Express & Star

Brexit Party could step aside in key West Midlands seats

The Brexit Party could be set to stand aside in key West Midlands seats over fears the party could split the Leave vote.

Published
Nigel Farage has dismissed claims the Brexit Party could step aside in some seats as 'idle speculation'

The Express & Star understands that candidates have been told to go off the radar over the coming days and a number of campaign visits in the region have been cancelled.

It comes ahead of a crucial party meeting in London on Monday, where candidates are set to be told whether or not they will be required to stand.

Reports in the national media have suggested the party may step aside in hundreds of seats targeted by the Tories.

Nigel Farage has today dismissed claims as “idle speculation”, saying: "I have not spoken to anyone of any seniority in the party [about this]."

A Brexit Party source told the E&S that there was a major split at the top of the party over the strategy for the December 12 poll.

Some senior figures are said to support a plan to focus resources on a small number of Leave-voting Labour seats, thought to be around 20.

Mr Farage has previously suggested he would field 600 candidates, but senior figures are said to be concerned that splitting the Leave vote in marginal constituencies could lead to a Jeremy Corbyn victory.

Back in August the Brexit Party announced candidates in Tory held seats including Stourbridge, Walsall North, Stafford and South Staffordshire.