The Issue that's too big to ignore

I'm writing this piece on the way back from France. Political headlines there are about how to reduce air pollution, make roads safer, improve education and health services and house the homeless. Just the same issues that people in Sevenoaks think are important.

But our politicians are stuck in the slow motion car crash of Brexit. The Prime Minister's humiliation at Salzburg shows how unwilling government is to understand the damage it has done to our international influence. It's the biggest foreign policy disaster since Suez.

Most polls show today's "will of the people" backs Lib Dem policy - staying in the EU. Not only are we the majority, but Leave is split between deal and no deal camps. Given the genuine options of deal, no deal and remain, and taking account of second preferences, recent polls show a 10 to 18 point preference for Remain.

The biggest political issue today is that Government and the Official Opposition are colluding to deliver what a majority of the British people don't want. People understand that walking out of Europe makes us poorer, and less effective as a nation.

Richard Morris, one of our conference representives at Brighton, said "Brexit is the very opposite of taking back control. It is a very un-British retreat and a monumental mistake. Our destiny is to be a leader in the shaping of an evolving Europe."

The main causes of the vote in 2016 were home-grown, not imported from Europe. Liberal Democrats will use their history and reputation for openness and tolerance to build policies on education, health, employment, environment and housing, to heal the divisions in British society exposed by Brexit.

Right now, a Final Say by the people on Brexit is the only way to save us from politicians!

Tony Clayton, Sevenoaks Town Councillor