Starmer's Brexit Negotiator Dismisses EU Return and Customs Union
In an exclusive interview with The Independent, European Affairs Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has unequivocally ruled out the United Kingdom rejoining the European Union or establishing a customs union with the bloc. The minister, who is leading efforts to reset Britain's relationship with Brussels, delivered this stark message ahead of a pivotal speech in Brussels on Monday.
No Appetite for Past Debates
Mr Thomas-Symonds emphasised that there is no public or political appetite to revisit the divisive debates surrounding EU membership. While the Labour government seeks to develop closer ties with the European Union, particularly in response to global instability, the minister made it clear that any form of customs union—including bespoke arrangements similar to those with Turkey or Norway—is firmly off the table.
"We won't have a customs union. We will never go back to the days of making undeliverable promises on the side of red buses," he stated, drawing a pointed comparison to the infamous Vote Leave campaign bus that promised extra NHS funding during the Brexit referendum.
Alignment Over Integration
The minister's comments come ahead of a major Brexit speech by Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Tuesday, where she will present the positive case for closer alignment between Britain and the EU. Mr Thomas-Symonds stressed that "alignment is not a dirty word" and should be embraced as a pragmatic approach to fostering cooperation without compromising sovereignty.
He revealed that the Cabinet Office is working towards a new deal covering food, drink, and youth movement, aiming to have it in place by the 10th anniversary of the EU referendum on 23 June. However, when questioned about the possibility of the UK rejoining the EU in the future, he responded definitively: "I don't see that, and I don't see us returning to the debates of the past."
Internal Labour Divisions
This stance is likely to disappoint some within the Labour Party who advocate for much closer ties with the bloc. In December, 13 Labour MPs rebelled to support a Liberal Democrat bill to rejoin the customs union, which passed in the Commons. Senior figures such as Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy have publicly argued that customs unions boost economic growth, citing Turkey's experience as evidence.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has also called for deeper trade ties with the EU, suggesting openness to rejoining a customs union. Despite these internal pressures, Mr Thomas-Symonds remains resolute, insisting that the current reset is "already a great deal" guided by British national interests and worth approximately £9 billion to the economy.
Political and Economic Stakes
The minister warned that this economic benefit could be jeopardised if Nigel Farage's Reform Party or Kemi Badenoch's Conservatives gained power and pursued plans to dismantle the agreements. In response, the EU is negotiating heavy penalty clauses to prevent future UK governments from backing out of the reset deals.
One significant challenge involves ensuring the UK is included in the EU's "made in Europe" arrangements, which could otherwise disadvantage British car manufacturers like Nissan in the North East of England. Mr Thomas-Symonds assured that the government is "working every day, every week" to prevent British producers from being locked out of these schemes.
"The UK and the EU are facing very similar challenges going forward. We on both sides of the channel are looking to generate growth that is central to this government's mission. Erecting trade barriers between us is just going to create mutual damage. That's not in either side's interest," he concluded, underscoring the need for pragmatic cooperation over ideological division.
