The British government said that it does not intend to have a Swiss-style relationship with the European Union. This follows the warning made by some lawmakers to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak against looking for a closer alignment with the bloc.
The report by the Sunday Times claimed that Sunak’s government would seek frictionless trade with the EU. The outlet said that a possible deal could be similar to Switzerland’s relationship with the bloc but that it would not mean a return to freedom of movement.
To note, Switzerland has access to the bloc’s single market, but under conditions that include freedom of movement as well as payments into the EU’s budget. This model was previously rejected by British ministers during the negotiations with Brussels.
“I don’t recognize this story at all,” health minister Steve Barclay told Sky News, regarding the report by the outlet. “I don’t support that. I want to maximize the opportunities that Brexit offers.”
“These reports are categorically untrue,” said the spokesperson for the British foreign ministry.
Former minister Simon Clarke, who was among those who have criticized a suggestion that the UK could pursue a Swiss-type deal, said that he hoped and believed a similar deal for the country would not be considered.
David Frost, who served as then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s chief Brexit negotiator, said that he hoped “the government thinks better of these plans, fast,” should the claims be true. The UK is currently in talks with the bloc over the Northern Ireland Protocol, which is part of the post-Brexit trade agreement that London has with Brussels.
On Monday, Sunak pushed back against the calls from companies to ease his stance on migration and Brexit. Sunak said that Brexit had already benefited the country and that the country must pursue its own agenda on regulation and migration.
The pushback from Sunak follows the call by the Confederation of British Industry that the UK should create a temporary work visa program in order to boost economic growth and also resolve the outstanding issues with the European Union over the Northern Ireland Protocol.
“On trade, let me be unequivocal about this: Under my leadership, the United Kingdom will not pursue any relationship with Europe that relies on alignment with EU laws,” Sunak told the CBI.