The Upper Bann MLA was speaking as the UK and EU prepare for a ‘reset’ summit, five years after the country formally left the EU. 

“In an increasingly unstable and uncertain world, it is more important than ever that the Prime Minister is radical and ambitious in resetting our relationship with Europe,” he said.

“While the Windsor Framework has insulated Northern Ireland from some of the worst excesses of Brexit, too many barriers and frictions remain. 

“Alliance has consistently championed pragmatic solutions to these challenges. We were the first party to call for an agreement to address problems around veterinary medicines, agri-food and pet movements, and have campaigned for a youth mobility scheme to great opportunities for our young people. 

"This week’s summit must see the UK Government take steps towards closer alignment with the EU, so that people can interact more smoothly, and businesses can access supply chains seamlessly on both a north-south and east-west basis.

“Of course, the biggest step Sir Keir Starmer could take this week is to begin negotiations on re-entering the single market and customs union, which would be the surest way to turbocharge growth and slash Brexit bureaucracy."