Rasen MP slams the former Prime Minister after anti-Brexit speech

Local MP Sir Edward Leigh has slammed Tony Blair as a '˜failed former leader' in a surprise outburst following the former Prime Minister's calls for people to '˜rise up' against Brexit.
Sir Edward Leigh with Sub-Postmaster David Ward on his visit to East Barkwith Post Office last Friday EMN-170221-085451001Sir Edward Leigh with Sub-Postmaster David Ward on his visit to East Barkwith Post Office last Friday EMN-170221-085451001
Sir Edward Leigh with Sub-Postmaster David Ward on his visit to East Barkwith Post Office last Friday EMN-170221-085451001

Sir Edward hit back at the former Labour PM’s calls to try to persuade voters who supported the Leave campaign ‘to change their minds.’

Speaking in the City of London, Mr Blair said that although ‘the will of the people should prevail’, many voters had done so ‘without knowledge of the terms of Brexit.’

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Speaking on a visit to East Barkwith Post Office last Friday (February 17), Sir Edward hit back at Mr Blair, calling him ‘yesterday’s man’ .

Sir Edward also revealed his support for leaving the single market.

He said the process would help restore control of the country’s borders.

He said: “He (Blair) is as far as I’m concerned a failed former leader.

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“Considering he was one of the most Europhile Prime Ministers, he was also the one who probably propelled us out of the European Union because, although he didn’t need to, he allowed mass immigration from Eastern Europe.

“He wasn’t forced to do this by the European Union, so he’s got egg all over his face.

“I think he’s yesterday’s man.

“The people have voted to leave the EU and why we are not staying in the single market is clear.

“If you stay in the single market, a regulated internal market, you have to accept all the rules and regulations of the EU. You cannot control your own borders.

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“It’s the worst of all worlds. You have to accept all their rules, all their jurisdiction, so what’s the point?

“You might as well stay in the EU, which is precisely why Blair is saying it.”

“There’s no reason why a free trade deal shouldn’t be done immediately because all EU directives and laws will be passed as our own law.

“Mr Blair is entitled to his own view but we don’t agree with it.

“Particularly after the 
disaster of the Iraq war, I don’t listen to a word he says.”