Reynolds says ‘no assumptions’ on where EU talks will go after next month

The Business Secretary said “no assumptions” have been made about what comes after talks with the EU next month amid concerns about the risks of reopening divisive debates.

Jonathan Reynolds said a summit with the EU next month will focus on securing deals that have already been in the works but did not deny reports of wider talks about a possible return of freedom of movement.

He said the Prime Minister wants to set out options to the public “to resolve some of the tensions that exist”.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham wants to consider various options for a new relationship with Brussels, potentially including a return to full EU membership or joining the single market – which would require free movement.

Mr Burnham previously committed to Labour’s red lines that rule out rejoining the customs union, single market or free movement, after fighting the by-election in Leave-voting Makerfield that served as a stepping stone into No 10 with a promise not to “re-run” Brexit arguments.

But at the weekend he called for an “honest discussion” about a return to freedom of movement.

He has since stressed that he is not proposing any changes during this Parliament that would move away from the red lines in Labour’s manifesto, meaning any change in relationship would have to wait until after an election.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham speaking during the Rough Sleeping Summit at 10 Downing Street in London, to drive further action to support people off the streets for good (Carlos Jasso/PA)

PA Wire

But The Times has also reported that UK and EU officials are holding talks about a potential return to free movement.

It comes as Mr Burnham is set to meet EU chiefs including European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen for a key summit in Brussels on November 20.

The two sides will seek to sign a new food and drink agreement, a youth mobility scheme and a pact on emissions trading, and the Prime Minister has said he will raise concerns over the bloc’s proposed protectionist “Made in Europe” trade rules amid industry fears they could lock out UK manufacturers.

Jonathan Reynolds told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “The rules on food and agricultural products, on electricity trading, on how the emissions trading systems work – that is what is being discussed in relation to next month.”

He said there have been “no assumptions made about the the next stage after that”.

“It’s the Prime Minister quite rightly saying he wants to set out to the British people what the options are to resolve some of the tensions that exist.”

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaking during a press conference to present the party’s economic rescue plan ahead of the Budget at Lyndley Hall, Vincent Square in central London (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

PA Wire

Pressed on whether UK officials are talking to the EU or planning to talk about to the EU about freedom of movement, he said: “They will be talking to them about what the future options for our relationship might be.

“But here and now, the focus should be on the summit and the tangible difference improvements we’re going to make.”

It comes after Downing Street on Monday played down remarks by Mr Burnham that appeared to leave the door open to a referendum on a potential return to freedom of movement.

He has said he wants to look at how the UK could shape its relationship with the EU in the long term, but No 10 insisted he is “not leaning either way”.

While Mr Reynolds framed the Prime Minister’s plans as bid to resolve tensions, some Labour MPs in the so-called red wall seats in England’s north have expressed concerns.

Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes MP Melanie Onn warned that reopening the debate on the red lines Labour set for ties to the bloc could damage trust with voters, in an op-ed on the Politics.co.uk website.

Screen grab of MP for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes Melanie Onn speaking in the House of Commons (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA)

PA Archive

She wrote: “Labour‘s 2024 manifesto was unequivocal: ‘That does not mean reopening the divisions of the past.

“There will be no return to the single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement.

“That was a clear commitment made to the electorate, including in communities such as Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, where the Brexit vote reflected a deep sense that Westminster had stopped listening.

“Political trust is hard won and easily lost.

“The perception that promises made at elections can subsequently be revisited by a political establishment removed from the realities of working communities has left lasting scars.

“As the Government approaches its next round of EU negotiations, the challenge is to secure a better relationship with Europe while remaining faithful to the commitments on which it was elected.”

Nigel Farage said Mr Burnham has “no mandate” to reopen arguments on Brexit.

The Reform UK leader told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Five months ago, Andy Burnham says … I’m not going to reopen these arguments.

“Two-and-a-half years ago, a Labour government got a massive majority in Parliament saying we will not be re-entering the single market, the customs union, or opening up a debate on the free movement of people.

“What I am saying is this: this Prime Minister has no mandate, and to hear that his officials are negotiating in Brussels already is really very, very poor indeed.”