Union leader calls for closer UK-EU ties amid economic pressures
Britain’s most powerful union leader has told Andy Burnham that the “time is now” for a new agreement to develop closer ties between the UK and the EU, warning that “we’re all paying the price for that bad Brexit deal” agreed under the Conservatives, reports BritPanorama.
With a difficult Budget looming, Russia waging war on Ukraine and Donald Trump’s tariffs creating uncertainty for workers, the prime minister “has got to” use a key UK-EU summit later this year to strike a new deal with the bloc, Paul Nowak, the general secretary of the TUC said.
The Labour leader has expressed a desire to be bolder than his predecessor in building relations with the bloc, but has also reaffirmed his commitment to Sir Keir Starmer’s Brexit ‘red lines’, which exclude rejoining the customs union and single market or allowing free movement of people.
A new poll released earlier this week indicated that 56 per cent of the public would support moving beyond Labour’s established red lines.
In an interview with The Independent ahead of the TUC Congress, which opens in Brighton on Sunday, Mr Nowak urged the PM to negotiate a deal with the EU that alleviates the economic strain of Brexit.
“If you are serious about growing the UK economy, you’ve got to be serious about recouping some of that lost economic growth,” he said, accusing the Conservative Party of a Brexit deal tailored to satisfy its backbenchers rather than serve the UK’s economic interests.
He added: “I think he’s got to use that summit to build the closest possible economic and political relationship with Europe. It makes sense. They’re our largest trading partner, our most important market, and I think it’s important that we try and repair some of the damage done by the Tories’ absolutely disastrous Brexit deal.”
Mr Nowak highlighted the urgency of establishing robust economic ties, particularly in light of potential upheaval stemming from the US where unpredictability regarding tariffs presents risks to UK manufacturing and employment.
“I think the time is now because, whichever way you cut it, everybody should be worried. If you think ahead to the Budget, everybody should be concerned about the rising cost of public sector borrowing,” he said, noting the implications for funding in essential services like education and healthcare.
He expressed the TUC’s eagerness for the government to explore the possibility of sectoral deals, including in the pharmaceutical industry and other vital sectors, aiming for better access to ‘Made in Europe’ goods while still supporting the Prime Minister’s reindustrialisation agenda.
“But it’s also about just the political relationship because we are literally living in a dangerous, volatile world… in an insecure world, I think that it is important we have the closest possible relationship with our European neighbours. That does not mean rerunning the referendum, and it doesn’t mean rejoining the European Union,” he remarked.
While Mr Nowak stressed the importance of economic growth affected by Brexit, noting it could knock off up to 8% of the UK’s GDP, he also highlighted public sentiment around maintaining connections with Europe.
He indicated that the public does not desire another referendum on EU membership but wishes to see practical options for studying and living in Europe, alongside managing the rising costs of goods stemming from what he termed the “Brexit premium.”
A government spokesperson responded, stating: “We are building an ambitious, close relationship with the EU that will strengthen our economy and unlock good growth in every postcode.”
As discussions progress, the implications of Britain’s drifting economic relationship with Europe remain significant, underscoring the necessity for pragmatic engagement with the EU. An evolving landscape often finds clarity in the actions taken today.
