Ed Davey calls for UK to join EU single market | Full Speech

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has delivered a keynote speech today setting out plans for a bold new partnership with the EU, including deepening defence ties and joining the single market.

In his keynote address to the European Movement’s ‘Future in Europe’ event today Davey challenged Andy Burnham to scrap Labour’s red lines on the customs union and single market if he becomes Prime Minister and begin talks immediately on an ambitious new deal with the EU.

Davey has outlined the Liberal Democrats’ plan for a new comprehensive Growth and Defence Partnership with the EU which would include the UK beginning talks immediately on joining the EU’s single market and a customs union, tearing down barriers for business and boosting trade with Britain’s biggest market.

The Liberal Democrats are also calling for much deeper defence cooperation between the UK and European partners. This would include establishing a European Security Council, which would improve the coordination of Europe’s rearmament drive and ability of allies to deliver NATO’s operational requirements.