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In the UK, Election coverage will be broadcasted by BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky. Also international broadcasters like CNN, France 24, Al Jazzera, Euronews and others will broadcast election coverage although there might be other things to report on things.

If you live in the UK. Sky News & Channel 4 news starts 9pm UK time. 9:55pm UK for ITV news & BBC news.

If you live outside the UK, you can also watch on CNN, Sky news, BBC world news & you can stream live to watch the election results when they come in.

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You have the power to decide. I have the power to decide too.

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Use your power to decide vote on 8th June

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Uploaded by James Watching The One Show on 2017-06-07.

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Since today is an election day. I want you to go out to vote.

If you are against Brexit (& Pro-EU), I recommend you vote tactically against UKIP, Tory or any candidates that favours hard brexit.

If you don't the Tories to remain in power. Vote tactically. Labour, SNP, Green, Paid or Lib Dem. Any party except Tory & UKIP.

For me I'll vote Labour because Labour has the chance to make gain in my constituency (I live in Hendon). If you are Labour voter but don't like Jeremy Corbyn, do not let it stop you from voting Labour. Don't let it stop voting Labour if you are anti-Brexit. There are people will vote Labour whether if they are Corbyn supporter or not.Pro- Brexit or not.

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I do not want the Tories to win but if they do. It would be like this.

Tory: 395
Labour: 145
Lib Dem : 33
SNP : 40
Green: 3

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I want to take a moment to tell you something. Voting is a right and it is a privilege. Look at the countries that doesn't have democracy like North Korea. Look at the countries that has democracy but it is not real democracy (sham) which includes voting suppression and vote rigging. Examples: Uganda & Zimbabwe.

Now I am not telling you what party to vote & I am not telling you what to do but please do understand how the voting works. It's your decision.

If you want to spoil your vote (Ballot paper), then you can. It can be heard & counted but i do not think it will be heard enough. It is a waste of time & energy if you are thinking of spoil your vote whether making political statement, drawing or voting with blank vote. I wish if there is ballot paper that it can be included "NOTA" stands for None of the Above but there is none. So if you don't vote, you don't get to have your say & complain.

I was originally going to throw my vote away because I am not happy with the direction we are in because of Brexit & awful Tory policies but then I created this website. I was undecided and I did made my mind that I will vote. even there will be disappointments and hopefulness.

So voting is an important and it is optional. Look at Australia. Voting is compulsory. So listen, your vote can make an difference even you have no faith in Westminster, political parties, or politicians (as you reckon they are same).Go out and vote. Just do it. Your vote can make an impact. Don't throw your vote away even we are not happy with the government (& if they win big to be stronger if you do not vote & that's what their want. Sorry for assumptions but it's important you vote) & their policies including that we are not in the right direction regarding Brexit.

Vote wisely.

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Brexit negotiations will start on Monday 19th June.

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Your Constituency

URGENT - HOLD THIS SEAT

Currently progressive

KEY PROGRESSIVE TARGET

Not currently progressive

Not currently progressive

Local progressive alliance

In this seat, a progressive alliance has begun! The stood aside to help , the , defeat the Tories.

came second, with in third.

This means that it's one of the most at-risk constituencies in the entire country.

This is a rare three way marginal and is at risk from who are in third place but very close behind two progressive parties.

It's one of the key marginal seats where your vote will really make a difference.

Our Recommendation

To protect the progressive majority, it is absolutely crucial that you vote and campaign for . About this recommendation

This is an exceptional case where it's difficult to make a call between the two leading progressive parties - and . We recommend that you vote and campaign for since they are the current holder of the seat. About this recommendation

What can I do to help the Progressive Alliance?

In the last election won this seat with a

majority.

came second, with in third.

This means that currently has a progressive party in office.

In the last election won this seat with only a

majority.

came second, with in third.

This means that does not yet have a progressive party in office, but if progressive people worked together then we could win.

It's one of the key marginal seats where a progressive win is vital to change the government. Your vote really will make a difference.

What can I do to help the Progressive Alliance?

In the last election won this seat with a

majority.

came second, with in third.

The combined vote of the progressive parties puts us within votes of .

That means it's one of the key seats where it's possible to win if a progressive alliance works together.

Our Recommendation

We recommend that you vote and campaign for here. But there might be a tighter race nearby where you could make more of a difference by campaigning with the Progressive Alliance. About this recommendation

We recommend that you vote and campaign for here. About this recommendation

What can I do to help the Progressive Alliance?

In the last election won this seat with a

majority.

came second, with in third.

This means that does not yet have a progressive party in office. Together let's change this, and reset politics.

What can I do to help the Progressive Alliance?

Campaign Nearby

We've identified the following key target seats that are near to your constituency.

To have the maximum impact and help build a Progressive Alliance, please consider knocking on doors and handing out leaflets in one of these seats:

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Your Constituency URGENT - HOLD THIS SEAT Currently progressive KEY PROGRESSIVE TARGET Not currently progressive Not currently progressive In this seat, a progressive alliance has begun! The stood aside to help , the , defeat the Tories. came second, with in third. This means that it's one of the most at-risk constituencies in the entire country.

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Amber Rudd said on BBC debate about moneytree. Artist Taxi Driver uploads this video to talk about it & later on, it was remixed by Skepta's song Shutdown.

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Grime and politics have become intertwined in the build-up to the June 8 election, with numerous artists sharing their views ahead of the vote.

The latest way this has played out is through a mashup of Skepta's Shutdown and a clip of prolific YouTuber Chunky Mark, aka the Artist Taxi Driver.

Mark's latest video centres around "Theresa May's magic money tree", flipping an idea presented by Home Secretary Amber Rudd at the BBC debate, and features a section that fits perfectly with the BBK don's 2015 song.

mark's never been in a taxi when it's shut down, trust me chunky pic.twitter.com/1dfEjtyuYU

- Stan The Golden Boy (@tristandross) June 1, 2017

The video comes from writer Tristan Cross, and sees Mark taking aim at the Conservatives in his usual manner.

But that Skepta cameo definitely adds another dimension.

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Someone's mashed Skepta's Shutdown with a clip of the Artist Taxi Driver blasting the Tories - SBTV

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Grime and politics have become intertwined in the build-up to the June 8 election, with numerous artists sharing their views ahead of the vote. The latest way this has played out is through a mashup of Skepta's Shutdown and a clip of prolific YouTuber Chunky Mark, aka the Artist Taxi Driver.

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Archant

Watch as angry London taxi driver's rant at "vulture capitalists" shuts down the latest Tory soundbite

Angry taxi driver Mark McGowan has been creating viral videos of political rants, filmed in his minicab, since 2010 - the ChunkyMark Youtube channel now boasts over 53,000 subscribers.

"Theresa May's Tory Magic Money Tree - Get Shut Down" sees one of ChunkyMark's recent tirades remixed to music and has garnered over 20,000 views on Youtube alone.

In a move away from their much-ridiculed "strong and stable" soundbite, Labour's "magic money tree" has become the Conservative campaign's latest slogan du jour. The 'magic money tree' was wheeled out by Amber Rudd during the BBC leaders' debate on May 31 before being repeated by Theresa May on BBC Question Time on June 2 when the PM told an NHS nurse "there is no magic money tree" to increase NHS pay as living costs continue to rise.

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A taxi driver found the Tories' magic money tree and he is not happy

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Archant Watch as angry London taxi driver's rant at "vulture capitalists" shuts down the latest Tory soundbite Angry taxi driver Mark McGowan has been creating viral videos of political rants, filmed in his minicab, since 2010 - the ChunkyMark Youtube channel now boasts over 53,000 subscribers.

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Magic moneytree.

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Theresa May's Tory Magic Money Tree - Get Shut Down

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Anti-Tory song for UK general election 2017. #GE2017 Vote the Tories Out #make junetheendofmay Tory Britain is like Gangsta's paradise. I do not 5 more years of the Conservatives.

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Russell Brand has urged the public to back Labour to allow Jeremy Corbyn to stage a British "revolution".

In a blog for HuffPost UK, the comedian and author declared the first time that he wanted Corbyn as Prime Minister.

"Whether it's the Iraq War or badger-baiting, Corbyn has been allied with common sense and compassion in pretty much every Parliamentary argument," he wrote.

Theresa May, in contrast, was leading a Tory party that is "so hungry for power that it swallowed Ukip whole and is now belching the consequences into our faces".

For good measure, Brand described the Prime Minister as "a vindictive librarian drawn by Quentin Blake" and said voting Tory would be an act of "sadomasochism".

Brand, who said earlier this month that he wasn't sure who he'd vote for, finally came out for Corbyn two years after he caused a stir by backing Ed Miliband in the 2015 general election.

The comic - who has 12 million Twitter followers - had once famously suggested voting was not worth it, but endorsed Miliband at the last minute after interviewing him for his The Trews YouTube channel.

Writing for HuffPost UK, he said: "You know I never actually said 'don't vote?

"I said 'There's no point in voting when the main political parties are basically indistinguishable and the relationship between government, big business and factions of the media make it impossible for the democratic will of the people to be realised, which is a more nuanced point and plainly true. Anyway, that was then and this is now."

Brand recently released a video pleading with young people to register to vote, showing how to navigate and sign up through the Government's own gov.uk website.

In his new blogpost, he praises Corbyn for his long record of sticking to his principles and for standing up to the media's treatment of him.

"Even the more 'controversial' stuff in his search history doesn't hold up to scrutiny - meeting with the IRA; he wasn't at a barn dance in Londonderry downing Guinness in a balaclava, he was perspicaciously acknowledging the necessity for negotiation in pursuit of a peaceful solution. Which is what happened, years later. You could say that he was ahead of his time. Or a leader.

Carl Court via Getty Images

"The spin after his statement about the conditions that exacerbate terrorism was telling too. 'We need to look at new ways of tackling terrorism' when repurposed became 'Britain is to blame for the Manchester bombing.' We are beyond doublespeak and into a hegemonic narrative singularity.

"Corbyn has been in the game a while and knew that what he said would be warped in order to stoke fear but said it anyway. Why? Integrity and trust that people can discern truth from propaganda. Qualities I want from a strong and stable leader."

Referring to Labour's plans to hike taxes for those earning more than £80,000, the comic added "it's time for those of us that are well-off to make some (pretty modest) financial sacrifices, and for those that aren't to vote in the interest of themselves and their communities".

Brand added that "a Labour government won't be perfect" and neither was its leader.

"Jeremy Corbyn won't be perfect, he is a human being. We have a chance to elect a politician who is committed to serving the people of Britain. To supporting the NHS, public services and educating the young people to whom the future belongs.

"Electing the Tories for another five years, to throw the opportunity for change into the distant indeterminate wasteland of 2022 would be an act of collective self-loathing bordering on mass sadomasochism."

After the 2015 defeat for Labour, the author and actor blamed himself for "fucking up the election" by getting Miliband to come round to his house for the online interview.

David Cameron had called Miliband "a joke" for agreeing to the event with the comedian and the tabloids ferociously attacked the Labour leader's 'mockney' accent.

Brand backed Corbyn in the 2015 Labour leadership race after Tony Blair had criticised his supporters for voting with their 'hearts'.

But he has also advocated voting Green in the past and until Wednesday had not declared clearly for Labour in the 2017 race.

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Russell Brand Backs Jeremy Corbyn For PM

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Russell Brand has urged the public to back Labour to allow Jeremy Corbyn to stage a British "revolution". In a blog for HuffPost UK, the comedian and author declared the first time that he wanted Corbyn as Prime Minister.

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The right-wing press hate him, as do many of his own party, but Jeremy Corbyn has become an almost messianic figure of hope to his followers. With only days to go until the general election, NME Editor-in-Chief Mike Williams sits down with the Labour leader to ask him your questions, plus a few of his own, to find out whether his promises of a fairer society and more opportunities for young people are legit, and whether - whisper it - he could actually win.

When Theresa May called a snap general election in April, a landslide victory was predicted for the Conservatives. The Prime Minister's main rival, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, was seen as not fit for purpose. Unpopular within his own party, unelectable in the eyes of the public, it wasn't a case of whether Labour would lose, but how brutal the defeat would be.

Then came the manifestos.

Labour's arrived first with a promise of more funding for the NHS, more funding for schools, an end to zero-hours contracts and the abolishment of university tuition fees. The Tories followed with promises to honour David Cameron's minimum wage and tax threshold pledges, scrapping free school lunches and replacing them with breakfast, creating more grammar schools and, most controversially, the so-called 'dementia tax' that would see pensioners asked to contribute more to the cost of their care with no cap on how much they might pay.

The reaction to the 'dementia tax' was outrage. Within 48 hours, the Prime Minister had flip-flopped again, saying there would be a cap and that less fortunate people wouldn't be worse off. But the damage was done. The election wasn't about Brexit any more but the kind of country we want to live in, the kind of values we want to hold, the way we want to treat our old people and the future we want to create for our youth.

