I have written an article today for the New Statesman about Article 50 and how Labour must champion progressive free trade deals, now that negotiations with the EU have commenced. You can read it hereI make the following points:

- The successful negotiation of a free trade deal with the EU is essential. Together, the remaining 27 EU countries are by far and away our largest export market.

- Retaining the exact same benefits the UK currently enjoys is going to be a huge challenge.

- The Prime Minister asserts that “no deal is better than a bad deal”, but it is increasingly clear that no deal is the worst possible deal.

- Labour must champion the right free trade deal with the EU over the next two years. We must demand that the government accepts meaningful transitional arrangements that will be necessary to successfully complete such negotiations.

- Labour must also champion other free trade deals. But this poses a challenge to the Labour Party. There is currently a heated internal debate about what our approach to trade should be.

- If we followed the advice of some on the left and refused to ratify any trade deals, no matter how progressive, the UK would be isolated, poorer and left behind.

- As the negotiations begin, Labour must hold the government’s feet to the fire and champion regulated and progressive free trade deals with the EU and other countries. Rejecting properly regulated free trade will not further social justice or economic prosperity in the UK.

March 2017