Keir Starmer is set to engage with the European Commission president this week, aiming to facilitate a significant revision of Britain’s Brexit agreement in the spring. This move comes in light of cautions that strengthening connections will be crucial for his administration’s urgent pursuit of economic growth.
The prime minister is scheduled to engage with Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on Wednesday. Nonetheless, home secretary Yvette Cooper remains firmly against an arrangement that would facilitate greater mobility for young individuals between Europe and the UK, a provision that EU diplomats consider crucial for advancing substantive discussions in the upcoming spring.
The EU ambassador to the UK, Pedro Serrano, has recently proposed a focused youth mobility initiative aimed at facilitating a gap year for young Europeans in Britain and vice versa. The rejection of a more comprehensive deal by Starmer has left officials in Brussels questioning the UK’s commitment to strengthening its ties with the EU.
This week’s discussions are anticipated to set the groundwork for a forthcoming EU-UK summit scheduled for next spring. Ongoing discussions are anticipated to continue throughout the autumn in preparation for a summit, although sources indicate that it is premature to evaluate potential outcomes. The meeting will involve Starmer and the leaders of the primary EU institutions, including von der Leyen and the newly appointed president of the European Council, António Costa.
The potential for the UK to enter into an agreement for individuals under 30 serves as an initial indicator of Starmer’s commitment to his suggested recalibration of diplomatic relations. The UK government’s description of the proposal as “free movement of people” has angered EU diplomats, who have pointed out that any potential plan would be subject to time and age restrictions.
“The EU places significant emphasis on youth mobility, which appears to have evolved into a measure of trustworthiness,” stated Anand Menon, director of the UK in a Changing Europe thinktank. “It appears they are indicating that if the UK is committed, it will need to offer some concessions on this matter.” It appears that there may be an understanding that not all demands will be met; however, certain member states exhibit a significant level of urgency in their requests.
“There exists a political impetus to facilitate the entry of younger demographics into this region.” Our objective is to begin identifying and addressing the minor aspects of the [Brexit deal] that have the potential to streamline processes and enhance efficiency.
Downing Street continues to reject a proposal regarding youth mobility. Nevertheless, sources within Labour indicated that Cooper continues to be the most formidable adversary, primarily due to her intent to implement measures aimed at decreasing immigration. “There is a tendency to attribute the lack of progress to Yvette’s actions, yet it is understood that youth mobility is a prerequisite for deriving any benefits from the EU,” stated one individual.
There is no indication that Labour would contemplate rejoining the EU’s customs union or single market, the sole factors that could significantly alter economic growth forecasts. There exists a degree of uncertainty within Labour regarding Starmer’s readiness to engage in political risks aimed at facilitating a significant revision of the Brexit agreement in the upcoming spring.
“From the Labour perspective, there exists a political impetus to demonstrate action,” stated Menon. “It closely resembles the Tories, as they devoted considerable time to discussing the EU in more extreme terms than their actual actions reflected.” The Labour Party’s constituents and electorate are inclined towards a more integrated relationship with the EU. Consequently, Labour must navigate its strategies carefully to satisfy these stakeholders while adhering to its established boundaries.
A senior EU diplomat expressed approval of von der Leyen’s proposed reset of EU-UK relations, indicating that London must also take the initiative in advancing proposals. “The absence of Great Britain is significantly felt across various matters within the council [of EU ministers],” the diplomat stated. “Enhancing the relationship is crucial; however, it is essential to acknowledge that it was the UK that made the decision to exit.”