Arron Banks writes to constituents to say home secretary and chancellor are among cabal of MPs attempting to ‘overturn the wishes of the 52%’

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Nigel Farage’s leading backer has written to constituents of Amber Rudd and Philip Hammond urging them to deselect the cabinet ministers because they are “damaging the prospect of a successful Brexit”.

The letter from Arron Banks, published below, accuses Rudd, the home secretary, and Hammond, the chancellor, of being part of a “cabal of Westminster MPs” who are working to “overturn the wishes of the 52%” and provides a step-by-step guide to kicking them out.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Amber Rudd and Philip Hammond. Composite: Getty

Writing as chairman of the Leave.EU campaign, Banks says Rudd and Hammond are legitimate targets because they are pushing for a “lengthy and unnecessary ‘transition’ period of up to three years” after the UK leaves the European Union in spring 2019.

In the letter sent to Rudd’s constituents in Hastings and Rye, Banks says: “Whether you voted remain or leave, Rudd’s actions in dividing the cabinet are damaging the prospect of a successful Brexit, encouraging the EU to play games with the whole process.”

Rudd is particularly vulnerable in her Sussex seat, where she has a majority of just 346. Hammond’s majority in Runnymede and Weybridge is 18,050.

Banks informs constituents who wish to kick out Rudd to first join the local Conservative party – “if you vote Conservative and want your voice to be heard by the national Conservative party” – and then demand a special general meeting (SGM).

According to party rules, SGMs must be granted if more than 50 members of the local party or 10% of the previous year’s membership sign a petition. “Anyone can start the petition,” the letter notes.

Activists should then table a motion of no confidence in the local MP.

Banks also urges Rudd’s constituents to contact Leave.EU “so that we can smoothly transition the initiative over to party members”.

Banks says similar tactics were “used successfully in 1997”.That year, the Beaconsfield MP Tim Smith resigned after coming under pressure following the cash-for-questions scandal.



Other deselection attempts have succeeded in recent years. The Conservative MPs Tim Yeo and Anne McIntosh were deselected by their local parties before the 2015 election.

Banks first came to prominence as the leading backer of Ukip under Farage’s leadership. He spent more than £7m funding the Leave.EU campaign during the referendum, again working closely with Farage.

The Conservative partycan reject membership applications if it believes the individual does not support the Conservative values. As the party website notes: “The Conservative party reserves the right to not accept a donation or application for membership.”