The Lib Dem plan for Britain in Europe
It's all very well to criticise when government ministers parrot the empty chant of "Brexit means Brexit" but, on the opposite side of the fence, what exactly do Liberal Democrats mean when we say that we want to stay in Europe? This isn't just an academic question posed by journalists and politicos - it has cropped up in conversation at recent Lib Dem meetings and social events in Suffolk Coastal.
Today, the party has announced the "Liberal Democrat Plan for Britain in Europe" to clarify the party's stance, and the announcement is available on the party website here.
The key consitutional points are as follows:
- We do not want a re-run of the referendum held in June.
- Parliament, as the UK's supreme law-making body, should hold a formal vote before triggering Article 50.
- We believe that when the terms of Brexit have been negotiated, people in the UK should have a chance to vote on whether to adopt those terms or to remain within the European Union.
- Young people from the age of 16 should be eligible to take part in such a vote.
Issues that we consider important to defend and retain in any negotiation include:
- protecting rights for EU citizens in the UK, and for UK citizens living in the EU
- freedom of movement, and membership of the single market
- maintaining environmental standards
- co-operating with EU countries in law enforcement and judicial proceedings
- protecting the Erasmus scheme, and investment in UK universities and associated research networks
- retention of travel and tourism benefits
- protection of the UK's access to financial markets
- support for farming, tourism and the creative industries, and regional support for deprived areas.
Source:
http://www.libdems.org.uk/europe [accessed 06 Sep 2016]