Thread by @DavidHenigUK

Withrespect (or not) to the Labour Party's decision making processes, backing an EU FTA should be one of the easiest decisions they will make.

Far harder to decide if they are prepared to propose to challenge the government's approach to "sovereignty" theguardian.com/politics/2020/…

Why is an EU deal so easy to back - because having no trade deal with neighbours is so obviously nonsensical, something that practically every country in the world has recognised. That should also cover a no-deal policy. But will Labour go further? theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

Part of the UK government's trade policy is to have the closest relations with majority white English speaking countries however far away. There are reasons - to take on the EU's regulatory power, join a new club. But most countries prefer deeper relations close to home.

The reason - whether selling services or goods - is that is is generally easier and cheaper to sell to markets close to home. Whether selling legal services or car parts. Not exclusively, but in general. The UK government disagrees with the world on this. What says Labour?

Then policy towards the EU. For the government, one of extreme suspicion, an organisation that wants to entrap the UK, threaten our sovereignty. Does Labour agree with the government's absolutist definition of sovereignty, and fear of the EU? It doesn't. But will it say that?

Overriding the whole EU debate - does the Labour Party believe in trade? In our topsy-turvy UK all free market think tanks now advocate higher trade barriers, and some pro-Brexit figures are starting to advocate autarky. But left-leaning parties are often trade-sceptical.

So Labour's choice with regard to the EU is going to be to continue to be afraid of the issue, therefore tucking in closely with the government, or set out an approach more in keeping with how the rest of the world sees trade and the EU. How brave are you feeling Sir Keir? /end

Interesting thought on Labour and the EU...

https://twitter.com/awb58/status/1332609811767234560?s=20

A further thought for Labour - surely a serious party of opposition would be playing on Conservative splits on the EU, supporting any deal by congratulating the PM for dumping Brexit ultras? And blaming no deal on not doing?

https://twitter.com/DavidHenigUK/status/1332629778231406593?s=20