Lib Dems vow to end 'computer says no' economy to boost growth

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper warned that the United Kingdom’s growth is being throttled by a “computer says no” mentality and unveiled a 30‑page external growth plan at the party’s conference in Brighton. The plan calls for a new Department for Growth that would host a digital one‑stop‑shop for businesses, consolidating tax, regulatory, legal and Companies House services to cut red tape for small and medium‑sized enterprises. Cooper also proposed a “Growth and Defence Partnership” with the European Union, arguing that deeper ties – including re‑joining the single market and a customs union – could reverse the estimated £90 billion a year in lost tax revenue that Brexit has cost the UK. She pledged that, if the Lib Dems came to power, they would strike deals on the single market, customs union and defence within twelve months, positioning Britain at the heart of Europe.

The centerpiece of Cooper’s proposal is the claim that Britain’s current system forces promising start‑ups and world‑class research to relocate abroad, stifling domestic innovation and investment. By creating a unified digital portal and a dedicated growth department, the party aims to dismantle bureaucratic barriers that hinder scaling and skill development. Cooper contrasted this vision with what she described as Labour’s “more punishing tax hikes” and the Conservatives‑Reform alliance’s “race to the bottom,” suggesting that only a Liberal Democrat government could deliver the structural reforms needed to unlock the UK’s economic potential. She also criticised the current Shadow Chancellor’s support for the Liz Truss mini‑budget, linking it to a pound crash and higher mortgage costs, and warned against the political influence of figures like Nigel Farage.

The proposal arrives amid broader UK‑EU engagement, with Chancellor John Healey recently meeting EU ministers in Dublin to secure the Made‑in‑Europe scheme and push for cooperation on technology, defence and manufacturing. Cooper’s call for a rapid re‑entry into the single market and customs union seeks to differentiate the Lib Dems from rival parties and present them as a “firewall” against far‑right politics. If implemented, the growth plan could reshape the regulatory landscape for businesses, potentially attracting back lost investment and research, while deepening defence collaboration with Europe. The party’s ambition to secure these EU ties within a year underscores its strategy to position Britain as a central, growth‑oriented player in the European economy.

⚡ Effects Interpreter