Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News At Six 20240713

Country, labour will be there giving a message of real hope where this government offers nothing. So government offers nothing. It is game almost on. still so it is game almost on. There is still wrangling in the commons tonight over exactly when we will go tonight over exactly when we will go to the polls. And the other main stories on tonights programme the london fire brigade is condemned for shortcomings and systemic failures in its response to the Grenfell Tower fire. And with four days to go till the clash of the titans, we take a look at englands World Cup Final opponents, south africa. And in sport, bulgaria are ordered to close their stadium for two games and fined £65,000 after fans racially abused england players in a euro 2020 qualifier earlier this month. Good evening and welcome to westminster, where mps have just given their backing in principle to a general election before christmas. It would be the first time the United Kingdom has gone to the polls in december in almost a century. The labour Leaderjeremy Corbyn finally agreed to back the move after the eu agreed to another brexit extension. But theres still no final confirmation over when and even whether an election will actually take place. That should be decided when mps vote again tonight. 0ur Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg reports on the days events in parliament. Will these soon be portraits from the past . Order, order the animosity, the anger, the screams and the rage. Will these politicians soon give us all the chance to replace them . I call the Prime Minister. Mr speaker, thank you. It is never, ever, quite that straightforward, as this still new Prime Minister knows to his cost. There is only one way to restore the esteem in which our democracy is held, and to recover the respect in which parliament should be held by the people of this country, and that is finally to offer ourselves to the judgment of the people of this country, and i commend this built at the house. Labour said no three times already, but this morning, they seem ready for the rallies in they seem ready for the rallies in the photo ops of a campaign. Officially at least they are now ready for the first december election in nearly a hundred years. It is going to be fun, and ive just had the weather forecast, it is going to be good weather. Even though some of those in this crowd think it is a mistake to go to the polls next month. We are going out there to fight an election campaign, and i cant wait to get out there on the streets. In every town and village in this country, labour will be there, giving a message of real hope where this government offers nothing. But labour only tucked into line because the smaller parties changed tack. The snp and the lib dems reckon now that eus backed a delay to brexit, their best chance of stopping our departure is to support an election. If you listen to them, you might imagine it has started already. I welcome the opportunity of an election, because make no mistake, the election thats coming is going to be the right of scotland to determine its own future. As a United Kingdom family of nations, strong together, working within the eu, we can reshape our economy and harness the technological revolution and build a brighterfuture, technological revolution and build a brighter future, and thats the message the liberal democrats will be taking to the country in this general election. That view is not across the bench is. A general election is about general issues. It is impossible to extrapolate from the result what people think about a very specific issue, in this case brexit. What do we do if we return a Hung Parliament that once again just like in 2017 is split exactly down the middle and we cannot get anything through . In the last half hour, the plan to go to the polls past the first threshold. As many as are of that opinion say aye, on the contrary, no. The ayes have it, the ayes have it. But it is only the first. Round here, though, there is a lwa ys first. Round here, though, there is always about. Yes, the big parties now all agree in principle to give all of us a vote in december, but in practice it might be rather different. Some mps think 16 and 17 year olds should have the right to ta ke 17 year olds should have the right to take part, and others might push for all eu citizens to have a say in the general election. And if theyre successful, even after everything, number 10 successful, even after everything, number10 might successful, even after everything, number 10 might call the whole thing off. Stand by, then. This spectacle has not yet run its course. Our unconventional politics almost a tourist attraction in itself. We might say goodbye to yet more conventions before we have another say. Lora, mps have given their backing in principle to an election in december, so can we say that there will be one . I think we can say probably. It sailed through the first threshold, and that is definite in the direction of travel, and in the last ten minutes it has been confirmed there wont be those votes on putting 16 and 17 year olds on the electoral roll or giving all eu citizens the right to vote, and neither of those things which would both have been tricky for the government are now going to be part