By-election defeat checks Brexit Party momentum
AFP, Peterborough
Anti-EU populist Nigel Farages new Brexit Party failed in its bid to win its first seat in Britains parliament, checking its momentum and raising questions about its ability to compete in Westminster.
The by-election in the eastern English city of Peterborough on Thursday was triggered after the sitting MP, Fiona Onasanya, was dumped by voters after being jailed for lying over a speeding offence.
The Brexit Partys candidate Mike Greene, a local entrepreneur, was the 1-for-8 hot favourite to win the seat, but instead came in second with nearly 29 percent of the vote, behind the main opposition Labour Partys Lisa Forbes, on 31 percent. The ruling Conservatives came third with 21 percent. In Britains first past the vote system, it is the winner who counts and gets all the attention, not the losing candidates, however close the result. On that count, the outcome is a setback for the Brexit Partyfounded by eurosceptic figurehead Farage only a few months ago and which was the top dog in the European elections in May with 31.6 percent of votes cast.
It had been seeking to capitalise on that momentum as well as voter disillusionment with the main Conservative and Labour parties, who have historically won the Peterborough seat. Farage, who has called for Britain to leave the bloc without a deal, said last weekend while campaigning that he saw the contest as the opportunity for the next chapter in this great story.
