NIGEL FARAGE is facing a party walkout already as 20 Brexit Party candidates have suddenly quit over the party leader’s dismissal of Boris Johnson’s deal.
General election: Burley grills Keir Starmer over Brexit stance
A Brexit Party Party source said: “There is a lot of grief out there. It has been going on all summer. It is not good but it is life.” Meanwhile, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will say during a speech in Harlow, Essex, today that the Conservative Party will sell off the NHS, as well as sell workers’ right, reduce food standards and forget about environmental protections after the UK leaves the EU. Mr Corbyn will also add a Labour government would “get Brexit sorted” within six months by holding a second referendum if they won the December 12 election. He will say: “Given the chance, they’ll run down our rights at work our entitlements to holidays, breaks and leave.
“Given the chance, they’ll slash food standards to US levels where ‘acceptable levels’ of rat hairs in paprika and maggots in orange juice are allowed and they’ll put chlorinated chicken on our supermarket shelves.
“And given the chance, they’ll water down the rules on air pollution and our environment that keep us safe.
“They want a race to the bottom in standards and protections. They want to move us towards a more deregulated American model of how to run the economy.
“In the US, workers get just 10 days holiday a year, big business gets free rein to call the shots and tens of millions are denied healthcare.
Farage has lost 20 candidates (Image: GETTY)
“What Boris Johnson’s Conservatives want is to hijack Brexit to unleash Thatcherism on steroids.
“Margaret Thatcher’s attack on the working people of our country left scars that have never healed and communities that have never recovered.
“The Conservatives know they can’t win support for what they’re planning to do in the name of Thatcherism. So they’re trying to do it under the banner of Brexit instead.”
But his comparison of Mr Johnson and former Tory Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher have already sparked fury among social media users.
The party leaders are battling to win the General Election (Image: EXPRESS)
One Twitter user wrote: “That’s a good thing!
“We all know that Thatcher was one of the great Prime Ministers.”
Another person said: “We can but hope.”
Mrs Thatcher recently topped a YouGov poll as Britain’s greatest post-war Prime Minister.
The survey of 1,630 people found that 21 percent of voters put the former Tory leader first, just ahead of Sir Winston Churchill on 19 percent.
Theresa May came last on zero percent.
Michael Gove has attacked Jeremy’s Corbyn over Brexit (Image: GETTY)
2.14pm update: Farage calls for Boris to “change course” on Brexit
Nigel Farage has urged Boris Johnson to “change course” after the Prime Minister dismissed the idea of a pact with the Brexit Party leader.
Mr Farage, who donned a pair of boxing gloves and pretended to punch cameras on a visit to Bolsover Boxing Club in Derbyshire, said he and his party would “stand for Brexit if (Boris Johnson) doesn’t really want to”.
On Tuesday, he told the PA news agency he decided not to stand in the General Election so he could “traverse the length and breadth of the country” to help potential candidates get elected.
He said his candidates are the “only people offering Brexit” and denied there was any intention to split the Conservative Party vote.
Asked what the Brexit Party’s realistic aims are for the December 12 election, Mr Farage told PA: “To offer people a choice. They deserve to vote for a candidate who says we should leave the European Union, leave its institutions and not be trapped for years and years to come.
“Those who want a clean-break Brexit, and that’s what 17.4 million people said, the vote to leave was to leave the EU, not to stay trapped to it.”
Asked if the party would stand in the proposed 600 seats now the Prime Minister has said a pact is off the table, Mr Farage said: “Look, perhaps he doesn’t want a pact because he wants to continue with his EU treaty.
“He wants us to be half in, half out, and go straight into three more years of expensive negotiations where we are tied in every way.
“I would urge the Prime Minister to change course. He did what he could in a very difficult situation he inherited.
1.34pm update: If Diane Abbott can’t trust Corbyn on Brexit, how can we? Gove rips apart Labour policy
Mr Gove said Mr Corbyn’s election pledge of another Brexit vote – with a choice of leaving the EU with a Labour-negotiated deal or remaining – was going back to “square one”.
He told talkRADIO’s Julia Hartley-Brewer: “He wants to go back to square one, renegotiate the whole Brexit deal – when we’ve got a great deal with Boris – then bring it back on a referendum.
He won’t even say whether or not he’ll back his own deal.”
Kuenssberg slams Jo Swinson for ‘disregarding Brexit vote’
1.20pm update: BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg confronts Lib Dems’ Jo Swinson on ‘disregarding’ 17.4million voters
The Liberal Democrat leader launched her party campaign ahead of the December general election pledging once again to cancel Brexit should her party win a governing majority.
But as she also promised to unite the country, BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg challenged the Remain leader on how she would reconcile with the 17.4 million Britons who voted for Brexit in the 2016 referendum and will feel “disregarded” by a Lib Dem government.
Ms Kuenssberg asked: “You said this morning you want to bring the country together.
“But how would you do that if your plan is to disregard the vote of millions of people in the referendum of 2016?
“Whether that’s campaigning to stop Brexit in another referendum or if you achieve your dream of a majority, revoking it all together without even having another vote?”
