Labour's Options on EU Customs Union Remains a Stalemate as Growth Concerns Mount
In recent weeks, Keir Starmer's government has been exploring alternative solutions to boost economic growth, but the Labour Party remains divided over its approach towards rejoining the customs union with the European Union. According to sources close to the Prime Minister, a closer relationship with Europe is becoming increasingly prominent in his agenda, however, it appears that Nick Thomas-Symonds will not be advocating for a customs union without Keir Starmer's explicit support.
The idea of joining the customs union has long been associated with Labour Party policy. In early 2018, when Shadow Brexit Secretary, Jeremy Corbyn, was close to quitting the shadow cabinet over attempts to delay rejoining the EU, this position held sway within the party. Following two years of intense debate on Brexit, Starmer led his MPs in supporting Boris Johnson's deal, which included a customs union.
Despite its long history of support for a customs union, Labour has since moved away from this policy due to concerns about its implications for Brexit. However, with the UK facing an economic downturn and calls growing louder for rejoining the EU customs union, discussions among Labour ministers have become increasingly heated.
In recent weeks, the government has been pointing to economic analysis suggesting that joining the customs union could boost GDP by 2.2%. The Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister, Minouche Shafik, argued that a return to the customs union would be an effective way to generate growth before the next election. Several sources have confirmed informal discussions on this issue within No10.
While some cabinet ministers are urging Starmer to rejoin the customs union without delay, others are more cautious. They point out that Labour's manifesto commitment to maintaining its own trade policy means that it would be difficult for the party to agree to abandoning these rights if they were to join the EU customs union again.
Despite concerns over this issue, one thing is clear - Starmer appears unwilling to make concessions on his party's core Brexit policy. The Prime Minister has stated his commitment to the fundamental architecture of the current Brexit deal and downplayed pressure from pro-European ministers in his cabinet.
Sources close to negotiations warn that joining the customs union would require significant changes to trade policies and agreements made with other countries such as the US and India. Furthermore, there is a risk that the EU could block any UK government's attempt to rejoin due to internal domestic politics.
For now, it appears that Labour will continue its cautious approach to rejoining the customs union. However, given the increasingly dire economic situation facing the country, this stance may not remain tenable for long.
In recent weeks, Keir Starmer's government has been exploring alternative solutions to boost economic growth, but the Labour Party remains divided over its approach towards rejoining the customs union with the European Union. According to sources close to the Prime Minister, a closer relationship with Europe is becoming increasingly prominent in his agenda, however, it appears that Nick Thomas-Symonds will not be advocating for a customs union without Keir Starmer's explicit support.
The idea of joining the customs union has long been associated with Labour Party policy. In early 2018, when Shadow Brexit Secretary, Jeremy Corbyn, was close to quitting the shadow cabinet over attempts to delay rejoining the EU, this position held sway within the party. Following two years of intense debate on Brexit, Starmer led his MPs in supporting Boris Johnson's deal, which included a customs union.
Despite its long history of support for a customs union, Labour has since moved away from this policy due to concerns about its implications for Brexit. However, with the UK facing an economic downturn and calls growing louder for rejoining the EU customs union, discussions among Labour ministers have become increasingly heated.
In recent weeks, the government has been pointing to economic analysis suggesting that joining the customs union could boost GDP by 2.2%. The Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister, Minouche Shafik, argued that a return to the customs union would be an effective way to generate growth before the next election. Several sources have confirmed informal discussions on this issue within No10.
While some cabinet ministers are urging Starmer to rejoin the customs union without delay, others are more cautious. They point out that Labour's manifesto commitment to maintaining its own trade policy means that it would be difficult for the party to agree to abandoning these rights if they were to join the EU customs union again.
Despite concerns over this issue, one thing is clear - Starmer appears unwilling to make concessions on his party's core Brexit policy. The Prime Minister has stated his commitment to the fundamental architecture of the current Brexit deal and downplayed pressure from pro-European ministers in his cabinet.
Sources close to negotiations warn that joining the customs union would require significant changes to trade policies and agreements made with other countries such as the US and India. Furthermore, there is a risk that the EU could block any UK government's attempt to rejoin due to internal domestic politics.
For now, it appears that Labour will continue its cautious approach to rejoining the customs union. However, given the increasingly dire economic situation facing the country, this stance may not remain tenable for long.
! Can't they just agree on something already? I mean, a customs union would literally make business sense 
and boost growth, but Labour's all hung up about Brexit... *sigh* It's like, yeah, we get it, you guys have your own trade policy thing going on 
, but can't we just compromise a bit? 
I swear, the more I read about this, the more my table layout is getting all wonky 
- I need to take a break from politics and go organize some spreadsheets instead! 
2.2% boost in GDP is a pretty decent number considering the current state of the economy. I think starmer should just swallow his pride and support nick's view for once... it would be better than going through another round of internal bickering. 
eu customs union is like the ultimate growth solution tbh! its been 2+ yrs since they moved away from it and now starmer is getting pulled back into it... i think its high time keir admits that joining customs union wont kill their own trade policy btw. those gov econ analyses showing a 2.2% boost to GDP are like, a given 
if labors so serious about boosting growth they shouldnt care what the eu thinks. and lets be real starmer is getting owned by his pro-eu cabinet members 
who needs another election when ur country is going through an economic downturn?
I'm not sure joining customs union would be a game-changer for labour, considering they've had these debates for ages... seems like more of the same to me 
. and what about all those trade policies changes that'd need to happen? 
. Keir Starmer needs to find a compromise ASAP 
or else the Labour party might lose all credibility on growth policies 
minouche shafik is trying to convince keir starmer to make a change but others are like "no way, we gotta stick with brexit" 
meanwhile, uk economy is struggling 
and people are getting desperate 
does anyone think labour party will finally cave in on this? 
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. The fact that Labour's options on EU customs union are still a stalemate is really frustrating. I mean, come on, we need to act fast to boost growth and create jobs! 2.2% GDP boost might not sound like much, but it's better than nothing 
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It's like he wants to keep everyone guessing. On one hand, rejoining the customs union could help boost economic growth, but on the other hand, there are all these trade policy issues that need to be ironed out. And what if the EU says no? 
. I think Keir Starmer should be more open to negotiations and exploring options that can benefit the party and the country 
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. They need to figure out how to make trade policies work again 
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. Either way, I think we need some clear heads around that table and get this sorted out ASAP 
. This economic uncertainty is starting to get to people and something needs to be done!