Coffee House Shots Michael Gove on Starmer vs the workers: why Labour needs to learn to love Brexit
May 24, 2025
Michael Gove, editor of the Spectator and a former prominent Brexiteer, shares insights on why the Labour Party should embrace Brexit to safeguard British jobs and industries. He argues that the left needs to reassess its stance on Brexit, especially as it presents opportunities in AI and technology. Gove also discusses the internal tensions within Labour regarding Brexit and highlights the challenges faced by Keir Starmer in aligning the party with both tradition and modern political shifts. Furthermore, he reflects on the UK-EU deal's impact on industries like fishing.
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Gove's 2019 Brexit Deal Anecdote
- Michael Gove recounted trying to convince Labour to accept Theresa May's Brexit deal in 2019 by arguing the single market limited democratic control.
- The irony was that Jeremy Corbyn's Marxist adviser was the only one who understood the argument for leaving the single market.
Labour's Blue Labour Brexit Sympathy
- Some left-wing Labour members, termed "blue Labour," sympathize with Brexit's control and economic autonomy arguments.
- Many Labour voters who backed Leave form a significant constituency that new Labour should respect and engage.
Starmer's Brexit Reset Critique
- Starmer's Brexit reset moves away from using Brexit powers to boost industries in the North and Midlands.
- Investing properly could revive the small but sustainable UK fishing sector like Iceland or the Faroe Islands have done.