Johnson's playing a reckless game with UK economy

Responding to today's GDP figures showing no growth in the final quarter of 2019, Ed Davey, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said:

"In his effort to unite the Brexit vote, Boris Johnson has let the economy stagnate and left production and investment to languish. This is the height of recklessness for jobs and prosperity across the UK.

"With EU trade negotiations just beginning and the prospect of a no-deal crash out still alive and threatening, this is a warning sign of things to come unless the Government changes course.

"British business doesn't just need certainty, it needs the closest alignment possible with Europe.

Yesterday we heard from Ursula von der Leyen who said she was "surprised" to hear the prime minister propose an "Australian-style" Brexit because "the European Union does not have a trade agreement with Australia". The EU currently trade on WTO terms with Australia. This amounts to a No-deal Brexit.

Mr Johnson made the comments in a speech last week where he rejected suggestions the UK could align to EU rules to gain more market access - the bloc's key requirement.

"The Liberal Democrats will continue to make the pro-European case, hold Johnson accountable for Brexit and fight for a fair and prosperous UK economy."