Green Party launches Brexit policy in Space
Election hopeful: Binnie-Lubbock with Green Party MP Caroline Lucas. Photograph: Hackney Greens
The Green Party announced plans to push for a “ratification referendum” at a Brexit policy launch in Hackney yesterday.
Caroline Lucas, the party’s co-leader and only MP, revealed the proposal at an event at Space Studios on Mare Street, targeting a borough in which 78 per cent of people voted to remain.
Lucas said: “A democracy worthy of the name must mean people having a real say over the major decisions that affect their lives. That’s why the Green Party has consistently said that the referendum should be the start, not the end, of the democratic process. And it’s why today we are announcing our intention to push for remaining in the EU to be an option in a ratification referendum.”
“Whoever wins this election has a mandate to negotiate on behalf of the British people – but that does not mean that they have a right to impose a final deal. Instead we demand a ratification referendum which gives people the option to remain in the EU if they wish, or to vote back the Government’s deal.
“There are some who say that this is a re-run of the referendum, but that simply isn’t the case. Instead this is giving people an informed say over our shared future. If the Government is so convinced that they’ll get a decent deal then there’s no reason that they wouldn’t trust people to have a final say.
“Our message is simple. For a final say, and for a chance to vote to stay in the EU, vote Green.”
Great to have @CarolineLucas & @MollyMEP in #Hackney. @TheGreenParty are pledging to stand up for democracy & hold a referendum on EU deal pic.twitter.com/ACl6lK6T3p
— Al Binnie-Lubbock (@alastairis) May 2, 2017
Lucas was joined at the launch by Alastair Binnie-Lubbock, the party’s candidate for Diane Abbott’s Hackney North and Stoke Newington seat, who said: “Green Party supporters were the most likely of any political party to vote remain as Green values have always been open, collaborative, internationalist values. Hackney was also one of the highest remain voting areas in the country with 78 per cent resisting this Tory/UKIP disaster.
“Greens, with our excellent MEPs, were well aware that a Tory Brexit could lead to diminished environmental protections and financial regulations turning us into a bargain basement tax-haven. We can’t turn our backs on our nearest neighbours with whom we share so much history and have been running the world’s most successful experiment in peacekeeping and trade.”