3 March 2018
The Green Party has called for a people’s poll on the final Brexit deal to stop the Government “marching us towards a national calamity”.
At his party’s Spring Conference on Saturday 3 March [1], co-leader Jonathan Bartley will criticise Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn for pursuing a Brexit that will “hit poorest communities hardest”, and call on Labour to stand with Greens for a People’s Poll on the final deal.
In the speech, co-leader Caroline Lucas MP will accuse the Government of “playing politics with peace in Northern Ireland”, and urge Theresa May not to “sacrifice the Good Friday Agreement on the altar of an extreme Brexit”.
The leaders will also respond to Theresa May’s speech on Brexit.
Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party, is expected to say:
“The Green Party will not give up on staying close to Europe. We are proud to be campaigning for a People’s Poll on the final deal, that explicitly includes an option to remain part of the European Union. Because as we march towards the national calamity of Brexit, we know there is an alternative.
“But, far from acting like an official opposition, Labour risks being complicit in an unfolding disaster, and one felt first and foremost in those very communities it seeks to represent. Both Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May are committed to a Brexit that will hit poorest communities hardest.
“And that’s why today I want to make a direct plea to the Labour frontbench. Show some leadership, put the national interest above your party interest, stand up for free movement, stand up for young people. And stand with all of us campaigning for a People’s Poll on the final deal.”
Caroline Lucas MP, co-leader of the Green Party, is expected to say:
“Conference, we win when we stand up for what we believe in – from the smallest issues in a local ward, to the biggest issue of the day – Brexit. Let’s not forget that the EU was originally a peace project, forged in the wake of the destruction and devastation of the Second World War. Rising from the rubble left by bombs and armies. The principle that nations who share resources will value peace above war. And the cause of peace is at stake again today.
“The way this Government is playing politics with peace in Northern Ireland is reckless and indefensible. So our message to Theresa May is very clear: Sacrificing the Good Friday Agreement on the altar of an extreme Brexit is nothing short of criminal, and it must not be allowed to happen.”
Notes:
- Green Party Spring Conference
The Green Party Spring Conference will see members from across the country come together to hear from the party’s leaders, vote on policy and take part in discussion and debate on topics from Brexit to climate change.
- Leaders’ speech by Jonathan Bartley and Caroline Lucas: Saturday 3 March, 2pm
- Location: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Rd, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH
- Press accreditation: https://www.greenparty.org.uk/conference/press.html
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