LONDON -- Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair launched a campaign Friday to persuade the United Kingdom to rethink its decision to leave the European Union, saying those who want to remain should "rise up" and make their wishes known.
Blair argued that the Conservative government's drive to leave the EU "at any cost" will hurt future generations and damage the unity of the country itself.
Last year's vote to leave the 28-nation bloc was "based on imperfect knowledge," and Britons made their decision without knowing the true terms of the exit, he said in a speech in London.
"As these terms become clear, it is their right to change their mind," said Blair, the former Labor Party leader. "Our mission is to persuade them to do so."
Blair's intervention reflects the bitter divide that has gripped Britain since the June 23 referendum. While 51.9 percent voted to leave the EU, the terms were not specified. Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May has been reluctant to discuss her plans, fearing it will hurt the U.K.'s bargaining position.
Many in this country of 64 million have expressed disquiet at the potential consequences.
"They will say we don't represent the people. We do, many millions of them, and with determination, many millions more," Blair said. "They will claim we're dividing the country by making the case. It is they who divide our country -- generation from generation, North from South, Scotland from England, those born here from those who came to our country precisely because of what they thought it stood for and what they admired."
Blair spoke on behalf of Open Britain, which is campaigning for the government's EU exit legislation to be amended to ensure that Parliament has "proper scrutiny" over any deal May negotiates with EU leaders. Among the group's goals is for Britain to remain part of the bloc's single market, guaranteeing unfettered access to 500 million people.
While supporters oppose any attempt to slow the drive toward an exit, calling it undemocratic, Blair argued that the people have a right to change their minds. The "leave" campaign benefited from a mood of revolt stemming in part from changes in the global economy, but opinions aren't set in stone, he said.
"The Brexiteers were the beneficiaries of this wave. Now they want to freeze it to a day in June 2016," he said, using a term for people in favor of a British exit from the EU.
A Section on 02/18/2017