"Voters expect the Prime Minister to come away with more than just a defence pact when he hosts EU leaders in May and want him to prioritise removing trade barriers in the interests of bringing costs down and getting growth. " @pimlicat.bsky.social on our new polling.

Comments

I cannot see us getting any closer to the EU without removing the red lines. The EU has so far refused to consider any "cherry picking". and without re-joining the Single Market and/or Customs Union that is exactly what the government are hoping to do !
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Starmer’s red line is joining the CU so please someone give me hope and tell me, how?
The EU have been consistent in their approach from day one and I can’t see that changing. Tinkering around the edges is not going to help.
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Removing trade barriers means applying to SM.

With all rights and duties.

It’s ok for us.
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Every time he says 'red lines' during this event, he's got to add an extra 1% to public sector pay.
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Single market, customs union, free movement of people. 🇪🇺
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Realistically, they need to follow through on their own "the world has changed" rhetoric and actually behave as though they believe it. Actively working towards Customs Union and Single Market membership is the obvious response to the US becoming a failed state.
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Trade deals outside the EU first, then closer trade ties with the EU after.
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I would have reversed those priorities !
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Problem is getting deals with other markets if we're tied to the EU first.
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We can get deals with other markets when the EU negotiates them for all member states!
If we are a member then we have to make more of an effort to guide the "club", and not just sit back, as we have in the past, criticising France and Germany for seemingly running the show!
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In light of the Scunthorpe furnace issue, I was thinking along the lines of reliable supplies of ore and coal. Australia and India for example. By the time the EU negotiate these deal, the plant could be in trouble. Hence, we get in now before re-joining (which I'm keen to do).
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I think it’s very reasonable to suggest that any progress is good, but yeah the pact will look like a wasted opportunity if that all that is unveiled.

I want a serious timetable for next 12 months though where more and more can be agreed
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Don't hold your breath.
Starmer is still looking for a deal with USA.
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Seriously nieve

UK & France will have troops in Ukraine inside 12 months.

If this is UKs view there is a serious misunderstanding of where things are heading

Trade is very important, but putting a force in Ukraine that can defend itself and providing UK good air defense are critical
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The two are intrinsically linked, we can't pay for defence without better trade
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Not disagreeing with the need for better trade

Just the lack of understanding that we are in a world where 5% on defence may not be enough if we have troops in Ukraine in less than 6 months
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