of this discussion. But there is still a lively argument about whether we should go to the polls on the 9th of december, which the opposition parties want, or whether borisjohnson will be getting his way on the ballot boxes will be opened on the 12th of december. And as ever, in this place, while there is something to argue about, it can bea is something to argue about, it can be a bit foolish to predict the outcome. The other thing is that evenif outcome. The other thing is that even if it clears the commons tonight, it has to go down to the house of lords for their rubber stamping tomorrow. But without question, the political gravity here is all pulling us in one direction, like a magnet draws metal towards it, this place is being drawn towards a general election in december, and barring anything very strange happening in the next 2a hours, we dont know the date but we do pretty much know that it is going to happen. Our Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg, thank you. The Prime Minister says the only way now to get brexit done is to refresh parliament with the general election. The last vote in 2017 ended with a Hung Parliament, and the conservatives have governed with a minority since then. So where could this election be won and lost . Our deputy Political Editorjohn pienaar takes a look at the key battlegrounds ahead of the vote. Almost nothing about british politics is easily predictable right now. An awful lot could change between now and the day we make our next trip to the polls. Lets take a look at the current state of the parties. The conservatives have 288 mps, labour 244. There are 35 independents, many of them former conservatives. The snp have 35, and the lib dems 19. No party comes close to the 326 needed for an overall majority. In the 2017 election, the two main parties dominated. The tories taking 43 and labour a1 of the vote. Compare that to how the parties are polling now. The conservatives are averaging somewhere around 36 , and labour 24 in recent polls. Now, lets take a look at the electoral map for 2017. The tories blew a big lead in the polls and ended up the largest party, but relying on the dup for a majority. The next election could be even more unpredictable. The uks divided at least as much between leave and remain as between the parties, and that could well influence the result. If the polls were reflected in an election now and voters switched parties evenly across the country, the tories could be on course for an absolute majority, but it wont be that simple. It never is. The tories will focus on winning voters in leave voting areas. In their top 50 labour held targets, 39 voted leave. Places like stoke on trent north 72 leave, blackpool south 68 , dagenham 70 leave. But the tories could lose seats to other parties, places like stirling and gordon in scotland could go snp. Cheltenham, southport and winchester to the liberal democrats. They could lose votes, although maybe not seats, to Nigel Farages brexit party, which could hand seats to other parties. The lib dems will fight as the uks main anti brexit party, and that could help them in heavily remain supporting areas like london. But labours hoping, as in 2017, they can turn round the polls in the run up to voting, and Jeremy Corbyn will hope his promises to pump investment into Public Services excite voters more than Boris Johnsons rival pledges, to invest in the nhs and schools, and clamp on crime. Itll be cold, itll be dark. Will that put off older voters broadly keen on brexit . Will Younger Voters turn out . They are mostly remainers. Another Hung Parliament, another stalemate really cant be ruled out. And as for the main candidates for pm, Jeremy Corbyn is a seasoned campaigner, but so is borisjohnson. Itll be an election unlike any weve seen before. John pienaar there. The pre christmas vote will be the third general election in five years. And its the first december poll since 1923. Experts think the winter conditions will have little impact on the turnout, but what do voters think about this snap election . Our Political Correspondent alex forsyth has been to worcester a narrow conservative marginal in the 2017 general election, where the tories won by around 2,500 votes, and which voted to leave in the 2016 referendum. Halloween was meant to be brexit day, but with that idea laid to rest, westminster could now turn to the country, asking people to unpick the tangle that politicians cant. At saint peters Garden Centre on the edge of worcester, the director is resigned to a possible election to try to break the logjam, but fears it could mean continued uncertainty. I think its probably necessary so that whoever is in control can actually have a commanding authority. I definitely dont want it to go on for any longer than is absolutely necessary, because its so frustrating from a business perspective. Many people are now craving some sort of brexit resolution. While some hope an election might help, others are disillusioned. No matter who gets in, they decided a long time ago that they didnt want brexit, and ive never not voted, but im not voting for any of them. What we need more than a general election is a peoples vote on brexit. I think a general election at the moment is a distraction. Thats the warning from mps who want a second referendum first, fearing an election