Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
NEXT MONTH’S UK election is being billed as ‘strong and stable’ (copyright Theresa May) versus ‘for the many, not the few’ (Labour’s campaign slogan).
But for the first time in some generations, the outcome holds a particular interest for the Irish – given whatever the outcome is will dictate the kind of Brexit that eventuates – and that means big changes on this side of the water.
A ‘hard’ Brexit, the kind Theresa May has been going on about to anyone who’ll listen for months now, will have a tremendous impact on the Irish economy. Britain is our biggest trading partner after all.
But the return to a hard border… that could mean a border poll, a vote on a united Ireland. Make no mistake, the stakes are high on Thursday 8 June.
The third man
Then there is the third party. The Liberal Democrats were in government in the UK as recently as 2015 when they paid a massive electoral price (the loss of 49 seats) for going into coalition with the Tories.
Click here if you can’t view this video
But leader Tim Farron (who replaced Nick Clegg following that debacle in July 2015) has been distinguishing himself on the campaign trail by speaking to apparently unvetted members of the public (something Theresa May has steadfastly refused to do) and by being the sole outspoken voice among the mainstream parties to decry the idea of any Brexit, let alone a hard one. The Lib Dems are the only party offering to re-run the Brexit referendum. Farron has also pledged to completely legalise cannabis in Britain, which should endear him to some.
“(Labour leader) Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May are on exactly the same page,” Farron told TheJournal.ie earlier this week.
Only the Lib Dems are standing up for people and providing a real opposition.
Those of a cynical persuasion might argue that Farron can afford to decry Brexit – it gives his party a platform to hoover up voters disaffected by the UK’s decision to exit the EU after all without the tandem responsibility of having to do anything about it in government.
And there is certainly an element of truth to that statement. The Lib Dems are (or at least were) expected to have a good election. And that would most likely be at Labour’s expense, with the upshot being an even greater landslide victory for the Tories, or so the popular perception goes.
That’s the commonly-accepted narrative. Except, in recent times things haven’t been going as swimmingly for the Lib Dems as they might like. In the local elections earlier this month they lost 28 seats where they had been expected to make gains. Their poll numbers have remained stagnant where they were expected to jump. Instead Labour belatedly seems to be regaining some lost ground, while the Tories appear as unassailable as ever.
Part of the problem may be Farron himself, who has struggled since the snap election was called by May to shed an image of being somewhat, as an evangelical Christian, out-of-touch with the urban electorate his party is targeting.
That being said, his anti-Brexit rhetoric would be sure to meet plenty of appreciative punters here in Ireland.
Speaking to Farron, TheJournal.ie asked him his views on Brexit, the border, and how he plans to stop Theresa May in her tracks. Here’s what he had to say on a range of topics:
On a ‘hard’ Brexit…
“Do I think Theresa May is really after a ‘hard’ Brexit? Absolutely, she already is. That is what she has said and that is what her senior ministers want.”
She has already said she is taking us out of the single market. We can also see in this election she is pursuing UKIP supporters. That speaks volumes.
On debating with ‘Leavers’…
“We want to debate with everyone we can about Britain’s future. If we look at the state of the economy it is now the weakest it has been since the fallout from the 2008 crash.”
We think that when people start to feel the Brexit squeeze, they will want to rethink their position. That is why we think people should have a final say after the negotiations between remaining in the EU and taking Theresa May’s destructive Brexit.
On possibly doing the Tories’ job for them by stealing Labour’s vote…
“We expect to take votes from both the Conservative Party and Labour. The Conservatives are on course for victory now. So we need a strong opposition, this is what the Liberal Democrats seek to provide.”
On the suggestion that Theresa May’s biggest selling point is that she isn’t Jeremy Corbyn…
“The divide in the Labour party has meant they are not a credible opposition never mind a (viable) government. But if we let Theresa May win a landslide, it will be a disaster for Britain – and, incidentally for Ireland. We offer the only credible alternative to a Conservative party bent on a path to Theresa May’s Brexit. Nigel Farage told you everything you need to know about Theresa May’s Conservatives.”
Click here if you can’t view this video
We will stand up to Theresa May on Brexit, the NHS and schools. A Conservative landslide will be bad for jobs, the NHS and schools. But have hope. A better future is available. We will stand up to Theresa May’s cold, mean-spirited Britain. We will stand up to a bad Brexit deal that will cost jobs and put up prices. We will stand up for schools and hospitals.
On May’s refusal to live-debate the opposition…
“I think Theresa May is scared to face the people. Scared to face questions about Brexit, the economy, schooling and the NHS, I think Theresa May should stop hiding and face the people.”
On whether or not a decimated Labour is really good for Britain…
“Labour trooped through the voting lobbies with UKIP and the Tories to support a hard Brexit. That could lead to the scraping, for instance, of worker rights protected by the EU.”
Or on the environment. Or human rights. To my mind, Labour has lost all right to call itself a progressive party. It’s destroying itself. People say Brexit will be a disaster – well, on the biggest issue of the day by miles, Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May are on exactly the same page. Only the Lib Dems are standing up for people and providing a real opposition.
“I want everyone who wants an open, tolerant and united Britain to vote with us. We will be a strong opposition and every vote for Liberal Democrats is a vote to change Britain and get off the hard Brexit course.”
