Labour would seek to rejoin EU single market, says shadow minister

 Anna McMorrin’s intervention prompts accusations of Labour plot to rejoin bloc in all but name, as Government row over Protocol intensifies

Source - Daily Telegraph. 15/06/22

Link

Anna McMorrin told party supporters that Labour should renegotiate the current deal with the EU CREDIT: Richard Townshend

A shadow minister said the Labour Party would seek to at least rejoin the EU’s single market and customs union once in power, it emerged on Wednesday, as the Government’s row with Brussels over Northern Ireland intensified.

Anna McMorrin, a shadow justice minister, told party supporters that Labour should renegotiate the current deal with the EU, suggesting that it could be a path to rejoining fully.

Her intervention prompted accusations that Labour was plotting to rejoin the bloc in all but name.

It also further exacerbated divisions inside Sir Keir Starmer’s shadow cabinet, as rejoining elements of the Brussels project is not official Labour policy.

The revelation emerged as Maros Sefcovic, the EU’s Brexit negotiator, restarted legal action against Boris Johnson’s “illegal” plan to override the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The European Commission vice-president described the Government's decision to unilaterally alter the post-Brexit border arrangements as a breach of international law that was “extremely damaging to mutual trust and respect between the EU and the UK”.

Three separate lawsuits

In retaliation, he announced three separate lawsuits against the UK for failing to implement its obligations under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

Speaking to the Labour in Communication group, Ms McMorrin said: “We certainly need to renegotiate the current deal, certainly.

“I hope, eventually, that we will get back into the single market and customs union, and who knows in the future?”

When asked if Britain could return to the EU’s single market, she responded: “I hope so, I really hope so.”

The Labour frontbencher added that she felt that “at the very least” the UK should rejoin the customs union and single market.

Ms McMorrin is part of a growing group in Sir Keir's top team who want to renegotiate Britain's relationship with the EU.

Speaking to LBC on Wedensday, David Lammy, the shadow foreign secretary, also backed reworking our ties with Brussels.

"Of course if we were in government there are aspects of our relationship with the European Union that do need to be determined," he said.

It is understood that Ms McMorrin has been reprimanded for her comments and reminded of her responsibilities as a shadow minister to support Labour's position. But she is not expected to be sacked or asked to step down following her comments.

Ms McMorrin later rowed back on her comments, saying: “Labour policy on Brexit is clear. We have left the EU, Labour voted for the deal. It is now the job of all of us to make it work.”

A Labour spokesman added: “We need a strong collaborative relationship with EU partners but that does not involve membership of the customs union or the single market.”

Tom Pursglove, a Home Office minister, said: "Sir Keir said there wasn't scope for major renegotiation, now Labour is plotting to rejoin in all but name.

"That would mean open-door immigration and Parliament overruled by Brussels."

'This is illegal'

In Brussels, Mr Sefcovic announced the EU's response to the Government's Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, which he branded illegal.

“Let’s call a spade a spade. This is illegal,” he said of the legislation that was tabled on Monday.

In a bid to de-escalate tensions, the Commission chief said the bloc would not launch legal action over the alleged breach of international law until the bill is enacted.

“We do not seek a political victory. What we want is to find workable, long-term solutions based on the law,” he said. “Our door remains open despite today’s legal action.”

In the hope of reaching a compromise with Downing Street, he presented documents to show how existing EU proposals could be used to cut customs paperwork from hundreds of pages to only three.

But his strategy was dismissed. A government spokesman said the proposals to cut red tape in Northern Ireland "would take us backwards from the current arrangements.

"The proposals set out by the EU are the same proposals we have been discussing for months and would not solve the problems," the spokesman added.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General has accused the BBC of framing the Government as "always malevolent" and the EU as "the honest broker".

Suella Braverman was asked by Sarah Montague, the World At One Presenter: "I wonder how comfortable you feel with the reputation that this Government has built up with regard to law-breaking?"

The Attorney General replied: "With respect, I think that's a BBC view, if you don't mind me saying, that the UK Government is somehow always malevolent and the EU is always acting as the honest broker and the good guys."