The United Kingdom\u2019s prime minister, Keir Starmer, says a closer alignment with the European Union\u2019s single market should be on the table for consideration.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been clear that we need a closer relationship with the EU,\u201d Mr. Starmer said in a Sunday interview with the BBC<\/a>. \u201cThat is in our national interest.\u201d<\/p>\n The Labour leader says there has been a reset in relations between the European Union and the United Kingdom and suggests they need to work closer together. \u201cRelations between the UK and EU are in the best position they\u2019ve been for 10 years,\u201d Mr. Starmer said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we should get closer, and if it\u2019s in our national interest to have even closer alignment with the single market, then we should consider that, we should go that far,\u201d he said. \u201cI think it\u2019s in our national interest to go further.\u201d<\/p>\n His message stands in stark contrast to those of cabinet ministers who have suggested the formation of a customs union. \u201cWe are better looking to the single market rather than the customs union for our further alignment,\u201d Mr. Starmer said.<\/p>\n Mr. Starmer has hinted<\/a> at undoing some aspects of the nation\u2019s formal separation from the European Union and he has blamed Brexit for Britain\u2019s current financial woes.<\/p>\n Mr. Starmer claims seceding from the European Union has \u201csignificantly hurt our economy.\u201d He has previously said the United Kingdom will not rejoin the European Union entirely.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to keep moving towards a closer relationship with the EU,\u201d Mr. Starmer said in a speech in London last month.<\/p>\n Mr. Starmer noted in the BBC interview that the United Kingdom was already realigning with the European Union on energy and emissions policies.<\/p>\n Pro-Brexit critics are slamming Mr. Starmer for attempting to cozy up to the European Union, warning that any agreement would put Britain back under the thumb of continental regulators.<\/p>\n Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel accused Mr. Starmer of a \u201cBrexit betrayal,\u201d the Independent reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIn a desperate bid to appease his backbenchers, Keir Starmer is pursuing alignment with the single market \u2013 surrendering our freedom to cut regulation and strike our own trade deals,\u201d Ms. Patel stated.<\/p>\n The leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage, said Mr. Starmer committed \u201ca breach of good faith with Labour voters\u201d and criticized the co-operation with the Union.<\/p>\n