"...the Liberal Democrats will fight the next election on a clear and unequivocal promise to restore Britain’s prosperity and role in the world, with the United Kingdom in the European Union, not outside it." (Tim Farron)

Thousands have joined the Liberal Democrats since the close of the EU referendum polls on Thursday.

They have joined us because we are fighting for an open, optimistic, liberal, diverse, and tolerant Britain.

Speaking following the referendum result, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Tim Farron said:

“I’m devastated and I am angry. Today we wake to a deeply divided country.

“Nigel Farage’s vision for Britain has won this vote, but it is not a vision I share.

“Young people voted to remain by a considerable margin, but were out voted. They were voting for their future, yet it has been taken from them.

“Even though the result was close, there is no doubt that the majority of British people want us to leave.

“Our fight for an open, optimistic, hopeful, diverse and tolerant Britain is needed now more than ever.

“Together we can still make the case for Britain’s future with Europe, as millions of people voted for it. Together we cannot afford to let that vision to die.

Liberal Democrats from across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch came together to welcome the #INtogether "battlebus" as it visted the head quarters of LUSH Cosmetics today.

Bournemouth Liberal Democrats joined together with representatives of all the major parties on Saturday 18th June to remember the life of Jo Cox MP.

We are shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Jo Cox, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, following the outrageous attack at her constituency surgery. Our deepest sympathy goes to her family and colleagues.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36550304

Joe Otten of Sheffield Liberal Democrats writes...

Until now the economic argument in this EU referendum has been whether you believe the experts – whose reputations depend on the quality of their prognostications – or whether you believe that an ‘expert’ is someone who automatically has less expertise than everybody else.

Just to summarise, thanks to Sky News:

• International Monetary Fund – Britain could cause “severe regional and global damage by disrupting established trading relationships”, should it vote to leave the EU. “Negotiations on post exit arrangements would likely be protracted, resulting in an extended period of heightened uncertainty that could weigh heavily on confidence and investment, all the while increasing financial market volatility.” The consequences ranged from “pretty bad to very, very bad”, managing director, Christine Lagarde added
• PWC for the Confederation of British Industry – GDP down 3 to 5% by 2020, 5% corresponding to 950,000 jobs and £100bn lost.
• Institute For Fiscal Studies – Brexit would cost the UK between £20bn and £40bn, according to the IFS. The Government would need to find equivalent of £5bn of public spending cuts, £5bn worth of savings from social security spending and roll out tax hikes worth £5bn – two more years of austerity – to cover the cost.
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development – GDP in the UK could be between 3-5% below the level it might have been if it had remained in the EU, equivalent to £2,200 loss per household.

  No longer need we believe them. With polls in the last few days showing a high risk of Brexit, the markets have reacted.

Bournemouth Liberal Democrats and our friends from Britain Stronger IN are carrying the fight all the way to referendum day on 23rd June.

The team from "Checkpoint Charlie" smile for the camera while, across town, more campaigners were hard at work from their stall, "Project Paddy".

Liberal Democrat leader, Tim Farron, has appeared on BBC television today to "call out" claims being made by Boris Johnson and the rest of the Brexit campaign. Mr Farron referred to "what are, basically, lies" and made a plea for the positive message on our EU membership to be made loud and clear.

The European referendum is drawing ever closer and more and more people are turning to us to help them make up their minds which way to vote.