Which explains how the unassuming and decidedly un-politician-looking fella with a neat white beard, loose trousers and comfy shoes sat next to me in the quiet room of a restaurant in east London has captured the imagination of young Britain - and a good percentage of everyone else - to surge in the polls and turn a forgone conclusion into an exciting and unpredictable two-horse race. As he tells me later on, "I can't really think when I've changed my mind on the basic principles of what I want in life, which is social justice, which is a more equal society, which is peace and human rights around the world. Does that mean I always win every decision or win every vote within my party? Obviously I haven't, but I do believe that if you stick to your fundamental beliefs and say what they are, then you get a hearing. If you say, 'Well, I've got all these principles, but if you don't like them, I've got some more,' that's not very effective."

So can Jeremy Corbyn actually win? And if he does (or doesn't), what will it mean for young Britain? As the only leader to have made a point of putting young people at the heart of his policies and campaigning, we figured he'd be interested in what you had to say, so I took a few of your questions and put them to him...

Jeremy Corbyn answers your questions
"Why do you think that it's the youth who are getting behind you so much in this general election?" NME: Why do you think that the other mainstream parties, and specifically the Conservatives, don't seem to have focused on young people in the way you have?
JC: "I think they've relied on the fact that in the last election, less than half of young people who were registered turned out to vote, and that they will therefore not register and not turn out to vote in this election. The whole story is actually very, very different: more than two million, mainly young people, have registered to vote since the election was announced. The registration period has now closed, and I hope that large numbers of young people are going to vote in this election. After all, it's about their future."
Lowri (left), Foundation Year 2 doctor, Liverpool "Traditionally at this point in our careers we'd be progressing towards specialty, but come August neither Jen nor I will be doing so. I'm moving to Australia to work as a doctor and Jen's taking a year out before committing to specialty training. In a cohort of 40-plus foundation doctors that work at our hospital, fewer than 10 of them are progressing to specialty training next year and I think this is reflective of what's happening right across the UK right now." Jen (right), Foundation Year 2 doctor, Liverpool "I think it's fair to say it's not been a great year for junior doctors on the front line of an increasingly stretched health service and this is almost certainly reflected in the morale of doctors, but also the whole of the NHS workforce. If Labour were to be elected, how would you address these issues?"
JC: "I'm very, very sad about this. When a young person goes to university to study medicine, it's a very long course. We treat them so badly, we pay them so badly, we put excessive demands and conditions upon them, their morale is low and they end up leaving the NHS altogether. What I'm determined to do is support the junior doctors. They're not the cause of the problem in the NHS; the cause of the problem is the lack of government funding for the NHS. So, we will put the money that's necessary in the NHS, and we will treat our doctors properly and not treat them as enemies. I joined the demonstrations of junior doctors. I got criticised by just about everybody for doing that, but do you know what? We learnt a lot by talking to them. I want doctors to stay in our NHS. Their calling is medicine; their calling is the community. Let's invest in them."
NME: What do you predict will happen to the NHS if we don't see change in this election? How close, actually, is it to collapse? Callen, 20, Enfield "With the rise in stabbings that have taken place in the capital this year, how would a Labour government tackle the problem of knife crime?"
JC: "I live in and represent a community where we've had tragedy upon tragedy of stabbings and deaths and I've been to the funerals of the victims on a number of occasions, and they're unbelievably tragic. And, talking to those young people... Some have a misplaced sense of security that by carrying a knife they're somehow or other going to be safer; they're not. They're more likely to be killed by their own knife than they are protected by it. We've supported all the counter-knife measures such as knife arches in schools and colleges, such as searching shrubberies and flower beds and parks where people have been stashing knives in order to use them. But it's also a question of dealing with the cultural idea that somehow or other carrying a knife is cool and going to protect you. It's not."

NME: You've pledged to scrap tuition fees, which has gone down well. But it's also kicked up a question for people who already have that debt, or people who are currently in university. What does it mean for people who've already been paying £9,000 a year?

JC: "First of all, we want to get rid of student fees altogether. We'll do it as soon as we get in, and we'll then introduce legislation to ensure that any student going from the 2017-18 academic year will not pay fees. They will pay them, but we'll rebate them when we've got the legislation through - that's fundamentally the principle behind it. Yes, there is a block of those that currently have a massive debt, and I'm looking at ways that we could reduce that, ameliorate that, lengthen the period of paying it off, or some other means of reducing that debt burden. I don't have the simple answer for it at this stage - I don't think anybody would expect me to, because this election was called unexpectedly; we had two weeks to prepare all of this - but I'm very well aware of that problem. And I don't see why those that had the historical misfortune to be at university during the £9,000 period should be burdened excessively compared to those that went before or those that come after. I will deal with it."
Fleur, 27, Student at the Open University "You've said you're going to be getting rid of student tuition fees straight away, which is great, but I'd like to know what your plans are for mature students like me." Harry, 14, Devon "What's your favourite band or singer? What music do you enjoy listening to?" NME: As a music lover, can you help us answer the quintessential NME question that people have been asking for over 20 years? Who was the best: Blur or Oasis?
JC: "I'm going to plump for Oasis, but I know this will immediately divide the audience, so what I should have said was, 'I'll refer it to a focus group to decide,' but I'm not keen on focus groups..."
Rosie, 25, Manchester "I'm a recently qualified teacher and I'm seeing a lot of recently qualified teachers already leaving the profession. How do you intend to address the recruitment and retention crisis within education?"
JC: "I've met the teaching unions and many teachers of course, and I spoke at the recent National Association of Head Teachers conference on this. A number of things need to happen. One is, students should be supported in getting teaching qualifications as well as supported in getting the degree that precedes the teaching qualification. Secondly, it's the burden that's placed on teachers in schools. Teachers usually work a 12 to 14-hour day during term time - leave home very early, go into school, prepare for lessons, and all this. And they've got to pick up all the pieces of the problems in society. They've almost become social workers as well as everything else. Most teachers dip into their own wallets and handbags to ensure the children get something to eat if they're very hungry and very poor. So I want to thank all teachers for everything they do. And I want to say this to them: we will properly fund education so the schools won't have to collect from their parents.

"Teaching, at its best, is the most wonderful job in the world. You see young people developing, their attitudes developing, their culture developing, but if you're so weighed down by bureaucracy, weighed down by the lack of funding, weighed down by all those pressures, you lose the spirit to do your job properly."
NME: What happens if you don't win? You've got all this momentum, all these people who believe in you - where does all this go if you don't win this election?
JC: "Well, I think we're going to win it. We have that huge opportunity to fundamentally change the way politics is done in Britain, and I'm very excited by it. I've spent all my life working on causes, representing my community and I'm very excited by this opportunity."
NME: As a final message to NME readers, why should they vote for change?
JC: "If we continue the way we're going, young people are going to have more debt, less opportunity for housing. Some will do very well, but the majority will not get the wages, the opportunities or the society they deserve. Let's look at things a bit differently. We can afford lots of things in this country, but we cannot afford the levels of inequality that we've got, and that's why this document here, 'For The Many, Not The Few' [Labour's manifesto], is... it does what it says. It actually says, 'Let's redistribute, let's invest in people for the future, and invest in the economy that grows for the future and bring people together.' Don't blame each other, bring people together. We can achieve things together and I'm very excited by it."

What he says is compelling. It feels genuine and thought out. Theresa May attacked Corbyn's manifesto as being full of "fantastical promises" and being a "utopian vision". She wants to dampen expectations; he's telling us we should expect more. That we deserve more. Who you vote for on June 8 is entirely up to you. Differences of opinions are what make us interesting, and whether it's about Blur and Oasis, the credibility of Lady Gaga, the best new band on the planet right now, or political ideologies, NME readers have always disagreed and we'll continue to do so and all still be friends. But do think about this: we know what the UK looks like right now if we don't vote for change. Whether you think that's the country you want to live in or not will ultimately decide which box you put your cross in.

With the polls narrowing, June 8's result is looking increasingly up in the air. NME's 'plus one' campaign wants you to take a mate to the polls. We know you're a great person and you've already registered. But next Thursday, make sure your mates are up to speed.

* Thanks to Beagle in Hoxton

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Jeremy Corbyn answers your questions - the full NME cover feature - NME

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The right-wing press hate him, as do many of his own party, but Jeremy Corbyn has become an almost messianic figure of hope to his followers.

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Theresa May has reacted to the Captain Ska song that labels her a "liar", after the track made it into the top 10 on the Official Singles Chart.

'Liar Liar GE2017' features samples from the Prime Minister's speeches and lyrics such as: "She's a liar liar, you can't trust her, no no no."

Speaking to BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat, May admitted that she had heard some of the song, which was No.4 in the charts at the time of writing, and was "not very happy about it".

"I don't much like it," she said. "I don't think anybody would when they heard a song about themselves like that."

Earlier this week it was reported that the BBC had "greyed out" the song, where, unlike other charted singles, there was no option to play track on the BBC website.

The move sparked outraged from the artist, who wrote on Twitter: "I am so angry about this - BBC Radio 1 have greyed out play button on 'Liar Liar'. Nothing in Ofcom guidelines about this."

The BBC previously said that it could not play the song due to impartiality rules set out by Ofcom.

In a statement to The Independent it said: "We do not ban songs or artists, however our guidelines require us to remain impartial and the UK is currently in an election period so we will not be playing the song."

'Liar Liar' was originally released in 2010 in a response to the coalition government, then re-recorded ahead of this year's General Election.

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Theresa May has responded to the 'Liar Liar' song

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Theresa May has reacted to the Captain Ska song that labels her a "liar", after the track made it into the top 10 on the Official Singles Chart. 'Liar Liar GE2017' features samples from the Prime Minister's speeches and lyrics such as: "She's a liar liar, you can't trust her, no no no."

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Six months after the coalition government came to power, the first version of Liar Liar was written out of a deep frustration with austerity politics. David Cameron promised that "we're all in this together" - but the aggressive cuts to public services coupled with banker bailouts told another story. We wanted to put the anger of many Britons to a beat and become an outlet for protest, while providing levity and solidarity in grim times.

Liar Liar is an anomaly in the charts - no tantalising sexual lyrics, and Tory politicians in the video

It was a way to make politics more relevant and accessible to a wider audience, including young people, by challenging the "I'm not into politics" refrain. After seven years, the government cuts that were meant to put Britain's finances in order clearly have not worked. Government debt has continued to rise while income inequality is set to reach record highs by 2020. When Theresa May called a snap election on a platform promising strength and stability on the back of ever-deeper public service cuts, it seemed like the right time to remake Liar Liar.

Over the past seven years the band has repeatedly been told that political music is too controversial, too geeky or out of fashion, yet the Liar Liar GE2017 remix seems to have struck a chord over the past week. Despite making it to No 4 in the UK charts, all commercial stations have refused to play it alongside the other top 40 tracks, to maintain balance and impartiality during an election season, in accordance with Ofcom regulations. Yet Liar Liar GE2017 shows the power of protest music in action. Despite its exclusion from the airwaves, the track has been circulated through social media and has managed to transcend the confines of conventional channels. Perhaps after seven years of coalition and Conservative policies, protest music is resonating with a wider public and coming back into fashion.

BBC Radio 1 has gone above and beyond the remit of Ofcom regulations by not only refusing to play Liar Liar GE2017, but also greying out the play button next to the online track listing, which prevents listeners from linking to it as they can with all the other top 40 tracks. It is hard to see what service the BBC is providing to the public by discouraging them from accessing any viewpoints that could instigate critical thinking or debate. Yet open debate is entirely necessary for democratic society's survival. The BBC is not exercising impartiality, but actively censoring material that it has decided is disagreeable. There are historical precedents for this censorship - when the BBC refused to play the Sex Pistols' hit God Save the Queen, for instance - that suggest the organisation continually errs on the side of establishment. This is a troubling stance for a broadcaster that is meant to represent the public.

One can understand the good intentions behind Ofcom's rules, but unfortunately they rely on the fiction that you can easily magic up a neutral value-free space just because it's an election season. This ignores how power structures work around the clock day in and day out; they cannot simply take a holiday.

Liar Liar GE2017 is certainly an anomaly in the charts due to its subject matter. There are no tantalising sexual lyrics, while the video features a host of Tory politicians instead of scantily clad gyrating women. In an era where young people are always castigated for not engaging with politics as pop culture leads them astray, surely their interest and engagement with politics should be applauded and encouraged rather than censured? This shows that what is regarded as political and who gets the airtime to speak is a deeply embedded issue of power and privilege.

Instead we are urged to tune out of politics and focus on songs about sex, love and breakups. It's not that these topics aren't important, but there needs to be room for a richer and wider discussion. Taking an overt political stance via Ska has been embraced by many - perhaps because lots of other folk feel there is too much at stake in this election to just tune out.

So, just to clear up a few facts: Captain Ska is not at No 4 in the UK charts, the video hasn't been watched over 2.5 million times, nor downloaded over 40,000 times. There aren't packed club nights around the country playing it to thousands of partying students and we most certainly won't be performing it live on Wednesday in Brixton, south London. So just keep calm, zone out and put on some Justin Bieber.

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We wrote Liar Liar about David Cameron. But it works for Theresa May too | Captain Ska

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Six months after the coalition government came to power, the first version of Liar Liar was written out of a deep frustration with austerity politics. David Cameron promised that "we're all in this together" - but the aggressive cuts to public services coupled with banker bailouts told another story.

