Tony Blair: Tories would plunge Britain into chaos on Europe

Tony Blair will today warn that David Cameron‘s appeasement of right wing Tories and Ukip is pushing Britain toward Europe’s exit door which would create job insecurity and leave a “pall of unpredictability hanging over the British economy”.

Mr Blair is expected to say: “I believe passionately that leaving Europe would leave Britain diminished in the world, do significant damage to our economy and, less obviously but just as important to our future, would go against the very qualities and ambitions that mark us out still as a great global nation.”

And he will add: “And the oddest thing of all about David Cameron’s position? The PM doesn’t really believe we should leave Europe; not even the Europe as it is today.

“This was a concession to party, a manoeuvre to access some of the Ukip vote, a sop to the rampant anti-Europe feeling of parts of the media. This issue, touching as it does the country’s future, is too important to be traded like this.”

Labour and Tories clash over out-of-hours access to GPs

Almost 600 fewer GP surgeries are offering extended opening hours than they were in 2009, Labour has claimed.

Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham said coalition policies were forcing people into lines trailing out of their surgery doors and into accident and emergency departments.

Mr Burnham said the coalition had slashed funding from £3.01 per patient to £1.90 per patient, meaning by 2013/14 72 per cent of surgeries offered extended hours under the scheme, a reduction of 590.

The figures were sourced from a parliamentary question and are the newest available, Labour said.

But on Tuesday, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the Labour figures were “wrong”, pointing to the Prime Minister’s Challenge Fund.

Mr Hunt said this covered 1,100 practices and helped 7.5 million patients see GPs in the evenings and at weekends.

Not risking a bacon sandwich

While SamCam tucks into bacon roll the Prime Minister opted for haggis, egg and fried bread at the Scottish Widows headquarters this morning.

Tony Blair, the election and the brand

Today Tony Blair will focus his election speech in his old Sedgefield constituency on the bit of Ed Miliband’s leadership he unequivocally agrees with: Mr Miliband’s opposition to an in/out EU referendum.

There are quite a few different things going on here. As a former leader, Tony Blair would look disloyal if he didn’t raise a finger to help his successor. He’s already sprinkled £106,000 around local parties – not all of it welcomed with open arms.

Read more from Gary Gibbon

Radio 4 mixed up over Natalie Bennett

John Humphrys signed off his interview with Natalie Bennett, the Green leader, with: “Caroline Lucas, thank you.”

The interview, ostensibly ahead of the launch of the Green Party manifesto next week, included many references to “long term plans”, “vision and policies that would be implemented in five or more years.

Ms Bennett was forced to play down some of the party’s more controversial policies as she faced a barrage of questions from Mr Humphrys.

For example, she said the Citizens Income, a new form of universal benefit for all tax-payers was not an immediate commitment, despite being included in the manifesto.

She told the programme: “Let me say this very slowly – the commitment is in the manifesto. We don’t think we can introduce it in the term of the next parliament; it’s a big change. The Green party has a long-term vision about what Britain should look like. I don’t apologise for that.”

Ukip election poster

Nigel Farage is off to the West Midlands today where he will launch this poster this afternoon, calling for more investment in the armed forces.

Blair’s intervention

Tony Blair is about to take the podium in Couty Durham today, alongside his wife Cherie.

It is a significant moment: Labour are bringing in the big guns to attack on the Conservatives weakest spot with business – the prospect of an EU referendum.

Mr Blair, the architect of Labour attempt to woo the City in the 1990s, dubbed the “prawn cocktail offensive will say that Ed Miliband has shown “real leadership on the EU”.

He will say he admires the way Mr Miliband has shown: “he is his own man with his own convictions and determined to follow them, even when they go against the tide”.

However Theresa May has been on BBC News to downplay Mr Blair’s intervention. She says that it is “weakness” on the part of the Labour leader to “bring him into the fray at this point”.

She said: “Tony Blair not that many weeks ago was complaining about where Ed Miliband was taking the Labour Party and now he has come in in this sense.”

