Nigel Farage calls for election pact between Brexit Party and Tories to contest Labour seats ‘I am 100 per cent sincere in this offer. We are not playing political games.’

Nigel Farage has argued that the Brexit Party should be granted an electoral pact by the Conservatives to contest Labour seats.

The former Ukip leader is demanding that Brexit Party candidates are allowed to run against Labour candidates without Conservatives to contend with in the North, the Midlands and South Wales.

In return, he would offer to stand down some of his 600 new candidates in seats where they could split a pro-leave vote which may otherwise vote Conservative.

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The pact aims to secure the UK’s exit from the EU, as well as place Farage as the leader of a Westminster party with a considerable number of seats.

Electoral pact

Mr Farage has written in the Sunday Telegraph that he is “100 per cent” sincere about the offer and aims to help Prime Minister Boris Johnson “return to Downing Street”.

“If the general election which this country so badly needs is to result in the pro-Brexit outcome which the majority of voters crave, Mr Johnson must agree an electoral pact with the Brexit Party.

“I am 100 per cent sincere in this offer. We are not playing political games. I have spent more than 25 years fighting for Brexit. It is now within our grasp.”

The Telegraph also reports that Mr Farage is understood to have indicated to Conservative MPs that he would campaign for pro-Leave candidates in constituencies he has agreed his party would not contest, and would stand aside in seats fought between Tories and Liberal Democrats.

Resignations

Read More Amber Rudd resigns from Boris Johnson’s Cabinet and quits the party

The news follows the resignation of Department of Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd , who resigned from the Tory whip after the Prime Minister sacked 21 rebels and told Tory members he was minded to ignore an incoming law compelling him to extend Article 50’s negotiating period until next year.

David Lidington, a former cabinet minister under Theresa May, told Mr Johnson on Saturday to “come up with a Plan B” after he threatened to break the incoming law, expected to receive royal assent on Monday.

“It is such a fundamental principle that we are governed by the rule of law that I hope no party would question it. Defying any particular law sets a really dangerous precedent.”

The bill compels Boris Johnson to ask for an extension should a deal not be in place by 19 October, postponing the deadline until the end of January 2020.

Opposition parties have also agreed to block a general election until a Brexit extension has been agreed, limiting Mr Johnson’s options as his party endures internal struggles over his proposed no-deal Brexit.