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British holidaymakers will have to continue paying EU roaming charges after they're scrapped this June, according to a leaked document created by the European Parliament's committee on industry, research and energy.

From 15 June, mobile phone users travelling in the EU will be able to make calls, send texts and use the internet at the same price they pay at home.

However, Brexit means British people will be unlikely to benefit from the new roaming rules from 2019, when the country is expected to exit the EU.

"Regulation (EU) No 531/2012 on roaming will no longer apply with respect to the UK, impacting business and other travellers to and from the UK," reads the document, an analysis of the UK's impending EU withdrawal.

It adds that "transitional arrangements will be necessary".

Unless the UK Government strikes a deal with the EU, British consumers spending time abroad will face hefty phone bills again in the near future.

Mobile networks such as Three and Tesco Mobile have already scrapped roaming charges for customers travelling to a selection of European countries.

The Government's European Union bill is set to be debated by MPs this week for its Committee Stage.

However, opposition MPs have been accused of trying to block Brexit after tabling 146 pages of amendments to it - despite it being just eight lines long.

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Every EU citizen will get free data roaming in Europe - except Britons

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British holidaymakers will have to continue paying EU roaming charges after they're scrapped this June, according to a leaked document created by the European Parliament's committee on industry, research and energy. From 15 June, mobile phone users travelling in the EU will be able to make calls, send texts and use the internet at the same price they pay at home.

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British tourists will have to pay mobile phone operators' roaming charges when they travel in the EU after Brexit, according to the European parliament committee that helped pioneer the legislation.

Despite a ban on the practice, holidaymakers and business travellers will face hefty bills if they use their phone within the EU from 2019, unless the British government strikes a favourable deal with the union.

Last week, the European commission announced that, from June this year, "consumers will be able to call, send SMS or surf on their mobile at the same price they pay at home" when travelling in the EU.

The move, which has been years in the making, would significantly reduce travel costs. However, a leaked analysis on UK withdrawal from the EU confirmed this would not apply to Britons post-Brexit.

The document was drawn up earlier this month by the European parliament's committee on industry, research and energy, and endorsed by MEPs. It states that "regulation (EU) No 531/2012 on roamingwill nolonger apply with respect to the UK, impacting business and other travellers to and from the UK" and that "transitional arrangements will be necessary".

In recent years, the EU has slowly forced phone operators to reduce their roaming charges. Other companies have voluntarily dropped them as they sought a competitive edge before the expected 2017 ban.

In 2014, before roaming charges started to be reduced, 20% of UK mobile users travelling to the EU faced higher than usual bills for usage, according to data from Uswitch. The average charge added to bills was £61, and 17% of those affected faced bills of £100 or more.

The Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: "From the cost of food and petrol to mobile phone bills, Brexit is hitting consumers in the pocket. Families shouldn't pay the price for this government's reckless hard Brexit plans.

"Theresa May must fight to keep hard-won benefits for British consumers like reduced roaming charges in the negotiations.

"This shows again why the British people must get the final say on the government's Brexit deal once its full impact becomes clear."

The European parliament's analysis also raised the question of the UK's role in a consortium of member states that is monitoring spacecraft and space debris for the potential benefit of the EU.

"The Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) Support Framework provides for the establishment of a consortium of member states that own and operate the necessary sensors for tracking spacecraft and space debris and process the relevant data," it says. "The UK is part of this consortium, but there is no provision for third countries to take part in the consortium.

"Should the UK continue to participate in some capacity and make a financial contribution and how should that be arranged (this would likely require an international agreement)?"

The chair of the committee, Jerzy Buzek, a Polish MEP, writes in a foreword to the document that the paper is an initial assessment of the law and that he expects his colleagues to be involved in any negotiations.

"It is important to recall that, given the short time available for their preparation and the fact that the UK position is still unknown, [the analysis] can only constitute a very first assessment of the situation," he says.

"It is therefore essential that the parliamentary committees be closely involved in following the negotiations and in the consent procedure as well as in discussions on any transitional arrangements and the future relationship, so that parliament can benefit from the substantive knowledge held in the committees."

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UK tourists face mobile phone roaming charges post-Brexit, analysis says

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British tourists will have to pay mobile phone operators' roaming charges when they travel in the EU after Brexit, according to the European parliament committee that helped pioneer the legislation. Despite a ban on the practice, holidaymakers and business travellers will face hefty bills if they use their phone within the EU from 2019, unless the British government strikes a favourable deal with the union.

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There's nothing worse than getting a text from your mobile phone provider, telling you that you've spent a small fortune on using the internet abroad.

Now British holidaymakers are being warned to brace themselves for hefty bills when they travel to the European Union after Britain Brexits in 2019.

Yesterday, European Parliament voted in Strasbourg to abolish call, text and data charges for mobile phone users travelling in the EU from June 15 this year.

However, because Britain has voted to leave the European Union, it could be dropped from the arrangement once the decision comes into effect in March 2019.

If this is the case, phone operators will be the ones to dictate the prices of data roaming charges for British holidaymakers.

Finnish MEP Miapetra Kumpula-Natri, who drafted the roaming bill, told the i, "After Brexit, it's the market, the operators, that will decide the prices,"

"If the UK operators get good deals with other European companies, roaming might be cheap. If not, it can be very expensive."

While roaming fees in the European Union have been steadily on the decline, they are still high in non-EU countries such as Serbia, where Brits can expect to pay around £3,000 per Gb for mobile data usage.

"After Brexit this will change," Mrs Kumpula-Natri added. "Britain will be in the same situation as Serbia with no EU regulation to keep the roaming prices low."

Theresa May is now tasked with the challenge of striking a deal on roaming alongside the government's planned trade agreement with the other 27 EU countries.

If a deal cannot be made, then charges are expected to be reinstated for British travellers after less than two years.

Travellers are being warned about the possibility of extortionate price hikes to data roaming charges.

Mobile networks in the EU could charge British travellers eye-watering fees of €50 (£43) every time they listen to a song on Spotify - which would correspond with what visitors from the US currently pay.

The European Commission has already ruled out a quick bilateral deal between the UK and the EU to cover roaming charges, so it will be a while before Brits know exactly how much they'll be expected to pay.

In the meantime, perhaps it's time to schedule a digital detox for 2019.

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Brexit to cause data roaming charges to increase for UK travellers

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There's nothing worse than getting a text from your mobile phone provider, telling you that you've spent a small fortune on using the internet abroad. Now British holidaymakers are being warned to brace themselves for hefty bills when they travel to the European Union after Britain Brexits in 2019.

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CONCERNS are growing that plans to drop mobile phone roaming charges from June this year could be reversed because of Brexit.

Following years of negotiations, the EU secured a deal with mobile phone companies ending the practice.

Roaming charges affected tourists and also had a significant impact in border areas in Ireland. People living in counties Derry, Tyrone, Fermanagh and Armagh often paid higher mobile bills when their phones picked up the signal from the Republic.

Following the deal brokered by the European Union, the practice was to end in June. However, there are now fears that Northern Ireland mobile phone users could be left once again with higher bills.

A report by the European Parliament's industry, research and energy committee revealed that the roaming deal would not apply in the UK after Brexit and called for transitional arrangements.

A Donegal county councillor has called on the Republic's government to engage with mobile phone companies to ensure people in border counties do not suffer economically.

Gary Doherty said it did not make sense to have mobile phone roaming charges within the island of Ireland.

"We cannot sit back and allow the situation to arise where Irish citizens can use their phones free from roaming charges in the far eastern limits of the European Union yet be subjected to these charges simply by traversing the border between Donegal and Tyrone," the Sinn Féin councillor said.

The issue has also been taken up by SDLP assembly member, John Dallat. Mr Dallat said the re-introduction of roaming charges could have a major impact on private and business users.

"In places like Derry or even around Magilligan, mobile phones often slip into a southern system; sometimes it nearly depends on what way the wind is blowing.

"After years of trying to sort this out, people in border counties in Ireland are again going to be penalised because of the foolish decision to leave the European Union," he said.

Mr Dallat called on the Irish and British governments to make the issue a priority in Brexit negotiations.

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Mobile phone roaming charges to return after Brexit

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CONCERNS are growing that plans to drop mobile phone roaming charges from June this year could be reversed because of Brexit. Following years of negotiations, the EU secured a deal with mobile phone companies ending the practice. Roaming charges affected tourists and also had a significant impact in border areas in Ireland.

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Mr Colao said: "It depends on where market dynamics go, but I don't think it is very logical to think that [charges will increase]. We have been including roaming in price packages even before the regulations so why would that change?

"I think in the end the UK will be part of the system. Essentially, telecom rules and regulations in the UK are aligned to the European ones so the same rules will probably determine the same treatment."

EU telecoms regulations are due to be transposed into UK law as part of the forthcoming Great Repeal Bill. Ofcom, Britain's telecoms industry regulator, has said it wants to ensure British consumers are protected from unfair mobile charges in subsequent trade negotiations.

Sharon White, its chief executive, said in December: "Roaming charges are being reduced for mobile phone users across the EU.

"Progress of this kind must be reflected in agreements between the UK and member states. Otherwise our mobile operators may be exposed to unfair costs, and our people and businesses could end up paying more than our European neighbours."

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Mobile phone roaming charges won't go up after Brexit

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Mr Colao said: "It depends on where market dynamics go, but I don't think it is very logical to think that [charges will increase]. We have been including roaming in price packages even before the regulations so why would that change? "I think in the end the UK will be part of the system.

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Whether you voted remain or leave, the European commission has come to your aid. Holidaymakers are about to get free mobile phone roaming across Europe and a host of other destinations from 15 June - for the next two years, at least.

Following a long campaign and a series of staged roaming price cuts, the commission will finally put in place a long-cherished aim - the ability of Europeans to make same-cost mobile calls and data downloads irrespective of which EU country they are in.

But fears remain that once Brexit takes place the gains could be reversed. And holidaymakers will still need to be careful about getting caught out in some non-EU countries such as Switzerland, Andorra and even the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, which are not formally part of the EU or even the European Economic Area (EEA).

Some mobile operators are choosing to include these areas in their new roaming-free packages, but others are not. What's more, Turkey appears to be half in, half out - Vodafone is treating it the same as the EU but others are not.

When does all this happen?
The EU started tackling the issue of high roaming charges more than a decade ago, but finally on Thursday 15 June cross-border roaming charges within Europe will cease.

From that date, call time, text and data allowances bought as part of a deal or monthly contract at home will be usable anywhere in the EU at no extra charge. Reading the Guardian on your mobile in Malaga will be the same price as accessing it in Manchester.

Why is it happening?
Roaming charges - the surcharge applied by providers when a phone is used outside its home country - have long been the bane of holidaymakers' lives. In short, they have been a huge rip-off.

Back in 2007 Brits in Spain paid 50p a minute to call home, and even after the EU imposed a series of price cuts mobile users have typically been paying 16p a minute to make calls, with additional charges applied to send texts or make any downloads. Modest mobile users regularly returned home after two weeks away to a £100 bill. It some extreme cases - where a large amount of data was used - the roaming charges cost more than the holiday itself.

But the EC sought to crack down on this, and in 2013 proposed a single market for electronic communications within the EU and to abolish the charges. The result is that contract and pay-as-you-go customers will pay the same charge in Europe as they would if they were at home - bill shock should largely become a thing of the past, for those travelling to Europe at least.

What about using your smartphone to update Facebook or send an email?
You get the exact same deal whether you are in the UK or in another European country (subject to "fair use" rules). So if your contract allows you 1GB of data a month, you can use it in another EU country without surcharge. If you need more data you'll pay the same as you would at home. This applies if you buy bundles of data or are a PAYG customer.

If your contract allows you 1GB of data a month, you can use it in another EU country without surcharge

Will I still pay to receive a call while abroad?
Not in the EU. Back in 2007 there was a €0.27/minute charge to receive a call while roaming in Europe. This disappears on 15 June. But note that you will still pay this charge in many non-EU destinations depending on the operator/country.

Does this mean I can throw away my European sim card or second phone?
Yes. If you only travel within Europe there is no need to keep switching to a local sim unless you've got a much cheaper call plan in an EU country that you regularly visit. It will still be worth doing this outside Europe.

Can I ditch my UK contract and seek out the cheapest European mobile deal in, say Spain, and use it here instead?
You could try, but you need to be aware that the agreement between the EC and the European mobile operators association BEREC sets out rules that are designed to prevent people doing exactly that.

It has its own "fair use" rules in place and says the roaming is temporary. Customers have to be "normally resident" or have "stable links entailing a frequent and substantial presence" in the member state of that roaming provider, it says, to prevent consumers all moving en masse to the cheapest EU provider.

If you spend several months using roaming in another country you may find your service is suspended.

What about other non-EU European destinations and countries further afield?
Technically you could still be charged to roam in non-EU countries like Turkey, Switzerland or Norway. However, most of the big operators have chosen to include popular non-EU destinations in their free packages. There are one or two exceptions - for example, O2 pay-as-you-go customers get a worse deal than those on contract.

The Channel Islands are in most "free roaming" packages but not all. Some suppliers don't include Turkey, which has been a popular holiday destination. Morocco is another notable absentee despite Marrakesh's increasing popularity as a holiday destination. Calls from there typically cost £1.65 a minute, and it costs £1.30 a minute to receive a call.

