Nick Ferrari Asks New Lib Dem Leader: "What's Democratic About Ignoring Brexit?"

23 July 2019, 09:55 | Updated: 23 July 2019, 09:58

Nick Ferrari put new Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson on the spot when he asked her what was so democratic about ignoring the result of the Brexit referendum.

Ms Swinson was announced as new Lib Dem leader yesterday, replacing Vince Cable, after she comfortably beat Ed Davey in a vote among members.

Speaking to LBC, she said her first priority as leader is stopping Brexit - and that led to some tough questions from Nick Ferrari.

She said: "Our country is very divided. I don't think with any outcome that is going to go away soon.

"Having a People's Vote, which can be done within a small number of months to be able to resolve whether that Brexit deal is what people want or whether they want to remain.

"And if they voted for remain, we would at least be able to get on with the other issues that currently get no attention from the government as all the political oxygen is consumed by Brexit."

That led Nick to ask her one simple question: "You're the leader of the Liberal Democrats party. Explain to my listeners what's democratic about ignoring the result of the referendum?"

Nick Ferrari speaking to Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson
Nick Ferrari speaking to Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson. Picture: LBC

When Ms Swinson said she was arguing for a democratic exercise, Nick pointed out we had one three years ago and she's trying to overturn the result.

But the new Lib Dem leader insisted: "It was a democratic exercise, but no a specific prescription of what Brexit would look like.

"Three years ago, no one was talking about, for example, crashing out without a deal. We had Brexiters lining up saying we were going to get a great deal, it was going to be the easiest deal in human history.

"That was what we were being told, that is very different to what is on offer now from Boris Johnson, who's saying we might crash out on 31st October without a deal, for all that would mean for the NHS, for our food supplies, for the chaos to our economy."

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

'Our wombs are owned by Westminister': Myleene Klass hits out at government for neglecting women going through baby loss

'Our wombs are owned by Westminster': Myleene Klass hits out at government for neglecting women experiencing baby loss

Exclusive
Nick Ferrari Challenge: Can LBC’s Henry Riley recreate Daniel Khalife’s prison escape?

Nick Ferrari Challenge: Can LBC’s Henry Riley recreate Daniel Khalife’s dramatic prison escape?

Exclusive
Mandy Damari, the mother of Emily Damari - the last remaining British citizen being held hostage in Gaza - has pleaded with Sir Keir Starmer to help bring her daughter home as she looked back on the harrowing events of October 7.

'It nearly broke my heart': Mother of British hostage Emily Damari blasts Downing Street over vetoed Gaza deal

Exclusive
Jane Rubens, 73, from Edinburgh was hit by a large vehicle in early November and remains in a coma.

Insurance firm gave Brit 'less than 24 hours' to make a decision against doctors’ advice after mum suffered brain injury

Exclusive
LBC’s Nick Ferrari has remembered being spiked while at a party.

‘The whole world was spinning’: Nick Ferrari candidly recalls drink spiking as he shares 'appalling' side-effects

Exclusive
‘The storm of war is gathering’: Defence cuts leave UK critically unprepared for a 'bumpy decade', warns ex-minister

‘The storm of war is gathering’: Defence cuts leave UK 'woefully unprepared' for a 'bumpy decade', warns ex-minister

Education Secretary Bridget Philipson 'hasn't changed her mind' and will vote against assisted dying bill

Education Secretary Bridget Philipson 'hasn't changed her mind' and will vote against assisted dying bill

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Why did Trump win and why did Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters

Why did Trump win and Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters in the wake of US election results

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the United States'

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the US'

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said she strongly disagrees with a tweet that a backbench MP appeared to have reposted saying Kemi Badenoch represents "white supremacy in blackface".

Cooper condemns 'appalling' tweet shared by Dawn Butler labelling Kemi Badenoch 'white supremacy in blackface'

Exclusive
Cumberland County: Where the US election could be won or lost

Nick Ferrari travels to America for the US Election: Watch the best bits here

Exclusive
The Chancellor was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Chancellor ‘doesn’t know’ salary of new chairman tasked with ensuring government ‘value for money'

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust in the criminal justice system', says Jenrick

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust' in criminal justice system, says Jenrick

Exclusive
The government has introduced its football governance bill.

'We're on the same side': Minister denies feud with Premier League over Football Governance Bill

Exclusive
Protest sign reading Danger water pollution, this water is polluted with raw sewage. The responsible party is Thames Water. River Wey, Guildford, UK

Government warns demand for water could outstrip supply as they launch review into 'broken' sector