Peer went ‘a step too far’ comparing Brexit Britain to Nazi Germany
Liberal Democrat Lord Greaves was criticised after saying he was 'fearful some things may happen which could be reminiscent of Germany in the early 1930s'
A peer has faced criticism for going “a step too far” in comparing Brexit Britain to Nazi Germany.
Liberal Democrat Lord Greaves also claimed people were crying themselves to sleep at night over the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, as he warned against “triumphalistic behaviour”.
He made his comments as peers at Westminster started their line-by-line scrutiny of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill, which will enable the UK to leave the EU on January 31.
Lord Greaves said there were many people people in the country “full of dismay and distress” over the break with Brussels.
As some Conservative Tory peers signalled their dissent, he continued: “People are crying when they go to sleep at night and when they wake up in the morning, and all they get from the unfeeling, hard-headed Tories is moans.
Lord Greaves said: “I am particularly concerned about what the Government is doing about prevention of discrimination in the transition period.
“I am fearful that on January 31 some things may happen in some places which could be reminiscent of things happening in Germany in the early 1930s.
“I am worried about this, because there is that sentiment amongst a hostile minority of the population.”
But challenging him, Brexit-supporting Labour peer Lord Grocott said: “He’s just made a comparison, I’m slightly reeling from it, between Britain on February 1 this year and Nazi Germany in 1933.”
Responding, Lord Greaves said: “What we do know is that the day after the referendum people had their windows put in. People were abused in the street. Paint was daubed on people’s houses. It’s that kind of thing I am talking about.
“I know of plenty of instances where people have been abused in the street and shouted at.”
“Police statistics show that the amount of racially-motivated offences has increased significantly since June 2016. I am not making it up. It is happening.”
Home Office Minister Baroness Williams of Trafford said: “To compare January 31 to Nazi Germany, I think, is rather a step too far.”
But Lord Greaves said: “I have not compared this country today with Nazi Germany and would not do so obviously, it would be ridiculous.
“What I am saying is that some of the conditions which exist in this country are similar to conditions which existed in Germany between the wars, before the Nazis came to power and took over.
“You can think that’s right, you can think it’s wrong, but I believe that that is the case.”
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