Ex-Tory minister brands party ‘weak’ for blocking pro-EU event from conference programme
2 min read
A former Tory minister who quit over Theresa May’s Brexit stance has branded the party “foolish” and “weak” for excluding an event promoting another Brexit referendum on its conference brochure.
Phillip Lee sensationally quit the Government in June, claiming that the path being taken on Brexit would be “detrimental to the people we are elected to serve”.
He has since joined those campaigning for a public vote on the final deal struck with the EU and is due to address a fringe meeting on the "Conservative case for a People's Vote" at the party's annual conference.
A report by Channel 4 last night, however, said the meeting had been left out from the official list of events but that the Conservatives had refused to give a reason for its ommision.
In a major blast at Tory top brass, the former justice minister accused the party of shutting down “free speech” and has written to party chair Brandon Lewis demanding an explanation.
“I am astonished at this foolish effort to stifle debate about the most important issue to affect our country in my lifetime,” he said.
“But rather than anger it is sadness that I feel. Sadness that my Party has become so weak that it cannot support free speech.
"And sadness that it is not even prepared to consider a way forward that over half our population now wants.
“The Conservatism that I cherish is always open to debate about the future of our great country.”
Dr Lee’s latest comments come a day after the broadcaster reported that the campaign had already forked out a “non-refundable” payment of £360 before the deadline to feature in the programme.
When asked why the event was excluded from the brochure, the Conservative party reportedly said: “We don’t have to give a reason ... and we are not giving one.”
And in an email to pro-EU group Best for Britain, a spokesperson said: “We reserve the right to decline to publicise a Fringe event without giving any reason.”
The campaign’s chief, Eloise Todd, said: “The Conservative party are trying to stifle debate on Brexit and it has backfired spectacularly.
“As the party of government they should be doing the exact opposite and listening to people around the country, most of whom now want to stay in the our current deal with the EU.”
PoliticsHome has approached the Conservative party for comment.
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