Jonathon Reynolds claims Tories left UK with 'Brexit baggage' as he vows to get more from the EU
Liam Halligan interviews Jonathan Reynolds
Labour's Shadow Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has claimed the Conservative Party's handling of Brexit didn't "go right", claiming that Labour is "in a better position to offer more" from its relationship with the EU.
Rejecting any suggestion that Labour would bring the UK back into the EU, he called for Britain to "look at the EU the same as any other potential export market".
Speaking to GB News, Reynolds said a Labour government would be "looking to get the best terms for British businesses".
He said: "We're not encumbered by some of the baggage of the past, whether that be on Brexit or things that basically haven't gone right in the last few years.
Speaking to GB News, Reynolds said a Labour government would be "looking to get the best terms for British businesses".
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"Labour is in a better position to offer them more on that."
He added: "I dont think thats contorversial. We, in every trading environemnt, should be looking to get the best terms for British businesses.
"And we should look at the EU the same as any other potential export market."
Asked if Labour would take the UK back into the EU, Reynolds said: "No. And we've been absolutely clear about that and we understand how strongly people feel about these questions.
"We all had that experience. We all lived through it. We were all part of it.
"It's not about the single market or the customs union, it's about what are the trading terms that we can get, the improvements that we can see.
Earlier this year, Starmer confirmed he is planning to renegotiate the UK's relationship with the EU if he is elected.
The Labour Leader said he wants a closer trading relationship with the bloc, dismissing the 2020 deal struck by Boris Johnson as "not a good deal".
The deal is up for review in 2025. Starmer said he owes it to his children to strike a new partnership with Brussels and rebuild the relationship.
Starmer said the 2025 renewal date is an "important" moment to reset relations with the bloc.
The Leader of the Opposition, who is around 20 points ahead of the Conservative Party in the polls, told the Financial Times: "I do think we can have a closer trading relationship as well. That’s subject to further discussion."
Speaking about the current deal, he added: "I think there’s more that can be achieved across the board."
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Starmer said the 2025 renewal date is an "important" moment to reset relations with the bloc
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Starmer continued: "Almost everyone recognises the deal Johnson struck is not a good deal — it’s far too thin.
"As we go into 2025 we will attempt to get a much better deal for the UK."
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY LIAM HALLIGAN