Starmer to meet EU leaders as Lib Dems call for customs union talks

The Prime Minister will meet European Council leaders on Monday as he continues efforts to “reset” Britain’s relationship with the trade bloc.

Prime Minister Sir Keir is set to meet European Council leaders on Monday in an effort to “reset” Britain’s relationship with the trade bloc. Defence cooperation is expected to be the main topic of discussion at the meeting. However, the Lib Dems have urged Sir Keir to begin talks with the EU that could lead to a customs union with the bloc.

Despite the Prime Minister’s insistence that he will not pursue such talks, he expressed hope that the bloc has noticed a “manifest difference” in relations since he took office.

Speaking to members of the gathered media during German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to the Chequers estate in Buckinghamshire, Sir Keir stated: “I’ve been very clear since I became Prime Minister that I do want a reset of the relationship between the UK and the EU.

“That does not involve a return to the European Union – we had a referendum here on that, and that matter is settled.

“But I do want to see a closer relationship on defence and security, on energy, on trade and our economy, and that is what we’re working on.

“I think that is certainly in the UK’s best interest, I do believe it’s in the EU’s best interest, and already I hope that in the last seven months there’s been a manifest difference in approach, tone and relationship.”

Earlier, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that rejoining the customs union or the single market remains a “red line” for the government in its negotiations with the EU.

She also mentioned that the UK is seeking “stronger trading relationships” with the US as Donald Trump prepares to impose tariffs on its closest trading partners.

Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith told Sky News that the UK should be prioritizing the US over Europe.

“We have a trade deal with the European Union already, so, alongside that, a trade deal with the US would be a big win,” said the senior Tory.

Mr Griffith went on to say that the UK’s “big opportunity lies in Washington, with the US, our single largest trading partner,” and claimed that “the Prime Minister should be rediverting his plane tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, the Tory frontbencher’s boss, Kemi Badenoch, has set five “tests” for the Prime Minister in his meeting with European leaders.

According to the Conservative leader, failing to meet the tests will indicate that the Prime Minister is attempting to “undo” Brexit.

The tests include a commitment to no “backsliding” on free movement or the compulsory transfer of asylum seekers, no new payments to the EU, and no reduction in fishing rights.

The Tories also want Sir Keir to commit to not accepting any rules from the EU as he engages with the bloc, including dynamic alignment on trade standards or allowing the European courts to have jurisdiction over UK law.

In her final test for the PM, the Tory leader stated that Nato must have “primacy” in European security.

Ahead of Sir Keir’s visit, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said the Prime Minister should “open negotiations” for a customs union with the EU.

“My challenge to Keir Starmer today is to go to Brussels tomorrow and open negotiations for an EU-UK customs union,” he told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg.

According to Sir Ed, the path towards a deal could begin with the UK joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) Convention, an agreement that allows for the tariff-free movement of some goods across the continent.

However, he suggested that a full EU-UK customs union could be achieved “at the latest by 2030.”

Sir Ed has reportedly written to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, urging her to commission the Office for Budget Responsibility to assess the impact of a new customs union with the EU on the UK economy.

Sir Ed added that opening talks on a customs union could “turbo-charge” the EU-UK relationship.