The UK will not rejoin the European Union or enter into a customs union with the bloc, the minister leading efforts to reset relations with Brussels has said. Nick Thomas-Symonds, the government’s European affairs minister, said there was “no appetite” in Britain to return to the debates that dominated politics after the Brexit referendum. Speaking ahead of a speech in Brussels, he said the government wanted to strengthen cooperation with the EU but ruled out arrangements that would bind the UK into a customs union. Customs union ruled outThomas-Symonds said even a bespoke arrangement similar to those the EU has with countries such as Turkey would not be pursued. “We won’t have a customs union,” he said. “We will never go back to the days of making undeliverable promises on the side of red buses.” His comments come despite some Labour figures backing closer economic ties with the bloc. In December, 13 Labour MPs supported a Liberal Democrat proposal calling for Britain to rejoin the customs union, which passed in the House of Commons. However, the government has made clear that such a step is not part of its plans. Push for closer cooperationThomas-Symonds said the focus instead was on improving cooperation in practical areas while respecting the outcome of the 2016 referendum. He argued that closer alignment with European rules in some sectors should not be treated as politically controversial. “We have to be clear that alignment is not a dirty word,” he said. The government hopes to reach new agreements with the EU covering areas such as food and drink standards and youth mobility. Officials say they aim to have parts of the new relationship framework in place by 23 June, the tenth anniversary of the referendum on EU membership. No return to EU membership debateAsked whether Britain might one day rejoin the EU, Thomas-Symonds said he did not believe that scenario was likely. “I don’t see that, and I don’t see us returning to the debates of the past,” he said. He added that his discussions with voters suggested there was support for improving relations with the EU without reopening arguments about membership. Political tensions over EU tiesThe minister acknowledged that debate over Britain’s future relationship with the bloc continues within UK politics. Some senior Labour figures have previously spoken in favour of closer economic integration with Europe. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said customs unions can boost economic growth, while Health Secretary Wes Streeting has suggested deeper trade links should be considered. Thomas-Symonds said the government’s approach was guided by what it viewed as the national interest. He also warned that efforts to rebuild ties with the EU could be jeopardised if a future government sought to abandon the agreements being negotiated. “The UK and the EU are facing very similar challenges,” he said, adding that creating new trade barriers between the two sides would damage both economies.
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