The Lib Dem leader replied: “As Liberal Democrats, we are standing up for what we believe in and we are very honest and straightforward about that.
“I recognise that there are differences of opinion on this issue and I think people recognise and appreciate that we are consistent and we are firm in what we are standing for.
“I think it’s also true that there is very little reason to have confidence that there is a majority in this country for any specific Brexit path.”
12.54pm update: Lib Dems also rule out propping up Labour government in event of hung parliament
Party leader Jo Swinson said Jeremy Corbyn was “not fit for the job of prime minister”, and warned he would be a “threat to our national security”.
She said the December poll could be a moment of “seismic change” where a “new and different” politics could emerge.
It came as Mr Corbyn said he wanted to get Brexit “sorted” within six months if his party came to power.
He accused Boris Johnson of trying to “hijack” the UK’s withdrawal to “sell out” the NHS and working people, and said the Conservatives want a “race to the bottom in standards and protections”.
Launching her party’s campaign in Westminster, Ms Swinson said she is “absolutely categorically ruling out” Liberal Democrat votes putting Mr Corbyn into Number 10.
“On so many grounds, Jeremy Corbyn is not fit for the job of prime minister.
“On the biggest issue of the day, he has prevaricated and will not give a straight answer.
“Even now if you ask him whether he is Remain or Leave he will not tell you how he would vote.
“His plans for the economy would take us back to the 1970s. I believe he would be a threat to our national security.”
12.34pm update: Has Farage made an error taking on Boris as 20 Brexit Party candidates quit?
Mr Farage announced the Brexit Party would be contesting 600 seats up and down the country in the December 12 general election.
This was said to be revenge for Mr Johnson turning down Mr Farage’s request for a “leave alliance” between the Tories and the Brexit Party in a bid to get rid of Mr Johnson’s “sell-out” deal.
Paul Brothwood, who stood down as the party’s candidate in Dudley South, admitted he disagreed with Mr Farage’s “dangerous” strategy of taking on the Tories, as it could let Mr Corbyn win.
He told the Telegraph: “It feels good to be back in the Conservative family who are committed to delivering Brexit and I am confident that Boris Johnson is the best person to stand up for Britain.”
Do you agrees? Vote in Express.co.uk’s poll.
11.56am update: Corbyn shuts down alliance with Lib Dems
When asked if he would revoke Article 50 to gain the support of the Lib Dems in a hung parliament, Mr Corbyn said: “We are campaigning to win with a majority”.
11.48am update: Barnier says EU ready to start negotiations after Brexit deal ratified and admits EU needs to build new relationship with UK
EU Negotiatior Michel Barnier has warned that even when a Brexit deal is ratified, it “will not be the end of the story”.
He addded: “I know negotiations wil be difficult on trading partnership.
“We need to build new partnership with UK.
“We in EU Commission are ready to start negotiations as soon as UK ratifies agreement.”
Jo Swinson has urged people to vote Lib Dem in the general election (Image: GETTY)
11.42am update: Swinson “cannot wait” to take on two leaders
Asked what her message to Mr Johnson and Mr Corbyn would be regarding TV debates, Ms Swinson said: “My message is I hope to see you there, or if not what are you afraid of?”
She added: “I think it is ridiculous to suggest that the country is well served by a debate between two men who want to leave the European Union.”
11.08am update: Swinson takes to the stage at Lib Dem election launch
Jo Swinson has said a Liberal Democrat government will “stop Brexit and build a brighter future” as she launched her party’s General Election campaign.
Speaking in Westminster, she said the election could be a moment of “seismic change” where a “new and different” politics could emerge.
“Change is possible and you get to choose,” she told the audience.
Ms Swinson said staying in the EU would produce a £50 billion “Remain bonus” that could be spent on public services.
“Any type of Brexit will damage our economy, will cost jobs and starve our public services of the resources that they need.
“So we know that that Remain bonus will be £50 billion that we can spend on our public services, investing in our schools and in the welfare system to help the poorest in our society.
“So every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to stop Brexit and invest that £50 billion in our public services.”
Election: ‘Vote for Labour is a vote for Brexit’ claims Swinson
10.44am update: Luciana Berger gives speech at Liberal Democrat launch
The Lib Dem MP, who defected from Labour over anti-Semitism, says she is worried at the choice voters face at the ballot box.
She says voters are being asked to choose between: “Boris Johnson, fostering a hostile environment in our country, or Jeremy Corbyn, who has refused to root out anti-Semitism in his party.
“Two parties stuck in the past, failing time and time again.”
But she added there is “another option”.
She said: “A Liberal Democrat Government will stop Brexit and build a brighter future.”
10.25am update: New poll suggests Brexit Party might be wrong to fight Boris
The Brexit Party leader yesterday announced 600 candidates to contest seats up and down the UK when Britain’s head to the polls on December 12.
Mr Farage has offered to work with the Prime Minister in a “patriotic alliance” if he dropped his Brexit deal – something Mr Johnson has refused to entertain.
The Express.co.uk poll conducted between 7.29am on Monday November 4 to 8.30am on Tuesday November 5 asked 16,296 readers ‘Is Nigel Farage right to fight Boris Johnson in this election?’
