The Lib Dems will call on the government to seek a formal customs union with the EU to boost economic growth and insulate Britain from the fallout of a Trump presidency, a move that will put fresh European pressure on Keir Starmer.

The change in position for the Lib Dems - whose election manifesto advocates only closer ties with Europe - will be announced by party leader Ed Davey in a speech in London on Thursday position.

Davey called for customs union talks to begin immediately, with the aim of taking effect in 2030, saying ministers should be "more active and more ambitious" rather than "tinkering with a bad Brexit" that the Conservatives signed up to four years ago. protocol".

David is expected to say a customs union would be "the most important thing we can do to boost our economy in the medium to long term". The Lib Dem leader believes closer ties with the EU on trade and defense could help Britain "fend off Trump" before the US president takes office on Monday.

Although the Lib Dems are the most openly critical of Trump of the three main parties at Westminster, sources say they are keen to make suggestions for how the UK can better deal with his government rather than trying to pretend it doesn't exist , just like in his first term.

The clear call to seek to rejoin the customs union, in which the UK would sign up to common trade rules and tariffs in exchange for smoother imports and exports, was also aimed at appealing to voters frustrated by Labor's limited action on Brexit - even in negotiations Such a transaction would be very complex.

David said in his speech that better EU relations would allow the UK to deal with Trump from a strong position, saying: "The answer is to show that we are less dependent on the United States, that the UK has other options and will not be bullied into accepting Trump's Whatever Trump offers us.

"We can rebuild our important relationships with Europe more quickly. That's how we protect our economy, defend European security and deal with President Trump from a position of strength, not weakness."

In his speech, David contrasted this approach with what he said was the approach taken by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch - "going up to him and begging for whatever trade deal he gave us." ".

He is also expected to say: "We also cannot take the approach of Farage, sucking up to Trump, licking his boots and seeming more interested in advancing Trump's agenda here than British interests there."