Tag Archives: andrew marr

"It's in the interest of British people that we have the closest possible relationship with our European partners." – @EdwardJDavey #Marr pic.twitter.com/wlSUfWUjcr

— Liberal Democrats (@LibDems) January 17, 2021

“We are not a rejoin party” was one of the first things Ed Davey said in his New Year interview with Andrew Marr. The starkness of that statement is bound to disappoint some Liberal Democrat members and activists who are committed to this country ultimately being part of the EU again. Party strategists are adamant that now is not the time to have that argument and that we need to re-establish our credibility after the 2019 election. Perhaps being proven right will take care of some of that issue. We just need to make sure that we can be better at benefitting from being right than we have been all the other times when we have called a major issue correctly – think Iraq and the 2008 economic crisis.

It’s also not what our policy, passed at Conference in September, says:

Conference resolves to support a longer term objective of UK membership of the EU.

I would have preferred to see a very quick addition to Ed’s line that we didn’t support Brexit for all the reasons we can see it going wrong before he emphasises the need for the closest possible relationship with the EU. There is nothing wrong with saying that while rejoin isn’t on the table now, we think we’ll get to a place where it will be a viable option. There is nothing wrong with keeping that hope alive.

However, he was very strong on one issue that differentiates us from the Labour Party. Keir Starmer is not going to fight for freedom of movement of people. The Liberal Democrats will. Ed said that taking away the freedom to live, work and raise families across the EU is illiberal. The issue is one that impacts on so many families in this country and should increase our support.

One of the sadnesses of ending freedom of movement is how it's illiberal it is – taking away that freedom for all British people, including our young people.

As Leader of the Liberal Democrats I will fight the Government on free movement within the EU. #Marr pic.twitter.com/vXxHrqRFal

— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) January 17, 2021

That’s a major point of difference with Labour and should attract young people.

The conversation then turned to students. Ed said that the Government had let down schools, universities and students. He called Gavin Williamson the worst education secretary in living memory, who had mismanaged the crisis for everyone in the education sector. He argued that students should be refunded some of their fees and the Government, not the universities should pay for this.

The Government have let students and they've let down schools.

Gavin Williamson is the worst Education Secretary in living memory – he must go, and the Government must step up for our young people and teachers. #Marr pic.twitter.com/N06Hx9iNc8

— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) January 17, 2021

Marr then turned to another really important issue for Lib Dem voters – the environment.