Rachel Reeves delivered one of Labour’s most direct criticisms of Brexit today.
During her Spring Statement, the Chancellor criticized the Conservatives for guiding the UK out of the European Union.
She also condemned the Tories for resisting closer ties with Brussels after the exit was finalized in 2019.
Reeves argued that the Conservatives were ‘wrong’ on both issues, highlighting various alleged failures under their leadership, including their support for Liz Truss.
This straightforward stance is part of Labour’s broader effort to ‘reset’ UK-EU relations, potentially leading to greater rule alignment.
However, this move comes shortly after Labour faced a setback in a by-election against the pro-EU Green Party.
Sir Keir Starmer’s party came third in Gorton and Denton, a formerly safe seat in Greater Manchester.
Speaking in the Commons, Ms Reeves said: ‘Whether it is in office or in opposition, the right honourable gentleman’s party, and his leader, have been wrong about the economy time and time again.
‘They opposed economic responsibility and backed Liz Truss. Wrong.
‘They opposed closer ties to Europe and backed Brexit. Wrong.
‘They opposed cuts in child poverty and want to repeat austerity. Wrong values, wrong economics, they are just plain wrong.’
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is unveiling her Spring Statement in the Commons, with mounting questions over the performance of UK plc
Zack Polanski’s party has received a major bounce in the wake of its stunning Gorton and Denton by-election victory last week.
Labour MPs have been hitting the panic button after the Greens romped to victory in what has traditionally been an ultra-safe seat.
Fears have been heightened by the ‘eco-populist’ insurgents’ success in capitalising on Muslim voters’ anger over Gaza.
A YouGov poll released this morning showed the Greens on 21 per cent, up four points over the past week.
That was only just behind Reform, who pushed Labour into third in Gorton, on 23 per cent support.
Meanwhile, Labour was down two points on 16 per cent, tied with the Tories.
Last month Sir Keir Starmer said the UK will seek ‘deeper economic integration’ with the European Union and ‘move closer to the single market’ in more sectors, as the ‘status quo is not fit for purpose’.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, the Prime Minister said the UK would be ‘looking again at closer economic alignment’.
‘We are already aligned with the single market in some areas to drive down the prices of food and energy,’ he said.
‘We are trusted partners, and as the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves) said this week, deeper economic integration is in all of our interests.
‘So we must look at where we could move closer to the single market in other sectors as well, where that would work for both sides.
‘The prize here is greater security, stronger growth for the United Kingdom and the EU, which will fuel increased defence spending, and the chance to place the UK at the centre of a wave of European industrial renewal.
‘I understand the politics very well. It will mean trade-offs. But the status quo is not fit for purpose, and to me there’s no question where the national interest lies, and I will always fight for what’s best for my country.’
