Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, has suggested a desire to align more closely with EU rules, during an international summit in Canada.
In footage by Sky News, Sir Keir, speaking to a gathering of self-styled “progressive” leaders from around the world, said that reducing divergence between the UK and EU would lead to less friction and open up different ways of problem-solving.
While Labour has maintained that returning to the EU’s single market or customs union is not an option, Sir Keir’s comments have reignited the debate over post-Brexit relations with the EU.
Tory ministers have seized on Sir Keir’s remarks, viewing them as a potential dividing line between the opposition and government.
Sir Keir said: “Most of the conflict with the UK being outside of the [EU] arises insofar as the UK wants to diverge and do different things to the rest of our EU partners.”
‘We Don’t Want To Diverge’
“Actually we don’t want to diverge, we don’t want to lower standards, we don’t want to rip up environmental standards, working standards for people that work, food standards, and all the rest of it.
“Suddenly you’re in a space where notwithstanding the obvious fact that we are outside the EU and not in the EEA, there’s a lot more common ground than you might think,” he said.
Senior Tories, including James Cleverly, have accused him of wanting to rejoin the EU “in all but name” and questioned Labour’s stance. However, Labour has clarified via a statement that it does not support dynamic alignment, will not join the single market or customs union, and will not be a “rule-taker.”
This discussion about the UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the EU comes as Labour aims to win back voters who supported Brexit in the 2016 referendum. Some argue that closer ties with the EU would facilitate trade, while others believe it would introduce unnecessary red tape.
Reversing Brexit ‘Off The Table’ For Lib Dems
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has “100 percent” ruled out a pre-election pact with Labour to oust Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. He also stated that the prospect of reversing Brexit is currently “off the table.”Speaking to 5 news at the Liberal Democrat’s annual conference, Sir Ed said: “I have to say I am sick and tired of the Tories.
“Even in coalition with them I fought the Tories every single day.”
SNP Europe spokesman Alyn Smith emphasised that the SNP remains committed to rejoining the EU, positioning themselves as the only major party supporting such a move.
Mr. Smith said: “With Starmer, Sunak, and Davey—the three bungling Brexiteers of UK politics—all throwing in the towel and ruling out any return to Europe, it’s clear independence is Scotland’s only route back to EU prosperity and the only escape from the long-term damage of Brexit.”
The discussion around the UK’s relationship with the EU continues to be a prominent issue, with the major parties taking notably different stances in the build up to the election.
Yesterday, Labour pledged to undo Mr. Sunak’s recent policy changes on climate initiatives if they secure victory at the next general election.
The party committed to reinstating the 2030 deadline for the ban on new petrol and diesel car sales if they secure victory in the next election, according to Steve Reed, the shadow environment secretary.
