EU regulatory alignment is pragmatic politics and will help deliver economic growth - Yorkshire Post Letters

Rachel Reeves faces criticism for proposing closer EU regulatory alignment. Yet as your own editorial noted (February 13), the Chancellor should not be attacked for seeking to boost the economy through better trade partnerships.

Critics such as Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride call this “rowing back on Brexit”. They're wrong. Ms Reeves is simply acknowledging what firms already do.

Any firm exporting to the European Union must comply with EU regulations whether Britain likes it or not. Yorkshire car part manufacturers must meet EU emissions standards; the region's food exporters must meet EU food safety rules; our manufacturers must comply with EU product standards.

Before Brexit, these businesses followed EU rules and enjoyed friction-free market access. After Brexit, they still follow the same EU rules but now face customs checks, extensive paperwork, and costly border delays. They gain nothing from this arrangement.

Leeds West & Pudsey MP Ms Reeves proposes formalising this reality through regulatory alignment – easing market access and reducing bureaucratic waste. Nothing radical, just pragmatism.

And it has overwhelming public backing. YouGov found in June 2025 that two-thirds (66 per cent) of the public want closer EU ties – including majorities across all parties, even 51 per cent of Reform UK voters.

Critics attack this common-sense approach but offer no alternative for economic growth. Where does growth come from if we rule out cooperation with our largest trading partner? The ‘sovereignty’ to diverge is fantasy when almost half our overseas trade is with the EU.

As your editorial rightly argued: Britain needs to look forward with a pragmatic mindset, not endlessly relitigate 2016. The windscreen is bigger than the rear-view mirror.

Other countries manage EU alignment pragmatically. Switzerland and Norway don't talk about betrayal – just trade and jobs. Only Britain treats trade cooperation as a threat to its nationhood.

Ms Reeves is on the right track. Yorkshire businesses, and the British public, agree.