- The UK must repair its relationship with Europe to strengthen its economic prospects.
- And the Lib Dems intend to take on Tory-held seats.
- Lib Dem leader highlights internationalist credentials, supports electoral reform.
The UK must “fix our damaged relationship with Europe” to strengthen its economic prospects, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has stated.
Before to the May municipal elections, Sir Ed made his case to voters on important policies during his party’s spring conference.
He discussed his proposal to “break down” trade barriers and fix the “botched” Brexit arrangement put out by the Tories.
He also discussed electoral reform and the party’s plans for the NHS.
In a speech in York, Sir Ed discussed his own ideals and the direction he wants the party to go in place of any new ideas.
“We are the party of hope over fear,” Sir Ed told the conference.
“And – as Liberal Democrats have always been – we are the big thinkers with the vision to see past current crises and paint the future we want to build.”
In approaching local elections and the general election that is anticipated for next year, the Lib Dems intend to take on Tory-held seats throughout the south of England.
They have called these frequently rural areas the “Blue Wall” in an effort to win over liberal-minded Tory and Labor supporters.
the aforementioned. They presently have 14 members of parliament.
Sir Ed gave his first speech to a full conference on Sunday since becoming the party leader in 2020.
Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the party’s autumn conference, where he was scheduled to speak, was postponed.
Following the Covid-19 pandemic, leaders’ remarks at other conferences were curtailed or mostly delivered online.
Pledge of internationalism
Sir Ed said the party would seek a closer economic relationship with Europe to “fix Britain’s trade” if it was in government.
“If you want to boost our economy, you have to repair our broken relationship with Europe,” he said. “You don’t need me to tell you what a disaster the Conservatives’ botched deal with Europe has been for our country.”
An illustration of the party’s dedication to “community politics” was provided by the party’s efforts to combat sewage spills, which have been at the forefront of its campaigning for the past year or two.
The Lib Dem leader tried to distinguish himself from the Conservatives by highlighting his internationalist credentials while serving as a cabinet minister in the coalition government.
He called the government’s most recent refugee law “appalling” and criticized Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as “unpatriotic” for reducing UK foreign aid spending when he becomes chancellor in 2021.
His party contends that aid spending needs to be promptly brought back to the norm of 0.7% of GDP.
It sees this as a point of distinction from Labor, which claims it wants to get back to 0.7% but hasn’t yet specified a deadline.
Sir Ed also emphasized that his party has supported electoral reform for “a hundred years” and that his party supports doing away with the first-past-the-post method used in the UK for parliamentary elections.
“Our zeal for proportional representation remains undimmed today,” Sir Ed said. “Conference, we will make it happen. We will make fair votes a reality.”
At its party conference in September, Labor members supported requests to alter the voting process; but, the party is not anticipated to include the proposal in its election platform.
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