Darren Jones has said a stronger partnership with Europe means a stronger Britain, as the Government continues its reset of relations with European partners after Brexit.
The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said Britain’s relationship with Europe mattered for the economy, for security and for the country’s future.
Since the 2016 referendum, Britain’s departure from the European Union has reshaped trade, regulatory cooperation and day-to-day ties with neighbouring countries.
Jones said the Labour Government had moved to improve practical cooperation with European partners, from strengthening trade links to restarting youth mobility arrangements that had been disrupted by Brexit.
He argued that closer working relationships with European allies were essential not only for economic growth but also for shared security challenges, including defence cooperation, energy resilience and cross-border crime.
Jones said:
“Britain’s relationship with Europe matters: for our economy, for our security, for our future.
“We’ve reset that relationship, from improving trade and cooperation to restarting youth mobility.
“There’s still more to do – because a stronger partnership with Europe means a stronger Britain.”
The reset of Britain’s European relationship has been a central theme of the Government’s foreign and economic policy since entering office.
Ministers have sought to rebuild trust with EU member states while pursuing agreements that reduce friction for businesses, support jobs and restore opportunities for young people to live, study and work across Europe.
On trade, officials have worked to ease barriers that emerged after Brexit, recognising that European markets remain central to British exports and supply chains.
Security cooperation has also been emphasised, with the Government pointing to the importance of continued collaboration with European partners on intelligence sharing, border management and collective defence.
The restart of youth mobility has been presented as a practical step to restore opportunities for young Britons and Europeans alike, after years in which freedom of movement ended for most citizens.
Jones’s intervention underlines Downing Street’s view that Britain’s future prosperity and security depend on a constructive, forward-looking partnership with Europe rather than a perpetually strained post-Brexit stand-off.
While acknowledging that more work remains, he made clear that the Government sees closer European cooperation as integral to delivering on its priorities at home — from growth and jobs to national security and Britain’s standing in the world.