What about on ferries?
In the past Guardian Money has revealed how the cross-channel ferry firms have a bizarre arrangement with a Bermuda-based telecom firm to provide a mobile service aboard its ferries. Customers have been landed with big roaming bills as the phone thinks it is in the Sargasso Sea rather than 10 miles from Hull.

If you're taking a ferry this summer check with the provider of the ferry service, and perhaps wait until you land to see the cricket score.

What the providers are offering

Vodafone is dropping its roaming charges in 40 countries in its EuroTraveller zone, including Iceland, Turkey and Switzerland on 11 June. Along with most other providers, you'll still pay to roam in Serbia and Montenegro. Check your contract as those on recent tariffs get better roaming deals outside Europe.

O2's roaming-free Europe Zone will cover 47 countries for pay-monthly customers - but excludes Turkey. Oddly, it's PAYG customers will continue to pay roaming charges in Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Monaco and Switzerland, but contract customers will be free.

EE's deal is almost identical to O2's, except PAYG customers aren't penalised. EE has said customers will only be able to use the first 15GB of their data allowance in the EU for free under "fair use" rules.

Three, which has led the way on roaming charges, now offers free roaming to 60 destinations including most of Europe, Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and the US. Turkey, however, is not included. After two months in one country free roaming is suspended, warns its T&Cs.

Tesco Mobile's customers get free roaming in its 48 "Home From Home" destinations (Turkey is again excluded). They will still pay roaming fees in Andorra after June.

Carphone Warehouse's ID will offer free roaming in 29 countries. GiffGaff is still working on its offering but will have to offer free roaming in all EU countries as a minimum.

Virgin Media will offer free roaming, but only in EEA countries - which includes Norway and Iceland but not the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and Switzerland. This means you'll pay more to call from Jersey to Bournemouth than you would from Sicily or Slovakia.

All these changes come into effect on 15 June or sooner. If you are going somewhere unusual - including the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands - check what you'll pay to roam before you go. In the EU, however, you are safe to live-stream your tan straight from your poolside lounger.

What Brexit might mean

Three has committed to keeping roaming free in Europe regardless of what happens in the Brexit negotiations - but other networks are more equivocal.

The mobile phone industry opposed the European commission's plan to abolish roaming charges, not least because the fees have been hugely profitable. Legally, there would be nothing to stop the networks reintroducing roaming fees once the UK leaves the EU.

Politically, though, they might struggle to bring back charges under a government keen to be seen to be making Brexit a success. However, commercial considerations could win out. Several providers will not cut roaming charges in places such as Jersey from June, as they are not legally obliged to do so.

Three told Guardian Money it remains "committed to eradicating excessive" roaming charges. It said: "We will retain this great customer benefit regardless of Brexit negotiations, allowing our customers to continue saving when they travel."

O2 said it would be "engaging" with the government and Ofcom to discuss what would happen post-Brexit. The regulator said it would be a matter for the government of the day to decide.

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Thank you EU for banning rip-off mobile roaming charges from 15 June

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Whether you voted remain or leave, the European commission has come to your aid. Holidaymakers are about to get free mobile phone roaming across Europe and a host of other destinations from 15 June - for the next two years, at least.

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On  Thursday 15th June, roaming charges  in the EU will be free. Unfortunately for us as the British, it will be short lived as we are brexiting the EU by 2019.

If the Brexiteers did not lie at last year's referendum & think straight about positive things that could happen from the EU like free roaming then we wouldn't be in the situation as we are now.

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Could mobile roaming charges increase if the UK left the EU? - BBC News

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Could leaving the EU cost you more to use your phone abroad? Rory Cellan-Jones has been finding out.

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Polling station starts at 7am (UK time) & finish at 10pm (UK time). Whether you will vote in the morning, afternoon or evening. Do not forget to vote because after 10pm, you would lose your chance to have your say.

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Click the link to volunteer for your nearest marginal.

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My Nearest Marginal! Where should I canvass?

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Leading Britain's Conversation LBC - talk radio for the UK, letting you have your say on the big issues of the day and affecting London and the UK, with breaking news and opinion.

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If you live in the country outside the UK & you are British citizen living abroad, you can have their vote. the problem is that if you live in the country that you are living now for more than 15 years. You have no say. If it is less than 15 years, then you do have your say. I think it should be lifetime voting (not the current rules that if you live outside the UK, you have no say) because it is unfair. it makes no sense. Look at countries that allow their nationals to vote even they are not living in the country of birth.

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There are ways to vote.

1. In person at the polling station with or without polling card.

2. By post (postal voting) although there would be deadline so if you have not post it, don't worry. Bring it to the polling station.

3. Proxy

That means you are voting on someone's behalf if he/she is unable to vote.

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For me, it is unfair for EU nationals to not have their say on general elections like this upcoming election. Even EU nationals were given no say at last year's referendum & that's how the brexit vote made them felt like second class citizens & they are being used for baragining prawns for upcoming brexit talks with the EU.

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Find out everything you need to know about voting in the UK.

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If you are 18 or over and you are registered to vote, you will have your have say. You need to be British, Irish, Commonwealth, British Overseas Territory or British Crown Dependency citizen.

You can't vote if you do have criminal record (it depends).

If you are EU national in the UK, you can vote in elections like local council, mayoral, Scottish, Welsh, Northern Ireland Police and crime commissioner elections and European Parilament elections (unfortunately, we are leaving the EU so it will no longer apply to the UK) except UK general elections.

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Electoral Commission | Who is eligible to vote at a UK general election?

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Here you can find answers to frequently asked questions.

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Three million citizens of other European Union countries live in the UK. Many never sought British citizenship because they never imagined Brexit would happen. Now that it is happening, how do they feel about a general election dominated by Brexit, in which they cannot vote?

'I desperately wish I could vote'
Romanian citizen Raluca Enescu, 27, lives in south London
On Facebook, people were talking about the election. I said: "I'm an immigrant, I have no right to vote. If there are any people who are too disgusted to vote, please vote for me." So I now have a guy in Manchester who will vote on my behalf.

A lot of people are complaining immigrants are not integrated into society. But political participation is part of being integrated, isn't it?

It does mean a lot for me that I'm disqualified from voting. I have no idea how my status in the UK will change as a result of the referendum. I'm one of those people who is facing uncertainty about whether I will be able to secure permanent residency or not.

I came here as a Masters student about five years ago. I think I chose the university rather than London - the London School of Economics had the best programme in my field. But I settled in right away. I met my friends, my boyfriend, and I work in public health policy.

Now, I don't have the same sense of loyalty to this country that I used to have. If I hadn't met my boyfriend I might have already moved somewhere else. London feels very sympathetic, but smaller, monocultural towns are not safe places to be immigrants.

EU migrants didn't vote in the referendum either. I feel like this whole situation has happened because of how disenfranchised immigrants are. The person who has been given the biggest voice and listened to the most is the small-town working-class person who doesn't like immigration.

I remember feeling angry when Russell Brand was saying: "I can't be bothered voting." As someone who couldn't vote, I desperately wished I could.

'I feel like a second-class citizen'
Polish-born Michal Siewniak, 37, lives in Watford, Hertfordshire
I remember well, as a child growing up during communism, when my parents were not able to freely cast their vote. I was 10 when the Berlin Wall collapsed. I remember my parents then being able to express their views in the democratic process.

So for me, not being able to vote is like going back 20 years.

I was proud to vote in the council elections. I must admit that I love doing it. But I won't be able to vote in the general election. As a local activist and former councillor, I now wonder, will I be able to vote again, or stand in the local elections, when the UK leaves the EU?

Voting, standing in any elections - local or national - is such an important part of being a fully integrated part of any society. So I do feel like a second-class citizen. I'm seen as a burden and my contribution is not recognised.

I've been here 12 years. I have a life here. My kids, aged 11, eight and two, go to school here. Working in the charity sector, I do my best to help others to integrate.

We know that we are leaving the EU. The fact that we are leaving gives me and my family uncertainty. I am worried that many EU citizens, who come here for good reasons, will face discrimination in all walks of life just because of where we come from and irrespective of what we bring.

There was a lot of hate crime last year. People felt ignored and expressed their frustration in an unpleasant way. A friend of mine opened a Polish restaurant and it was vandalised.

I know people are concerned about immigration. I read in the newspaper the other day that in Boston the number of migrants was up 460% and that has changed the local community. I'm not surprised people are upset.

But migrants are here to work. If British people don't want to do fruit-picking jobs, who's going to do them? They aren't coming here because they want to take jobs away from British people. There's a demand.

I want to have a platform to raise my concerns. I also hope that the prime minister will recognise that many EU nationals in the UK are keen not only to work in Britain, but also to shape the future of this country by being part of the political process.

'British people's opinions should be prioritised'
Mirjam Kaerma, 22, originally from Estonia, is a music technology student in Cardiff
In some ways I can understand why British people want to leave. The EU used to be all about free movement of goods, services and people - these are positive things. But the EU has become more and more controlling. You can't elect commissioners so they are untouchable. If I look at it from my own country's perspective, I see how laws are forced on Estonia. So I think the UK should try to negotiate a better deal - for example, follow a similar path to Norway, staying a member of the single market.

I think most British people are tolerant and are OK with immigrants who offer some sort of value to the system. Talent is always valued and with British people it's always easy to make friends.

What annoys people is immigrants who are disrespectful towards their country's culture, laws and customs. I think if you don't like these then you should go back to your home country or move on to somewhere else.

I moved here in 2014 to study and experience the UK's culture. As an international EU student I am not eligible for a student loan for living costs. Nevertheless, I am able to support myself by working in a hotel as a waitress and giving piano lessons because free movement includes the right to work. Also, last summer I set up a business with my two sisters and my brother, making healthy refreshment drinks based on birch sap.

At the moment, the business is based in Estonia and our idea is to bring it to the UK.

However, Brexit really makes us think twice. How would we be able to sustain the business if Brexit happens without a deal? It might be hard for us.

It's quite frustrating not being able to vote, especially if you like being here and you are helping the economy to grow.

Of course, British people's opinions should be prioritised as this is their home, after all. Maybe there should be a separate vote for British people at the general election and another for the EU citizens who live here. I think it's very important their opinions are heard - as well as those of British people who live in EU countries, what about their opinions?

'I haven't come here to steal someone else's job'
Italian Maria Iacuzio, 45, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey
I had a good job back in Italy but I left it for love.

I studied at Reading University, then I went back to work in Florence and Milan. But I kept in touch with John, who would later become my husband.

We had a long talk. Because my English is good and my husband's Italian is not we moved here. I have been here 19 years.

It wasn't easy - I have all my family there. If I had known that England would come out of the EU maybe me and my husband would have made a different decision. We feel betrayed.

After 19 years I've not got the right to vote. It's very frustrating.

So I talk to people. It's the only thing that's in my power. I try to make the British people aware of what it's like for us, because they are not aware. They don't know how hard it is just to put all the documents together for the permanent residency card.

My children are worrying about what will happen to me. They are bilingual, aged 10 and nine. They understand what's going on, especially after the referendum. They ask: "Mummy, are you going back to Italy?" They go to a Catholic school, there are a lot of Polish parents there. Lots of children there are worried about their parents too.

I haven't come here to steal someone else's job. I teach Italian. Who's going to do my job better than me?

There's many English people who feel frustrated and want to come out of the EU. You can want to come out but why are you trying to affect people that have been here and have been producing for the country? We haven't done anything wrong. We have just followed the rules of the country.

'I live in fear of what's in store for me'
Finnish Ari Luukkonen, 50, lives in Manchester
I have been with my British boyfriend for 12 years. He suffers from a terminal illness called COPD and I am his carer.

I'm doing the job of three nurses who would have to look after my partner 24 hours a day if I left. I'm doing that job for £62 a week.

Before I became a carer I worked hard in this country and paid my taxes. I've been living here for 16 years.

I'm quite an outgoing person, but recently I have stopped talking to strangers in the pub because my accent always gives me away and people ask where I'm from.

I get weird looks and occasionally a comment like: "Why don't you just go back to your own country?"

At the moment I live in fear of what's in store for me in the future - deportation perhaps, because the government isn't telling us what their plans are concerning EU immigrants. Furthermore, I feel more vulnerable because of the fact that I am only a carer.

I, like the other three million EU immigrants, didn't have a vote in the referendum. I can vote in local elections but not in national elections. It's frustrating because I can't get my voice heard. I've been living here for 16 years and I still can't do anything.

The only thing I can do is be more vocal on social media. I can get other friends to see my point of view.

I'm applying for permanent residency. It's really, really difficult because I don't know what's going to happen to me. And I still need to look after my partner. What's going to happen to him?
As told to Jon Kelly

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General Election 2017: The EU citizens in the UK who can't vote - BBC News

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Three million citizens of other European Union countries live in the UK. Many never sought British citizenship because they never imagined Brexit would happen. Now that it is happening, how do they feel about a general election dominated by Brexit, in which they cannot vote?

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Labour: 360
Tory: 130
Lib Dem: 25
SNP: 41
Green: 4

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Manifesto guide: Where the parties stand

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Issue by issue, what the parties are pledging, presented in easy-to-scan bullet points.

