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Brexit latest: Liberal Democrats move to officially back revoking Article 50

'Stop Brexit': Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson: AFP/Getty Images
'Stop Brexit': Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson: AFP/Getty Images

The Liberal Democrats are poised to officially back revoking Article 50 as they try to position themselves as the most pro-EU political party in the Commons.

Jo Swinson, who was elected as the party’s first female leader in July, confirmed that she would support the cancellation of Brexit.

The Lib Dems currently back a second referendum in which they will back Remain, but it is now expected the party will adopt the policy of stopping the UK’s departure from the bloc and write it into its election manifesto.

“I relish the chance to take the fight to Boris Johnson in an election and I’m confident we’d make significant gains,” Ms Swinson said.

“Whenever the election comes, our position is clear and unequivocal. A majority Liberal Democrat government would not renegotiate Brexit, we would cancel it by revoking article 50 and remaining in the European Union.

"Since the referendum, the Conservatives have made a mess of Brexit and brought us to the brink of a dangerous no deal.

"The Liberal Democrats are the strongest party for Remainers and those who support a People's Vote. We are committed to stopping Brexit so that we can mend our broken politics, build a fairer society and protect our planet."

The Guardian reported that the party would back immediately revoking Article 50 in an election campaign but would go back to supporting a second referendum and campaigning to remain in the EU if it does not win.

Ed Davey, the party’s deputy leader, later wrote on Twitter: “At next election, only way to stop Brexit immediately will be to vote @LibDems so we can form Government & revoke article 50.”

Ms Swinson is now expected to take the proposal to a vote at the party’s autumn conference in Bournemouth, which gets under way on Saturday.

It has been a debate among senior members of the Lib Dems for months whether to back revoking Article 50, but previously only as an alternative to no deal.

The latest development comes after Prime Minister Mr Johnson’s working majority in the Commons has been eliminated after Phillip Lee crossed the floor to join the Lib Dems.

Former Labour MP Luciana Berger also revealed to the that she is joining the party.

In an interview with the Evening Standard alongside party leader Ms Swinson, she told how the pair struck up a friendship in a WhatsApp group for MPs with babies.

Ms Berger finally decided to make the move this summer because it would give her more influence to prevent a “catastrophic” no-deal Brexit.

“It is a crunch moment for our country and we all have a responsibility to step up,” said the 38-year-old MP. “I got into politics to make a difference and I want to make every moment count.”

New Lib Dem leader Ms Swinson also disclosed that she was “having conversations” with other MPs who could defect over coming weeks — including some of the 21 Conservatives who were stripped of the Tory whip for rebelling against no-deal Brexit last Tuesday.