Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage at an event to introduce his party’s candidates yesterday (Picture: PA)

Nigel Farage’s Brexit election dream was at risk of being dashed on day one of his election campaign yesterday after three candidates quit and he lost support from a major financial backer.

The Brexit Party leader came out all guns blazing on Monday claiming he would be unleashing 600 election candidates across the UK.

But he was warned by senior Tories that he risked ‘splitting the Leave vote’ before two candidates withdrew over fears the Brexit Party could prevent Boris Johnson getting a majority.

A third dropped out for personal reasons.


Paul Brothwood stood aside in the marginal Dudley South seat, in the West Midlands, and announced he’s now backing sitting Conservative MP Mike Wood.



Stephen Peddie, the party’s pick for Tonbridge and Malling in Kent, quit just hours later and publicly attacked the Brexit Party leader on Twitter, accusing him of pursuing a ‘fantastical and dangerous strategy’.

While Dan Day-Robinson, who was standing in Devizes, Wiltshire, said he was quitting because his partner was pregnant.

Their announcements came after the Brexit Party confirmed Jill Hughes – its candidate for the Batley and Spen constituency – stood down last week.

Paul Brothwood stood aside in the marginal Dudley South seat and announced he’s now backing sitting Conservative MP Mike Wood

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She quit after the Hope Not Hate campaign revealed she had a number of unusual beliefs including that she ‘came from a star’ and she believes world governments are working with aliens.

In a parting shot, Mr Brothwood said: ‘I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s leaving. I’ve come round to supporting Boris’ deal because it’s better than Theresa’s one.

‘But what’s more important is defeating socialism. That’s the real risk of the Brexit Party.

‘I would not want to be responsible for letting the racist Labour Party in, which would cause havoc to our public services, to our economy and to community cohesion.’

He added: ‘I respect Nigel – he’s a good man but I think he’s got the wrong team around him.’

Mr Peddie said: ‘I resigned as a PPC because I worried the Brexit Party was evolving from a national asset to a national threat.

‘I suspect I’m far from alone.

‘We have “a” Brexit only because of Farage, that doesn’t make it his to destroy along with our country.’

Stephen Peddie said he resigned as a PPC because he worries the Brexit Party was ‘evolving from a national asset to a national threat’

Brexit Party candidate Jill Hughes stepped down last week (Picture: Brexit Party)

At the same time, one of Mr Farage’s main donors switched his allegiance to the Tories and announced he would now be supporting Mr Johnson at the election.

Property developer Jeffrey Hobby, who donated £10,000 to the Brexit Party ahead of the European Parliament elections in May, said he believed the prime minister was doing a ‘fantastic job’.

He added: ‘It is a shame if Nigel Farage wants to take him on across the country, I don’t think that is helpful for the Brexit Party, the Tory Party or the cause.

‘For the Brexit Party to field candidates across all seats seems a waste of resources and not the wisest move.’



Mr Farage yesterday said he wants Mr Johnson to abandon his Brexit deal in favour of a no-deal Brexit which he has called a ‘Clean Brexit’.

He played down the defections, saying they amounted to ‘fewer than a handful’ of his party’s candidates.

He said: ‘Any political party staring down the barrel of an election has that problem.’

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