Labor ready to bring Britain under EU rules in exchange for Brexit food deal

Labor has pledged to prioritize check cuts for food manufacturers. Credit: Reuters/Phil Noble/File Photo

Labour ready David Lammy has offered to sign the UK under EU rules in exchange for a deal that would cut post-Brexit food checks.

The Shadow Foreign Secretary said that «negotiations involve compromises and discussions» when asked if he would bow to Brussels' demands that the UK reflect its standards.

He also cited Switzerland's agreement with the bloc, whereby the country copies and pastes the EU's set of rules, as an example of an agreement. can strike.

Mr Lammy's remarks will anger Brexiteers and increase their suspicions that Labor wants the UK back into the bloc through the back door.

Speaking at a conference in In Birmingham, he confirmed that his party «will not join the EU, single market or customs union» in government.

When asked about Labour's plans for Europe, David Lammy said that «negotiations include compromises and discussions». Photo: Aaron Chown/PA Wire

He said, “I know this is disappointing to some of you here today. The next Labor government will focus on pragmatic solutions.

«It's a mistake to think that after such a messy divorce, you can propose again, even before the two former partners go on a date.»

< p>He said Labor would go through the Brexit deal «page by page, finding ways to remove barriers and improve business opportunities.»

He was also asked about the party's plans for the veterinary deal, which it has pledged to prioritize cutting inspections for food manufacturers. .

The government has twice asked for a deal similar to New Zealand's with the bloc, under which the UK and the EU would voluntarily recognize each other's standards as equal.

Brussels rejected the request on both occasions, in most cases last fall, arguing that the UK should instead agree to a Swiss-style harmonization of rules.

British voters backed Sir Keir Starmer's plan to forge closer ties with the EU. Photo: Ewen Butman/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Asked if Labor would eventually accept the EU's demands, Mr Lammy said: «I think if New Zealand and Switzerland can broker these deals, then so can we.»

“We are not naive to believe that any negotiations involve compromises and discussions. But we do think that on a range of issues our Labor Party is reluctant to lower standards and so a veterinary deal is something we can achieve.”

He also argued that the majority of British voters were behind the plan Sir Keir Starmer for closer ties with the EU, which has been criticized by senior Tories.

Mr Lammy said that rising interest rates and inflation, as well as a drop in exports after Brexit, meant that the public agreed with the need for change.

«When I say that fixing our relationship with the European Union is our number one priority, I think the British people support it,» he said.< /p>

» I think people in the UK understand, because they feel it in their pockets, that we really need to completely change and reset our relationship.»