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Who should I vote for? The UK election manifestos compared

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A summary of the key pledges made by political parties in the run-up to the UK general election

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Throughout the pandemic, Paddy Worrall and his award-winning Channel 4 News FactCheck team have crunched the data and the challenged government soundbites, and he joins us today to discuss how to vaccinate a nation.

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Throughout the pandemic, Paddy Worrall and his award-winning Channel 4 News FactCheck team have crunched the data and the challenged government soundbites, and he joins us today to discuss how to vaccinate a nation.

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The UK first have exit poll in 1992 and it been used since for every UK general elections. Exit poll is not opinion poll. It is a poll of voters taken immediately they have exited the polling stations. One thing about exit poll is that it can surprise us & it can shock us. Example: Labour won an election in 1997 with landslide. thanks to exit poll, it was an actual results followed by 2001 election & 2005 election.

Exit poll were right on 2010 election which did resulted in the Tory - Lib Dem coalition government.

Exit poll were wrong at 1992 and 2015 elections.

Exit poll can be right or wrong. As long the largest party or parties can beat the exit poll to show the real results. Exit poll were usually revealed on 10pm in the evening when Big Ben chimes 10 times

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Thanks the election will go ahead as it will not be suspended. If election was cancelled, then we are not defending our democracy & that's what the terrorists wants.

We will not be cowed by terrorism to stop our way of life & for us to have an election Thursday.

Thoughts & prayers goes out to the victims.

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I am for progressive alliance in order to block Brexit (if it does mean block extreme hard brexit).

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I left so many links for you to vote tactically especially if you don't want to vote for Tories, UKIP & hard brexit.

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Put your constituency in our search engine to find the candidate to vote for to stop a destructive Brexit. Don't know the name of your constituency? Search by postcode here. We have also explained the methodology behind our recommendations.

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How should I vote to stop a destructive Brexit?

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Put your constituency in our search engine to find the candidate to vote for to stop a destructive Brexit. Don't know the name of your constituency? Search by postcode here. We have also explained the methodology behind our recommendations.

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Voting tactically against Brexit (including extreme hard brexit).

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First news paper (youth-orineted newspaper for kids under 18) have their junior general election & i found it interesting as i went to the shop to purchase the newspaper

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SNP has been in the Scottish government since 2007. Both rule under Alex Salmond (2007 - 2014 and Nicola Sturgeon (2014 -)

SNP have made their big achievements at the last general election.

2010 election: 6 SNP MPs.
2015 election: 56 SNP MPs (50% increase) winning every seats in Scotland who were previously hold by Labour & Liberal Democrats. Now 54 MPs remaining.

If you look up at the state of parties in terms of Scottish MPs, SNP has the most MPs than Labour, Lib Dem & Tory as 3 main parties each have 1 MP.

Despite SNP had lost their chance of getting Scotland out of the UK in 2014 Scottish Independence, in the Brexit referendum, Scotland voted Remain while the rest of the UK (England & Wales) voted to leave the EU.

Many Scots were betrayed especially with the "Vow" paper and that Scotland leaves the UK, it leaves the EU.

I strongly disagree with SNP's political ideology because their main is Scottish Independence (that is what SNP was founded for) & I understand the frustration & anger of Scottish voters including SNP voters who were feeling of betrtayed as they want another vote on Scotland's future (indyref). Indyref 2 (either Scottish feel British or European as we are all having some kind of identity crisis). If that happens, it would cause more harm than good. It wouldn't solve any problems except re-joining the EU if gains Independence from the UK and the breakup of the UK (United Ireland as Northern Ireland could rejoin the Republic of Ireland while remaining in the EU).

Spain was originally going to block Scotland's EU membership bid as they have one region who are pro-EU, wanting to leave Spain and that is Catalonia but few months ago, Spain did said that they will not veto Scotland's entry in the EU.

So now that we are having an election again. It is likely SNP will retained their seats as the largest party but they might lose some seats to the Conservatives, possibly Lib Dems or Labour or both.

SNP could be the kingmakers in case of Hung Parilament even Labour ruled it out the pact (coaltion with SNP as it is like 2015 all over again) and that Labour & SNP could work together issue by issue.

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The Scottish National Party will be hoping for another strong performance following its triumphant showing in 2015. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon knows success is vital if she is to keep up the pressure for a second referendum on Scottish independence.

Potted history:

Founded in 1934, initially pushing for a devolution of powers to Scotland. The party found it hard to make an impact, but grew steadily throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Progress stalled, however, partly due to factional in-fighting.

The election of Alex Salmond to the leadership in 1990 proved significant. The party won six seats in the general election of 1997, and the creation of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 presented an opportunity to become a real political force.

Labour's George Robertson predicted that devolution would "kill the SNP stone dead", but his prediction was proved wrong, and the party won an overall majority at Holyrood in 2011, precipitating the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence - the result of which was 55% against and 45% for.

Where are they now?

The SNP scored a stunning success in the 2015 general election. Just a year after being frustrated by the vote to remain part of the UK, the party nearly swept the board in Scotland, taking 56 of the 59 Scottish parliamentary seats, including 40 out of 41 seats from Labour.

However, the party lost its overall majority at the Scottish Parliament in the 2016 election as the Conservatives made significant advances. As of July 2016, the party had about 120,000 members.

Key players:

Even though she has no seat at Westminster, and will not be running for a seat in the coming election, Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon is the dominant SNP figure in this election campaign.

Her strong performances on the stump, and, in particular during the televised debates in 2015, were credited with the SNP's triumph at the ballot box, with many commentators calling her the most effective political communicator in Britain.

However, critics are concerned that Ms Sturgeon may have over-played her hand by demanding that Theresa May agree to a second referendum on the independence question when the polls suggest there is still a slim majority in Scotland in favour of remaining part of the UK. Mrs May will hope a resounding victory in June will empower her to continue to resist those demands.

Ms Sturgeon must also find an answer to critics concerned that Scotland might potentially end up outside both the UK and the European Union.

The previous leader Alex Salmond, from whom Ms Sturgeon took over after the 2014 independence vote, also remains a pugnacious campaigner, and a high-profile figure in the party.

Leader's philosophy in a quote:

"I've not hidden and I'll never hide the fact that I want Scotland to be an independent country. But as long as we're part of the Westminster system, it's really important to people in Scotland that we get good decisions coming out of Westminster. So we've got a vested interest in being a constructive participant."

What the critics say:

"It's the tunnel vision of the Scottish nationalists in focusing only on independence that actually means they are not focusing on the work we need to do to ensure we get that best deal for the people of Scotland and the people of the United Kingdom as well," Theresa May, Prime Minster.

What do they hope to achieve?

The SNP objective will be to consolidate the spectacular gains made at the 2015 election. With only three seats in Scotland not already in party hands (independent MPs now sit in two other seats, having resigned the party whip) there is little scope for advance. The priority will be to hold off Ruth Davidson's Conservative Party, which made significant gains in the local elections, and to ensure that Labour remains firmly in the doldrums. The Westminster election will always be of secondary importance to the SNP, whose primary focus is to retain power in the Scottish Parliament.

Strong suit?

The party is ideally placed to take advantage of frustration among Scottish voters that the country is being dragged out of the European Union despite voting decisively in favour of Remain in the referendum in 2016.

Where do they stand on Brexit?

Implacably opposed. Sturgeon's position is that while the European Union is not perfect, Scotland's interests are best served by being a member. The SNP will push for Scotland to have special status if Brexit takes place, and for it to stay a part of the single market, even if the rest of the UK opts to leave.

However, polls consistently suggest about a third of SNP supporters backed Brexit, including their former health secretary Alex Neil. The party is conscious that some of its supporters might go cold on independence if it means rejoining the EU, leading to some speculation that it might ditch a policy of full EU membership after independence in favour of a Norway-style free trade arrangement.

Key policies: (Many policy areas are devolved to the Scottish Parliament)

Scotland to have a special status after Brexit, including remaining in the single market.

A second referendum on independence from the UK

Opposition to the "rape clause". The restriction of tax credits for any new claimants to a maximum of two children unless a woman can demonstrate a third or subsequent child was a result of rape.

Guide to the parties: Conservatives Guide to the parties: Labour Guide to the parties: Liberal Democrats Guide to the parties: Green Party Guide to the parties: UK Independence Party

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Guide to the parties: Scottish National Party - BBC News

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The Scottish National Party will be hoping for another strong performance following its triumphant showing in 2015. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon knows success is vital if she is to keep up the pressure for a second referendum on Scottish independence. Founded in 1934, initially pushing for a devolution of powers to Scotland.

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The Scottish National Party (SNP). Here are their policies if you live in Scotland.

1. No austerity measures and privatisation.

2. Scrap Trident

3. Ban arms sales to Saudi Arabia, pending investigation

4. Vote on the abolition of the House of Lords

5. Bring forward proposals to extend the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds in all elections

6. An end to the freeze on working age benefits

7. Keep tuition free (no tuition fees in Scotland).

8. Scrap bedroom tax when the Scottish government gets devolution powers from Westminster. Also continuing an pressure on ending to bedroom tax in England and Wales.

9. Restoration of housing support for 18 to 21 year olds across the UK.

10. Continue to extend free childcare

11. Keep the Hunting ban (no hunting on foxes, badgers, deers)

12. Living Wage which is more than £10 per hour at the end of parliament.

13. Seek to protect the triple lock on pensions

14. Stop cuts to the winter fuel allowance

15. No cuts to welfare and benefits

Stand against all of the further planned cuts to social security,

Demand reversal of the cut to Employment and Support Allowance that is removing £30 per week in vital support from disabled people

Press for the abolition of the two-child cap on tax credits and the associated "rape clause".

16. No increase in taxation on the low paid, in National Insurance or in VAT.

17. No Zero Hour contract.

18. Scottish Independence (SNP's main aim is to get Scotland out of the UK).

Reinforce the Scottish Parliament's right to decide when an independence referendum should happen

Hold a second independence referendum "at the end of the Brexit process"

Continued Tory attempts to block the referendum would be "democratically unsustainable"

If Scotland chooses to become independent, it should be a member state of the EU

19. Soft Brexit (No hard brexit given Scotland as the whole, overwhelmingly voted to remain in the EU by 62.00%)

Demand a place for Scotland at the Brexit negotiating table

Demand the inclusion of the case for Scotland's place in the Single Market in the UK's negotiating remit

Secure a reinforcement of the existing mandate for Scotland having a choice on its future when the terms of Brexit are clear

Press the UK government to immediately protect the right of NHS staff from across Europe to live and work in Scotland and the UK

Oppose any attempt by the UK government to treat the fishing industry as a bargaining chip in the Brexit negotiations

Demand the scrapping or fundamental reform of the Common Fisheries Policy

Ensure that the rights and protections currently safeguarded by EU membership are not diminished after the UK leaves

Seek a cast-iron guarantee from the UK government that they will seek the consent of the Scottish Parliament to the terms of the Brexit Bill

Oppose any attempts by the UK government to scrap the Human Rights Act and withdraw the UK from the ECHR

Demand urgent clarity on long-term funding arrangements for farming and fishing after the UK leaves the EU

Powers repatriated from Brussels to the UK should be devolved to the Scottish Parliament in devolved areas such as environmental protection

Call on the UK government to stay part of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to avoid delays in new medicines becoming available in the UK

Press the UK government to ensure continuity in cross-border health insurance arrangements - including the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

Continue to work with Scotland's universities and institutions to seek clarity from the UK government on what will replace EU research funding programmes

Support the continuation of programmes like ERASMUS+, which allow students to seamlessly travel to Europe for study

Seek to ensure that any future trade deals secure geographical indications for key Scottish food and drink products like Scotch Whisky, Arbroath smokies and Stornoway black pudding

Press the UK government to ensure border checks are as seamless as possible after the UK leaves the EU, making it as easy as possible for international tourists to visit Scotland.

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The SNP has published its manifesto, Stronger for Scotland. The full document is available online. Here are the main things you need to know.

Key message

A programme that seeks to provide a "clear alternative to five more years of austerity".

Nicola Sturgeon's foreword says: "A vote for the SNP will strengthen Scotland's hand against further Tory cuts and ensure that progressive polices, like those pursued by the SNP government in Scotland, are firmly on the agenda at Westminster."

Key policies

A plan for an "alternative to austerity" that could release almost £120bn for public spending across the UK over the next parliament

This would mean balancing the UK budget for day-to-day spending by the end of the parliament, and after that borrowing only to invest

Hold a second independence referendum "at the end of the Brexit process"

Protect Scotland's place in the single market and demand for the Scottish government a place at the table in Brexit negotiations

Secure a mandate for Scotland having a choice on its future when the terms of Brexit are clear

A living wage, by the end of the next UK parliament, that will be slightly more than £10 per hour

Call on the new UK government to increase health spending per head of population in England to the current Scottish level, which is 7% higher

This would result in an extra £1bn for Scotland, on top of planned increases

Support an increase across the UK in the Additional Rate of income tax - for those earning more than £150,000 - from 45p to 50p

Press for the abolition of the two-child cap on tax credits and the associated "rape clause".

