Labour's plan to betray Brexit Britain as it begs EU to let UK join meeting

EU MEETING

The Labour Party would try to persuade the European Union to allow the UK to join some of its monthly meetings. The move has sparked concerns that a future Labour government would try to row back on Brexit.

However, shadow foreign secretary, David Lammy, has repeatedly insisted it will not rejoin the customs union or single market if elected.

Instead, Mr Lammy and his Labour colleagues wants to draw up closer ties on foreign affairs and security issues.

He wants a Labour government to frequently attend meetings of the monthly EU foreign affairs council.

The monthly council sees the foreign ministers of the 27 member states meet to discuss the most pressing international issues and coordinate the bloc’s diplomatic efforts.

The move builds on Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge to negotiate a new security pact with the EU after the election.

Mr Lammy argues that the UK needs to be involved in “a more structured dialogue” with Europe, given the importance of foreign affairs to UK national security and economy.

In a lengthy 11-page article for Foreign Affairs magazine, the shadow foreign secretary wrote: “Given the difficult debates ahead with the US about defence burden-sharing it is ever more important that the UK develop closer foreign and security cooperation with the EU. Both parties must be honest about the gravity of this moment.

“From Ukraine to Gaza and the Sahel there is a conflict and instability near Europe’s borders that affects the UK and the continent’s interests equally. Yet the EU and the British government have no formal means of cooperation on foreign policy.”

DAVID LAMMY KEIR STARMER

The idea of attending monthly Brussels meetings was previously scraped by Boris Johnson, who rejected making a foreign and security agreement with the EU, preferring instead to focus on a trade deal.

Since then, the British government has turned to bilateral discussions with EU foreign ministers.

The EU itself is also thought to be opposed to Mr Lammy’s idea, claiming regular UK access to the meetings is impossible given that Britain was no longer a member of the EU.

SIR KEIR STARMER

One diplomat told the FT that to gain access the UK “could start making voluntary contributions to the EU budget and aligning all their legislation”.

Another added: “It is quite simple. To attend council meetings you have to be a member of the council.”

Mr Lammy also urged closer links with France, Germany and Poland by joining their ‘Weimar triangle’.