‘Doom and gloom’ Brexit warnings by Lib Dem leader Vince Cable and Canary Wharf’s George Iacobescu
Sir Vince Cable... "Londons law and order is deteriorating... the city is standing still." Picture: TH Lib Dems - Credit: TH Lib Dems
Law and order is deteriorating while London’s economy stands still in the face of Brexit looming, delegates to the Lib Dem regional conference at Canary Wharf were told.
Sir Vince on the campaign trail in Brick Lane during run up to May 2018 Tower Hamlets council elections. Picture: Mike Brooke - Credit: Mike Brooke
The political narrative was “open to be broken”, their national party leader Sir Vince Cable warned.
“Nobody has been able to make a case that the prime minister’s Brexit deal provides a better outcome than remaining in the European Union, despite government propaganda,” Sir Vince insisted.
Saturday’s conference at One Canada Square also heard from Canary Wharf Group chairman Sir George Iacobescu raising concerns about the impact of Brexit on east London’s local economy, with thousands of jobs depending on the outcome.
“There is no good Brexit for the economy,” Sir George feared. “It would mean young people losing opportunities.”
He commended the Lib Dem leader for his work promoting “common sense” on Brexit. The business district is set against quitting Europe and has already seen moves by two major EU agencies to pull out.
Sir Vince has been fighting for a People’s Vote since the run-up to last May’s local elections when he turned up in Brick Lane to launch the party’s Tower Hamlets campaign for council seats.
Siobhan Benita... first speech as candidate for London Mayor in 2020 with commitment to reduce knife crime. Picture: TH Lib Dems - Credit: TH Lib Dems
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Tower Hamlets councillor Rabina Khan, who hosted the conference, urged the need to fight for a new referendum.
She said: “The government is divided while Labour is trying to pitch a general election instead of a People’s Vote. The £ dropped again last week against the $ and the €uro while food prices have escalated and businesses are struggling among the chaos between the far right and far left.”
The East End, wedged between the affluent Canary Wharf and the City, has one-in-three children in poverty, she pointed out. Universal Credit has hit many families.
The party’s newly-elected candidate for London Mayor in 2020, Siobhan Benita, pledged action to reduce crime, create more housing and a greener urban environment in her first speech since her selection.
