Labour's Brexit red lines: Starmer rules out single market, customs union and free movement

Labour leader says there is 'no case' for UK returning to EU

Why could parts of the Brexit deal be torn up?

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said he will seek a much better Brexit deal with the EU if Labour wins the next election. However, he has also ruled out a number of key elements of the current deal, including the single market, the customs union and free movement of people.

Starmer's position is rooted in Labour's historic election defeat under Jeremy Corbyn in 2019, when swathes of traditional Labour voters in Leave-voting areas defected to the Conservative Party. Starmer believes that in order to win back these voters, Labour must show that it respects the result of the referendum and is committed to delivering Brexit.

However, Starmer's position has been criticized by some within the Labour Party, who argue that it is unrealistic to expect the EU to renegotiate the Withdrawal Agreement. They also argue that it will damage the UK's economy and international standing.

It remains to be seen whether Starmer will be able to deliver on his Brexit promises. The EU has repeatedly said that it will not renegotiate the Withdrawal Agreement, and the UK government has said that it will not accept any changes that undermine the integrity of the single market or the customs union.

Conclusion

Labour's position on Brexit is a complex and evolving one. Starmer's red lines are a sign that the party is still struggling to come to terms with the result of the referendum, and that it is trying to balance the competing demands of its different constituencies.

It is clear that a new Labour government is not likely to lead to transformed relations with the EU. The EU is unlikely to renegotiate the Withdrawal Agreement, and the UK government is unlikely to accept any changes that undermine the integrity of the single market or the customs union.

However, it is also clear that Starmer is attempting to find a way to appeal to both Leave and Remain voters. His red lines are an attempt to show that Labour is committed to delivering Brexit, while also protecting the UK's economy and international standing.

Whether Starmer's approach will be successful remains to be seen. However, it is clear that the Labour Party is still grappling with the implications of Brexit, and that it is likely to be a defining issue for the party for many years to come.