World

Damian Hinds: European elections 'ultimate protest vote'

May 13, 2019 5:14 am

The European Parliament elections will be seen as an opportunity for the ultimate protest vote, Education Secretary Damian Hinds has said.

He told the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme the elections would be difficult for the Conservatives and that “for some people this is the second referendum”.

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage told the show there had been a breakdown in trust between people and politicians.

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Elections for 73 MEPs to the European Parliament will take place on 23 May.

The UK had been due to leave the EU on 29 March, but the deadline was pushed back to 31 October after Parliament was unable to agree a way forward.

The government is continuing to talk to the Labour party about progress in the Brexit process, and those cross-party talks are due to continue on Monday.

Meanwhile, shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer has told the Guardian that he doubts a cross-party deal lacking a confirmatory referendum could pass Parliament.