victims ”common sense” in following official advice.
Hello, and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the day's political happenings, with 18 days to go until the general election.
Labour pledges £58bn to compensate women hit by pension age rise
Labour has pledged to compensate nearly 4 million women who lost out on thousands of pounds when the state pension age was increased, Peter Stubley reports.
John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, said the payments – estimated to total £58bn over five years – would settle a “historical debt of honour”.
McDonnell faces scrutiny over Scottish IndyRef2 date and tax plans
The shadow chancellor said he would not expect an independence referendum in Scotland in "the first two or three years" of a Labour government.
"We've got to address the priorities, the real issues facing our community," he told Sophy Ridge on Sunday.
Asked if he would put money on Labour winning the election, he said: "I've given up on gambling. It was one of my new year resolutions. But we're going to win."
Facing tough questioning on his tax plans, McDonnell urged voters to read his new document called "Funding Real Change".
Boris Johnson: 'Time to turn the page from the dither, delay and division'
The PM is gearing up for the Tory manifesto launch with a very on-brand display of alliteration and national pride.
Excl: Lib Dems targeting big Brexit beasts like Dominic Raab, says Jo Swinson
The Liberal Democrats have set their sights on taking out some of the big beasts of Brexit including foreign secretary Dominic Raab in the general election, leader Jo Swinson tells The Independent's Andrew Woodcock.
Internal polling for the pro-EU party suggests “seismic” shifts in Remain-backing seats suddenly making the Lib Dems competitive in swaths of London and its commuter belt which have been Conservative for decades, including constituencies like Mr Raab’s Esher and Walton.
Referring to the surprise defenestration of then-cabinet minister Michael Portillo, which was the highlight of many people’s election night in 1997, Ms Swinson said: “We could be in a situation where people are asking each other ‘Did you stay up for Raab?’”
Sajid Javid addresses triple tax lock and boasts 'most detailed, most transparent costings in British electoral history'
Discussing a promise not to raise national insurance, income tax and VAT with Sky News' Sophy Ridge, the chancellor said voters "can be absolutely certain of that" pledge.
"We will set out today, alongside our manifesto published at exactly the same time, a very detailed costings document," Mr Javid said.
"It will take every additional cost that is in our manifesto, whether it is tax or anything else, and we will set out exactly how we're going to fund it for the lifetime of the parliament.
"It will, in fact, be the most detailed most transparent costings that have ever been published in British electoral history by any party, and everyone will be able to see that for themselves."
Here's Andrew Woodcock with more details on the Tory manifesto:
Sturgeon dismisses Labour's hardline stance on IndyRef 2 and says Trident is 'red line'
Nicola Sturgeon has given Labour's stance on a second independence referendum short shrift, moments after John McDonnell reiterated his party would not grant a section 30 order for IndyRef2 within "the first two or three years" of taking power.
She said the shadow chancellor’s was not an acceptable position: "The question of if there is a referendum and the timing of that is down to the Scottish parliament to decide, not Westminster."
Ms Sturgeon told Sophy Ridge that given the chance to form a minority government, “are Labour really going to turn their back on the chance to stop austerity, welfare cuts, get rid of universal credit just because they want to block the right of the Scottish people to decide their future?
“I think the reason Jeremy Corbyn is getting into a mess with this, with his position changing all the time, is actually he knows within himself that the only democratically defensible position” is to let Scotland hold another vote.
Jo Swinson grilled over history on austerity and dwindling poll support
The Lib Dem leader is talking to Andrew Marr, who, in the face of Ms Swinson's recent climbdown from her prior assertion that she could become PM, asked her: "It's not gone very well so far, has it?"
Ms Swinson also defended her voting history, saying she was subject to collective responsibility as a minister, claiming: “I was fighting every single day, and I’m still fighting for the things I believe in.”
Angela Rayner and McDonnell's tax claims vary
The shadow education secretary and shadow chancellor have both been grilled on claims that Labour's tax plans could hit "the 95 per cent" earning below £80,000.
The Times' deputy political editor points out the contrasting answers given this morning.
Ms Rayner also refused to answer a "hypothetical" question over whether Labour would campaign for their own Brexit deal.
Swinson says Lib Dems 'not conceding yet'
Jo Swinson has again claimed she would not do a deal that put either Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn in Number 10, saying: "But if there is a law in parliament that I can vote for that makes sure the Brexit deal is put to the public, with the opportunity to Remain, I will vote for that".
Plaid Cymru leader defends colonialism comparison and says Brexit won't deliver 'economic justice' for Wales
Adam Price, who has demanded reparations for Wales, defended his comparison of Welsh history and countries that fell victim to colonialism.
"[Wales was] a country that was rich in natural resources, that was plundered," he told Sophy Ridge.
"The wealth was squandered. Forget about trickle-down economics. The people that worked in our mines and quarries - all of that wealth, none of it trickled down to Wales. So we're left in this state of poverty."
He also said remaining in the EU was "critically important" to Wales' economy.
"We think remaining is absolutely critically important to our economy, agricultural sector and manufacturing sector," he said. "We'll have the heart ripped out of [the] Welsh economy if we leave on the basis of either Labour's Brexit deal or the Tories' Brexit deal.
"The right thing to do is to maximise that Remain voice in the next parliament and if by working together with other pro-Remain parties we can actually defend Wales' interests, then we'll always put Wales before party."
He added: "Unfortunately the change that's on offer through Brexit won't deliver the economic justice that people of Wales want - it will only happen if Wales finds its voice at this election."
Gove quizzed over Tory trust issues
The chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has appeared on Andrew Marr, where he reiterated his party's pledge to have left the EU by January 2020.
It's worth remembering the Conservatives previously spent months repeating a similar mantra ending in "October 31".
