Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have exchanged items as they met for the primary time.
The Labour chief met with Mr Macron in Paris, following a world junket that has additionally seen him glad-handing with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Montreal.
Sky Information understands Sir Keir – an Arsenal fan – gave Mr Macron a soccer shirt in his favorite group’s colors, whereas a pair of cufflinks was exchanged in return.
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Talking after the assembly, Sir Keir stated the pair “had a really political dialogue protecting numerous points to do with world politics, but in addition it was that chance to have a look at future prosperity, future safety, among the most urgent points on my thoughts, on the president’s thoughts”.
It isn’t unusual for opposition leaders to fulfill overseas leaders, particularly forward of an election. David Cameron met Barack Obama forward of the 2020 election.
A spokesman for Mr Macron stated: “Their assembly is a part of the dialogue that the president of the republic maintains with European political gamers.”
Rishi Sunak’s press secretary stated: “It is common for opposition leaders to fulfill world leaders.”
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Sir Keir stated the assembly was “constructive and Positive”, including: “It was my first alternative to say how a lot I worth the connection between our two nations, significantly in the case of prosperity and safety and the way, if we’re privileged sufficient to be elected into energy, intend to construct on that relationship and make it even stronger than it’s at the moment.”
Labour has not too long ago laid out its plans on immigration, which incorporates trying to safe a returns settlement with the EU.
Sir Keir told Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips: “Let me be completely crystal clear about this, as a result of the federal government has been pumping out full rubbish this week, by way of the numbers that they’re suggesting.
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“Clearly an EU quota system for EU members… properly it is apparent we aren’t an EU member.
“That scheme itself is not actually working very properly. So the concept we’ll be a part of the EU scheme on quotas is full nonsense. We’re not an EU member and that wasn’t what I used to be speaking about.”
Speaking to the Financial Times on Monday, Sir Keir indicated his need to barter a “much better” post-Brexit take care of the EU ought to he win the overall election anticipated subsequent yr.
This might be as a part of the renegotiation of the Commerce and Cooperation Settlement, which is ready to happen in 2025.
Responding to this, a Conservative Occasion spokesperson stated: “Seven years on from the referendum, Keir Starmer needs to take Britain again to sq. one on Brexit, reopening the arguments of the previous yet again.
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“Keir Starmer backed Stay, then needed a second Brexit referendum, but now he says he accepts it. Simply after he turned Labour chief he promised to ‘make the case for freedom of motion’, now he would not. Three years in the past he promised he would not search main adjustments to the UK’s new relationship with the EU, however now his newest quick time period place is that he’ll.
“What value would Keir Starmer be ready to pay to the EU for renegotiating our relationship?”