Subtitle: "Despite personal Remain stance, Sir Keir Starmer asserts Labour will not rejoin the EU and sets out plans to optimize post-Brexit Britain".
Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, has underscored his commitment to Britain's post-Brexit reality, pledging that the Labour Party would not attempt to rejoin the European Union if it assumes power.
Starmer, who voted Remain in the 2016 referendum, openly conceded his preference but also indicated his alignment with Leave voters' aspirations for improved healthcare, enhanced job opportunities, better wages, greater security, and a sense of control over their lives and communities.
Seeking to resonate with those unhappy with the increased tax burden, elevated immigration rates, NHS status, and escalating crime, Sir Keir delineated plans to optimise Brexit's potential.
"For Brexit to function effectively, we need a government that is capable of vision and focus," he stated.
This assertion comes as the sentiment of regret among Leave voters hits an all-time high, with a growing number of voters considering Brexit a "failure".
A recent YouGov poll discovered that merely one-fifth of Brexit supporters view Brexit as a "success", while one-third hold a contrary opinion.
In ruling out any motion to rejoin the EU, Sir Keir could potentially disappoint Labour voters, of whom 86% believe that Britain's exit from the EU was ill-advised.
This sentiment was echoed by
Nigel Farage, the former leader of the Brexit party, who also recently admitted to believing that Brexit had "failed".
Penning his views in the Daily Express, Sir Keir elaborated on Labour's Brexit policy: "Britain's future lies outside the EU.
However, the slimline Conservative deal has impeded Britain's potential and heavily favoured the EU in terms of trade."
He continued, "Above all, British businesses and households need stability and certainty.
We must leverage our sovereignty for their benefit, not as a mechanism to manage internal Tory Party affairs."
He brought attention to the precarious future of the auto industry and the threat to Britain's potential to lead in electric car manufacturing.
He also highlighted the uncertainty surrounding scientists' and researchers' access to the Horizon EU funding programme and criticised the Tories' Brexit deal for causing a rise in food prices amidst the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Asserting the urgency to act, Sir Keir stated, "We could reach a deal that adheres to the British people's desire to uphold our high food and animal welfare standards while easing the bureaucratic red tape.
It could save our importers hundreds of millions of pounds a year."
Starmer also stressed the need for collaboration with European neighbours to reduce food prices and counter migrant smuggling across the channel.
Expressing optimism for the future, he said, "All the issues I've discussed can be resolved from outside the EU, but it requires hard work, positive relations, and, most importantly, honesty."
He concluded by urging Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to admit that the Tories' handling of Brexit was flawed.
"Failure to work tirelessly to rectify these errors will mean the Tories will not deliver for Britain and fail to fulfil the promise of Brexit," he added..