UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Trump’s tariffs reignite pressure on Keir Starmer to soften Brexit stance as Labour allies push for closer EU ties to support the economy.
As reported by The Independent, Labour’s top financial supporters are urging Sir Keir Starmer to adopt a more ambitious Brexit reset, calling for stronger EU ties.
What’s driving trade unions and business groups to push Starmer for closer EU ties?
Labour’s major financial supporters, trade unions, are now leading efforts to strengthen the party’s ties with the EU, with their significant campaign funding driving this shift.
The Trades Union Congress is backed by a significant 5,000-voter survey conducted by a pollster with ties to Labour and the unions. It has now joined business groups in urging Keir Starmer to reconsider his Brexit stance.
Despite the Labour leader’s vow to avoid choosing between Washington and Brussels, the TUC’s calls for closer EU ties are gaining traction behind closed doors in Labour circles.
What did Paul Nowak say about fixing the Conservatives’ Brexit deal?
TUC general secretary Paul Nowak stated,
“The British public agrees – they overwhelmingly back a common-sense reset. The Conservatives’ botched Brexit agreement has set workers and businesses back at home and abroad.”
He added,
“It’s time for a new approach that honours the referendum result while giving us a much-needed closer trading relationship with the EU.”
What does new TUC polling reveal about voter attitudes toward the EU?
A recent survey by Peter McLeod, who conducts private strategic polling for the TUC and Labour, reveals that 66% of respondents from a sample of 5,000 voters are in favor of closer relations with the European Union.
A surprising shift has occurred, with even pro-Brexit party voters calling for strengthening EU relations. Reform voters (formerly the Brexit Party) show a narrow backing of 42% to 41% for EU ties, while Tory supporters strongly back the idea, with 67% in favor and 21% against.
The survey also found that eight in ten voters who switched from Conservative to Labour in the 2024 general election support closer UK-EU ties. More than half (56%) of Reform-leaning voters, who voted Labour in 2024 but would now opt for Reform, are in favor of closer ties with the EU. Only 28% oppose the idea.
What did Peter McLeod say about the growing support for closer UK-EU ties?
Pollster Peter McLeod stated,
“The new poll confirms that what we heard from those voters also holds nationally by a very strong margin.”
He added,
“The focus groups help explain why a lot of people feel this way. The dominant view was that Brexit has not been a success and that it would be sensible to try for a better deal. Some of the Leave voters in our groups expressly said that their votes had been a mistake.”
What did Labour MPs say about the need for a more ambitious Brexit reset?
As the Brexit reset talks approach their conclusion in a month, Labour MPs are urging for a more ambitious outcome.
Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy, chair of the Labour Movement for Europe, stated,
“We do five times more business with the European Union than with America. It is in our interest to have a close and stable trading relationship with Europe, but right now, that is up for grabs, too.”
One Labour MP complained,
“We thought we had to keep to the Brexit settlement, but actually we could have gone to voters with a much more pro-EU policy.”
Chris Southworth’s views on moving on from Brexit?
Chris Southworth, secretary general of the International Chamber of Commerce United Kingdom (ICC UK), stated,
“It is critical the UK shifts gears and moves on from the toxicity of Brexit. We need to quickly adapt to a world that has changed dramatically since 2016.”
He added,
“The EU is our closest trading partner, with 40 per cent of UK trade dependent on the continent. We have much more in common than we have differences when it comes to trad,e so the economic priority must be to strengthen our relationship with the rest of Europe so we stand strong together to protect our economies from the impact of US tariffs.”
What did Tom Brufatto say about securing a deal with Europe?
Tom Brufatto, from Best for Britain, said,
“The most effective course of action isn’t trying to appease the party that is hurting us with tariffs, it’s offsetting that damage by securing a common sense deal with our closest and most reliable trading partners in Europe.”
What did Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg say about Trump’s tariffs and Brexit?
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, the ex-Tory business secretary, continued to dispute the conclusions on Trump’s tariffs.
He said,
“We are better off outside the EU as we are being affected less by tariffs and crucially are not forced to impose self-harming retaliatory tariffs. Additionally, we save billions each year as we are not subscribing to the EU budget, and we are helping our economy by not applying their silly rules. AI is a good current example.”
What did Mike Galsworthy say about abandoning Brexit red lines?
Mike Galsworthy, head of the European Movement UK, is urging Keir Starmer to drop his red lines entirely.
He stated,
“The Brexit red lines are utterly obsolete. Everyone knows it and these data show, yet again, that the people of this country care much about the economy than self-flagellating with three self-imposed red lines following a referendum on a different question nine years ago.”
What are Trump’s tariffs, and how do they impact the UK?
Donald Trump has imposed a 10% base “reciprocal tariff” on the UK, which is half of the 20% rate set for the EU. Countries like China, South Korea, Japan, and Cambodia are facing tariffs over 30%.
The UK has also been hit by specific tariffs, including a 25% duty on automobile, steel, and aluminium products, putting at least 25,000 jobs in the car-making industry at risk.