Overview
- Last week the prime minister formally reopened debate on the UK's ties with the EU and said options ranged from staying as now to a customs union or full membership.
- Justice Secretary Alex Norris told broadcasters the government will not be entertaining a second Scottish independence referendum and would not link that question to the EU review.
- Conservative deputy leader Alex Burghart vowed the Tories would reverse any Labour steps toward closer EU alignment and criticised the reset as giving too much away.
- A summit with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled and Brussels could press for concessions on free movement, budget contributions and legal oversight in return for reduced trade barriers.
- Devolved leaders have signed a memorandum pressing for more self‑determination and now see the EU debate as bolstering calls for independence, making the upcoming EU talks and domestic votes the next tests of political risk.