Why are the Liberal Democrats now calling for Article 50 to be revoked?

Jo Swinson will use her first conference to put to activists a major shift in policy, writes Ashley Cowburn

Leader aims to make party’s position ‘clear and unequivocal’ (PA)

Marking a departure from the sombre atmosphere of the 2018 conference, with a leader who had all but resigned, the Liberal Democrats will meet this week on the Bournemouth seaside amid a recent resurgence – in terms of members, polling figures, and its number of MPs at Westminster.

The party’s new 39-year-old leader, Jo Swinson, will also use her first conference at the helm of the party to put to activists a major shift in policy, asking them to endorse her proposal of revoking Article 50 – cancelling Brexit – to be included in the Lib Dems’ next blueprint for government.

If the party faithful back her proposal at the Bournemouth International Centre on Sunday, the Lib Dems will then adopt a revocation stance at the next general election, which could of course be as early as next month.