Conservative activists could go on strike and refuse to campaign for Tory MEP candidates after Theresa May said the UK will prepare to take part in European elections on May 23. Mrs May asked the European Union on Friday to delay Brexit to June 30 but said she wanted Britain to have left with a deal by May 22. However, she admitted staying in the bloc beyond that date would require the UK to elect new representatives and as such was triggering preparations which she hoped ultimately to cancel. Her decision sparked widespread fury among Tory Brexiteers who said it would be “crazy” for people to be asked to elect a fresh batch of MEPs almost three years after voting to leave the EU. Pro-Brexit... To continue reading this article Start your free trial of Premium Access all Premium articles Subscriber-only events Cancel any time Free for 30 days then only £2 per week Try Premium Access one Premium article per week … [Read more...] about Theresa May warned Tory activists will strike and refuse to campaign if UK takes part in EU elections
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Tory leader furious after Milton Keynes candidate’s election papers ‘lost’ by council
The leader of Milton Keynes Conservatives is furious after the council ‘supposedly lost’ one of their candidate’s election nomination papers. It leaves the electors in one ward – Central Milton Keynes – without a Conservative candidate to vote for at the borough elections on Thursday, May 2. Tory leader, Cllr Alex Walker said: “The issue with CMK is probably going to be a legal challenge.” He says the nomination papers were handed in and the council has “supposedly lost it.”“It beggars belief,” he said. “Our agent handed all nominations in on the first day it was open, they were checked and verified. Safe to say I’m very angry.”A spokesman for Milton Keynes Council said: “We’re sorry to learn about this. We’ve thoroughly checked our system and we do not have this application. Unfortunately we’re unable to accept late applications.”With no Conservative candidate the … [Read more...] about Tory leader furious after Milton Keynes candidate’s election papers ‘lost’ by council
Health Secretary Matt Hancock drops huge hint he may join Tory leadership race
MATT Hancock entered the Tory leadership race yesterday as he called for party to “skip a generation” when replacing Theresa May. The 40 year-old Health Secretary said the party should pick a leader who has not been “tainted” by Brexit. And while he refused to be drawn on his own intentions, he said there was an “amazing array” of talent “bubbling with ideas”. Odds on the ambitious Minister and close ally of ex-Chancellor George Osborne replacing the PM have fallen dramatically in recent days from 66-1 to as low as 12-1. He has held back from commenting in recent days as NINE other colleagues have thrown their hat in the ring. But speaking to the Telegraph he dropped a huge hint he would run. Challenged about what should happen when Mrs May goes he said: “There will be a moment when we need to make a generational shift in the Conservative Party. brextortion May begs Brussels to delay Brexit until June 30 - but EU want it to be a … [Read more...] about Health Secretary Matt Hancock drops huge hint he may join Tory leadership race
Opinion: Labour’s win in Newport West will make the Tories even more wary about a snap general election
Unless they are “sensational”, by-elections usually get a bit overlooked. This is a pity, because they are, as the politicians always say, “real votes in real ballot boxes”, as opposed to mere opinion polls. At the very least they can add some corroboration to the messages that arise from polling, but they can also add some clues about other trends. We’ll tell you what’s true. You can form your own view. From 15p €0.18 $0.18 USD 0.27 a day, more exclusives, analysis and extras. Subscribe now So it is with the Newport West by-election, fairly safely held by Ruth Jones in a seat that has been Labour since 1987. The win was not surprising. (If nothing else, the Labour whips will be grateful for another supporter – and a pro-European at that – in the division lobbies, scene of some close votes lately.) Still, the Labour vote did slip somewhat – down 12.7 percentage points, in sharp contrast to the performance … [Read more...] about Opinion: Labour’s win in Newport West will make the Tories even more wary about a snap general election
Eastbourne election candidate says she was ‘wrong’ to make ‘dead Tory’ Facebook comment
A Liberal Democrat candidate for Eastbourne has said she was “wrong” to make an offensive Facebook comment. Amanda Morris, who is standing in the upcoming borough council elections for Old Town, wrote “the only good Tory is a dead Tory” on the social media website. In a statement to the Herald, she said, “It was wrong for me to say what I said, and I have totally taken on board I have a responsibility to use my words carefully. And this applies to everyone. “And although no excuse, I’d like to point out that it was at a time when some Conservative MPs were talking about Theresa May using really shocking language. For instance an [unnamed Conservative MP] told the Sunday Times ‘the moment is coming when the knife gets heated, stuck in her front and twisted. She’ll be dead soon’. “And another Conservative MP was quoted in the Daily Mail saying the Prime Minister ‘should bring her own noose’ to a meeting of … [Read more...] about Eastbourne election candidate says she was ‘wrong’ to make ‘dead Tory’ Facebook comment