This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/aug/11/vince-cable-says-centre-of-gravity-shifts-towards-peoples-vote
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Vince Cable says ‘centre of gravity’ shifting to second Brexit referendum | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The “centre of gravity” on Brexit is shifting towards a second referendum on the final deal, the Liberal Democrat leader has said. | The “centre of gravity” on Brexit is shifting towards a second referendum on the final deal, the Liberal Democrat leader has said. |
| Vince Cable was speaking as thousands of opponents of Brexit in the south-west of England took part in the first of a series of regional days of action planned by the People’s Vote campaign across the country. | Vince Cable was speaking as thousands of opponents of Brexit in the south-west of England took part in the first of a series of regional days of action planned by the People’s Vote campaign across the country. |
| He was joining Conservative and Labour MPs and a Green MEP in addressing more than 700 supporters of a second referendum at Colston Hall in Bristol. | He was joining Conservative and Labour MPs and a Green MEP in addressing more than 700 supporters of a second referendum at Colston Hall in Bristol. |
| Cable rejected claims that it would be undemocratic to put the question of EU membership back to another public vote, after the 52%–48% victory for leave in 2016. | Cable rejected claims that it would be undemocratic to put the question of EU membership back to another public vote, after the 52%–48% victory for leave in 2016. |
| Promises of a smooth and amicable withdrawal deal and a cash boost for the NHS had proved unfounded, Donald Trump’s protectionist policies had cast doubt on Brexiters’ vision of new trade deals and voters were now more aware of the complexities of issues such as the Irish border, he said. | Promises of a smooth and amicable withdrawal deal and a cash boost for the NHS had proved unfounded, Donald Trump’s protectionist policies had cast doubt on Brexiters’ vision of new trade deals and voters were now more aware of the complexities of issues such as the Irish border, he said. |
| “The world has changed,” Cable told Sky News. “It is perfectly reasonable to go back to the public and ask, ‘is this what you really want or do you want to stay in the EU and reform it from within?’ It is a perfectly legitimate democratic expression. | “The world has changed,” Cable told Sky News. “It is perfectly reasonable to go back to the public and ask, ‘is this what you really want or do you want to stay in the EU and reform it from within?’ It is a perfectly legitimate democratic expression. |
| “It is perfectly normal in countries that have a tradition of referendums – which we haven’t in the UK – to have confirmatory votes at the end to see whether people are happy with what the government has negotiated.” | “It is perfectly normal in countries that have a tradition of referendums – which we haven’t in the UK – to have confirmatory votes at the end to see whether people are happy with what the government has negotiated.” |
| The Lib Dem leader said it was possible that MPs would find it impossible to deliver a majority in the House of Commons on any of the most likely outcomes – a no-deal Brexit, a negotiated deal along the lines proposed by Theresa May or continued EU membership. | The Lib Dem leader said it was possible that MPs would find it impossible to deliver a majority in the House of Commons on any of the most likely outcomes – a no-deal Brexit, a negotiated deal along the lines proposed by Theresa May or continued EU membership. |
| He added it would be difficult if MPs attempted to reverse the 2016 result without securing the explicit consent of the public. | He added it would be difficult if MPs attempted to reverse the 2016 result without securing the explicit consent of the public. |
| “I think it is difficult when you have had a public vote for parliament to then overturn it,” he said. “I think there is a need to go back to the public, to have proper democratic legitimacy.” | “I think it is difficult when you have had a public vote for parliament to then overturn it,” he said. “I think there is a need to go back to the public, to have proper democratic legitimacy.” |
| Cable also pointed to a nationwide poll of more than 10,000 voters which this week found that Britain would back continued EU membership by 53% to 47% if a referendum was held now. | Cable also pointed to a nationwide poll of more than 10,000 voters which this week found that Britain would back continued EU membership by 53% to 47% if a referendum was held now. |
| About 45% of 10,121 adults questioned by YouGov for the People’s Vote wanted a referendum on the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, with 34% opposed. | About 45% of 10,121 adults questioned by YouGov for the People’s Vote wanted a referendum on the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, with 34% opposed. |
| And 50% said that the public should have the final say on whether the UK crashes out of the bloc without a deal if talks break down, compared to just 25% who said parliament should decide. | And 50% said that the public should have the final say on whether the UK crashes out of the bloc without a deal if talks break down, compared to just 25% who said parliament should decide. |
| “It is very clear that the public is moving in our direction,” said the Lib Dem leader. | “It is very clear that the public is moving in our direction,” said the Lib Dem leader. |
| “Polls in the last few days suggest there is a 10-point margin between those who favour a fresh vote as opposed to those against. | “Polls in the last few days suggest there is a 10-point margin between those who favour a fresh vote as opposed to those against. |
| “It’s clear that the centre of gravity is moving and it is absolutely right we reflect that.” | “It’s clear that the centre of gravity is moving and it is absolutely right we reflect that.” |
| The event in Bristol will be followed by others in Edinburgh, Newcastle, Cambridge and Cardiff before culminating in marches to coincide with the Labour party conference in Liverpool and the Conservative conference in Birmingham. | The event in Bristol will be followed by others in Edinburgh, Newcastle, Cambridge and Cardiff before culminating in marches to coincide with the Labour party conference in Liverpool and the Conservative conference in Birmingham. |
| Brexit | Brexit |
| Vince Cable | Vince Cable |
| Foreign policy | Foreign policy |
| European Union | European Union |
| Europe | Europe |
| Donald Trump | Donald Trump |
| news | news |
| Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
| Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
| Share via Email | Share via Email |
| Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
| Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
| Share on Google+ | Share on Google+ |
| Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
| Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
| Reuse this content | Reuse this content |