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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Ukip donor attempts to unseat 'Brexit saboteurs' Rudd and Hammond | Ukip donor attempts to unseat 'Brexit saboteurs' Rudd and Hammond |
| (1 day later) | |
| Arron Banks writes to constituents to say home secretary and chancellor are among cabal of MPs attempting to ‘overturn the wishes of the 52%’ | |
| Holly Watt | |
| Thu 7 Sep 2017 14.05 BST | |
| Last modified on Mon 27 Nov 2017 17.22 GMT | |
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| 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”. | 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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.” | 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. | 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). | 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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. | 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. | 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.” | 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.” |
| Brexit | |
| Amber Rudd | |
| Philip Hammond | |
| House of Commons | |
| Conservatives | |
| UK Independence party (Ukip) | |
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