Willie Rennie: Lib Dems to call for EU re-entry vote

The Liberal Democrats will pledge to get Britain back into the EU. Picture: John Devlin

He told supporters in Edinburgh yesterday that voters must have the option to “change their minds”.

He added: ““Last week, before the result, Tim Farron and I agreed that we would pursue re-entry to the European Union if there was a leave vote.

“At the next general election, whenever it comes, that is what we will stand for.”

Mr Rennie said the vote presented risks to the economy, universities, environment and security.

And he added; “What does it say to the world that we can’t even work with our closest neighbours? What are we saying to the millions of Europeans, many who now live, work and pay taxes here that we don’t want to share with them any more? What does it say to those who fought bravely to deliver peace on our continent?”

Work to bring the peoples of Europe closer together over decades has been “consigned to the dustbin of history”.

Mr Rennie added: “It is not the country I have been so proud of. Proud that we give billions in foreign aid – the best in the world. Proud that we have the best armed forces and the best Foreign Service so we can be a force for good in the world. Proud that we created the best health service in the world to look after our sick.

“This is a country that does not walk on the other side of the road. On Thursday that’s what we did. But the Liberal Democrats are determined to lead us back to the right side of the road.”