A LIBERAL VOICE FOR A LIBERAL CITY
FIGHTING BREXIT
The Liberal Democrats have campaigned since June 2016 to give people a chance to vote on the final deal, with an option to remain in the European Union.
Locally we have worked closely with pro-EU members of other political parties and local groups such as Brighton & Hove for EU, demonstrating monthly in New Road and taking part in numerous marches, rallies and diverse events.
Our 2016 booklet, "Europe is working for Brighton & Hove", describes the many benefits - economic, cultural and social - that EU membership and EU citizens bring to our city. Subsequent studies have indicated over 3,725 jobs in Brighton & Hove could be lost in a no-deal Brexit. Both our party and our city have a proud history of openness and internationalism that we will continue to promote.
- Since 2016 there has been an alarming rise in hate crime directed at ethnic minorities and continental Europeans. We encourage those witnessing racist abuse to intervene to support the victim and to report such incidents to the police. We would promote such policies in local government.
- We support the free movement of people. In the event of this ending under a hard Brexit the Liberal Democrats would fight for the rights of EU citizens by pushing the government to simplify its permanent residence scheme for EU citizens. We will also fight for UK citizens by using our contacts within the ALDE Eurogroup to secure the same rights for UK citizens in the EU.
- The Liberal Democrats will campaign to maintain EU environmental standards, such as clean beach legislation, as well as European funding for our universities' and medical school's research.
- We believe young people should enjoy the same rights as their parents. We will therefore push for the UK to remain part of schemes such as ERASMUS and maintain EU-derived social rights such as annual leave.
- Above all, we hope we can avoid the mess of Brexit altogether. We firmly support the People's Vote campaign and have advocated this policy since the referendum.
We'd like to see the council act as a gateway between the city and the rest of Europe, so that we can maintain the ties we currently enjoy as best we can.
