Davey responds to PM speech: Take the Brexit blinkers off and go for growth

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Responding to the Prime Minister's speech on Monday 1st December, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

"Keir Starmer's speech talked about boosting growth but he is refusing to do the single biggest thing to achieve that - fixing our trade with the EU through a new customs union.

"The Prime Minister’s own economic adviser has reportedly told him that a customs union would be one of the most effective ways to boost growth - but it seems he ignored her.

"The UK has a £90bn Brexit black hole in the public finances, a cost of living crisis and businesses drowning in red tape. It is time for the government to take the Brexit blinkers off and go for growth through a proper trade deal with the EU."

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

The Observer has reported that the prime minister’s economic adviser suggested that rejoining the EU customs union would be one of the most effective ways of generating growth, but that this was rejected.

https://observer.co.uk/news/politics/article/economic-with-the-truth-the-mis-selling-of-the-budget