Keir Starmer should begin EU customs union talks, says Ed Davey

Sir Keir Starmer ought to “fireplace the beginning gun” on creating a brand new UK-EU customs union at a gathering with European leaders in Brussels on Monday, the Liberal Democrats have stated.

Lib Dem chief Sir Ed Davey stated such a transfer was a “no-brainer” for the prime minister, and would put “rocket boosters” on the UK economic system and “strengthen our hand” with US President Donald Trump.

Sir Keir has dominated out rejoining the EU customs union and the one market, declaring it a “pink line”.

However Labour has left open the potential of becoming a member of one other bloc, the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) conference, as a part of efforts to “reset” European relations.

PEM permits tariff-free commerce of some items from throughout dozens of nations in Europe, North Africa and the Center East.

The Lib Dems say the UK ought to be a part of it as a “first step” to rejoining the UK-EU customs union, which permits tariff-free motion of products between EU member states – however prevents members putting their very own commerce offers.

The social gathering’s final purpose is for the UK to rejoin the European Union – but it surely has solely began campaigning on the problem because the common election.

Downing Avenue says Sir Keir’s assembly with EU leaders on Monday – the primary time a British prime minister has been invited to such a gathering because the UK left the EU in 2020 – is targeted on defence and safety cooperation.

Forward of an look on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Sir Ed has written a letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves calling for her to fee the Workplace for Funds Accountability (OBR) to correctly discover the impression a brand new customs cope with the EU would have on the UK economic system.

The forecasts then needs to be made public as a part of the OBR’s forecasts because of be printed alongside the Spring Assertion on 26 March, he wrote.

“The chancellor is tying herself in knots making an attempt to suppose up new methods to develop our economic system,” Sir Ed stated.

“However there is a answer proper underneath her nostril: a brand new UK-EU customs union deal that reinforces commerce for British companies and raises very important tax income for our public providers.”

Earlier this month, the EU’s new commerce chief Maros Sefcovic instructed the BBC he was open to Britain becoming a member of PEM as a part of a post-Brexit “reset”.

On the potential of the UK becoming a member of the association, the prime minister’s official spokesman has beforehand instructed reporters: “We have all the time stated that we wish to take a look at methods to cut back obstacles to commerce while remaining inside our clear pink traces.

“The association that is being mentioned isn’t a customs union.

“Our pink line has all the time been that we are going to by no means be a part of our customs union, by no means re-join the one market, no freedom of motion, however we’re simply not going to get forward of these discussions.”

The Conservatives say becoming a member of PEM would flip the UK “into rule-takers and never rule-makers”.

Tory chief Kemi Badenoch accused the federal government of “making an attempt to reopen the divisions of the previous and edge us again into the EU”, after having “opposed us each step of the best way” whereas the earlier Conservative authorities introduced the UK out of the EU.

She challenged Sir Keir to satisfy 5 checks that she stated would guarantee “he does not undo Brexit”, which embrace: no “backsliding” on the free motion of individuals, or the obligatory switch of asylum seekers, no new funds to the EU, and no discount in fishing rights.

Badenoch additionally stated Nato should have “primacy” when it got here to European safety – her closing take a look at.