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Tory grandee Ann Widdecombe to stand as Brexit Party candidate

She calls the prime minister "hopelessly inadequate" and says it is "imperative to fire a very loud warning shot" next month.

By Aubrey Allegretti, political reporter

Wednesday 24 April 2019 09:01, UK

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Former MP Anne Widdecombe listens to a speaker at a Coalition for Marriage fringe event, as part of the Conservative Party Conference close to the International Convention Centre on October 8, 2012 in Birmingham, England. The annual four-day Conservative party conference began yesterday and features speeches from Cabinet ministers as well as the Mayor of London. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Image: Anne Widdecombe was a Tory MP for 13 years
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Tory grandee Ann Widdecombe has defected to the Brexit Party to stand as a candidate in the upcoming Euro elections.

The former minister, who served as a Conservative MP for 13 years, said she hoped the new outfit led by Nigel Farage would "sweep to victory" and send a "clear message" to her old party and Labour.

Writing in the Daily Express, she said: "I am standing for the Brexit Party in order that I may campaign vigorously and convince my fellow voters that this time it is imperative to fire a very loud warning shot across the bows of the parties they would normally support."

The UK may have to hold EU Parliament elections
Image: The European Parliament elections are on track to take place on 23 May

It comes after a former Labour election candidate was revealed as a candidate for Change UK, which is branding itself as the home of the "Remain alliance" in the poll on 23 May.

Another cohort of MEPs are on track to be elected after Theresa May twice asked for Brexit to be delayed because she could not get a deal through the UK parliament.

Ms Widdecombe said she hoped Labour would lose in its heartlands and the Conservatives in the shires to send a message that "we want you to just get on with it".

"I will be voting Conservative in the local elections and I remain a member of the party but when central office reads this I expect they will kick me out," she added.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage prepares to speak to journalists and supporters as the party announces the latest candidates for the possible British involvement in the upcoming EU elections, on April 23, 2019 in London, England. With the Brexit deadline extended up to October 31, 2019, there is a high probability that Britain will take part in the European Union elections, despite the country voting to leave the EU in June 2016. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Image: The Brexit Party has been launched by ex-UKIP leader Nigel Farage

"And if that happens, then so be it…

"If I am elected when I arrive in Brussels my message to [EU Commission President Jean-Claude] Juncker and company will be very simple, very loud and very clear: Nous allons [we go]."

Ms Widdecombe also slammed the "hopelessly inadequate" prime minister and accused her of presiding over a party that broke promises made in its 2017 general election manifesto.

Britain is on track to leave the EU by 31 October, but would be forced to pull out on 1 June if it refuses to participate in the Euro elections.

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