Labour leadership jostling puts Brexit back under political spotlight

"Leaving the European Union was a catastrophic mistake. At the Progress Conference, organised by the “Blairite” wing of the Labour Party, he announced he would contest a formal challenge to replace Sir Keir Starmer. Within an hour Conservative Party Chairman Kevin Hollinrake seized on Streeting's comment, saying “whilst Labour relitigate Brexit, Britain is not being governed”."

"Under Sir Keir Starmer, Labour have trod warily around the issue of Brexit, sticking to “red lines” that, while seeking a closer relationship with the EU, the UK would not be rejoining either the EU's single market or a customs union. In his speech, Streeting said Labour had suffered from an “overcautiousness” when formulating policies in opposition."

"He listed “three big, important choices we have to make as a country”. First on his list was Brexit. “It has left us less wealthy, less powerful, and less in control than at any point since before the Industrial Revolution,” Streeting said. “The biggest economic opportunity we have is on our doorstep. We need a new special relationship with the EU, because Britain's future lies with Europe and one day back in the European Union,” he added."

Wes Streeting, after resigning from the cabinet, said leaving the European Union was a catastrophic mistake and announced he would challenge to replace Keir Starmer in a Labour leadership contest. He linked the party’s opposition performance to overcautious policy making and said Labour had been too afraid of what Conservatives might say. He argued Labour must address major national issues, listing Brexit first. He said Brexit left the country less wealthy, less powerful, and less in control than at any point since before the Industrial Revolution. He called for a new special relationship with the EU and suggested Britain’s future lies with Europe, implying a return to the EU would require a new mandate.

Read at www.bbc.com