The Labor Party is already working to build closer ties with the European Union, Sir Keir Starmer said as he continued his visit to the United Kingdom.
The new Prime Minister visited Scotland today, where he met with the leader of the Scottish Party Work Anas Sarwar and Prime Minister John Swinney.
After the meeting with Swinney, Sir Keir spoke to broadcasters and denied the likelihood of any independence talks.
Latest UK elections: Starmer continues UK tour
The SNP lost the vast majority of their seats in last week’s elections.
Mr Keir he added that he took the opportunity to “reset relations” with the first and deputy prime ministers.
He admitted there were “clear differences of opinion” between them on constitutional issues, but the meeting was still constructive.
Swinney repeated his claim that the loss of 39 of his party’s 48 seats did not amount to the removal of its mandate for independence.
But he said the party intends to focus on issues such as economic growth, child poverty, public services and net-zero emissions before securing independence.
Sir Keir traveled to Northern Ireland later on Sunday and will meet the First Minister, Deputy First Minister and opposition leaders on Monday.
A ‘failed’ Brexit deal
During the visit to ScotlandSir Keir has gone on the offensive over the way Boris Johnson negotiated the Brexit dealing with the European Union – describing it as “a failure”.
The new prime minister said he wanted to have a closer relationship with Brussels.
Sir Keir said: “We intend to improve our relationship with the HUH and that means closer commercial ties with the EU, it means closer ties in relation to research and development and closer ties in relation to defense and security.
“Obviously, there are many discussions and negotiations to be had.
“But I think we can get a much better deal than the failed deal that Boris Johnson imposed on the UK.”
He said any deal depended on “respectful relations, conversations with leaders across the EU and, of course, the work has already started”.
The Conservatives used the Labor Party’s softer stance on Brexit as a line of attack during the election campaign.
There are still numerous issues with the current post-Brexit agreements.
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Industry figures raised concerns during the election about the bureaucracy they faced in transporting goods to and from Europe.
And despite the Windsor structure agreed by Rishi Sunak last year, there are still questions about how the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland works.
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
