Tony Blair Says ‘Rise Up’ Against Brexit

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has urged the British people to “rise up” against the proposed exit from the European Union despite the result of a referendum held last year. The Brexit vote is not technically binding and Blair insists there could still be an opportunity to preserve Britain’s status in the political and economic union if people change their minds when they discover the true impact of negotiations to leave. “I don’t know if we can succeed. But I do know we will suffer a rancorous verdict from future generations if we do not try. This is not the time for retreat, indifference, or despair, but the time to rise up in defense of what we believe,” he said. Boris Johnson, Britain’s foreign secretary, responded by saying: “I urge the British people to rise up and turn off the TV the next time Blair comes on.”