Sir Keir Starmer has expressed support for aligning more closely with EU markets if it benefits the UK. Speaking to the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg, he emphasised considering a single market over a customs union to protect trade with India and the US. Starmer, however, maintained his stance of not rejoining the EU single market or customs union or reinstating freedom of movement.

Starmer's statements signal a potential shift towards strengthening ties with Europe across several sectors. While the UK already adopts some EU food and agriculture regulations, the prime minister believes more sectors could benefit from such alignment. Despite pressure from Labour's backbenchers for closer union ties, Starmer insists this approach is forward-looking rather than a reversal of Brexit.

The Conservatives attacked Starmer's approach, accusing him of using Brexit to explain the UK's economic challenges. Conservative shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel argued that aligning with the EU could compromise the UK's ability to establish its regulations and trade agreements. Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, however, welcomed Starmer's position, aligning it with her party's view of prioritising these relationships.

Looking ahead, the UK may continue exploring closer EU ties on a sector-by-sector basis. Discussions around a youth mobility scheme have raised concerns over potential implications for EU citizens' movement in the UK. Deputy PM David Lammy reiterated that rejoining the customs union isn't current policy, yet Turkey’s customs relationship with the EU is a possible model for the UK, reported the BBC.

Key Takeaways:

• Sir Keir Starmer supports closer alignment with the EU if beneficial.

• Conservatives view this as a potential threat to post-Brexit ambitions.

• Discussions on youth mobility and trade continue to evolve.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2026-01-05

 

 

Key takeaway:

Laura Kuenssberg asks, "What exactly do you mean by 'closer alignment with the Single Market'"? To which the only interpretation of Starmer's reply is, 'I don't know or I'm not prepared to say'.

That’s it, go against the wishes of the country! Trade with them and work on projects etc, but do not allow them to dictate policy. Couldn’t trust this chump; he’d sell his granny, let alone his country, for his own ends. The honours system needs a massive revamp or abolishing altogether. Attenborough is a sir.

Lucifer bless this bubbale!

Quote:

Keir Starmer has regularly spoken about the importance of Judaism to his family, and has shared that Friday night dinners are a tradition. Shabbat is a “rock in the week,” he has said.

The new Prime Minister has said he is keen to raise children who “regognise the faith of part of their grandfather’s family,” and Shabbat dinners are an important part of that. “Every week there’s a challah, and we say kiddush,” Starmer said of his family’s traditions.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Sir Keir Starmer supports closer alignment with the EU if beneficial.

And precisely what is wrong with that?

So this dictator is not only cancelling local elections but reversing the will of the people in the Brexit referendum.

All to line up a cushy job in Davos once the UK finally gets to vote.

What a traitor.

Finally! Maybe Starmer is finally showing some backbone.

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

So this dictator is not only cancelling local elections but reversing the will of the people in the Brexit referendum.

All to line up a cushy job in Davos once the UK finally gets to vote.

What a traitor.

This documentary is excellent and has Starmer and Davos in.

4 hours ago, JonnyF said:

So this dictator is not only cancelling local elections but reversing the will of the people in the Brexit referendum.

All to line up a cushy job in Davos once the UK finally gets to vote.

What a traitor.

Did the referendum specify the agreement UK should have with the EU?

1 hour ago, candide said:

Did the referendum specify the agreement UK should have with the EU?

Yes, everyone associated with Leave made it very clear that it meant leaving the single market and the customs union.

Remainers love to pretend nobody discussed it. 😆

4 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Yes, everyone associated with Leave made it very clear that it meant leaving the single market and the customs union.

Remainers love to pretend nobody discussed it. 😆

Some hard-line Brexiters love to pretend that all Leavers had the same singular vision and goal. It wasn't true in 2016 and it certainly isn't true in 2025.

https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/47997-britons-support-rejoining-the-single-market-even-if-it-means-free-movement

9 hours ago, JonnyF said:

So this dictator is not only cancelling local elections but reversing the will of the people in the Brexit referendum.

All to line up a cushy job in Davos once the UK finally gets to vote.

What a traitor.

The will of the people? Really? Present or past?

13 hours ago, RayC said:

Some hard-line Brexiters love to pretend that all Leavers had the same singular vision and goal. It wasn't true in 2016 and it certainly isn't true in 2025.

https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/47997-britons-support-rejoining-the-single-market-even-if-it-means-free-movement

Even if your government poll were true (I highly doubt it) the referendum was in 2016 and the poll was in 2023. Thus, it adds nothing to the point we were discussing.

Perhaps Labour could add a Rejoin referendum to their next manifesto if they wish to rejoin? See how that works out for them. You don't overturn election and referendum results with dodgy polls.

13 hours ago, BLMFem said:

The will of the people? Really? Present or past?

Would you support applying the same logic to the last general election and remove Labour from power and replace them with Reform without another election, because of some recent polls?

Didn't think so.

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

Even if your government poll were true (I highly doubt it) the referendum was in 2016 and the poll was in 2023. Thus, it adds nothing to the point we were discussing.

Perhaps Labour could add a Rejoin referendum to their next manifesto if they wish to rejoin? See how that works out for them. You don't overturn election and referendum results with dodgy polls.

