Labour leader tells FT his government would put closer trading relationship with Brussels at heart of growth policy
Sir Keir Starmer has promised to seek a major rewrite of Britain’s Brexit deal in 2025 if Labour win the next general election, saying he owes it to his children to rebuild relations with the EU.
Starmer told the Financial Times that he would put a closer trading relationship with Brussels and a new partnership with business at the heart of his efforts to bolster Britain’s economic growth.
Britain’s Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU, negotiated by former premier Boris Johnson, is due for review in 2025 and Starmer said he saw this as an “important” moment to reset relations.
“Almost everyone recognises the deal Johnson struck is not a good deal — it’s far too thin,” he said in an interview. “As we go into 2025 we will attempt to get a much better deal for the UK.”
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It is far from clear whether the EU would wish to renegotiate the trade deal, which only came into force in 2021, particularly if it involved Britain selectively choosing only parts of the single market. Many in Brussels see the 2025 review as simply a tidying-up exercise.
TBH the UK in the single market is a better outcome for the UK as well as the EU. It puts something like reins on our frequently out-of-control government and leaves one powerful neoliberal voice out of the shouting match.
What on earth could the UK offer to the EU to even think of opening a re-negotiation phase? And if you believe that the UK can somehow "out-deal" the UK during that, remember that the negotiation skills are still with the EU.
But you said you voted for desaster. You got it, be happy.