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Remainers in Canterbury have been accused of using “magical maths” after claiming a triumph at the polls despite the Brexit Party’s victory at the European Parliament elections.
Nigel Farage’s party romped home in the district as it gained 37% of the vote, with the Lib Dems an impressive second and the Greens in third.
The two major parties suffered heavy blows as Labour dropped to fourth and the Conservatives plummeted to a lowly fifth with 6,511 fewer votes than last time out.
With a turnout of 42.2%, a total of 45,127 people across Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable headed to the polls - 7% higher than in 2014.
But despite victory for the newly formed Brexit Party, opposition groups claim Sunday’s results prove there is a clear mandate for a second EU referendum.
In a tweet, Labour MP Rosie Duffield said: “Farage and his party may have won several seats in south east tonight with 915,686 votes but important to note that combined vote for clear remain candidates in remain parties here was 1,287,502. #FinalSay now urgent. We must #PutItToThePeople so we can be sure.”
Labour saw its share of the vote drop by 2,177 from 2014, when Ukip triumphed with 34.4% of the votes.
Mike Sole, a Lib Dem city councillor, shares Ms Duffield’s views that the results indicate more support for Remain in the district.
“Anyone who says otherwise is just trying to kid themselves,” he said.
“Yes, the Brexit Party came first in most places but the biggest share was for the Remain parties.
“Everyone can interpret the results however they want. It was great news for us Lib Dems as we’re back and the two-party system of the Conservatives and Labour is broken.
“The only way forward now is to have a second referendum. No one knows what Leave actually means - whether it be with a deal or without - whereas everyone knows what Remain means.”
The claims have been branded “absolutely bonkers” by Canterbury Conservatives chairman Greig Baker.
Mr Baker, who admits his party suffered a “crushing result” due to the national uncertainty, said: “They’ve got a completely nonsense argument.
“The Brexit Party won by a considerable margin in a constituency that was divided in the referendum.
“I find it hugely dispiriting that they are using magical maths to come up with a Remain majority which clearly doesn’t exist - it’s absolutely bonkers.”
Across Kent, The Brexit Party took the most votes in every single council area.
Party leader Nigel Farage claimed the results would be repeated if there was a General Election. His party won by majorities of more than 8,000 in seven boroughs in Kent, with the largest margin of victory 22,214 in Me way.
But, for all their dominance in Kent, the Brexit Party only came away with four MEPs out of the 10 up for grabs in the south east.
The Tories, Labour and Greens each have one seat, while the Lib Dems were rewarded with three.
Mr Farage said: “Never before has British politics had a new party launch six weeks ago that topped the poll of a national election.
“The reason is very obvious - we voted to leave in a referendum and we haven’t.
“There is a huge message there - Labour and Conservatives could learn something from this but I don’t suppose they will.
“I hope the government is listening. If we don’t leave by October 31, the scores that we have seen tonight will be repeated in a General Election and we are getting ready for it.”
