Free movement of people between Britain and the EU “won’t come back” if Labour get into government, Keir Starmer said today.
He added it is “a red line for me” after Brexit - less than three years after he backed free movement in the Labour leadership election.
It came as Mr Starmer ruled out a’ Swiss-style’ deal with Brussels, which would allow access to the EU single market but need more generous immigration rules.
Reports last week that the government was examining a Swiss-style deal prompted a Tory mutiny and frantic denials from No10.
Labour’s leader told the Mail on Sunday: “A Swiss deal simply wouldn't work for Britain.
“We'll have a stronger trading relationship and we'll reduce red tape for British business - but freedom of movement is a red line for me.
"It was part of the deal of being in the EU but since we left I've been clear it won't come back under my government."
He added: “Ripping up the Brexit deal would lead to years more wrangling and arguing, when we should be facing the future.”
It is a radical change from Keir Starmer’s comments in January 2020, when he signalled he would bring back UK-EU free movement as Prime Minister.
He said: ”I want families to be able to live together, whether that's in Europe or here… We have to make the case for freedom of movement."
Asked at the time if he would “bring back” free movement for EU citizens as PM, he told the Mirror: “Yes of course - bring back, argue for, challenge.”
But Mr Starmer has long since changed his stance.
Explaining the change last week, his spokesman told journalists: “He said he would support freedom of movement whilst the negotiations were going on.
“Clearly we have now left the EU, so that matter is resolved.”
Presented with Mr Starmer’s comments in 2020, the spokesman replied: “That was what he said in the leadership election.”
Asked to confirm that was not his position any more, the spokesman said: “Correct.”
Levelling-Up Secretary Lisa Nandy today told Sky News: “I’ve always believed in freedom of movement, but only if it’s aligned to a strong investment in the skills and the opportunities for young people here in Britain.
“So we haven’t changed our position in that respect.”
She added: “I don't see any route to do it. That's the honest truth.
“I served as shadow foreign secretary for two years and there was no appetite across the European Union for reopening negotiations with the UK.
“I don't think there's much of an appetite in this country, either.
“We've divided amongst ourselves for nearly a decade now on a whole succession of issues and this country's got to move forwards.”
It came as Britain's trade agreement with Japan - the first major such deal announced after Brexit - was branded a failure as new failures show exports have dropped.
The agreement, signed by Liz Truss in October 2020, was hailed as "historic" and Ms Truss claimed it would add billions to the UK economy.
But latest data from the Department for International Trade shows exports fell from £12.3bn to £11.9bn in the 12 months to June this year.
Experts in goods dropped by £6.1bn, while services fell by 2%.
