Step up Brexit reset or European allies will lose patience, Starmer warned

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In a speech to leading business figures, the Bank’s governor said that Britain must “rebuild” a closer trading relationship with the European Union after our exit from the bloc damaged exports. “Once the new Commission is formed it will be important that the government has more detail to offer on what they want from the reset, otherwise the momentum will be lost.” open image in gallery Keir Starmer has come under pressure over his Brexit ‘reset’ Naomi Smith, chief executive of pro-EU campaign group Best for Britain, said: “With figures today showing sclerotic economic growth and the Governor of the Bank of England unequivocally pointing the finger at Brexit, we must expedite the relationship reset with our European allies whose priorities are already quickly changing following the US election. “We know the EU is eager to agree a Youth Mobility Scheme and greater defence cooperation, our government should now make clear what they want out of the relationship reset with beneficial regulatory alignment being the best way to remove Brexit trade barriers which continue to hamper growth.” Joe Meighan, public affairs manager at campaign group European Movement UK, said when it comes to the “complexities” of post-Brexit trade negotiations “it’s important that we, the UK and the EU together as partners, carry on moving in the right direction. “But it underlines why we must be alert to and welcome opportunities to rebuild relations while respecting the decision of the British people.” A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The prime minister has spoken before about his determination to reset our relationship with our European partners, and you can see that from the PM’s positive personal engagement since taking office, both at EU level and with individual EU countries, and our focus remains on improving our trade, security, and investment relationship.” Last month, the government’s independent financial watchdog warned that Brexit was on course to cut UK trade by 15 per cent.