She added: “We are very clear that a Conservative government would give that possibility of an in/out referendum to people. A Labour government wouldn’t.”

George Osborne, the Chancellor, meanwhile believes that Mr Blair will do “the minimum required” to help out the current Labour leader.

Tony Blair: nationalism is a powerful sentiment

Tony Blair is pointing to the huge surge in nationalism in Scotland last year to warn of the possible dangers of a referendum of Europe.

He says that if Scotland had become independent it would not be “economic trauma” renegotiating it’s currency against the background of radically falling oil prices.

However, he says, nationalism is a “powerful sentiment”. He tells the audience: “Let that genie out of the bottle and it is a Herculean task to put it back in.”

Any Prime Minister who runs the country during a referendum on European, he warns, will expend “more energy, will have more sleepless nights about it and be more focused on it that literally any other thing”.

Speaking in Sedgefield, a Labour stronghold with a 8,696 majority, Mr Blair adds that all politicians must be aware of “perilous fragility of public support for the sensible choice.”

Tony Blair “I believe passionately that leaving Europe would leave Britain diminished in the world” – via @tomwhite7 pic.twitter.com/c3QNZ0DJZg

— Press Association (@pressassoc) April 7, 2015

Blair: EU is now about power, not peace

Mr Blair says that British people “awoke” to the danger of Scotland leaving the UK right at the end of the referendum campaign, when it was almost too late. He said that British people realised “how close we had come to relegating ourselves from the Premier League of nations.

He added that without Europe Britain could not maintain its influence and its power: “and of course it involves ceding or pooling some sovereignty but it does so in order to gain sovereign power over decision that in the reality of 21st Century geo-politics we will only exercise in concert with other nations.”

He says that the “anti-Europe” faction in British politics argues that Britain can “take back” freedom but that it is only through alliances that countries are able to enlarge their freedom and power.

The EU, he says is an idea which was born out of war, is now not about peace, but power, he adds.

Blair on Ukip: Nationalism can never disguise its essentially mean spirit

He said: “National pride is a great thing, nationalism as a political cause in the hands of parties like Ukip is almost always ugly and can never, despite being wrapped in the garb of high sounding phrases, disguise its essentially mean spirit.”

Earlier today Nigel Farage welcomed Mr Blair’s intervention. He said: “Finally a chance to have a proper debate about the impact of the EU on British national life during this general election campaign.

“Blair was PM when the government promised a referendum on the EU constitution before the name of that was changed to the “Lisbon Treaty” and he cynically withdrew his offer.”

“Blair was also an enthusiast for British membership of the Eurozone and had personal ambitions to become “President of Europe”, and how has that worked out for Europe and him?”

Blair on Miliband: “Just so we get this straight: I support him 100 per cent.”

Gary Gibbon sends this shot from Sedgefield where Tony Blair is being pressed on his support for Ed Miliband. He is also challenged on why he is not sharing a platform with the Labour leader today.

Tony Blair says that there has always been disagreement in the Labour party but what is important is what they have in common. He says they share a deep belief in social justice, and in having an economy run for the many, not the few.

Nigel Farage travel nightmare

Meanwhile Nigel Farage is having a travel nightmare. The Ukip leader has failed to make his first stop on a scheduled tour of the West Midlands.

He was expected at a farm in Staffordshire, but has not turned up due to travel difficulties, a Ukip spokesman has confirmed.

Speaking ahead of a visit to the West Midlands, Mr Farage had said: “I am really looking forward to coming again to the West Midlands. It is the heartland of England.”

He is due to give a speech at the Copthorne Hotel in Brierley Hill in the Black Country this evening.

In December Mr Farage attracted controversy when he blamed high levels of immigration for missing a meeting with Ukip supporters.

Beyond the wall

Meanwhile David Cameron has touched down in Northern Ireland, the second stop on today’s Celtic tour. He’s revealed himself to be a fan of the show in the past.

He began in Scotland for a fry up this morning and will end up in Cornwall.

