Brexit betrayal fears as Starmer could drag UK ‘very close’ to rejoining EU single market
PM has ‘opened up a whole range of possibilities’ for closer ties with Brussels despite historic Leave vote, says biographer
Sir Keir Starmer has been holding discussions with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen (Image: Getty)
Sir Keir Starmer could drag Britain “very close” to rejoining the EU single market, his biographer has suggested. Tom Baldwin said the Prime Minister had “opened up a whole range of possibilities” after he hinted at closer ties last Sunday.
The Labour leader said he is prepared to align even more closely with the single market if the move is in the national interest. Mr Baldwin told Politico: “At the low end, this is a pragmatic choice by a PM who doesn’t want to be forced to choose between Europe and America.
“At the upper end, it suggests Labour may seek a second-term mandate at the next election, by which the UK would get very close to rejoining the single market.
“That would be worth a lot more in terms of economic growth and national prosperity than the customs union deal favoured by the Lib Dems.”
The Prime Minister, who backed Remain in the 2016 referendum, sparked fresh claims of a “Brexit betrayal” with his comments to the BBC‘s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg show.
He pointed to steps already taken to align with the EU more closely on agriculture and food, adding: “That’s the sovereign decision that we have taken.
“I think we should get closer, and if it’s in our national interest to have even closer alignment with the single market, then we should consider that, we should go that far.”
Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel said Labour’s “Brexit betrayal” was becoming “clearer by the day”.
She said: “In a desperate bid to appease his backbenchers, Keir Starmer is pursuing alignment with the single market – surrendering our freedom to cut regulation and strike our own trade deals.
“Only the Conservatives will hold Labour to account for trying to undo the democratic decision of the British people.”
Downing Street had previously set out “red lines” on the EU relationship, which include not rejoining the single market, customs union or returning to freedom of movement.
