Nick Clegg: Pro-EU voters should not to get too 'hung up' on a progressive alliance

Speaking at a campaign event in London, the Sheffield MP delivered his most scathing attack yet on Theresa May’s plans for leaving the EU, as he claimed the economic costs would be felt “by the sick... the elderly... and the young”.

However, responding to calls for the party to stand aside in seats where other anti-Brexit MPs stand a better chance of winning, he refused to condone the move, claiming that the Lib Dems are in a “stronger position” to take on the Tories than most of their rivals.

But he suggested some supporters might nevertheless choose to vote tactically on June 8, adding: “it is up to each voter to decide themselves how they can best employ their vote”.

The comments from the former deputy prime minister follow repeated calls by the Green party for centre-left politicians to work together to defeat Theresa May’s plans for a Hard Brexit.

The party has already agreed to stand aside in Ealing Central to help the incumbent Labour MP to fend off her Conservative opponent, and there is talk of similar deals in key seats across Yorkshire.

Green party members have indicated they are prepared to engage in “conversations” with rival parties in Morley and Outwood, where Ed Balls lost out to pro-Brexit MP Andrea Jenkyns by 422 in 2015.

A similar arrangement could prove crucial in Wakefield and Penistone and Stockbridge seats, where pro-Remain Labour MPs are up against significant Tory and Ukip support.

Mr Clegg has previously spoken in favour of “progressive” parties working together in Parliament, arguing that an alliance of Lib Dem and Labour MP would enhance scrutiny of a Tory government.

However, pressed on whether he believes parties should cooperate in the upcoming election – including standing aside in some seats – he stopped short of advocating electoral pacts.

“I don’t think this is a question of Tim Farron and other party leaders disappearing into smoke filled rooms and entering into deals with each other,” he told the Yorkshire Post.

“Voters are perfectly articulate and well-informed... about which candidate is most likely to prosecute Hard Brexit and which candidate is most likely to oppose it.

“It doesn’t surprise me that if you are a voter who cares passionately about this issue above many other issues you will vote accordingly.

“[But] I think people can get slightly hung up about whether formal decisions are taken or not.”

He went on to claim that the current first past the post voting system “forces voters to take these tactical decisions”, adding that people “are very adept at doing so”.

“I will always advocate for... people who believe in the values of the Liberal Democrats [to] vote with their hearts,” he said. “But it is up to each voter to decide themselves how they can best employ their vote.”

In one of his most personal attacks on Mrs May so far, Mr Clegg used today’s speech to lambast the Tory leaders decision to break away from the Single Market, Customs Union and European Courts.

He argued that “she and she alone” is responsible for the impact on businesses and households across the country.

He also pointed to the recent announcement that Nestle is moving its Blue Ribband production to Poland – putting almost 200 Yorkshire jobs at risk – as “a clear warning sign” of the troubles ahead.

“If the government continues to fail to provide answers about the post-Brexit immigration rules... this would cause major disruption to the food and drink sector over the coming months,” he said.

Responding to Mr Clegg’s speech, the Tory MP and Brexiteer Steve Baker said: “ We have a clear plan for the Brexit negotiations and every vote for Theresa May will strengthen her hand in those negotiations to get a good deal in the national interest.

“Every vote for the Lib Dems risks putting the weak and nonsensical Jeremy Corbyn in Downing Street and in charge of our Brexit negotiations, across the table from 27 EU countries determined to do a deal that works for them.”