Force economic Mediterranean migrants to go back home, Theresa May says

Theresa May, the Home Secretary, has been on the Today programme to confirm that Britain does not intend to take part in an EU Scheme to resettle migrants who become stranded in the Mediterranean.

Her appearance follows a piece in The Times in which she steps up her intended opposition to an EU plan to take in tens of thousands of refugees who have made the crossing from Africa to Europe across the Mediterranean.

She says that any EU quota that would oblige to take states to take a greater share of migrants and refugees would encourage “evil” traffickers and “act as an increased pull factor” across the Med.

She writes in the Times: “We must distinguish between those genuinely fleeing persecution and economic migrants crossing the Mediterranean in the hope of a better life.

She adds: “I disagree with the suggestion by the EU’s high representative Federica Mogherini that ‘no migrants’ intercepted at sea should be ‘sent back against their will’. Such an approach would only act as an increased pull factor across the Mediterranean — and encourage more people to put their lives at risk.”

She told Radio 4’s today programme: “These are very often economic migrants, people who have paid criminal gangs to transport them across Africa, to put them into vessels which those criminal gangs know are not sea-worthy.”

Unemployment falls to 5.5 per cent and average earnings up by 1.9 per cent

George Osborne on May 12, 2015 for an Economic and Financial Affairs European Council meeting in Brussels yesterday

Unemployment fell by 35,000 between January and March to 1.83m, a fall of hat is 5.5 percent.

It was 5.7% from October to December.

Official figures show that at 1.83m it means unemployment has now dipped to a seven-year low, although the latest quarterly cut of 35,000 was the smallest for almost two years.

The number of people claiming jobseeker’s allowance fell by 12,600 in April to 763,000, the 30th consecutive monthly reduction.

Employment continued to rise, up by 202,000 in the three months to March to more than 31m, the highest since records began in 1971.

Some very good news for the new Conservative government. George Osborne, the Chancellor, is very happy.

He says: “Today we see further proof the plan is working with unemployment falling, record numbers of people in work and confirmation that regular pay packets are growing at their fastest in four years, putting more in people’s pockets and stretching family budgets that bit further.

“With full-time employees making up nearly all of the increase in employment over the past year, this shows we are on the way to our goal of full employment.

Len McCluskey to give his own analysis of Labour’s election woes

Candidate challenges zero vote result because he voted for himself

He says that his wife voted for him too.

A candidate in Kent is challenging the official election result that he received zero votes on the grounds that he voted for himself.

Paul Dennis, who stood for the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (Tusc) in Rainham North, is challenging Medway council over the result because he says he would have got at least two, because both he and his wife voted for him.

Labour to announce new leader on September 12

The Press Association are reporting that sources have told them the party plans to decide on their new leader, a replacement for Ed Miliband, in four months time by September 12.

The report: The party’s ruling national executive committee meets later to make a decision, but sources have told the Press Association that the new leader is set to be announced on September 12.

Balloting is expected to open in mid-August, leaving three months for campaigning by the candidates.

Announcing the new leader on September 12, a day before the TUC Congress opens, would mean he or she would address the Labour Party conference at the end of September already in place.

Where is Ed Stone?

• Georgia Graham georgia.graham@itn.co.uk

The search for Ed Miliband’s 8ft Limestone monument to his party’s pledges continues.

He planned to put it in the garden of No.10 but Mr Cameron is back in Downing Street and he is licking his wounds in Ibiza.

So where is the stone?

The pledge stone is so bizarre, it’s even gaining traction on the other side of the pond. The New York Times is getting involved.

Prince Charles asked: ‘are you worried about these letters?’

The Prince of Wales was arriving at Marks and Spencer’s Marble Arch shop for an event to mark the Make a Mark youth employability scheme, which is run by the Prince’s Trust.

On the way in he declines to answer questions from Channel 4 News political correspondent Michael Crick ahead of the publication of private letters he wrote to ministers a decade ago.

