Labour sets out its stall as party of ‘soft Brexit’ in single market policy shift

‘Labour is to announce it supports continued membership of the single market when the UK leaves the EU in a major policy shift over Brexit.
Tomorrow will see the party set out its stall as the party of “soft Brexit” in a move that will clearly differentiate Labour’s approach from the Government’s.
The new policy – likely to please many of the party’s supporters but certain to anger others – was revealed by shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer in an interview with the Observer.
Prime Minister Theresa May has said there will be a “transition period” lasting at last two years after the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 during which time the government aims to negotiate an interim arrangement with the customs union and the single market in order to avoid an economic “cliff edge” for businesses.
But Jeremy Corbyn’s party is to say it hopes permanent membership of the single market and the customs union might be possible through negotiations with the EU, which will be reduced to a 27 nation block once the UK takes its leave.’
Read more: Labour sets out its stall as party of ‘soft Brexit’ in single market policy shift