Defence Secretary Wes Streeting was challenged on GB News over Andy Burnham's bid to reverse Brexit. Presenter Camilla Tominey questioned Labour's claims that the UK's exit from the EU has damaged the economy while the party also trumpets economic growth.
Tominey said: "Hang on. Let me just ask you something please. There's a paradox here in the minds of Labour politicians. On one hand, you're saying Brexit has irrevocably harmed the British economy and then in the same breath you're saying we've got the fastest growth in the Eurozone. Both can't be true, can they?"
Streeting's response
Mr Streeting replied: "Well, I think they are both true and let me tell you that in terms of the cost of leaving the EU and the impact it's had not just on economic cooperation but also security cooperation, it has been significant. We are where we are. The EU and membership of the EU is not an on and off switch. You can't just leave and then just rejoin."
He added: "There are lots of ways in which we could work more closely with the EU without rejoining but they would all have to be negotiated and would all come with some choices and trade-offs and what the Prime Minister wants to do is have a grown-up conversation with the country about that as well as negotiating with Brussels to see what we can achieve for a closer working relationship. If it's not in our national interest we won't do it."
Burnham's EU plans
The exchange comes as the Prime Minister will set out options later this year for closer ties with Brussels. He has hinted Labour's next election manifesto could include a pledge for a fresh referendum or even a promise to rejoin the EU without a vote.
Labour's current manifesto has "red lines" which bar rejoining the EU's single market or the customs union.
