European Union: Trade

Lord Purvis of Tweed Excerpts

Thursday 30th January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

These two Questions I have been responding to today do have an element of similarity. I agree with the noble Lord that our relationships with Europe are related to trade but they also have to be related to security. We want to deepen co-operation within areas where the EU has unique capabilities, such as sanctions, countering disinformation, military mobilisation, and civilian crisis management and support—particularly to Ukraine. It is quite sobering to remember and recognise that, while we are talking about commemorating the Second World War, we do have war in Europe currently.

[Lord Purvis of Tweed (LD)]

My Lords, can the Minister give a couple of economic arguments for why we would not want to be in a customs arrangement with the European Union?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

We had an election, and this Government stood on not rejoining the customs union. We keep our promises as a party, and I make no apology for doing so.