Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out rejoining the European Union while outlining Labor’s plan to tackle the problems caused by Brexit.
Presenting a five-point plan to tackle Brexit, the Labor leader said his party has been “vindicating the center of British politics once again”, while the Conservatives “love each other”.
He said the plan is part of making “the British economy grow again” and that he will say “much more” about how to achieve it in the coming weeks and months.
Sir Keir was clear that Labor would not try to join the UK in the EU, as this “would simply be a recipe for further division” and would ensure that Britain “remains trapped for another decade”.
And in a play about Boris Johnson’s campaign slogan “get Brexit,” he said the plan “will make Brexit work.”
This is his plan:
1. The Northern Ireland Protocol: Work would build trust by being an ‘honest agent’ and eliminate most border controls with a new veterinary agreement for agri-food products between the UK and the EU.
It would work with companies to put in place a better scheme to allow low-risk goods to enter Northern Ireland “without unnecessary controls”.
2. Trade barriers: the work will “facilitate trade” outside the single market and the customs union by extending the new veterinary agreement across the UK.
It would be based on “agreements and mechanisms already in place between the EU and other countries”.
3. British industry: Workers would have mutual recognition of professional qualifications so that British services could “compete”.
It would also restore access to vital funding and research programs.
4. Keep Britain safe: Labor will seek new security agreements to defend borders, including data sharing, intelligence and good practice.
A joint intelligence network would be created between the UK and Europe.
5. Investing in Britain: Workers would work with companies to “bring the good, clean jobs of the future to our shores”.
Together, they would “open up new markets and create new opportunities”, using the flexibility of being outside the EU “to ensure that British regulation adapts to British needs”.
Read more on Sky News: What is the Northern Ireland Protocol and why does it matter? EU chief tells UK “it’s time to end Brexit”
Prior to the announcement, Sir Keir told Sky News’ Beth Rigby: “We will not return to the EU, the single market, the customs union or freedom of movement.
“We are moving forward and not backward, not reopening these divisions.
“I don’t think reopening all the old wounds and going back will help us in this mission of boosting the economy.”
The current Brexit deal “is not a good deal,” he said, adding that it is causing problems in Northern Ireland and service and security agreements are not good enough.
“This is a plan for the future, it is not a plan to go back, it is not a plan to rejoin the EU,” he insisted.
Sir Keir said he was “absolutely convinced” that there were “practical ways” to resolve the current problems surrounding the Northern Ireland Protocol, part of the Brexit agreement that has effectively placed a border on the sea of ‘Ireland even though Johnson insisted he wouldn’t.
Looking ahead to the next general election, which is supposed to be in 2024, he added: “This will be the driving force behind an incoming Labor government: to grow the economy.”
Sir Keir said he did not regret campaigning for a second Brexit referendum, which is said to have helped Labor lose the last election.
“We did our policy in the circumstances that then were the real circumstances, but now we have left the EU and the government has said we have to do Brexit, but it really has no plan to do it,” he said. added.
“I want Brexit to work.”
But in response to Sir Keir’s five-point plan, Brexit Chancellor Jacob Rees-Mogg accused the Labor leader of trying to leave the EU in the same way as the Conservatives, but “half a cock” .
“I’m fascinated by what he has to say, or the reports … and what he wants to do, in general, are things that the Conservatives are doing (because) they want to change the Northern Ireland Protocol. So I hope he gives us support on our bill, ”he told LBC Tonight With Andrew Marr.
“And he wants the recognition of the degrees, which we have already legislated. So you wonder if last year I was half asleep.
“I think all Sir Keir will say later today is that he wants to do what the Conservatives are doing, but half cock, so it’s not a big announcement by today.”