Labour promises closer ties with EU in security pact

LABOUR’S shadow foreign secretary will today promise to secure a new security pact with the European Union if his party wins the next election.

In a speech to outline the party’s foreign policy vision, David Lammy will name five ways in which Britain must “reconnect” with the wider world.

Two of the five include closer ties with the EU – stronger resilience against 21st-century threats and the need to champion UK prosperity.

The first drive includes signing a security pact with the EU that would see improved joint working on areas including cyber, energy security and organised crime.

The second includes solving the Northern Ireland Protocol stand-off by reducing friction when trading foods, medicines and agricultural goods, though little detail is given on how.

A press release summarising the fivepoint drive includes an explicit pledge that Labour would not seek to return the UK to the EU single market or customs union, which eases trade with shared rules and regulations.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, has already rejected a return to the single market, despite Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor and former Labour MP, calling for the move.

Yet publicly urging closer ties with the EU, albeit only in carefully defined areas, shows Labour’s willingness to rebuild links with the bloc half a decade after the Brexit vote.

Mr Lammy will say: “Foreign policy has never been so important in shaping the daily lives of people in Britain. At no point has national success been so tied to the forces of global change.

“But ideological leadership and reckless choices have left Britain increasingly disconnected from its closest allies, an economy in crisis, and a tarnished international reputation.

“A failure to clearly define the goals of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office around modern challenges leave the UK ill-equipped to face the future. It doesn’t have to be this way. The UK is home to cutting-edge technology and services, world-leading universities, vibrant cultural industries, and it has the potential for unparalleled global connections.”