UK businesses push for closer EU ties—but without rewriting Brexit
The UK's business lobby, including the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), is urging closer ties with the EU on trade and defence—but without a major overhaul of Brexit. The CBI has called for targeted alignment in key sectors like chemicals and agri-foods while ruling out sweeping changes to Boris Johnson's deal. Talks between Keir Starmer's government and Brussels are already underway on smaller, practical agreements.
Public opinion appears to have shifted, with a recent YouGov poll showing 63% of Brits now favouring EU membership, up from 37% who prefer to stay out.
The CBI, which campaigned to remain in the EU in 2016, is not pushing for a return to the single market. Instead, it wants selective alignment in areas that could benefit UK businesses. The group argues that reducing trade frictions and easing business travel would help growth, especially with tensions rising in Europe.
Starmer has made clear he will not seek large-scale revisions to Johnson's Brexit terms. His team is focusing on narrower deals, including an agri-food agreement, electricity trading rules, and linking carbon markets. These discussions remain low-profile, with no recent public updates from the European Commission.
No formal demands for broader UK alignment with EU rules have been made. The CBI's stance reflects a cautious approach, framing its proposals as an evolution rather than a radical shift. Business leaders stress that now is not the time for new trade barriers, given the continent's security challenges.
Talks between London and Brussels are moving forward on specific technical deals. The CBI's push for cooperation in defence and industry stops short of calling for major Brexit changes. For now, the focus remains on incremental agreements rather than a fundamental rethink of the UK's relationship with the EU.
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