Consider banning referendums, says Tory former minister, after EU campaign "riddled with lies"
Lord Higgins
A Tory former minister has called on the government to consider banning referendums, calling the 2016 EU vote "the most sordid political campaign I can remember in my lifetime".
Lord Higgins urged his frontbench colleagues to speed up the Brexit process by making its own amendments to the Bill to address issues raised by the Lords Constitution Committee.
"We need to make progress, we need more clarity, we certainly don't need any more referendums," he said.
"The Dutch government just newly formed a coalition, has come to the view, having experience with a referendum on Ukraine, that they should pass a Bill prohibiting any more referendums.
"Moreover, they would not have a referendum on whether you could have a Bill prohibiting referendums. That's something we really ought to consider very carefully in this country."
You may also want to watch:
Former Olympic athlete Lord Higgins, 90, also said it was a "doubtful proposition" that the result of the referendum should be followed, as he urged peers to take a more sceptical view.
He said: "My noble friend on the front bench again today said we must honour the result of the referendum.
Most Read
- 1 The bigot we should have called out on day one
- 2 Nigel Farage launches new party in Scotland to promote 'positive case for the Union'
- 3 The greatest failure of government in our lifetime
- 4 Matt Hancock praises free school meals before being reminded he voted against them
- 5 Brexit changes lead to exodus of Brits from Spain, UK nationals claim
- 6 James O'Brien schools Brexiteer who refuses to accept new EU-UK trade rules
- 7 Brexiteer rebuked after backing Nigel Farage's 'East Germany' claims
- 8 Brexiteer MP ridiculed after calling for free movement of goods between GB and NI
- 9 Tory candidate suspended by party over comments about ‘fat’ food bank user
- 10 No 10 defends Stanley Johnson receiving two coronavirus vaccines while others don't
"My Lords, it was the most sordid political campaign I can remember in my lifetime. It was riddled with lies.
"And anyway, a majority of the British people did not vote for it."
The former Treasury minister was also critical of government policy, saying: "A doctrine seems to have emerged saying if you're in a negotiation, you must not say what you want, because that somehow undermines your negotiating position.
"This is being said quite explicitly. The result of this is the government simply aren't saying what it wants."
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
