Liberal Democrats launch European Parliament election campaign in Loughborough with the message "Stop Brexit"

On Friday, 10th of May, the Liberal Democrats launched their EU election campaign in Loughborough at the Emmanuel Church in Forest Road. With a clear pledge to Stop Brexit, Liberal Democrats' East Midlands MEP candidates, Suzanna Austin, Lucy Care, and Michael Mullaney spoke to the audience of enthusiastic supporters. Prof. Marianne Gilbert, Chair of the local Liberal Democrat party, opened the event by saying this was the most important election in our time.

Lucy Care was the first speaker, saying: "the EU has brought peace to Europe for over 70 years." "But", she said, "we need to be very focussed and vocal about its benefits." She listed how many EU funded infrastructure projects had benefitted the East Midlands, such as parks, roads and dairy farming subsidies. She concluded with an analogy "The EU is like a football team. The UK is a big player which, when playing with the other 27 players, can win in the League. On its own, it will not be as successful. That's why I want the UK to continue to lead and be part of the one of the greatest teams of modern world history."

Suzanna Austin spoke passionately about the freedoms we enjoy. She recounted attending a wedding with a friend who is a member of the LGBT community in Tunisia. They knew that disclosing her friend's sexual orientation could have serious consequences. That's what makes her so passionate about the European project. She said: "we stand for equality, for freedoms which I don't take for granted, for progressiveness in our society." She also mentioned the oft repeated view that the Commonwealth could replace much of the trade the UK does with the EU. "Most of the countries in [the Commonwealth] see the UK as the entrance to the EU and post-Brexit, they would ask a higher price to trade with us."

Michael Mullaney closed by stating "Brexit parties have betrayed the UK. All their promises have been broken. People have now realised they have been deceived and want to stop Brexit." Mr. Mullaney spoke on the recent electoral successes of the Liberal Democrats in the local elections and recent opinion polls reflect changing attitude of voters approving the message 'Stop Brexit'.

The candidates concluded with the message that Liberal Democrats have shown leadership at all levels of government and have a consistent message for voters in the East Midlands: a vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to Stop Brexit. Loughborough PPC Ian Sharpe closed the meeting by thanking the speakers and encouraging activists and the audience alike to help the Liberal Democrats achieve another electoral success story.

Voting will take place on the 23rd of May across the United Kingdom. Postal votes have already been sent out, and polling stations will be set up across the East Midlands. We urge all voters to check where the nearest polling station is and make sure their voices heard.