Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to anger Brexiteers as he announces plans to forge a closer relationship with the EU. Speaking to The Guardian, the Labour leader said he wants to boost ties with Brussels security, on defence, on trade and on the economy.
He hailed the “ambitious” plan and argued that the British public is now moving on from the Brexit debate, having voted to leave the bloc in 2016. Sir Keir said: “I’m ambitious about what we can achieve there. I want a closer relationship on security, on defence, on trade and on the economy.
“The mindset is important, and this is, I think, a shared approach. Let’s look forward, not back. Let’s recognise we’re living in a different world. We’re in a new era on security and defence. Equally, we’re in a new era of trade and the economy now.
“What President Trump is doing through his tariffs is for a purpose, and we need to recognise that the way we lower barriers with like-minded partners really matters.”
Asked if the British public has moved on from the Brexit debate, he added: “I think so.
“Because I think people are focused on how we get the economy moving. How do I feel better off? How do we get more money into our public services, and how do we protect my job? And it’s important to ask the question: who have you got in your mind’s eye when you make decisions?”
The Prime Minister’s remarks come as Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey urged the UK to do “everything we can” to build stronger trading ties with Europe.
He told the BBC: “It is important we do everything we can to ensure that whatever decisions are taken on the Brexit front do not damage the long-term trade position. So I hope that we can use this to start to rebuild that relationship.”
Asked if closer trading ties could help the UK grow the economy and bring down inflation, Mr Baily said: “It would be beneficial. Having a more open economy to trade with the European Union. Because there has been a fall-off in goods trade with the EU over recent years.”