Liberal Democrats in Business

News and views from the Lib Dem Treasury, Trade and Industry Teams and the Liberal Democrat Business Forum

Trade Liberalism: Chancellor Should Practice What He Preaches

1.57.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 15th Nov 2004

Following the publication of the Treasury's report into the rewarding of government contracts in the EU, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Dr Vince Cable MP, said: "At present, UK companies are missing out on potentially lucrative projects as a result of protectionist practises in EU states.

"This is particularly the case where EU countries have previously agreed to liberalisation of their energy market, but have failed to act.

"However, Gordon Brown must pay more than lip service to this issue. It should be strongly addressed when the Chancellor meets EU finance ministers tomorrow.

"The Chancellor must be careful to practice what he preaches; if he truly wants trade liberalisation he must stay away from the protectionist practices which have dogged defence procurement in this country."

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