“Now that is not helping us in terms of growing the economy. So the kind of growth potential is significant,” he added.
“So, given the status quo is not working in the way that it should be, given I think where public opinion is as well, I don’t think anyone was interested in another Brexit election in 2024 — but certainly now where public opinion is as well, I think it’s absolutely right to have a debate now about these different options that are available to us.”
Thomas-Symonds’ comments come after Chris Ward — a former Cabinet Office minister and long-time political aide to Starmer who helped draw up the red lines — said those red lines deserve a “dignified retirement.” Rachel Reeves, who was Starmer’s chief finance minister, said this month that Britain should go back into the EU — comments which would have been impossible to voice while serving in his administration.
Veteran Brexiteer Nigel Farage has called Burnham’s approach a “total betrayal” and hopes it could reinvigorate his Reform UK party — which has been on a downward trajectory in the polls.
“I think I probably know the pitfalls of it more than most,” said Thomas-Symonds of escalating the Brexit conversation. “But this is a necessary debate to have because we do need to reach a position to put the future relationship with the European Union on a firm footing.”
But he called for an “open debate” and for the costs and benefits of the various options for a closer relationship with the EU to be transparently laid out. Britain could continue to try to broker bespoke arrangements, rejoin the customs union, single market, or the bloc itself.