In the wake of Boris Johnson facing questions about his personal integrity from audience members at recent election broadcasts - which in Marr's words drew "hollow laughter" - Mr Gove was asked: "Does the Conservative Party have a problem with trust?"
Mr Gove followed the PM's lead in blaming parliament's inability to deliver Brexit for the lack of trust in his party.
He was also grilled on a Conservative pledge to raise national insurance threshold to £12,500.
The PM said this would put an extra £500 in workers' pockets, but Mr Gove clarified this would happen in four years time, rather than in their first budget.
The BBC's economics editor suggested both manifestos may not be as fiscally bulletproof as they are being presented by candidates, flying in the face of Sajid Javid's description earlier of the Tory manifesto as:
"The most detailed most transparent costings that have ever been published in British electoral history by any party".
Labour MPs free to campaign for either side in second referendum, McDonnell says
Here's more on John McDonnell's interview with Sophy Ridge earlier, in which he said Labour MPs would be free to campaign for either Leave or Remain in a second Brexit referendum.
Sturgeon pressed on transparency allegations
The SNP leader faced questioning over claims she is avoiding scrutiny by using personal email accounts rather than the Scottish government email system to avoid freedom of information requests.
Earlier this month, The Scotsman reported her denial that a habit of handwriting notes on government policy - notes later habitually destroyed - was another way of dodging FOI requests. She said the notes are typed up into emails, which are "fully open" to requests from the public.
DUP could support Labour without Corbyn
Arlene Foster has indicated her party could support a minority Labour government without Jeremy Corbyn at the helm.
She described the Labour leader as "an anathema to anyone who believes in the United Kingdom", but told PA there were others in the party that she could consider working with.
It is unclear if there are those in the Labour Party who would work with the DUP.
Asked whether unionism would be in trouble if Boris Johnson secured a large majority, thus enabling him to ratify his deal in Parliament, Ms Foster replied: "Well, I don't think they will come back with a large majority."
Women hit by state pension age rise 'could sway election', as Labour pledges £58bn in compensation
Women hit by the state pension age rise could alter the result of the forthcoming general election, polling experts and campaigners tell The Independent's women's correspondent, Maya Oppenheim.
The increase from age 60 to 66 has affected nearly four million women, in some cases causing homelessness and destitution.
According to polling experts and campaigners, women bearing the brunt of the overhaul could have a substantial impact on the outcome of the 12 December election.
Earlier today, after Labour pledged £58bn to compensate those affected, John McDonnell said: "We have a historical debt of honour to them and when we go into government we are going to fulfil that debt".
Plaid Cymru says 'the sleeping giant that is the dragon is rising'
Here's a highlight of the morning's interviews, in which Adam Price describes his hopes for "the best night ever in [Plaid Cymru's] history", because "Wales will be on the agenda... the Welsh flag will be in Westminster like never before".
Tories announce free hospital car parking 'for those who need it most'
The Conservatives are pledging to end charges for two million “blue badge” disabled drivers and passengers, frequent outpatients, gravely ill patients, visitors to relatives in hospital for extended periods, and staff on night shifts who cannot use public transport, according to The Telegraph.
This would be funded with a £78m-a-year pledge for hospitals in England and £216m set aside for 19 hospitals to build multi-storey car parks.
Boris Johnson, who on Friday falsely claimed his party were already building six new hospitals, says he is "excited" to unveil his party's manifesto, titled "Get Brexit Done, Unleash Britain's Potential" - two already-familiar phrases that could well become as universally loved as "strong and stable", or "see it, say it, sorted".
The Conservatives are pledging to end charges for two million “blue badge” disabled drivers and passengers, frequent outpatients, gravely ill patients, visitors to relatives in hospital for extended periods, and staff on night shifts who cannot use public transport, according to The Telegraph.
This would be funded with a £78m-a-year pledge for hospitals in England and £216m set aside for 19 hospitals to build multi-storey car parks.
Boris Johnson, who on Friday falsely claimed his party were already building six new hospitals, says he is "excited" to unveil his party's manifesto, titled "Get Brexit Done, Unleash Britain's Potential" - two already-familiar phrases that could well become as universally loved as "strong and stable", or "see it, say it, sorted".
Sajid Javid asked what Conservatives stand for ahead of manifesto launch
ICYMI earlier, here's Sophy Ridge quizzing the chancellor on why people should vote for the Conservatives.
She asked: “Do you stand for anything more than basically just spending more, but a bit less than Labour? Where is the radical vision for change in this manifesto?
Mr Javid called Labour's plans "utterly irresponsible with the nation and our future". He said the Conservatives would:
- “Get Brexit done”
- Maintain a close economic relationship with “our European friends” as the party pushes to leave the single market
- Make sure the NHS is funded properly by providing £34bn a year extra
- Spend £14bn on schools
- Put 20,000 more police officers on the streets, after cutting 20,500
Conservatives extend lead over Labour as Brexit Party loses support, poll for The Independent says
Tories put on four points over the course of a week to hit 41 per cent in the BMG Research survey, 13 points ahead of Labour, down one on 28 per cent, Andrew Woodcock reports.
Lib Dems were on 18 per cent (up two), with Greens on 5 per cent (unchanged) and Brexit Party on 3 per cent (down six).
But BMG’s head of polling Robert Struthers cautioned against assumptions that the figures represent a nationwide swing towards Tories in the wake of Mr Johnson’s TV debate with Jeremy Corbyn.
Social media is an increasingly important battle ground in elections - and home to many questionable claims pumped out by all sides. If social media sites won't investigate the truth of divisive advertising, we will. Please send any political Facebook advertising you receive to digitaldemocracy@independent.co.uk, and we will catalogue and investigate it. Read more here.
