EU insiders suggest Starmer will have to break some of his red lines for a softer Brexit
Brexit is the elephant in the room in the general election campaign so far., while Sir Keir Starmer wants the fastest sustained growth in the G7 – seen by many as unlikely without easing trade with Brussels.
However, senior EU officials have warned that this will mean signing up to Brussels rules and the European Court of Justice , which may put at least the spirit of Labour’s red lines under pressure in the eyes of Leave backers.
A veterinary agreement involving ECJ oversight could see the UK being hit with sanctions by the EU such as trade tariffs if there was a dispute over the terms of the deal being breached and European judges ruled in Brussels’ favour.Labour has not ruled out submitting to the jurisdiction of the ECJ in a veterinary agreement.
Several senior shadow ministers have also privately expressed support for the Erasmus student exchange programme. But Shadow Cabinet support for the scheme illustrates the pressure Starmer may face on softening Brexit if Labour get into power. The source said: “The EU always insists that any agreement with it has to be under its laws and Court and credulous UK politicians seem to always fall for it.“Whereas the Conservatives carelessness was ameliorated by the likes of Sir Bill Cash and his scrutiny committee, the Labour Party will go into negotiations with little care for and not fear of handing over sovereignty.
The spokesman added: “Labour has long talked about seeking to deliver an agreement to help artists and musicians tour in Europe, which would help with mobility.”
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