NIGEL Farage has vowed to “stun everybody” as his Brexit Party prepares to fight all 650 UK seats at a general election.
Fresh from securing 29 wins in his first contest, Farage – who launched the new party six weeks ago – told BBC Radio 4: “I’m not pretending that to set up the infrastructure to fight 650 seats is easy. That work starts this afternoon.
“We will of course talk about policies and have a policy programme.”
Farage was returned to the Brussels parliament he wants to exit along with ex-Tory MP Ann Widdecombe and Annunziata Rees-Mogg, the sister of Tory arch Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg.
Their success came as the two dominant forces in UK politics, the Tories and Labour, suffered humiliating defeats. Both Ruth Davidson and John McDonnell referred to the outcomes for their respective sides as a “kicking” from voters.
The Tories chalked up just 9.1% of the vote in their worst ever national election share, while Labour finished on 14.1% and no longer has a single Scottish MEP.
In contrast, the LibDems enjoyed their best ever European results, going from just one MEP to 15 overnight.
Overall, UK voter turnout was 36.7%.
Outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May conceded it had been a “very disappointing night” for the Conservatives, saying: “Some excellent MEPs have lost their seats, some excellent candidates missed out. But Labour have also suffered big losses.
“It shows the importance of finding a Brexit deal, and I sincerely hope these results focus minds in parliament.”
Sajid Javid’s mind was amongst those focusing on the Tory leadership yesterday.
Announcing his candidacy in a video, he said he will “rebuild trust, to find unity and create new opportunities for our country” if selected, and that the Brexit result shows what the Tories have to do to win back support.
Emphasising the need to “get on and deliver Brexit”, he said: “We must bridge divides to heal communities, reminding us of our shared values as a United Kingdom, and we must strengthen our society and economy so that everyone can benefit from the opportunities which a prosperous nation provides.”
Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn resisted calls for a policy rethink from Sir Keir Starmer, Emily Thornberry and Tom Watson, insisting a general election is his priority.
Starmer, the party’s shadow Brexit secretary, said the “only way to break the Brexit impasse” is to “go back to the public with a choice between a credible leave option and remain”.
But Corbyn said: “The priority at the moment, I think, is for this Government to call for a general election and actually have a general election so we can decide the future.”
Meanwhile, Vince Cable, whose LibDems topped the poll in Islington, where both Corbyn and Thornberry are MPs, said the results show Labour should “get off the fence” over Brexit.
He stated: “In trying to please everybody they have pleased nobody.
“With a Tory leadership contest increasing the risk of a no-deal Brexit, Britain can no longer tolerate an opposition which ducks and dives on the biggest issue of the day.
“If you want to see an outward-looking Britain, standing tall in the world with our European partners, and offering opportunity to everyone at home, there is no better moment to shape the future of our party and our politics, by joining the Liberal Democrats.”
East Dunbartonshire MP Jo Swinson, who is expected to run for the LibDem leadership when Cable steps down, told Sky News her party is “working together and in parliament, with the campaign for a people’s vote... with Plaid Cymru, the Green Party, Change UK, the SNP and Labour and Conservative MPs who believe our best future is in the EU”.
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