would confuse the arguments. Others worry about a poll so close to christmas. Its cold. People are going to be doing other things. I dont think people are going to have time to make up their minds. The timing isnt the best time, but we have to go for a general election, because itsjust getting even more complicated, and i think this might finally, you know, sort it out. At this toy shop in the city centre, there is a similar view. The owner, who imports products from europe, thinks the public could force politicians into action. Indecision, uncertainty, is not good. And do you think an election could help stop that . Yes, i think it could. It is one possible way. If there is a definitive answer, then whoever is in power i would suggest would actually go ahead and do whatever they want to do, and hopefully get things done. The purpose of an election is to try to end the paralysis in westminster, give one party a mandate for its vision on brexit and other policies, but with divisions so entrenched, some fear even a public poll might not help. Thats the concern at this independent sweet shop, where the owners arent convinced they will be a clear outcome. I think the split is within parties anyway. I think you are going to get parties that will be re elected and will still bring in half that want it and half that dont want it. But while frustration with the Brexit Process is undoubtedly rife, soon people could be asked to make a crucial choice. Alex forsyth, bbc news, worcester. Thats all for now from westminster. Ill be back a little later. Over now to reeta for the rest of the days news. Many thanks, sophie. Fewer people would have died in the Grenfell Tower fire had the london fire brigade acted differently. Thats according to a report into the 2017 tragedy in which 72 people died. The document sections of which have been seen by the bbc is due to be published officially tomorrow. This first phase of the inquiry focuses on what happened on the night, and it strongly criticises what it calls serious shortcomings and systemic failures in the services response. Heres our special correspondent lucy manning, and a warning, some viewers might find parts of her report upsetting. This for the bereaved, it never gets easier. White mite who was to blame . How did 72 people die in their homes who was to blame . Firefighters were brave that night, risking their lives, but the fire brigade failures were many. The blaze was like one never seen, but institutional failure, completely inadequate planning and communication problems left people trapped. Most damning, the decision to tell residents to stay put in these flames for nearly two hours. The report says if the building had been evacuated sooner, its likely that more lives would have been saved. Its very hard, very hard, to go on. Nabeel shakhair lost members of his family in the fire. Do you think yourfamily could family in the fire. Do you think your family could have family in the fire. Do you think yourfamily could have been family in the fire. Do you think your family could have been saved family in the fire. Do you think yourfamily could have been saved if the building was evacuated earlier . Of course, i believe a lot of families could have been rescued, without a doubt. I personally believe they were inadequate of dealing with the fire. The report also criticises leadership failures. The commissioner of the london fire brigade gave little comfort to families at the enquiry remarkable. Families at the enquiry remarkable insensitivity, said the enquiry. She has already announced her retirement, with a £2 million pension pot. I was really disgusted in her comments. It shows her incompetence. Its the fact that she has given an escape route for herself. There is some frustration that the main criticism centres on firefighters are not those who made the cladding and refurbished the tower. That will be for the next stage of the enquiry. The report did find that there were building fell that the cladding failed to comply with building regulations we have got planning, Building Maintenance and other things that went wrong. 20 years of building regulation failure is being laid at the fire and rescue service. The chairman of the enquiry met the grenfell family just and told them he has written to the Prime Minister, saying he confidently expects the government and those in charge of the Emergency Services to implement his recommendations without delay. And the bereaved wonder if they will ever getjustice. This the bereaved wonder if they will ever get justice. This mans the bereaved wonder if they will ever getjustice. This mans family didnt all the skate. His father died. There is not a day i wont remember him. This mans family didnt all escape. I dont know the meaning ofjustice. Didnt all escape. I dont know the meaning of justice. It didnt all escape. I dont know the meaning ofjustice. It is now more than two years. We dont know what is happening. And still the families agonise about how 72 people could have died in fort was supposed to be the safety of their homes. Lucy manning, bbc news. Two brothers are wanted on suspicion of manslaughter over 39 people found dead in a lorry container in essex last wednesday. Detectives say finding ronan hughes, whos 40, and his 34 year old brother, christopher, is crucial to their investigation. Theyre