Lee Anderson today warned that Labour taking power at the next election puts Brexit at risk. The deputy chairman of the Conservative Party claimed Sir Keir Starmer would “drag the UK back into the EU” if he enters 10 Downing Street after next year’s general election.

The Ashfield MP pointed to the Labour leader’s repeated U-turns and his previous backing for Remain and a second referendum.

Mr Anderson’s comments come as results from last week’s local elections suggest Labour could fall short of an overall majority at Westminster when the UK goes to the polls for a national vote.

The SNP has vowed to “undo Brexit as far as possible” as its price for propping up Sir Keir.

Meanwhile, the Lib Dems are reportedly eyeing a fresh referendum as part of a coalition agreement with Labour.

Mr Anderson told the Express: “If Sir Keir gets his hands on the keys to No10, he would drag the UK back into the EU.

“He may say he respects Brexit, but as we already know he always breaks his promises.

“After all, this is the same man who campaigned for a second referendum and wants to reopen negotiations with the EU.

“Only the Conservatives respect the will of the people and can keep Brexit safe.”

Sir Keir has recently taken a hardline stance on Brexit and ruled out rejoining the EU’s single market in an apparent bid to win back the northern Red Wall seats lost to the Tories in the 2019 general election.

But he has called for the UK to have a closer trading relationship with the bloc.

Meanwhile, Labour has insisted it would not do a deal with the Scottish nationalists in order to take power after the next election.

But a Labour frontbencher on Sunday repeatedly avoided ruling out a pact with the Liberal Democrats, who want to rejoin the single market and eventually the EU.

Asked on Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday whether Labour would be prepared to go into coalition with the Lib Dems, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: “We’re not even entertaining that prospect.

“I just don’t think that is the scenario that we are going to be in after the next general election.”

Asked on BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme about the prospect of a deal with Sir Ed Davey’s party, Mr Streeting said: “We’re just not in that ballpark of talking about coalition governments.”

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