Kelly welcomes UK Labour's proposal for closer EU Ties

Seán Kelly MEP (Ireland South), First Vice-Chair of the EU-UK Parliamentary Assembly, has welcomed the UK Labour Party's commitment to seek secure closer ties to the EU if they secure victory in the next general election.

Mr. Kelly views this as a “positive step towards moving on from the difficult Brexit process and would prove to be a new, more pragmatic, chapter in our relationship”.

Sir Keir Starmer, Leader of the Labour Party, highlighted his intention to use the scheduled 2025/26 review of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) as an opportunity to reset relations between the EU and the UK. He identified areas such as security, innovation, research, energy, and youth mobility as potential avenues for deeper collaboration. 

 In response, MEP Kelly has said that any new forms of cooperation should be “based on a quid-pro-quo basis, ensuring mutual benefit for both parties. I would also note that closer alignment on trade and standards is particularly crucial for Northern Ireland, as it would help reduce trade barriers and facilitate smoother trade flows.”

 Kelly, a leading MEP on UK trade matters in the European Parliament, is in the process of authoring a parliamentary report on the implementation of the TCA that also highlights avenues for a closer relationship.  

 "If we want to move forward, I believe the next steps should be to prioritize a veterinary/SPS agreement, promote regulatory cooperation and strengthen foreign policy collaboration as well as further detail how mutual recognition of professional qualifications can operate.I have also suggested the consideration of joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention to address supply chain challenges", Kelly underlined.

 Kelly also acknowledges that Labour's proposal “would be beneficial for Northern Ireland, as closer alignment with EU standards could alleviate trade difficulties with the EU”. The Fine Gael MEP further highlighted “the importance of cooperation between the EU, the UK, and the Irish government to ensure the smooth implementation of the Windsor Framework and potentially facilitate a return to power-sharing in Northern Ireland".