Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has delivered the strongest indication to date that the Labour government is considering a move to rejoin the European Union's customs union, a step that would significantly deepen post-Brexit ties with the bloc.
Lammy's Repeated Refusal to Rule Out Closer EU Links
During an appearance on the News Agents podcast, Mr Lammy declined seven separate times to rule out the possibility of the UK ultimately reversing Brexit. He argued that the decision to leave the European Union had "badly damaged our economy" and stated that Labour should seek greater integration with Brussels.
When pressed directly on whether he would like Britain to rejoin the customs union, the Deputy PM responded, "That is not currently our policy. That's not currently where we are." However, he immediately pointed to the example of Turkey, suggesting it was "self-evident" that countries with such an arrangement had "seen growth in their economy."
He later clarified that his remarks were "subject to collective responsibility," a signal that he was not freely diverging from the government's agreed position.
Internal Rebuke and German Call for Reconciliation
Lammy's comments prompted a swift, public rebuke from within his own party. Darren Jones, Sir Keir Starmer's chief secretary to the Treasury, told the Commons that Labour's policy would be announced formally in Parliament, and not "on podcasts."
The episode unfolded as Germany's President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, used a historic address to Parliament to advocate for a reset in UK-EU relations. On the second day of his state visit, he referenced the famous Oasis song to describe the path forward, urging both sides: "Don't look back in anger."
President Steinmeier acknowledged the disappointment and uncertainty that followed the UK's departure but said both had decided not to remain "stuck in these feelings." He declared "our love remains" and highlighted positive steps, including the first UK-EU summit since Brexit in May and the bilateral Kensington Treaty signed in July.
Accusations of a 'Back Door' Brexit Reversal
Lammy's unambiguous language is likely to fuel accusations from political opponents that Labour is planning to reverse Brexit "by the back door." The party leadership has consistently pledged to reset and improve relations with the EU without rejoining the single market or customs union.
However, both Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have previously blamed Brexit for contributing to the nation's economic struggles, aligning with Lammy's latest assessment. The government's apparent openness to exploring a customs union model suggests a potential significant shift in the UK's trading relationship with Europe in the years ahead.
