FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg gave an impassioned speech against Brexit before a packed house of Liberal Democrats in Chipping Sodbury on Friday.

The talk, which focused on “Britain after Brexit”, saw Mr Clegg offer his experience and opinion on the decision to leave the EU made on June 23 through the European Referendum.

“Obviously the country is now in a phase of considerable uncertainty, and while I don’t have all the answers, I certainly think we need to start trying to discuss the kind of options that now confront us as a country.

“This is especially important for the young people who are here, the vast majority of young people who voted in the referendum, voted to remain so from their point of view the future that they wanted is no longer available to them

“I think it is important that we try and reflect that because any decision any country takes that shapes the future against the explicit wishes of its young is a perilous step to take.”

At the event, Mr Clegg was also on hand to speak to members of South Gloucestershire Young Liberals, the youth division of South Gloucestershire Liberal Democrats, which was officially launched at the evening.

The event formed part of the annual Heather Larkins Fundraiser, named in memory of a former North Avon councillor, was raising money in aid of sending young party members to their annual conference.

Praising the formation of the group, Mr Clegg said: “The cause, to get young people more involved in politics is a very good one.

“We took a real knock last May but it is remarkable how morale has been restored, membership has increased and ambition has been placed in the plans for the local Liberal Democrats.

“Part of the reason for that is the significant influx of youngsters who joined last year, who felt the election outcome was unduly harsh on the party.

“It also includes the youngsters who joined in the immediate aftermath of the European Referendum, who felt that vote was unduly harsh on their dreams and aspirations for their own futures.

“These youngsters joined fully of energy and ambition, and these kind of events are what I hope will put fuel in the tank and will mean in the longer run that in areas like South Gloucestershire, people who thought the Liberal Democrats will curl up and go away after the last election will find that is definitely not the case.

“We will be doing what we have always done really well, knocking on doors, gathering petitions and representing local people to the best of our ability.”