The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #165570   Message #3985865
Posted By: Steve Shaw
04-Apr-19 - 09:21 AM
Thread Name: BS: Brexit #3: A futile gesture?
Subject: RE: BS: Brexit #3: A futile gesture?
There's no such thing as a "Labour deal" because, in this context, deals are made between two parties after negotiation, which is what Labour has not been involved with. But Labour has clearly and frequently expressed its aspirations for brexit, as follows:

— A permanent and comprehensive UK-wide customs union with the EU.that would deliver the frictionless trade that our businesses, workers and consumers need, and is the only viable way to ensure there is no hard border on the island of Ireland.

— Close alignment with the EU single market with shared institutions and obligations.

— Dynamic alignments on rights and protections so that the U.K. cannot undercut Brussels rules.

— Clear commitments on participation in EU agencies and funding programs.

— Unambiguous agreements that cover the detail of future security arrangements, for example shared databases used to solve and prevent crime, plus the European Arrest Warrant.


If Labour were in a position of power, these points would constitute the Political Declaration. As they are not in power and as these points have not been subjected to negotiation and agreement with the EU, that's the best we can can currently get from Labour, a set of demands not set in stone. You simply can't set them alongside the Tory version by way of direct comparison as one is a wish list, easily modified, and the other is a negotiated agreement. But anyone who doesn't see them as a clear enough set of alternative aspirations expressed by the Opposition has me scratching my head. You don't have to agree with them but that's no reason to deny that they exist.