Dear John,

I’ve just got back from the IPPR think tank, where I gave a speech setting out our Liberal Democrat vision for the economy.

You might have seen the headlines about our plans to cut energy bills in half over the next decade. I think that’s so important to boost our economy and tackle the cost of living crisis that’s hurting families across the UK.

We have to take on the myths peddled by Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch, who say renewable power is why energy bills are so high, and tying ourselves to fossil fuels will somehow bring them down. That’s rubbish – and it’s up to us to win the argument.

But our vision for the economy is much broader than that. And our economy badly needs a vision – after years of chaos under the Conservatives, and now a Labour Government with no strategy for growth.

In my speech I spoke about the centuries-old Liberal belief that free trade is good for businesses, good for consumers, and good for individual liberty. That’s why we’re championing a much closer trading relationship with Europe – including a UK-EU customs union – and standing up to Donald Trump’s destructive trade war.

I spoke about our commitment to backing Britain’s small and growing businesses, start-ups and scale-ups, entrepreneurs and the self-employed. People and businesses who have been let down badly by both the Conservatives and Labour – but who we recognise as the engines of our economy and the beating heart of local communities.

I also spoke about the importance of education and training – something we have always emphasised as Liberal Democrats, as the way to expand opportunity and equip people with the skills our economy needs, now and in the future.

You can read my speech here, and I’d love to hear what you think of it:

I’m proud that once again it is the Liberal Democrats leading the way, with our vision for an economy that is growing strongly, where everyone feels the benefits. An economy that is truly innovative, dynamic, prosperous and fair. An economy underpinned by our proud Liberal Democrat values.

Together, we can make it happen!