Paul Nowak, the General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to consider a customs union with the European Union to boost economic growth. Nowak's appeal, made in an interview with the BBC, emphasized the need for the "closest possible economic and political relationship with the European Union," arguing it would be "essential" to improve living standards and prevent disillusionment with mainstream politics.
Nowak contended that a customs union would lower trade barriers with the UK's largest market. This intervention comes as Starmer has stated his intention to "reset" relations with Brussels, while ruling out rejoining the EU's single market and customs union. Labour's official manifesto also excludes re-entering the existing EU customs union.
The TUC represents numerous unions in the United Kingdom. Nowak's call reflects concerns that failure to improve economic conditions could erode public trust in political institutions. "Unless we see improvements to living standards, faith in mainstream politics could drain away," Nowak told the BBC.
The prospect of a customs union has been a point of contention within British politics since the UK voted to leave the EU in 2016. A customs union would eliminate tariffs and quotas between the UK and EU member states, while also establishing a common external tariff on goods entering the union from elsewhere.
Prime Minister Starmer's reluctance to consider a customs union stems partly from concerns about potential impacts on trade deals with countries like the United States and India, deals that government fears could be jeopardized if the UK were to align too closely with EU trade policy.
Recently, senior Labour figures, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, have appeared to soften the party's stance on closer ties with the EU, prompting speculation about a potential shift in policy. However, Labour has not signaled any formal change in its position. Thirteen Labour MPs recently voted in favor of talks on joining an EU customs union, highlighting divisions within the party. The government has yet to respond to Nowak's specific appeal.
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