Could Britain edge back closer to the EU? |
THE turmoil in English politics continues. No, not just about Mandelson, beloved by the UUP back in the day when it was the largest party, and the DUP too. Unionists have all gone pretty quiet about him now.
No, the continuing turmoil which has been relegated to the sidelines is how to get closer to the EU.
It’s still an acutely divisive issue in English, not British politics, if there is such a thing any more.
The Scottish parliament would rejoin the EU tomorrow if it had the power. Support for the EU has grown here since the vote a decade ago when the majority voted to remain.
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It’s only in England that parties tread warily, daggers drawn.
Keir Starmer, and probably a majority in his cabinet, want to find ways to join either the customs union or, and this is where the main problem lies, to connect with the single market.
On Monday there was an important meeting in London between the Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Nick Thomas-Symonds, the man responsible for developing relations with the EU – recently promoted to full cabinet rank – Peter Kyle, the Business Secretary, and the EU Finance Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis and EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic,........