As we navigate the current political landscape of 2026, our party needs to develop a clear-eyed, long-term vision for rebuilding our relationship with our European neighbours. At the heart of this mission is the Liberal Democrat European Group (LDEG). We are a dedicated associated organisation of local activists, policy-makers, and internationalists working to ensure that the UK’s European future is not just a distant dream, but becomes once again a practical reality.
LDEG sees its role as a bridge between our party and other organizations in the UK and across the continent, particularly through our work with the party’s Federal International Relations Committee (FIRC) and the ALDE Party as well as with the European Movement and Grassroots for Europe. In the coming year we want to continue providing the intellectual and grassroots energy needed to accelerate our party’s step-by-step roadmap for closer alignment with the European Union, with the longer term goal of rejoining. We shall champion the benefits of the Single Market and Customs Union, as well as membership of other European-wide agencies, and fight to dismantle the trade barriers that continue to hinder British businesses and researchers, as well as tourists.
To achieve these ambitious aims, we are electing our new executive on Tuesday evening to support a programme of activities for 2026 designed to educate, empower, and connect our members. Throughout the year, we intend to host a series of high-level webinars featuring former MEPs, current European politicians, and experts to dive deep into the nuances of security cooperation, environmental standards, youth and student mobility, widening membership of the European Union, and the future of the Horizon Europe research programme. These digital sessions will be complemented by face-to-face engagement, including fringe events at the Federal Conference and regional networking events where members can debate the fine details of our international strategy. Most excitingly, we are planning several study visits to the seats of European power; over the next twelve months, LDEG members will have the chance to join delegations to Warsaw, the Netherlands, and probably to Brussels and Strasbourg to meet directly with European Liberal leaders and witness the workings of the European institutions firsthand. Many of our members will also be attending the forthcoming Congress in Vienna from 3-4 July, celebrating 50 years of the ALDE Party – further details follow shortly from FIRC.
One element of our strategy this year will be the development of regional hubs across the nations and regions of the UK. We recognize that internationalism shouldn’t be confined to Westminster or Brussels; it needs to be rooted in our local communities. We hope that these hubs will provide a space for members to organize locally, share resources, and campaign on European issues that matter to their specific area, from coastal fishing rights to regional tech innovation. Alongside this internal growth, LDEG will also engage more deeply with the millions of European citizens who have made the UK their home. These individuals are an integral part of our society, yet they often feel overlooked in the post-Brexit political discourse. We want to amplify their voices, protect their rights, and invite them to help shape the future of a more inclusive, European-facing Britain.
There has never been a more important time to add your voice to the movement. Whether you are a long-standing party member or a friend who shares our passion for international cooperation, joining LDEG is the best way to ensure the Liberal Democrats remain the vanguard of the pro-European cause. Membership provides you with the platform to influence party policy, early-bird access to our international visits, and the chance to be part of the community that will eventually lead Britain back to the heart of Europe. We invite you to join us today and help build the regional networks and international alliances that will define the next decade of British politics. Sign up to be a member here: or join our AGM on tomorrow, Tuesday, 31 March, at 8 p.m., to listen to Baroness Sal Brinton talk about her activities supporting the UK in Europe – everyone welcome!
* Robert Harrison is the current Chair of LDEG. He is a true European, with British and German nationalities, and has been a candidate for the European Parliament several times in Germany.
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12 Comments
The Guardian has a report today about backsliding on civil liberties and the rule of law by the EU and EU member states: https://www.theguardian.com/law/2026/mar/30/five-eu-governments-consistently-dismantle-rule-of-law-finds-civil-liberties-union-for-europe
If the EU and too many member states continue down this path, wholehearted enthusiasm for joining the EU could be tricky to justify.
This is all very desirable and worthwhile. Except that as you read it it becomes clear that the author is using the terms European and EU interchangeably. This is something that is very noticeable by EU enthusiasts both within the Liberal Democrats and generally.
However Europe and the EU are not, in fact, synonyms. This is unhelpful. Partly because it is confusing. But mostly because it indicates confusion in the minds of the people who use the terms interchangeably.
@Andrew: In that Guardian article, all the countries cited as backsliding or not making progress on civil liberties and rule of law are EU members. So I can’t see that the fact that the article sometimes refers to ‘Europe’ makes any difference.
Simon. I haven’t yet read the Guardian article nor do I see it’s relevance to my point. Which is that the mind set of those, like the author of this piece who see the EU and Europe as synonyms is profound the mistaken and a major part of the problem not the solution to the issues which the author cites. More then that it is deeply unhelpful to solving the division within our own Country regarding the EU. Few who voted leave don’t want amicable relations both with the EU and European countries generally.
I agree with Andrew. It’s especially important when one remembers that the EU is primarily an economic organization, not a military one.
Personally I think we should frame closer relations with “Europe” as the need for closer military and economic alliances with the European States. That covers the highly desirable membership of the Single Market and Customs Union and allows a coalition of the willing on the military side now that US support for NATO is likely to be conditional and unrealisable.
Joining the EU is for another day in my view.
@Andrew. Oh yes, sorry, when I read your comment, “clear that the author is using the terms European and EU interchangeably”, I mistakenly thought you were referring to the Guardian article – hence my previous reply. Obviously in fact you were referring to this LDV article, and my earlier reply doesn’t make sense in that context.
An excellent article. Forging closer relations with the EU must be at the forefront of the Party’s efforts to communicate a sustainable and distinctive message to voters. No other overarching policy area has greater potential to strengthen the British economy and our security, to alleviate the cost of living crisis and to generate meaningful additional funding for our public services. Joining the Liberal Democrat European Group can help further these objectives.
@Andrew Tampion. Actually, I was very clear when writing this article of the difference between the European Union (of which the UK is not a member) and wider European concepts (of which the UK is very clearly a member). If you think that I have mixed anything up, then please highlight it!
@Tristan Ward – my hope is that rejoining Europe is not just “for another day” but still in my lifetime. In the meantime, we should engage with EU and other European agencies as well as building the European defence pillar.
Simon. No need to apologise. If I have not made myself clear that is my fault for lack of clarity on my part; not the readers fault for not understanding me.
Robert. Thank you for replying.
First: In your reply to Tristan you refer to “rejoining Europe”. This makes no sense unless you are referring to the EU because the UK has left the EU not Europe.
Second in your first Article paragraph you refer to ensuring “that the UK’s European future is not just a distant dream”. To me this makes no sense unless you are referring to Europe as the EU.
Third: In paragraph 2 you refer to both the European Movement and to Grassroots for Europe. Both of these organisations promote the EU, not Europe in the abstract.
Fourth. In paragraph 3 all the locations delegations are being sent to are in the EU. Although it is true that Strasbourg holds the ECHR as well as the EU Parliament and Court.
Fifth: In paragraph 5 you state “We recognize that internationalism shouldn’t be confined to Westminster or Brussels”. The only significance of Brussels in the European context is as the HQ of the EU.
Sixth: In paragraph 5 you say “joining LDEG is the best way to ensure the Liberal Democrats remain the vanguard of the pro-European cause.” and “the chance to be part of the community that will eventually lead Britain back to the heart of Europe.” Neither of these statements make any sense unless the Europe referred to is the EU.
Still no response from Robert to my post that gave 6 reasons why I think that he conflate the EU with Europe in his article. I’ll take that as tacit acceptance of my arguments