8 Comments

• David Becket 29th Mar '17 - 4:42pm

  We need to be careful. Whilst it is likely that May’s hard Brexit line is likely to bring about a disaster for our country what happens if by a miracle she pulls off a reasonable deal. One that retains access to the single market, protects the rights of people, does not cause problems in Ireland, satisfies Scotland and retains access to policies such as the environment and employment. At the same time we get more freedom to trade outside the EU.
  I agree it is not likely, but if it is achieved then we would be mad to stand out for a second referendum, and if we did we would lose new and old members.

• Phil Beesley 29th Mar '17 - 5:35pm

  It’s done, isn’t it. UK is leaving the EU.

  Sadly, we (as citizens of four nations) have to make a decent settlement. We have to stop protesting and we have to make the best Brexit.

• Red Liberal 29th Mar '17 - 5:46pm

  I joined this party formerly from Labour mostly because of the LibDems stance on fighting to defend our rights and freedoms, and the spirit of internationalism, that we benefit from in the EU. As long as the party continues to fight, you can count me in.

• Red Liberal 29th Mar '17 - 5:58pm

  As an additional, I hope that Tim is open to cooperate to any and all pro-European forces, of all parties or none, to protect this country’s future.

• Bill le Breton 29th Mar '17 - 7:08pm

  David Beckett, there is a real chance of much of what you warn happening. On the Tory side, Hammond and Davies are pragmatists. On the EU side, the old saw counts for both sides, “it is foolish to fall out with your main market”. Expect Germany to be far more pragmatic in protecting its supply chains – a significant number of which extend into the UK.

  And finally, beware Blue Labour and Chuker Umunna http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2017/03/chuka-umunna-labour-alternative?platform=hootsuite

  This article of his shows their positioning for just such an eventuality. Watch out also for the Manchester Economy and the Manifesto for the Foundational Economy – ideas which were radical Lib Dem approaches to services before the Market Liberals captured the Party.

• Sue Sutherland 30th Mar '17 - 2:08pm

  We have to carry on protesting Phil because then the EU will be more inclined to give us a way of returning. The more May says the country is united the more we have to protest.
  If life does turn out to be the paradise we’re told it will be after the negotiations are finished I would expect Tim to say on our behalf “we were wrong”. However, forces have been let loose by the Brexit campaigners that will make our country a desolate place even if we have economic success. Thatcher let greed have its way and Brexit has unleashed hatred and division as political forces.
  In the meantime I hope people like Bill will work on how he thinks the EU can be improved so we are ready when people finally realise that Brexit isn’t the key to nirvana after all.

• Eeyore 30th Mar '17 - 2:33pm

  I am concerned that – now the die is cast and we are definitely quitting – we all need to unite behind the govt and present its efforts as our efforts, irrespective of party affiliation or position on Brexit. Anything else will help the EU side, to the UK’s disadvantage.

  The SNP has got the tone completely wrong and, I believe, will pay for it. Are the LibDems committed to the same error?

  I regret Mr Farron saying that he plans to obstruct all Brexit legislation at every turn, and I hope that the sager elements in his party will persuade him otherwise. In all our interests, whoever is at the helm of this business MUST be supported. Reasonable democratic scrutiny of proposals is fine, indeed a duty, but obstruction – whether open or overt – is plain wrong.

  Brexit could turn out to be the best thing for the country, once the dust has settled. Let’s all act to make it so. Anything else would be petty and not the action of a patriot.

• Martin 30th Mar '17 - 3:08pm

  The main obstruction to Brexit is likely to be reality. As a Party Lib Dems do not have to be in touch with reality, but over all I think it would be an advantage.

  Yes, there will be a lot of people who are not will not like simple facts, they may even consider it an ‘error’ to have even noticed them. Let’s face it, if reality were popular, we should not have Brexit.

  People vastly underestimate the complexities in unravelling the integration with the EU. The trade deals for example have been built on the assumption of UK’s involvement; where there are quotas, what happens to them? Leaving aside negotiations with EU representatives, the UK has to create structures that were once delegated, all of which is easier said than done. With such changes some will lose out; there will be discontent.