Deselection threat hovers over area’s MPs

MPs in West Norfolk could face the threat of deselection as the crisis over Brexit continues to deepen.

A pro-Leave campaign group has launched a bid to topple Conservative MPs who it accuses of obstructing the 2016 referendum result.

And two MPs from our area are thought to be among those under threat.

The drive is being spearheaded by Leave.EU, the anti-EU organisation associated with the controversial businessman Aaron Banks.

It says it wants to build a network of Conservative party members to unseat what they describe as “Remainer MPs”.

The organisation’s website features Mid-Norfolk MP George Freeman among its targets, while some members are also thought to be unhappy with the South West Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss.

North West Norfolk MP Sir Henry Bellingham admitted yesterday that he was also getting “a lot of flak” over the issue.

He said: “A large number of people are very, very angry.”

Anger among Tory MPs and activists has grown further following the start of talks between the Government and Labour this week in a bid to end the deadlock.

But Sir Henry said Prime Minister Theresa May had “tried very hard” to secure the support of hardline Brexiteers for her withdrawal agreement, which was rejected for a third time by MPs last Friday.

He also suggested Mrs May could have reached out to opposition parties much earlier, after the last general election.

But the Conservatives are not the only party divided on Europe after North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb criticised colleagues for blocking alternative Brexit options in Monday’s indicative votes.

However, Rob Colwell, chairman of the Norfolk for Europe group which wants a new referendum said this week’s developments showed a much longer extension to the Article 50 process than the current one was now needed.

He said: “It is very clear that the Prime Minister must now legislate for a People’s Vote. The general public is fed up with the huge waste of time, money and resources being spent on Brexit.”