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By David Wilcock, Deputy Political Editor For Mailonline
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<span class="date">11:19 20 Feb 2023, upgraded 11:21 20 Feb 2023</span>
- Khan restated his case for UK attempting to rejoin customizeds union and Single Market
- Starmer today declared Government support over Northern Ireland Protocol
Sadiq Khan required closer ties in between the UK and EU today as he recommended Labour was supporting an ‘severe difficult Brexit’ under Sir Keir Starmer.
The London mayor restated his case for the UK attempting to rejoin Brussels’ customizeds union and Single Market today as he said the existing system was harming the UK economy.
Sir Kier has actually been trying to hold his celebration together over Brexit, which was among the essential fight premises ahead of the 2019 election. Today he declared his dedication to support the Government in a Commons vote on any contract with the EU over the Northern Ireland Protocol.
But speaking with BBC Radio 4’s Today program today Mr Khan said: ‘We have actually got to take a look at what has actually taken place in the years considering that (the referendum) consisting of the previous 3 years plus considering that we left the European Union; GDP down by more than 5 percent – 5.5 percent, the trade we do – not simply with Europe however with the remainder of the world – down, our efficiency down.
‘This severe difficult Brexit just isn’t working.’
Arguing that ‘close positioning is one method to make our economy more effective’, he included: ‘The point is we ought to take a look at how we make our economy a success, which consists of having a conversation about close relate to the EU and yes, we ought to be taking a look at whether belonging to the single market and the customizeds union is much better for our nation, financially, socially and all the other things that are necessary.
‘I’m speaking with restaurateurs closing at lunch break due to the fact that of an abilities scarcity and a labour scarcity. I am speaking with those in the City of London who cannot grow and flourish like they utilized to due to the fact that theory cannot bring in the skill.
‘Our underlying strengths as a city are still here, we are still going to do incredibly well. But as a nation we are going to have a hard time if we do not have close positioning with the EU.’
It came as senior Tories stepped up cautions to Rishi Sunak not to attempt to strike a Brexit handle Brussels which is undesirable to Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
British authorities have actually remained in talks with EU equivalents over the weekend amidst speculation that an arrangement to solve the issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol governing post-Brexit trading plans is close.
However the reports have actually alarmed some dedicated Tory Brexiteers in addition to some senior figures in the DUP who fear the Government is providing excessive ground to the EU.
No 10 rejected recommendations the Prime Minister had actually been required to postpone a statement – which had actually been commonly anticipated as early as today – amidst issues of a reaction at Westminster.
Speaking to press reporters throughout a check out to Thurrock in Essex, Sir Keir said there was a ‘window of chance’ to solve the issues with the procedure.
‘There is a window of chance to move on. The UK and the EU have actually certainly edged better together. The concern now is whether the Prime Minister is strong enough to get it through his own backbenches,’ he said.
‘What I have actually said on Northern Ireland, the nationwide interest precedes. So we will put party politics to one side. We will vote with the Government and so the Prime Minister doesn’t have actually to rely on his backbenches.
‘We in the Labour Party believe country first and celebration 2nd. I am welcoming the Prime Minister to do the very same thing.’
