Sir Keir Starmer would later promise to “make Brexit work” as he outlined his party’s plan to “end Brexit divisions once and for all”.
The Labor leader will rule out re-joining the EU if he wins the next election, as well as vowing not to return to the single market, customs union or return to free movement agreements.
Instead, he will commit to “fixing the bad deal signed by Boris Johnson” with a five-point plan, including tackling problems with the Northern Ireland Protocol, which has dominated discussions since the UK left the bloc.
Politics Centre: Pincher’s ‘shocking’ allegations damage confidence in Parliament
Speaking at the Center for European Reform on Monday night, Sir Keir will say: “There are some who say ‘we don’t need to make Brexit work, we need to reverse it’. [but] I couldn’t disagree more.
“Because you cannot move forward or develop the country or bring about change or win back the trust of those who have lost faith in politics if you constantly focus on the arguments of the past.
“We cannot afford to look back over our shoulder. Because all the time we do that, we’re missing out on what’s ahead.”
But Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said the plan was a “policy-free zone”, while SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford accused Sir Keir of “embracing the Tories’ hard Brexit”.
A first point of Labour’s plan will deal with protocol, which Sir Keir says “must be the starting point” for Brexit to work.
The treaty was agreed by the UK and the EU to avoid a hard border being introduced on the island of Ireland after Brexit.
But it led to a trade barrier in the Irish Sea, causing problems for the movement of goods between Britain and Northern Ireland and angering unionists – including the DUP, who refused to form a government at Stormont until the protocol was scrapped.
Read more: PM says plans to scrap parts of protocol could become law ‘relatively quickly’ Breaking up NI trade deal ‘illegal and unrealistic’ warns EU envoy
Sir Keir will say businesses in Northern Ireland and Ireland have told him they can make the protocol work, but the Conservative government has “destroyed trust” between the two countries.
“Labour will change that,” he will say. “We will be the honest mediator that our countries need.” We will make the protocol work and use it as a springboard to deliver a better deal for the British people.”
He will also commit to “remove most of the border checks created by the Tories’ Brexit deal” with a new veterinary agreement for agricultural products and introduce “a better scheme to allow low-risk goods to enter Northern Ireland without unnecessary checks’.
The proposals come as the UK government moves forward with the controversial Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, which would allow it to walk away from parts of the deal signed by Mr Johnson in 2019.
Northern Ireland Minister Brandon Lewis earlier told Sky News that action was needed to fix the “significant problems” caused by the implementation of the agreement.
But critics, including former prime minister Theresa May, warned the legislation would breach international law and damage the UK’s reputation.
Image: Theresa May has questioned the legality of the Government’s protocol bill
Other elements of Labour’s Brexit plan include strengthening security operations with the EU, particularly in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and seeking mutual recognition of professional qualifications between the UK and the EU, “restored access to funding and vital research programs “.
Finally, Sir Keir will pledge to “invest in Britain”, saying it will boost growth in sectors across the country and create new opportunities.
“In 2016, the British people voted for change,” he will add. “The very narrow question that was on the ballot – leave or stay in the EU – is now in the past.
“But the hope that underpinned that vote, the desire for a better, fairer, more just future for our country, is no closer to being fulfilled.”
“The Tories have no idea how to do it. Labor has. Labor has a plan. And this plan, a plan to make Brexit work, is the first stage of achieving that change and securing a better future for our country.”
Add Comment