Victoria Derbyshire has repeatedly asked Sir Ed Davey whether the Liberal Democrats want the country to return to the EU. Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA
Sir Ed Davey has refused seven times to say whether the Liberal Democrats want the country to rejoin the European Union.
Britain's fourth-largest party is facing questions about its Brexit policy after a series of controversial statements from high-ranking officials. figures and Labor's push for closer trade deals.
Sir Ed said last week that returning to the EU was «off the table» as voters were more concerned about other issues.
But Layla Moran, the Liberal Democrats' foreign affairs spokeswoman, told activists that «we want to reunite» during a side event on Saturday at the party's annual conference in Bournemouth.
A Lib Dems spokesman refused to respond at the time. question, saying the party wants to be «at the heart of Europe» and that rewriting the Brexit deal agreed by Boris Johnson is a «priority».
Britain's future relationship with Brussels has shot up the political agenda after footage emerged of Sir Keir Starmer, the Labor Party leader, insisting the UK will not deviate from EU rules if he becomes prime minister after the next election.< /p>Questions one, two and two. three
When asked by the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire whether there were plans to «go quiet» on Brexit, Sir Ed replied: «We want Britain to be at the center of Europe, but we are also deeply realistic about what will need to be done to enable us to improve our relations with Europe. European politicians no longer trust Britain.»
Asked whether he wanted to reunite in the long term, Sir Ed said he was «very clear that Britain must be at the center of Europe». , but then refused to confirm whether this meant full membership.
Fourth. And five
When asked a fourth time, he said the issue of returning to the EU was «not currently… on the table» but, after being asked to clarify his policy, replied: «I do want, and the Lib Dems do want to restore it’s trust, rebuilding that relationship.” so that we can be in the heart of Europe. It takes time. We must take the British people with us.»
Number six
Asked whether some of his supporters might feel «disappointed» by his lack of an immediate plan to return to the trading bloc, Sir Ed replied: “I think when people hear our policies, they really understand that we are a pro-European party.”
And finally…
In his seventh refusal to answer Ms Derbyshire's questions on the matter, Sir Ed said he was «focusing on a 'four-pronged approach that would allow the party to rejoin the party'.» Single market in the long term, but provides no clarity on the EU itself.
At the 2019 general election, the Liberal Democrats said they would «stop Brexit and build a brighter future», promising to reverse Brexit without enduring it to a public vote.
But they returned just 11 MPs and fewer than four million votes as Boris Johnson's promise to «get Brexit done» carried the Conservatives to a landslide majority of 80 seats.< /p>
After With Sir Ed replacing Jo Swinson as party leader, the Lib Dems have become less focused on Europe, instead prioritizing issues such as GP appointments and the wastewater crisis, which they believe could help them unseat dozens of MPs — Conservatives at the next meeting. national survey.
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