Ignoring Brexit will make election most dishonest in modern times – Heseltine

Michael Heseltine, who was a senior member in Margaret Thatcher’s cabinet, said none of Britain’s major problems could be addressed in isolation from the country’s relationship with Europe. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

The election campaign will be the “most dishonest in modern times” because both main parties refuse to debate the consequences of Brexit, a former Tory deputy prime minister has said.

Michael Heseltine, who was deputy prime minister from 1995 to 1997 and a senior figure in Margaret Thatcher’s cabinet, said no key problem affecting the country can be “honestly addressed” without considering the impact of leaving the EU.