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site.btaBritish Labor seeks closer EU ties without reopening Brexit wounds
ALISTER SMOOT, Reuters
The British Labor leader addresses supporters in Bollington. Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP
LONDON,
07/01/2024 12:21
(BTA)
LABELS
Great Britain, Europe, Elections around the world
For a decade, leaving the European Union was the issue that dominated British politics.
Nowadays, it hardly comes up. And that's apparently the way Labor leader Keir Starmer likes it.
He is working hard to win back the support of working-class voters, millions of whom were lured five years ago by Conservative Boris Johnson's promise to "deliver Brexit" when Labor campaigned to retain an option to remain in the EU. EU.
The reward for Starmer is the polls that now predict he will enter "Downing Street" 10 as Prime Minister at the end of this week, possibly with a historic majority. If he does get there, however, he won't be able to keep Brexit out of the news for long.
His mandate will be to stimulate economic growth. Businesses say this will require removing some of the barriers Britain's exit from the EU has put in the way of their trade. And that, in turn, is likely to mean a resumption of contentious negotiations with Brussels.
The UK finally left the EU in January 2020 under Johnson.
In its determination to turn the page on Brexit, Labor has ruled out rejoining the EU's single market or customs union. But they say it is still possible to remove trade barriers with the 27 countries to help companies, especially smaller ones, struggling with higher costs and red tape.
Labour does not want to "reopen the wounds of the past". said Jonathan Reynolds, a Labor MP who is among the possible names to become business minister in Starmer's cabinet.
"Clearly we need to get a better deal and there are real improvements we could make," he said at an event on Thursday organized by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), a business lobby group. which said parties should stop "being very cautious" regarding relations with the EU.
A survey by accountancy firm Menzies found that 1 in 3 British businesses want the Brexit deal struck under Johnson to be revived, and one in five want the new government to rejoin the single market, with 20% citing obstacles in result of Brexit as a factor limiting international expansion.
THINKING PARTNER
One of Labour's commitments is to seek a veterinary agreement with the EU that would reduce border checks on animal products, a barrier for British farmers and importers. They also want mutual recognition of some professional qualifications and easier access for artists on tour.
Labour is presenting these as relatively simple gains that can be achieved without reopening the Brexit deal reached under Johnson.
But even such small steps will require tough choices, said an EU source, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss hypothetical future negotiations.
A veterinary agreement would require Britain to submit to dispute resolution through the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), the EU source said. This is anathema to Brexit campaigners who see it as an infringement on British sovereignty.
"Working with a like-minded partner, friend and ally is what everyone wants," the EU source said. "But the idea of having the same benefits you get as a club member makes things a little more complicated."
Anand Menon, professor of politics and director of UK affairs at the think tank Changing Europe (Changing Europe), said Labor may have misjudged how enthusiastic the EU would be about renegotiation after years of clashes with British governments.
The block already has a lot to do, he said. And while Britain may want to improve technical issues in areas such as food, Brussels would like to talk about mobility - making it easier for people to live and work in Britain, especially young people.
"I think we will have a massive change in style and little attempt to improve on substance," Menon said.
The Conservatives claim that Labour's policies will "undo Brexit", including by making Britain subject to rulings by the Court of Justice of the European Union once again.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has accused Labor in a debate of planning to accept the return of free movement of people as part of its plans to get a better Brexit deal with the EU.
Starmer has said he will reject any deal with the EU that increases immigration.
Labour's Reynolds said he wanted to improve the trade situation while offering benefits to the bloc: "It's not necessarily easy, but there are negotiations, there's a process that I think can deliver those things.
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Translation from English: Plamen Yotinski BTA