Party leader's conference speech slams lack of government leadership on Brexit for causing business uncertainty and underlines Lib Dem support for green economy
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has slammed the government for failing to deliver a coherent Brexit plan, arguing that his party has now taken over the Tories' mantle as "the free market, free trade pro-business party".
Closing the annual Lib Dem conference in Brighton this afternoon, Farron's speech was dominated by the risks presented by Brexit to the economy as he sought to position the Lib Dems as the party of business and innovation, while also highlighting its long-standing support for green issues.
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In an often impassioned speech, Farron called on the Prime Minister to "stop dithering" and come up with a plan for exiting the EU, instead of letting investment and jobs "steadily bleed away" through market uncertainty.
The Conservative Party, he said "no longer supports business, no longer understands the need for calm economic pragmatism", adding that his message to businesses both large and small currently backing the Tories was that "you are funding your own funeral".
British industry, he said, was "crying out for direction, for certainty, for any idea of what lies ahead".
"There is only one party now that believes in British business - large and small; that believes in entrepreneurship and innovation: the Liberal Democrats," Farron said. "We are the free market, free trade pro-business party now."
Farron also said it was in the national interest to be part of Europe "for more jobs, for lower prices, to fight climate change, to stop terrorism, catch criminals, to have influence, to be a good neighbour, to stand tall, to stand proud, to matter".
And, as a result, he called on UK voters to be given a say through a future referendum "on the terms of the as-yet-unknown Brexit deal".
In addition to defending the Lib Dem's record in the coalition government from 2010 to 2015, Farron also said the party had "bounced back" from its shocking performance at the 2015 general election with an 80 per cent increase in membership over the past 14 months.
He also reiterated the party's long-standing support for the green economy and voiced fears the Conservative government could undermine the sector.
"In 20 years' time we're all going to be asked by our kids, when our NHS, our schools system, our unity as a country has been impoverished by 20-odd years of Tory rule, and when our economy has been relegated, our green industries trashed, and our status diminished after two decades of isolation from Europe. We're going be asked, why did you let that happen? What did you do try and stop it?"
"I will lead the only party with a plan for our country's long-term future," he added. "Green, healthy, well-educated, outward-looking, prosperous, secure."
Farron then concluded by delivering a plea for his party to seize the centre ground of British politics and establish itself as the government's main opposition.
"The only movement with the desire and the potential to stop the calamity of Brexit and the tragedy of a generation of Conservative majority rule, is this movement, is the Liberal Democrats," he said.
It follows comments from the Lib Dem's Baroness Featherstone last week, who in an interview with BusinessGreen said energy and climate change policy was of "primary importance" to the party.
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