Overnight: Labour Deputy Leader Tom Watson.......>

UK: Overnight: Labour Deputy Leader Tom Watson states he will step down from his

office and as an MP at the election. Marks a major shift within Labour's

hierarchy, with Watson seen as one of the few centrist voices within the party's

governing National Executive Committee.

- With Watson gone, his position on NEC as Lab deputy leader can be taken by a

leftist Corbyn ally, with Rebecca Long-Bailey, Angela Rayner, and Laura Pidcock

all early contenders. His safe West Bromwich seat will also be up for grabs,

with Corbyn allies likely to be able to insert a candidate of their preference. 

- Lib Dems, Greens, Plaid Cymru agree to 'Remain Alliance', not putting up

candidates against each other in certain seats to defeat Conservative

candidates. 

- In local opinion polling, Lib Dems shown to be catching up on Conservatives in

previously safe seats. According to Survation, Con lead over Lib Dems down to

low single digit percentage points in Esher and Walton and Wokingham. Former

held by Foreign Sec Dominic Raab, latter by arch-Brexiteer John Redwood since

1987.