Lee Anderson, a prominent pro-Brexit Conservative MP and deputy party chairman, has accused the opposition Labour party of hatching a secret plot to bring the UK back into the European Union if elected to government.
In an interview, Anderson stated that “Labour have already cooked up a deal with the EU to give hundreds of thousands of migrants a golden ticket into Britain every year.” He further claimed that rebuilding the UK’s relationship with Brussels would be Labour leader Keir Starmer’s “number one priority” in government.
In response, a Labour spokesperson firmly denied Anderson’s allegations, saying there is “no truth to these baseless claims.” The spokesperson reiterated Starmer’s position that Labour is committed to “making Brexit work” and not seeking to rejoin the EU or its structures like the single market or customs union if elected.
According to Express, Anderson, MP for Ashfield and a staunch Brexiteer, pointed to remarks made by Starmer on strengthening alignment with EU regulations on issues like environment and labor rights. He interpreted them as signaling a secret plan to gradually erode Brexit and bind the UK back to EU rules.
However, Starmer has stated multiple times that significant divergence from the EU raises issues, but that does not equate to simply becoming a “rule-taker.” He contends Brexit can work better within Labour’s policy framework of not pursuing single market or customs union membership.
The Labour spokesperson accused Anderson of “spreading dangerous misinformation” and trying to revive old arguments for political gain. They emphasized that Starmer campaigned for Remain but has continually respected the Brexit referendum result.
“These desperate tactics will do nothing to help the people struggling with the cost of living crisis due to 12 years of Conservative failure,” the spokesperson added.
Political analysts view Anderson’s controversial claims as a deliberate strategy by the Conservatives to shift focus away from the economy and stir anxieties over Brexit and immigration that benefit them electorally.
With the Tories lagging heavily behind Labour in opinion polls, analysts say such political attacks aim to undermine public confidence in Starmer on Brexit issues and reverse some of Labour’s commanding lead.
However, polls indicate Starmer’s nuanced stance on Brexit alignment, while ruling out rejoin, is politically savvy and aligned with majority public opinion. Surveys show little appetite for either reversing Brexit or pursuing maximal divergence from EU regulations.
As the next general election nears, tensions over Brexit and the UK’s economic trajectory look set to become a major focal point. Anderson’s incendiary accusations exemplify the intensity of debates between the bitterly divided Conservatives and Labour on an issue that continues to polarize British politics.
