Wes Streeting has hinted that Sir Keir Starmer should take stronger steps to reverse Brexit, amid speculation about his own leadership ambitions.
At 42, the Health Secretary has previously suggested that the UK might re-enter the EU customs union, increasing pressure on the Prime Minister to reconsider the current stance.
Recently, the Government reiterated its commitment to staying outside both the customs union and the single market, maintaining its position against reinstating freedom of movement.
However, Sir Keir has already moved toward closer ties with the EU by negotiating a new trade agreement in May, which involved concessions on regulatory issues and fishing rights.
Despite this, party members like Streeting are pushing for more, advocating for a return to the customs union.
In an interview with The Observer, Streeting stated, “Our departure from the EU has severely impacted us due to the substantial economic advantages we had within the single market and customs union.”
‘This is a country and a government that wants a closer trading relationship with Europe. The challenge is any economic partnership we have can’t lead to a return to freedom of movement.’
He added: ‘We’ve taken a massive economic hit leaving the European Union. I’m really uncomfortable with the level of taxation in this country.’
Wes Streeting (pictured) has suggested Sir Keir Starmer must go further to undo Brexit
Sir Keir has already moved closer to the EU, striking a fresh trade deal with the bloc in May that included concessions on red tape and fishing
Mr Streeting added that the Government has made a ‘good start’ with the revised deal but he would like to see things go further.
He has refused to rule out that he may one day run for rulership, despite last month denying that he was plotting to oust the Prime Minister.
He had been touted as a potential replacement to Sir Keir alongside Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who is seen as a rising star in the Labour Party.
Asked whether he was planning a leadership challenge, Wes Streeting previously told Sky News: ‘No, and I think whoever’s been briefing this has been watching too much Celebrity Traitors, and this is just about the worst attack on a faithful I’ve seen since Joe Marler was kicked out and banished in the final.
‘It’s totally self defeating briefing, not least because it’s not true and I don’t understand how anyone thinks it’s helpful to the Prime Minister either.’
Sir Keir is aware of the growing threat to his position and is ‘already fighting the leadership election’ by reaching out to Labour backbenchers, according to The Times.
Angela Rayner has ‘done a deal’ to be Andy Burnham’s running mate if he launches a leadership bid against the Prime Minister, sources claimed this week.
Labour MPs backing Mr Burnham, the mayor of Manchester, said Ms Rayner has agreed to support his bid in return for her old job as Deputy Prime Minister, plus an unspecified senior Cabinet position.
Mr Burnham has been searching for a safe Labour seat in the North to allow him to enter the Commons and challenge Sir Keir.
Angela Rayner has ‘done a deal’ to be Andy Burnham’s running mate if he launches a leadership bid against the Prime Minister, sources claimed this week
Last week, The Mail on Sunday reported his Commons allies as saying they have found a seat which is ‘likely to come free’ in the coming months – and which polling suggests that the so-called King Of The North should win.
The seat was not identified, but sources say Mr Burnham has been talking to MPs in safe seats in Liverpool who might be prepared to stand aside, and been keeping a close eye on the Manchester seat held by Andrew Gwynne, who has been suspended from the Labour Party for sending racist and sexist messages. Mr Gwynne has said he does not plan to stand down.
This newspaper has been told Mr Burnham held discussions with Liverpool Walton MP Dan Carden over his seat, which he holds with a 20,245 majority. But sources said yesterday that the talks ‘just didn’t go anywhere’.
Ms Rayner’s backing would be a boost for Mr Burnham as the former Deputy PM – who has not ruled out her own leadership bid – enjoys strong support from Labour members who would vote in the contest.
A Labour MP backing Mr Burnham said: ‘My understanding is that the deal has been done. Angie would go back to being deputy and get a plum Cabinet job.’
