Objective: Be friendlier and easier to negotiate with compared to Conservative predecessors.
Reasoning:
Labour's base and MPs are broadly pro-EU.
Improve the UK's international standing.
2. Minor Amendments to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA)
TCA: Reviews implementation every 5 years; the first in June 2026.
Current Status: EU focused on other issues like Ukraine, trade war with China, internal disputes.
Labour’s Optimism: Originally aimed at substantial changes, now more minimal.
Proposed Changes:
Closer Regulatory Alignment in Chemical Industry: Reduce trade frictions and registration costs.
Veterinary Agreement: Prevent unnecessary border checks for agri-food exports.
Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications (MRPQ): Allow professionally qualified individuals in the UK to work in the EU without re-qualifying.
Challenges: Time-consuming, potential resistance (e.g., Canada's experience with the EU).
3. New UK-EU Security Deal
Interest from the EU: Keen due to UK's military strength.
Labour's Broader Vision: Coordination across military, economic, climate, health, cyber, and energy security issues.
Types of Agreements:
Legally-binding: Requires adherence to single market rules.
Political Agreement: Quick to sign, can be elaborated over time.
Potential for Changes in Labour’s Approach
Political Calculations:
Irrelevance of figures like Nigel Farage could make closer EU ties less risky.
Stagnant economic growth might necessitate closer EU relations as a growth strategy.
Conclusion
Future Watch: Monitor Labour’s shifting tactics and attitudes towards Brexit.
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