Peterborough by-election antics

Following the historic removal of sitting MP Fiona Onasanya via a petition from her constituents the Peterborough by-election is to go ahead. There will be no less than 15 candidates standing, though Change UK will not be among them following one of a number of controversies surrounding the nominations.

George Galloway, the greasy former Labour and Respect MP had declared his intention to stand but in a strange twist of events it turned out the not so gorgeous one was seeking to get the Brexit Party nomination in a shameless move to the right by the self proclaimed Marxist and anti-imperialist. However his hopes were dashed as the local Peterborough Today website reported:

...Mr Galloway this evening confirmed he was pulling out of the race after missing out on the Brexit Party nomination which has gone to Secret Millionaire Mike Greene.

Mr Galloway tweeted: “I tried to persuade @Nigel_Farage to support my candidacy in #Peterborough to emphasise the broad democratic alliance the campaign must be and balance the candidatures of Ms Widdecombe and Ms Rees-Mogg. Now that the #Brexit Party have named their candidate I have withdrawn my own.”

Mr Galloway had never confirmed if he was standing as an independent or with a party, although he had been rumoured to be seeking the Brexit Party nomination.

Meanwhile it turned out that the "remain" parties had been trying to agree on a joint independent candidate but this was apparently scuppered by the Labour Party. A joint statement from the groups involved was issued yesterday:

Change UK, the Green Party, the Liberal Democrats and Renew have been working hard these last few days on a joint approach to the Peterborough by-election, recognising that we need to put the country's interests first, securing a People's Vote and remaining in the European Union.

We all agreed to stand down any candidates we might field in favour of a genuinely independent - pro People's Vote and pro Remain - candidate who had expressed an interest and intention to stand.

However, senior Labour figures - senior figures campaigning for a People’s Vote - made it clear that they would strenuously disrupt the campaign and obstruct an independent candidate, driven by fears that it would harm their party in Peterborough. The candidate was left with no option.

The pro People's Vote and pro Remain third parties will continue to work together where we can in the national interest to promote the cause - this initiative marks the continuation not the end of us working together to stop Brexit.

The apparent threat from Labour, shows how shallow their claim for a "new, kinder politics" was. As with everything else it was a false promise by the far-left who have turned Labour into an enemy of democracy.

The final twist in this story was announced by the Renew Party:

RENEW PARTY ANNOUNCES PETER WARD AS CANDIDATE FOR PETERBOROUGH

Change UK - The Independent Group will not field a candidate and will support Renew for the duration of the campaign

Wednesday, 9th May: The Renew Party is delighted to announce Peter Ward as its candidate for the Peterborough by-election on 6th June.

Peter is a dedicated member of Renew who brings decades of campaigning experience and legal expertise as a distinguished barrister to Peterborough. He will stand for election to reject the lies, reform politics and remain in the European Union.

Correspondingly, Change UK - The Independent Group will not be fielding a candidate in Peterborough, instead supporting Renew for the duration of the campaign.

On his candidacy, Peter said:

“I am delighted to be fighting the upcoming by-election at a crucial time for Peterborough and the United Kingdom. The disgraced former Labour MP, Fiona Onasanya, showed massive disrespect to voters here by lying to police about her crimes. They deserve a better, honest representative in parliament ready to take radical action to reform our political system.

“Peterborough is a successful city with a history of openness. It is a multicultural place that has benefited from immigration in numerous ways, not least for helping to create a dynamic economy driven by aspirational people from all walks of life. Renew is determined to reject the lies and present a positive case for an open Peterborough in contrast to Nigel Farage’s cynical and divisive project of fear.

“I am therefore standing to represent an open Peterborough that sees strength in diversity and has a crucial role in the United Kingdom’s future. While I understand the issues that led people here to vote for Brexit, I am determined to present a positive case for the UK in Europe that sees in Peterborough the potential to reform politics for the better.”

Renew leader, Annabel Mullin, said:

“It is wonderful to be supporting Peter, a barrister and committed environmental activist who drives a cool Tesla, as someone from outside politics working to bring extraordinary change to Peterborough”.