The 114-page manifesto includes an objective “to place the UK-EU relationship on a more formal and stable footing by seeking to join the single market,” even though health and social care themes have dominated their election campaign.
Re-entering the EU is another “longer-term ambition” of the party.
Their pledge to “stop Brexit” in 2019—a term prominently displayed on the front of their platform during that election year—is more subdued than this.
Since then, the Lib Dems have remained mostly silent on Brexit, much like the other major parties.
Nonetheless, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey referred to the party as “the most pro-European party in British politics” when he spoke at the manifesto unveiling.
He continued, “We’re proud of that.”
When asked whether he thought the next parliament should include a return to the EU, Sir Ed responded that it “is going to take time, regrettably because the Conservatives have done such damage.”
“We believe in the long term we need to be back in the heart of Europe, but we aren’t going to pretend that is going to be easy,” he stated.
£9 billion proposal for social and health services.
The commitments to Europe are part of a £9 billion package aimed at improving the health and social care system.
