Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has clarified the party's position on rejoining the EU, stating that Labour does not plan to rejoin the EU, the single market, or the customs union [4a52d3f2] [9149a1f6]. This statement comes in response to Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch's claim that Brexit would be at risk if Starmer became Prime Minister [4a52d3f2] [9149a1f6]. Starmer emphasized that while he wants a better trade relationship with the EU and increased collaboration on various areas, such decisions would be subject to negotiation [4a52d3f2] [9149a1f6]. He also acknowledged the understandable support for rejoining the EU among young people who did not get to vote in the referendum, but pointed out that the one-off referendum only allowed the electorate at the time to participate [4a52d3f2] [9149a1f6]. The Brexit referendum took place on June 23, 2016 [4a52d3f2] [9149a1f6].
In a recent interview, Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, ruled out rejoining the EU, the single market, or the customs union [0a04fcff] [9149a1f6]. He stated that reopening the Brexit debate would bring 'turmoil' and that the 2016 referendum caused political uncertainty for three years, which would not help rebuild the economy [0a04fcff]. However, Starmer emphasized that Labour would seek a better deal with Brussels on trade, research and development, defense and security, and education [0a04fcff] [9149a1f6]. He acknowledged the weaknesses in the UK economy predated the Brexit referendum [0a04fcff] [9149a1f6].
Starmer's comments were made in response to claims by Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch that Labour would reverse Brexit if they won power [0a04fcff] [9149a1f6]. Starmer clarified that while he wants a better trade relationship with the EU, decisions regarding collaboration and trade would be subject to negotiation [4a52d3f2] [0a04fcff] [9149a1f6]. He also acknowledged the support for rejoining the EU among young people who did not have the opportunity to vote in the referendum, but highlighted that the referendum only allowed the electorate at the time to participate [4a52d3f2] [0a04fcff] [9149a1f6].
Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has accused Keir Starmer and the Labour Party of potentially putting Brexit in peril if they come into power [9149a1f6]. Sunak claims that Starmer wants to recommit to free movement of EU citizens and bind businesses in Brussels red tape [9149a1f6]. He also accuses Starmer of wanting to renegotiate the Brexit deal and take the UK back to being a rule-taker from Brussels [9149a1f6]. However, Labour's manifesto states that they will make Brexit work and seek to deepen ties with the EU without returning to the single market, customs union, or freedom of movement [9149a1f6]. Labour denies plans to rejoin the EU if they win the general election [9149a1f6].
Polls predict that Labour is heading for a comfortable majority in the upcoming general election [9149a1f6]. However, Labour's national campaign coordinator warns against complacency [9149a1f6]. The Conservatives have fallen behind Labour in fundraising, raising £292,500 compared to Labour's £4.4m [9149a1f6].
Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, has stated that work has already begun to build closer ties with the European Union following Labour's election win. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has traveled to Europe for talks with key players, with a promise that the UK would be a 'good neighbor' after the years of Brexit acrimony. Starmer wants to improve trading and defense ties with the EU and believes that a much better deal can be achieved than the one struck by Boris Johnson. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has stated that the return of freedom of movement with the EU is not on the table as part of efforts to improve post-Brexit trade. The UK government is seeking an ambitious and broad-ranging UK-EU security pact to underpin closer cooperation. Irish premier Simon Harris has expressed a willingness in the EU to talk to the new UK government and work together on practical issues. [fab0cac8]