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'If May wins a landslide it'll be a disaster for Ireland' - Tim Farron on Brexit, Ireland, and Labour's self-destruction

The Liberal Democrats leader is looking to turn his party’s fortunes around in next month’s UK general election.

General Election 2017 Tim Farron Matt Frost / ITV/REX/Shutterstock Matt Frost / ITV/REX/Shutterstock / ITV/REX/Shutterstock

NEXT MONTH’S UK election is being billed as ‘strong and stable’ (copyright Theresa May) versus ‘for the many, not the few’ (Labour’s campaign slogan).

But for the first time in some generations, the outcome holds a particular interest for the Irish – given whatever the outcome is will dictate the kind of Brexit that eventuates – and that means big changes on this side of the water.

A ‘hard’ Brexit, the kind Theresa May has been going on about to anyone who’ll listen for months now, will have a tremendous impact on the Irish economy. Britain is our biggest trading partner after all.

But the return to a hard border… that could mean a border poll, a vote on a united Ireland. Make no mistake, the stakes are high on Thursday 8 June.

The third man

Then there is the third party. The Liberal Democrats were in government in the UK as recently as 2015 when they paid a massive electoral price (the loss of 49 seats) for going into coalition with the Tories.

Click here if you can’t view this video

But leader Tim Farron (who replaced Nick Clegg following that debacle in July 2015) has been distinguishing himself on the campaign trail by speaking to apparently unvetted members of the public (something Theresa May has steadfastly refused to do) and by being the sole outspoken voice among the mainstream parties to decry the idea of any Brexit, let alone a hard one. The Lib Dems are the only party offering to re-run the Brexit referendum. Farron has also pledged to completely legalise cannabis in Britain, which should endear him to some.

“(Labour leader) Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May are on exactly the same page,” Farron told TheJournal.ie earlier this week.

Only the Lib Dems are standing up for people and providing a real opposition.

Those of a cynical persuasion might argue that Farron can afford to decry Brexit – it gives his party a platform to hoover up voters disaffected by the UK’s decision to exit the EU after all without the tandem responsibility of having to do anything about it in government.

And there is certainly an element of truth to that statement. The Lib Dems are (or at least were) expected to have a good election. And that would most likely be at Labour’s expense, with the upshot being an even greater landslide victory for the Tories, or so the popular perception goes.

That’s the commonly-accepted narrative. Except, in recent times things haven’t been going as swimmingly for the Lib Dems as they might like. In the local elections earlier this month they lost 28 seats where they had been expected to make gains. Their poll numbers have remained stagnant where they were expected to jump. Instead Labour belatedly seems to be regaining some lost ground, while the Tories appear as unassailable as ever.

Part of the problem may be Farron himself, who has struggled since the snap election was called by May to shed an image of being somewhat, as an evangelical Christian, out-of-touch with the urban electorate his party is targeting.

That being said, his anti-Brexit rhetoric would be sure to meet plenty of appreciative punters here in Ireland.

Speaking to Farron, TheJournal.ie asked him his views on Brexit, the border, and how he plans to stop Theresa May in her tracks. Here’s what he had to say on a range of topics:

On a ‘hard’ Brexit…

“Do I think Theresa May is really after a ‘hard’ Brexit? Absolutely, she already is. That is what she has said and that is what her senior ministers want.”

She has already said she is taking us out of the single market. We can also see in this election she is pursuing UKIP supporters. That speaks volumes.

On debating with ‘Leavers’…

“We want to debate with everyone we can about Britain’s future. If we look at the state of the economy it is now the weakest it has been since the fallout from the 2008 crash.”

We think that when people start to feel the Brexit squeeze, they will want to rethink their position. That is why we think people should have a final say after the negotiations between remaining in the EU and taking Theresa May’s destructive Brexit.

On possibly doing the Tories’ job for them by stealing Labour’s vote…

“We expect to take votes from both the Conservative Party and Labour. The Conservatives are on course for victory now. So we need a strong opposition, this is what the Liberal Democrats seek to provide.”

