Party ‘not dead in city’, claims UKIP
UKIP ‘is not dead’ in Sunderland, the party has insisted – despite failing to field any candidates in next month’s local elections.
The statement – issued by the Sunderland and Houghton branch of the eurosceptic group – is an attempt to prevent victory for Labour candidates in marginal wards.
The statement, which was attributed to branch secretary Christopher Marshall, said: “We also co-operated with a number of other parties, Independent candidates, and political campaigners who care about our city as much as we do, and we worked out a number of wards where UKIP would be best to stand.
“I want to be clear there were never any ‘deals’, as this was simply a strategic placing of candidates.
“Unfortunately this never materialised, as we later decided that, due to the leadership issues with the previous administration of UKIP, it would be better to leave things to the other main parties this year, and avoid splitting the vote in any wards of the city.”
At the last round of local elections in Sunderland, in 2016, UKIP was runner-up in most wards, but failed to get any of its candidates elected.
“UKIP is not dead,” the statement added, “especially in Sunderland.
Sunderland’s Lib Dem leader Niall Hodson said: “If they can’t contest against the Conservatives, can’t contest against the Lib Dems, can’t contest against independents, what can they do?”
Sunderland Green Party press officer and candidate for St Peter’s ward, Rachel Featherstone, said: “It’s clear that locally, and nationally, UKIP are in disarray.”
Coun Harry Trueman, the leader of Sunderland City Council said: “If they think this will do any harm to the Labour Party, I think we will see after the election next week that it hasn’t.”