On Ireland and a border Poll…
“A border poll is not inevitable. The Liberal Democrats will work with our friends in Ireland and across Europe to stop a border poll from happening. The Liberal Democrats offer hope.” (Note: Farron’s answer does not appear to take into account Irish people who would be quite happy to see a border poll happen)
On European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker describing May’s views on Brexit as ‘deluded’…
“I think that it shows how weak our Prime Minister is. Her plan is not to work with our European colleagues but rather to listen to the right in her party and move towards a disastrous hard Brexit.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
I hope she wins a big majority, it wont make a difference to Ireland who wins.
@Paul: I think you’ll find it will, unless you don’t work, don’t know anyone one up north and don’t plan on doing anything in the UK any time soon, along with a few other things! Even the positives of more companies moving here will have a knock on of increasing demand for property, but then again maybe you probably don’t care about that either.
@Brown Boots: It’ll be a disaster for Britain. We have two years to diversify our markets. There are 460,000,000 people in the EU. We might experience a blip, but many analysts actually say Brexit could have a silver lining for Ireland. Let’s be positive!
@George Hogan: maybe it will, but did you say the same about diversification from construction to IT, pharmaceutical and financial in 2008. It’s impossible to know. It’s more the impact on travel to the North and UK which I’d be worried about. As for my own selfish side, won’t bother my line of work or income, just other things it might.
@Brown Boots: Ireland’s GDP will be eroded if there is a hard Brexit. Exports to the U.K. Will be much more challenging.
Leo is that you?
@Tony Daly: I concur
@George Hogan: it will be great for Britain, not so much for Ireland.
@Gus Sheridan: How? The EU is our biggest market and we still have access to it. Many of the financial companies leaving the UK will set up in Dublin. The Bank of China will set up operations in the next number of months. Cheaper imports Britain will lead to a race to the bottom for the UK and will simply put the British farmer out of business as they will be unable to compete with cheaper imports from Argentina, New Zealand, etc. – especially, when there will not be any EU funding for British farmers. Exactly how do you think this will be good for the UK?
@Brown Boots: still no difference in regard to the N, example if a hard border was put in place (it wont btw) it wouldn’t matter who is leading a UK Government.
There will be very little difference as both Nat and Jeremy saying free movement will end the only difference between the two is May.
No difference at all, only May has a backbone unlike Jeremy.
@Paul: she will, Corrbyn manna from heaven for the Tories
@George Hogan:
I agree, we should develop more trade with mainland Europe. We have taken the UK market for granted, close by and English speaking. For Ireland’s long-term future, we need to address our appalling lack of ability to communicate in other European languages. We need to introduce languages at primary school level
@Paul: it will destroy the north on many fronts, the 10 billion to run the north will be redirected to England in time along with a pull out of all eu grants, it will be a waste land.
@Paul: not so sure about that…
Not 1 Cent to the banks Leo Varadkar;
2011. Lie.
@Fake Avast: But he is a bluffer. He made this big speech based on b**shit and the opposite happened costing 200 bln euros…
@gregory: But a free for all for vulture funds, with their, ” SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES”, they got plenty of representation without taxation.
Disappointing to hear he would try to stop a border poll , he wants britain to be more democratic and have another eu referendum on a possible deal but when it comes to a democratic border poll he is against it, democracy when it suits him. I use to respect him , not so sure now.
Disappointed too. But at least he’s being consistent. A European as well as a British unionist.
That border poll will come though. Contrary to what Farron says it surely is inevitable, as is Irish unity.
Lots of drunken bar stool comments but I suppose it’s Saturday night in Ireland…working class Brits will have to decide between the nationalist ranting and bread and butter issues.
@winston smith: I think anyone on a bar stool has better things to be doing mate. Shows more about yourself you think that actually happens. As for me, not in a bar… Just waiting on a plane, passing time…
Good for you, enjoy the flight.
@winston smith:you hardly think there are people out there on a Saturday night too afraid to speak to people and would rather be posting inane comments to us poor souls who can’t be out and about… Wow I never actually thought of that. It’s a bit sad! Does that really happen!
@winston smith: I’m sure it is all, well considered, sober reflection, well maybe not.
Fcuk the whole lot of them
@Paul Radburn: constructive
@Paul Radburn: Very mature attitude!
Brexit is a zero sum game for all, Ireland included.
@tonydaly in a zero sum game someone wins and some else loses. So who are the winners and losers in this one?
@James Mac An Ridire: only losers.
@Tony Daly: Maybe take “Good with metaphor” off the CV there, Tony.
If May wins, no one will own their homes especially when they are near death?
@Alois Irlmaier: So the kids will loose the house, let them get a mortgage, like people without wealthy parents.
I really can’t think of anything much worse than the situation with our current bunch of donkey politicians running our own country. They do a fine job of messing things up even without any help from brexit.
It was Thatcher that killed Labour. They’ve had their destruction coming with a long time now and good riddance to them.
@Paddy Flynn: so Blair’s landslide victory was a figment of someone’s imagination. Is that supposed to be some highbrow political commentary?
@Brown Boots,
Just passing time in a bar at the airport?
@Paul Mc: Nope, I wish sunshine, happarently it’s frowned upon! I’m on my way to work!
This is just more squealing from the eurofanatics. And we were told that this election would give the Lib Democrats a big boost, as they would collect all the Remainers’ votes.
Some boost–8%.
have your say