What would Labour do? 3. EU relations

priority for Labour. The Party believes that reducing

UK-EU barriers to trade and cooperation is essential

changes to the UK’s relationship with the EU than the

Conservatives. As such, it will see the review of the

Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) as a major

Other key parts of Labour’s strategy include reducing

trade barriers by increasing regulatory alignment with

the EU, as well as seeking to regain mutual recognition

of professional qualifications.

But there are limits to this approach. Labour has been

clear it will not seek full alignment with EU standards.

And Starmer has committed to remaining outside of

the single market and customs union, while Labour

would not return to any arrangement involving freedom

of movement.

A key unknown in Labour’s strategy is the EU’s

response. So far, the EU has been very keen for the

UK to ‘own’ Brexit and the terms of the TCA agreed

under Boris Johnson. A major reset of relations would

be the necessary precursor to a meaningful review of

the TCA. There are significant risks that Labour will fall

short in its aims for a UK-EU reset if the two sides

remain far apart on their negotiating positions.

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