Wes Streeting\u2019s<\/a> suggestion that Britain should join a customs union with the EU <\/a>has been seen as an \u201cearly shot\u201d in a possible leadership contest, as the health secretary was accused of making a fresh bid to succeed Sir Keir Starmer<\/a>.<\/p>\n The health secretary<\/a> told The Observer newspaper a \u201cdeeper trading relationship\u201d with Europe<\/a> would be a means of boosting the UK\u2019s economic growth, in what appeared to be a direct challenge to Sir Keir<\/a>.<\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Wes Streeting said in a recent interview that the PM has \u2018got my absolute support\u2019 (PA)<\/p>\n The move has reopened deep divisions in Labour<\/a> as MPs prepare to try to relax for Christmas just a month after Downing Street officials were accused of briefing that the health secretary was trying to launch a coup against Sir Keir.<\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n The prime minister recently ruled out a change in the government\u2019s policy towards a customs union (PA)<\/p>\n Veteran Labour MP Graham Stringer told Times Radio: \u201cI think it\u2019s a very complicated issue and it\u2019s just Wes being opportunistic, knowing that, I think it\u2019s nearly 30 per cent of the Labour Party membership is in London and most of those people seem to be in favour of rejoining the EU. So it\u2019s an early shot in what might be a leadership election after the May local elections.\u201d<\/p>\n The prime minister<\/a> has ruled out a change in the government\u2019s policy towards a customs union<\/a> only in recent weeks.<\/p>\n And a Downing Street spokesperson on Monday deflected questions about a split over the EU in the cabinet.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cThe PM is very happy with his cabinet, they\u2019re getting on with the important work of driving down the cost of living, targeting growth and turning renewal into reality for the year ahead.\u201d <\/p>\n But he confirmed that the government \u201cwill stick to its red lines from the manifesto\u201d and not rejoin the customs union, single market or EU itself.<\/p>\n However, a government source, meanwhile, accused Mr Streeting of \u201csetting out his stall\u201d for a leadership bid in his Observer interview, according to The Times.<\/p>\n Only in November was the health secretary forced to deny suggestions he wanted to oust Sir Keir from Downing Street and replace him.<\/p>\n He continued to shrug off claims he wants to be prime minister as he spoke to The Observer.<\/p>\n \u201cThe closer I see that job and the pressure on Keir and the demands of that job, the more I wonder why anyone would want it,\u201d Mr Streeting said, later adding the PM has \u201cgot my absolute support\u201d.<\/p>\n In what has been seen by some as an attempt to create a dividing line with the PM, Mr Streeting ruled out a return to the single market, and thereby freedom of movement, but appeared to leave the door open to a customs union.<\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n The health secretary is among the favourite candidates to succeed Starmer (PA)<\/p>\n \u201cThe best way for us to get more growth into our economy is a deeper trading relationship with the EU,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Mr Streeting added: \u201cThe reason why leaving the EU hit us so hard as a country is because of the enormous economic benefits that came with being in the single market and the customs union. This is a country and a government that wants a closer trading relationship with Europe.<\/p>\n \u201cThe challenge is any economic partnership we have can\u2019t lead to a return to freedom of movement.\u201d<\/p>\n However, the health secretary\u2019s intervention has not endeared him to pro-EU Labour MPs.<\/p>\n One senior MP told The Independent: \u201cWes will regret going for the customs union as it\u2019s a lot of pain for little gain. The real prize is an agreement similar to Switzerland [with access to the single market].\u201d<\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice described Starmer\u2019s Brexit \u2018reset\u2019 deal as a \u2018shameful betrayal\u2019 (PA)<\/p>\n Under a customs union arrangement, the UK would get access to tariff-free trade with the bloc, while having to accept common standards for traded goods.<\/p>\n Rejoining the customs union would undo trade deals Britain<\/a> has struck with the US and India, the PM has warned.<\/p>\n The European Movement UK\u2019s campaigns manager, Michael Anderson, said: \u201cWes Streeting is right to reopen the conversation about the customs union. The damage that leaving the EU has done to our economy continues to make us all poorer. A customs union with the EU would inject much-needed adrenaline into our struggling economy in a way that striking trade deals around the world simply cannot achieve.\u201d<\/p>\n Cal Roscow, executive director of campaigns at Best for Britain, added: \u201cAs a customs union will likely take much longer to negotiate, we must remain clear-eyed about what we must deliver quickly \u2013 particularly on access to security action for Europe [Safe] in the face of external threats.\u201d<\/p>\n Sir Keir has recently faced pressure from his own backbenchers to change course on a customs union.<\/p>\n On 9 December, some 13 Labour MPs voted in the Commons in favour of proposals which would pave the way for a new customs union, the Customs Union<\/a> (Duty to Negotiate) Bill, though this is highly unlikely to become law.<\/p>\n Responding to Mr Streeting\u2019s comments, a Conservative Party spokesperson said: \u201cInstead of focusing on running the health service, Wes Streeting<\/a> is busy courting left-wing, pro-EU Labour Party members \u2013 now even floating the idea of dragging Britain back into the EU\u2019s customs union.<\/p>\n![\"Wes](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/e8bac5af9a4117a7159036e6759a8395Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzY1NTMyODIz-2.82565341.jpg\")
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