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Leaving the Brexit transition period without a trade deal would be a “negotiation failure” and Boris Johnson “must keep” his promise to the British people, Sir Keir Starmer told Sky News.
Speaking to political editor Beth Rigby, the Labor leader said an agreement with the EU on the terms of the future relationship “can be reached in the coming weeks.”
“The unfinished business is not insurmountable,” said Sir Keir.
“Not having an agreement would be a failure of the negotiation, a failure that must be assumed by the prime minister.”
“He promised the British people that he would get a good deal, he needs to keep that promise.”
Sir Keir added: “Let’s make the deal, let’s go ahead and focus on the job at hand, which is dealing with this. [coronavirus] pandemic.”
The UK left the EU on January 31, but continues to abide by its rules until the end of 2020 during a “transition period,” as negotiators try to strike a trade deal to replace existing agreements on things like tariffs.
Sir Keir served as Brexit’s shadow secretary in Jeremy Corbyn’s front-row team, and previously championed his second referendum policy in the last general election.
When asked about his own position on Brexit now that it has succeeded Corbyn, Sir Keir said: “I don’t think there are reasons to reopen the question of EU membership.”
“We have left. We need an agreement, that is in the national interest.”
“We need to get the deal and we have to move on.”
The Labor leader was speaking to Sky News amid the controversy over the prime minister offer to void parts of their Brexit deal in the event that no commercial agreement is reached with Brussels.
Downing Street has defended the changes contained in the Internal Market Law, which will be presented on Wednesday, calling them “limited clarifications.”
Northern Ireland’s Secretary Brandon Lewis has admitted that the plan “violates international law”, but in a “very specific and limited way.”
It came after Jonathan Jones resigned as one of Whitehall’s top legal advisers, amid reports that he was “very unhappy” with the proposal.
Later Tuesday, another high-ranking official resigned.
Rowena Collins Rice left her role as director general in the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation (AGO), although the department said that her departure was “the result of a process that goes back several months.”
“What the government is proposing is wrong. I think it’s obvious to everyone,” Sir Keir said.
“But we have to step back here and focus on getting a deal.”
The president of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, has said that any attempt by the United Kingdom to undermine the withdrawal agreement would have “serious consequences”.
Some Conservative MPs have also expressed concern.
Former Prime Minister Theresa May made her displeasure clear in the Commons, asking how the UK could “reassure future international partners” that it “can be trusted to abide by the legal obligations of the agreements it signs.”
Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, former Defense Minister, tweeted: “The soft power and respected voice of Great Britain on the international stage comes from our duty and determination to uphold and respect international law.
“This cannot change while we secure Brexit; otherwise, our stance of holding China / Russia / Iran etc accountable and improving the rules-based order is severely weakened.”
Other conservative supporters also expressed their dismay, with Sir Bob Neil saying it was “unacceptable”, George Freeman tweeting “oh dear” and Sir Roger Gale commenting that “Britain is an honorable country and honor is not for sale or barter” .
