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Jacob Rees-Mogg claims Bristol billboard is ‘fundamentally dishonest’
Crowdfunded by hundreds of people across the UK by pro-remain group Led By Donkeys, billboards have now appeared in cities in the form of giant tweets.
The first billboard in Bristol close to the Old Market roundabout has already incurred the wrath of prominent Conservative backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg.
The quote from the MP for North East Somerset was made in the House of Commons in 2011: “We could have two referendums. As it happens, it might make more sense to have the second referendum after the renegotiation is completed.”
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A caption underneath says: “He didn’t tweet it, he actually said it! In the House of Commons. What changed?”
The billboards were crowdfunded, with the public choosing what quotes and tweets to appear
But according to Rees-Mogg, the quote relates to referendums that would have taken place while the UK was still part of the EU and prior to the Government deciding on whether to hold a nationwide vote.
Rees-Mogg told the Bristol Post: “I joined Twitter in 2017 so the billboard is fundamentally dishonest. It is designed as a tweet and is a highly selective quote.
“I have never supported a second referendum of the type proposed by the ‘People’s Vote’ campaign.
“In the House of Commons on October 24th 2011, I was discussing the idea of a mandate referendum for David Cameron to begin his negotiations on our terms of membership of the European Union followed by a decision on what he had achieved.”
Read more: Bollocks to Brexit bus arrives in Bristol
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