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  "path": "/politics/european-union-brussels-rejects-keir-starmers-brexit-reset-demand-single-market",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-23T20:16:34.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Coastguard delivers bottled water to motorists stranded at Port of Dover amid EU passport chaos",
    "Channel migrants hospitalised after boat capsize and major rescue near Boulogne",
    "Andy Burnham opens door for £35billion land tax if he becomes Prime Minister",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nBrussels is said to have rejected Sir Keir Starmer's proposal to establish a single market for goods between the UK and EU in a major setback for Government's goal of improved relations.\n\nThe Cabinet Office's most senior official handling European relations, Michael Ellam, put forward the ambitious plan during recent trips to the Belgian capital as part of efforts to strengthen economic ties with the bloc.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHowever, EU counterparts proposed alternative arrangements - either a customs union or alignment through the European Economic Area (EEA) - both of which fall outside the boundaries the Prime Minister has set for negotiations.\n\nThe Prime Minister declared in 2024 that Britain would not rejoin the EU, single market or customs union during his lifetime, with EEA membership requiring free movement of people - another firm Labour red line.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nGovernment sources disputed the characterisation that Brussels had definitively turned down the goods market proposal, insisting it remains among several options under consideration ahead of a summit provisionally scheduled for July 13.\n\nYet EU officials harbour deep reservations about crafting bespoke arrangements with Britain that might cause friction among the 27 member states.\n\nThere are concerns preferential treatment for the UK could encourage Eurosceptic candidates in France's 2027 presidential contest to argue for looser adherence to single market regulations.\n\nOne EU diplomat explained the bloc's position was rooted in self-interest: \"If you start going back on those principles leading to a non-member being treated better than an actual member, you certainly would trigger an internal debate on the fundamentals of EU cooperation.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nDespite the setback on the goods market proposal, both parties continue working towards the summer summit with ambitions to finalise several agreements.\n\nNegotiators hope to announce a veterinary deal that would simplify trade in food, drink and animal products, alongside an accord connecting their respective emissions trading schemes.\n\nBreaking the impasse over a youth mobility programme also remains a priority - with all three commitments made at the previous EU-UK summit in 2025.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Coastguard delivers bottled water to motorists stranded at Port of Dover amid EU passport chaos\n  * Channel migrants hospitalised after boat capsize and major rescue near Boulogne\n  * Andy Burnham opens door for £35billion land tax if he becomes Prime Minister\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nA Cabinet Office spokesman said: \"We are negotiating an ambitious package of measures with the EU ahead of the summit, including a food and drink SPS deal and emissions trading deal that, alone, are set to add up to £9bn a year to the UK economy by 2040.\"\n\nHowever, the two sides have yet to settle on a forward-looking agenda for the summit.\n\nLabour's current strategy faces obstacles similar to those which derailed Theresa May's 2018 Chequers plan, which had attempted to create a common rulebook for goods, while excluding free movement of people.\n\nThe political calendar may further complicate matters, with EU officials anticipating little movement from the Government on establishing a future agenda until after the Makerfield byelection in June, where Labour faces a threatening challenge from Reform.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAndy Burnham, the Labour candidate widely expected to seek the party leadership should he win the seat, has pledged not to pursue EU re-entry and promised \"a relentless domestic focus\".\n\nEarlier this month, Sir Keir sought to revive his premiership with a speech declaring Government would be defined by \"putting Britain at the heart of Europe\".\n\nThe strain comes amid further EU regulation chaos at Dover today, as the new entry-exit system - requiring people from non-EU countries to have their fingerprints registered and their photograph taken - resulted in five hour delays for motorists.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nFrench border officials were forced to drop the new system this afternoon, with coastguard deployed to try and help delayed passengers from fainting in 28C heat.\n\nExperts described the travel situation between the UK and mainland Europe as \"a mess\", with the checks made before travellers board a boat.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "European Union REJECTS Keir Starmer's Brexit reset demand in major setback"
}