Time to rise up against Brexit: Blair

Former British prime minister Tony Blair yesterday urged Britons who support the European Union to "rise up" and persuade Brexit voters to change their mind about leaving the bloc in a high-profile speech.

"This is not the time for retreat, indifference or despair but the time to rise up in defence of what we believe," he said at an event organised by Open Britain, a campaign group lobbying for Britain to retain close ties with the EU.

"I don't know if we can succeed. But I do know we will suffer a rancorous verdict from future generations if we do not try," he said.

"We have to build a movement that will stretch across party lines," he said, announcing that he was creating an institute that would also develop arguments against Brexit and keep ties with the EU.

Britain voted to leave the European Union last year and Prime Minister Theresa May has said she will trigger Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty by the end of March, starting a two-year exit process.

Experts are divided on whether the government could change its mind about leaving the EU at some point in the future, even after invoking Article 50.

Brexit supporters quickly criticised Blair's comments. "The EU referendum was democratic, fair and free and the British people voted for Brexit," said Richard Tice, co-chair of the Leave Means Leave group.