Change UK – The Independent Group launched the party’s European election campaign with Heidi Allen, interim leader, claiming 3,700 people had offered to stand for the party. BBC host Jo Coburn clashed with former Labour Party MP Chuka Umunna on Politics Live, over the success the Brexit Party had seen in recent polling. Mr Umunna said: “It is important to state that this is not just about Brexit, it is about two competing visions of our country.

“The xenophobic, nasty, nationalistic politics of Nigel Farage, which has basically been adopted wholesale by the Conservative Party.

“And a different vision of an open, ambitious, thriving country that wants to ensure that everybody has got a stake in the future. Much more positive.”

BBC host Coburn stepped in pointing out the polling success of Mr Farage’s Brexit Party.

She said: “You say that, but the polls do speak for themselves at the moment and they have got a head start.

You say that, but the polls do speak for themselves at the moment and they have got a head start

BBC host Jo Coburn

“This tweet from Alex Wickham, a journalist who was at another launch, presumably of the new Brexit Party candidates, and says they have got an environmentalist, an Afghan vet, a charity director, an entrepreneur, a nurse.

“You are not the only newcomers here with a fresh open approach, as you put it.

“Alex Wickham goes on to say ‘This morning’s new Change UK candidates: Boris Johnson’s sister, two former Tory MPs, that BBC guy and QC who tweet a lot…’”.

The Change UK MP replied: “I didn’t say to you in my comments just a moment ago that we exclusively are the new kids on the block.

“On one end of this debate, people who want an open, positive vision of Britain. Open to new ideas, not seeking to blame immigrants for all our problems. We are offering a very clear agenda there.

“At the opposite end of the spectrum, you have got this Brexit Party. Let’s not beat around the bush here, I think Nigel Farage’s outfit so far have been given a fairly easy ride.”

Last week Mr Farage’s Brexit Party topped the polls for the European elections with 27 percent of the vote, with Change UK securing just 6 percent.

The poll, which was conducted by YouGov, also says Labour fell to 22 percent, and the Conservative Party to 15 percent, after it asked 1855 people between the 15 and 16 of April.

On Tuesday, Ms Allen said candidates who had put themselves forward for Change UK – The Independent Group were from “every corner of the UK” and from “all walks of life”.

She said: “We are here to say we stand ready.

“These elections are a chance to send the clearest possible message – we demand a People’s Vote and the right to campaign to remain in the European Union. We are not afraid to say it as clearly as that.”

She added: “This is no rebel alliance – this is the home of the remain alliance.”

The UK will be forced to take part in European elections if the Prime Minister cannot get a Brexit deal through the Commons before the end of May.

Mrs May is expected to try to bring her deal back another time, and the Government re-entered talks with the Labour Party on Tuesday to try to find a solution to the deadlock.

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