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Change UK to launch European election campaign Change UK launches European election campaign
(32 minutes later)
Change UK will launch its campaign later for the European Parliamentary elections on 23 May. Change UK is launching its campaign for the European Parliamentary elections, with candidates including journalist Rachel Johnson - sister of Tory MP and leading Brexiteer Boris Johnson.
The party - formerly known as The Independent Group - is made up of 11 MPs who quit Labour and the Tories.The party - formerly known as The Independent Group - is made up of 11 MPs who quit Labour and the Tories.
They are preparing for the vote as the latest Brexit delay means the UK may have to take part.They are preparing for the vote as the latest Brexit delay means the UK may have to take part.
Change UK interim leader Heidi Allen said the party - and its 70 candidates across the country - would be the "natural home" for Remain voters. Former BBC correspondent Gavin Esler is another of its 70 candidates.
Mr Esler, who has never stood for an election before, said UK politics was "a worldwide joke", adding: "It is broken."
Change UK interim leader Heidi Allen said the party would be the "natural home" for Remain voters.
Ahead of the launch in Bristol, she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the candidate list was made up of former members of the Tories, Labour, Liberal Democrats and Greens - as well as some non-political individuals - and people were starting to call them "the Remain Alliance".Ahead of the launch in Bristol, she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the candidate list was made up of former members of the Tories, Labour, Liberal Democrats and Greens - as well as some non-political individuals - and people were starting to call them "the Remain Alliance".
A number of parties have begun launching their campaigns for the European Parliamentary elections after Theresa May agreed a Brexit delay until 31 October with the EU.A number of parties have begun launching their campaigns for the European Parliamentary elections after Theresa May agreed a Brexit delay until 31 October with the EU.
Mrs May said the UK could still exit before this date if her withdrawal agreement is approved by Parliament.Mrs May said the UK could still exit before this date if her withdrawal agreement is approved by Parliament.
But, if not, the country is likely to have to hold European Parliament elections.But, if not, the country is likely to have to hold European Parliament elections.
The Independent Group was formed after eight Labour MPs and three Tory MPs left their parties in February.The Independent Group was formed after eight Labour MPs and three Tory MPs left their parties in February.
The three Conservative MPs blamed "a shift to the right" in their party and the government's "disastrous handling of Brexit", while Labour MP cited their party's stance on leaving the EU, along with the leadership's handling of anti-Semitism.The three Conservative MPs blamed "a shift to the right" in their party and the government's "disastrous handling of Brexit", while Labour MP cited their party's stance on leaving the EU, along with the leadership's handling of anti-Semitism.
In March, the group applied to become a party with the name Change UK and was given approval in April, meaning they could field candidates in the European elections.In March, the group applied to become a party with the name Change UK and was given approval in April, meaning they could field candidates in the European elections.
Ms Allen described her new party as "a solid pro-Remain, pro-People's Vote party for people to put their cross against on the ballot paper".Ms Allen described her new party as "a solid pro-Remain, pro-People's Vote party for people to put their cross against on the ballot paper".
She said it was treating its first test at the ballot box "very, very seriously indeed", as the campaign itself would "send the loudest possible message to both the government and the opposition about how people in the UK feel about leaving and the deal that is currently on the table".She said it was treating its first test at the ballot box "very, very seriously indeed", as the campaign itself would "send the loudest possible message to both the government and the opposition about how people in the UK feel about leaving and the deal that is currently on the table".
She added: "Later, people will see where [our candidates] come from. Political and non-political, public sector and private sector, people are gravitating towards us.She added: "Later, people will see where [our candidates] come from. Political and non-political, public sector and private sector, people are gravitating towards us.
"This is the beginning of the story for Change UK.""This is the beginning of the story for Change UK."
Last week, ex-UKIP leader Nigel Farage launched his new Brexit Party, and on Tuesday, the party announced five new candidates for the European elections.Last week, ex-UKIP leader Nigel Farage launched his new Brexit Party, and on Tuesday, the party announced five new candidates for the European elections.
They include left-wing activist Claire Fox, former Royal Marine James Glancy and charity CEO Matthew Patten.They include left-wing activist Claire Fox, former Royal Marine James Glancy and charity CEO Matthew Patten.
Nigel Farage said the group would be targeting areas with Labour MPs that voted Leave in the referendum.Nigel Farage said the group would be targeting areas with Labour MPs that voted Leave in the referendum.
He added: "Brexit is not about left or right. It is about right and wrong."He added: "Brexit is not about left or right. It is about right and wrong."