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Unions Call for Softer Brexit as Labour Leader Faces Pressure
Confirmed
In Short: Unions are expected to debate a motion next week urging the Labour Party to negotiate a deeper partnership with the EU, prioritizing the needs of working people.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is set to debate a motion next week calling on the Labour Party to negotiate a "deepest possible partnership with the EU, prioritizing the needs of working people," according to reports. The motion, which is expected to be passed by unions at the conference, is likely to put pressure on Labour leader Andy Burnham to soften his party's Brexit stance.
Union sources told The i Paper that the motion is very likely to be passed, with only the RMT rail union set to oppose it. Burnham, who took over as Labour leader in July, is planning to push for closer trade ties in a potential grand bargain, which would see the UK agree to EU demands to lower university tuition fees for European students. This move is seen as a way to boost the economy and create jobs.
The unions' demands are expected to ramp up the pressure on Burnham ahead of the Labour Party conference, where pro-EU elements of the party's grassroots are moving to call on the PM to "rip up the red lines on Europe." Burnham, who last week partly blamed Brexit for a decade of low economic growth, has yet to set out how his ambitions or plans would change from those of his predecessor, Keir Starmer.
A Government spokesman responded to the union pressure, stating, "We are building an ambitious, close relationship with the EU that will strengthen our economy and unlock good growth in every postcode." The PM has already opened the door to meeting EU demands to lower university tuition fees for European students as part of closer trade ties, a move that unions are set to call for.
Burnham's decision to push for a softer Brexit comes just over a month after he was replaced as Labour leader by Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester. Sir Keir announced his resignation from the top job in June, and was replaced by Burnham the following month after a leadership contest. The embattled leader experienced some of the worst approval ratings of any British prime minister, leading to internal pressure for him to resign.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- The i Paper reported last month the Prime Minister is planning to stick to Sir Keir Starmer’s Brexit red lines – no rejoining the single market, customs union or freedom of movement – having dropped his call to rejoin the EU as he fought to return as an MP in the Makerfield by-election.
- He said the coalition was "doing everything we can" while urging the US Congress to "ratchet up" economic pressure on Russia.
- UK missiles offer may help Ukraine - but they are not what Zelensky needs most Burnham said allies were doing "everything we can" to "dig into our own stocks and help others dig into their stocks" of air defences to protect Ukraine.
- "This is the moment to keep up the pressure on Russia, the moment to squeeze their ability to fund this illegal war," Burnham said, praising the "strength" of the Ukrainian people.