Hope remains EU elections can be called-off in the UK
Farange says the vote is an opportunity to put 'the fear of God' into politicians
THE GOVERNMENT continues to hope the upcoming European Parliament elections can be called off in the UK, according to Theresa May's deputy.
Cabinet Office minister David Lidington also urged calm from those involved in the poll amid concerns over potential intimidation of candidates.
Speaking at Cabinet Office questions, Labour MP Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) said: "There will be so many of us in this House who will have seen an escalation of threats and abuse in the current political climate, and there's a real fear when you have the likes of Nigel Farage saying that the European elections are an opportunity to ' put the fear of God' into politicians that people like that run the risk of stoking up that kind of intimidation and aggressive behaviour."
Mr Lidington replied: "I think there is a responsibility of politicians of all political parties, left, right and centre, to try and conduct elections in a spirit, yes of democratic argument and debate but also in a spirit of mutual respect that in a pluralist democracy they're entitled to disagree, to express our disagreement, to accept the election result, however that turns out, and then to get on with people of different parties who have an equal democratic mandate of our own."
Conservative MP Tom Pursglove (Corby) asked if it would be best if the Government was to ' keep its promises' and call off the 'farcical' EU elections.
Mr Lidington responded: "It would indeed be the Government's hope that even now we could agree and ratify the Withdrawal Agreement and give effect to it that would make it possible for these elections not to take place.
"But the only way to stop these elections taking place is to bring into effect the Withdrawal Agreement or to pass primary legislation through Parliament dis-applying our international obligations."
Labour's Thangam Debbonaire (Bristol West) called on Mr Lidington to condemn the use of language by Mr Farage, leader of the Brexit Party, for saying it was time 'to put the fear of God' into MPs.
Mr Lidington said: "I think there is a profound responsibility on politicians, particularity political leaders, of any party, to show moderation and restraint in the language they use about political opponents."
The EU Parliament elections are due to take place on Thursday May 23.