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The Prime Minister has ruled out rejoining the new EU-UK customs union, insisting it would not be “sensible” to look at new deals with countries like the US and India on trade.
This comes after more than a dozen Labor MPs have backed a Liberal Democrat bill calling on the government to open negotiations and rethink Brexit policy.
Responding to a question from Sir Ed Davey, Starmer said Labor had promised in its manifesto not to join the customs union, but it wanted to strengthen the relationship.
First, Rachel Reeves said that there were many “Harmful” and “false” leaks in preparation for his november BudgetAnd insisted that such unauthorized briefings should never happen again.
The Chancellor told the Commons Treasury Committee: “I want to say on the record how disappointed I am and have been by these incidents and the amount of speculation and leaks, and that’s why I’m doing something about it, because we can’t allow this to happen again.
office for Budget Responsibility accidentally leaked Ms Reeves’ fiscal plans to the government shortly before her budget was announced, leading to the resignation of its chairman Richard Hughes.
Meanwhile, sir keir starmer Called on European leaders to reaffirm the key human rights treaty, the European Convention on Human Rights. This has been interpreted to help combat illegal migration.
SNP leads in survey as support grows as Reform moves into second place
The SNP is leading among voters ahead of the Holyrood election, according to a poll, while support for Reform UK is rising and support for Scottish Labor has fallen.
A new poll by Ipsos MORI ahead of next May’s election gives the SNP a constituency vote share of 35 per cent.
This is down from the 47.7 per cent the party achieved in the last Holyrood election in 2021.

The survey shows Reform UK’s vote share has increased, with 18 per cent of Scots planning to use their constituency vote to support Nigel Farage’s party – up four points from June.
The survey found that Scottish Labour’s share of the constituency vote had fallen to 16 per cent, down seven points since June.
On voting intentions for the regional list, the SNP leads on 28 per cent, with Labor on 18 per cent, followed by Reform and the Scottish Greens, both on 17 per cent.
Lord Malcolm Offord, who switched from Conservative to reform at the weekend, said: “This poll proves that all the momentum in Scotland is with reform. Labor is the opposite and the SNP is stuck in neutral. Voters want a new narrative to drive a successful Scotland.
“Scotland needs reform, and reform is coming to Scotland.”
holly evans10th December 2025 at 18:00
Starmer defends Sadiq Khan after Trump calls London mayor ‘disgusting’
in an interview with politicoPresident Trump said: “He’s a terrible mayorHe’s an incompetent mayor, but he’s a terrible, vicious, disgusting mayor, I think he did a terrible thing, London‘A different place. I love LondonI love LondonAnd I hate to see that happen,”
Read the full article here:
holly evans10 December 2025 at 17:00
WATCH: Starmer responds to Trump’s attack on Europe
holly evans10 December 2025 at 16:00
In pictures: today’s PMQs



holly evans10 December 2025 15:40
What does the UK need to do to rejoin the customs union?
MPs have supported the proposals The move to create a new UK-EU customs union raises questions about whether key Brexit pledges could soon be undone.
Amazingly a tie of 100 votes to 100 meant that the deciding vote was given to Deputy Speaker Caroline Knox, who, in accordance with precedent, voted yes to allow further debate.
The bill, introduced by the Liberal Democrats’ Europe spokesman Al Pinkerton, would require The government will start talks on joining A Customs union with the European Union.
Read the full analysis here:
holly evans10 December 2025 15:03
Yvette Cooper is also set to meet with European counterparts on illegal migration
Sir Keir Starmer has led the centre-left Danish government of Mette Frederiksen to adopt a series of tough immigration measures to reduce the number of migrants crossing the English Channel.
The government is expected to introduce domestic legislation to change the way UK courts interpret the Article 8 right to a family life, and is also considering examining limits to Article 3 rights.
Elsewhere, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is also meeting with European counterparts in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss greater co-operation on tackling illegal migration and stepping up expulsions.
“To strengthen our borders at home, we need to increase cooperation with other countries on innovative solutions – including prevention, law enforcement and returns,” he said.

holly evans10 December 2025 14:48
Council of Europe agrees to look at how the ECHR applies in migration cases
Ministers from the 46 member states that have signed up to European human rights laws have backed a plan to consider how to deal with concerns over addressing migration within a legal framework.
The head of the body that oversees the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) said ministers had taken an “important first step forward” in agreeing a political declaration on migration and the ECHR, and endorsed a new recommendation to prevent the trafficking of migrants “with full respect for human rights”.
Council of Europe Secretary-General Alain Berset told reporters it was possible to adapt the “living instrument” and that work on adopting the declaration would begin in Moldova in May 2026 after a meeting of ministers in Strasbourg on Wednesday.
“This is really the beginning of a process based on consensus. This is the most important point for today,” he said.
“All 46 Member States have reaffirmed their deep and enduring commitment to both the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights.
“This is not rhetoric. This is a political decision of the highest level.”
“But ministers also expressed their concern about the unprecedented challenges posed by migration and the serious questions governments face in maintaining societies that work for their citizens.”
holly evans10 December 2025 14:27
Reeves admits budget leak was ‘extremely damaging’, but insists he’s not to blame
Rachel Reeves Admitted that briefings and leaks occurred in the run-up to his tax hike Budget were “extremely damaging” – but he has insisted he did not authorize them.
chancellor faced grilling from MP about his budgetThe fallout from the chaotic situation since last month’s announcement still casts a shadow over its future.
He confirmed that the leak was under investigation, pointing out that in the past, officials had fired people over unauthorized briefings.
Read the full article here:
holly evans10 December 2025 14:21
Why is Labor under pressure to demand an EU-UK customs union?
In a rare case of liberal democrat creating political climate, ed davyDespite Downing Street’s efforts to avoid the wound, his party has managed to bring the question of Britain’s relationship with Europe back onto the political agenda. Brexit,
10 minute rule bill calls on government to initiate talks on new issue European Union-UK customs union The bill was put before the Commons by Al Pinkerton, the Lib Dem spokesman on Europe. Although it was never likely to become law, it became Supported by more than a dozen Labor MPsWhich puts new pressure on Keir Starmer to reconsider the issue.
Davy said the symbolic vote was “a historic victory” against “the economic nightmare of the Conservatives’ broken Brexit deal”.
So what is this proposed new UK-EU customs union?
Read political commentator Sean O’Grady’s full explanation here:
holly evans10 December 2025 14:11
Downing Street says Trump’s criticism of Sadiq Khan ‘wrong’
Sir Keir Starmer believes Donald Trump’s criticism of Sir Sadiq Khan is “wrong”, Downing Street has said, as the Prime Minister faces calls to stand up to the US president.
No 10 defends the Labor London mayor a day after he refused to criticize the President’s attack on him.
Mr Trump’s latest attack in his long-running feud with Sir Sadiq came in an interview in which he branded the British politician a “disaster” and “disgusting”.
“Those comments are wrong,” the prime minister’s press secretary told reporters on Wednesday.

“The Mayor of London is doing an excellent job in London, delivering free school meals in primary schools, cleaning up London’s air with the world’s largest clean air sector and opening a record number of council houses.
“The Prime Minister is extremely proud of the Mayor of London’s record and is proud to call him his colleague and friend.”
Mr Trump also told Politico that Sir Sadiq was chosen “because a lot of people have come”.
Asked specifically about that claim, Sir Keir’s press secretary reiterated: “As I said, the comments are false.”
holly evans10 December 2025 14:00