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Brexit briefing: How long until the end of the transition period?
Sir Keir Starmer is facing a revolt over his decision to back Boris Johnson’s trade deal with the EU in a Commons vote this week.
The Labour leader has said that he will call on his MPs to support the “thin” post-Brexit free trade agreement, despite misgivings that it would fail to protect many key economic sectors. He argued that the alternative of ending the Brexit transition period on 31 December without a deal in place would be even worse for the economy.
It comes as Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove called on businesses and individuals to prepare for the new procedures that will apply in just three days time, warning time was “very short” and acknowledging there will likely be some “bumpy moments” as the new arrangements come into effect.
Starmer faces rebellion for backing deal
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is facing a rebellion within his own party over his decision to back Boris Johnson’s EU trade deal in a Commons vote tomorrow.
The former shadow chancellor John McDonnell and ex-cabinet minister Ben Bradshaw are among the signatories to a statement calling on opposition parties not to support the “rotten” agreement, The Guardian reported.
Several pro-European Labour MPs have said the party should not support the agreement and should abstain from the vote.
The statement has been organised by Another Europe is Possible and Labour for a Socialist Europe – both on the left – but has attracted support from both wings of the party, the paper reported.
As well as Mr Bradshaw, it said the signatories included ex-cabinet minister Lord Adonis from the Blairite wing of the party. From the left, Mr McDonnell is joined another former shadow cabinet minister Clive Lewis.
“That task gets harder if opposition parties fall into the trap of rallying around this rotten deal,” the statement said.
“We are witnessing an act of vandalism against our livelihoods, our rights and our horizons.
“We call on Labour, the Labour movement and other opposition parties not to support the Tories’ Brexit deal when it is put to a vote in the House of Commons.”
Samuel Osborne29 December 2020 08:02
Good morning and welcome to the latest Brexit updates from The Independent.
Samuel Osborne29 December 2020 07:53
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