Reeves needs to fix Brexit damage, not just blame it

Finally. It has taken a long time coming, but at last the country’s leaders are telling the truth about Brexit. Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are blaming exiting the EU as being partly responsible for the UK’s economic woes.

- CHRIS BLACKHURST

The chancellor this week linked Brexit, austerity and Covid as causes of the UK's poor productivity record. At his party's recent conference, Starmer dialled up his own, previously softly-softly rhetoric on the departure by referencing the “lies on the side of that bus”, meaning the Brexiteer campaign assertion that by leaving the bloc, money otherwise earmarked for Brussels would be redeployed towards the NHS.

The shift is striking, not least because there was virtually nothing said before. Those around government are quick to point to the arrival in Downing Street of Tim Allan, an arch-Remainer and hardened communications bruiser, as being responsible for the switch.

Whatever, it is certainly smart. Reeves is facing a monumental battle in filling the gaping hole in the public finances. A torrid time, for her and for Starmer, which will stretch their credibility and right to govern, awaits. In advance of the Budget, they are seeding the thought that it’s not their fault, that the damage was the result of Boris Johnson’s recklessness and simplistic attitude. In that respect, it’s similar to the “Boriswave” argument on immigration that has also struck home. Kemi Badenoch is not regarded as much of a threat, but a brooding Johnson who may, just may, conceive of a comeback, remains one.