David Cameron is visiting the Sept of Baelor #gameofthrones #GE2015 pic.twitter.com/x64DMJHHq1

— James Chapman (Mail) (@jameschappers) April 7, 2015

Nigel Farage: I’m wearing a new tie every day

Nigel Farage has arrived in the West Midlands where he is campaigning today. He has revealed that he will be wearing a new tie every single day of the campaign. Today’s, a blue, geometric number, is from the back of his wardrobe, he has said.

The Ukip leader has also reacted to Tony Blair’s critque of Ukip as a nationalist party unable to “disguise its mean spirit”.

Mr Farage says: “Well bravo Tony Blair for raising the issue, because the last four or five general elections Eu membership has barely been discussed at all. It has been swept under the carpet, so I am really pleased that he has put it on the table and wants to talk about it.”

Nick Clegg goes back to drama school

He’s taking part in a drama warm up in Stockport where he reveals that his previous acting experience includes a school play with Helena Bonham Carter and being directed by Sam Mendes.

David Cameron: Tony Blair is wrong

David Cameron has responded to the former Prime Minister’s speech warning of the dangers of holding a referendum on the membership of the EU.

Mr Cameron said: “I think Tony Blair is wrong. I want changes in Europe but then, unlike Tony Blair, I will trust the people in an in-out referendum.

“We should ask people if they want to stay a member of this organisation. You cannot ignore the will of the people as Tony Blair thinks we should – and it is not just him, it is Ed Miliband.

Meanwhile Patrick O’Flynn, Ukip’s economic spokesman, said that Ukip is “a lot less nasty” than those parties who support the EU.

He said: “What I do think is a shame today is to see Tony Blair sort of take a moral superiority stance and say that Ukip is somehow a nasty party because I think it’s a lot less nasty to believe that your country is good enough to govern itself than, for instance, to take your country into a war on a false prospective.”

Miliband attacks Conservative record on GP access

Ed Miliband is on the road, speaking to an audience in Bristol about NHS waiting times.

The Labour leader claimed that one of the reasons behind the problems in England’s A&E departments is that coalition policy has led to 600 fewer GP surgeries staying open at evenings and weekends.

He said: “The NHS cannot go forward if queues to see your GP are stretching backwards and I believe that Britain can do a lot better than people waiting day after day for basic healthcare. That’s what our plan will do.”

Labour have said that the coalition had cut back Labour’s extended hours scheme, introduced in 2009, which funded 77% of surgeries to open on evenings and weekends.

However Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the Labour figures were “wrong”, claiming the Prime Minister’s Challenge Fund covered 1,100 practices and helped 7.5 million patients see GPs in the evenings and at weekends. Prime Minister David Cameron promoted a policy of through-the-week GP care in last Thursday’s television debate.

He is asked why he is not sharing a platform with Tony Blair and replies: “It’s simple, he can speak for himself”. Asked if he’s happy to have his 100% support says “yes”.

David Cameron at the Game of Thrones set

Hard hats in Sedgefield

Tony Blair, the former Prime Minister and former Labour MP for Sedgefield, visits the construction site for the new Hitachi Trains Europe factory.

Nigel Farage says Ukip have “slipped back a bit”

Nigel Farage admits Ukip has “slipped back a bit” in the polls but believes the party’s key campaign issues like EU membership are now very much “back in play” with voters.

Mr Farage said: “We are exactly where we were last August, having won the European elections – we were on 14-and-a-bit per cent.

“We won the European elections, we found that level and we did have a rally in the Autumn through the remarkable events of first Clacton and then perhaps more remarkably the Rochester by-election.

“We’ve slipped back a bit since then, there are 30 days to go and I think the issues Ukip is campaigning on are back in play.”

The Ukip leader spoke after tasting a cupcake during a visit to Ukip candidate Bill Etheridge’s office in Dudley.

Cameron rolls into Cardiff

The Prime Minister has arrived in his third nation of the day, where he and Samantha are visiting the Brains brewery.

