Leaving the European Union
On Friday 31st Jan 2020 the United Kingdom left the European Union. The Liberal Democrats believe that simply leaving the EU will not solve every one of the UK's problems and that to tackle the big issues like climate change, terrorism and globalisation of industry and money we need to work across borders with many other countries, but particularly our neighbours.
We also need to develop stronger local government across the UK giving the control that so many people voted for back closer to home. And the EU regional development grants must be replaced and increased by our national government so that all parts of the UK can feel the benefits of being close to the world city of London. Without this strengthening of the regions and countries of the UK the fragmentation and separation may well continue and another 31st of Jan in another year may be the day that the UK itself splits apart.
Our future relationship with the European Union is yet to be decided so we will work in any way we can to help this be a close and harmonious relationship. This in the hope that we in the UK can develop the habits of looking for the things and feelings that bind people together rather than those that split us apart.
Lorna Baker
Chair of Penrith and the Border Liberal Democrats