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The Premier's particularly significant shift on the UK's post-Brexit connections to the bloc recently was intended to send a message to industry, to Brussels, and to fellow EU nations, alongside his own backbenchers.

An Altered Framework for Relations

Tighter post-Brexit economic relations are currently anticipated to be considered as within an regular schedule of direct negotiations rather than exclusively at this year's formal review of the British-European agreement.

This constituted the stated position to parliamentary pressure regarding a more ambitious post-Brexit overhaul that entailed returning to the EU customs bloc.

Political Calls

Several MPs, trade union officials and cabinet ministers have joined calls to proposals crystallised by parliamentary moves last year that culminated in a symbolic resolution.

"We are better prioritising the EU's internal market as opposed to the customs union for our further alignment," the leader remarked.

He gave a clear answer that rejoining the customs union was not the current focus, as it goes against what he views as a key achievement of the past year: the securing of best-in-class deals with the America and India, with additional expected in the Middle East.

Focusing On the Single Market

Rather than the common external tariff, his emphasis is on building a "stronger bond" with the EU's single market, which would not mean tearing up those international pacts elsewhere.

When the UK formally left the EU in the start of 2021, the negotiated settlement stressed liberation from EU standards instead of seamless commerce for British exporters to the continent.

The present new approach outlines synchronising with EU standards in several sectors to promote the easier passage of trade: agricultural products, energy, and emissions trading.

Commercial Calls

A leading commercial body last month released a list of new proposals in various industries to help exporters overcome post-Brexit red tape that has hit the goods trade.

Its internal research found that a large proportion of member firms believed that the current arrangement was impeding business expansion.

A range of additional sectors could, realistically, see a comparable strategy – harmonisation with internal market standards – in exchange for minimising trade obstacles across industry, in the car industry, industrial chemicals, or for example in arrangements for VAT.

EU Perception

Member states were disappointed by the modest aims in the previous recalibration, specifically the London's refusal of proposals advanced by some experts regarding the simplified access of British exports to the single market.

The specific detail on electricity and food and farm standards is remains to be agreed. A plan for UK manufacturers to be participate in a major defence loan fund has been delayed over the size of the membership fee, after opposition from France. Canada has joined the scheme.

Geopolitical Environment

The UK has reached an agreement to rejoin a academic exchange programme and to continue talks on a youth jobs scheme. This has helped clear the way for subsequent negotiations.

Analysts close to government note that the recent publication of a Washington policy paper has shifted the backdrop on UK ties to the EU.

The paper noted that the US would "foster opposition" to continental trends and commended the "increasing clout" of patriotic European parties.

In government circles, there is some recognition that the international situation has changed again.

Political Pressures

At home, the governing party also expects being outflanked on EU relations not just one opposition party, but potentially others, which is focusing on its stronghold regions in May's elections.

The Premier's latest comments are borne of a combination of business needs, domestic pressures and international relations as the UK embarks upon a year that will mark the 10th anniversary of the historic Brexit referendum.