British negotiators preparing for an EU 'surrender summit' are operating from a blueprint used by Switzerland – which has agreed to accept EU rules and pay into the Brussels budget in return for access to the single market.

The summit, in London on May 19, is the moment Sir Keir Starmer hopes to 'reset' the UK's relationship with the EU, but Brexiteers fear the term is code for a capitulation to the bloc – despite Britain's vote to leave in 2016.

Labour ministers have confirmed that the Government is ready to sign up to permanent alignment with EU rules in areas such as agriculture in return for a closer trading relationship, but deny that this amounts to reversing Brexit.

However, diplomatic sources point to the recent deal struck by the EU with Switzerland, which allows partial membership of the single market for goods alone.