'The only idea around': will Labour return to a customs union with the EU?

Starmer Struggles to Define Brexit Strategy as Customs Union Remains a Point of Contention

Keir Starmer's government appears to be weighing its options on post-Brexit relations with Europe, with a closer relationship with the EU potentially playing a more significant role in his agenda. However, any move towards rejoining the customs union faces stiff opposition from within the party.

The shift in thinking on this issue has been marked by a series of subtle changes in rhetoric and policy. The appointment of Nick Thomas Symonds to full cabinet rank as minister for EU negotiations is seen as an indicator of the government's growing interest in revisiting its Brexit strategy.

While Starmer's long-standing support for a customs union with the EU was evident during his time as shadow Brexit secretary, it has seemingly taken a backseat since he took over as Labour leader. The current party line, however, remains one of "no ifs or buts" regarding rejoining the single market and customs union.

The economic case for rejoining the customs union is being increasingly cited by ministers and advisers within government. A study by the House of Commons analysis found that this could increase GDP by 2.2%. The prime minister's economic adviser, Minouche Shafik, has previously argued that returning to the customs union could be a key strategy for generating growth.

Despite these arguments gaining traction, Starmer remains cautious about committing Labour to rejoining the customs union before the next election. His reluctance is reportedly driven by concerns over manifestos and the potential backlash from party members and voters who supported the "no deal" or "leave" campaign during the 2016 referendum.

The situation has sparked a heated debate within government, with some ministers pushing for more decisive action. However, others are more cautious, recognizing that rejoining the customs union would require significant concessions and potentially even the abandonment of Labour's existing trade policy.

While it remains uncertain whether Starmer will be swayed by the economic arguments in favour of rejoining the customs union, one thing is clear: any move to revise the party's stance on this issue will have major implications for Labour's position ahead of the next general election.

think they should just go with it, you know? a customs union would be huge for the economy and all that jazz... 2.2% GDP boost is no joke but at the same time, I can see why keir starmer is being cautious, manifestos and all that drama... it's not worth alienating party members and voters who are still reeling from brexit

can u believe starmer is still struggling with brexit like he hasn't got a clue ‍ his government is all over the place on this one...some ppl in gov are pushing 4 customs union, but starmer's not having it...he's too scared to lose votes from brexit supporters ‍ i mean what's the point of being leader if u cant even make a decision? and its not just about brexit, its about labours credibility

I think Starmer's struggle to define Brexit strategy is a perfect example of the party being stuck between different factions. On one hand, you got your Remainers who are pushing for rejoining the customs union and trying to get back into the EU's fold. But on the other hand, you got your Leavers who are still bitter about the whole process and don't want Labour to backtrack.

It's like they're trying to have it both ways - saying they're committed to social justice but also wanting to create jobs and boost growth. I mean, come on, can't we just have a rational discussion about how to address the economic impact of Brexit? It's not that complicated! And honestly, if Starmer is hesitant to commit to rejoining the customs union, it's because he knows it's going to be a hot potato for the next election.

But what I find really interesting is that this whole thing has become a proxy battle between different factions within Labour. It's like they're playing out a mini version of the EU vs. UK debate we've been seeing in the media lately. And it's not just about economics - it's also about party loyalty and image. If Starmer is seen as being too soft on Brexit, he'll lose credibility with his base. But if he's seen as too hard-nosed, he'll alienate Remainers who still want Labour to be a force for change.

Anyway, I think what's really needed here is some outside-the-box thinking and a willingness to challenge the status quo. Maybe it's time for Starmer to take a different approach and try to build a more inclusive coalition within his own party - one that can bring together both Remainers and Leavers without compromising on principle. Fingers crossed, right?

I mean, think about it... a customs union would be super beneficial for the economy but at the same time, Starmer doesn't wanna commit to it yet because he's worried about party members and voters who are still salty about Brexit . I get that, but come on, Labour can't just ignore the economic benefits . What if they're right, though? That a customs union would give the UK a better shot at growing our economy? Would that be worth potentially alienating some of those Brexit supporters? I'm torn, tbh...

I mean, think about it... rejoining the customs union isn't just about economics, right? It's also about identity and belonging. For a country like the UK that's always been about being independent and self-sufficient, the idea of trading with the EU again could be seen as a betrayal of those values. And then there's the whole "no ifs or buts" thing... does that really reflect what Labour stands for? Is it just a hardline position to appease certain factions within the party? It's not just about winning elections, is it?

This whole Brexit situation is like a big chess game and Keir Starmer seems to be thinking 5 moves ahead . On one hand, rejoining the customs union could bring in some serious economic benefits, but on the other hand, it's gonna alienate a lot of his party members who are still hardliners . I think he needs to find that sweet spot where they can compromise without totally losing support . Also, Nick Thomas Symonds is a smart move by Starmer, got some decent experience under his belt . The whole thing is just super messy right now

I think Keir Starmer needs to weigh his options carefully, you know? On one hand, rejoining the customs union could bring some economic benefits and help boost growth. But on the other hand, he can't afford to alienate the more hardline party members who were key to his rise as Labour leader. It's like that scene from The Crown where Prince Charles is trying to navigate a tricky family situation - Starmer needs to find a way to balance his own ambitions with the expectations of his team. And let's be real, if he does decide to pivot on this issue, it'll be like a plot twist in a Bond movie !

I'm kinda surprised that Keir Starmer is being so cagey about rejoining the customs union... I mean, it makes sense from a economic standpoint - 2.2% GDP boost? That's some serious money ... but at the same time, I can see how he'd want to avoid alienating his own party members and voters who are still pretty entrenched on Brexit ... like, what if they feel like Labour is being soft on the EU? ... it's a tough spot for him to be in... maybe he's just trying to navigate the whole thing without making any major waves before the election ... one thing's for sure though: this customs union debate is gonna be a wild ride

I gotta say, I'm low-key hoping Starmer takes a hard pass on that customs union deal . I mean, think about it, if we rejoin the single market and customs union, we're basically admitting defeat on our Brexit strategy and undermining the whole "hard Brexit" narrative we ran on in '16 . Plus, Labour's already got a tough time winning over voters who backed Leave, so I don't want to risk alienating even more people with a last-minute U-turn . Give me a break if the economy can't grow without sacrificing our independence and sovereignty !

I don't know if I'd rush into a customs union with the EU just yet... sounds like they're trying to rebrand the whole Brexit deal, but at what cost? We all know how that worked out last time around . And let's be real, 2.2% GDP boost is not gonna cut it for a lot of voters who feel the party isn't doing enough to help them. I'm all for some flexibility in our relationship with Europe, but we should at least have a clear plan and not just be winging it...

so like starmer's gonna try to change labour's mind about brexit but he's still not sure if they wanna rejoin the customs union... 2.2% increase in GDP is pretty cool tho but i get why he's being cautious, manifestos and all that jazz doesn't seem like a lot of risk to take on just before the election what do u think? should labour be more open to rejoining the customs union?

I feel like they're all over the shop on this one. If Starmer's really considering a customs union, he needs to think about how that'll sit with his own voters who are still bitter about Brexit. I get why there's an economic case for it, but if Labour can't agree on what they want, then how's that gonna work in the next election?

I'm thinking, if they go back on their no customs union stance, it could split the party... but if they don't, and the economy suffers, who'll be to blame? It's a bit of a conundrum for Starmer. The EU is already doing some cool stuff with its green initiatives and stuff, so maybe we should just adapt and make that part of our plan. The UK's not going anywhere, it's stuck in the middle ground now...