David Martin, who was the Labour Party’s longest serving Member of the European Parliament, has said that Labour’s ambitions for growth in the economy can only be possible with closer alignment with the EU. Speaking today (24 June) in a Bylines Scotland podcast, Mr Martin said:
“The programme Labour has put forward for government is dependent on growth. In my view, that growth cannot happen unless we get closer to Europe. It’s just not going to happen if we are outside all the European decision-making processes.”
A long-term ambition
He said realigning with Europe is a long-term process. “Things won’t happen overnight, but a new Labour government can reach early accommodations with the EU that can benefit the UK and EU.”
Mr Martin who is President of the European Movement in Scotland, the leading all-party pro-EU organisation, cited post-Brexit rules on food safety controls that currently cost UK and European exporters £40 for every consignment passing between the UK and the EU.
He argues that having mutually agreed new food hygiene standards would cut out these costs and protect public health.
“A new accord between the UK and EU on veterinary standards would benefit farmers, food importers and exporters. Most importantly, it’s estimated that it could cut household shopping bills by around £2 a week.”
Labour must be open to review
The former MEP believes the UK’s hospitality and retail sectors would benefit from the UK agreeing to the EU’s proposal to allow people between the ages of 18 and 30 the right to study or work in the UK or EU for up to four years. Labour has rejected the proposal. David Martin thinks that if Labour wins the general election, it must be open to reviewing its position on Europe.
“The EU proposal on limited free movement would be beneficial to both sides. It would give our industries a source of valuable labour,”
Listen here to the Bylines Scotland podcast with David Martin
