Labour face defeat in Copeland by-election as hopeful backs ‘open borders’ in seat where 62% voted for Brexit

A LABOUR by-election candidate has backed an “open borders” policy - despite constituents signalling they want tighter immigration controls.

Remainer Gillian Troughton declared during the referendum campaign that making ‘Britain stronger’ wasn’t the point of the referendum vote.

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The former NHS worker declared in a graphic tweet: “Open borders and common markets allow us the freedom to explore and understand the world we share”.

The candidate’s views were posted on the afternoon of June 23rd last year as the nation voted in the EU poll with her tweet saying “A reminder #voteRemain”.

Labour face a fight to hold on to the Copeland, Cumbria, seat and internal polling shows they have fallen to third place with leader Jeremy Corbyn’s “incompetence” to blame, according to a source.

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The party have held the Copeland seat for 80 years and are defending a 2,564 majority.
It will be compounded as an estimated 62 per cent voted for Leave in the area.

She also caused controversy this week when she tweeted that Theresa May’s plan to control immigration and leave the single market was “scary stuff - and way beyond anything that people voted for”.

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The government hasn’t won a seat off the official opposition since the Tories took Mitcham and Morden, in London, in 1982.

The party also face a fight in Stoke Central after Tristram Hunt accepted a position as director of the Victoria and Albert museum in London.

Ukip leader Paul Nuttall has declared he will contest the seat.

The party’s immigration policy is in disarray after party leader Jeremy Corbyn caused major confusion over the party’s stance.

He said in a speech that “Labour is not wedded to free movement of people” but added “nor do we rule it out”.

Andrew Gwynne, Campaign Co-ordinator for the Copeland by-election, said: “It is no secret that Gillian campaigned for remain, however she accepts the referendum result and the decision of Copeland residents to vote to leave.

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“When Gillian is elected, she will fight to make sure we get the best deal for West Cumbria when we exit. The people of West Cumbria and our economy cannot afford a shambolic Tory Brexit.”

Tory MP Andrew Stephenson last night said: “Statements like this from Labour’s candidate in Copeland are extremely disappointing, but they don’t come as a surprise.

“Time and again, Labour have shown that they are not prepared to respect the result of the referendum and to make a success of Brexit.”

“Only the Conservatives can be trusted to make a success of Brexit and to deliver the vital investment that will provide the jobs and better services that ordinary working Cumbrians deserve.”