Vince Cable urges Remainers to join Lib Dems and create ‘more powerful force’ against Brexit
2 min read
Sir Vince Cable has urged all who oppose Brexit to join the Liberal Democrat to help create a “more powerful force” in centrist politics.
Speak ahead of the party’s conference in Brighton, which starts on Saturday, the Lib Dem leader said his party offered a home to “liberals, social democrats, progressives and centrists”.
He said: "Whether you see yourself as a liberal, social democrat, progressive, or centrist there is a home for you here, particularly as we fight Brexit together.
"I have made proposals to open up our movement to become an even more powerful force at the centre of British politics, standing up to power and privilege to bring fairness and opportunity for everyone."
On the first of the four-day event, the Lib Dems will discuss the Windrush scandal, animal welfare and decentralisation among other issues.
Sir Vince - who will make his keynote speech on Tuesday – recently called for a major overhaul of its membership and election rules to counter claims it lacked popular appeal.
His proposals, which are likely to be debated but not voted on at this year's event, could allow people to join the party for free and non-members to vote in future leadership elections.
Controversially, he has even floated the idea of the party’s leadership contest being opened up to people who are not MPs.
The party said 10,000 people had pre-registered their interest to become party members since Sir Vince announced the proposals earlier this month.
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