He began the day in Scotland with a haggis breakfast, flying to Northern Ireland for a tour of the Game of Thrones set and will end his day in Cornwall.

Ukip will publish their manifesto next Wednesday

Nigel Farage has announced that he will publish his party’s manifesto on 15th April. It is a big moment for the party as Ukip has been without a formal manifesto since Mr Farage disowned swathes of the party’s policy papers and

The Ukip leader disowned his party’s entire 2010 election manifesto earlier this year after he was asked whether the UK Independence party still wanted to introduce a dress code for taxi drivers, regularly deploy armed forces on the street and repaint trains in traditional colours.

The Ukip leader said all the party’s policies were under review making the party’s formal manifesto hotly anticipated.

Michael Crick: Postie power

Michael Crick explains how people will have begun to cast their votes as eary as next week.

He tells me: “People bang on about 7 May, but in 2015 it’s reckoned 20 per cent of votes will be cast by postal ballot.

“And, following close of nominations this Thursday, councils will start sending out postal ballot from next week – indeed most councils will do so next week, the chairman of the Association of Electoral Administrators, John Turner, tells me. That means some people could start voting a week today. Surveys show 20 per cent of postal voters return their ballots within 48 hours.”

Postal votes are sorted in the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre in Aberdeen, on September 18, 2014.

The battle for defence

Michael Crick, who is in Dudley with Nigel Farage, notes that the Ukip leader is breaking with recent tradition by focusing his speech squarely on defence and spending on the armed forces.

David Cameron is under immense pressure from both his own MPs and former generals to guarantee that the Conservatives will continue to spend at least 2 per cent of Britain’s national income on defence in their manifesto.

Ukip meanwhile are attempting to brand itself as “the party of defence” with Mr Farage joining the party’s defence spokesman Mike Hookem MEP to say that they would “plough a cumulative £16bn extra intro defence during the course of the next parliament”, a pledge the Conservatives will be keen to dismiss.

Ukip also say they will create a “stand alone minister” for veterans and a create a medal – the NDM – for all those who have served their country.

The Jewish vote favours David Cameron

A poll for the Jewish Chronicle has shown that the vast majority of British Jews will vote Conservative at next month’s election. 69 per cent of those polled plan to vote for David Cameron’s party, while 22 per cent intend to vote for Labour.

The Liberal Democrats and Ukip are equally popular polling two per cent each.

The poll also revealed that David Cameron is seen to have the best attitude towards British Jewry by 64 per cent of people. The Labour leader Ed Miliband was seen as the best supporter of the community.

According to the Jewish Chronicle 73 per cent of Jews said the political parties’ attitudes to Israel were “very” or “quite” important in influencing how they would vote.

The JC poll in full:

Conservative – 69% Labour – 22% Liberal Democrat – 2% UKIP – 2% Other – 5%

Here is the analysis from the paper’s political correspondent in full:

Meanwhile in Cardiff political hacks are starting to worry about the PM’s waistline

He's going to need a diet after this campaign pic.twitter.com/9fGdBCcK5O

— James Tapsfield (@JamesTapsfield) April 7, 2015

The doctor can’t see you now: NHS claims put to the test

There have been claims and counter claims all day about A&E waiting times and GP provision, part of an ongoing battle between Labour and the Conservatives desperate to paint their own picture of the NHS, the most emotive issue of the election.

Here Victoria Macdonald makes sense of it all: NHS: Labour and Tory claims on GPs and A&E put to test

Michael Crick: Ukip will stand in every seat in England and Wales

Michael Crick is with Nigel Farage in Dudley. He reports:

Ukip’s head of candidates David Soutter tells me that when nominations close on Thursday, the party expects to have somewhere between 630 and 650 candidates.

They’ll be fighting every seat in England and Wales, but not quite all of Scotland.  And the party has also  been quite selective about what seats it’s fighting in Northern Ireland.

