Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage has challenged Jeremy Corbyn to a debate ahead of the European Parliament elections in a bid to target traditional Labour voters.
Speaking has he warned a Brexit deal between Labour and the Conservatives would be “the final betrayal” he challenged the Labour leader to go head-to-head with him.
But Labour said it wouldn’t take part in the debate and branded the request “bizarre”.
Speaking to Sophy Ridge on Sky’s Ridge On Sunday, Mr Farage said: “There are five million voters out there, Labour voters, who voted to leave, particularly in the Midlands, the north, and south Wales.
“I would love between now and polling to have a debate with Jeremy Corbyn about this because people are very confused about what Labour are standing for.”
Mr Farage added: “I think if we can dig into the Labour vote, we can surprise even ourselves.”
A Labour Party source said: “Jeremy took part in debates through the 2017 general election.
“But of course we would not do a head to head debate with only one of the parties standing, which has only just been formed and has no chance of forming a government.
“That would be bizarre.”
(Image: PA)
Mr Farage said he had given 26 years of his life to Ukip, but the party is now “past its sell-by date”.
He said: “It’s done, it’s gone.”
Asked whether Ukip is a racist party, or at risk of becoming one, Mr Farage said: “I think that it has attracted individuals that I would never have allowed.”
He was also critical of Labour and the Conservatives, warning that a deal between the two parties that pushed for the UK to remain part of a customs union could be seen as a “coalition of politicians against the people”.
He said: “I think millions of people would give up on both Labour and the Conservatives.”
He added: “This would be the final betrayal. Frankly, if May signs up to this, I can’t see the point of the Conservative Party even existing. What is it for?”
