Good morning.
It’s the final day of campaigning in the UK before voting in the general election tomorrow, and British voters face their most consequential vote in a generation. Last night, the pollster Yougov released its final poll of the campaign, using a methodology that encompasses a vast sample (more than 100,000 respondents) and a technique that seeks to predict the likely outcome of each seat. Unlikely? Perhaps, but a poll using the same number-crunching jiggery-pokery was bang on at the last election.
Past performance may not be a guide to future results, of course. Anyway, the poll predicted a majority for Boris Johnson - but a much smaller one than a similar poll at the start of this month. In other words, if this poll is right, the race is tightening, and tightening fast. It's down to the wire, say all the British papers.
In truth, it's the most unpredictable election anyone can remember. All outcomes, from a thumping Conservative majority to a hung parliament that allows Jeremy Corbyn to form a government which delivers a second Brexit referendum are possible. If the latter happens, EU leaders attending tomorrow's Brussels summit will know that they are heading for another year of Brexit uncertainty. And that is what they want to avoid above all. Denis Staunton reacts to that poll in his election diary here.
Other reports from the UK election here.
Meanwhile, in Washington DC, the other great political grotesquerie of the age gathers pace. Democrats in the House of Representatives have unveiled two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, accusing him of – in that resonant phrase – "high crimes and misdemeanours".
The House judiciary committee will now begin debating the articles of impeachment and considering amendments in the coming days. It is expected that the committee, which has a majority of Democrats, will recommend to the House of Representatives that the articles be adopted. A full vote on whether to impeach Mr Trump is expected to take place in the 435-member House next week.
If that is successful – which is likely given the Democratic majority – he will face trial in the Senate, where he will likely be acquitted, because of the Republican majority.
Trump responded with characteristic restraint on Twitter, accusing the Democrats of trying to destroy “one of the most successful presidencies ever”.
Here is Suzanne Lynch's report, our lead today.
Meanwhile, on the home front
Nothing so dramatic at home. Hostile Dáil exchanges continued on the housing issue last night, when a Sinn Féin bill to freeze all rents was debated. There's no vote until tomorrow, but Fianna Fáil has indicated it will support the vote on the bill's second stage.
Everyone knows it won't become law - in this Dáil anyway - but everyone is playing their part so far. Housing minister Eoghan Murphy is on oral parliamentary questions ("PQs") this morning, so the sniping will continue.
Much sniping yesterday at Dee Forbes and an unenthusiastic-looking bunch of executives from RTÉ, who were at the Communications Committee.
As usual, the politicians mostly asked about the stars' salaries. Reports and analysis here.
The Government wants RTÉ to keep open the option of selling its Donnybrook headquarters an option that fills the broadcaster with the opposite of enthusiasm.
Still, RTÉ got an extra €10 million a year, yesterday. But everyone knows it won’t be enough.
Best reads
The row between Irish actors and writers and the Abbey Theatre just reignited.
Kathy Sheridan on a uniquely dispiriting British election.
Tom Hennigan on what Trump did to Brazil – and the lessons for the UK.
The judicial appointments bill hits another rock.
Lara Marlowe on the revolt against Emmanuel Macron's pension reforms.
Playbook
The COP25 climate conference continues in Madrid, where climate minister Richard Bruton will make an address.
The Dáil has housing questions, leaders’ questions, and statements in advance of this week’s EU summit.
At the committees Simon Harris and HSE chief Paul Reid are in for the quarterly grilling, while the FAI have told the sports committee it's not coming.
All the details on Oireachtas.ie.
All eyes will be on the final day of the Boris and Jeremy Show. Does Labour really have the closing momentum? Or will fear of a hung parliament swing support back to the Conservatives?
Tell you tomorrow night. In the meantime, follow it all on irishtimes.com, and do have an utterly fruity day.
Finally this morning, a fond farewell to our colleague and friend Michael O'Regan, who retires after almost 40 years at The Irish Times, much of it reporting on politics from Leinster House.
Michael is universally liked and respected, and his store of political anecdotes is a national treasure. A keen judge of politics and politicians, he was fair and firm, and fierce too when required.
He was serious about politics because he cared deeply about people. A long and hopefully garrulous retirement awaits him.
