LIVE UPDATES
London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, urged for strengthened ties with Europe on Thursday, identifying Brexit as a "key contributor" to the prevailing cost-of-living crisis in Britain. Speaking as a representative of the main opposition Labour party, Khan called for a reevaluation of the UK's relationship with the European Union, asserting that the 2020 departure from the bloc is proving to be ineffective.
In a pivotal year marked by a looming general election, where major political parties, particularly the ruling Conservatives, have been reticent on discussing the aftermath of the 2016 EU referendum, Khan emphasized the significance of addressing Brexit's impact.
"We've got to be frank, Brexit is simply not a peripheral concern that we can leave in the past," Khan declared in a keynote speech, as per excerpts released by his office. "It's a key contributor to the cost-of-living crisis right now and it's resulting in lost opportunities, lost business, and lost income."
Khan emphasized the urgency of establishing "a closer relationship with the EU," advocating for a "new settlement" that, in his view, would not only invigorate the UK's economy but also contribute to raising living standards. He argued that such a recalibration would be instrumental in unlocking growth and prosperity for the nation.
The London Mayor's remarks underscore the growing discourse surrounding the economic repercussions of Brexit, injecting the issue into the forefront of political discussions in a crucial election year.
