Remainers are reportedly plotting a Brexit betrayal, as they pressure Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to rejoin the EU. There is growing support from key Labour Party figures to re-enter the EU customs union, it has been reported.

Although the move would make it easier for companies to trade with the EU, it would mean Britain would have to abandon trade deals it has put in place since Brexit. The move is said to be supported by a number of vocal Remainers, including Alastair Campbell, Tim Allan and Tom Baldwin, who are working to convince Sir Keir Starmer.

They argue that rejoining the customs union would boost the economy and deliver the growth that Labour is promising. However, others in Number 10 are firmly against the idea, arguing it would drive working-class Leave voters into the hands of Nigel Farage‘s Reform UK.

As reported by The Telegraph, Campbell, who is best known for serving as Director of Communications and Strategy for former Prime Minister Tony Blair, is “fanatical” about rejoining the EU. Meanwhile, Allan, Downing Street’s current director of communications, has begun to attribute the UK’s issues to Brexit.

A Labour insider said: “People are well aware that the new arrangements with the EU agreed earlier this year only bring limited economic benefits. And you would have to go much further to realise bigger economic benefits.

“Most people have felt until now that was politically undoable, but in terms of economic growth there is now a view that more integration brings bigger rewards.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who attended a People’s Vote rally and argued for a second referendum when he was shadow Brexit minister, agreed a “reset” of relations with the EU in May. This included concessions on youth visas and fishing, with Starmer claiming it would boost the economy by £9 billion.

It is claimed that Brexit has reduced economic growth by 4%. Remainers also argue that a majority of the British public would support rejoining the EU.

Rejoining the customs union would eliminate checks and tariffs, allowing companies to trade with the EU more easily. However, it would also mean the UK could no longer negotiate its own trade deals with other countries.

A senior Labour MP confirmed: “There is an active debate going on in Downing Street about whether they should put rejoining the customs union into the next manifesto. It would take us beyond simply going back to the EU regulatory regime.

“I think it would be a huge mistake. It would make the next general election, which is going to be extremely difficult, even more difficult because traditional Labour voters, many of whom we have lost, who voted to leave the EU are unlikely to come back if that was a manifesto commitment.”