The letters, known as “black spider memos” in reference to the Prince’s distinctive handwriting, were written to government departments between September 2004 and March 2005.

They are to be made public, with some redactions, at 3pm on Wednesday after a lengthy legal battleby Guardian newspaper journalist Rob Evans.

Despite a 2012 court decision to allow publication, the former attorney general Dominic Grieve vetoed this, saying the letters reflect Prince Charles’ “most deeply held personal views and beliefs.”

That decision was later ruled invalid.

Clarence House has previously said it is “disappointed the principle of privacy had not been upheld.”

Alex Salmond is foreign affairs spokesman

After the appointment Mr Salmond tweeted that “promoting Scotland’s cause in the international arena” was a “key priority” for the SNP.

Police are investigating allegation of electoral fraud in South Thanet

Kent Police confirm they are making inquires following a report of electoral fraud in the South Thant seat.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage contested the seat unsuccessfully and resigned as head of the party. Four days later he withdrew his resignation.

Ukip say that they did not make the allegation.

Nigel Farage and Douglas Carswell battle “ongoing”

Ukip’s central figures descended into battle yesterday after its sole MP, Mr Carswell, accused his party of attempting to waste taxpayers money on unncessary staff.

Ukip have now said that the pair have met to discuss the issue, but have not necessarily reached a compromise on the issue.

The say: “Nigel Farage met with Douglas Carswell this afternoon and there’s ongoing discussion about how best to represent four million UKIP voters in a way that is sensible and correct.”

Equalities minister insists she now backs gay marriage

The new equalities Minister Caroline Dinenage opposed gay marriage two years ago, warning the state had ‘no right’ to redefine the institution.

However the Gosport MP, daughter of TV presenter Fred Dinenage, yesterday insisted she had changed her mind and now ‘fully supported’ same sex marriage.

She said that while there might be ‘concerns’ about her voting record she is: ‘I am fully committed to advancing the cause of LGBT equality and support the law on same sex marriage.’

Green bench selfie

Introduction day selfies. A new trend for the iPhone MP generation.

Sadiq Khan launches his bid for mayor as an alternative to champagne Boris

The former shadow justice minister has announced his long awaited bid to become Labour’s Mayor of London candidate.

Announcing the bid in the Evening Standard he said: “For the last eight years you’ve seen a red carpet mayor, somebody who is fantastic going to openings, great with a flute of champagne in his hands.

“I’d rather roll up my  sleeves and fight for all  Londoners.”

Mr Khan, the Tooting MP, is the fifth Labour name to enter the race to succeed Mr Johnson next year, following Tessa Jowell, David Lammy, Diane Abbott and Christian Wolmar.

He added: “I want to be seen as Mr London — as an exemplar of the best of London. A working class boy done good.”

As we await Prince Charles letters Cabinet release documents on mink, muscrat and gray squirrels

What better way to celebrate being the youngest MP in Parliament?

Michael Crick’s best ever doorsteps

From Tony Blair to Godfrey Bloom. A must watch.

No fraud in Thanet South

Around four hours after it’s investigation began Kent Police has confirmed that the investigation into electoral fraud in South Thanet has been concluded.

Nigel Farage lost his bid to win the seat last week.

Andy Burnham announces Labour leadership bid

Just like Labour’s shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna, who declared earlier in the week Mr Burnham decided to launch his bid via a video.

He says: “The plain truth is this. The party that I love has lost its emotional connection with millions of people.

“The way to get it back can’t possibly be to choose one group of voters over another – to speak only to people on zero hour contracts or only to shoppers at John Lewis.

“Our challenge is not to go left or right, to focus on one part of the country above another, but to rediscover the beating heart of Labour,” he said.

Tories revive strict anti-extremism plans

UK refuses European demand to take Mediterranean migrants

Alex Salmond: Scotland will not let human rights act be scrapped

Chancellor praises new employment figures

SNP success: fuelled by social media?