Jo Swinson describes Tories and Labour as 'tired' and 'old' as she hits out at lack of Remain voice in ITV debate

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Jo Swinson has taken aim at the lack of a Remain voice in the TV election clash as she described the Conservative and Labour parties as "tired" and "old".

The Liberal Democrats leader said after Tuesday night’s debate that she should have been heard in the discussions. She said "clearly” both Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn “believe in Brexit”.

Ms Swinson said viewers of the showdown on ITV would be forgiven for saying they “deserve better" ahead of the General Election, adding: “the voice of Remain was not there."

Speaking to the same channel after the debate, she said: "Surely we deserve than this, than what was on offer from those two tired, old parties.

Jo Swinson has hit out at 'tired, old' parties and the lack of Remain voice in the debate
ITV

"We need something fresh and something different, and a better choice. And I'm standing here as the leader of the Liberal Democrats offering that better choice."

The Lib Dems earlier this week failed in a legal challenge to the lawfulness of the debate between the Prime Minister and Labour leader Mr Corbyn.

The party had argued the exclusion of its leader Ms Swinson was depriving millions of viewers of the chance to hear the argument for remaining in the European Union.

At a High Court judicial review bid, the Lib Dems claimed the primetime debate was “undemocratic” and ITV was in breach of strict rules around impartiality and balance in General Election campaigns.

But Lord Justice Davis and Mr Justice Warby this afternoon rejected the legal challenge to the broadcaster’s decision to exclude the Lib Dems as well as the Scottish National Party.

Following the debate, Green Party co-leader Sian Berry said: "I actually can't believe that climate chaos was relegated to the quickfire round in that debate.

Boris Johnson said Labour's Brexit plan would mean more 'dither and delay'
ITV

"That neither of those two men who want to run the country brought it up as part of their main points.

"This is the most important issue that we face, alongside Brexit, and yet it wasn't part of the debate."

And SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said in a statement: "The clear takeaway for Scotland from this debate is that neither of these men should be able to determine Scotland's future.

"Jeremy Corbyn can't decide if he is leave or remain and Boris Johnson is determined to take Scotland out of the EU against our will.

"Only a vote for the SNP in this election can help Scotland escape from Brexit - and secure our right to choose a better future as an independent country.

Mr Johnson lashed out at Mr Corbyn’s “dither and delay” over Brexit as the two leaders clashed in the TV debate.

The Prime Minister warned the UK faced further delay to the UK's departure from the EU under a Labour government.

The PM said a vote for the Conservatives would be a vote to finally "get Brexit done". He added: "If you vote for us, we have a deal that is ready to go. Approved by every one of the 635 Conservatives candidates standing at this election."

Mr Johnson: "As soon as we can get that deal through Parliament, as we can in the next few weeks, we can get on with the people's priorities.

Mr Corbyn dismissed Mr Johnson's pledge to "get Brexit done" by the end of January as "nonsense" and retorted that he could not deliver on what he was promising.

"That idea that the Prime Minister Boris Johnson' deal can be dealt with and finished by the end of January is such nonsense," he said.

"What he is proposing is a trade deal which will take at least seven years to negotiate whilst at the same time saying he will negotiate a special trade deal with the European Union.

"The two things are actually incompatible."

General Election 2019 - In pictures

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