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The architect of the Labour Party's failed Brexit policy finally conceded his hopes for Britain to re-join the European Union are not going to happen. Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer, now in the running to succeed Jeremy Corbyn at the helm of the party, insisted the pro or anti-Brexit debate is "over" while calling for the country to "let go" and work together for the benefit of the country. Asked whether there was a chance the UK will someday be readmitted in the bloc, Sir Keir said: "I don’t think there’s really any question of rejoining the EU.

"We’ve just left the EU. The Leave-Remain debate is over. "The divide is over and we need to let it go. All of us, whichever way we voted." However, the Labour frontbencher insisted the UK and the EU should strike a mutually beneficial agreement on freedom of movement to ensure the next generation of British and European citizens have the opportunity to live, study and work in a country of their choice across the European continent. He continued: "All my life I’ve been able to go and work in Europe, or to live in Europe or to study in Europe and I want the next generation to be able to have those opportunities. JUST IN: Rebecca Long-Bailey ally sparks furious transphobia row with professor

Keir Starmer conceded the UK is not likely to rejoin the EU in the future

Starmer insisted the UK and the EU must come to an agreement on free movement of people

"I want people here to be able to work in Europe and I want people in Europe to be able to work here. I want people to be able to study freely. "We’ve got to have an arrangement with the EU about what we want to happen next. However it comes about, I want people to be able to work across Europe." Sir Keir is currently the frontrunner of the Labour leadership contest after snatching up the support of both Unison and Usdaw, two major unions affiliated to Labour, as well as nominations from several Constituency Labour Parties (CLP) from across the country. Candidates – which include shadow Business Secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey, shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry and Wigan MP Lisa Nandy – have until Friday to secure the support of CLPs or unions to ensure their name is on the final ballot box. READ MORE: Rebecca Long-Bailey ‘behaving like Stalinist with dirty tricks’ in Labour leadership race

Keir Starmer joined his fellow Labour leadership candidates in the first televised debate on Wednesday

The name of the new Labour Party leader and their deputy leader will be announced at a special conference on April 4. Jeremy Leader was forced to announce his resignation after the Labour Party suffered severe losses at the December general election. The party lost 60 seats including some in traditionally-Labour constituencies in the northern heartlands. A report into Labour’s humiliating election defeat, the worst since 1935, by Corbynista Ian Lavery, exonerated the leader last month. DON'T MISS Emily Thornberry forced to admit Corbyn was ‘part of problem’ for loss [UPDATE]

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Labour leadership contest candidates have until February 14 to get the backing of unions and CLPs

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