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Brexit Party unveils Jewish candidates for Hendon and Finchley and Golders Green seats
Social worker who is 'member of the Orthodox community' and a healthcare and technology adviser will contest the north London seats
August 21, 2019 12:02
Social worker who is 'member of the Orthodox community' and a healthcare and technology adviser will contest the north London seats
August 21, 2019 12:02Two Jewish candidates are to contest the Hendon and Finchley and Golders Green seats for the Brexit Party at the next election.
Yosef David, 32, a social worker who describes himself as “a member of the Orthodox Jewish community,” has been selected as the party’s prospective parliamentary candidate (PPC) in Hendon, where Conservative Mathew Offord has been the MP since 2010.
Julia Pelta, 43, a healthcare and technology adviser, has been unveiled as the PCC in neighbouring Finchley and Golders Green, which is currently represented by Tory MP Mike Freer.
In a statement Mr David said: “I am delighted to have been selected to stand in the constituency of Hendon.
“I pledge to make it my duty to tirelessly strive for the best interest of this hardworking, vibrant and diverse community.
“I have deep and enduring links to the area as I have grown up, gone to school and today work in Hendon.
“It will be my honour to give back to my local area and work with residents to support their needs."
Ms Pelta added: “I feel immensely privileged to have been selected and to be representing The Brexit Party in Finchley and Golders Green.
“I have lived in the area for over 10 years and know what a vibrant and diverse community I will be representing.
“I want to serve democracy as well as stand against racism and promote diversity. I encourage you to reach out to me with the issues that matter to you."
Both candidates were among more than 50 candidates selected to represent the party at the next election.
After its formation in April, the Eurosceptic party’s treasurer Michael McGough was removed from his position after he was found to have made antisemitic and homophobic social media posts.
That same month Mr Farage said that there was "no difference between the Brexit party and UKIP in terms of policy, [but] in terms of personnel, there's a vast difference", criticising UKIP's connections to the far right.
Mr Farage has dismissed Jewish groups and MPs' criticism over claims he has repeatedly used themes associated with antisemitism to criticise the financier George Soros, calling the allegations “pathetic”.
Earlier this week it emerged that Ann Widdecombe and two other Brexit Party figures have appeared numerous times on a radio show which has hosted conspiracy theorists and Holocaust deniers.
Ms Widdecombe, one of the party’s MEPs, appeared on the Richie Allen Show – which has links to conspiracy theorist David Icke – three times between August 2017 and April 2019.
In the 2019 European Parliament elections the Brexit Party became the largest British party in that Parliament.
But one month later they failed to secure an expected victory in a key by-election in Peterborough.
Hailing the new list of Brexit Party election candidates, Mr Farage said: “With Boris Johnson already watering down Brexit, and looking to bounce the country into an early general election, trust is now the key issue in British politics.
“Our great candidates will not stand for Mrs May’s Treaty being repackaged, it is still the worst deal in history and a betrayal of leave voters.
“That’s why we are ready to fight in every seat to secure the Brexit that 17.4m voted for.”
Jewish businessman Lance Foreman was elected a London MEP for the Brexit Party in May's European elections.
