Lib Dems to urge Labour to drop ‘torpor and timidity’ on EU and rejoin single market

Ed Davey: ‘My message to Andy Burnham, to Wes Streeting – to whoever the next prime minister may be – is this: drop those red lines.’ Photograph: Steve Parsons/PA

The Lib Dems will urge Andy Burnham to end Labour’s “torpor and timidity” towards the EU as they call for the UK to rejoin the single market, in a notable strengthening of their own position.

Ahead of the 10th anniversary of the Brexit vote next week, Ed Davey will challenge Burnham to scrap Labour’s red lines on the customs union and single market if he becomes prime minister and immediately begin talks on a more ambitious deal with the EU.