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SIR KEIR STARMER said today he does not think there is a case for rejoining the EU or a need for a “major renegotiation” of Boris Johnson’s trade deal.
The Labour leader, who was a prominent voice in the campaign for a second referendum and in his leadership election promised to “defend” freedom of movement, said he had whipped his MPs to back the Prime Minister’s “thin” deal because “the alternative was no deal.”
It was approved by MPs just one day before the Brexit transition period ended on December 31.
Sir Keir told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show on Sunday: “Whether we like it or not that is going to be the treaty that an incoming Labour government inherits and has to make work.
“It is not being straight with the British public to say you come into office in 2024 and operate some other treaty. We have to make that treaty work.”
Alex Gordon, a spokesperson for Leave, Fight, Transform — the LeFT campaign — said Sir Keir’s comments were “his way of telling Labour Remain supporters: ‘You’ve been had. Now move on’.”
He added: “As those on the left calling for a People’s Brexit always argued, EU freedoms are freedoms for banks and bosses, not for workers.
“Starmer’s latest repositioning confirms that his involvement in Blair and Mandelson’s People’s Vote campaign was always about undermining the left leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, rather than from sincere political conviction.
“No doubt, if London’s financial services industry shifts its strategy and backs a campaign for Britain to rejoin the EU, Starmer will reassess his position yet again and let Labour members know the new line via the Andrew Marr Show.”