Policy 1) Patel pledges that Tories will bring down immigration

“The Conservatives have committed to cutting net migration if Boris Johnson wins the election. Priti Patel, the home secretary, said that the Tories would “reduce immigration overall” by placing strict limits on the number of low-skilled migrants allowed into Britain after Brexit. It represents a significant shift by Mr Johnson, who axed the Conservative Party’s pledge to reduce net migration to the “tens of thousands” in one of his first acts as prime minister. He will introduce an Australian-style points-based system. While the Tories will not recommit to a target for cutting net migration in their manifesto, reducing the number of immigrants is seen as an “inevitable consequence” of the measure.” – The Times

• Labour’s plan could see it treble to 840,000 a year, she warns – Daily Telegraph
• McCluskey’s tough line on free movement sparks Labour backlash – The Guardian

More:

• Britain has the most illegal immigrants in the EU – The Times
• Home Office app for EU citizens ‘easy to hack’ – FT
• Clinton says UK is on ‘the path to Fascism’ – The Times

Comment:

• Gove is peddling the same old immigration myths – Maya Goodfellow, The Guardian

Policy 2) Johnson goes green

“Boris Johnson has promised to ensure that no one is ever more than 30 miles from an electric car charging point as part of efforts to energise the economy after Brexit. In his first big speech of the campaign Mr Johnson said he would double government research and development spending to £18 billion within five years as part of a “new wave of economic growth”. Specific commitments included making sure everyone in England and Wales was within 30 miles of an electric vehicle charge point by spending £500 million to expand the network. There was also a pledge to increase the amount of electricity generated from offshore wind from 30GW to 40GW by 2030, creating 9,000 jobs.” – The Times

• He promises ‘large-scale’ investments – FT
• Prime Minister faces anger from flood-hit Yorkshire residents – The Times

Sketch:

• Johnson cleans up his act to hail a green future – Quentin Letts, The Times

Hopes of deal to unite Leave vote fading as nominations close today

“The Conservatives have offered an electoral pact to Nigel Farage that would mean the Brexit Party targeting just 40 key seats, The Telegraph can disclose. Boris Johnson was prepared to put up “paper candidates” in the Labour-held constituencies, meaning the Tories would carry out only minimal campaigning in order to give an advantage to Brexit Party rivals. However, the deal was turned down by Mr Farage, who had insisted on the Tories withdrawing their candidates altogether from the seats, because he was worried that the Conservative candidates would still attract votes. Talks finally broke down late on Tuesday but as the deadline for nominations approaches at 4pm on Thursday, Mr Farage remains under intense pressure to make further concessions…” – Daily Telegraph

• I won’t vote Conservative, says Farage – The Times
• He refuses to stand down candidates in Labour seats… – FT
• …and says the Tories ‘don’t want a Brexit majority’ – Daily Mail
• Apprentice star to be Brexit Party candidate – The Sun

Comment:

• Nigel, please extend your generosity to sixty extra seats – Rod Liddle, The Sun
• Farage is now the main threat to his own legacy – Stephen Glover, Daily Mail

Candidates: Griffiths’ wife rejects his support in struggle for Burton candidacy…

“The estranged wife of a disgraced former minister spoke out against him last night as claims emerged that he had tried to flood his local association with new members in an attempt to be re-adopted as its Conservative candidate. Kate Griffiths, who was instead chosen to contest Burton for the party, said she neither wanted nor accepted an endorsement from Andrew Griffiths, whom she is divorcing. Mr Griffiths, who has represented Burton since 2010, resigned as a business minister last year after revelations that he sent thousands of sexual text messages to two constituents. Earlier this week he narrowly missed being chosen again after a tied vote at his local party but vowed to seek the nomination anyway by adding his name to the selection shortlist.” – The Times

• Davies pulls out of Anglesey over fresh criticism – Daily Telegraph

>Today: MPs Etc.: Meet the candidates hoping to form the 2019 Conservative Parliamentary intake

…as Johnson pitches for a ‘new-look’ Conservative Party

“With 40 of its MPs standing down ahead of the election on December 12 — many of them from the governing party’s moderate wing — the Tories are undergoing a generational shift. Boris Johnson, prime minister and party leader, has insisted the Tories must not morph into a sect of predominantly hardline male Brexiters — with selection officials ordered to choose its most diverse contingent of MPs to date… Mark Wallace, executive editor of the website ConservativeHome, which has closely tracked shortlists and profiled the successful contenders, said there was optimism within the party that it will defy stereotypes. “There hasn’t been a unified conspiracy to put lots of Johnsonites or Brexiters on the list, nor has the centre forced these seats to select its favoured people,” said Mr Wallace.” – FT

• Poll suggests Tories doing better with working-class than well-off voters – Daily Telegraph

>Today: ToryDiary: What Johnson said about an independent enquiry into Conservative anti-Muslim hatred

>Yesterday: MPs Etc.: Election Battlegrounds 4) East of England

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