06/11/2012 BBC News at Ten

Tonight at ten, in the race for the White House, polling day is drawing

to a close and the votes will soon be counted. 50 million Americans

can take part. It's been a long, expensive and divisive campaign.

We'll vote for Mitt Romney. We are really sick of what's been going on

for the past four years. I'm not thrilled with either to be honest,

but I'll take with Obama. The Obama team is back home in Chicago. He's

been rallying supporters and thanking party workers. We feel

confident. We have got the votes to win, but it will depend on whether

the votes turn out. Mitt Romney is still on the campaign trail,

delivering his appeal to any undecided voters. This is a great

day. A great day with great opportunity ahead, but I'm also

looking forward to tomorrow, because tomorrow we begin the work.

Also tonight, the Home Secretary announces new inquiries into child

abuse allegations. The claims centre around care homes in North

Wales in the 1970s and 80s. Buffeted by the storm on the high

street, marks and suspense posts its worst fall in three years and a

tough night for Manchester City as they battle to stay in the

Champions League. Coming up in the sport later, after a poor start

against Ajax, Manchester City face a battle to stay in the Champions

Good evening from Washington on polling day at the end of a long,

divisive and hugely expensive campaign. Voting is still under way

and the latest polls, if they're to be believed, are still close, with

some giving Mr Obama a slim lead in the key states. The Obama and

Romney teams have both spent the day trying to get supporters to the

polling stations. First, tonight, Mark Mardell supports from Chicago,

where Mr Obama will be waiting for the results. This is what it's all

about. It's also about whether he stays in power for another four

more years or is ejected after one term. The President's checking

there's no back sliding from supporters. We feel confident we

have got the votes to win, but it will depend on whether the votes

turn up. I would encourage everybody, on all sides, just to

make sure that you exercise this precious right that we have that

people fought so hard for us to have. More than 90 million

Americans are expected to vote today.Ical tornia and Miami, but

all eyes are on Ohio, one of eight states that could go either way and

decide the election. Another is Virginia, where they queued and

kept out of the cold. I'm not thrilled with either to be honest,

but I'll stick with barrack. We are voted for Mitt Romney. We are

really sick with what has been going on for the past four years.

What a difference to four years ago when many were filled with hope for

a different politics. The park looks different today, as Chicago

votes all around me. The Obama team now they cannot again conjure the

wave of popular passion. Instead they're trying to rebuild the

coalition using colder and more technical tactics. They call it the

ground game, masterminded from the HQ in Chicago. Thousands of local

offices identify supporters and target specific groups and urge

them to vote and literally drive them to the polls. It's about the

person-to-person contact. Shauna is one of 80,000 volunteers helping to

get out the Obama vote. Some people got a special call. The President

is in his home town to learn his vote, either rejected or given

another chance to finish what she started. Well, Mitt Romney, the

Republican challenger, has taken the unusual step of attending

campaign events on polling day itself. -- itself. It is further

proof of the fiercely competitive nature of this race, as the Romney

team insists it's about maintaining momentum especially in Ohio and

Pennsylvania. Ian Pannell reports now from the Romney base in Boston.

Today, America decides who should lead the country. It's been a long,

sometimes dirty campaign, but it comes down to this - men and women

going to the polls to choose the next President. Even if you're

voting for yourself. If the polls are right, then the outcome's too

close to call. In the areas that really count, Mitt Romney needs

every last vote he can get. There are just a handful of states that

could decide the outcome of this election. Few more important than

Ohio, so today he visited one last time to rally his supporters and

urge them to vote. This is a great day. A great day with great

opportunity ahead, but I'm also looking forward to tomorrow,

because tomorrow we begin the work. The millionaire businessman has

spent six years working to this point. It's the second time he has

run for the presidency. And his fear is that in such a close-run

race he loses by a few hundred votes. These shops were as much

about making sure there's nothing more he could have done to win.

