Boothroyd: ‘Nobody voted for this mess’
Betty Boothroyd – the former Speaker of the House of Commons – shouts order as she arrives on stage to address a People’s Vote rally calling for a second referendum on Britain’s EU membership entitled ‘The wind is changing on Brexit’.
A government aide said he is prepared to lose his job after defying party whips to address a rally for a second EU referendum.
Tory MP Huw Merriman said it was “likely” his appearance would cost him his job as an unpaid parliamentary private secretary to the Chancellor.
The event in Westminster saw a politicians and campaigners including SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford calling for another referendum ahead of an EU summit to decide if the UK leaves with no deal.
“I voted for the deal three times,” Mr Merriman told the audience. “I voted twice to keep no deal on the table. I voted against extending Article 50. I’m a serial loser.
“Parliament has failed. It cannot make up its mind. So, I have reluctantly come to accept that the solution to the deadlock in Parliament is to let the people back into this decision.”
He added: “To be told I cannot come here to explain why I voted for a solution to the biggest challenge in our politics is extraordinary.
“My message to Conservative MPS who want to deliver this deal and get it over the line is: you have to look outside Parliament. It’s time to put it to the people.”