On the suggestion that Theresa May’s biggest selling point is that she isn’t Jeremy Corbyn…

“The divide in the Labour party has meant they are not a credible opposition never mind a (viable) government. But if we let Theresa May win a landslide, it will be a disaster for Britain – and, incidentally for Ireland. We offer the only credible alternative to a Conservative party bent on a path to Theresa May’s Brexit.  Nigel Farage told you everything you need to know about Theresa May’s Conservatives.”

Click here if you can’t view this video

We will stand up to Theresa May on Brexit, the NHS and schools. A Conservative landslide will be bad for jobs, the NHS and schools. But have hope. A better future is available. We will stand up to Theresa May’s cold, mean-spirited Britain. We will stand up to a bad Brexit deal that will cost jobs and put up prices. We will stand up for schools and hospitals.

On May’s refusal to live-debate the opposition…

“I think Theresa May is scared to face the people. Scared to face questions about Brexit, the economy, schooling and the NHS, I think Theresa May should stop hiding and face the people.”

On whether or not a decimated Labour is really good for Britain…

“Labour trooped through the voting lobbies with UKIP and the Tories to support a hard Brexit. That could lead to the scraping, for instance, of worker rights protected by the EU.”

Or on the environment. Or human rights. To my mind, Labour has lost all right to call itself a progressive party. It’s destroying itself. People say Brexit will be a disaster – well, on the biggest issue of the day by miles, Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May are on exactly the same page. Only the Lib Dems are standing up for people and providing a real opposition.

“I want everyone who wants an open, tolerant and united Britain to vote with us. We will be a strong opposition and every vote for Liberal Democrats is a vote to change Britain and get off the hard Brexit course.”

On Ireland and a border Poll…

“A border poll is not inevitable. The Liberal Democrats will work with our friends in Ireland and across Europe to stop a border poll from happening.  The Liberal Democrats offer hope.” (Note: Farron’s answer does not appear to take into account Irish people who would be quite happy to see a border poll happen)

On European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker describing May’s views on Brexit as ‘deluded’…

“I think that it shows how weak our Prime Minister is. Her plan is not to work with our European colleagues but rather to listen to the right in her party and move towards a disastrous hard Brexit.”

Read: Sweden drops Julian Assange rape investigation – but he will be arrested if he leaves embassy

Read: Marine Le Pen is going nowhere and is eyeing another election

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39 Comments
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    Mute Emer Daly
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    Nov 15th 2023, 12:38 PM

    It’s only a television company why is everyone on massive wages there anyway

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    Mute F2yxfluD
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    Nov 15th 2023, 4:42 PM

    @Emer Daly: What do you call massive?

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    Mute Jason Ebbs
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    Nov 15th 2023, 5:06 PM

    @Emer Daly: “everyone on massive wages”…,really ?
    Enlighten us, what is the ordinary worker in there earning, you must know.

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    Mute Paddy C
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    Nov 19th 2023, 5:33 AM

    @Emer Daly: they are on a lovely gravy train been that way for so long now it’s unfair to try slow it down or change it’s trajectory

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    Mute Pat the Baker
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    Nov 15th 2023, 1:27 PM

    RTE is packed full of insiders with a colossal sense of entitlement.
    Public service broadcasting should be representative which RTE is not.

    274
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    Mute John Ryan
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    Nov 15th 2023, 1:08 PM

    Now audit the HSE ,consultants on a million euros for playing golf

    243
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    Mute
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    Nov 15th 2023, 3:32 PM

    @John Ryan:
    Look at the county council’s, also these are in serious need of independent auditing also.

    135
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    Mute F2yxfluD
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    Nov 15th 2023, 4:44 PM

    @John Ryan: You should name these consultants who are on a million euros for playing golf

    12
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    Mute Pat the Baker
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    Nov 15th 2023, 1:29 PM

    Also, all public service roles should be transparent wrt to salary – taxpayers have a right to know what we are paying for.

    I never watched the late late once Tubridy started presenting it – zero charisma just someone’s son.

    126
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    Mute Ollie Fitzpatrick
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    Nov 15th 2023, 12:52 PM

    Very good article, I do feel that one of RTÉ’s main aims is to get the licence and taxpayers and ultimately their paymasters back onside.
    One sector I would suggest that savings could be made is in the amount of personnel covering sports events. I am a sports addict by the way!

