Willie Rennie says Lib Dems are UK’s ‘strongest remain party’

The Liberal Democrats are the strongest party across the UK in support of remaining in the EU, according to Willie Rennie.

Scottish Lim Dems leader Willie Rennie

Speaking at his party’s European election manifesto launch on Tuesday at a climbing centre in Edinburgh, the Scottish Lib Dem leader said that people are fed up with Brexit and suggested that it can still be stopped.

Voters in the UK will head to the polls to elect MEPs on May 23, after Article 50 was extended until later this year.

Mr Rennie said: “A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a positive vote.

“We can stop Brexit and spend our time on the climate change emergency. We can invest in people through education and mental health. We Remainers want fewer barriers between people.

“Our message is that if you want to stop Brexit so we can be a successful, outward looking country then the Liberal Democrats are for you.

“We are the strongest Remain party across the UK. In Scotland we are clear for Remain and clear against the further division and barriers that an independence campaign will bring.”

In its manifesto, the party pledges, amongst other proposals, to defend “core European values” such as freedom of movement, work towards tackling the climate emergency, and support investment in areas such as education and health.

Mr Rennie said that the manifesto also outlines how the party will seek to work with liberal allies across the EU in protecting public services and public safety from the impact of Brexit.

He said: “People are fed up with Brexit. It has caused division in our country and damaged our economy.

“We can make it stop. We can send that message by voting for the Liberal Democrats.

“People did that at the local elections. Now there is a clear surge to the Liberal Democrats. We feel it on the streets and in our communities. Opinion polls are showing it.

“The manifesto we are launching today sets out a positive Liberal Democrat vision for our place in Europe.

“We want Scotland as part of a Britain that has remained at the heart of a dynamic European Union.

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