Thomas-Symonds backs debate on dropping Labour’s EU red lines
The former UK negotiator says closer ties could support growth and wants the costs and benefits of different options set out.
Nick Thomas-Symonds, Britain’s former lead negotiator with Brussels, has backed reconsidering Labour’s limits on closer EU ties before the next general election, arguing that economic growth requires a debate about the alternatives.
The former Cabinet minister defended those restrictions while leading negotiations on a reset of relations until July. Labour’s commitments, which formed part of its winning 2024 election campaign, exclude a return to either the EU single market or customs union, as well as the restoration of free movement.
Thomas-Symonds said discussions with businesses from Britain and Europe during his time in government had highlighted post-Brexit administrative burdens. He argued that the current relationship was hampering growth and called for a transparent assessment of the trade-offs involved in closer ties, ranging from tailored agreements to membership of the bloc.
Other allies of former Prime Minister Keir Starmer have also advocated change. Chris Ward, who helped devise the restrictions, has called for their retirement, while former finance minister Rachel Reeves said in November that Britain should rejoin the EU.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has promised to outline his thinking on future relations around the EU-UK summit scheduled for 20 November in Brussels. He has not ruled out full EU membership. However, some Cabinet ministers are wary of reopening the Brexit debate, and Chancellor John Healey has said he does not expect Britain to rejoin during his lifetime.