    107
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    Mute Mick Duvanny
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    Nov 15th 2023, 1:42 PM

    @Ollie Fitzpatrick: What sport do RTÉ have left? Most of it has gone to Virgin

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    Mute Ollie Fitzpatrick
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    Nov 15th 2023, 2:42 PM

    @Mick Duvanny: Ok Mick, well any that they do have. They normally have three pundits and a presenter in studio, two commentators and a pitch side interviewer, not including camera personnel and tekkies. Far too many for one event!

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    Mute Donal Desmond
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    Nov 15th 2023, 2:48 PM

    @Ollie Fitzpatrick: Dee Forbes and other directors of RTE were also directors of GAA Go ….Forbes and some of these directors have left RTE…, but there was certainly a conflict of interest in the decisions of which matches would be shown on RTE and which matches were given to GAA Go .

    46
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    Mute Ollie Fitzpatrick
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    Nov 15th 2023, 4:21 PM

    @Donal Desmond: the fact that some of these directors or board members have resigned is an indictment in itself and should be seen as such. Guilty

    27
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    Mute David Corrigan
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    Nov 15th 2023, 1:40 PM

    “And what of the TV licence fee? There are only two things certain in life, we are told, death and taxes. Yet the licence fee now has all the appearance of a voluntary contribution. Thousands are opting out. What does the government propose to do about the recidivist rate? Can I now inform the revenue commissions that I am opting for a lower rate of PAYE next year, or perhaps that I’ve decided to stop paying my property tax?”

    So he wants us to continue paying into a very very corrupt organisation? I can inform you here and now that I will never pay it again. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

    126
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    Mute Kevin Kerr
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    Nov 15th 2023, 2:08 PM

    @David Corrigan: Where did he say that he wants us to continue to pay? He is simply pointing out that payment has plummeted and that the government have an issue to resolve as a result. No need to be telling him to put anything in his pipe – whilst he’s an ex employee, he has no skin in the game, and has simply written an opinion piece. Get off your high horse

    36
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    Mute David Corrigan
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    Nov 15th 2023, 3:06 PM

    @SYaxJ2Ts: Oh here he comes again. Captain Carlsberg and his condescending rubbish.
    I will tell him or you or anyone what I think If you don’t like it, then get back in your box.

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    Mute Kevin Kerr
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    Nov 15th 2023, 3:14 PM

    @David Corrigan: haha hilarious- you accuse the author of saying something that he clearly didn’t. I know 12 year olds who have better comprehension skills than you

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    Mute David Corrigan
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    Nov 15th 2023, 9:45 PM

    @SYaxJ2Ts: I have asked you on numerous occasions to stop twisting my words to suit your agenda. It’s not working and it’s making you look foolish. I won’t ask you again.

    6
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    Mute Kevin Kerr
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    Nov 16th 2023, 7:17 AM

    @David Corrigan: I’m not twisting anything. You said the author wants us to continue to pay into a corrupt organisation. I pointed out that the author said no such thing. It’s not difficult David. You need to own your words as they’re here in black and white.

    10
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    Mute Chris O'Brien
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    Nov 15th 2023, 1:32 PM

    Loling that Willie here thinks RTE has some massive talent pool which is only there because of their insanely high salaries.

    It’s like saying, ‘golly our TDs must be the best in the world because of their outlandishly high salaries, cars, expenses, etc.”

    Turns out that something costing a lot is NOT the same as something being good.

    A concept utterly alien to most Irish people.

    Quality – instead – creates its own value. But unless you’ve been exposed to good, you’ll assume whatever garbage you’ve grown accustomed to is amazing.

    So what Ireland needs is better QUALITY – and more access to world class alternatives to home grown rubbish.

    Imagine if Ireland made its own cars. Then one day Japanese cars were suddenly allowed to be imported.

    Would the Irish car industry adapt – ie make better, cheaper cars – or would it simply demand more tax money to subsidise its worse output?

    C’mere, we all know the answer.

    They’d demand billions from government, and then their owners would be on RTE attacking ‘lazy workers on the dole’. In a 2000 euro suit bought for him by taxpayers.

    We’ve broken our society, and no one paying attention thinks anyone paying attention will live to see it made better.

