An outspoken Lord visited St Albans to urge a local Remainer group to rally behind a second Brexit vote.
Labour peer Lord Andrew Adonis addressed St Albans for Europe (StAfE) at Marlborough Road Methodist Church about the People’s Vote - which would be another referendum on the final Brexit deal.
More than 200 people attended the talk, in which he spoke about travelling around the UK meeting Leave voters.
He said: “We have not faced an issue as divisive and as detrimental to the long-term interests of the country as Brexit for decades.
“The right thing for the country is to stay an active member of the European Union.
“As it becomes clear that the Brexit people were promised in 2016 is an impossibility, it becomes equally evident that we need a People’s Vote to get us out of this mess.”
Lord Adonis believes that Brexit threatens peace across the continent.
He added: “My nationwide tour has taught me that people voted to leave as a revolt against a situation where, for too long, problems have been neglected.
“This has happened in community after community. What we need to do is not stop Brexit and do nothing; it is to stop Brexit and change Britain in ways that transform the lives of people in this country.
“Brexit of any description will make all of these issues and challenges worse.”
The Lord grew up in Borehamwood and campaigned to improve the Abbey Flyer line in his time as Secretary of State for Transport.
Chair of StAfE Fiona McAndrew said the group was delighted to host Lord Adonis: “The evening was very well attended, attracting a range of people from different political persuasions and generations, including local sixth formers and octogenarians, from St Albans and the surrounding area.
“It was an informative and thought-provoking discussion and a show of hands demonstrated that a wide range of people present overwhelmingly support the campaign for a People’s Vote.”
She described Brexit as a “disaster”.
StAfE is a branch of the European Movement UK, which host promotional days at the market and join national marches in London.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here