What Mitt Romney has done is essentially try to sell this

message to the country and voters. That he has the business experience

and the plan to get America moving again. But the truth is, that

whoever wins this election, the challenges for the next four years,

in particular with the economy, will be huge. America's struggling

to emerge from the worst recession in generations. Millions are

without jobs. They've less money in their pockets. The belief that the

future will be better for the next generation is starting to look

shaky. This barber shop serves Boston's Hispanic community, people

who came to this land with the dream of a better life The economy

is very bad for everybody. Everybody is waiting for jobs.

think certain people feel positive and there are others who are

worried about the future. It's real hard out there. I know a lot of

people who are homeless right now. The stage is being set for election

night at the Romney campaign. In a few horz' time, the polls will

close -- hours' time the polls will close and the counting begin and

the cameras will roll. Then the tough business of running a country

that is more divided than ever begins. As we have seen, thousands

of polling stations have been buzzing with activity today. Let's

not forget there are many seats being contested in the Senate and

the House of Representatives. And we have seen long queues in recrept

days in those states where people could vote early. On the outcome of

the presidential race will depend on the shape of the electoral

college. Jeremy Vine explains what Mr Romney needs to do to defeat Mr

Obama. The outcome of the American election is determined by electoral

college votes, so each state has a certain number of them and the

winner in that state takes them all and you have to try to get up to

270 in total to win the US presidential election, so here are

the candidates for you - you can see Mitt Romney for the Republicans

and Barack Obama for the Democrats. Here's the States in the order of

the way they were won in 2008. The easiest for the Republicans are Ken

Turkey and Louisiana and Alabama and Utah. And for the Democrats,

these are the easiest, California, they call that the cashpoint

because there are 55 votes. Delaware and Illinois and Maryland

and lots on the east coast. Watch what happens when I add in the

electoral college votes from those states. You see that the Democrats

got to 12, so they're way ahead, so their safest states work better for

them. The Republicans are at an immediate disadvantage here. We

look at the next set of states. There is a bit of a battle, but

nevertheless the Republicans did take Missouri. Texas, 38 votes

there. Very significant. Mississippi and Nebraska and on the

Democrats, we look at Wisconsin. That has been Republican a few

times in the past, so has New Mexico, and new jeersy. Those are a

little more difficult to win, but win them they did. Then we add in

the electoral college votes for them and you see how they progress

to 270 and again the Democrats in the lead with 217. Firmly in the

lead. We look at the next set of states and here there was a real

battle in some of them. Montana, Georgia and South Dakota and

Arizona. And for the Democrats, look at these, Colorado. That's

been Republican several times in the past. Iowa and New Hampshire

they might lose. Pennsylvania, and remember Joe the Plumber, the

Republicans campaigned in 2008 and Nevada. They were Democrat. We add

in the numbers and see what happens. The Democrats are go through 270,

so Barack Obama becomes President. It's harder than that for the rnds,

because the Democrats won even more -- Republicans, because the

Democrats won even more states in 200. North Carolina, you can't

imagine them taking that. Nor da goes backwards and forwards. Ohio

always at centre of the night and Virginia. As you see the bar going

through the roof to Obama. What the Republicans have to do is win the

ones that we just saw, all of them and then take back at least one

from the group before. In other words, it's a real uphill task for

Mitt Romney. That was Jeremy Vine with his guide to the workings of

the college. We'll get a sense of the mood in the opposing camps. Ian

Pannell with the Romney team in Boston and Mark Mardell with the

Obama team in Chicago. Ian, we'll talk about this campaigning on

polling day as self. Is that all about maintaining momentum as they

say, or is it a sign of disquiet? Well, I think it depends who you

ask. I think there are a number of schools of thought here. Certainly,

the owe ponfepbts, the critics of Mitt Romney, will see this --

opponents, the crit -- critics of Mitt Romney, will see this as a

good move. The challenger is out in the country, but there are other

things going on here. It's a mark of how close the race is. Mitt

Romney gave an interview today to a radio station in Virginia, another

one of the key states, in which he says he didn't want to be sat at

home facing the prospect of losing by a few hundred votes and thinking

he could have done something more. Finally, there is something

personal. This is a man who has spent a significant portion of his

life working towards this moment. This is the second time that he has

run for the White House. His father ran for the White House and he

doesn't want to leave anything to chance and in a few hours he'll be

on the stage and hopefully we'll have a result. Let's turn to Mark

in Chicago. We have had some very, very confident statements today

from some people close to the Obama team. What do you make of that?

