It seems the penny might finally have dropped for the Labour government. In a refreshingly candid moment, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has taken a swipe at Brexit, admitting the grand promises made during the referendum campaign have not just fallen short but delivered the exact opposite.
Labour’s Brexit Reset?
Speaking to the BBC on Sunday, Rayner’s comments have sparked speculation about whether Labour might be paving the way for closer ties with the EU. While the party is still settling into its premiership, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has already laid out a series of ambitious “milestones” to rebuild public trust and give the government a clear direction.
“Reset” seems to be the buzzword of the moment for Starmer. Labour’s victory in the recent general election brought hope for a fresh start, and the PM is keen to thaw Britain’s frosty post-Brexit relationship with Europe.
While Starmer isn’t committing to a dramatic realignment with the EU just yet, he’s pursuing individual agreements with member states—a kind of “Brexit lite” approach to rebuilding bridges.
Rayner Pulls No Punches
Angela Rayner, however, appears less willing to sugarcoat the situation. Her brutally honest take on Brexit left little room for misinterpretation. “We did inherit a bad situation,” she admitted.
“When we left the European Union, people were promised more money for the NHS, better living standards—and the opposite has happened.”
Rayner’s remarks were a pointed reminder of the referendum campaign’s now-infamous promises, most notably that £350 million-a-week NHS pledge emblazoned on a red bus.
Can Labour Deliver on Change?
Rayner also emphasised Labour’s commitment to proving itself to voters, recognising the public’s impatience for results. “I know people are impatient for change, but I also know they’ll give us an opportunity to prove ourselves. That’s why Keir Starmer has set out clear guidelines on what people should expect us to deliver.”
What’s Next?
Labour’s leadership seems to be navigating Brexit’s messy legacy with a mix of pragmatism and optimism. Whether their approach to EU relations will deliver meaningful change remains to be seen, but Rayner’s frank acknowledgment of Brexit’s failures is a step towards a more honest dialogue about Britain’s future.
For now, it’s a case of wait and see—but if the promises of Brexit left a bitter taste, Labour seems determined to bring a bit of sweetness back to the table.
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