Lord Kerr tells St Albans Remainers: ‘Don’t rule out new Brexit referendum’
Lord Kerr at the StAfE public meeting. Picture: StAfE - Credit: Archant
A former European diplomat has reassured St Albans Remainers that Brexit could be reversible after another referendum.
Lord Kerr at the StAfE public meeting. Picture: StAfE - Credit: Archant
More than 200 people listened to Lord Kerr speak at a St Albans for Europe (StAfE) public meeting on Wednesday about his predictions for the EU negotiation outcomes.
He played a central role in drafting Article 50 - the leave clause - when the European Union was first established.
Lord Kerr said: “Parliament is unlikely to overturn the referendum without another, but I now think there is quite a high chance that, by the autumn, there will be a majority in the House of Commons, saying ‘yes, we had better consult the people again, it hasn’t turned out exactly as the Leave campaign predicted and, in fact, it is very different and we had better go back and ask the people, is this what you had in mind?’”
There is a one in three chance of a re-vote, he believes.
Lord Kerr at the StAfE public meeting. Picture: StAfE - Credit: Archant
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Chair of StAfE, a branch of the European Movement UK, Fiona McAndrew, said: “New facts about what leaving the EU really means are emerging all the time – in particular, that leaving the EU will be hugely damaging to the NHS.
“For example, 10,000 EU nurses, doctors and support staff have left the NHS already since the referendum. People voted in good faith in June 2016, but we feel it is really important that, as these facts emerge, local people are aware that Brexit is not a done deal.”
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She encouraged everyone to write to St Albans MP Anne Main and let her know how leaving is affecting their lives.
European Movement campaigns director James MacCleary added: “As the negative impacts of Brexit become clearer, with the NHS being hit hard, we all have the right to think again about whether leaving the EU is in the best interests of the UK. Our supporters believe Brexit is a mistake and our movement is growing all the time.
Left to right: Fiona McAndrew (chair of St Albans for Europe), Lord Kerr, organiser Judy Newton-Davies. Picture: SAFE - Credit: Archant
“Democracy is about ongoing discussion of the issues which matter the most to us – it is a process, not a single event on one specific date which shuts down all options.”
