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2019 European elections: Lib Dems stand on 'stop Brexit' message | 2019 European elections: Lib Dems stand on 'stop Brexit' message |
(30 minutes later) | |
The Liberal Democrats have launched their European election campaign with an "unambiguous" pledge to stop Brexit. | |
Leader Sir Vince Cable accused the Conservatives and Labour of a "stitch-up" and said a "people's vote" was the only way to end the Brexit "paralysis". | |
He added it was "a pity" that fellow Remain-backing party Change UK had not agreed to running a combined campaign. | |
The UK is due to leave the EU on 31 October, after Brexit was delayed, amid continuing parliamentary deadlock. | |
It means the UK must now hold European elections on 23 May, or leave on 1 June without a deal. | It means the UK must now hold European elections on 23 May, or leave on 1 June without a deal. |
But if agreement can be reached among MPs before 22 May, the UK could cancel its participation in the European parliamentary elections. | But if agreement can be reached among MPs before 22 May, the UK could cancel its participation in the European parliamentary elections. |
However, cross-party talks aimed at reaching consensus have yet to make significant progress. | However, cross-party talks aimed at reaching consensus have yet to make significant progress. |
Speaking in Wapping, east London, Sir Vince said his "exit from Brexit" catchphrase had been regarded as a "bit wacky" when he first used it in July 2017 but was now "the mainstream". | |
He likened the party's stance on Brexit to its opposition to the 2003 invasion of Iraq - backed by the Conservatives and Labour at the time. | |
"At the time we were regarded as way out on a limb, unpatriotic - and we were vindicated, we were proved right. And that's why I believe we will be right about Europe." | "At the time we were regarded as way out on a limb, unpatriotic - and we were vindicated, we were proved right. And that's why I believe we will be right about Europe." |
'Not reciprocated' | |
But he said he regretted that the Liberal Democrats were not standing on a common platform with other Remain-backing parties to stop Brexit. | |
"The Liberal Democrats made it very clear we were happy to work with others. It wasn't reciprocated and we are going our own way." | |
He described reports of a leaked document which suggests that newly formed Change UK will seek to "win over" Liberal Democrat supporters, as "unfortunate". | He described reports of a leaked document which suggests that newly formed Change UK will seek to "win over" Liberal Democrat supporters, as "unfortunate". |
Chris Leslie, the former Labour MP who quit the party to join Change UK, told Business Insider an alliance between anti-Brexit parties "wasn't ever on the agenda", adding: "They [the Lib Dems] have fallen below a critical mass and haven't had the drive to get out of that for a long time. We are starting afresh and don't come with that baggage." | |
Asked about the interview, Sir Vince said: "There are millions of people out there willing us to work together and they will feel angry and betrayed if they find petty tribalism is trumping that - that's the old politics." | |
He said he expected the party to do well but added: "It is a pity and I regret that we are not doing a combined campaign." | |
At the end of March, Prime Minister Theresa May said the public would find it "unacceptable" to have to elect a new group of 72 MEPs almost three years after they voted to leave the EU. | |
But earlier this month, she agreed a Brexit delay to 31 October with the EU, with the option of leaving earlier if her withdrawal agreement is approved by Parliament. |