Why closer ties with Europe are momentum gaining

For much of the last week, Keir Starmer's government has been suggesting that a closer relationship with Europe would be a more prominent part of his agenda in the future.

- Pippa Crerar

But it was a little-noted personnel change that might prove the most telling shift: Nick Thomas-Symonds, the minister in charge of EU negotiations, was promoted to full cabinet rank.

The Welshman, a close ally of Starmer, will be an advocate of a closer relationship with the EU when ministers meet. But a source close to the prime minister said: "He isn't going to bang the cabinet table and say it's customs union or bust. If that happens, it has to come from Keir himself." That would once have seemed very likely: Starmer was long an advocate of a customs union with the EU. Way back in early 2018, the then shadow Brexit secretary came close to quitting the shadow cabinet after attempts to kick his rejoin plans into the long grass.

After two more years of bitter Brexit wars, the new Labour leader whipped his MPs to back Boris Johnson's deal - arguing that, while it was a dud, it was better than leaving Europe with no deal at all.

With that, and his subsequent "red lines" - ruling out a return to the customs union or the single market - Starmer neutralised Brexit after a deeply divisive period for the Labour party and the country.

But in recent weeks, the issue that dare not speak its name has once again gained traction.

Why? Because the government is desperately in search of growth.

Where political argument by ardent pro-Europeans failed, cold economic reality has prompted informal discussions across government about rejoining the customs union. Ministers and advisers have been quoting House of Commons analysis which found it could boost GDP by 2.2%.

Before the budget Minouche Shafik, the prime minister's economic adviser, suggested that returning to the customs union could be one of the most effective ways of generating growth.

While the idea was rejected at the time, several sources have told the Guardian that further informal discussions inside No 10 on the issue have taken place.