Well, this is a stage where he will come, win or lose, to talk to

America and they've just been having a sound check here. Belting

out soul music. It feels like they're going to hold a party than

a wake. The President has congratulated Mitt Romney on

running a campaign and even urged Republicans to go out and exercise

their right to vote. If he's faking it, he has got me fooled. When you

are President, it doesn't come with a crystal ball. He might not

necessarily be right, but I think the optimism is genuine. Because

the Democrats are very, very proud of what I was saying about the

ground game, about actually getting people out to vote. If they win it

won't be because of their record or because of the arguments during the

campaign. It will be because they've managed to persuade

sometimes reluctant supporters to get out and vote. Gentlemen, thank

We will have more from Washington later on. It is time to join Sophie.

Huw, thank you. The Home Secretary has announced

details of a new inquiry into allegations of child abuse in care

homes in North Wales. Theresa May said the head of the National Crime

Agency would investigate any fresh allegations as well as look at the

way original complaints were handled by the police. A second

review will consider whether the original inquiry did its job

The story of the children abused in in and other care homes in North

Wales can be told by the numbers. A decade ago a public inquiry heard

of over 80 child abusers. Only seven were convicted. No wonder

victims still want the truth. Justice for the victims. And prison

sentences for the people who were abusing.

That's what needs to happen. The Home Secretary said Britain had

an appalling and shameful record over its treatment of children in

care and said the way police handled allegations of abuse would

now be investigated. Child abuse is a hateful, and

disgusting crime. And we must not allow these allegations to go

unanswered. If you have suffered and you go to

the police about what you have been through, those of us in positions

of authority and responsibility will not shirk our duty to support

you. She said she would ask the head of

the National Crime Agency to investigate not just the fresh

allegations of historic abuse in North Wales, but the way North

Wales Police handled its original investigation. Downing Street said

a High Court judge would review whether the original Waterhouse

public inquiry into the allegations in Wales did its job properly amid

claims that crucial evidence was ignored.

The Government has been praised by MPs for acting swiftly, but some

fear it is only doing so because of allegations that a senior Tory

figure was involved in this abuse, a man not named for legal reasons,

who strongly denies the allegations. Today, the man who claims the

police ignored photographs of him being abused by that Conservative

figure met the Welsh Welsh Secretary and said he would be a

thorn in the side of the Government until the truth was out.

I just want to go away and gather my thoughts. I hope they are going

to do what they say they will do. Conservative Central Office said

they would investigate the serious allegations about a member who were

seen at at the care home in Wrexham. Labour said they should be combined

into one inquiry. I would therefore urge her to look

at the possibility of a single inquiry to draw all of this

evidence together. Does the right honourable lady

sincerely want to start making amends or can she live with being

what she has just announced, the next stage of a cover-up?

Ministers deny that's what it is and they don't rule out a single

inquiry. They say they want to fin out what what -- fin out what went

on and why so many victims were Coming up: David Cameron's

controversial trip to Saudi Arabia. He says he will make no apologies

for discussing possible defence Marks & Spencer has reported an

almost 10% fall in profits for the first-half of this year as it

continues to be buffeted by volatile trading conditions. Its

worst performance for over three years is being blamed on poor sales

of its women's clothing range. It is facing stiff competition from

other retailers, but as Emma Simpson reports there are signs of

a turn around. It is the UK's biggest clothing

retailer, a main main stay on a fast changing high street, but

Marks & Spencer is having a tough year. Pre-tax profits for the last

sibs the six months are down nearly 10% compared with last year. The

wet weather, stock issues and tough trading conditions have all played

a part. Although food sales are up, clothing and home wear have fallen,

with its confusing layout and brands, Marks & Spencer's has been

losing women shoppers. It needs to focus on creating a

product that you can't buy elsewhere and because women drive

the business in M&S, it is vital to get that right.

So, what is MA and S's -- M&S's strategy? It is It is investing in

new stores. Improving online services and expanding overseas.

M M&S has had a management shake-up to bring sparkle to women's fashion

and merchandise. Trading has improved in recent weeks, but the

competition out there on the high street has never been fiercer. Take

Primark and its cheap clothes that appeal to younger shoppers. It is

going from strength to strength with revenues up 15% today, but it

has been a tough 2012 for many retail irs.

-- retailers. It has been a patchy year for non-

food retailing. A dismal summer, an OK September, but much of that

vanishing in October, so retailers are keen to make up lost ground.

