The Sun - Brexit by Hugo Gye
GEORGE Soros’ fight to stop Brexit will go on for another FIVE YEARS, the tycoon hinted today as he called for a second EU referendum.
The hedge fund billionaire claimed Brexit would be “immensely damaging” for both Britain and the EU and boasted about funding the campaign to overturn it.
George Soros has said the Brexit process could take five yearsAP:Associated Press
But he warned Brussels that the EU must radically reform if leaders want to persuade Brits to change their minds.
Mr Soros, 87, said during a speech in Paris that Europe is in an “existential crisis” because of Brexit, refugees and austerity.
He described how he’d donated £400,000 to Best for Britain, a campaign group dedicated to holding a second referendum on the EU.
The tycoon said: “Brexit is an immensely damaging process, harmful to both sides.
Mr Soros in Paris today where he made a speech on the future of EuropeAP:Associated Press
“Divorce will be a long process, probably taking more than five years. Five years is an eternity in politics, especially in revolutionary times like the present.
“Ultimately, it’s up to the British people to decide what they want to do. It would be better however if they came to a decision sooner rather than later.”
He added that a second referendum “would also render Europe a great service by rescinding Brexit and not creating a hard-to-fill hole in the European budget”.
Mr Soros continued: “The British public must
express its support by a convincing margin in order to be taken seriously by Europe.
express its support by a convincing margin in order to be taken seriously by Europe.
“The economic case for remaining a member of the EU is strong, but it will take time for it to sink in.”
But he added that if the EU is serious about overturning Brexit, it should reform to become more flexible.
Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns criticised the tycoon for defying the will of the peopleNigel Bennett - The Sun
Mr Soros demanded a “multi-track Europe” that recognises different countries want different levels of integration.
Brexit backers today hit out at his comments and said a second referendum would defy the will of the British people.
Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns said: “George Soros wants to overturn the largest democratic mandate in British electoral history, but in the same breath admits the EU is in an ‘existential crisis’ and needs to change to convince the UK to rejoin.
“A second referendum would not only damage our negotiating position, but would also send a dangerous signal that Parliament is seeking to ignore the votes of 17.4million people.”
Mr Soros, a Hungarian-American who is the world’s richest hedge fund manager, has spent millions on political causes around the world.
He has been accused of using his cash to defy democracy – but insists he is only trying to promote freedom and stability.
After receiving his donation, Best for Britain has launched a national poster campaign and is lobbying MPs directly to support a re-run of the 2016 vote.
From The Sun
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