You've misread the nation' Neil SKEWERS Lib Dems over anti-Brexit election strategy flop
ANDREW NEIL savaged the Liberal Democrats’ relentless campaign to thwart Brexit as they seek to offer Remainers a route back into the European Union.
Andrew Neil accuses Lib Dems of MISREADING the nation
The veteran host declared they had “misread” Britons with their attempts to tap into pro-European voters’ resentment for the European divorce.
The Liberal democrats are hoping to appeal to Remainers by putting Brexit at the centre of their manifesto.
They are pledging to “give the final say to the British people” on any Brexit deal by offering a second referendum.
Lib Dem leader Tim Farron is coming under mounting pressure from senior party figures who believe his anti-Brexit message is failing to convince would-be voters, according to reports.
Andrew Neil destroyed the Lib Dem's anti-Brexit manifesto
You thought you could tap into resentment amongst the Remainers but they want to get on with it
The senior sources have warned Mr Farron will have to consider his position if his manifesto, which is heavily focused on Brexit, fails to make a breakthrough, the Daily Telegraph reports.
Discussing the party’s election chances on the BBC’s This Week, Polly Mackenzie, a former advisor to Nick Clegg, claimed the Lib Dems had “gained votes from Remainers” but are also “losing votes” from people fed up with their Brexit argument.
In response, Neil blast: “Did you misread the mood of the nation?
“You thought you could tap into resentment amongst the Remainers, but it turns out a lot of Remainers, although they were unhappy with the result, really just want to get on with it.”
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Ms Mackenzie argued “it was perfectly reasonable” for Mr Farron to campaign with an anti-Brexit manifesto, because “people don’t know what Brexit looks like yet”.
Michael Portillo joined the discussions, insisting Britons had moved on from Mr Farron’s campaign pledge “weeks ago”.
The former Conservative MP said: “I think we’ve moved beyond this weeks ago, I think that is the big misconception of the Liberal Democrats.
“I think you are absolutely right when you implied this a moment ago, I think people have moved on, they know Brexit is going to happen and the two main parties are saying it’s going to happen.
“But, let’s go back over the arguments. If we were to say our European partners, ‘Well, if the deal isn’t acceptable we’re going to have another referendum and reject it’, of course, we would be given a completely unrealistic deal.
“I think most people understand that, which is why Farron’s position is completely ridiculous.”