Tories refuse to spend on ‘lost’ EU election

THE Conservatives are planning to spend as little as possible in the European elections amid a mounting grassroots backlash over Brexit.

Brandon Lewis, the chairman of the Conservative Party, is considering reducing costs by not printing any leaflets or making any political broadcasts.

Downing Street has suggested that the party may not even host a formal campaign launch as polls suggest the Tories will face a heavy defeat.

While Theresa May has said she wants to secure a Brexit deal before the elections on May 23, avoiding the need for European elections, privately Downing Street believes it will be impossible to do so.

The Conservatives are losing support to Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party, with polling suggesting that half of Tory voters will turn their backs on Mrs May.

Sir Mick Davis, the Conservatives’ chief executive, recently told Cabinet ministers that the party was in urgent need of more donations.

It comes as talks between Tories and Labour to strike a deal are on the brink of collapsing. Sources on both sides said the talks are likely to come to an end on Monday or Tuesday next week.

Yesterday, Jeremy Corbyn faced a backlash over a draft Labour campaign leaflet that was due to be sent to voters that failed to state the party’s policy to push for a second referendum.

The Huffington Post reported that key frontbenchers were not consulted on the leaflet, including Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, who was said to be “absolutely furious”.

The leaflet is being rewritten to include the pledge.