Green party MP says Jo Swinson’s Brexit policy would be dangerous for the UK

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The Green party’s Caroline Lucas has branded the Liberal Democrat revoke Brexit position as arrogant and says it risks inflaming further political tension.

In a video for the Guardian the MP warned against revocation – which in effect cancels Brexit – suggesting it was “very dangerous” for the country.

“I certainly think that the Lib Dem way out is arrogant, self-indulgent, cynical and very dangerous. I think that will put fuel on the fire,” she said.

The Lib Dems’ new policy, announced by the party’s leader, Jo Swinson, is to back a second referendum but in the case of their party winning a majority at a general election they would implement the cancellation of article 50.

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This has led to criticism from party members, such as long-standing Lib Dem MP Norman Lamb, who warned it would widen the gap between leave and remain voters.

The Greens want a public vote on the government’s proposed Brexit deal and want to avoid leaving without a deal.

Not implementing the referendum result altogether though could risk stoking tension even more, she suggested.

She said: “I can see from a polling point of view why the Lib Dems might have adopted their latest policy of ignoring the referendum and just saying: ‘No we’re going to completely pretend it didn’t happen and turn the clock back.’

“But that I think is massively dangerous too, to add that into the mix. That sense that people have that they are simply not heard.”