Tycoon Banks aims to scupper top Tory Lewis

THE great grassroots backlash has begun. Many tory and Labour Mps, who constituency activists believe haven’t done enough to honour the Brexit vote, are facing challenges if they are planning to stand at the next General election.

We already know about revolts against the tories’ Dominic Grieve and Nick Boles, but it’s said as many as 100 Labour Mps could have to deal with deselection — including Yvette Cooper, a Remainer, and proLeave Kate Hoey.

Another senior figure being threatened is tory chairman Brandon Lewis. the Mp for Great Yarmouth voted Remain in the eU referendum, although his constituents produced one of the country’s strongest Leave votes at 72 per cent.

it’s no surprise, therefore, that insurance tycoon Arron Banks, founder of Leave.eU, is planning to stand in the east Anglian coastal seat for Nigel Farage’s new Brexit party.

Banks says he will be the champion of townsfolk furious that the UK’s membership of the eU has almost destroyed their once-thriving fishing industry.

Despite Leave. eU and an insurance company owned by Banks being fined £120,000 by the information Commissioner last month over breaches in data law, Banks vows he will utilise Leave.eU’s large database to target voters. Great Yarmouth was once so well-known for its herring fleets that it was said it was possible to cross the harbour by walking over trawlers’ decks.