Liberal Democrats to vote on policy to revoke Article 50 at annual conference
The Liberal Democrats’ annual conference begins on Saturday in Bournemouth and leader Jo Swinson will attempt to convince party members to back a new policy to scrap Brexit.
Swinson claims the UK is a mess as a result of the 2016 referendum and would seek to revoke Article 50 without a second referendum.
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The party has enjoyed a recent resurgence due to its anti-Brexit stance.
Until now it had campaigned for another people’s vote, where it would back the UK to remain in the EU.
With a general election increasingly likely in the near future, Swinson wants the Libs Dems to have the most unequivocally clear anti-Brexit message.
Parliament has twice turned down the opportunity to hold an early general election with opposition parties prioritising blocking a no-deal Brexit.
Since a bill to prevent it was passed, however, parties have begun preparing for a general election campaign.
“I relish the chance to take the fight to Boris Johnson in an election and I’m confident we’d make significant gains,” said Swinson.
“Whenever the election comes, our position is clear and unequivocal. A majority Liberal Democrat government would not renegotiate Brexit, we would cancel it by revoking article 50 and remaining in the European Union.”
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Swinson is set take questions from conference delegates on Sunday at the Bournemouth International Centre before her main speech on Tuesday – the last of the four-day event.
She will endeavour to gain support for her firm anti-Brexit stance, and if she succeeds, revoking Article 50 will become part of the Lib Dems’ manifesto at the next general election.