Brighton Lib Dems campaign for second EU referendum

Brighton and Hove Liberal Democrats have set up a petition calling on the city's three MPs to vote against the triggering of Article 50 unless the government commits to a referendum on the '˜destination' of Brexit.
Brighton and Hove Lib Dems Hilary Ellis, Andrew England and Orla May SUS-170116-131748001Brighton and Hove Lib Dems Hilary Ellis, Andrew England and Orla May SUS-170116-131748001
Brighton and Hove Lib Dems Hilary Ellis, Andrew England and Orla May SUS-170116-131748001

On Saturday the Brighton and Hove Liberal Democrats officially launched their city-wide EU campaign, supporting the Lib Dem position for a further EU referendum on the outcome of Brexit negotiations.

Carrie Hynds, 29, is the Liberal Democrats prospective parliamentary candidate for Hove.

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She said: “68.5 per cent of voters in Brighton and Hove voted Remain. We accept that the UK voted narrowly to leave the European Union, but leaving the single market was not on the ballot paper and there was no detail proposed in the referendum.

Emily Tester is the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown SUS-170116-103544001Emily Tester is the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown SUS-170116-103544001
Emily Tester is the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown SUS-170116-103544001

“A hard Brexit would represent a real threat to the economy of Brighton and Hove and to the hard-won peace process in my home country of Northern Ireland. There is no mandate for this Tory government, led by an unelected Prime Minister, to implement hard Brexit. The most democratic option is to give people a say with a clear question reflecting the actual type of Brexit on the table.”

Emily Tester, 21, BHASVIC graduate and the party’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown, said: “Those of us who are just starting out are very worried about our prospects. We are watching as the interconnected world we believe in is being picked apart, and the opportunities to work and live in Europe that millions of Brits already benefit from are being taken away from our generation. The government simply isn’t listening to us. I am proud that the Liberal Democrats are standing up for the 48 per cent.”

The Lib Dems said the party has had a substantial revival in the city, with membership nearly four times what it was two years ago.

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Michael Wilbur, 38, chair of Brighton and Hove Liberal Democrats, said: “New members are joining us daily in Brighton and Hove. They tell us they worry about Brexit and the rise of right wing populism here, in Europe and in America. They want to stand up for liberal values. Labour is increasingly pandering to the populist UKIP agenda. With the ‘Trump’ wing of the Tory party in control of the government, we need to work together with our European neighbours. The Lib Dems are the only party fighting to keep Britain open, tolerant and united.”