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Lib Dems pledge to cancel Brexit if they win general election | Lib Dems pledge to cancel Brexit if they win general election |
(33 minutes later) | |
The Liberal Democrats have pledged to cancel Brexit if they come to power at the next general election. | The Liberal Democrats have pledged to cancel Brexit if they come to power at the next general election. |
Members voted for the new policy at their party conference in Bournemouth by an overwhelming majority. | Members voted for the new policy at their party conference in Bournemouth by an overwhelming majority. |
Previously, the party has backed another referendum or "People's Vote", saying they would campaign to Remain. | Previously, the party has backed another referendum or "People's Vote", saying they would campaign to Remain. |
After the vote, their leader Jo Swinson, said: "We will do all we can to fight for our place in Europe, and to stop Brexit altogether." | After the vote, their leader Jo Swinson, said: "We will do all we can to fight for our place in Europe, and to stop Brexit altogether." |
She also confirmed that before an election is called, the Lib Dems would continue to work with other opposition parties to campaign for a further referendum, and to prevent a "dangerous" no-deal Brexit. | She also confirmed that before an election is called, the Lib Dems would continue to work with other opposition parties to campaign for a further referendum, and to prevent a "dangerous" no-deal Brexit. |
In his first speech at conference as a Lib Dem MP, Chuka Umunna - who left Labour over its Brexit stance - said it would give the party a "clear unequivocal position". | In his first speech at conference as a Lib Dem MP, Chuka Umunna - who left Labour over its Brexit stance - said it would give the party a "clear unequivocal position". |
He said: "This [policy] will stop this national embarrassment and enable us to focus on the things that really matter." | He said: "This [policy] will stop this national embarrassment and enable us to focus on the things that really matter." |
But former Lib Dem MP Simon Hughes had called on members to reject the policy, saying it would "take the focus away" from getting another referendum. | But former Lib Dem MP Simon Hughes had called on members to reject the policy, saying it would "take the focus away" from getting another referendum. |
He said that as the first referendum was a decision made by the people, "it can only be the people who can reverse [it]". | He said that as the first referendum was a decision made by the people, "it can only be the people who can reverse [it]". |
The government says it is trying to get a deal with the EU so it can leave on 31 October - the current deadline agreed with the EU. | The government says it is trying to get a deal with the EU so it can leave on 31 October - the current deadline agreed with the EU. |
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the "entire machinery of government" was focused on securing that deal. | Home Secretary Priti Patel said the "entire machinery of government" was focused on securing that deal. |
MPs passed a new law earlier this month that forces Boris Johnson to ask the EU for an extension to the deadline if a deal isn't agreed by 19 October - two days after a key EU summit. | MPs passed a new law earlier this month that forces Boris Johnson to ask the EU for an extension to the deadline if a deal isn't agreed by 19 October - two days after a key EU summit. |
But the prime minister has said he would rather be "dead in a ditch" that ask for a delay, and the UK will leave the EU at the end of next month "whatever happens". | But the prime minister has said he would rather be "dead in a ditch" that ask for a delay, and the UK will leave the EU at the end of next month "whatever happens". |
The PM is due to meet European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker in Luxembourg this week as negotiations aimed at securing a deal continue. | The PM is due to meet European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker in Luxembourg this week as negotiations aimed at securing a deal continue. |
The motion said that if the party became the government at the next general election, it would revoke Article 50 - the law that ensures the UK leaves the EU. | The motion said that if the party became the government at the next general election, it would revoke Article 50 - the law that ensures the UK leaves the EU. |
Earlier, Ms Swinson told the BBC's Andrew Marr show: "If people put [the Lib Dems] into government... the stop Brexit party, then stopping Brexit is exactly what people will get. | Earlier, Ms Swinson told the BBC's Andrew Marr show: "If people put [the Lib Dems] into government... the stop Brexit party, then stopping Brexit is exactly what people will get. |
"Everybody can see we are stuck, that Brexit is in a mess. There needs to be a way out of that." | "Everybody can see we are stuck, that Brexit is in a mess. There needs to be a way out of that." |
Moving the motion in Bournemouth, Sir Vince said: "Brexit will make us poorer and risks breaking up our United Kingdom. | Moving the motion in Bournemouth, Sir Vince said: "Brexit will make us poorer and risks breaking up our United Kingdom. |
"We must stop it and we will." | "We must stop it and we will." |
He added: "Jo [Swinson] is ready to steer us back into government as our new captain. | He added: "Jo [Swinson] is ready to steer us back into government as our new captain. |
"And now, I am full of confidence and hope for our party and for our country." | "And now, I am full of confidence and hope for our party and for our country." |
The Lib Dems are enjoying a resurgence on the back of its anti-Brexit stance. | The Lib Dems are enjoying a resurgence on the back of its anti-Brexit stance. |
The party currently has 18 MPs, having been boosted by a victory in the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election, along with defections from both Labour and the Conservatives over the summer. | The party currently has 18 MPs, having been boosted by a victory in the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election, along with defections from both Labour and the Conservatives over the summer. |
The latest to join the ranks is former Conservative Sam Gyimah, who had the Tory whip removed earlier this month when he voted to block a no-deal Brexit. | The latest to join the ranks is former Conservative Sam Gyimah, who had the Tory whip removed earlier this month when he voted to block a no-deal Brexit. |