There’s been an ongoing debate within the party about Europe, and the ambition for rejoining the European Union. And, within that debate, there has been an oft-expressed disappointment that the party is not bolder and more vocal on its ambition to rejoin at some point.
Caroline Voaden, the newly-elected Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon, laid down a rather clearer marker in a piece in The House Magazine on Thursday, noting;
I also now represent Brixham, one of the UK’s largest fishing ports – a place that supported the Brexit ideal, but where they now say they were hoodwinked by false promises.
So it is with some dismay that I enter a House where barely anyone is inclined to say: “This isn’t working. Let’s make it better.”
She goes on to list some of the quick wins the Labour government should be working towards – mutual recognition of professional qualifications, Erasmus, a new Cultural Touring Agreement and a veterinary agreement to name but four – before concluding;
It took 20 years for the leave campaign to get its vote – this is a long process. But we must take the first steps, and as Liberal Democrats we should argue strongly for this. By doing so, rejoining the single market will become a much easier win.
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2 Comments
This conspiracy of silence around Brexit is deafening. The surest way of fixing our economy and cost of living crisis is to rejoin the eu. We cannot afford to be out of the world’s largest free trading bloc.
Well said, Peter Hirst.
David Mitchell had a few choice words to say about this subject in the Observer last Sunday.