Iain Duncan-Smith says votes in EU elections shows public wants Brexit

Iain Duncan-Smith on Sky News. Photograph: Sky. - Credit: Archant

Iain Duncan-Smith has already tried to write off the performance of Remain parties at the EU elections before the votes have even been cast.

The Brexiteer – who was once Conservative Party leader – said that he would not accept the argument that the votes of Remain parties could top the Brexit parties.

Instead he said that Nigel Farage’s party performance, even before the polls had opened, showed the public want Brexit.

Speaking to Adam Boulton on Sky News, he said: “What we’re being told by the public is ‘we’ve had enough and we want to leave’.”

When asked by Boulton what happens if all of the pro-Remain parties adds up to more than leave parties, Duncan-Smith tried to suggest no-one knows the voters position on Brexit if they vote for anything but the Brexit Party.

“The party which says the Brexit Party – which is rising in the polls – is very clear to leave.

“There are many people that still out of loyalty, by the way, vote for either Labour or Conservatives who also want to Leave, and there are only one or two parties that are clear they want to Remain.”

Pressed further on the fact that Remain parties could still beat parties in support of Brexit, Duncan-Smith continued: “Look we can go on with these stupid arguments, but the reality is the British argument is very clear.

“They voted to Leave, there has been an enormous surge to one party, which is very clear, to Leave. I think we have to take the consequences of that if we don’t deliver. We must now deliver on the 31st October, the very simple mantra for any future leader of the Conservative Party must be we leave on the 31st deal or no deal.”

Duncan-Smith also claimed that the whole of the country on both sides of the debate are unhappy that parliament hasn’t delivered on Brexit.

When Boulton pointed out that 48% voted to Remain.

He said: “I don’t think you can hang on the idea that 48% said they didn’t want to go and can never accept the idea of leaving.”

He also claimed it was an “abuse of democracy” to hold a second referendum, and dismissed claims that there was no evidence that people voted to leave without a deal.

The Brexiteer said: “There’s no evidence that they wanted any kind of organised arrangement. You can take this argument anyway you want.”

He said: “Both sides said categorically we’ll leave the customs union, the single market, we’ll take back control of our money, borders and laws.

“David Cameron, Osborne, every Labour person on the Remain side said if you vote you have to leave the customs union and the single market.”

As Boulton disputed these claims, Duncan-Smith insisted “it’s on record!”