James Cleverly, the Conservative party chairman, has again suggested that failing to leave the EU could cause civil disorder, despite concerns among many MPs about inflaming tensions around Brexit.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said: “Discussing the implications of decisions we make is part of what politics is about. We have a huge amount of discourse around Yellowhammer planning and a lot of people have been making apocalyptic predictions. I have been very, very careful not to do the same but the broader point is both sides said they would respect the referendum result.
“My fear is of the message we put out to millions of voters is that if change is not initiated through the ballot box, then they may regard disappointment in that as a trigger to initiate other methods of change.”
He said political patterns around the globe showed people being frustrated with politicians not acting on what they wanted.
Cleverly said: “I think Brexit was a warning shot for us … please stop listening just to each other and listen to us. If we don’t do that I think there will be anger and disappointment.”
He previously told a fringe event that disorder “could happen” if there is no Brexit and an anonymous cabinet minister told the Times that riots could occur if the 2016 referendum result is not honoured.
The language has continued despite warnings from Labour MPs that government ministers referring to legislation blocking a no-deal Brexit as the “surrender act” risked worsening tensions and death threats.
Priti Patel, the home secretary, was more cautious about the idea there could be riots.
She told LBC: “I’m part of that committee that meets every single day where we are absolutely doing all the planning and the preparedness for every Brexit scenario … That is the right and responsible thing for a government to do. I’m not planning for disorder. We are planning for the delivery of Brexit.”
