Starmer to rip up May Brexit & put workers 1st

LABOUR would rip up Theresa May’s Brexit strategy and put workers’ rights and the EU single market centre stage, Keir Starmer will announce today. And EU nationals living here would have their right to stay guaranteed on day one of a Labour government, the Shadow Brexit Secretary says in his first big speech of the campaign. An EU Rights and Protections Bill enshrining workers’ rights would replace the Prime Minister’s Great Repeal Bill and Brexit White Paper. Sir Keir also pledges to seek an early transitional deal to extend our relationship with Europe and avoid a cliff-edge for business when we leave the EU in 2019. He says: “The White Paper will have a strong emphasis on retaining the benefits of the single market and the customs union, vital to protecting jobs and the economy.” He will also paint a bleak picture of Tory Brexit where right-wing backbenchers use the Great Repeal Bill to axe cherished workers’ rights. In contrast Labour’s EU Rights and Protections Bill would ensure “workplace laws, consumer rights and environmental protections are fully protected without qualifications, limitations or sunset clauses”. The EU agriculture commissioner warned of a revolt over a proposed UK trade deal with the US. Phil Hogan said: “Would British farmers and consumers accept hormone beef and chlorine chicken on supermarket shelves? I seriously doubt it. There may yet be a bloodbath over these issues.”