Tony Blair: independence is back on the table with a more ‘credible’ context

Tony Blair - Image credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Independence is now back on the table, but this time with a more credible context, Tony Blair will say today in a speech on Brexit.

Blair will today call on Remainers to "rise up" and persuade voters who backed Brexit that Britain should stay in the European Union.

The former prime minister will say they have a "mission" to make Leavers change their mind - and warn that the future of the UK is at risk if they fail.

RELATED CONTENT

Tony Blair: Brexit will lead to Scottish independence

SNP motion on investigating Tony Blair over Iraq defeated

SNP Chilcot motion on Tony Blair gets cross-party support

In a speech for pro-EU group Open Britain, Blair will also mount an attack on Theresa May and her "government for Brexit, of Brexit and dominated by Brexit".

He will say: "The people voted without knowledge of the true terms of Brexit. As these terms become clear, it is their right to change their mind.

"Our mission is to persuade them to do so."

Blair will add: "Those driving this always wanted a hard Brexit. Indeed even the term hard Brexit requires amendment. The policy is now Brexit at any cost.

"Our challenge is to expose relentlessly the actual cost, to show how this decision was based on imperfect knowledge which will now become informed knowledge, to calculate in easy to understand ways how proceeding will cause real damage to the country and its citizens and to build support for finding a way out from the present rush over the cliff’s edge.

"I don't know if we can succeed. But I do know we will suffer a rancorous verdict from future generations if we do not try.

"This is not the time for retreat, indifference or despair; but the time to rise up in defence of what we believe."

In a direct attack on Theresa May, who used her Tory conference speech to attack "citizens of nowhere", the ex-Labour leader will say: "How hideously, in this debate, is the mantle of patriotism abused.

"We do not argue for Britain in Europe because we are citizens of nowhere. We argue for it precisely because we are proud citizens of our country who believe that in the 21st century, we should maintain our partnership with the biggest political union and largest commercial market right on our doorstep; not in diminution of our national interest, but in satisfaction of it."

He will also say that the break-up of the UK "is now back on the table but this time with a context much more credible for the independence case".

"We are already seeing the de-stabilising impact of worry over border arrangements on the Northern Ireland peace process," he will say.