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Bill Cash teaches Ken Clarke a lesson at Brexit debate

In today’s Article 50 debate, MPs from across the House offered their two cents worth on what Brexit means. However, one Remain MP got more than they bargained for when they sparred with Brexiteer Bill Cash in the Chamber.

After Cash argued that the vote for Leave was perfectly clear, Ken Clarke intervened with a counter argument. The Tory grandee accused Cash of double standards over referendums. Pointing to the 1975 referendum on Europe, Clarke said that Cash had argued that referendum was ‘purely advisory’:

‘He will recall, he and I took part in a referendum in the 1970s when he was no doubt saddened to find he was on the losing side. I seem to recall that he strongly took the constitutional view that that was purely advisory and did not change either his views or political campaigning one iota afterwards.

Just as Nigel Farage and many of his supporters made it perfectly clear when they expected they were going to lose this one that they were waiting for the next chance and they were going to go on.

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Steerpike
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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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