MEP James Carver quits after firing Brexit broadside at Theresa May

Mr Carver, who was elected as Ukip candidate five years ago but now sits as an independent, said he will be retiring from politics to return to his umbrella manufacturing business. His West Midlands constituency covers Shropshire, the Black Country, Worcestershire and Staffordshire.

He will remain an MEP until the end of June, but will not sit in the European Parliament again due to the recess, and his Kidderminster office will close tomorrow.

Mr Carver said: “I have campaigned for more than 20 years for Britain to regain its independence from the shackles of the EU, but my joy at the referendum result in 2016 has been soured by the inept handling of Brexit by the Conservative government and Parliament’s failure to endorse the decision of the people and leave on WTO terms on the date set.”

Mr Carver described the Prime Minister’s withdrawal agreement as the ‘worst in history’. “It is about leaving the UK tied to EU rules but with no influence, a backstop that potentially locks us into a customs union indefinitely and a bill of at least £39 billion,” he said.

“It satisfies no-one, neither Remainers nor Leavers, and our MPs should have voted to leave on World Trade Organisation terms, enabling the UK to trade around the world, free from the protectionist, self-serving EU with its desire for ever closer union.”

“Tariffs are falling across the globe – the fear of Armageddon is unfounded, and businesses would not allow political motivations to harm their trading opportunities.”

Mr Carver said he had been proud to serve the West Midlands as an MEP for the past five years.

He added: “I have done my best to help, support and campaign for the region and its people.

“At the same time, I have, of course, taken every opportunity in Brussels and Strasbourg, as well as back home, to speak out against what I believe is the negative impact of the European Union on the UK and the rest of Europe.”