Absence of UKIP candidates

There won't be a UKIP candidate in Hertford and Stortford on 8 June. In fact, having stood in 624 of 650 seats in 2015, UKIP are standing in just 377 seats this time.

Speaking about the national situation, Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary Tom Brake commented:

"UKIP are standing aside for the Conservatives because they know Theresa May has adopted their divisive agenda wholesale.

"As Nigel Farage has said, Theresa May is now using the exact words and phrases he has been using for the last 20 years.

"The scene has been set for a Conservative landslide that would be bad for people's jobs, our schools and the NHS.

"But it's not too late to ensure a strong opposition and a better future for this country.

"The Liberal Democrats are the only party can challenge Theresa May, fight to protect our schools and hospitals and stand up against a bad Brexit deal."

Mark Argent, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Hertford and Stortford added:

"Winston Churchill first suggested a 'United States of Europe'. It was the Conservative government of Harold Macmillan who began negotiations to join what is now the EU, the Conservative government of Edward Heath who took us in, and the Conservative government of Margaret Thatcher that negotiated for us in forming the Single Market. The Conservative party has abandoned this European heritage in taking on UKIP's agenda.

"This is an election for outward-looking, pro-EU Conservatives to vote Liberal Democrat, to push their own party back to its roots and take it away from sounding like an extension of UKIP"

- ENDS -