Brexit Battle Lines Drawn: Sunak Warns of Labour’s Peril to Brexit as Tories and Labour Clash on EU Relations

Sunak warns of Labour's potential threat to Brexit stability – as Labour urges voters to avoid election overconfidence

As the EU referendum reaches its eighth year, leading Conservatives unite with Rishi Sunak in suggesting that Labour might mishandle the government's dealings with the EU if they come to power.

Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 10

On the eighth anniversary of the EU referendum, the Conservatives have issued warnings and written opinion pieces suggesting that a Labour government might jeopardize the future of Brexit.

Rishi Sunak has articulated several assertions regarding his opponent Sir Keir Starmer and his plans should the Labour Party come to power. He alleges that Starmer "intends to reinstate unrestricted EU citizen migration, increase the influx of undocumented immigrants, and re-impose European Union regulatory constraints on British businesses."

"He has always doubted our potential to thrive as an independent nation, repeatedly attempting to reverse the outcome," he stated. "Now, he's pledged to extend the negotiations with the EU, giving up the significant freedoms we've achieved, such as forming additional trade agreements and reducing bureaucratic hurdles."

"Without a doubt, Brexit could be at risk with Labour in charge."

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Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has accused Starmer and the Labour Party of lacking faith in Britain's potential to independently chart its own course.

"She added that rather than seizing the opportunities, Starmer is looking to redo the Brexit agreement, which would revert us to our original position of adhering to rules set by Brussels."

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"The Conservatives alone are committed to implementing the decisive measures necessary to establish a stable and autonomous future for our nation."

What is Labour's position on Brexit and the European Union?

Last month, Sir Keir informed Sky News of his intentions to pursue "a better [Brexit] deal than the current one" should he be victorious in the upcoming general election.

"He expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the current trade agreements, stating, 'We were assured a deal ready to go, and instead, we received something that was quite underdeveloped.'"

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The Labour Party's manifesto references Brexit once, stating: "With Labour, Britain will remain outside the EU. However, to capitalize on future opportunities, we need to ensure Brexit is successful."

"The statement goes on to say, 'We aim to rejuvenate and strengthen our connections with our European partners, friends, and allies.' It emphasizes that this effort does not involve revisiting past conflicts."

There will be no reinstatement of the single market, the customs union, or the free movement of people.

"Labour plans to enhance the UK's trade and investment ties with the EU by eliminating superfluous trade obstacles."

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In a recent article for the Sunday Telegraph, Home Secretary James Cleverly accused the Labour Party of potentially allowing 100,000 illegal migrants into the country. A Labour spokesperson has dismissed these claims, calling them "desperate lies from a party that has completely failed both to secure our borders and to handle the asylum system effectively."

According to The Times, Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove commented in a recent interview that a major uncertainty concerning Labour pertains to their potential EU relations. He noted that it is well-documented that Starmer attempted to obstruct a Brexit agreement and pushed for a second referendum.

"I was present during the discussions aimed at reaching a consensus between the Labour Party and the Conservatives, led by Theresa May, to finalize a Brexit agreement."

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As forecasts increasingly show the Labour Party on track for a substantial lead, their chief campaign strategist has emphasized to voters: "Change is only possible through your votes."

In an article for the Observer, Labour's national campaign coordinator, Pat McFadden, expressed concerns: "There's a risk that this election's discourse will be overtaken by polling discussions, particularly the notion that the results are pre-decided… This election is far from being a foregone conclusion.

"The focus on the batch of MRP polls masks a significant amount of ambiguity."

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