The M&S Christmas campaign launches tomorrow. The battle for our

festive cash is underway. This retailer needs to make sure that it

A judge granted a court hearing to a group of pupils, schools and

councils challenging the GCSE English results. The group is

arguing that an estimated 10,000 students in England missed out on a

grade C because exam boards decided to change their grade boundaries

between January and June. The Prime Minister says he will

make no apologies for talking to Saudi Arabia about possible

commercial deals on defence. Mr Cameron is in the Gulf to

strengthen Britain's tie in the region. During his visit, he also

said that the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, should be allowed

a safe passage out of the country if it would end the bloodshed. This

report contains flash photography. A red carpet welcome from a

powerful traditional and secretive country that so far resisted the

Arab Spring. Saudi Arabia's ageing king awarded

David Cameron the country's highest civilian medal, a surprise token of

friendship after recent frosty Saudi statements over Britain's

support for democracy in the region. The two leaders agreed Bashar al-

Assad had to go. Saudi Arabia is a huge defence and business partner

for Britain. Something which I put to the Prime

Minister which sits at odds with Britain's democratic ideals.

I make no apologies for the fact that I am here talking to our

friends in the Emirates, our friends in Saudi Arabia, about

defence partnerships because their security is important for our

security and this is vital for British jobs.

My sources in Saudi Arabia tell me that they are not pleased with

Britain's relationship, particularly over the Arab Spring.

What are you going to say to the Saudis? Of course, we do have some

divergeant views. I am a British democrat. I believe in the values

of the Arab Spring and I believe it offers a good chance for people of

this region, but I also understand different countries prospectives

that we should be able to have as two countries a good dialogue about

that issue. Driving through Jeddah today, you

could feel the wealth here and Mr Cameron is looking to attract more

of it to Britain. Inside the British Consulate, he

met billionaire investors who seem relieved that relationships between

the two countries are on a firmer footing.

I am not aware. There is difficulty in the relationship. But the visit

of Mr Cameron is a positive step to resolve any outstanding situation.

Whatever stresses and strains there may have been in Saudi and British

relaxes, David Cameron's arrival here in Jeddah appears to have

smoothed ruffled Saudi fet ertion. They discussed Syria, and Iran and

Gulf security and the way appears to be clearer for Saudi investment

The MP Nadine Dorries has been suspended from the Parliamentary

Conservative Party after deciding to fly to Australia to take part in

ITV's, I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!. She is the first sitting

MP to agree to be on the reality show and could be away from her job

in the Commons for up to a month. Nadine Dorries who represents mid-

Bedfordshire said she wants to use her appearance to raise awareness

of issues she is interested in. Football now and Manchester City

came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Ajax a result which

keeps their hopes of Champions League progress alive. Arsenal

through away a 2-0 lead. It was the most nervous of nights

for Manchester City boss Robert Mancini, one in which only victory

would do. So this was the last thing he needed. Ajax ahead and

City's troubles had only begun. More defending and they were 2-0

down, their European dream turning into the grimmest of nightmares.

City needed an instant response and they got it, still hope at half-

time and after it, the comeback continued.

In the dying seconds, City felt they should have had a penalty.

Arsenal enjoyed a better start against the German side. Theo

Walcott putting them ahead. When they made it 2-0, the match seemed

as good as won, but the Germans battled back and for Arsenal yet

more frustration. For more on the US election, let's

join Huw in Washington. Well, we are expecting the first results to

start coming in and we may have a clear indication of the winner not

long after midnight in Washington, but that could change in the margin

between the candidates is as small as the polls have been suggesting.

Let's have a word with Mark Mardell. Mark, what we have had here is a

clear choice for voters between the visions offered by the two

candidates? Yes, it is the one thing they agree

on, that they both got a clear choice for America, two different

visions of the country. Mitt Romney says the president if he is given

another four years, will turn America into a sort of Europe where

welfare State will strip all the American entrepreneurial virtues,

the president says if Mitt Romney wins, he will govern for the rich.

The way they portray it, America will be set on a path. It is not a

question of a balance of spending and taxation, it is a path that

will last some while. That's important and it is important for

us because obviously the American economy is important for Britain.

On On Foreign Affairs, Mitt Romney talks a tough game. He talks more

aggressively. He says that America shouldn't apologise for its actions

and should act tougher, but it is not clear whether he would do

anything differently if he was president.

Mark, we will be talking again tomorrow. Thank you very much. Mark

Mardell in Chicago. You can follow the results as they come in, we

have a special programme on BBC One and the BBC News Channel. It starts