Farron’s future in doubt as anti-brexit and cannabis policies fail to
TIM FARRON is under mounting pressure after senior Liberal Democrats cast doubt on his efforts to win over the public with the party’s anti-brexit message and controversies over his views on abortion and gay sex.
Senior figures warned that if the Lib Dems fail to make a breakthrough Mr Farron must consider his position, with polls suggesting that the party’s support has fallen to 8 per cent. Last night the Lib Dem leader effectively conceded the party will not be in government and launched a programme for opposition, which includes radical policies such as banning the sale of new diesel cars and legalising cannabis.
The party’s manifesto, designed to appeal to core Lib Dem voters, was also heavily focused on Brexit, with a commitment to keeping Britain in the Single Market and holding a second referendum. However, the manifesto launch was almost overshadowed by questions over his views on abortion after it emerged Mr Farron previously said it was “wrong”.
Mr Farron, a Christian, told the Salvation Army magazine in 2007: “Personally I wish I could argue it away. Abortion is wrong”.
Yesterday Mr Farron said: “I may not have expressed myself terribly well 10 years ago but I was pro-choice then and I am pro-choice now.” The early stages of the Liberal Democrat campaign were dogged by allegations that Mr Farron believes gay sex is a sin. After repeated questioning, he expressed his support for sexual relations among homosexuals.
There is concern that the decision to focus on Remain voters is not working for the party because many people have already accepted that Brexit can’t be stopped.
A senior party figure told The Daily Telegraph: “It would be very helpful if the Lib Dem offer wasn’t dominated by views on gay sex and abortion, neither of which are in the manifesto, or only in positive terms if they are.
“The second thing you have to ask is, of the seven available candidates was Tim Farron the best option?
“Leaders of political parties tend to stand down if their general election has not been successful.”
Mr Farron has previously dismissed questions about the future of his leadership, claiming he is solely focused on winning on June 8. Mr Farron said that Theresa May offers a “cold, meanspirited” Britain against his vision of an “open, tolerant and united” nation.
The manifesto contained £14billion worth of extra spending, including reversing cuts to Universal Credit at a cost of £4billion a year, £6billion spending on schools and lifting the public sector pay cap.
Mr Farron also announced plans to bar new diesel cars and small vans from sale in the UK from 2025 to curb
harmful emissions and an uncosted scrappage scheme.
But the party has not given detail on how it would work.
At the heart of the 95-page document is a pledge to raise income tax on all earners by 1p to pay for extra spending on health and social care and a pledge to hold a second EU referendum.
However the party has ruled out a pledge to scrap student tuition fees amid fears it would be too “expensive”.