Brexit and all that

Brexit and all that 

This week it will be a decade since the EU Referendum. I do not propose to relitigate that miserable event in this newsletter. What matters now is looking at where we are and understanding where Britain’s best interests lie in the future. 

I joined Ed Davey and other Liberal Democrats at the European Movement Conference last week. In his keynote speech, Ed called for a new Growth and Defence Partnership with Europe to strengthen Britain’s security and rebuild our economy. At a time of growing global instability, with increasing threats from Russia and uncertainty in international alliances, we simply must work more closely with our European partners to keep our country safe. Stronger defence cooperation would help improve joint security planning, strengthen our resilience and ensure we are better prepared to respond to emerging threats.

But it’s not just about security, it is also about improving our everyday lives. We all face soaring household bills, rising food costs and squeezed budgets, and local businesses tell me that they continue to struggle with the trade barriers created by the Conservatives’ Brexit deal. The Lib Dems are calling on the Government to negotiate a closer relationship with the EU, including joining the single market and a customs union. This would help remove unnecessary barriers to trade, boost economic growth and ease pressure on household finances. Rebuilding our relationship with Europe is about taking practical steps to make Britain stronger, safer and more prosperous for the future.

A social media ban for under 16s

Last Monday, the government announced that they will bring in a ban on some social media apps for under 16s. BBC Sussex asked me for my reaction to the ban on their Breakfast Show, and in the Commons, I established that the government has not modelled the proportion of children they think will be prevented from accessing the banned apps. The scale of concern from parents, carers and grandparents about the impact that tech is having on children has been huge. My team has set up a dedicated campaign page where you can stay up to date on my work on this issue.

The elephant in the room

On Friday I visited two Mid Sussex schools - Woodlands Meed College, and Blackthorns Primary. 

One pupil asked, “Will Andy Burnham be the next Prime Minister?” 

My reply, “I think so, but it is a question now of when rather than if.”

As I type this on Sunday evening, I think we are in for a very interesting and hot few days in Westminster (and Sussex). West Sussex County Council has an advice page on how to cope in the heat this week.  

Getting in touch

My parliamentary email address is: alison.bennett.mp@parliament.uk. If you need my help, please get in touch.

Best wishes,
Alison

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