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WORLD NEWS Monday 26 February 2018

UK Labour Party poised to change stance on post-Brexit

By GREGORY KATZ
LONDON (AP) — Britain's
main opposition party is
poised for a significant
policy change that could
increase pressure on Prime
Minister Theresa May to
deliver a "soft" Brexit that
maintains some formal
economic ties to Europe.
There were clear indica-
tions Sunday that Labour
Party leader Jeremy Cor-
byn will change course
and advocate remaining
in a customs union after
Britain's departure from the
EU to cushion the potential
economic blow.
Keir Starmer, the party's
Brexit adviser, told the BBC
that Labour's leadership
now is unanimously in fa-
vor of staying in a customs
union. Corbyn plans to
elaborate on the party's
policy shift Monday, Starm-
er said.
Remaining in a customs
union would greatly ease
trade with the EU's other 27
countries after Brexit, which
is expected to take effect
at the end of March 2019, In this Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017 file photo, Britain's Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn delivers a speech prior to a meeting of Euro-
Starmer said pean Socialists prior to an EU summit in Brussels.
He said it would also ease Associated Press
tensions in Ireland. The
prospect of a hard border ger an EU member, he said. If Corbyn and Labour clear- than 80 senior Labour Party tion to prevent Britain from
between Northern Ireland, "It's really important for our ly support a customs union, figures signed a statement going too far in severing its
which is part of the U.K., and manufacturing base," he it would give the party a published in The Observer economic ties to the other
the Republic of Ireland has said. "And nobody can an- different approach from calling for Britain to remain 27 EU members.
raised concerns about the swer the question how you the one favored by May, in the EU's single market It says: "For the sake of
future of the Good Friday keep your commitment to who has said repeatedly and the customs union af- building a better Britain
peace accord that ended no hard border in Northern that Britain will leave both ter Brexit. The letter states and safeguarding those
decades of violence. Ireland without a customs the customs union and the that Britain's economy our party was founded to
Starmer said remaining in a union." A policy shift by Cor- single market. would be so damaged by protect, we must grab this
customs union was the only byn would be significant Her own Cabinet has been leaving the single market chance before it is too late.
realistic way to get "tariff- because Labour lawmak- badly divided on how best and customs union that La- We will never be forgiven if
free access" to the Europe- ers could join forces with to pursue Brexit. May plans bour would be unable to we fail to do so."
an market. It would involve advocates of a "soft" Brexit a major speech Friday to carry out its ambitious re- The letter urges Corbyn to
reaching "a new treaty" be- in the governing Conserva- provide further details after forms if it comes to power. seek to keep Britain in the
cause membership in the tive Party to pressure May, a series of Cabinet meet- The letter states that La- single market as well — but
EU Customs Union would who already faces deep di- ings. Pressures on Corbyn bour's position in Parlia- there are no indications he
end when Britain is no lon- visions within her own party. increased Sunday as more ment means it is in a posi- is ready to take that step.q