The minister tasked with leading the UK\u2019s so-called reset negotiations<\/a> with the EU said that the government may have to reconsider its manifesto red lines<\/a>, which rule out rejoining of the customs union, single market or free movement of labour.<\/p>\n European affairs minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said Labour currently did not have a \u201cmandate\u201d to begin talks on its red lines, but added: \u201cIt is something we obviously will have to look at.\u201d<\/p>\n He told The Times: \u201cIt would be dependent on how successful we are with the current reset.\u201d<\/p>\n The prime minister has placed his pledge to reset Britain\u2019s relationship with Brussels at the heart of his government, promising to rebuild ties with the EU that had been damaged by the previous Conservative government.<\/p>\n Sir Keir clinched an initial landmark deal last year, which included agreements such as allowing British tourists to use fast-track e-gates at European airports, a 12-year extension of an agreement for EU trawlers to access UK waters and an open-ended agreement to slash red tape on food and drink exports and imports.<\/p>\n But further negotiations could be hampered by the government continuing to rule out allowing EU citizens to work in the UK visa free.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happens after the next election will depend on how successful I am across this parliament in terms of what I have delivered,\u201d Thomas-Symonds said. \u201cI think what we\u2019re doing is popular. But it needs to show results to remain popular.<\/p>\n \u201cIt will depend on exactly where we are in European and world politics in 2028 or 2029.\u201d<\/p>\n He also told the paper the UK was negotiating a deal to rejoin the EU\u2019s internal market for electricity.<\/p>\n \u201cDoing a deal on electricity will directly lower energy bills here in the UK,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen it\u2019s really cold here and there is little wind or sun, for example, we can import cheap nuclear power from France, instead of firing up the expensive gas plants in the UK. That all drives down the bills we pay as households.\u201d<\/p>\n It comes asThe Independent launches a new campaign on how Britain can rebuild its shattered links with Europe. <\/p>\n The campaign \u2013 Europe: The Way Back<\/a> \u2013 will consist of news, analysis, interviews and live events examining the impact of Brexit and what our relationship with Europe should look like.<\/p>\n The Brexit question has returned to the forefront of politics within Labour in recent weeks, serving as a key issue in the party\u2019s leadership contest, which will likely be triggered if Andy Burnham is able to return to Parliament.<\/p>\n Sir Keir Starmer placed closer EU ties at the heart of his pitch to cling onto power after disastrous results in May\u2019s local elections.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, former health secretary and leadership hopeful Wes Streeting made his opening pitch to become prime minister a call for Britain to rejoin the European Union.<\/p>\n When it came to Brexit, leaving the EU was a \u201ccatastrophic mistake\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n Mr Burnham told last year\u2019s Labour Party conference he wanted the UK to rejoin the bloc, saying, \u201cI hope it happens in my lifetime\u2026 People prosper more when they\u2019re part of unions. That\u2019s my belief, and I\u2019ll say it clearly.\u201d<\/p>\n But asked if he was in favour of rejoining the EU more recently, he told ITV: \u201cI\u2019ve said in the long-term there is a case for that, but I’m not advocating that in this byelection.\u201d<\/p>\n Join the community<\/p>\n![\"European](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2277056395...jpeg\")
European affairs minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said that Labour currently did not have a \u2018mandate\u2019 to begin talks on its red lines (Getty)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2174255236...jpeg\")
The Independent has launched a new campaign on how Britain can rebuild its shattered links with Europe (AFP\/Getty)<\/p>\n