Political reporter

Sir Keir Starmer ought to “fireplace the beginning gun” on creating a brand new UK-EU customs union at a gathering with European leaders in Brussels on Monday, the Liberal Democrats have mentioned.
Lib Dem chief Sir Ed Davey mentioned such a transfer was a “no-brainer” for the prime minister, and would put “rocket boosters” on the UK financial system and “strengthen our hand” with US President Donald Trump.
Sir Keir has dominated out rejoining the EU customs union and the only market, declaring it a “crimson line”.
However Labour has left open the potential for becoming a member of one other bloc, the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) conference, as a part of efforts to “reset” European relations.
‘Very important tax income’
PEM permits tariff-free commerce of some items from throughout dozens of nations in Europe, North Africa and the Center East.
The Lib Dems say the UK ought to be a part of it as a “first step” to rejoining the UK-EU customs union, which permits tariff-free motion of products between EU member states – however prevents members placing their very own commerce offers.
The occasion’s final intention is for the UK to rejoin the European Union – nevertheless it has solely began campaigning on the difficulty for the reason that common election.
Downing Road says Sir Keir’s assembly with EU leaders on Monday – the primary time a British prime minister has been invited to such a gathering for the reason that UK left the EU in 2020 – is concentrated on defence and safety cooperation.
Forward of an look on the ORIONEWS’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Sir Ed has written a letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves calling for her to fee the Workplace for Price range Accountability (OBR) to correctly discover the impression a brand new customs cope with the EU would have on the UK financial system.
The forecasts then must be made public as a part of the OBR’s forecasts as a result of be printed alongside the Spring Assertion on 26 March, he wrote.
“The chancellor is tying herself in knots making an attempt to assume up new methods to develop our financial system,” Sir Ed mentioned.
“However there is a resolution proper beneath her nostril: a brand new UK-EU customs union deal that reinforces commerce for British companies and raises important tax income for our public providers.”
‘Attempting to reopen previous divisions’
Earlier this month, the EU’s new commerce chief Maros Sefcovic advised the ORIONEWS he was open to Britain becoming a member of PEM as a part of a post-Brexit “reset”.
On the potential for the UK becoming a member of the association, the prime minister’s official spokesman has beforehand advised reporters: “We have at all times mentioned that we wish to have a look at methods to cut back boundaries to commerce while remaining inside our clear crimson traces.
“The association that is being mentioned isn’t a customs union.
“Our crimson line has at all times been that we are going to by no means be a part of our customs union, by no means re-join the only market, no freedom of motion, however we’re simply not going to get forward of these discussions.”
The Conservatives say becoming a member of PEM would flip the UK “into rule-takers and never rule-makers”.
Tory chief Kemi Badenoch accused the federal government of “making an attempt to reopen the divisions of the previous and edge us again into the EU”, after having “opposed us each step of the way in which” whereas the earlier Conservative authorities introduced the UK out of the EU.
She challenged Sir Keir to satisfy 5 checks that she mentioned would guarantee “he does not undo Brexit”, which embrace: no “backsliding” on the free motion of individuals, or the obligatory switch of asylum seekers, no new funds to the EU, and no discount in fishing rights.
Badenoch additionally mentioned Nato should have “primacy” when it got here to European safety – her closing check.
