Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been compelled to restate his government's position on the European Union, following comments from his deputy, David Lammy, that appeared to praise the benefits of customs union membership.
Manifesto Commitments Remain Firm
The clarification came on Friday 5 December 2025, after Mr Lammy, the Deputy Prime Minister, suggested it was "self-evident" that nations with a customs union arrangement, like Turkey, had seen economic growth as a result. Speaking on the News Agents podcast, Lammy reflected on the damage caused by Brexit and his daily focus as Foreign Secretary on improving the UK's relationship with the bloc.
When pressed directly on whether he wanted the UK to join a customs union, Mr Lammy stated: "That is not currently our policy. That's not currently where we are." However, his positive assessment of the model's impact elsewhere prompted questions for the Prime Minister.
Starmer's "Red Lines" on EU Relationship
Sir Keir, speaking during a visit to the Ely & Caerau Children’s Centre in Cardiff, was asked why his government was not advocating for membership given its growth priorities. He firmly pointed back to Labour's election promises.
"Well, the position that we are taking has been clearly set out in the manifesto, and then we've been following it," the Prime Minister said. He emphasised that the pledge was to deepen ties with the EU without returning to the customs union, single market, or freedom of movement.
He highlighted the reset in relations achieved since taking office 17 months prior, citing the first-ever UK-EU summit and ten strands of work for a closer partnership. "We've transformed, really, in 17 months in office, to a country that was looking disinterested in being on the world stage, to a country that's now respected again," Starmer stated.
Downing Street Insists on Existing Policy
Number 10 earlier insisted the Prime Minister would be sticking to his "red lines". A Downing Street spokesman echoed Starmer's message, saying: "We are strengthening our relationship with the EU while sticking to our red lines, no rejoining the single market or customs union, and no return to freedom of movement."
The spokesman referenced a speech Sir Keir gave earlier in the week at the Lady Mayor's banquet, where the Prime Minister argued there was "no credible economic vision" for the UK without being an open trading economy. Starmer acknowledged that clinching closer EU ties would require "trade-offs".
Reports also suggest the Prime Minister's economic adviser, Minouche Shafik, has advocated behind the scenes for joining a customs union, indicating ongoing internal discussions about the UK's future trade framework.
