Tory plan to CRUSH Labour: Conservatives 'fast track candidates for Remoaner MP seats'
THE Tories have stepped plans to crush Labour in its heartlands by fast tracking candidates for target seats held by Remoaner MPs.
The Tories have stepped up plans to crush Labour in its heartlands
The Daily Express has learnt that Tory candidates for Labour seats which are seen as “highly winnable” were told by party bosses that they would be reselected and to start their campaigns to unseat Labour MPs.
With Jeremy Corbyn’s party in disarray under his hard Left leadership and polls suggesting they could be reduced to 150 or less seats, Tory central office has decided to go on the offensive.
Among the candidates from 2015, who have been told to start campaigning again is Julie Marson who is standing again in Dagenham and Rainham against Labour MP Jon Cruddas.
Other seats from a long list of vulnerable Labour constituencies include Chester, Ealing Central & Acton, Wirral West, Halifax and Brentford.
Party bosses have told candidates that “fast tracking” means the constituencies are likely to have major campaigning resources focussed on them.
According to calculations based on current polling the Tories could reach 412 seats while Labour falls to 150 or less, its lowest number since the Second World War.
Senior sources have suggested that Tory central office is looking at voter swing calculations
Jeremy Corbyn SLAMS 'morally bankrupt' Conservatives
Senior sources have suggested that Tory central office is looking at voter swing calculations and seats which backed Brexit in the referendum with Remoaner Labour MPs who have struggled to accept the will of the British people.
We believe this is now a two horse race between the Conservatives and Labour
Dagenham’s Mr Cruddas is one of a long list of Labour MPs in areas which voted Leave who betrayed their constituents and backed Remain in the referendum.
In the last election he held on to his seat by almost 5,000 votes after his opposition split evenly between the Tories and Ukip, but it is understood that the Conservatives will pour resources into the constituency this time round.
Jeremy Corbyn out on the campaign trail
A senior Tory source said: “We stand a real chance of winning there.”
Ms Marson said: “I’m delighted to have been asked to run again in Dagenham and Rainham.
"It is a constituency which has been badly let down by Labour in the past not least with an MP who voted Remain when almost two thirds of the constituency voted Leave.
Tory candidates are being fast tracked target seats held by remoaners
“We believe this is now a two horse race between the Conservatives and Labour, between having an MP who will help deliver Brexit or one who will support Labour’s attempts to water it down or stop it.”
The seat is also a key target for Ukip with former Labour member and local businessman Peter Harris standing again after coming second in 2015.