Ukip knows contesting almost every seat isn’t just important to bolster its claims to be a UK-wide party, but will also help boost its overall nationwide  vote. That could be an important point when the results come in, especially if, as looks increasingly likely, Ukip wins only a handful of seats.

“Ongoing issues with our billboard contractor”

The Greens win the prize for the most bizarre explanation for a cancelled event so far.

They have just confirmed that tomorrow’s launch will not go ahead with this email:

Due to ongoing issues with our billboard contractor we have had to cancel tomorrow’s billboard launch.

It is likely the launch will now be early next week.

7th April 2015: Pick of the campaign trail

Tony Blair gives a speech on the importance of the EU

Cherie Blair joins her husband at Hitachi Trains Europe, Sedgefield

Ed Miliband holds a Q&A in National Composite Centre, Bristol

George Osborne holds a vote Conservative cake in Stourbridge

David Cameron sips stout in Cardiff, on his 4-point tour of Britain

The Camerons chow down on haggis and bacon breakfast early this morning in Edinburgh

Nigel Farage arrives at Bird and Yates car repairs in the Midlands after cancelling his first stop due to fog

Mary Berry would never let you get away with that crust

Samantha Cameron said she felt “like Mary Berry” as she baked, while the David Cameron commented that his crust had gone a “bit saggy”.

During the visit to the Cardiff brewery Mr Cameron was quick to rule out having another child after his wife Samantha revealed she drinks stout while pregnant.

The couple were on a visit to Brains brewery in Cardiff when Mrs Cameron pointed to a glass of Welsh Black stout she had been handed, and said: “I normally just drink this when I’m pregnant.”

The Tory leader quickly interjected: “That is not an announcement!”

#feedalamb

The environment secretary and housing minister get make sure they get money shot feeding a lamb – although we’ve not heard much else from Liz Truss so far this campaign.

Although no party leader has yet managed to be photographed feeding a giraffe, so top marks to Ms Truss.

Feeding the giraffes at Africa Alive with @peteraldous in Kessingland. pic.twitter.com/KvEh9353Nf

— Elizabeth Truss (@trussliz) April 7, 2015

Have you registered?

Only 40% of the some 7.5 million people who moved home in the last 12 months may be registered to vote, according to research by the Electoral Commission. This compares to 93% of those who have lived in the same place for 16 years or more.

Similarly, only 63% of those who rent privately are registered to vote, compared to 94% of those who own their own homes.

Commission spokesman Warren Seddon said: “We know that people who have recently moved house or who rent from a private landlord are considerably less likely to be registered to vote, so it’s vital that they hear our message. Many people don’t realise they aren’t registered or how easy it is to do, so if you haven’t already registered at your new address do it now.”

And finally Cameron arrives in Cornwall

David Cameron has arrived in Cornwall on his final stop of his four-point tour which has taken him from Edinburgh via Belfast and Cardiff.

The Prime Minister has joked that his wife wanted to visit Cornwall because of Poldark.

Continuing the culinary theme of his whistle-stop tours (we’ve already seen him eat haggis, pies and yesterday a hotdog with a knife and fork) he has told reporters he plans to have fish and chips tonight.

Nick Clegg has ruled out rolling child benefit into Universal Credit

Highlights from @nick_clegg‘s visit to Hazel Grove, feat. @Lisa_Smart, @NKTheatreArts & a surprise bartender #GE2015 pic.twitter.com/yifpfQIiHl

— Liberal Democrats (@LibDems) April 7, 2015

Speaking in Newtown, Mid Wales, Mr Clegg was asked if his party would rule out the move. He said: “Child benefit rolled into the Universal Credit will not be in our manifesto because we are not planning the very, very extensive reductions in support given to the most vulnerable in our society that the Conservatives are.”

Earlier today George Osborne, the chancellor, refused to rule out cutting child benefits payments for millions of households by wrapping them into the Universal Credit system.

Michael Crick: what makes or breaks an election leaflet

Over the next four weeks literally millions of people will be browsing election leaflets from all parties of all banner, but most will get less that a cursory glance before being chucked in the rubbish – or hopefully the recycling.

