Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, is set to urge Labour to abandon its cautious approach to the European Union and push for the UK to rejoin the single market. In a major speech ahead of the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum, Davey will call on Labour figures such as Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting to drop their red lines on the customs union and single market.
Davey's Challenge to Labour
Davey will argue that Labour's current stance is holding Britain back and playing into the hands of Nigel Farage and Reform UK. He will say: "Labour's red lines are holding Britain back. They are hurting the British people and they are playing into the hands of Farage and Reform." The Lib Dem leader will call for an end to the "torpor and timidity" that has marked Labour's approach to Europe, urging the party to immediately begin talks on a more ambitious deal with the EU.
Strengthening the Lib Dem Position
The speech marks a significant shift for the Liberal Democrats, who have gradually moved towards a more pro-European stance. At the last election, the party took a more gradual approach, but now Davey is calling for the UK to rejoin the single market and form a new customs union with the EU. This would involve accepting free movement of people, putting the Lib Dems on a collision course with the Conservatives and Reform UK over immigration.
Davey will argue that the plan would reverse years of economic damage from Brexit, which he claims is costing the UK £90 billion a year. He will say: "People are fed up … They know the hard truth that most politicians won’t admit: the Conservatives’ Brexit experiment has failed. And it’s failed all of us."
EU Response and Labour Reaction
EU officials have indicated openness to the UK joining the European Economic Area, but have ruled out a British proposal for common rules on goods without free movement of people. Charles Michel, a former European Council president, told the Guardian that the single market is "not for sale" and that the UK's desire to have the benefits of Brexit without constraints is not new.
Labour has dismissed the Lib Dem call, with a party source saying: "The kind of things the Lib Dems would say, wedded to the past and old routine fringe issues. Pitching a rejoin policy that only serves to recreate the most divisive debate this country has seen is careless and desperate."
Defence Cooperation
In addition to economic ties, the Liberal Democrats are calling for deeper defence cooperation with the EU, including the establishment of a European security council and a new rearmament drive. The party believes the UK could use its defence prowess as a bargaining chip to negotiate a better deal with Brussels.
Davey's speech comes as Keir Starmer confirmed that the second EU reset summit would take place on 22 July, despite fears of postponement due to deadlocked talks on youth mobility. The Lib Dems, who have 72 MPs, believe their plan offers the best hope for the country to end the chaos and crisis caused by Brexit.
