Labour leader Keir Starmer firmly rebuffs claims from Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch that he plans to reverse Brexit. Here’s the full story.
Sudden Ignition
The debate over the UK’s position outside the European Union, which politicians have ignored since the start of the general election campaign, has suddenly reignited.
Spectre of Brexit
The spectre of Brexit has raised its head once more as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was forced to firmly reject claims from Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch that he intends to reverse Brexit.
Badenoch’s Claims
According to the most recent polls, the Business Secretary is likely to be one of the few remaining high-profile Conservatives in Parliament following the general election, and her recent comments have been widely interpreted as her firing the starting gun on her potential leadership bid.
Seasoned Culture Warrior
Badenoch, a seasoned culture warrior with a long history of using wedge issues to divide and conquer her political adversaries, staunchly defended Brexit in a recent interview with the Brexit-supporting Telegraph.
Criticism on the Right
Badenoch said of Brexit, “One of my biggest challenges is the criticism on the Right that we haven’t done things that we actually have done… they are trying to tell people that it has not been a success.”
Brexit: A Long Project
She added, “This is a 10 or 20 year project. We’ve just started. It’s like building a house and someone comes in and says oh, it’s not done yet, he’s failed. Or you’re cooking something and, five minutes later, it’s not cooked yet, it’s not working, let’s stop.”
Oven-Ready Promises
The idea of Brexit as a ten or twenty-year project stands in stark contrast to the many promises made by the Leave campaign during the referendum, one of which was that there was an “oven-ready” Brexit deal waiting to be implemented and that securing a trade deal with the EU following Brexit would be one of the “easiest in human history”.
Rallying the Base
It is likely that Badenoch is finally waving the Brexit flag in a last-ditch, Hail Mary attempt to rally the Conservative’s disillusioned and dejected base, to whom staying out of the EU is critical.
Labour Accusations
Despite repeatedly stating that they would not seek to rejoin the EU, Badenoch claimed that Labour was planning to do precisely that. She warned that what she perceives as the benefits of Brexit would “disappear if Labour come in.”
Taking Us Back
She added, “They will take us backwards. They will take us back to square one. They’re just going to copy what the EU does.”
Starmer’s Response
In response to Badenoch’s claims, Starmer has made it clear that Labour has no plans to rejoin the EU, single market, or customs union, stating unequivocally, “We’re not rejoining the EU, we’re not rejoining the single market or the customs union. That isn’t our plan. It never has been. I’ve never said that as leader of the Labour party, and it’s not in our manifesto.”
Turmoil of the Referendum
Reflecting on the chaotic aftermath of the Brexit referendum, Starmer stated, “I voted to remain. I campaigned to remain, but what that referendum did was to throw politics into turmoil for three years.”
Uncertain Future
He added, “Between 2016 to 2019, our parliament couldn’t get anything done. It caused huge uncertainty. And I don’t think returning to that kind of uncertainty is actually going to help us rebuild our economy, rebuild our country, grow the wealth and create the wealth that we need for the secure jobs of the future.”
Economic Challenges
Starmer also addressed the UK’s economic challenges, noting that many of these issues predate Brexit, stating, “The problem with low growth, which has been at the heart of the economic problem in this country for 14 years, started well before Brexit.”
Better EU Relationship
Starmer emphasised the importance of forging a better relationship with Europe despite ruling out rejoining the EU, in a move which will infuriate ardent Brexiteers like Badenoch.
Improved Trade Deals
He expressed a desire for improved trade agreements and more collaboration in research, development, and security, stating, “I do think we can get a better deal with the EU, and if we are elected to government, that is what we will endeavour to do.”
Out of Step
Despite the back and forth between Badenoch and Starmer, both the Conservatives and Labour are significantly out of step with the rest of the country on the issue of Brexit.
Brexit Mistake
According to the most recent polling from Statista, 55% of people believed that leaving the European Union was a mistake, while only 31% thought it was the right decision for the country.
Clarifying Labour’s Stance
By firmly rejecting Badenoch’s claims, Starmer has clarified Labour’s stance on Brexit, aiming to reassure voters that a return to the EU is not on the agenda. Starmer’s position, which is proving contentious with the growing segment of the public who believe Brexit was a mistake, is likely being clarified to ensure that Brexit remains a non-issue for the Labour Party.
Brexit’s Future Unclear
Whether either Badenoch’s attempts to drag Brexit back into the limelight or Starmer’s attempts to ensure the issue stays buried remains to be seen.
The post Starmer Fires Back at Badenoch’s Brexit Policy Reversal Claims first appeared on Now Buzz.
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