Lib Dems warn of the dangers of a hard Brexit

John Shaw, who has recently been selected as Liberal Democrat candidate for MP for Basingstoke, has today outlined his arguments for why we should avoid a hard Brexit.

John urges the public to vote Liberal Democrats to prevent a disastrous hard Brexit that will damage our economy, starve essential services of funding and make us all worse off.

The Liberal Democrats are the only party that has consistently championed Britain's membership of the European Union, because we believe that Britain's best chance to succeed is within the EU.

John argues that the British people voted for departure in last year's referendum but not for a destination - which is why he believes they deserve a say on the final deal that is negotiated with Europe.

John said: "Our town and the country as a whole cannot thrive without a strong economy. And a strong economy is incompatible with a hard Brexit.

"Since the EU referendum last June, the pound has fallen, prices have risen, economic growth has been erratic, and wage increases have started to stall. When prices go up and wages don't, millions of people are going to be poorer. A lot poorer.

"The average household is likely to be £500 worse off in 2017 compared to 2016 - and that's before the Brexit negotiations have even started in earnest.

"And it gets worse. Over a five-year period, Brexit will have dented the public finances by £59 billion. That's money that could have been used to cut waiting times in A&E, provide care for the elderly and invest in educating the next generation.

"Businesses are suffering too, through higher import prices, a shortage of EU workers, and reduced investment. Make no mistake: our economic future is hanging in the balance.

"At this election, the Liberal Democrats are the only major national party that is sounding the alarm against hard Brexit. Labour's disastrous failure to do the most basic job of an opposition party - holding the government to account - has given the Conservatives a clear run at their extreme version of Brexit.

"That's why we'll fight to secure terms with the EU that retain as many of the benefits of EU membership as possible.

"That's why we'll call a referendum on the final Brexit agreement, so that you, the people, can decide the future for the country. That referendum will offer two choices: accept the deal, or remain in the EU.

"Britain needs an effective opposition to hard Brexit. I urge you to change Britain's future and vote for a real opposition - the Liberal Democrats."