The prime minister believes Brexit has had some benefits, Downing Street has said on the fifth anniversary of the UK leaving the European Union.
A No 10 spokesman pointed to freedom from EU regulations, helping to make the UK a more competitive financial hub.
However, he said Sir Keir Starmer also wanted “to make Brexit work better for the British people” and strengthen relations with Europe.
The Conservatives accused the government of being “determined to dismantle Brexit and drag us back into the EU’s grasp”.
But the Liberal Democrats criticised the Brexit deal struck by the Tories as “an utter disaster for our country” and called for close ties with the EU.The UK officially left the EU at 11:00 GMT – midnight in Brussels – on 31 January 2020, three-and-a-half years after the the 2016 referendum.
The government has marked the anniversary with little fanfare, with no official events to celebrate the occasion.
Asked why the PM had not said anything specific for the anniversary, Downing Street said the government was “very much looking forward”.
A Number 10 spokesman said: “We know we can do better to make Brexit work for the British people, that it’s in the UK’s national interest to have a more co-operative relationship with the EU.
“They’re our largest trading partner and our closest neighbour, and will be vital in helping us to tackle ongoing threats to our security, and that’s why we’re working together with the EU to strengthen our partn
ership.”