Labour MP hints at partial EU membership deal to access to single market
Stella Creasy has hinted that the Labour Party may push for partial EU membership, implying that the UK's membership of the bloc does not have to be "all in or all out"
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Stella Creasy has hinted that the Labour Party may push for partial EU membership, implying that the UK's membership of the bloc does not have to be "all in or all out".
The prominent Labour MP, who chairs the Labour Movement for Europe, said "we want to focus on how we get as much direct access to the single market as possible".
She said she is "very hopeful" in light of recent deals struck with the EU, citing the Moldova deal as an example.
Moldova, which has been a candidate EU member of the EU since June 2022, is currently in accession talks with the EU.
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It has been an Associate Member of the Bloc since 2016 and earlier this year, the EU adopted regulation which provides temporary full trade liberalisation for Moldovan agricultural products for one year.
The measures will be in force until 24 July 2024.
Speaking to an event on the fringes of the Labour Party Conference, Creasy said: "I think there are grounds to be very hopeful.
"If you look at whats happening in Europe - Europe does not stand still.
"It is a different entity to the one that we left. There are all sorts of things happening.
"Look at, for example, whats been done with Moldova. The idea that its 'all in or all out' just isn't the case.
"So we want us to focus on how we get as much direct access to the single market as possible and what can be negotiated."
While the Labour Party has ruled out rejoining the EU as a full member, Starmer last month admitted the party would not seek to diverge from the European Union.
The Labour leader said he hopes to forge closer relations with Brussels, seeming to go beyond his often cautious comments about Brexit at an event alongside the Norwegian leader Jonas Gahr Store.
Responding to a question from former Sir Tony Blair aide John McTernan, Sir Keir said: "Most of the conflict with the UK being outside of the EU arises in so far as the UK wants to diverge and do different things to the rest of our EU partners.
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"Obviously the more we share values, the more we share a future together, the less the conflict.
"And actually different ways of solving problems become available.
"Actually we don't want to diverge, we don't want to lower standards, we don't want to rip up environmental standards, working standards for people that work, food standards and all the rest of it.
"So suddenly, you're in a space where, notwithstanding the obvious fact that we're outside the EU and not in the [European Economic Area], there's a lot more common ground than you might think."