What he meant: Folks, have you noticed there’s a war on? Kicking me out while there’s such instability in the Middle East might not be the best look.
‘Heart of Europe’
What he said: “The last government was defined by breaking our relationship with Europe. This Labour government will be defined by rebuilding our relationship with Europe, by putting Britain at the heart of Europe, so that we are stronger on the economy, stronger on trade, stronger on defense.”
What he meant: I’ve got to talk about Europe because otherwise Wes Streeting (a possible leadership contender) will — but I can’t really announce anything new without complex negotiations with Brussels. Any time to chat later, Ursula?
What he said: “What I want to do is take a big leap forward with the EU-U.K. summit this year and take us closer, both on trade, the economy, defense and security and that will then be a platform on which we can build as we go forward. And as we do that, I strongly believe we’ve got to turn our back on the arguments of the past, not open old grievances.”
What he meant: I’m not ruling out rejoining the customs union, de facto rejoining the single market … or even rejoining the EU in a future manifesto. I was the shadow Brexit secretary who backed a second referendum, after all.
Man of steel
What he said: “Legislation will be brought forward this week to give the government powers, subject to that public interest test, to take full national ownership of British Steel. Public ownership in the public interest, urgent government on the side of working people, making Britain stronger with the hope of industrial renewal. That is a Labour choice.”