Government to seek global trade deals for UK at expense of formal EU re-entry
GuardianAUG 2024
Handicapped by Boris Johnson's disastrous Brexit deal and with no intention of returning to the single market or customs union, Starmer's options tofor revitalizerevitalizing the UK's European relationship are limited yetbut absolutely necessary tofor 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's is likely that the UK government will give in to a host of damaging concessions in order for Starmer fulfilto fulfill 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.
There is a 62% chance that the UK will join the European Economic Area before 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.