Brexit: Lib Dems to drop commitment to UK membership of the EU

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Liberal Democrats are to drop the party’s commitment to UK membership of the EU in a vote at next weekend’s virtual annual conference, The Independent has learnt. Lib Dem Europe spokeswoman Christine Jardine told The Independent: “At this point, our priority is to make sure that we do everything we can to keep the pressure on the government to get a trade deal with the EU at the end of December and to make sure we have as positive a relationship as possible with the EU after the end of the Brexit transition. “We are still hugely and proudly pro-European, but we have to accept and reflect the new reality that we have left the EU and its up to us now to build a fresh relationship with the remaining EU.” A Liberal Democrat source said: “While stopping no-deal has to be a priority, we should be unequivocal in our belief that the UK’s best interests are in the EU. And it voices “deep concern” at the government’s refusal to seek an extension to trade talks beyond the 31 December date for Brexit transition, despite the current deadlock in negotiations.