    117
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    Mute Toyo Ke
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    Nov 15th 2023, 1:59 PM

    Pay caps can be worked around, just ask RTE. Maybe a car, or transport allowance? I’m sure high earners will find a way not to be at too much of a loss.

    76
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    Mute TheGood Feign
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    Nov 15th 2023, 3:29 PM

    I have a serious question. Sooner or later my TV licence is up for renewal. If RTE are being bailed out with govt money (taxpayer money basically) because many aren’t paying their licence fees, and if I pay my licence, then I am effectively double paying as I am also paying the bailout (albeit a minute bit, but it’s still there). That’s inéquitable and a tax applied like that is just dysfunctional. I’m seriously considering not paying the licence fee on the grounds that I cannot see it being a fairly applied tax. The question is, would that be correct? If the bailout is cheaper than enforcing the licence fee should we not just scrap the licence altogether?

    72
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    Mute F2yxfluD
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    Nov 15th 2023, 4:56 PM

    @TheGood Feign: Yes, the licence fee should be scrapped and in future RTE should be fully funded from two sources : 1) a line item in the annual budget which is paid by the taxpayers and 2) a tolerable level of advertising revenues. A situation where some people are paying their licence fee and others are not should not be allowed to continue

    30
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    Mute Stephen Purcell
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    Nov 15th 2023, 4:25 PM

    I know this is facetious, but i got a letter today threatening me with legal action for not paying my TV license. This is coming from the government, so can i claim refugee status as the government is threatening me?

    52
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    Mute F2yxfluD
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    Nov 15th 2023, 4:58 PM

    @Stephen Purcell: Yes but you’ll have to flee somewhere

    14
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    Mute kkjLtYn1
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    Nov 15th 2023, 3:07 PM

    They’ll just outsource the work of those leaving to private contractors who won’t be subject to the pay cap. Just playing for time in the expectation that a new licensing structure that benefits them will be put in place.

    43
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    Mute kkjLtYn1
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    Nov 15th 2023, 4:18 PM

    I’m sure Willie was happy enough to ride the gravy train while he was in Montrose? Didn’t hear him complaining during his time there.

    42
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    Mute Kevin O Brien
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    Nov 15th 2023, 2:21 PM

    Are Israel funding RTE is appears that way from the “Israel said” it must be true reports

    38
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    Mute Pato
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    Nov 15th 2023, 2:50 PM

    Willie – there is a difference between between “earning” and “getting paid”.

    33
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    Mute The Black Horse
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    Nov 15th 2023, 3:51 PM

    Will they fiddle the figures again

    33
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    Mute had the same problem with them here
    Favourite had the same problem with them here
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    Nov 15th 2023, 1:07 PM

    Create a public service app for all Irish phones if they think it that important and get rid of this waste of time and money.

    39
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    Mute troolll balonius
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    Nov 15th 2023, 2:08 PM

    This entire piece is fatuous garbage and intellectually dishonest regarding most of the points made.

    46
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    Mute Peter McCormack
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    Nov 15th 2023, 3:47 PM

    Tubrity has a lot to answer for.
    Can RTE not go back to the way it was before..

    15
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    Mute F2yxfluD
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    Nov 15th 2023, 4:58 PM

    @Peter McCormack: Ryan Tubridy did nothing wrong

    14
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    Mute Tony O'Neill
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    Nov 16th 2023, 2:25 PM

    I’m simply furious to hear that RTE staff are to be allowed reduce their “working time” to stay within €250,000 pay cap! SCAM!!!
    Not acceptable at all Mr Bakhurst!

    11
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    Mute Steven Schulz
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    Nov 15th 2023, 5:17 PM

    If no one can be paid more than the DG, are they going to be reading the news?

    I, for one, wouldn’t let my salary be dictated by such a promise.

    RTE should continue as it is, threaten to declare bankruptcy and shutter, and force the government’s hand.

    As for the licence. Pay or prison, like taxes.

    6
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    Mute John Doyle
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    Nov 22nd 2023, 9:50 PM

    They can’t make us watch it.

    1
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    Mute Max
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    Nov 19th 2023, 5:43 PM

    Good man, Willie. Have you been over to Ottweiler recently? A lovely spot indeed.

    1
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