Sir Keir Starmer has suggested the UK should be prepared to move closer to European markets where it benefits the national interest, marking his strongest indication yet of a shift towards improved ties with the EU. Speaking to the BBC, the prime minister said future cooperation should focus on selective alignment with the single market rather than the customs union, in order to safeguard recent trade agreements with countries such as the US and India.
While emphasising that Labour would not row back on its manifesto pledges, Sir Keir ruled out rejoining the EU single market or customs union and rejected any return to freedom of movement. He said the government’s approach was about making pragmatic, sovereign decisions that supported economic growth, rather than reopening old Brexit arguments.
The UK is already aligning with Brussels in certain areas, including food and agricultural standards, to ease trade barriers with the EU’s economic zone. Sir Keir said similar decisions could be taken in other sectors on a case-by-case basis, adding that recent cooperation had delivered the strongest UK–EU relationship in a decade. He insisted the focus remained firmly on looking ahead and acting where closer alignment clearly served Britain’s interests.
Opposition figures reacted sharply, with Conservatives accusing Labour of using Brexit as a distraction from wider economic challenges and warning that regulatory alignment could undermine trade independence. Meanwhile, Liberal Democrats and trade unions broadly welcomed the softer tone, arguing that closer economic ties with Europe were essential to boosting growth and giving young people greater opportunities through schemes such as student exchanges.
