Dancing Around the Issue
Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, has faced criticism for his evasive stance on Brexit, earning him the nickname "Basil Fawlty" within the party. Davey struggled to give a clear answer when questioned about rejoining the European Union.
Rebuilding Relationships, but not Rejoining EU
In a series of interviews, Davey stated that rejoining the EU was currently not on the table, but emphasized the party's pro-European stance. He expressed the need to rebuild the relationship with Europe that has been strained under the Conservatives. However, he made it clear that returning to the EU's single market or customs union was also not under consideration.
Party Frustration
The Liberal Democrat leader's reluctance to openly discuss rejoining the EU has frustrated party activists. At the party's conference in Bournemouth, Davey was heckled on stage, with one member accusing him of avoiding the topic. Some MPs have called for the party to focus more on Brexit and be transparent about their position.
Lib Dem Fawlty or Calculated Strategy?
Tory MP Jonathan Gullis likened Davey to the infamous Basil Fawlty, suggesting that the leader's reluctance to address Brexit stemmed from a realization that voters do not agree with him. Gullis also speculated that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer may have urged Davey to downplay the issue if he wants to secure a position as Deputy Prime Minister in a coalition government.
Activist Rebellion and Policy Rejection
Sir Ed Davey suffered another blow as an activist rebellion thwarted an attempt to make scrapping housing targets a key policy for the party. A heated debate on the national housing target of 380,000 resulted in infighting, ultimately leading to the motion being overturned.
