Anti-Brexit parties considering a Remain candidate to take on Nigel Farage

Lib Dem leader Vince Cable, Green party co-leader Sian Berry, and Change UK leader Heidi Allen. Photograph: TNE. - Credit: Archant

It has been claimed there will be a Remain unity candidate at the Peterborough by-election to tackle the Brexit Party at the ballot box.

Remain campaigners had criticised the likes of Change UK, Lib Dems and Greens for rejecting an electoral pact at the ballot box during the European election campaign after the idea was reportedly floated by Sir Vince Cable.

It has allowed the anti-Brexit parties to appear fragmented up against Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party, which has surged in opinion polls in recent weeks.

But with a by-election set to take place in Peterborough, and the Brexit Party considering standing, it has been reported there may be a Remain candidate representing the smaller parties too.

According to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, she said: “Hearing Change UK, Lib Dems and Greens considering all backing the same independent Remain candidate in Peterborough.”

She added: “It’s not confirmed yet but would be interesting if the others don’t stand and there is a genuinely independent Remain candidate up against Brexit Party.”

It was confirmed by Anna Soubry in a tweet: “Happy to confirm that this was initiated by #ChangeUK @ForChange_Now. In these extraordinary political times it’s right to get behind @peoplesvote_uk #Remain Independent candidate. We are again putting country before party.”

The Brexit Party has not yet announced its candidate for the by-election on June 6th, but Nigel Farage has said he was now “too busy” to stand an eighth time for parliament after being defeated each time.

Instead, party convert George Galloway has claimed he would consider standing for the party.

A poll found that a Remain unity slate could have doubled the number of MEPs elected to the European parliament in comparison to the splintered options currently on the ballot.