Brexit: Liberal Democrats will fight for UK to re-join the EU at next general election

The Liberal Democrats have promised to campaign on a platform of taking the UK back into the EU at the next general election, after Britain voted to leave the political and economic union in the 23 June referendum. Tim Farron said thousands of people joined his centre-left party in reaction to the Brexit result and warned a split from the EU will affect jobs, people's homes and livelihoods.

"For many millions of people, this was not just a vote about Europe. It was a howl of anger at politicians and institutions who they felt they were out of touch and had let them down," the Liberal Democrat leader said.

"The British people deserve the chance not to be stuck with the appalling consequences of a Leave campaign that stoked that anger with the lies of Farage, Johnson and Gove.

"The Liberal Democrats will fight the next election on a clear and unequivocal promise to restore British prosperity and role in the world, with the United Kingdom in the European Union, not out. If you agree with us, join us to make this happen."

The commitment comes after the UK voted to break from the EU by 52% to 48%, on a turnout of 72%. The Liberal Democrats, who were reduced to just eight MPs at the 2015 general election, had unsuccessfully campaigned for a Remain result alongside the SNP, Labour and the Conservative government.

David Cameron announced his intention to resign as prime minister in reaction to the result and said a new Conservative leader should be elected by October.

Bookmakers Ladbrokes and William Hill have both put Boris Johnson, the chief Vote Leave campaigner and former Mayor of London, as favourite to succeed Cameron, with Home Secretary Theresa May second favourite and Michael Gove third.

Jeremy Corbyn has ruled out standing down as Labour leader, despite also backing a Remain vote and Labour MPs Margaret Hodge and Ann Coffey submitting a motion of no confidence against the left-winger.

"The whole country must come together in the wake of what became a divisive referendum campaign, discuss the consequences calmly and rationally, and I want Labour to lead that debate," Corbyn said in a 25 June speech.

"Migration will be part of it and that will be led by our shadow home secretary Andy Burnham and our shadow immigration minister Keir Starmer as they travel around Britain. But we need to talk about much, much more.

"The economy, skills and training, investment in industry and communities, employment and trade union rights and our trade with Europe and the rest of the world.

"We were elected as Labour and I was elected leader to redistribute power and wealth in this country. Inequality is the issue of our times and we must face it and act decisively against it. We must talk about immigration but we will never pander to prejudice."