Starmer’s promise to renegotiate the UK’s Brexit deal has been branded a “political lie”.
However, the commitment to pursue a comprehensive rewrite of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) between the UK and EU has been criticized by European experts.
A Conservative spokesman said it was another Labor U-turn.
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The TCA negotiated by Boris Johnson is up for review in 2025.
Sir Keir told the newspaper: “Almost everyone recognizes that the deal Johnson has negotiated is not a good deal – it is far too flimsy.”
“As we move into 2025 we will be looking to get a much better deal for the UK.”
The Labor leader said he was confident a better deal could be reached in Brussels. Sir Keir has repeatedly and explicitly ruled out rejoining the EU, promising that his party will “make Brexit work”.
“I think we can also have a closer trading relationship. This is subject to further discussion,” he said.
“We have to make it work. It’s not about going back in. But I refuse to accept that we can’t do it. When I say this, I think about the future generations,” he added.
“I say this as a father. I have a 15 year old boy and a 12 year old girl. I will not let them grow up in a world where all I can tell them about their future is that it will be worse than it otherwise could have been.
“I am determined to make this a success.”
He cited security, innovation and research as areas where Britain and the EU could move closer together.
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Wolfgang Münchau, the director of Eurointelligence, described the plan to stay out of the single market and customs union and get a better deal as a “political lie”.
“It will almost certainly be exposed as such,” he added.
The EU expert said there was almost certainly no better deal for the UK.
“There was a lot of vindictive commentary from the EU throughout the Brexit process, but the deal that was ultimately agreed was a sensible trade deal with third countries.
“The two major problems at the time have now been resolved: the associated membership of Northern Ireland and Great Britain in the EU Horizon science program.”
“If your conclusion is that you don’t want to rejoin the single market and customs union, there really isn’t much else.”
He said that if the EU took tough action with a Labor government, pressure within the party for another referendum would likely increase.
“The only way to do this would be the way David Cameron did it: put it in a manifesto and see if you get a majority. Cameron did this in 2015, much to everyone’s surprise, including his own.
“We wouldn’t bet on history repeating itself in the opposite direction. Getting back in is harder than getting out.
“At least you would need someone who knows what they are doing. “
A Tory spokesman said: “Three years ago he promised he would not seek major changes to the UK’s new relationship with the EU, but now his latest short-term position is that he will.”
“What price would Keir Starmer be willing to pay the EU to renegotiate our relationship?”