While I'd like to see rejoining the EU in the next Labour manifesto, it's unlikely as it would inevitably mean joining the euro, which should have been done back in the Blair/Brown days but is probably a step too far at the moment. I would think rejoining the customs union will be there though.

4 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

While I'd like to see rejoining the EU in the next Labour manifesto, it's unlikely as it would inevitably mean joining the euro, which should have been done back in the Blair/Brown days but is probably a step too far at the moment. I would think rejoining the customs union will be there though.

They can put whatever they like in there, they've got no chance.

Trust is well and truly gone.

18 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Yes, everyone associated with Leave made it very clear that it meant leaving the single market and the customs union.

Remainers love to pretend nobody discussed it. 😆

Jonny I’m getting concerned.

You’re memory has slipped to the point where you’ve forgotten all that talk of the Norway Model and ‘Flexit’.

https://www.politics.co.uk/comment-analysis/2019/11/08/when-he-supported-norway-the-brexit-policy-farage-would-rather-forget/#:~:text=When%20he%20supported%20Norway:%20the%20Brexit%20policy%20Farage%20would%20rather%20forget

21 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

They can put whatever they like in there, they've got no chance.

Trust is well and truly gone.

Hmmm, do people ever trust politicians? The election result will depend on the how the economy is at the time.

2 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Hmmm, do people ever trust politicians? The election result will depend on the how the economy is at the time.

Labour? Economy? 😄

The economy will be the final nail in the coffin, assuming it hasn't already burst into flames. 😄

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

Even if your government poll were true (I highly doubt it) the referendum was in 2016 and the poll was in 2023. Thus, it adds nothing to the point we were discussing.

Perhaps Labour could add a Rejoin referendum to their next manifesto if they wish to rejoin? See how that works out for them. You don't overturn election and referendum results with dodgy polls.

Funny how a poll which doesn't support your view is immediately dismissed as 'dodgy'. How rational is that? Unless of course, you have objections to the methodology used, in which case I look forward to reading them.

You're right about one thing at least. The poll is dated; it underestimates the number of people in favour of rejoining the Single Market'.

I also surprisingly find myself in agreement with you about one other matter in hoping that Labour add a proposal to rejoin the EU to their next manifesto. With the LibDems and Greens having the same commitment, it would be interesting to see the turnout and vote.

6 minutes ago, RayC said:

Funny how a poll which doesn't support your view is immediately dismissed as 'dodgy'. How rational is that? Unless of course, you have objections to the methodology used, in which case I look forward to reading them.

You're right about one thing at least. The poll is dated; it underestimates the number of people in favour of rejoining the Single Market'.

I also surprisingly find myself in agreement with you about one other matter in hoping that Labour add a proposal to rejoin the EU to their next manifesto. With the LibDems and Greens having the same commitment, it would be interesting to see the turnout and vote.

Dodgy or not, do you think polls should be used as a basis for overturning referendums and general elections?

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

Dodgy or not, do you think polls should be used as a basis for overturning referendums and general elections?

No and I've never suggested that they should be.

However, polls do give an indication of public feeling. Given that politicians like to be popular, it might influence the future thinking of some political parties.

It's called facing the reality of the growing Russian menace.

1 hour ago, Gecko123 said:

It's called facing the reality of the growing Russian menace.

And the reality that the U.S. UK special relationship is an abusive one in which the UK is a vassal to the U.S.

1 hour ago, RayC said:

No and I've never suggested that they should be.

However, polls do give an indication of public feeling. Given that politicians like to be popular, it might influence the future thinking of some political parties.

I think the British public have more important things to worry about, like freedom of speech, immigration, and paying their extortionate tax bills.

I suspect the appetite for another decade of bickering about bendy bananas and bottle tops is limited.

5 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Would you support applying the same logic to the last general election and remove Labour from power and replace them with Reform without another election, because of some recent polls?

Didn't think so.

No, the UK needs to have another another referendum, and when the majority says "YES" to a return, head straight to Brussels.

2 minutes ago, BLMFem said:

No, the UK needs to have another another referendum, and when the majority says "YES" to a return, head straight to Brussels.

I have no issue with that.

Let Labour put a Rejoin referendum in their next election manifesto in 2029 (if they last that long). If they win that election, we can have another referendum around 2032. We could be back in as soon as 2037.

Of course, they'd have to specify what "Rejoining" really means...

29 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

I have no issue with that.

Let Labour put a Rejoin referendum in their next election manifesto in 2029 (if they last that long). If they win that election, we can have another referendum around 2032. We could be back in as soon as 2037.

Of course, they'd have to specify what "Rejoining" really means...

In the meantime the UK can join the customs union, call it a version of the ‘Norwegian Model’ if it helps sweeten the pill that will help cure the UK economy.

50 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

In the meantime the UK can join the customs union, call it a version of the ‘Norwegian Model’ if it helps sweeten the pill that will help cure the UK economy.

To do so before a second referendum would be totally undemocratic.

Not that that would bother you of course.

Just now, JonnyF said:

To do so before a second referendum would be totally undemocratic.

Not that that would bother you of course.

How is a joining a customs union un democratic ?

Nobody voted to leave the customs union.