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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
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Claire Hayhurst & Rod Minchin & David Whitfield

Soubry and Leslie to the fore as Change UK launches its European election campaign

Local MPs Anna Soubry and Chris Leslie have helped pro-Remain party Change UK - The Independent Group launch its European election campaign - in the event that elections do actually go ahead.

The party, formerly known as just The Independent Group, was formed by defectors from both the Labour Party and the Conservatives.

Broxtowe MP and former Conservative Party member Anna Soubry, and Nottingham East and former Labour member Chris Leslie, bacame founder members of the group after resigning from their parties in February this year.

Answering questions at a launch event in Bristol on Tuesday, Ms Soubry denied the suggestion that remain-supporting voters would not know who to vote for in the forthcoming EU election, thereby splitting the vote and helping pro-Brexit parties.

The Independent Group applies to register as a new political party

"This is the Remain Alliance. We come from all parties and traditions," she said.

"I think the British people, when they hear more and more about Change UK - The Independent Group, the Tiggers, they will understand exactly who we are and what we stand for - a People's Vote and remaining in the European Union and changing it from within."

Chris Leslie addressing supporters at the event (Rod Minchin/PA Wire)

European parliamentary elections are due to take place on May 23 if Britain is still a member of the EU.

Other candidates for the party in the elections include former BBC Newsnight presenter Gavin Esler, and Rachel Johnson, sister of Boris.

Speaking after the launch, Ms Johnson said her move was not a vote against her pro-Brexit brother and Conservative Party MP.

"I'm sure that Boris understands why this is not a vote against Boris," she said. "This is a vote for change. We need to move the dial. People need to have a say."

Rachel Johnson, sister of Conservative former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, sits on the stage during the launch of the Change UK European election campaign (Rod Minchin/PA Wire)

Meanwhile Gavin Esler condemned Nigel Farage, leader of the Brexit Party, and Jacob Rees-Mogg, Tory MP for North East Somerset, as "pretend men of the people".

He said they were the "posers of Brexit" who were "selling the same old snake oil" and he was "sick of it".

"They claim to speak for the people - they do not," Mr Esler said. "They stole our patriotism and I want it back.

"Our political system is a joke. It is a worldwide joke. They are laughing at us - not with us, at us.

"It is broken. This country cannot possibly be strong abroad when it is weak at home. We all know any version of Brexit will make us poorer as a country."

Hundreds turn out to see Nigel Farage at Brexit Party rally in Nottingham  

The party was formed nine weeks ago, when eight Labour MPs and three Tories left their parties.

The candidates chosen from 3,700 applicants include people from "every background", interim leader Heidi Allen told the event.

Ms Allen, MP for South Cambridgeshire, said: "We are here to say we stand ready. These elections are a chance to send the clearest possible message.

"We demand a People's Vote and the right to campaign to remain in the European Union. We are not afraid to say it as clearly as that."

She added: "This is no rebel alliance. This is the home of the Remain alliance."

Whether you voted remain or leave we need another public vote, say campaigners

Nigel Farage calls Anna Soubry 'rude and offensive' during Nottinghamshire March to Leave protest

Which? warns Brexit could lead to dangerous toys flooding UK 

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