There is a “grassroots revolt” from Tory chairmen who do to want to fight the European elections, claimed Iain Duncan Smith. The Brexiteer MP warned many are “upset and concerned” over the repercussions it may have in local elections. Mr Duncan Smith told Ridge on Sunday: “There are lots and lots of chairmen out there who do not want to fight the European elections. And lots who are fighting the May elections right now, who are upset and concerned that they are going to have a backlash in what is very important local elections.”

News presenter Sophy Ridge asked: “So there could be a grassroots revolt, if you like?”

The former Work and Pensions Secretary replied: “Well there already is to be quite frank. People do not want to fight the Euro elections.

“They want to get on with the May elections and they want to do it in a sense that they can say to the public ‘we promised you we would leave, we are and have left, so we will leave before the Euro elections take place.’

“That is the key position to be.”

There are lots and lots of chairmen out there who do not want to fight the European elections

Iain Duncan Smith

He added: “And by the way, I have real concern with some of my colleagues going out lauding Jeremy Corbyn and saying ‘somehow we agree with quite a lot’ in all of this.

“We used to say that he is not fit for Government, my view is he is not fit for Government and nor are his policies, which would wreck the economy.

“We need to be very clear that in the course of this we do not end up letting Jeremy Corbyn dictate to us that we stay in customs union or we have some kind of second referendum or we are aligned with the European singles market.

“All of that, given to us by Jeremy Corbyn, is a recipe for disaster.”

The UK will likely be forced to participate in the European Parliament elections, if a Brexit deal is not passed by May 22 after it was forced to accept an extended Brexit deadline from Brussels until October 31.

The European Parliament elections in 2014 saw Ukip come out on top in a tight contest with 27.49 percent of the vote and 24 MEPs, followed by the Labour Party (25.4 percent and 20 MEPs) and Conservative Party (23.93 percent and 19 MEPs).

However, a new Open Europe poll conducted by Hanbury Strategy of 2,000 people from April 5-8 has revealed Labour could could dominate the European elections and build a huge lead over their rivals.

Asked about which party they are intending to vote for, Labour led the way with 37.8 percent – up by around 50 percent from four years ago. The Conservative Party are a distant second with 23 percent of the vote, followed by Nigel Farage’s new Brexit Party (10.3 percent), Liberal Democrats (8.1 percent) and Ukip (7.5 percent).

Nearly half (48.1 percent) of Leave voters said they were either likely or very likely to support the Brexit Party in the upcoming elections, compared to 18 percent of Remain voters.

A third (33.4 percent) of Remain voters also said they were “likely” or “very likely” to back Change UK – formerly know as The Independent Group (TIG) – which they were told is in favour of a second referendum on Britain’s exit from the EU.

In contrast, 22.7 percent of Leave voters suggested they are either “likely” or “very likely” to support that party.

Commenting on the results, Open Europe director Harry Newman said: “Right across the EU, European elections are seen by voters as an opportunity to register a protest.

“Those elections will give the public a chance to send a message on Brexit.

“These early results suggest that Labour are on track for a strong performance in the European elections, with the Conservative vote significantly squeezed.

“The Brexit party and Change UK – new challenger parties at either extreme of the Brexit debate – are likely to do well, allowing them to secure a foothold in elected national politics.”

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