Reynolds backs Burnham on EU ties despite business concerns

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 10:57 · Archive

UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said he agrees with PM Andy Burnham's push for closer EU relations.

UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said he is in agreement with Prime Minister Andy Burnham's push for closer European Union ties. Reynolds had previously warned that re-litigating Brexit questions would create uncertainty for business, but said on Tuesday he does not disagree with Burnham's approach.

Reynolds told Politico that returning to the EU customs union — one option Burnham has floated — would require 'a whole range of alignment on regulatory issues'. He said constant constitutional questions create uncertainty for business. However, when pressed by Sky News on whether Burnham was adding to that uncertainty by raising the Europe issue, Reynolds said: 'When we're talking about the next ten years, you can't avoid this question. The uncertainty is there come what may.'

Burnham is due to attend a UK-EU summit in Brussels on 20 November to address issues with the existing Brexit settlement, though the summit is not expected to cover wider questions about the UK's relationship with the bloc.

How it is being reported

• Reynolds says ‘no assumptions’ on where EU talks will go after next monthPrime Minister Andy Burnham wants to consider various options for a new relationship with Brussels.Evening Standard · 27 Oct, 11:24
• Reynolds dismisses EU split with Burnham after warning of business ‘uncertainty’UK trade chief previously warned that constant "constitutional questions" cause "a lot of uncertainty for business."Politico Europe · 27 Oct, 09:46

In this story: Jonathan Reynolds · Andy Burnham · European Union · UK · Brussels

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