Ed Davey calls on Labour leadership contenders to drop red lines on EU

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has called on the Labour leadership contenders Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting to commit to dropping Labour's ‘red lines’ on Europe, to boost the economy and tackle the cost-of-living crisis.

It comes ahead of a keynote speech Keir Starmer is expected to give on Monday in which he will reportedly argue for closer ties with Europe, but refuse to drop any of his existing ‘red lines’ including on a customs union, which would slash the red tape that is holding back British businesses and pushing up prices.

Ed Davey said Burnham, Rayner and Streeting should each commit to opening negotiations with the EU on a customs union, should they succeed Keir Starmer as Labour leader and Prime Minister.

The Liberal Democrats plan to use every opportunity in Parliament to strengthen the EU Reset Bill, which is expected to be announced in the King's Speech, and force votes on a closer relationship with Europe.

Previous research has suggested a closer trade deal with the EU could add up to £25 billion to the public finances a year over the long term.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

“The Prime Minister has refused to see the results of this week’s local elections for what they are: a referendum on him, and his failure to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.

“We all know the best way to deliver the economic growth that this country desperately needs: a closer relationship with Europe. Yet his reset plan is far too weak and unambitious.

“The Conservatives’ botched Brexit deal has held this country back for too long and now is the time to be far bolder on Europe, on everything from trade to defence.

“The leading contenders for the Labour leadership, including Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting, should put the country first and commit to fixing our broken relationship with Europe if they enter Number 10.

“Without a much deeper, more ambitious trade deal with Europe, we won’t see the growth we desperately need, and the forces of populism on both left and right will only grow.”

ENDS