This weekend at our party conference we will debate our Europe motion, clarifying the party’s policy on our relations with and towards the EU.
The main focus of debate between members is likely to be around ‘r’. Not the COVID ‘r’, which we have all become used to, but the Brexit ‘r’ word – rejoin.
We all remember the joy we felt last May when our representation in Europe went from one solitary MEP, Catherine Bearder, to a surprisingly fulsome group of 16 from right across the country – several of whom had not expected to be elected.
It was a symbol of how strongly people felt about Brexit, and, thanks to a proportional electoral system, their commitment to EU membership was reflected in our election result.
I can honestly say no one in the party, or outside it, regrets our departure from Europe more strongly than the 16 of us.
But the world has changed since 31st January beyond what any of us could have imagined..
Hard though it is to accept, for those of us who fought tooth and nail to stop Brexit, most people’s attention is now far more are now far more focused distracted by on COVID and the implications it is having for their families and jobs, the economy, education and our health and social care services.
As a party, it would be wise for us to focus on the fact that only 2% of UK voters now think Brexit is the most important issue facing us. We are back to the sort of numbers seen before the EU referendum was even a thing. Remember that? When no one ever talked about our relationship with Europe – except the Daily Mail!
Dobré ráno! Liberal Democrat Voice is brought to you today from Starý Smokovec, in the Slovak Tatras, where your intrepid Day Editor is spending the day. As befits a member of the Party’s Federal International Relations Committee, I’m on a rail odyssey across the continent, from Stowmarket to here and back (the pretty way). And I’m drinking beer in half-litres…
On Lib Dem Voice: 
We seldom consider the view of British politics from beyond our shores, something even Liberal Democrats are poor at. So, here’s a perspective from someone whose view matters, regardless of what his opponents might say…
Two weeks ago liberals from across Europe gathered together in Madrid to debate policy, receive training and pass a new manifesto for next year’s European Parliament elections. This new manifesto reflects the commitment of liberals from across the EU to our shared European values. It is a manifesto which seeks to bring all Europeans together; and because of the efforts of European Liberal Youth (LYMEC)’s delegation, it reflects the views and aspirations of young people from across the continent. Indeed, there were few delegations as active or as well prepared as LYMEC’s.
The sun was beating down in Sofia, the sky was blue, there wasn’t a cloud to spoil the view. But there was Brexit in our hearts…
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