Seek to protect the triple lock on pensions

Stop cuts to the winter fuel allowance

No increase in taxation on the low paid, in National Insurance or in VAT.

A call for Scotland to have control over immigration

Removal of the 1% pay cap on public sector pay

Stand against all of the further planned cuts to social security,

Demand reversal of the cut to Employment and Support Allowance that is removing £30 per week in vital support from disabled people

Oppose the freeze on working age benefits

Always protect free personal and nursing care

Continue to extend free childcare

Campaign to restore the post-study work visa so students can stay in Scotland after graduation.

No support for further reductions to the headline rate of corporation tax

Support an increase in the Investment Allowance to encourage businesses to invest more in plant and machinery

Independence

Reinforce the Scottish Parliament's right to decide when an independence referendum should happen

Hold a second independence referendum "at the end of the Brexit process"

Continued Tory attempts to block the referendum would be "democratically unsustainable"

If Scotland chooses to become independent, it should be a member state of the EU

Brexit

Demand a place for Scotland at the Brexit negotiating table

Demand the inclusion of the case for Scotland's place in the Single Market in the UK's negotiating remit

Secure a reinforcement of the existing mandate for Scotland having a choice on its future when the terms of Brexit are clear

Press the UK government to immediately protect the right of NHS staff from across Europe to live and work in Scotland and the UK

Oppose any attempt by the UK government to treat the fishing industry as a bargaining chip in the Brexit negotiations

Demand the scrapping or fundamental reform of the Common Fisheries Policy

Ensure that the rights and protections currently safeguarded by EU membership are not diminished after the UK leaves

Seek a cast-iron guarantee from the UK government that they will seek the consent of the Scottish Parliament to the terms of the Brexit Bill

Oppose any attempts by the UK government to scrap the Human Rights Act and withdraw the UK from the ECHR

Demand urgent clarity on long-term funding arrangements for farming and fishing after the UK leaves the EU

Powers repatriated from Brussels to the UK should be devolved to the Scottish Parliament in devolved areas such as environmental protection

Call on the UK government to stay part of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to avoid delays in new medicines becoming available in the UK

Press the UK government to ensure continuity in cross-border health insurance arrangements - including the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

Continue to work with Scotland's universities and institutions to seek clarity from the UK government on what will replace EU research funding programmes

Support the continuation of programmes like ERASMUS+, which allow students to seamlessly travel to Europe for study

Seek to ensure that any future trade deals secure geographical indications for key Scottish food and drink products like Scotch Whisky, Arbroath smokies and Stornoway black pudding

Press the UK government to ensure border checks are as seamless as possible after the UK leaves the EU, making it as easy as possible for international tourists to visit Scotland.

Economy and taxes

A plan for an alternative to austerity that could release almost £120bn for public spending across the UK over the next parliament

This would mean balancing the UK budget for day-to-day spending by the end of the parliament, and after that borrowing only to invest

Return the deficit to its pre-crash long-term average

Increase the Minimum Wage to the level of the Real Living Wage, taking the Minimum Wage to more than £10 per hour by the end of the parliament

Support an increase across the UK in the Additional Rate of income tax - for those earning more than £150,000 - from 45p to 50p

Until the Scottish Parliament controls tax avoidance policy, the 50p tax rate will not be introduced in Scotland alone

Support the reversal of the two-child cap on tax credits

Continue campaigning against the so-called "rape clause" on tax credits

No increase in taxation on the low paid, in National Insurance or in VAT

Support the reversal of the married couple's allowance

Support the reversal of the reductions to the bank levy

Support the introduction of a tax on bankers' bonuses

Support repeal of the Trade Union Act 2016 and a ban on zero-hours contracts

No support for further reductions to the headline rate of corporation tax

Support an increase in the Investment Allowance to encourage businesses to invest more in plant and machinery

Demand the return of VAT taken from Scotland's unitary emergency services

Call on the UK government to examine a reduction in VAT for the hospitality sector, levelling the playing field with other EU nations

Press for the public interest to be fully protected in any future disposal of RBS shares, including decisions on how any windfall revenues should be used

Continue to argue for Scotland to have full responsibility for the regulation of gambling

Presumptions against the closure of rural post offices - similar to the presumption against closing rural schools delivered by the Scottish government

Welfare and pensions

Protect the Triple Lock, ensuring that pensions continue to rise by inflation, earnings or 2.5% - whatever is the highest

Protect universal winter fuel payments, which the Conservatives want to means test

An end to the freeze on working age benefits

Give full support to the WASPI (Women's State Pension Age) campaign, so women born in the 1950s receive the pensions they are due

Propose a doubling of the Employment Allowance - the National Insurance discount that businesses receive when they increase employment

Stand against all of the further planned cuts to social security

Oppose the freeze on working age benefits

The SNP Scottish Government will abolish the Bedroom Tax in Scotland completely, when it has the powers to do so.

Continue to demand that the Bedroom Tax is scrapped across the UK.

Continue to fight for an end to premium-rate telephone charges faced by those seeking advice on or claiming benefits from the DWP

Support restoration of housing support for 18 to 21 year olds across the UK

Support the reversal of the cut to Bereavement Payments and Widowed Parents' Allowance

Continue to press for full devolution of employment and employability policy - including the Minimum Wage

More welfare powers have been handed to the Scottish government at Holyrood, including the ability to create new benefits.
Health and social care

Call on the new UK government to increase health spending per head of population in England to the current Scottish level, which is 7% higher

That would increase the health budget in England by £11bn more than inflation by 2022

This could also increase the NHS Scotland budget by up to £1bn

SNP already committed to increasing the budget of NHS Scotland by £2bn by the end of the current Scottish Parliament

Work with NHS unions to submit evidence to the independent pay review body on the impact of pay restraint and ask it to make fair recommendations

If a UK Government continues to constrain pay in the next parliament, the SNP will seek to work with health unions to explore the creation of distinct Scottish pay review arrangements

Maintain and always protect free personal and nursing care

Vote to protect the health service in all parts of the UK from privatisation

Remain committed to free prescriptions in Scotland

Press the UK government to re-commit to policies such as closing the loopholes in the sugary drinks tax, tightening regulation of broadcast and digital junk food advertising seen by children, and introducing clearer food labelling

Press the UK government to immediately protect the right of NHS staff from across Europe to live and work in Scotland and the UK

Protect the non-means tested, non-repayable nursing and midwifery student bursary

Support a full public inquiry on the issue of victims of contaminated blood products in the rest of the UK

The power over health is in the hands of MSPs at Holyrood and not MPs at Westminster. However, some budgetary decisions made by the UK government can have a knock-on effect in Scotland. This is often referred to as the Barnett consequentials.
Education

Expand early years education and childcare to 30 hours a week for all 3 & 4 year olds and vulnerable 2 year olds

Will not follow the Tories' market-driven education reforms

There will be no selective grammar schools in Scotland

Guarantee the continuation of free tuition in Scottish university education

Protect the non-means tested, non-repayable nursing and midwifery student bursary

The power over education is in the hands of MSPs at Holyrood and not MPs at Westminster.
Migration

Press for immigration powers to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament, so that Scotland can attract EU and EEA nationals to work in Scotland's NHS and care sector in the years to come

Campaign to restore the post-study work visa so students can stay in Scotland after graduation

Restore the "Dubs scheme" to let unaccompanied migrant children into UK

Continue to press the UK government to limit immigration detention to 28 days.

Continue to oppose the detention of immigrant children and vulnerable people, including pregnant women and people with mental illnesses.

Foreign policy and defence

Build a cross-party coalition to scrap the Trident nuclear missile system as quickly and safely as possible

Support long-term investment in HMNB Faslane on the Clyde, where Trident is based, as a conventional military base

Oppose bombing in Syria and press the UK government to take "meaningful action to bring about a political solution"

Keep UK aid spending at 0.7% of national income

Ban arms sales to Saudi Arabia, pending investigation

Westminster has full powers over foreign affairs and defence. For example, the UK government makes decisions on the future of Army, Navy and Air bases and what happens to Trident, which is stationed on the Clyde.
Democracy

Seek additional powers for the Scottish Parliament to boost the economy, mitigate the effects of Brexit, and protect the most vulnerable in society from damaging cuts.

Support the replacement of the first-past-the-post system with proportional representation for elections to the House of Commons

Bring forward proposals to extend the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds in all elections

Support the right to vote of citizens from other EU countries resident in the UK

SNP MPs will vote for the abolition of the House of Lords

Oppose the "exorbitant" cost associated with the refurbishment of the Palace of Westminster

Housing

Continue housing policy in Scotland, which has the highest house building rate in the UK

Continue Rural Housing Fund

Change the system for housing asylum seekers, addressing the "disgraceful condition" of housing provided

The power over housing is in the hands of MSPs at Holyrood and not MPs at Westminster.
Transport and environment

Keep EU environmental rules

Set up a new Independent Aviation Noise Authority

Keep cutting carbon emissions and push UK government to do the same

Engage the UK government in discussions on the feasibility of improving cross-border rail links, including linking Carlisle to the Borders Railway

Connecting Scotland to HS2 must be a priority, with construction beginning in Scotland as well as England

A high speed connection between Glasgow, Edinburgh and the north of England as part of any high-speed rail network

Energy

Press the UK government to deliver a strong deal for the oil and gas sector

This must include targeted incentives to develop small pool discoveries, as well as further support to stimulate exploration activity and loan guarantees for critical infrastructure

Work to ensure the UK government takes appropriate action on the taxation of late life oil and gas assets

Will urge the UK government to provide incentives for oil and gas companies diversifying into renewables

Fight to win UK government investment and ensure Scotland is home to the UK's first ultra-deep water decommissioning port and associated facilities

Continue to demand the UK government devolves control of ship-to-ship oil transfers

Press the Westminster government to include onshore wind in its industrial strategy

Demand an increased focus on offshore wind, tidal energy and wave power

Demand the reform of the "punitive" transmission charging regime for electricity

Hold the UK government to account over its support for the Hinkley Point C nuclear plant

Equality

Support lowering the threshold for companies to carry out equal pay audits from 250 employees to 150

Vote for a change in the Equality Act to strengthen and change the law that currently allows employers to have different dress codes for men and women

Press the UK government to introduce a proper legal right to breastfeed in the workplace

Committed to reviewing and reforming gender recognition laws, in line with international best practice

Continue to demand full devolution of equality law to the Scottish Parliament

Seek equality law reforms to ensure same-sex couples have equal pension rights

What are the other parties saying:

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: "Nicola Sturgeon has once again confirmed that her number one priority in this election is her plan for another unwanted and divisive independence referendum. "It is clearer than ever that the majority of Scots who don't want another divisive independence referendum need to send Nicola Sturgeon a message that she should focus on the day job."

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said: "Nicola Sturgeon tried her usual trick today of trying to ignore independence in her speech but making sure she's pushing for it in her manifesto. Nobody is fooled any more. Strip away the bluster and it's written down in black and white - she wants to drag Scotland back to another referendum by as early as next autumn. That would cost jobs, risk our economy, and distract us all from the real job in hand - improving our schools and public services. This was a tired manifesto launch by a First Minister who has failed in this campaign to give people a single, positive reason for voting for her party."

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: "The SNP must think we are stupid. They barely mentioned independence today but we know independence will be their top priority once the election is over."

Scottish Green Party MSP Mark Ruskell said: "There's now a big question mark over the SNP's ability to take on the Tories over climate change. Brexit threatens the progress the EU has made in creating cleaner air, beaches and rivers, protecting our seas, driving up animal welfare standards and ending the UK's reliance on coal for electricity. And yet, there was no mention of the environment or climate change at the party's manifesto launch."

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SNP manifesto summary: Key points at-a-glance - BBC News

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The SNP has published its manifesto, Stronger for Scotland. The full document is available online. Here are the main things you need to know. A programme that seeks to provide a "clear alternative to five more years of austerity".

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Plaid Cymru, which sees itself as a left-wing party aiming to increase economic prosperity and social justice in Wales with independence as a long-term aim, will be hoping to add to its three MPs in Westminster.

Potted history:

The Party of Wales was established in 1925, but it had to wait until 1966 for its first electoral breakthrough, when party president Gwynfor Evans won Carmarthen in a by-election.

But Plaid Cymru struggled to build substantially on that success and has never won more than four seats at Westminster.

Its electoral fortunes improved after the narrow vote in favour of devolution in the 1997 referendum which led to the creation of the National Assembly for Wales.

Although it once served in a governing coalition with Labour in Wales, it currently sits in opposition with 11 AMs.

Plaid Cymru contested the 2015 general election at a time when its sister party, the SNP, was enjoying unprecedented power - something Plaid aspires to replicate in Wales.

Where are they now?

Plaid currently has three MPs. A consistent performance in the 2015 election meant it retained the same three seats it won in the 2010 general election.

As of July 2016, Plaid had 8,273 members.

Key players:

Leanne Wood: she's the first female leader in the party's history and her election was seen as a sign of Plaid's desire to build new support in urban and industrial parts of Wales.

Under Wood, who is learning to speak Welsh, Plaid's emphasis has not heavily been on independence after opinion polls suggested only modest support for it.

