Health Secretary Wes Streeting has declared that there is “no appetite” for re-negotiating the UK’s Brexit trade deal with the European Union. He also acknowledged that the country must “deal with” the economic fallout from leaving the EU.
Speaking on Sky News with Sophy Ridge, Streeting was asked whether Labour would reconsider the UK’s relationship with the EU, given the acknowledged impact on the economy. While £60 billion of investment was recently announced at Labour’s international investment summit, business leaders continue to point out the country’s economic contraction post-Brexit.
Ridge suggested that re-entering the EU’s single market might help improve trade and processes. Streeting, who campaigned for the UK to remain in the EU, smiled and responded, “I campaigned passionately to remain in the EU, but a referendum and two general elections settled that question.”
When asked why there couldn’t be an open debate on rejoining the single market or customs union, Streeting said, “The debate has been taking place non-stop since the referendum. I think people have moved on, the country’s moved on, and the EU has moved on.”
Ridge then challenged him on whether the government should reconsider, especially if Brexit is harming economic growth. The government’s green paper on Industrial Strategy suggests Brexit has reduced investment by 11%. Streeting admitted, “What we warned before the referendum in terms of economic impact has come to pass, and that’s a fact of life we have to deal with.”
Streeting highlighted Labour’s approach to maintaining strong relations with the EU, stating, “The sweet spot is working closely with the EU while also being agile in exploring new global partnerships.”
At the investment summit, Labour leader Keir Starmer pledged to cut red tape for businesses and repair the UK’s international reputation after the turmoil of Brexit negotiations. He reiterated his commitment to restoring Britain as a “confident, outward-looking, value-driven” nation on the world stage.
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