General election – latest: Starmer calls for closer ties with EU as Abbott 'stopped running for Labour'

Close

Rachel Reeves recalls how her mother's upbringing influenced labor economic policies as campaigns general election continues for a sixth day< /figure>Sign up to receive the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox. Receive our free View from Westminster emailPlease enter a valid email addressPlease enter a valid email addressI would like to receive emails about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy{{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later.{{ /verifyErrors }}

Sir Keir Starmer has called for closer ties with the European Union as Diane Abbott would be barred from standing as a Labor candidate in the next general election.

Speaking at the general election campaign in Hertfordshire today, the Labor leader said: "I think we can get a better deal with the EU than we have...So we have to 'accept. – a closer relationship. He cited trade, defence, security and education as areas with “huge opportunities for closer working”.

It comes as Sir Keir said the National Executive Committee Labor would decide whether Ms Abbott, the longest-serving black MP, can stand for the party in the July 4 general election - a party investigation into her concluded five months ago revealed. /p>

The PA news agency understands that Ms Abbott was returned to the post of Labor whip on Tuesday after being suspended last April over comments she made on racism – but reports that the party leadership has...