Starmer’s re-join by ‘stealth!’ Labour leader demands close links to EU in Brexit betrayal

Keir Starmer grilled by Jon Kay over second job as lawyer

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Speaking at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) annual conference Sir Keir was clear the Labour Party was not “planning a rematch” saying: “Brexit has happened and we’re not going to re-join.” However, he outlined a number of plans to bring the UK into closer regulatory alignment with the EU. Sir Keir explained Labour would negotiate new veterinary agreements aimed at solving issues on the Northern Irish border and reducing the number of tests required for producers. He added: “We would seek regulatory equivalence for financial services, and mutual recognition of professional qualifications, because we absolutely recognise the importance of looking after our world-class financial and professional service businesses.”

“We would seek to maintain Britain’s data adequacy status, making our data protection rules equivalent to those in the EU, to secure UK digital services companies’ competitiveness.

“We’d also seek a better long-term deal for UK hauliers to ease the supply chain problems we are seeing.”

Reacting on Twitter chair of the Foundation for Independence and former British Chambers of Commerce Director General John Longworth branded the announcements “a programme to re-join protectionist EU by stealth”.

Former Labour MP and remain supporter Mike Gapes described the plans as “positive proposals” for “closer trading arrangements” with the EU.

Looking at the UK’s economy the Labour leader declared Britain was not “as profitable as it needs to be”.

He took aim at the UK’s low productivity pointing out that the last decade saw Britain experience the worst decade of productivity growth since the industrial revolution.

As well as the handling of Brexit Sir Keir raised a number of issues with Government decisions including the recent cuts to HS2 and downgrading of Northern Powerhouse Rail.

Sir Keir described this as “devastating” and a “betrayal of the north”.

He added: “We need cities outside of the south east to become economic powerhouses.”

Referencing Boris Johnson’s notorious f*** business comment Sir Keir said: “I can promise you the only F-words I will be using are foreign investment, fair trade, fiscal policy and fiduciary duty.”

Reflecting Labour’s own previous positions on business he accepted Labour had sometimes given the impression business was something “to be tolerated”.

Going forwards he stated he saw business as a “force for good.”

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He also reiterated Labour’s pledge to scrap business rates, describing business rate reform under the Conservatives as “tinkering around the edges.”

Mr Starmer called for fiscal discipline saying that he did not believe “the solution to every problem is to throw cash at it.”

Praising Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves he added: “We will never spend money just for the sake of it.”

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