General election 2019: Nigel Farage claims Labour campaign is 'bombing' after Jeremy Corbyn declared 'neutral' Brexit stance

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage has a drink in the Market Hall at Middleton Grange Shopping Centre
PA
Rebecca Speare-Cole23 November 2019
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Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage has said the Labour election campaign is "bombing" after Jeremy Corbyn announced his decision to stay "neutral" in a mooted second EU referendum.

Speaking on a visit to market stallholders in Hartlepool, Mr Farage said the Labour leader's stance showed a "failure of leadership".

Mr Corbyn revealed his position on Brexit on BBC's Question Time on Friday after facing widespread criticism for sitting on the fence.

As he stopped for a drink at the King John Tavern, Mr Farage said: "Brexit is the defining issue of our day and the leader of the Labour Party is going to abstain from that.

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage eats a millionaire shortbread in the Market Hall at Middleton Grange Shopping Centre
PA

"I find that astonishing. It's a failure of leadership. It's also a reflection that he knows his own parliamentary party are Remainers... so he's still trying to stay on that fence and it's not working.

"And I think, frankly, people would say just come down on one side or the other and I think my feeling is the Labour campaign is bombing and that last night made it worse."

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage campaigns in Hartlepool during the Brexit Party general election campaign tour
Getty Images

Mr Farage added that the Brexit Party could win Labour seats in the election if it attracted ballots from Conservative voters.

He said patriotic voters in places like Hartlepool would vote for his party because of their view of Mr Corbyn.

Nigel Farage (left) with Brexit Party Chairman and parliamentary candidate for Hartlepool, Richard Tice (right) in the Market Hall
PA

He said: "I think the Brexit issue is huge, I think the patriotic issue is huge, I think Corbyn is not seen as being very patriotic and I think if Conservative voters in these areas realise that we're the challenger and come to us, then we could (beat Labour), absolutely."

Mr Farage said resolving the Brexit issue would help restore the public's faith in politics.

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage speaks with drinkers in the Kings Johns Tavern
PA

"What was interesting though, and I felt it when I did it, from the audience last night was the sheer level of hostility.

"This is real, people are very angry with politics, their faith and trust in Parliament, politicians, has never, ever been lower and goodness me it shows.

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage eats a millionaire shortbread in the Market Hall
PA

"This is why, actually, getting Brexit done properly will allow us to get people to believe that if they vote for something it might actually happen."

Mr Farage arrived in Hartlepool on the Brexit Party battle bus and visited the Market Hall in Middleton Grange shopping centre.

General Election 2019 - In pictures

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Wearing a flat cap and calf-length wax jacket, Mr Farage spoke to a number of stallholders and bought a caramel slice and a £1.29 Christmas card for his mother.

Mr Farage later joined canvassers knocking on doors in Hartlepool.

Speaking as he walked through the residential area, he said he believed there would be a low turnout in the election.

But several voters on the doorstep said he had their vote.

Kenneth Melvin, a former Labour voter, said he would be voting for the Brexit Party because he could not trust Labour.

Debbie Franks, a Weight Watchers coach, said she was still undecided but would not vote for either of the two main parties.

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