Nick Clegg says that the real question at stake in this May’s European elections is: should Britain be in our out of the European Union? The Liberal Democrats are the party of IN – the only party prepared to unambiguously make the case that Britain is better off in the EU. UKIP are the party of OUT, with leaving the EU as their defining policy.
Speaking in response to a question from host Nick Ferrari on Call Clegg this morning, Nick Clegg said: “I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I will challenge Nigel Farage to a public, open debate about whether we should be in or out of the European Union. That’s the choice facing the British people. He is the leader of the party of OUT, I am the leader of the party of IN. It’s time for a proper public debate so that the public can listen to the arguments and decide for themselves.”
LBC reported after the show was over that Nigel Farage is "holding counsel" for today and would not be commenting. A UKIP spokesperson has responded by saying: “Mr Farage would like to thank Mr Clegg for his kind invitation to a debate on the great issue of Britain’s membership of the European Union. Perhaps he could also let us know whether he has invited David Cameron and Ed Miliband too in order that the British people can see all their main political leaders argue their positions.
“If this challenge means that Mr Clegg is going to restore his backing for an In/Out referendum, which he gave before the last election but then withdrew afterwards, then it could be a significant moment in British politics. Mr Farage will give a full response to this development on LBC tomorrow morning.”
“If this challenge means that Mr Clegg is going to restore his backing for an In/Out referendum, which he gave before the last election but then withdrew afterwards, then it could be a significant moment in British politics. Mr Farage will give a full response to this development on LBC tomorrow morning.”
