Brexit has been a catastrophically stupid act of self harm (I described it as such in front of the BBC Look North cameras the day after the referendum in 2016 and that opinion has only intensified over time), and has resulted in us imposing completely unncecessary economic sanctions on ourselves.
However, I fully understand why Labour cannot say that at this moment in time, pledge for England, Scotland and Wales to rejoin the single market, talking about rejoining the EU etc.
That will basically be an electoral gift (or at least welcome respite) for the Tories, and will result in Brexit once again being a major issue at the next GE, which would terrible for Labour.
When general (or Scottish) elections are heavily dominated by 'emotive', divisive constitutional issues, namely Brexit and Scottish independence, Labour are well and truly f*cked, as highlighted by the 60 seats they lost in Northern Ireland, the Midlands and Wales, and 40 seats that they lost in Scotland.
The second largest party in Westminster, that wants to become the largest party and enter government, has to 'play politics' and think strategically - there's no way around that. It's significantly easier for smaller parties that have absolutely no prospect of forming / leading Westminster governments, and includes the SNP MPs in Westminster who are separate the the governing MSPs in Hoylrood, to 'remain' pure, because ultimately there's a strong chance that without holding the levers of power they will never be judged against their comments.
It's like when people say that Caroline Lucas is the 'voice of reason' in Westminster. While I have a lot of respect for her (apart from when during the Brexit chaos in 2019 she said that a cabinet only consisting of white women was required), and think that she is excellent at succintly highlighting where the government are failing, ultimately she has one of the easiest jobs out of any MP in parliament. As she will always remain an opposition MP, that will never even be part of a confidence and supply deal, let alone a coalition, let alone being a government minister with responsibility over a departmental budget, she can say exactly what she wants, promise and pledge exactly what she wants, without ever having to worry about being held to account for delivering those promises, balancing costs, her record being judged etc. It's also of course far easier for politicians to cultivate and maintain a loyal fanbase if they never enter, or especially never come close to entering, government. If the Tories had won a majority in 2010, Clegg would have remained incredibly popular for at least quite a while longer.
The problem with Starmer is that he has learnt absolutely nothing since he was appointed by Corbyn in September 2016 as shadow Brexit whatever.
A rough timetable of Labour's position on Brexit;
Corbyn (anti-EU and let's not pretend otherwise) makes half-hearted speeches with Thornberry in tow before the referendum.
Corbyn appoints Starmer (inexperienced wet behind the ears)
Corbyn says Starmer had a season-ticket to Brussels - Barnier mentions one meeting with Starmer.
Corbyn and Starmer rush to trigger Article 50 with the Tories despite no plan behind put forward.
Lots of abstaining, loads of incoherent rubbish about Swiss deals and so forth, in out shake it all about where not one single person in the HoC had the first idea of what was to come and what Brexit actually meant.
Deadline is extended past the two years to get the deal over the line. Bearing in mind that the EU were throughly sick of the Uk's approach and the time wasting.
Johnson finally agrees to something which MPs's voted for and accepted.
Labour propose some kind of unspecified referendum if they get in and renegotiate the deal if they get in. This is probably one of the more laughable suggestions. the Eu were really in need of another session of renegotiating unicorns and cake.
British people and the EU are throughly sick of the whole thing. They vote for Johnson hoping that would be the end of it. Unfortunately for them it is only the start.
Starmer sets his 6 tests, Starmer wants the same benefits, inside and outside of the EU. He gets his chinese takeaway menu out to decide which unicorn he would like.
To cut out all the bits in between, Starmer still doesn't understand about the EU, he doesn't understand about Custom's Unions, he doesn't understand about the Single Market and doesn't understand what the implications of Brexit are.
The Starmer you see today is still the same wet behind the ears naïve innocent whom Corbyn appointed 7 years ago. He's still got his takeaway menu in his hand and still thinks he can have the same benefits in and out of the EU.
He even got hoodwinked by the DUP regarding the ability of NI to trade with GB. He still believes it.
He thinks he's going to be able to reopen negotiations with the EU.
How can anyone be this out of touch?
The other point still being missed is. No it's obvious the UK cannot rejoin the CU or the SM or the EU for many years to come and that's if the EU ever let them back in.
The first step towards that though is to stop pulling further away.
That means what is Starmer doing about the Freeports (disastrous move for the UK - probably lose even more access to the SM and possibly the trade agreement) leaving the ECHR/Rwanda policy (ditto); Bonfire of EU regulations (ditto).
Then he's going to rely on people being highly trained and highly paid in the skills sector to cover the jobs that are no longer being done by the EU workers who the Uk have told they're not welcome.
So when he's trained the highly skilled cleaners, waiters, fruit pickers, and all the other menial jobs the British don't want to do and paying them £100k per year. - what's his next brilliant idea after the manufacturing industry in the UK has completely collapsed? If only he had some kind of vision.
