Victoria Collins MP backs closer ties with the EU

20 May 2026

Victoria Collins MP backs closer EU ties as Harpenden and Berkhamsted families continue to pay Brexit price

Liberal Democrat MP Victoria Collins, has backed calls for closer ties with Europe to help ease cost-of-living pressures on local families and businesses still facing the impact of Brexit and rising global instability.

The Liberal Democrats proposed an amendment to the King’s Speech calling on the Government to begin negotiations on a new UK-EU customs union, aiming to cut red tape, reduce import costs and bring down prices on everyday essentials, from food to energy bills. Parliament voted down this amendment.  

The party said Labour missed an opportunity to begin repairing the economic damage of Brexit, after MPs voted down the amendment, despite growing pressure on businesses in sectors including farming, retail and manufacturing.

A customs union would remove tariffs and reduce paperwork for exporters, the Liberal Democrats argue, helping lower costs and support local economic growth.

Commenting, Victoria Collins MP said:

“Families in Harpenden and Berkhamsted are still paying a daily Brexit premium on their shopping, energy bills and livelihoods.

“Labour had the opportunity to start undoing the economic damage and division caused by Farage’s Brexit campaign and the Conservatives’ botched EU deal, but chose not to.

“A customs union with the EU is the most immediate, practical step we can take to ease the cost-of-living crisis, and Harpenden and Berkhamsted deserves better than a Labour Party too timid to act.”