Charles Kennedy Champions Europe in Hackney

One of the things Charles Kennedy regrets about his time as leader of the Liberal Democrats is that he did not trumpet the party’s pro-European convictions louder. He made the confession this evening at the AGM of Hackney Liberal Democrats, which was held in the Allevi Centre in Dalston. He endorsed my expressed hope that as both of the contenders to be the next LibDem leader are former MEPs and true Europeans, they will have the courage to nail our European colours to the mast. This may not make us popular with some people, Charles said, but they will respect us for saying what they know we believe.

Moreover, Charles will have the opportunity to lobby the new leader on behalf of the pro-European cause, as he has just taken over as the new president of the European Movement, the principle, cross-party NGO campaigning in this field. Just this morning, the European Movement had a relaunch in the Jubilee Room of the House of Commons; the picture above shows Charles there alongside the Movement’s Chairman, Peter Luff. As Charles said at the relaunch, ‘The European Movement is not, and never has been, a mouthpiece of the EU’s institutions. We have always been a candid and critical friend, never hesitating to point out how the EU would improve and benefit its citizens. But we are also passionate in our commitment to explaining to the British people why playing a full and creative role in Europe is the best way to guarantee our security, whether in reducing the threat of global warming, ensuring energy security, combating crime and terrorism, negotiating trade deals and building a fairer and more just world.’

Link: www.euromove.org.uk