Government to seek global trade deals for UK at expense of formal EU re-entry
GuardianAUG 20 2024
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer traveled to Brussels on Wednesday to hold meetings with European Commission Pres. Ursula von der Leyen, European Council Pres. Charles Michel, and European Parliament Pres. Roberta Metsola.
A press release from von der Leyen and Starmer claimed the two agreed to an "agenda of strengthened cooperation at pace," whilst also announcing the intention to host "regular" EU-UK Summits "ideally" beginning in early 2025.
It has also been reported that the European Commission President sought to begin talks on extending European access to British waters for fishing post-2026, and a UK-EU migration deal allowing the UK to reject small boat migrants in return for agreeing an annual quota of accepted asylum seekers via a legal route.
Handicapped by Boris Johnson's disastrous Brexit deal and with no intention of returning to the single market or customs union, Starmer's options to revitalize the UK's European relationship are limited yet absolutely necessary to the country's success. Steps such as rejoining the European Economic Area would be an important message to not only the EU but also the entire world that the UK is back in business.
Starmer's gleeful rekindling of a close-knit UK-EU relationship blatantly betrays the will of the British people who voted to leave the European bloc eight years ago. Despite the country's clear rejection of European bureaucracy, it is likely that the UK government will give in to a host of damaging concessions in order for Starmer fulfil his Eurocentric dreams.
The UK's desire for a reset in relations with the EU will be easier said than done. Starmer and his government may well seek concessions from their poorly-negotiated withdrawal agreement, but they are unlikely to see any progress until the UK fully honors several provisions that continue to be unlawfully ignored and accepts key pillars of European society such as free movement and the single market.