Tory leadership debate: Boris Johnson brandishes kipper on stage as he declares May's Brexit deal ‘defunct' at final hustings
The final Conservative Party leadership hustings with Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt, as it happened
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Tory leadership contenders Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt both stood by their stated approaches to handling Brexit at the final hustings before the polls close for Conservative members to vote for their party’s new leader and the country’s next prime minister.
Mr Johnson repeatedly refused to rule out suspending Parliament as PM to force through Brexit and said the UK would leave the European Union by 31 October with or without a deal.
Mr Hunt meanwhile said he could delay Brexit beyond that point if a deal was in reach, but he has also not ruled out walking away from negotiations without an agreement.
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Welcome to The Independent's politics liveblog, where we will be bringing you all the latest updates throughout the day.
Here is today's front page:
Senior Tory Amber Rudd has warned both leadership candidates that the bullish stances they took on Monday night will change once they “collide with the reality” of Brexit politics.
“I think they will find that they have to compromise,” Ms Rudd told a Playbook Live event.
“Last night I was surprised by what they both said, and I think that their views will collide with the reality when whichever one wins starts negotiating — and starts dealing with parliament, which may be more difficult than they think to engage with.”
Ms Rudd also told Playbook that while she now accepts no deal must remain on the table, but parliament will probably find a way to block it.
“It is not a certainty, but I think the likelihood is that parliament will find a way,” she said.
“It is a fantastic thing, our parliament … I think that there will be a way, yes, but I can’t be sure … We have an activist speaker, we have a lot of people who are very committed to finding a way, and there is legislation and procedure evolving all the time.”
Under-18s are helping to pick the next Tory leader and prime minister, despite the party refusing to let them vote in general elections, sparking accusations of hypocrisy.
Labour and the Liberal Democrats have attacked the Conservatives for allowing youngsters as young as 15 to take part in the leadership race – while refusing to lower the voting age for the public to 16.
Cat Smith, Labour's voter engagement spokeswoman, said:: “It is hypocrisy for the Tory government to claim 16- and 17-year-olds aren’t mature enough to vote in elections, but not apply this rule to its own leadership contest.
Labour peers have taken out a full page advert in The Guardian, to issue a stark warning to Jeremy Corbyn over the handling of antisemitism in the party.
They claim that Labour welcomes "everyone* irrespective of race, creed, age, gender identity or sexual orientation. (*except, it seems, Jews).
Mr Corbyn has already written to the peers to agree a meeting but this seems like it may not be enough.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has committed the next Labour government to ending the “modern-day scourge” of in-work poverty within its first term in office, as new figures showed Britons are having to work harder and longer to maintain their incomes.
Typical household incomes fell by 0.5 per cent in real terms over the past two years, despite the UK population working more and curtailing their leisure time, found a report by the Resolution Foundation.
Mr McDonnell is due to make a speech shortly, where he will also answer questions from the media.
You can watch it here.
Anna Soubry has accused Chuka Umunna of failing to “step up” to become leader of breakaway party Change UK.
The current leader said her former colleague, who joined the Liberal Democrats last month, had a ”history of not stepping up” and revealed that the pair, previously close allies, had not spoken for almost two months.
Former Tory leadership hopeful Andrea Leadsom - who backs Boris Johnson - has indicated she would not support the suspension of parliament to get a no-deal Brexit through.
Mr Johnson has refused to rule out proroguing Parliament in order to prevent MPs blocking a no-deal Brexit.
Former Commons leader Ms Leadsom told Today: "I don't think that prorogation is the right thing to do and I don't think a prime minister would choose to do that."
Asked if she would go along with it if Mr Johnson took that course of action, she said: "No, I don't believe I would and I don't believe it will happen."
Brexit secretary Steve Barclay - remember him? - is giving evidence to the Commons Exiting the EU committee this morning.
He denied a bust-up with the EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, which was widely reported last week. The Times said he told Barnier five times "during a bad-tempered meeting that the withdrawal agreement was dead".
Mr Barclay told the committee he simply said divorce deal would not get through Commons in current form, adding: "I did not think that was a particularly controversial observation."
Interesting point here from Sky News, as new polls put Labour in the lead.
Westminster summer parties are full of speculation about a possible general election at the moment - with some briefing from Team Boris about calling an early election to square off against Jeremy Corbyn.
A cabinet minister blithely told the Independent last week that November looked likely for a snap poll - but opinion is definitely divided.
More than 60 Labour peers have taken out an extraordinary newspaper advertisement, accusing Jeremy Corbyn of failing the "test of leadership" as the row over antisemitism in the party's ranks rages on.
Claiming Mr Corbyn has been unable to defend Labour's "anti-racist values", the members of the House of Lords warn the party is no longer a "safe place".
"The Labour Party welcomes everyone* irrespective or race, creed, gender identity, or sexual orientation (*except, it seems, Jews)," the peers write. "This is your legacy, Mr Corbyn."
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