EU Open to UK Customs Union, Downing Street Says No
The Spin
Pro-Europe narrative
In these unstable times, rejoining the customs union is a necessity. With the U.S. under Donald Trump becoming increasingly unreliable, the U.K. must turn to its European partners for growth and protection. In doing so, Britain would be able to access the market it needs without any of the present trade barriers, turbocharging the economy in the process.
Pro-U.K. narrative
Rejoining the customs union would fatally undermine Britain's future prosperity by surrendering control to Brussels. This action would not only lock the U.K. into the EU's crippling regulations, which would strangle the competitive advantages British banks and businesses currently enjoy, but also turn the country into a target for President Trump's tariffs, to the detriment of the economy.
Pro-government narrative
On this issue, the British government could not be clearer: despite seeking closer European ties, it has no intentions whatsoever of rejoining the customs union. This stance is not merely pragmatic, given the government's recent success in independently negotiating breakthrough trade deals with the likes of America and India, but democratic in light of Labour's manifesto pledge to respect the Brexit vote.
Government-critical narrative
Ten years after the referendum, Starmer and his ilk are attempting to undo the will of the people by dragging Britain back into the EU through the back door, despite promising not to rejoin the customs union or single market. The government ought to defend the biggest democratic mandate in modern British history, not surrender it through quiet compliance with Brussels.
Metaculus Prediction
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.20.3