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Starmer heads to Brussels seeking post-Brexit improvement in EU relations

01 Oct 2024 3 minute read
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer boards a plane. Photo Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Sir Keir Starmer heads to Brussels on Wednesday promising to “put the Brexit years behind us” as he seeks a closer relationship with the European Union.

The Prime Minister will push for a better trading relationship and greater co-operation on defence and security measures.

But he is under pressure to agree to Brussels’ calls for a deal on youth mobility to allow young EU citizens greater freedom to come to the UK to study and work and vice versa, something Sir Keir has so far resisted.

Ursula von der Leyen

The Prime Minister will hold separate meetings with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, European Council chief Charles Michel and the European Parliament’s Roberta Metsola during his visit to Brussels.

Ahead of the trip, he said: “The UK is undeniably stronger when it works in lockstep with its closest international partners. This has never been more important – with war, conflict and insecurity all knocking on Europe’s door.

“We will only be able to tackle these challenges by putting our collective weight behind them, which is why I am so determined to put the Brexit years behind us and establish a more pragmatic and mature relationship with the European Union.

“Better co-operation with the EU will deliver the benefits the British people deserve – securing our borders, keeping us safe and boosting economic growth.”

Conversation

No concrete announcements are expected from what is the first formal meeting between Sir Keir and the Brussels chiefs as part of his plan to “reset” UK-EU relations.

The European Commission said the meeting with Ms von der Leyen would be “the beginning of a conversation”.

The Prime Minister’s red lines for the reset rule out a return to the single market, the customs union or freedom of movement.

But pro-EU campaigners have pushed for him to give ground on a youth mobility scheme, something he has so far said he has “no plans” to agree to.

Sir Nick Harvey, chief executive of European Movement UK, said: “Dismissing the idea of reciprocal youth mobility simply means letting down British young people, who face all sorts of economic difficulties and have seen their horizons curtailed by Brexit. “Young people want and deserve the chance to study or work in Europe. The government owes it to them to make sure they get that chance.”

Cal Roscow, from Best for Britain, said: “Brexit robbed young Brits of irreplaceable opportunities to experience new cultures, meet new people and learn new languages while working, travelling and studying in Europe.

“The new Government has the chance to give these formative experiences back to young Brits, with this universally popular scheme that the European Commission is already open to agreeing.”


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John Ellis
John Ellis
8 days ago

I’m not sure that Starmer’s heart is really in this even as he makes this journey, because he’s too timorous to really try to mend fences with Europe – he knows that the ‘Mail’ and ‘Telegraph’ won’t like it, and that ordinary voters’ views are more influenced by the media than by politicians like him.

And in the aftermath of the whole Brexit shenanigan, I think it’ll be quite a while before governments in EU member states are going to take cautious overtures from a UK government that seriously. ‘Once bitten, twice shy’ applies.

Jeff
Jeff
8 days ago

We were better inside, be very surprised that anything useful comes of this no matter the spin. KS must know that.

Hope the outcome is “we gave it a go, not gonna happen so to improve the lives of everyone in the UK and get them back to before the self inflicted mess, its going to a rejoin vote”.

I would take the euro as currency if that were a requirement.

But better than Boris invading the Netherlands I suppose.

S Duggan
S Duggan
8 days ago

Rejoining is not going to happen overnight, but it will happen. It’s inevitable as most politicians know the UK economy is not going to grow as strongly (if at all) outside the EU. One of the first steps has to be to stop this messing around with youth mobility – it’s so unfair.

Charles Coombes
Charles Coombes
8 days ago

Would he also sort out the Passport Shamble allowing UK passports to work on the electronic machines. . We really do not need our passports stamped.

Amos Johnston
Amos Johnston
8 days ago

It’s time for another consultation with the public to see if they are happy with the direction of travel or if they want their well hard Brexit to be dialled up to rock hard by sealing up the tunnel and blockading the ports. It’s very arrogant of politicians to assume that the people want exactly what they were given.

Garycymru
Garycymru
8 days ago

Kind of like putting a plaster on an arterial bleed.
The UK should not be allowed to rejoin, or enjoy any benefits of the EU. Scotland, Wales and England should be given the option as individual countries whether they want to start the rejoining process.

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