As such, much of Plaid's campaign in 2015 focused on alternatives to austerity and a call for Wales to get the same level of spending on devolved services per head as Scotland.

There was speculation after the 8 June general election was called that Wood would stand in the Rhondda, but days later she ruled herself out.

In this campaign, Wood has attacked Labour over its divisions and will be hoping to attract pro-EU voters.

Other key players are Adam Price, a former MP and sitting AM who is co-ordinating the party's general election campaign.

Meanwhile, Ynys Mon AM Rhun ap Iorwerth is the party's director of communications. Both he and Mr Price have been tipped as future leaders of Plaid.

Hywel Williams, Plaid Cymru candidate in Arfon, is the party's leader in Westminster. Gareth Clubb is the party's chief executive.

Leader's philosophy in a quote:

"If the dark clouds of Tory rule lurk on the horizon, then Plaid Cymru is the ray of hope."

What the critics say:

"We want to ensure that Britain is a more secure and united nation - that means acting against the extremists who want to divide us but it also means standing up to the separatists who want to break up this precious union of nations," Theresa May, prime minister.

What do they hope to achieve?

Plaid will be hoping to hang on to their existing three seats, and is focused on a further six where the party thinks it can perform well.

The party is hoping to take the Labour-held seats of Ynys Mon, Rhondda, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent and Llanelli - as well as the Liberal Democrat-held seat of Ceredigion.

Plaid's best hope is Ynys Mon - the Isle of Anglesey, where former Ieuan Wyn Jones will be standing. In 2015 Plaid fell just short of gaining the seat from Labour by 229 votes.
Seats that could shape Wales' general election
Wood wants to send the "largest number of Plaid MPs possible" to Westminster, and if she falls short, she says she's will not resign.

"I've got a long-term project. It's building quite well and I want to see it through," she says.

Strong suit?

Leanne Wood argues that only her party can protect Wales against what could be a dominant Conservative government, citing what she says is falling support for Labour. In the 2017 local elections Plaid gained 33 seats, while Labour lost 107, although it remained the biggest party in Wales.

Where do they stand on Brexit?

Plaid Cymru, which campaigned to stay in the EU, says it accepts that the people of Wales voted to leave, but says single market membership should be preserved to protect Welsh jobs.

As in England, the majority (52.5%) of voters in Wales voted to leave the European Union.

In January, Wood and the Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones jointly published a white paper setting out Wales' plans for Brexit.

At its heart were proposals for "continued participation in the single market" as well as a "balanced approach to immigration linking migration to jobs".

Other demands included "a fundamentally different constitutional relationship between the devolved governments and the UK government" as well as "proper considerations of a transitional agreement."

Five key policies:

Protect Wales's economy, identity, and the Assembly from a Conservative power grab
Plaid Cymru election manifesto 2017 Plaid Cymru manifesto at-a-glance Guide to the parties: Conservatives Guide to the parties: Labour Guide to the parties: Liberal Democrats Guide to the parties: UK Independence Party Guide to the parties: Green Party Guide to the parties: Scottish National Party
Ensure every penny that is lost from Europe as a result of Brexit is replaced by Westminster

Build new hospitals, schools, roads and railways funded by a multi-billion pound investment programme

Pioneer a new Health and Social Care Rescue Plan

Forge a Free Trade Deal Shield for Wales protecting core industries and agriculture sector

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Guide to the parties: Plaid Cymru - BBC News

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Plaid Cymru, which sees itself as a left-wing party aiming to increase economic prosperity and social justice in Wales with independence as a long-term aim, will be hoping to add to its three MPs in Westminster.

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Plaid Cymru: The Party of Wales. If you live in Wales, you might want to check this out. Last elections, 3 Plaid MPs were elected.

Can they get more MPs? We will find out on election night. They might be kingmakers in case of hung parilament but it is not likely.

Now Plaid Cymru's main aim is for Wales to Leave the UK even they are not campagining for it (since Plaid was founded for) but their political ideology is Welsh Independence. I don't see it happening anytime soon given the Brexit effect is taking advantage on the UK economy and there's businesses & EU projects in Wales so that's why Plaid wants Wales to remain in the EU single market even the Welsh voters did voted for brexit.

Here's their policies

1. Fight to guarantee the Triple Lock.

2. Commit to scrapping the bedroom tax

3. No austerity cuts.

4. Keep job centres open

5. Oppose military action without UN and Parliamentary authority

6. Introduce a new climate change act, adopting ambitious but achievable greenhouse gas and pollution targets for 2030 and 2050

7. Rolling out 5G mobile signal nationwide

8. Ensure a Living Pension for all

9. No increase in pensions

10. Increase the availability of Welsh language education from nursery, to FE and HE right through to adult learning

11. Soft Brexit (remain in the EU single market).

12. ensure that Wales can continue to buy and sell to Europe without any costly barriers

13. Secure the money promised to Wales by the Leave campaign, and not accept a penny less

14. Insist that all future trade deals are endorsed by the National Assembly for Wales

15. Guarantee the rights of all Europeans currently living and working in Wales

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Plaid Cymru has launched its manifesto for the 2017 general election. It is available online here. Here is a guide to the 52-page document.

Key message

Plaid Cymru says that Wales faces "grave risks" at the general election, claiming the nation is "under threat from the cruel and reckless Tories".

It says that Labour is weak and divided and is not able to offer opposition to the Conservatives.

Plaid Cymru's "Action Plan 2017" pitches to fight for the best possible Brexit deal for Wales' industry and agriculture.

The party says Wales' economy, identity and its devolved legislature - the National Assembly for Wales - need protecting from a Conservative power grab.

Key policies

There is a big Brexit focus in the document. The party says it will:

ensure that Wales can continue to buy and sell to Europe without any costly barriers

secure the money promised to Wales by the Leave campaign, and not accept a penny less

insist that all future trade deals are endorsed by the National Assembly for Wales

guarantee the rights of all Europeans currently living and working in Wales

Economy

The party says it will:

introduce a £7.5bn investment programme to fund vital infrastructure projects throughout Wales

end the business rates system, moving towards a turnover-based system

target tax discounts for new and existing businesses in Wales as a central part of new UK regional policy

open a publicly owned bank

demand "stringent" anti-dumping measures on steel

continue to oppose the centralisation of tax offices in Wales

introduce a fuel duty regulator to stop rising fuel costs

Health and social care

Both these issues are devolved to the National Assembly for Wales and the Welsh Government.

However, the manifesto commits Plaid Cymru to:

a social care rescue plan to help people live independently and increase the role of community hospitals

a "carers contract"

training 1,000 extra doctors and 5,000 more nurses in the next decade

saving 10,000 lives over 10 years through a range of measures, from public health actions and promoting individual lifestyle changes

ensuring earlier diagnosis of disease and better access to life-saving treatments

give veterans "the support they deserve and need" with "excellent health care, including mental health care, and adequate housing"

Justice and policing

The manifesto says Plaid Cymru would:

block the development of the Port Talbot super prison

secure an extra £25m for Welsh police forces

guarantee Wales gets the police force it needs with decisions about crime and justice made in Wales for Wales

reverse cuts to legal aid and bring forward new laws to protect victims of crimes such as rape and domestic abuse so they can give evidence in court without being intimidated

create a Welsh legal jurisdiction that ensures a justice system that reflects the needs of Wales

publish a human rights charter for Wales to defend Welsh people against the backdrop of a Tory government intent on undermining the Human Rights Act

Education

Control over education is also devolved to Welsh institutions. Plaid Cymru says it would:

provide free full-time nursery places for all three year olds

raise education standards by pledging to pay teachers a more competitive salary

improve teachers' training to allow them to reach higher qualifications and perform better

provide an incentive for students who remain or return to live and work in Wales after graduating

guarantee employment, education or training for any person under-25 looking for work

set up a network of specialist National Colleges of Vocational Education, for 14+ and post-compulsory

increase the availability of Welsh language education from nursery, to FE and HE right through to adult learning

Pensions and social security
Plaid Cymru wants to see powers over social security devolved to Wales. It also pledges to:

ensure a Living Pension for all

fight to guarantee the Triple Lock.

commit to scrapping the bedroom tax

support and encourage disabled people into employment without facing threats of sanctions

fight to keep job centres open

oppose increases in the state pension retirement age

call for an independent review into the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme surplus

Infrastructure and Tourism

Policies in the manifesto included:

a Wales-wide transport system

re-opening of the Carmarthen-Aberystwyth railway

improved Valleys line train services

improvements to the A55 in north Wales

the expansion of the Traws Cymru bus network

a commitment to making ultra-fast broadband available to all of Wales

rolling out 5G mobile signal nationwide

double the funding for Visit Wales and cut tourism VAT

increase energy generation from renewables

delivering tidal lagoons in Swansea Bay, Cardiff and Colwyn Bay

create a Welsh energy company to use profit from Welsh resources to cut the cost of energy for Welsh consumers

Rural Wales and the environment

The manifesto says Plaid Cymru would:

roll out a nationwide scheme to make housing stock more energy efficient

secure compensation for those who suffered from badly installed, government backed cavity wall installation

update and consolidate Welsh wildlife legislation, creating a new Wildlife Act for Wales

introduce a new climate change act, adopting ambitious but achievable greenhouse gas and pollution targets for 2030 and 2050

reduce plastic waste with a deposit return scheme

fight to ensure every penny of European Union funding is replaced by the UK government

fight to reform the Red Meat Levy so that £1m of lost funding for Hybu Cig Cymru stays within Wales

oppose the construction and use of pylons through National Parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty

International affairs

Manifesto promises include:

oppose military action without UN and Parliamentary authority

scrap the Trident nuclear weapons system and resist any attempts to relocate it to Wales

maintain the 0.7% of GDP commitment on international aid and fight for the Dubs amendment, helping unaccompanied refugee children into the UK, to be upheld

The constitution

The manifesto says that it remains Plaid Cymru's ambition for Wales to become an independent nation "standing on its own two feet".

But the document says this election is about an "immediate threat" to Wales. The document commits Plaid to:

giving the National Assembly for Wales the powers it needs to properly represent the people who elect it

demanding fair funding for Wales by pushing for a new independent commission to oversee an agreed way of redistributing funds across the UK, based on a needs-based formula

granting 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote and reform the voting system so that it is more representative

continue to oppose plans to spend £5bn on renovating the House of Commons and £400m on Buckingham Palace

What are other parties saying?

Labour's Christina Rees: "The simple fact remains that this general election is a straight fight between Welsh Labour and the Tories. Leanne Wood knows her party cannot win the election, and a vote for Plaid Cymru could help hand victory to the Tories."

The Welsh Conservatives' Andrew RT Davies: "Plaid Cymru's manifesto talks spiritedly about seizing opportunities, but neglects to mention how many opportunities for change they have simply frittered away by propping up Labour again and again."

The Welsh Liberal Democrats' Mark Williams said: "This election is about the type of country we want to be. Who says you have to settle for Theresa May's cold, mean-spirited country? The Liberal Democrats are making the case for an optimistic, hopeful and tolerant country."

A UKIP Wales spokesman said: "Plaid Cymru continues to fail to acknowledge that Wales voted to Leave the European Union, and fails to respect the wishes of the Welsh people... Having UKIP MPs in the House of Commons will ensure Wales gets the best possible deal from Brexit."

What is devolved and what is not? What will it cost?

In common with other past Welsh general election manifestos from across the political divide, Plaid Cymru has produced a wide-ranging manifesto that includes policies that concern issues devolved to the National Aseembly for Wales.

Broadly, AMs and Welsh ministers have control over health, education, some elements of tax such as business rates, agriculture, tourism and most transport issues.

It is MPs that take decisions on most taxes, international affairs, justice and policing, benefits, pensions, defence and the constitution of the country.

Plaid Cymru only stands MPs in Wales and could not form a government alone - if it was to see its policies implemented in Westminster it would need make arrangements with a larger party.

Full costings have not been made available to the media - however the party says the manifesto is fully costed.

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Election 2017: Plaid Cymru manifesto at-a-glance - BBC News

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Plaid Cymru has launched its manifesto for the 2017 general election. It is available online here. Here is a guide to the 52-page document. Plaid Cymru says that Wales faces "grave risks" at the general election, claiming the nation is "under threat from the cruel and reckless Tories".

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The Green Party will hoping to build on its success in getting an MP elected in the last two elections and add to that number this time round.

Potted history:

The Greens began life in the mid 1970s as the Ecology Party, which had its roots in campaigns to protect the environment.

A party called People fielded five candidates in the February 1974 general election before renaming itself the Ecology Party and adopting the "Manifesto for a Sustainable Society". This document would eventually become a blueprint for the Green Party, which came into being in 1985.

The Greens long opted not to have a leader, instead being represented by two "principal speakers", but ditched the policy in 2008, electing Caroline Lucas to the helm.

Ms Lucas was succeeded as leader by Natalie Bennett in 2012, who led the Greens in England and Wales in the 2015 general election campaign - but the Brighton MP has since returned to the leadership, this time sharing it with Jonathan Bartley, the pair running on a joint ticket.

