Brexit effect as Ukip’s ‘Black Death’ boosts Tories in the north

Ukip’s general secretary compared his own party to “the Black Death” as the two main parties capitalised on its virtual wipeout.

In the north and midlands of England, Ukip voters flooded to the Conservatives, causing Labour to lose control of bellwether councils like Nuneaton and Bedworth, while in the south they went the other way. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson claimed that government’s Brexit policy had hurt Labour in areas that voted to Leave in the 2016 EU referendum.

“Jeremy Corbyn has been abandoned in many leave areas – his pledge to stay in the customs union means he is not trusted to deliver Brexit,” Mr Johnson said in a tweet. “PM’S clear Mansion House vision for leaving the single market and customs union a key part of Tory electoral success.”

Speaking on the BBC’S Today Programme, Ukip general secretary Paul Oakley claimed “it’s not over at all,” before adding: “Think of the Black Death in the Middle Ages.

“It comes along and it causes disruption and then it goes dormant, and that’s exactly what we are going to do. Our time isn’t finished because Brexit is being betrayed.”

The one point of light for Ukip was Derby, where the party held one seat and picked up another, unseating Labour’s leader in the city.

Former deputy chairwoman Suzanne Evans openly discussed the prospect of the party “crumbling”.

Ukip leader Gerard Batten said Mr Oakley’s comments would not have been his “choice of medieval historical analogy”.