In a keynote speech to the Liberal Democrat conference today
[15\09\18], Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Tom Brake will set
out the Liberal Democrat vision for the UK inside the EU in the
event the party secures and wins a final say vote on Brexit.
Tom Brake will outline plans to use the £3 billion earmarked for
Brexit to instead be used to regenerate the towns, cities and
communities in the greatest need. The Liberal Democrat MP
will also commit the party to reforming the...Request free trial
In a keynote speech to the Liberal Democrat
conference today [15\09\18], Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson
will set out the Liberal Democrat
vision for the UK inside the EU in the event the party secures and
wins a final say vote on Brexit.
will outline plans to use the £3
billion earmarked for Brexit to instead be used to regenerate the
towns, cities and communities in the greatest need.
The Liberal Democrat MP will also commit the party to
reforming the EU, extending the rights of EU citizens living in the
UK and the introduction of legislation to enable UK citizens living
abroad to vote in UK referendums and for MPs to represent separate
overseas constituencies.
will also criticise the lack
of clarity from Conservative Brexiters and the progress of
government negotiations. He will challenge all parties to
back a final say on the Brexit deal.
On Conservative Brexiters, Mr Brake is expected to
say:
“What is the Brexit Britain vision of the man widely tipped
to be the future leader of the Tory party, Boris -
punishment-beatings, Road to Mandalay, prosecco -
Johnson.
"We don’t know. Because he is a man of many words, but no
Brexit plan. All mouth and no trousers. A charlatan who spent
more time currying favour with Steve Bannon and sucking up to
Donald Trump than he did reading his Ministerial briefs.
"For Boris, there has always only been one agenda – the one
that puts the blonde bombshell, with the so-carefully manicured
tousled hair – into No. 10. Nothing is to get in the way of
that preening ambition. Truth, principle, loyalty, friendship, all
are expendable, as long as he secures the keys to that famous shiny
black door.
"The other half of this dastardly duo of Brexit doom,
, is busy puppeteering his ERG
members to torpedo the PM’s deal below the waterline. He pays scant
regard to the consequences of his actions. He doesn’t have to, he
is a man of means. He is not juggling two jobs to make ends meet.
Well actually he is, but he manages to make those ends meet
rather comfortably with his MPs salary and Somerset Capital
Management monthly retainer and undisclosed
dividends."
On the ‘real’ Brexit dividend, Mr Brake is expected to
say:
“My vision of a better Britain is one that will be delivered
by using the real Brexit dividend, the financial dividend liberated
by cancelling Brexit, freeing up cash to boost skills, training,
education, infrastructure, housing
and productivity.
“If we secure a final say on the deal, and if the country
backs remaining in the EU, we must pledge to use every penny of
taxpayers’ hard earned money, such as the £3 billion earmarked for
Brexit, to regenerate the towns, cities and communities in the
greatest need.”
On the rights of EU citizens, Mr Brake is expected to
say:
“Our vision secures the rights of EU citizens in the
UK. The Tory one relegates them to the bottom of the pile of
Brexit priorities.
“Ring-fencing the Withdrawal Agreement’s Chapter on citizens’
rights, without caveat, qualification or equivocation, will both
protect EU citizens and maximise the chances of UK citizens in the
EU maintaining their rights.
“Our vision goes further and enhances EU citizens’ rights. We
will ensure the right to full participation in civic life,
including the ability to stand for office or vote in UK referendums
and General Elections, is extended to all EU citizens who have
lived in the UK for five years or longer.”
On UK citizens living abroad, Mr Brake is expected to
say:
“Those who will be most affected by Brexit were those
deliberately excluded from the vote 2 years ago. They were not just
EU citizens in the UK, but also UK citizens, long-term resident in
the EU, and young people.
“We will ensure all UK citizens living abroad can vote for
MPs in separate overseas constituencies, and vote in UK
referendums.”
On winning a referendum, Mr Brake is expected to
say:
"Our country deserves better than the mess the Tories are
making of Brexit, aided and abetted by a weak Labour leadership.
The Liberal Democrats demand better.
"We are the only party taking on the power and privilege of
the Brexit elite with their country mansions, gold bullion
investments, inflated expense accounts and offshore
wealth.
"If you demand better for our country, join us. Join the
Liberal Democrats. Join the battle for a Final Say on the
Deal and a chance to Exit from Brexit. You have nothing to
lose and we have everything to gain."