While 61 percent of participants (9,785) voted yes, in contrast 38 percent (6,200) readers voted no.
Just one percent (311) where unsure and voted for don’t know.
10.06pm update: Gove blasts Corbyn’s election plans just before his speech
Michael Gove said this morning that Jeremy Corbyn’s Brexit plans were “beyond the realms of fantasy and science fiction”.
He told the BBC: “It is a fairytale that Jeremy Corbyn can get Brexit done
“His policy on Brexit has been constructed by a terminally weak leader to paper over the cracks in his own party.
” The difference between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn is the difference between a premiership footballer and a non league player.”
Mr Gove also ruled out delaying Brexit yet again with an extension of the transition period.
9.55am update: Conservative Party responds to Corbyn’s “Thatcherism on Steroids” comment
A Conservative Party spokesperson told Express.co.uk:“A vote for Labour is a vote for more delay and uncertainty on Brexit, and the country spending 2020 having two referendums on Brexit and Scottish independence. It will not get Brexit done – and it will create another gridlocked Parliament that doesn’t work.
“Only Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party will get Brexit done meaning we can get on with investing in our NHS, tackling violent crime, and cutting the cost of living – including increasing the National Living Wage to £10.50.”
9.46am update: New Speaker speaks after being elected in new role
Lindsay Hoyle has said he wants politicians to get the “best example” to the public.
He added he will try his best to tackle the “bear pit anger” in the Commons.
He told Radio 4: “The bear pit politics needs to end quickly and go forward where the public can respect Parliament and respect democracy.”
Mr Hoyle added he will make sure the backbenches are respected and allow them to hold the executive to account, but will try his best to make sure “a government is elected to govern”.
He said: “It’s getting the balance right and getting the judgments right.
“I want to bring in better respect and tolerance.
“The bear pit anger that seems to have come out and got worse and worse. We need to pull that back.”
Nicola Sturgeon: Piers Morgan slams leader as ‘100% loser’
8.45am update: Farage dealt blow as 20 candidates quit ahead of election
Brexiter Mark Francois has said Mr Farage has “lost the plot” after calling for a second referendum on electoral reform and not backing Boris’s deal.
Speaking to LBC Radio’s Matt Frei, Mark Francois asked: “How many Brexit Party supporters know that in their policy programme announced [on November 1], they now want a system of proportional representation.
“In 2011 the coalition government held a referendum on replacing first past the post for parliamentary elections. The proposed change was defeated by 68pc.
“Now, we had a referendum a few years ago in the UK on whether or not to switch to a form of PR, we absolutely slaughtered that, it was overwhelmingly defeated.
“So now Nigel Farage wants to overturn the results of that UK-wide referendum. So he’s sort of slightly lost the plot to me.”
8.39am update: Piers Morgan dismantles Nicola Sturgeon’s call for another independence vote
Piers Morgan dismissed Nicola Sturgeon as a “100 percent loser” as the Scottish First Minister yet again demanded a new independence referendum for Scotland.
The ITV Good Morning Britain host pointed out Ms Sturgeon’s side lost in all the referendums she fought and she still demanded a second vote to be held both on independence and on Brexit.
Mr Morgan said: “Scotland had a referendum. We were told it was a once in a lifetime referendum. It had a result and you lost.
“Brexit was supposed a once in a lifetime EU referendum and again, you lost.
“You are a serial, 100 percent loser of referendums.”
Mr Morgan continued: “My point is, having lost every referendum that you’ve ever fought, why should anybody, if you had another referendum, vote in that referendum?
“Your belief is, it doesn’t matter what result comes back, we simply ignore them.”
8.21am update: Corbyn mocked as he claims Brexit will lead to maggots in orange juice
The Labour leader was mocked by Tory MPs after a transcript of his speech revealed he would talk about “rat hairs in paprika and maggots in orange juice” should a Conservative Government come to power.
The warnings follow a period of apprehension around potential food trade and deals with the US if Boris Johnson were to deliver Brexit, with chlorinated chicken as well as the privatisation of the NHS floating around Westminster.
David Morris, Conservative MP for Lunesdale in Lancashire, said: “Labour don’t want to talk about Brexit which is why they’re resorting to this absolute nonsense.
“The only thing on the menu from Jeremy Corbyn is more delay and two more referendums.
“Boris Johnson, by contrast, will get Brexit done so we can focus on investing in our NHS, tackling violent crime, and reducing the cost of living.”
7.57am update: Lib Dems make claim scrapping Brexit will generate billions for public finances
The Liberal Democrats will launch their campaign in London today.
Leader Jo Swinson will say remaining in the European Union will mean the economy will grow faster than under Brexit, which will lead to higher GDP.
Ms Swinson has previously said: “The Liberal Democrats are the only party standing up to stop Brexit and build a brighter future for the UK.
“Brexit has taken far longer and cost far more than anyone said it would. But any form of Brexit will damage our jobs, our economy and our public services, starving them of vital cash as the economy struggles along.
“The Liberal Democrats will stop Brexit and then use the £50 billion Remain bonus to invest in our public services.”
