Swinson responds to Johnson's defeat

Responding to the Prime Minister's statement, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson said:

"The Prime Minister has lost another vote in Parliament. This latest attempt to force his bad Brexit bill through Parliament has failed because this Parliament simply does not trust him.

"Boris Johnson claims he wants a general election, but he also claimed he wouldn't prorogue Parliament or put a border down the Irish sea. If Boris Johnson wants a General Election, then he could have supported our Bill for a General Election on December 9th. Instead, he has chosen to stick to his original plan for December 12th which we have already rejected.

"Liberal Democrats are the strongest party of Remain and will continue to campaign to stop Brexit, just as we have for the last three years."

Her parliamentary colleague, Tom Brake commented on the Government's announcement that they have paused the 'Get Ready for Brexit' Campaign, "these adverts were the latest example of the Conservative government pouring money down the drain in reckless pursuit of Boris Johnson's do-or-die 31st October Brexit deadline.

"The money spent on these adverts could have, and should have, gone into our NHS, our schools, and tackling the climate emergency. Instead it was wasted.

"Brexit is a national embarrassment. It has taken far longer and cost far more than anyone ever said it would. Liberal Democrats will continue to fight to stop Brexit.

We know that there is no deal as good as the one we have now: in the EU."