The EU quandary: Labour’s efforts to build good relations and keep red lines

The economist John Springford, of the Centre for European Reform, whose estimates suggest UK gross domestic product is perhaps 5% smaller than it would otherwise be as a result of Brexit, says Labour’s plans are unlikely to move the dial on growth.

“I’m more bullish on the UK economy than a lot of people, but if Labour’s whole mission is ‘We need to get the growth rate up’, then single market-customs union is what you need to do. But the political problems with that are obviously huge,” he says.