Labour Minister Firmly Rejects Calls for Brexit Reversal
Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle has firmly dismissed suggestions that the Labour Party should campaign to rejoin the European Union, arguing that Britain should avoid "plunging ourselves into a very long, protracted debate" about undoing Brexit. This comes amid growing calls from senior Labour figures, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Health Secretary Wes Streeting, for the party to reconsider its stance on EU membership.
Senior Figures Voice Support for EU Re-engagement
Earlier this month, London Mayor Sadiq Khan argued that Labour should commit to rejoining the EU in its next election manifesto, claiming that a return to the bloc is "inevitable". When asked about these remarks, Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan described herself as an "absolute Euro-enthusiast". Meanwhile, in December, Health Secretary Wes Streeting suggested he favours the idea of a customs union with the EU, indicating a broader push within the party for closer ties.
Kyle Emphasises Global Trade Opportunities
However, when questioned about these internal calls, Mr Kyle told LBC that Labour would not move to rejoin the EU. He stated, "I think right now we have the policy that is right for the moment we're in: make sure we have the reset, that we explore all the opportunities we have with the EU, with the US, and also looking at the additional trade deals we've got around the world." He added that the focus should be on "all of the incredible opportunities there are out there for partnerships around the world" rather than reopening the Brexit debate.
Mr Kyle highlighted specific initiatives, such as the US tech deal, which he said unlocks 300 billion US dollars worth of trade, and emphasised his commitment to deals that deliver "short-term, immediate growth into our economy". Regarding the EU, he noted, "we will rebuild, we are rebuilding the relationship, and we're very open-minded about the alignment that will bring benefits to both EU countries and the UK."
Government Pursues Closer Alignment with EU
Despite Mr Kyle's rejection of rejoining, the Labour government is actively seeking to work more closely with the EU. Sir Keir Starmer is preparing a bill that would grant ministers powers to bring the UK into alignment with EU law in areas such as:
- Food standards
- Animal welfare
- Pesticide use
This process, known as dynamic alignment, aims to reduce paperwork and boost growth as part of a Brexit "reset".
Reeves Warns of Economic Risks
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has admitted that Brexit has not been beneficial for Britain, warning that the UK risks being "stranded" between rival trading blocs unless it forges closer ties with Brussels. She argued that the UK's fate is "inescapably bound with that of Europe" and that closer EU ties represent the "biggest prize" economically, especially amid flatlining growth and cost-of-living concerns.
Upcoming Negotiations and Sticking Points
The UK and EU plan to meet in the summer to agree deals on shared food standards, carbon emissions, and youth mobility as part of the government's attempted reset. However, negotiations may face challenges, with suggestions that a carve-out on cheaper tuition fees for EU students could prove a sticking point in the youth mobility agreement.
