Oral Answers to Questions

Victoria Collins Excerpts

Thursday 22nd January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Callum Anderson (Buckingham and Bletchley) (Lab)]

6. What steps he is taking to improve relations with the EU.

[Victoria Collins (Harpenden and Berkhamsted) (LD)]

12. What steps he is taking to help strengthen the UK’s relations with the EU.

[Alison Bennett (Mid Sussex) (LD)]

20. What steps he is taking to help strengthen the UK’s relations with the EU.

--- Later in debate ---

[Nick Thomas-Symonds]

That is precisely why the Government take a pragmatic approach. We choose to align in areas where it makes sense to do so. Where it makes sense to diverge, we will also continue to do so. We are always driven by our national interest.

[Victoria Collins]

Given the strength of power shown by the EU to the US, not only is the relationship with Europe more strategically important than ever, but it matters because of the £90 billion black hole in our economy and to people such as Hazel from Tring, whose medical devices family business has been cut by costs and bureaucracy since Brexit. When will the Government finally start taking seriously negotiations on a new EU-UK customs deal?

[Nick Thomas-Symonds]

On the hon. Lady’s first point, we agreed the new strategic security and defence partnership with the European Union in May last year, which is absolutely crucial. On the point about the food and drink agreement, we agreed just before Christmas that that will be completed by the time of the next summit.