GB News host Nigel Farage invited former Liberal Democratic leader Sir Vince Cable to the show to discuss their opposing views on Brexit during an episode of Talking Pints. Mr Farage accused Sir Vince and his allies of never “respecting” the 2016 referendum, with Sir Vince claiming he did but not knowing that leaving would mean the UK would no longer be part of the single market European Union. Unsatisfied with his response, Mr Farage angrily pointed out that he and other pro-Brexit groups fought tirelessly to alert voters that this would be the case as the couple continued to grapple with the intricacies of the vote rowed.
On his late night show on GB News, Mr Farage and Sir Vince debated the Brexit referendum, admitting they were on opposite sides during the campaign.
Mr Farage has simply told Sir Vince that he never accepted the referendum result, which the former Lib Dem leader said “oversimplified” his position.
Sir Vince stated, “I accepted the referendum, I went out and said I accept the referendum and that was my opinion.
“But what happened if you remember Theresa May at Lancaster House, who defined Brexit the way you would feel comfortable.
“It wouldn’t just leave the political stuff in the European Union, things you [Nigel] do not want.
“But it was also the exit from the internal market …”
Mr Farage quickly interjected and seemed angry at the insinuation when he was accused of “moving the goalposts”.
He said, “This is rubbish, every single leader on both Leave and Remain in the referendum said that one vote to leave is one vote to leave the internal market – it couldn’t have been clearer.
Mr Farage agreed and said there was “never a debate” on free movement when he was elected MEP in 1999.
He added that the reason the conversation turned to immigration and free movement is because several former communist countries joined around 2000, making this a problem.
Around 12 countries joined the European Union between 1996-2000, including the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovenia.
Mr Farage said free movement was never on his manifesto until it became a problem and closed both the Leave.EU and Vote Leave campaigns which made it clear that Brexit meant leaving the single market.
In the years after the Brexit referendum, the Liberal Democrats stood on pledges and manifestos that said they would revoke the Brexit vote without a referendum.
The then chairman Jo Swinson said in a statement: “The Liberal Democrats are crystal clear: If we win the next elections, we will stop Brexit by revoking Article 50 and staying in the European Union.”
At the time, Sir Vince was careful with such a step.
He said, “It wouldn’t be outrageous, but it would be unsatisfactory.”
–
