Starmer Signals He’s Ready To Edge UK Closer To EU Rules

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has suggested the UK should be prepared to move towards closer alignment with elements of the EU single market where it is judged to be in the national interest — while insisting the government will not rejoin the single market, the customs union, or reinstate freedom of movement.

In a BBC interview, Sir Keir said deeper alignment with the EU could be considered sector by sector if it helped support British businesses and jobs. He argued that, given new agreements with countries such as the United States and India, it would be “better looking to the single market rather than the customs union” for any further alignment.

He stressed this would not represent an attempt to reverse Brexit, describing it instead as a pragmatic approach aimed at improving economic stability and rebuilding the UK’s relationship with its largest trading partner.

The government has already moved to align with some EU rules covering food and agriculture, with new arrangements due to be implemented this year. These are intended to smooth trade flows and reduce friction at borders — a long-standing pressure point for growers, importers and exporters since Brexit.

However, Sir Keir’s comments have triggered renewed political debate.

Critics warn of limits on trade flexibility

Conservative figures accused the prime minister of edging Britain back towards Brussels by stealth, arguing that closer alignment risks constraining the UK’s ability to diverge on regulation. Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel warned that such a path could restrict the UK’s freedom to strike and shape future trade deals.

That critique feeds into a broader concern raised by several commentators: closer alignment with EU rules could, in some circumstances, create tensions with trading arrangements elsewhere in the world. If the UK commits to mirroring parts of EU regulation, critics argue, it may have less room to tailor standards and tariffs to suit future Rest of World agreements — potentially complicating negotiations or market access in certain sectors, including fresh produce.

Sir Keir rejected the suggestion that his approach would undermine Britain’s global ambitions, saying alignment decisions would be taken purely on the basis of national interest and on an issue-by-issue basis.

He also insisted there would be no return to freedom of movement, despite ongoing talks on youth mobility schemes and the UK’s planned involvement again in the Erasmus programme.

Mixed reaction across the political spectrum

Within Westminster, views remain divided.

Some Labour backbenchers and trade union voices continue to argue that a customs union deserves further consideration, while others say closer cooperation with the EU is essential for economic growth. The Liberal Democrats welcomed what they see as a more constructive tone towards Brussels, but maintain that a customs union would provide the most meaningful boost to UK-EU trade.

Meanwhile, critics on the right branded the comments a “Brexit betrayal”, insisting the UK should prioritise regulatory independence and deeper trade relationships beyond Europe.

Implications for food and farming

For food and farming businesses — especially those exporting into the EU — any move towards regulatory alignment could reduce paperwork, delays and duplicate checks. At the same time, those trading heavily with non-EU markets will be watching carefully to see whether future alignments influence how easily the UK can negotiate ROW deals or adapt standards to suit different markets.

With policy shifts likely to be incremental rather than dramatic, industry leaders will be looking for clarity and predictability above all — particularly as new border regimes, regulatory processes and labour pressures continue to reshape supply chains.

For now, the direction appears to be one of cautious engagement: strengthening ties with Europe where ministers believe it brings practical benefits, while attempting to keep Britain’s global trade strategy intact. Whether that balancing act proves sustainable remains to be seen.