Michael Crick sends this update on how to stand out from the crowd:

I’d better not comment on the content of this Ukip card structure, but it’s the most ingenious election publication I’ve ever come across – almost addictive.  It’s a brilliantly constructed card called Logoloop which keeps opening out and folding over.  The Ukip donor Alan Bown has donated 100,000 Logoloops to the party for this election.

Everyone knows that most voters discard traditional leaflets without ever bothering to read them.  But the makers of cards similar to these (with other material, rather than Ukip propaganda) have studied people’s  reactions, and found that they are so captivated by the design that they also read what’s on them.  According to the makers Giftpoint: “First you touch.  Then you play.  Then you remember.”

Over 100 top doctors attack coalition’s NHS record

He may have got a letter of support from  business leaders a week ago, but now David Cameron is facing a letter of criticism – from over 100 top doctors.

The letter, to the Guardian, says the coalition has left the NHS weaker than ever before.

“As medical and public health professionals our primary concern is for all patients. We invite voters to consider carefully how the NHS has fared over the last five years, and to use their vote to ensure that the NHS in England is reinstated,” they write.

The doctors say the NHS is “withering away” and that privatisation threatens not only services, but also jeopardises training future healthcare professionals.

The letter goes on: “People may be unaware that under the coalition, dozens of accident and emergency departments and maternity units have been closed or earmarked for closure or downgrading.

“In addition, 51 NHS walk-in centres have been closed or downgraded in this time, and more than 60 ambulance stations have shut and more than 100 general practices are at risk of closure.”

Gary Gibbon: Tony Blair – help or hindrance to Labour?

Tony Blair has caused a stir by leaping into the election battle with a message of “100 per cent support” for Ed Miliband.

The intervention of Labour’s most successful election-winner was welcomed by party strategists, but Conservatives mocked it as a sign of  Mr Miliband’s “weakness”, while Ukip said they were pleased Mr Blair had drawn attention to their core message on Europe.

So is his intervention, and his warning about the dangers of an EU referendum under the Conservatives, a help or hindrance to Labour? Our political Editor Gary Gibbon reports:

Michael Crick: Cameron’s plea to defectors

David Cameron once dismissed them as fruitcakes and looneys but he’s now declared it time for Ukip supporters to return home and vote Conservative, to keep Labour out of Number 10.

Nigel Farage responded that David Cameron does not understand that more than half Ukip voters have never voted Conservative and would never vote Conservative.

Our Political Correspondent Michael Crick is on the campaign trail with Mr Farage:

Political animals: the science behind the lamb

Spring has sprung and the new season has provided candidates with the most standout election campaign photo call so far at the weekend when David Cameron was pictured feeding a new born lamb on a farm.

But will this be as close as the campaign trail gets to the farming industry? Our Science Editor Tom Clarke finds out:

Read more: #feedalamb

Watch: David Cameron kisses a lamb on Easter Sunday

Scottish leaders’ debate: does Labour need help from SNP?

Nicola Sturgeon pledges that the SNP would help make Labour’s Ed Miliband prime minister if the Conservatives fail to win a majority in next month’s general election.

The Scottish first minister made the offer as she clashed with Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy in the first televised Scottish leaders debate.

Mr Murphy insisted his party did not need “help” from the nationalists to oust Conservative David Cameron from 10 Downing Street.

Scottish leaders’ debate: the key points

Here are some of the key points the leaders have made so far:

Jim Murphy

The Scottish Labour leader says he wants a “world free from nuclear weapons”, not simply moving them away from Scotland.

Ruth Davidson

The Scottish Conservative and Unionist party leader says she will fight “head, heart, body and soul” to keep Britain united.

Nicola Sturgeon

While the SNP leader said she won’t rule out the prospect of another referendum after the 2016 Holyrood election.

Willie Rennie

The Scottish Liberal Democrats leader admitted his party “made a mistake” on tuition fees.