Members remain frustrated that party is reluctant to push harder on rejoining the European Union
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey on a visit to Brighton Beach during the party's autumn conference at the Brighton Centre. Photograph: PAThe Lib Dem kink for kitsch was proudly on display over the weekend at the party’s conference in Brighton, which runs until Tuesday: the disco tunes, especially Abba; the relentless use of silly stunts such as bungee jumps to publicise policy launches; the dad-dancing, Tiggerish energy of party leader Ed Davey, who arrived in Brighton riding a jet ski.
On Sunday, evidence emerged of frustration among party faithful who see its MPs as too meek when it comes to advancing the cause closest to Lib Dem members’ hearts: a rollback of Brexit, a return to the Single Market and, eventually, the European Union. Anand Menon, a politics professor who chaired the event, asked Layla Moran, who for now is the Lib Dem foreign affairs spokeswoman, to spell out the party’s policy on the EU. The July manifesto referred to the party’s pro-Europe aspirations, but the leadership was broadly silent on the issue during the campaign as Davey focused on wooing former Tory voters, some of whom backed Brexit.
The Lib Dems turned around the party’s fortunes in the July election by pushing issues that polls show are higher on voters’ list of priorities, such as the health service and also pollution of British waterways. Moran claimed Britain’s relationship with the EU hadn’t come up on doorsteps during the election campaign, despite polls showing a majority of voters now wish Brexit had not happened. “If the Liberal Democrats are silent on the topic, then it’s not going to come up on the doorsteps, is it?” replied a party member.
Later at a question-and-answer session, Davey reiterated that the party would focus on pushing for greater investment in the NHS.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Helen McEntee and Sharon Tolan selected to run for Fine Gael in Meath East in general electionConfirmation by party convention in Gormanston means party has now chosen 36 candidates in 23 constituencies
Read more »
‘People are open to us again’: Labour strategises on how to turn optimism into votesLabour Party’s first call after election will be to Greens and Soc Dems – but it needs to secure seats for that to matter
Read more »
Fair City's Anto sets fire to the site where Ruby's birthday party isSpoilers ahead: A money desperate Anto hatches a plan to help Hayley, but is unaware of the terrible consequences it could lead to as Ruby celebrates her 18th birthday
Read more »
Labour fails to land high-profile candidates to join party’s general election ticketFormer Dublin footballer Philly McMahon and Dr Rhona Mahony among those contacted
Read more »
Mike Nesbitt likely to succeed Doug Beattie as Ulster Unionist Party leaderLagan Valley MLA Robbie Butler announced he would not stand and gave backing to Nesbitt
Read more »
John McAreavey celebrates 40th birthday in style as wife Tara throws epic partyThe father-of-two thanked his wife Tara for helping him to celebrate his milestone birthday as he marked the occasion with his loved ones with a huge marquee and live music
Read more »