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Wes Streeting has said he would go even further than Keir Starmer in reversing Brexit as he again refused to deny he wants to run the country.
The Health Secretary on Sunday described the Prime Minister's 'reset' deal with Brussels, branded a surrender by the Tories and Reform, as a 'good start'.
But, he added, the best way to boost the economy would be a 'closer trading relationship' with the European Union – indicating his support for rejoining the customs union.
While Mr Streeting, who last month was accused by Downing Street insiders of plotting a coup, insisted Sir Keir has his 'absolute support', he added he thought the country is ready for its first gay prime minister.
Despite rejoining the customs union being a breach of one of Sir Keir's three political 'red lines', the MP for Ilford North said: 'The best way for us to get more growth into our economy is a deeper trading relationship with the EU.
'The reason why leaving the EU hit us so hard as a country is because of the enormous economic benefits that came with being in the single market and the customs union
'The challenge is any economic partnership we have can't lead to a return to freedom of movement.'
In an interview with The Observer, Mr Streeting also broke ranks with Sir Keir by suggesting he supports Australia's ban on social media for under–16s.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he would go even further than Keir Starmer in reversing Brexit
Mr Streeting insisted Sir Keir Starmer had his full support despite being accused by Downing Street insiders of plotting a coup last month
The Prime Minister recently said he opposes a 'blanket ban' but Downing Street on Sunday night said it is 'closely monitoring the policy'.
The Health Secretary said the Government should follow Australia's results to 'see if that's something we should consider doing here'.
In a further sign Mr Streeting wants Labour to adopt policies that would appeal to Remainers, he said: 'We're not going to win the next election by trying to out–Reform Reform. That's not who we are. Those aren't our values and we've got to beat them, not join them.'
Asked if he wants to be leader, he said: 'The closer I see that job and the pressure on Keir and the demands of that job, the more I wonder why anyone would want it.'
But he refused to rule himself out, saying: 'I'm diplomatically ducking the question to avoid any more of the silly soap opera we've had in the last few months.'
He agreed Britain would vote for a gay PM, but added: 'I want to make it explicitly clear this is not a pitch or a job application. The Prime Minister's got my absolute support.'
But a Tory spokesman on Sunday night said: 'Instead of focusing on running the health service, Wes Streeting is busy courting Left–wing, pro–EU Labour Party members – now even floating the idea of dragging Britain back into the EU's customs union. Patients and NHS staff deserve a Health Secretary focused on delivery, not political pitch–making.'
Reform's Deputy Leader Richard Tice said: 'We've heard it straight from the horse's mouth, Labour Remoaners will not be satisfied until every valuable Brexit freedom is surrendered directly to Brussels.'
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