from armagh in northern ireland. The driver of the lorry, maurice robinson, whos also from northern ireland, appeared in court yesterday charged with several offences, including 39 counts of manslaughter. A man with haemophilia who contracted hepatitis c after being given contaminated blood products has told the inquiry into the scandal that he was visited by Health Officials wearing protective clothing before he knew he had the disease. Malcolm slater and his wife violet, who also gave evidence, were both tested. Tens of thousands of people became ill after receiving contaminated blood given by the nhs in the 1970s and 80s. Senators in the us have accused the Aircraft Company boeing of engaging in a pattern of deliberate concealment as it sought approval for its 737 max 8 plane to fly. It came as the companys chief executive, denis muilenburg, gave evidence to a congressional hearing. The 737 max 8 was involved in two crashes that killed 346 people. Mr muilenberg admitted that boeing had made mistakes. Bulgarias footballers have been ordered to play their next home match behind closed doors, and theyve had a second match suspended. Theyve also been fined £65,000 after england players were racially abused by fans in a euro 2020 qualifier. It comes as haringey borough and yeovil town prepare to replay their fa cup fixture this evening it was abandoned when haringey players left the pitch, accusing yeovil supporters of racist abuse. From north london, our Sports Correspondent Natalie Pirks reports. Bulgaria already had form for racism. Commentator in fact, to me, that looked like a right wing gesture. But when nazi salutes were also accompanied by monkey chants, it rocked the footballing fraternity. Campaigners, though, say todays fine, with their next match played behind closed doors, may hit bulgaria in the pocket, but not where it hurts. Its really, really dispiriting and disappointing to see the reaction from uefa today. Its a real missed opportunity to send a really strong message across the footballing world that racism wont be tolerated within the game. In terms of working with the bulgarian fa, it could have been a much harsher financial penalty in terms of the stadium bans, that could have been increased further. That night in sofia, england manager Gareth Southgate was quick to point out that racism exists across the whole of society. England might not have walked off the pitch, but the effects of that match are being felt keenly, not least here in north london. Non league haringey borough were thrust into the media spotlight earlier this month when they abandoned their fa cup match. Players including their goalkeeper, seen here, alleged they were racially abused by visiting yeovil fans, and were too upset to play on. Tonight, with two fans since arrested, the clubs will replay that match, with a lucrative place in the fa cup first round at stake. The manager says at International Level there is help, but that day, there was nothing. Thats what happens at a high level, but our level, there is no. We havent been told anything. So we or ijust done things off my own back. And i hope i never have to make that decision again. I think other people should be making that decision. This small club from a diverse borough of london has never needed such security before. The focus on them for all the wrong reasons. But the club hope their small part in the fight against racism will be remembered long after tonights result is forgotten. Natalie pirks, bbc news, haringey. This saturdays rugby World Cup Final between england and south africa promises to be a bruising encounter, with both sides preparing for a hugely physical match. Today the south africa head coach said his team must be ready for the new level of intensity that england reached in their semi final victory over new zealand. Our Sports Editor dan roan reports from tokyo. Theyre known for brawn, bulk and brute strength, and now theyre the barrier between england and world cup glory. South african rugby prides itself on the power of its pack, but their coach believes they need every ounce of muscle in this weekends final. The physicality that england brought to new zealand was just next level last saturday. I thought it was a long time since ive seen in england team pitch up with that amount of physicality. They must be brimming with confidence, and im sure that they need to bring that same intensity, and we will have to be really up to try and match that. South africa have a rich history in this tournament. Their iconic 1995 triumph on home soil uniting a nation. 