Lib Dems put stopping Brexit at heart of plans

Party says £50bn ‘Remain bonus’ will be spent on public services and it will also tackle climate issues

The Liberal Democrats have put stopping Brexit at the heart of their general election platform as they sought to underline their claim to be the party of Remain.

The party’s manifesto, published yesterday, holds out the prospect of a £50 billion “Remain bonus” to be spent on public services and tackling inequalities if they succeed in keeping Britain in the EU.

It sets out plans to tackle the climate change “emergency” through generating 80% of the country’s electricity through renewables by 2030, provide free childcare from the age of nine months and recruit 20,000 more teachers.

Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson said: “This manifesto is a bold plan to build a brighter future for our country and that starts with stopping Brexit.

“Labour and the Conservatives can’t offer the country a brighter future because they both want Brexit. We know that will be bad for our economy, bad for our NHS and bad for our environment.

“Our politics has been dominated by the two, tired old parties for too long. This election provides an opportunity to change the future of our country and build a brighter future with the Liberal Democrats.”

The manifesto reaffirms the party’s commitment to end the Brexit process by revoking Article 50 if there is a majority Lib Dem government following the election on December 12.

If not, the manifesto says they would continue to campaign for a “people’s vote” in a fresh referendum with on option to stay in the EU on the ballot paper.

“The election of a Liberal Democrat majority government on a clear stop Brexit platform will provide a democratic mandate to stop this mess, revoke Article 50 and stay in the EU,” the manifesto says.

“In other circumstances, we will continue to fight for a people’s vote with the option to stay in the EU.”

Picture: PA. Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson during a visit to Trumpington Park Primary School, Cambridge.