There are separate Green parties for Scotland - the Scottish Green party - and Northern Ireland - the Green Party in Northern Ireland, which is part of the Green Party of Ireland.
Where are they now?
The Greens have a single seat at Westminster - Brighton Pavilion, which has been held by Caroline Lucas since 2010 and where she is defending a majority of 14.5%. They also have three MEPs.

The party has built strong pockets of local support in areas such as Norwich, Oxford, and Bristol.

Its expansion of policy proposals in recent years beyond purely environmental issues has helped the party to present itself as an alternative for left-of-centre voters disillusioned with Labour and the Lib Dems.

The latest membership figures, published in March, say the Green Party (England and Wales) has 55,500 members. The Scottish Greens had 9,001 members at the end of 2015. The Green Party in Northern Ireland was said to have had 322 members in 2015.
Key players:
Caroline Lucas is the Green Party version of UKIP's Nigel Farage. While she might not welcome the comparison, she has been the leading figure in the party for a decade, and remains very much the public face of the party.

She is a veteran campaigner, who has been politically active since joining the anti-nuclear peace camp at Greenham Common, and spent 10 years as an MEP.

Bartley, who once worked for former prime minister John Major, is also fronting the campaign. Former leader Bennett is still an active campaigner.

Leader's philosophy in a quote:

"We have been pigeonholed as a single-issue party but we have policies across the board and in our last few elections we have been really spelling that out."

What the critics say:

"A progressive alliance is misbegotten and doomed," Nick Cohen, journalist.

What do they hope to achieve?

The party will hope to pick up votes from across the spectrum, but will be happy with gaining a second seat at Westminster. Bristol West and the Isle of Wight are among target seats

It sees the Conservatives as its primary foe, and is keen to form a "progressive alliance" with other left-of-centre parties to try to prevent a Tory landslide.

In some constituencies where a particular candidate is thought to have a good chance of beating the Conservative, candidates from other parties would not stand.

For instance, the Lib Dems have agreed not to contest Lucas's Brighton seat, while the Greens are not standing in some seats, including St Ives and West Cumbria. Labour, however, has rejected the Greens advances.

Lucas is also keen to try to maximise the number of MPs who will support moves for electoral reform.

Strong suit?

As you might expect, a comprehensive package of measures designed to protect the natural environment. The party has a comprehensive manifesto, but unlike other parties the green agenda will always take top priority.

Where do they stand on Brexit?

While the party accepts that the 2016 referendum result was an instruction for government to start talks on Brexit, it feels strongly that the public should be consulted again on the final deal.

It would offer a second referendum on the details of any Brexit deal, with voters having the voters having the option to remain in the EU if they are unhappy with the result of Brexit talks.

Five key policies:

A second referendum on the details of any Brexit deal, with 16 and 17-year olds getting the vote

A new Clean Air Act, and an Environmental Protection Act to safeguard EU laws that protect British nature, wildlife and countryside

Ban fracking, scrap plans for all new nuclear power stations, including Hinkley Point C

A fair energy system with progressive tariffs so people who use less energy pay less per unit than the big consumers

A bottle deposit scheme to stop 16 million plastic bottles ending up in the environment every day

Guide to the parties: Conservatives Guide to the parties: Labour Guide to the parties: Liberal Democrats Guide to the parties: UK Independence Party Guide to the parties: Scottish National Party

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Guide to the parties: Green Party - BBC News

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The Green Party will hoping to build on its success in getting an MP elected in the last two elections and add to that number this time round. The Greens began life in the mid 1970s as the Ecology Party, which had its roots in campaigns to protect the environment.

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The Green Party. The Greens' policies are similar to Labour, Plaid, Lib Dem & SNP.

1. No Fracking

2. No zero hour contract.

3.Lower the voting age to 16

4. Replace the House of Lords with an elected second chamber

5. Scrap trident

6. No more arms sales to oppressive regimes like Saudi Arabia.

7. No bedroom tax

8. Reinstate housing benefit for under-21s

9. Tuition Fee abolished

10. Return the railways to public ownership

11. Give Parliament a vote on any new trade deals

12. Renationalise energy, water, railways, buses, the Royal Mail and care work

13. Crackdown on Tax dodging

14. No NHS privatisation

15. Brexit (Like Lib Dems, Greens are opposition to brexit) (soft brexit or no brexit)

A referendum on the final deal for Brexit

Protect freedom of movement

Press to remain in single market

Guarantee the rights of EU citizens to remain in the UK and seek reciprocal arrangements for UK citizens in the EU

Guarantee the rights of young people to study, work, live and travel in the EU, including through schemes like Erasmus.

The Greens has interesting policies although they are the party of environment. I think Greens should get more MPs. 2 or 3 MPs because Caroline Lucas is the only Green MP (serving as an MP since 2010) in the Parliament & I think it's unfair. They (Greens) could be kingmakers to support Labour in case of hung parilament even though they wouldn't win more seats as they are small party.

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The Green Party has launched its manifesto, the Green Guarantee For a Confident and Caring Britain. The full document is available online. Here are the main things you need to know.

Key message

A programme providing "big, bold ideas to create a confident and caring Britain that we can all be proud of".

The manifesto opens with the words: "Imagine a government that trusts in our common humanity and our capacity to govern ourselves. Imagine a government that believes that the best way forward is by working with each other, rather than against each other... That's the kind of government we would work for."

Key policies

Phase in a four-day working week

A referendum on the final deal for Brexit

Protect freedom of movement

Press to remain in single market

Scrap university tuition fees

Reform taxation to include a wealth tax on the top 1% of earners

Replace fracking, coal power stations, subsidies to fossil fuels and nuclear with renewable energy

Roll back 'privatisation' of the NHS

Renationalise energy, water, railways, buses, the Royal Mail and care work

Lower the voting age to 16

Cancel Trident replacement, saving £110bn over 30 years

Introduce proportional representation (PR) for parliamentary and local elections.

The economy

Use the government-owned Royal Bank of Scotland to create a network of local people's banks for every city and region

Crackdown on tax dodging

Wealth tax on the top 1% of earners

More staff at HMRC

Reinstate the higher level of corporation tax for large businesses

A Robin Hood tax on high value transactions in the finance sector

Inheritance taxed according to the wealth of the recipient

Support and promote small businesses, co-operatives and mutuals

Roll out high speed broadband

Increase local authority funding to provide good quality public services and invest in communities, creating thousands of jobs

A single budget covering health and social services to make life easier for people who need to access several types of service.

Workers' rights

Take steps towards the introduction of a universal basic income

Phase in a four-day working week (max 35 hours) - and abolish zero hours contracts

Reduce the gap between the highest and lowest paid

Increase the minimum wage to £10 an hour by 2020

A minimum 40% of all members of public company and public sector boards to be women

Abolition of the cap on employees' national insurance so the wealthiest pay more

Scrap age-related wage bands and raise national minimum wage to living wage levels for all

Trade rules that respect human rights, labour standards, environmental standards and climate commitments with mechanisms for individuals, groups and communities to bring grievances.

Energy and the environment

An Environmental Protection Act to safeguard environment, protect and enhance biodiversity, promote sustainable food and farming, and ensure animal protection

Insulation to make every home warm

Investment in flood defences and natural flood management

Cooperate with firms and countries to limit global temperature increases to well below two degrees and aiming for 1.5 degrees

Replace fracking, coal power stations, subsidies to fossil fuels and nuclear with renewable energy

Invest in community owned energy

One-off fine on car manufacturers who cheated emissions testing regime

Create a new Clean Air Act

Strong protection for the Green Belt, National Parks, SSSIs and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Tough action to reduce plastic and other waste

Introduction of deposit return schemes, with a zero waste target

Strengthen the global deal on climate change, including by delivering climate justice and promoting ecologically sustainable development so poorer countries can cope with the impacts of climate change.

Renationalisation

Renationalise energy, water, railways, buses, the Royal Mail and care work.

Education

Reject the Prevent strategy and pursue community-led collaborative approaches to tackling all forms of extremism

Introduce non-biased political education and promote active citizenship.

Health and social care

Reverse privatisation of the NHS to ensure all health and dental services are publicly provided and funded, and free at the point of access

Bring mental health care in line with physical health care

Ensure people experiencing mental health crises are supported close to their home and support networks

Introduce mental health awareness training within the public sector and encourage a more open dialogue on the issue in wider society

Provide an immediate cash injection to ensure everyone can access a GP

Major investment in social care for the elderly and all those who need it

More funding for sexual health awareness campaigns, greater access to free condoms and sexual health clinics

Remove VAT from sanitary products and ensure they are provided free of charge to those in extreme financial need.

Social security and pensions

Redress pension injustice to enable older people to continue to be active members of society

Redress benefits injustice with a social security system that gives people confidence they will get support when they need it, including disabled people.

Housing

Reinstate housing benefit for under-21s

Stop local authorities declaring young people "intentionally homeless"

Invest in community house-building projects to provide affordable, secure housing options for young people

A living rent for all through rent controls and more secure tenancies for private renters

An end to letting fees and the introduction of mandatory licensing for all landlords

Support the development of renters' unions

Build affordable, zero carbon homes, including 100,000 social rented homes each year by 2022

End council house sales and scrap Right to Buy at discounted prices

Abolish the bedroom tax

Bring empty homes back into use

Trial a Land Value Tax to encourage the use of vacant land and reduce speculation

Treat the housing needs of single people and childless couples in the same way as families

Help first-time buyers by aiming for house price stability - axing buy-to-let tax breaks

Back community-led approaches to building affordable homes

Significantly improve housing choice for deaf, disabled and older people - and increase the numbers of homes built to lifetime home and mobility standards over the next five years.

Transport

Return the railways to public ownership

Re-regulate buses, investing in increased bus services especially in rural and other poorly served areas

All public transport should be fully accessible and step-free with a phase-in of free local public transport for young people, students, people with disabilities, and older people

Invest in regional rail links and electrification of existing rail lines, especially in the South West and North of England, rather than spending money on HS2 and the national major roads programme

Cancel all airport expansion and end subsidies on airline fuel

Invest in low traffic neighbourhoods and safe, convenient networks of routes for walking and cycling

Safe places for learning to cycle, so people of all ages and those with disabilities can choose to make local trips on foot, by bike or mobility scooter

Help end the public health crisis caused by air pollution by increasing incentives to take diesel vehicles off the roads.

Families and communities

Tackle racism and discrimination on the basis of faith or disability, real equality for LGBTIQA+ people, equal rights for mixed gender couples to have a Civil Partnership

Give power to local communities by allowing for 40% of the local electorate to secure a referendum on local government decisions or to recall their MP

End the sale of personal data, such as health or tax records, for commercial or other ends.

Democracy

Lower the voting age to 16

Introduce proportional representation (PR) for parliamentary and local elections

Increase diversity in representative politics, with job-shares, a 50/50 Parliament

Replace the House of Lords with an elected second chamber

Defend the Human Rights Act and UK membership of the European Convention on Human Rights

Reinstate funding for the Equality and Human Rights Commission

Protect the BBC and tighten the rules on media ownership so no individual or company owns more than 20% of a media market

Protect against anyone having too much influence or undermining democracy

Give Parliament a vote on any new trade deals

Revive the role of democratic trade unions.

Foreign policy and defence

Cancel Trident replacement, saving at least £110bn over the next 30 years

Increase the overseas aid budget from 0.7% of GDP to 1.0% of GDP

An ethical foreign policy that builds capacity for conflict resolution, and ends support for aggressive wars of intervention

No more arms sales to oppressive regimes.

Migration

A humane immigration and asylum system that recognises and takes responsibility for Britain's ongoing role in causing the flow of migrants worldwide

Implement a UK-wide strategy to tackle gender based violence, including domestic violence, rape and sexual abuse, FGM and trafficking.

Brexit

A referendum on the final Brexit deal with the option to reject the deal and remain in the EU

Protect freedom of movement, press for remaining within the single market

Guarantee the rights of EU citizens to remain in the UK and seek reciprocal arrangements for UK citizens in the EU

Guarantee the rights of young people to study, work, live and travel in the EU, including through schemes like Erasmus.

The launch

The Greens chose central London to launch their 2017 manifesto, with co-leaders Jonathan Bartley and Caroline Lucas sharing the stage to promise a universal basic income, a four-day working week and a final say for the public on Brexit.

Mr Bartley said his party's "Green Guarantee" contained "big and bold ideas which are possible", saying the Greens were "committed to redistributing wealth and power", reflecting Britain's place as the fifth largest economy in the world.

Personal pitch

Caroline Lucas, the party's only MP, said: "The Green Guarantee is about hope and we need hope now like never before.

"I can't remember a time in my own lifetime where the future has felt more uncertain - with Brexit, with accelerating climate change, with an NHS in crisis. We face challenges that we can't possibly pretend to fix in the next 100 days, or the next 1,000. Threats to our economic future, threats to our security, threats to our planet.

"But ours is a message of hope because we believe if we stand together for what matters, we can change the course of history."

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The Greens' manifesto at-a-glance: Summary of key points - BBC News

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The Green Party has launched its manifesto, the Green Guarantee For a Confident and Caring Britain. The full document is available online. Here are the main things you need to know. A programme providing "big, bold ideas to create a confident and caring Britain that we can all be proud of".