Paul Embery, a writer, trade unionist, and Labour Brexiteer, discusses Labour's Brexit stance, focusing on maintaining promises to working-class voters. Topics include Rachel Reeves' plans for the EU, Brexit's impact on Red Wall constituencies, managing immigration post-Brexit, and evolving attitudes towards immigration within the Labour party and trade union movement.
Labour aims for a close post-Brexit relationship with EU, emphasizing no rejoining agreements.
Labour faces challenge in balancing immigration reduction with voters' desires and economic needs.
Deep dives
Labour's Position on Brexit
Labour's stance post-Brexit, as outlined by the show chancellor Rachel Reeves, involves not pursuing rejoining the EU, single market, or customs union, but aiming for a close relationship with Brussels. Despite this, concerns exist about potentially reentering these agreements indirectly. Maintaining Brexit's essence is crucial for the Labour Party to regain lost votes, especially in areas like the Red Wall, ensuring no undermining of Brexit's principles.
Immigration and Labour's Challenge
The challenge for Labour involves addressing immigration and reducing numbers to sustainable levels to align with voters' desires without being perceived as xenophobic. Labour must rediscover the need for controlled labor supply for economic, social, and cultural cohesion. Failure to deliver on immigration promises may lead to decreased support from the public.
Future Political Landscape and Reform's Impact
With the UK potentially turning left politically, challenges arise in navigating concerns about migration and national interests. The growing support for Reform poses a threat to Labour if it fails to address key issues like rebalancing the economy, increasing wages, and managing immigration adequately. A failure to meet these demands could pave the way for a populist upsurge similar to trends seen in other European nations.
Writer, trade unionist and Labour Brexiteer Paul Embery joins James Heale on Spectator TV to discuss Labour's plans for the EU should they get into government. Paul highlights the need for Labour to deliver on its promises and avoid alienating working-class voters. Will Rachel Reeves appease the Red Wall? And how tough will Labour be on immigration?
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