Tories warn Labour will put ‘Brexit in peril’ after Rachel Reeves calls for reset in Britain’s relationship with EU
SENIOR Tories have warned Labour will put “Brexit in peril” after Rachel Reeves called for a reset of the UK’s relationship with Brussels.
Ex-Trade Secretary Liam Fox fears the June 2016 decision to leave the EU could be at risk if the Tories aren’t re-elected next month.
His intervention came after the shadow Chancellor said she wants to revisit closer ties in sectors such as chemicals and for City of London workers.
The comments appear to go further than previously aired on calling for improved trade terms – despite both parties appearing reluctant to talk about Brexit during the campaign.
The former Cabinet Minister said: “Disgruntled Conservatives who vote Reform will put Brexit in peril if they result in a Labour government.
“Starmer and Reeves make no secret of wanting to bring UK under EU rules over which we would have no say. Is this really the change they want to bring about at this election?”
Lord Frost, who negotiated the UK’s Brexit deal, said: “You can’t trust Labour on Brexit.”
He added: “I’m happy to deepen ties with any friendly country, whether in the EU or not.
“I don’t want to be governed by them and I don’t want their laws and courts to have force in this country without us having a say. That’s what Labour want.”
But Ms Reeves told The Sun yesterday that the UK wouldn’t go back into the realms of the bloc’s regulations after the 2016 vote.
Ms Reeves said: “My constituents voted to leave and I totally respect them and the decision that was made eight years ago now to leave the European Union.
“That is settled. We are outside the European Union, outside the single market, the Customs Union and freedom of movement.
“The Labour government wouldn’t bring any of those things back. But do I believe the deal we got was the best deal available? I don’t.”
The senior Labour figure caused controversy after declaring she wants to cut bureaucracy in some industries after prices have gone through the roof.
She said closer alignment wouldn’t mean abiding by European Court of Justice decisions if closer ties in chemical and veterinary sectors took place.
Ms Reeves said: “If you look at New Zealand, they are not part of the ECJ but they have got a farming and fishing agreement – a veterinary agreement – with the EU. So I don’t want to take us back into those institutions.
“But I do want to make it easier for great British businesses to be able to export around the world.”
She added that she wants to make it easier for companies to benefit from major trade deals.