Farron admiration for Euro rebels in Brexit fight
Tim Farron has taken strength from an unlikely source in his fight against Brexit - the anti-Europe crusade of the likes of Enoch Powell and Tony Benn.
The Lib Dem leader is battling for a second referendum over the terms of Britain's deal to leave the EU, but says he admires MPs who have previously opposed EU membership.
They include the 'No' campaign from the original 1975 referendum on Britain's EU membership, which was spearheaded by the then-Ulster Unionist and former Wolverhampton South West MP Mr Powell, and Labour cabinet minister Mr Benn.
Mr Farron was in the West Midlands to deliver a pro-EU speech Birmingham City University's Centre for Brexit Studies.
He told the Express & Star he is committed to fighting the 'calamity' of Brexit, and added: "Those people who fought against Europe in 1975 didn't give up and much as I might disagree with them, I admire them.
"You keep going for what you believe in. You do it respectfully, you do it peacefully, you play by the game, you're a democrat...there is no way that Parliament, judges or anyone else should frustrate the will of the people, but with conviction, passion and belief you might just change the will of the people."
The staunch Remain MP said he did not want a re-run of last June's referendum as it would be 'sour grapes', but said: "What there should be is a vote on the final deal.
"I'm not accusing anybody of any poor motives, or not knowing what they were voting for.
"People made their choices, whether they voted Leave or Remain. It's nobody's fault, except perhaps David Cameron, that there was nothing on the ballot paper as to what comes next.
"At the end of this process there will be a deal. So who signs it off? Is it the politicians, or is it the people? We're the only party saying it should be the people."
Meanwhile Mr Farron has given his backing to Lib Dem candidate Beverley Nielsen's campaign for West Midlands Mayor.
He says it is 'probably universally accepted' that Ms Nielsen is the best candidate for the job, and is adamant that she can win the election despite the Lib Dems lack of representation in West Midlands council wards and parliamentary constituencies.
"In some parts of the country Liberal Democrats have gained seats from Labour in areas that voted 75 per cent Leave in the referendum, so anything can happen," he said.
