UK PM Starmer says closer EU ties now are a platform to build on in future

British Prime ​Minister Keir Starmer on ​Monday said ‌he was ​looking for an immediate "big leap" towards closer ties with the ‌European Union, and described that as a platform to build upon in the future. However, he did ‌not respond directly when asked whether he would ‌rule out promising membership of the EU single market or customs union going in to the next election, ⁠due ​in 2029.

"What ⁠I want to do is take a big leap ⁠forward with the EU-UK summit this year and ​take us closer, both on trade, the economy, defence ⁠and security, but that will then be a ⁠platform ​on which we can build as we go forward," he said. "But as we do ⁠that, I strongly believe we've got to turn ⁠our back ⁠on the arguments of the past, not open old grievances."