Labour’s Position on the UK’s Future Relationship with the EU
Earlier this month, the Leader of the Labour Party, Keir Starmer, outlined his position on the UK’s relationship with the European Union (EU) under the next Labour Government. Keir outlined that the Labour Party would not commit to re-joining the EU prior to the next General Election.
Darren understood that a considerable number of his constituents would have reservations about this given that many voted to remain in 2016 and continue to feel that the Brexit implemented by the Conservative Government is continually weakening the country.
As such, Darren has outlined his thoughts about Labour’s position and has explained why he thinks that an Association Agreement with the EU is a crucial first step in improving the relationship between the UK and its closest trading partner.
You can read Darren’s response to his constituents as follows:
Dear Constituent,
Thank you for taking the time to write to me. I hope that this email finds you well..
As you know, Keir Starmer recently set out the Labour Party’s position on the UK’s future relationship with the European Union (EU).
In that speech he said that the priority for an incoming Labour government would be to get the current trading relationship working. He said this because the current state of the UK-EU relationship couldn’t be worse – the Conservatives have put us in such a bad position with the EU that the very basics of the Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) are not working.
As you will know, I fought passionately for the UK to remain in the EU and was in favour of a second referendum to test the deal that Johnson negotiated in 2019. Unfortunately, the General Election returned a Conservative majority which passed both the Withdrawal Agreement and the TCA that followed in 2020.
I stuck true to my word to my constituents and didn’t vote to support the TCA either. The UK economy is now suffering the consequences of leaving the EU.
However, it seems clear that it would be very difficult to stand on a manifesto in 2024 arguing for an immediate return to the EU. That’s why no major political party is doing so.
Labour must first win an election to be in government. When in government, we can begin to re-set the relationship with the EU and renew our once strong friendships with friends and allies across member states.
That means resolving the Northern Ireland Protocol dispute and moving forward based on the current agreement.
A Labour government would then seek to improve our cooperation – on trade, research, security, and climate change. We would agree a deal on agri-foods that will reduce the amount of trade barriers and checks on goods entering and leaving the EU’s Single Market. We should also agree a framework to allow products destined for Northern Ireland to be exempt from checks, and reinstate short-term business visas to increase labour mobility. All of these will provide boosts to our stagnating economy.
I hope that, in time, we will have a more sophisticated association agreement between the UK and the EU. These things will take time and need to be taken step-by-step, bringing the British people with us, and showing how an enhanced relationship with the EU benefits jobs, pay, business, security, and resilience.
I know you will have felt disappointed when Keir ruled out re-joining the Single Market ahead of the next General Election, but I hope this email explains the situation more clearly.
You will know that in me you have a representative that shares your views and that I will also be upfront with you about the political trade offs that have to be made. We no doubt share the same hope for the future of our country, and I will always work hard to try and help deliver that.
Please do let me know if I can provide you with any further support.
Yours sincerely,
Darren
Darren Jones MP
Member of Parliament for Bristol North West