Labour has lost the plot when it comes to Europe
The Labour Party has shown that it cannot be trusted on the issue of Europe, and that the only way for Scotland to regain the benefits of the European Union is with the powers of independence, according to the Scottish Greens.
This comes after Keir Starmer reiterated his opposition to membership of the single market and customs union and described free movement as a ‘red line’ during an interview with the Mail on Sunday.
The Scottish Greens economy spokesperson, Maggie Chapman MSP, said:
“When Sir Keir Starmer ran to be Labour leader he promised to protect free movement, but he has discarded it along with all of his other broken promises.
“In the last few weeks he has said there are too many foreign nationals working in the NHS, confirmed that a Labour government would not seek to re-join the single market or the customs union, and has called for an end to free movement.
“He has absolutely lost the plot. This is a far cry from the Keir Starmer who led the campaign to keep the UK in the European Union.
“Brexit has been a disaster for people and businesses across the UK and he knows it. Yet the Labour Party seems desperate to entrench it by echoing a failed Tory approach that has piled misery on millions of people.
“This is part of a reckless and cynical political game that is based on mimicking some of the most reactionary Tory policies, regardless of their consequences.
“Sir Keir may talk about returning to Europe being his red line, but there will be those within his own party who believe the only colour he recognises anymore are shades of Tory blue.
“Brexit was a regressive and reactionary policy based on a campaign of disinformation and xenophobia and it is genuinely sad and disappointing to see the Labour Party accepting it so uncritically.
“This shameful flip-flopping underlines the hypocrisy of Starmer’s politics and confirms that the only way for Scotland to regain the benefits that come from the EU is with the powers of an independent member state.”