Brexiteers flood Tories to fight May plan
MORE than half of Conservative associations have had an influx of new members – many thought to be Eurosceptics critical of Theresa May’s Brexit plans.
According to a survey 42 out of 75 have reported rises in membership.
Applications flooded in after the Prime Minister forced her Customs blueprint through the Cabinet in a meeting at Chequers last month.
Big rises were reported in seats held by ministers who backed Remain in the 2016 EU referendum.
It follows a call by Brexiteers including Arron Banks – ex-Ukip donor and Leave.EU pressure group founder – for Eurosceptics to join the Tories to influence the Government’s European policy. The bid has been dubbed the “blue wave”.
He said yesterday: “I am urging the 90,000 members of my Brexit campaign Leave.EU and the 1.4 million who follow us on social media to join the Tories and have a say.
“A grassroots rebellion in the Tory Party is possible. In the right conditions, a new leader can be swept to power, and sanity can prevail. Our aim is to unite the Right.” Tory chiefs last week blocked an application by Mr Banks to join their party.
The newspaper survey of local associations found the PM and 11 Cabinet ministers had seen membership rise in their local parties. Only two backed Leave.
Trust
Environment Secretary Michael Gove, who backed Mrs May’s Brexit plan, saw 40 new members join his Surrey Heath party.
Meanwhile, campaign group Leave Means Leave wants a £5million war chest to counter Remainer propaganda. The Eurosceptic group, supported by Nigel Farage, was relaunched last week after criticism of Mrs May’s plans for close links to the EU after Brexit.
Mr Farage, former leader of Ukip and now a vice-chairman of Leave Means Leave, said: “I do not trust our politicians to deliver a clean Brexit so it is time for people’s voice to be heard.
“I am going back on the road with Leave Means Leave to restart the referendum campaign.”
Thousands of people are expected to attend the first rally of the relaunched campaign in Bolton on September 22.