Steerpike

Oh dear. With both Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn opting to give tonight's ITV leaders' debate a miss, leaders of the other political parties had the perfect opportunity to step into the spotlight and make a good impression in front of the electorate. Alas Ukip's Paul Nuttall appeared to miss the mark. Nearing the end of the debate, the Ukip leader referred to his opponent Leanne Wood -- the leader of Plaid Cymru -- as 'Natalie'. To make matters worse, he then repeated the error later on. It's thought ht may have confused Wood for the former Green party leader Natalie Bennett. It seems Ukip may have a women problem after all...

Oh dear. After batting off accusations that he has been put into hiding for the course of the general election campaign, Boris Johnson today resurfaced on the campaign trail in Bristol. Visiting a Sikh temple in St George’s, Boris spoke positively about the opportunities that would come with Brexit --  including ending tariffs on whisky between the UK and India. However, a female worshipper took exception to the Foreign Secretary's words as she took him to task for daring to 'talk about alcohol' in a Sikh temple. In response, Johnson apologised profusely. https://twitter.

Oh dear. Today Labour have launched a 'fully costed' manifesto which fails to mention anywhere the cost of its nationalisation plans. So, with that in mind, Andy McDonald faced an undesirable task in appearing on the Daily Politics to explain how exactly that might work. The shadow transport minister appeared completely out of his depth as he was asked about Labour's plans to nationalise the railways, Royal Mail, and the national grid: AN: Nationalising the National Grid is not including in that £50bn that you're raising, so where will the money come from for that? AM: Well, that is part of a taxation and spend programme Andrew and the money will come for that in the fulness of time.

Over the past few weeks, Theresa May has toured the country meeting a carefully curated audience of Tory supporters. This has helped to cultivate the idea that Theresa May's Team are incredibly popular across the land. Today, CCHQ changed the formula and the Prime Minister met with non-vetted members of the public, on the campaign trail in Oxfordshire. So, how did that go? Well, Cathy wasn't best pleased with May over her Disability Living Allowance being taken away: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlxWPd5JO_M&feature=youtu.be Meanwhile, another voter wasn't all that happy with the state of housing under the Tories: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNrRmX6gaHk Mr S suspects the party may return to old tricks for the next visit...

Oh dear. With Rebecca Long-Bailey widely touted as Jeremy Corbyn's far-left successor, the Labour MP will be hoping to use this election campaign to show that she's got what it takes to lead a party. So, it was a curious decision by Long-Bailey to appear on today's Sunday Politics but refuse to answer any questions. Given that the questions Andrew Neil threw at her centred on policy (a topic Labour brains say has not been given enough attention), it was somewhat surprising that Long-Bailey declined to be drawn on any details of the Labour policies revealed in the party's leaked draft manifesto.

An eagle-eyed Twitter user has spotted something that could be a metaphor for the last 12 months of British politics. Theresa May's 2017 general election battle bus is – wait for it – last year's Remain bus, spray-painted with new 'strong and stable' slogans. It looks like the number plate checks out: https://twitter.com/MySweetLandlord/status/863056304574783490 https://twitter.com/MySweetLandlord/status/863061739616841728 Quite funny, this. May has spent the early part of her premiership desperately trying to prove her Leave credentials.

With Labour's draft manifesto out in the open today, politicos and pundits are beginning to cast judgment on whether it offers an innovative set of policies that could transform Britain or if it's really a socialist disaster just waiting to happen. Alas, Tony Blair’s former director of political operations falls into the latter category. Speaking on the Coffee House shots podcast, John McTernan has branded the draft manifesto -- which promises higher tax for 80k earners, the scrapping of current strike laws and the nationalisation of the Royal Mail -- another 'suicide note' in Labour's history: 'It looks like the shortest suicide note in history.

Jeremy Corbyn said this morning that Brexit was ‘settled’. Now, it seems, he isn’t quite so sure. The Labour leader was quizzed repeatedly on whether the UK would definitely leave the EU behind if he becomes Prime Minister on June 9th. Seven times, Corbyn refused to answer. Instead, Corbyn insisted that he would ‘get a good deal from Europe’ - but wouldn't say what would happen if he didn't. Here’s what he told the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg: LK: ...My question is if you’re prime minister we will leave come hell or high water whatever is on the table at the end of the negotiations? JC: We win the election we’ll get the good deal with Europe.