12 years later, john smit led the country to a second world cup victory over england, but he believes that if the current springboks and their first black captain, siya kolisi, collect the trophy again this weekend, it would have surpassed it all. If he lifts it, it will be a far greater moment than 95. It will be the biggest one ever. That picture back home, i think it will change peoples lives back home. Thats the magnanimity of what the potential of siya lifting the trophy. At close quarters, its easy to see why south africa are known for the size and power of their forwards. One things for sure. This weekend, england will have to bring their physicality very much to this fight. Very much to this final. Theyve already come out and said that theyre going to fight fire with fire, and i guess we returned by saying, i guess, bring it on. Tom curries performances have been crucial for tom curries performances have been crucialfor england, tom curries performances have been crucial for england, and tom curries performances have been crucialfor england, and he will enjoy some extra special support on saturday his twin brother ben also plays for sale sharks. After a social Media Campaign gathered momentum, the club agreed to give him afew momentum, the club agreed to give him a few days off to fly out to be there. My sister has been out there and has come back. She cant get enough of it. We have friends and cousins coming, godparents. England will go into the biggest game of their lives as favourites, but its clear theyre preparing for a bruising battle. Dan roan, bbc news, tokyo. Thats all from me. Now, back to sophie in westminster. Thank you. Welcome back to westminster, where a short time ago, mps backed in principle a general election in december. We still dont know the exact date. That should be decided later this evening, but it looks increasingly likely that we will be heading to the polls in around six weeks. Laura kuenssberg is in the houses of parliament. It looks like it could be fourth time lucky for the Prime Minister. What an election always inevitable . Last night, the house of commons voted not to have a general election, and in the last hour, they decided it is a good idea after all. The truth is, we we re a good idea after all. The truth is, we were always heading towards this moment, to have an election much earlier than the Prime Minister had to. First, and most straight forward , to. First, and most straight forward, borisjohnson to. First, and most straight forward, Boris Johnson has to. First, and most straight forward, borisjohnson has never had a majority to call his own. And that isa a majority to call his own. And that is a political law. If a Prime Minister doesnt have a majority, there is nothing they can rely on in this place, and they cannot be sure they can get anything done. Sooner rather than later, a leader in that position is always going to try to get to the country to make the numbers work for them. The second thing i think about this being probably inevitable is that Boris Johnsons First Priority is to take us johnsons First Priority is to take us out of the eu as quickly as he can. We have heard mps agonise about this for years. Leaving the eu is a huge and controversial change for the uk, and many people elected in 2017 do not think it is a good idea and will fight hard against it happening. At the very least, it is a controversial change that any Prime Minister trying to do without the numbers behind him, maybe it was a lwa ys the numbers behind him, maybe it was always going to be the case that a reset of the numbers was on the way. Whether it will result in an advantage for Boris Johnson whether it will result in an advantage for borisjohnson or spin out of his control, we will only know that in the weeks to come. Laura kuenssberg in parliament, thank you. You can of course follow events as they unfold in westminster this evening on the bbc news channel and on the bbc website. Time now for and on the bbc website. Time now for a look at the weather with nick miller. Some of us had blue sky, with High Pressure close to the british isles. This is the view earlier from the yorkshire coast. A very different story in south west england, much cloudier, wetter and windier. Here, we are close to these weather fronts and low pressure, and there is a battle between the two taking place, and which will win out, low pressure over the weekend, which means cloud and rain more widely across the uk. For now, the rain is staying where it is. It is encroaching into south wales and more of the south coast, hampshire, may be west sussex. A few showers in the east of england and southern scotland. Where it is clear, it will be a cold and frosty night in Northern England and scotland, at or below freezing, and a few mist and fog patches into tomorrow. You have sunshine after that chilly start. In the south west, you have outbreaks of rain, into the Channel Islands as well. Clouds in southern england, the midlands and wales tomorrow. North of that, good sunny spells around. A few showers running into eastern parts. Temperatures are below where they should be, but autumn has been very mild so far. A chilly easterly breeze as well. A weakening weather front is coming north on thursday for all but scotland. Cloudier, and more of a chance of rain. More fronts on the way by the end of the week and into the weekend. We are bringing in milder air. Temperatures will edge up milder air. Temperatures will edge upa milder air. Temperatures will edge up a little bit, but the price to pay for that will be this more cloud around, and where we have the right now, across south west england, we will see outbreaks of rain more widely by the end of the week and into the weekend. It wont be raining all the time, just a selection of places. Much more available online. Back to sophie at westminster. A reminder of our top story mps have backed in principle the idea of a general election in december. Thats all from the bbc news at six, so its goodbye from me, and on bbc one we nowjoin the bbcs 00 29 50,785 4294966103 13 29,430 news teams where you are