Keir Starmer has said a new relationship with the European Union will not be easy “but it is possible” ahead of a meeting with Ursula von der Leyen next week, as he sets out defence, borders and trade as areas he hopes to improve. .
The prime minister spoke of his hopes for a restart and did not rule out accepting an EU proposal for greater youth mobility, including easier travel, study and work for those under 30.
Starmer said he had “no plans” to accept an EU mobility plan, but it is believed it could be a bargaining chip in negotiations in exchange for other concessions benefiting the UK. He has repeatedly postponed his trip to Brussels since becoming prime minister, and reopening the Brexit issue to improve Boris Johnson’s deal is likely to prove contentious.
Some pro-Brexit campaigners will seize on any sign of “watering down” the deal, while EU campaigners would like Starmer to do more to restore a closer relationship.
Starmer confirmed his trip, which will take place on Wednesday, after a brief first meeting with von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, in New York.
When asked if he could give a concrete example of how the EU reset could improve lives, such as reducing the cost of roaming charges or lobbying the EU to allow British citizens to use e-gates when traveling to the EU, Starmer said that period “It is too early to go into details.”
But he added: “Look, can we do more together on defensive security? Yes, I think we can. Can we do more on border security? Yes, I think we can. That must be done and can be done in a closer relationship with the EU, in addition to the bilateral work that I have already started with France, Germany and Italy and, of course, a closer trade relationship.
“I want to make it easier for businesses to trade because I think that is in the interests of the United Kingdom.”
Starmer has put promoting growth and attracting business to the UK at the heart of his priorities, with many business leaders pushing for an easing of post-Brexit trade barriers and border controls.
Asked if he thought a closer trading relationship with the UK outside the EU, common market and customs union was possible, he said: “I think it is possible. “I’m not going to pretend it’s easy, but I think it’s possible.”
On the idea of accepting a youth mobility plan, Starmer said: “We have no plans for a youth mobility plan, but we are moving forward. [to Brussels] for an important meeting this week; I don’t want to get ahead of any important discussion we have.”
Starmer’s comments come after Pedro Serrano, the EU ambassador to the UK, suggested this week that the commission could have softened its demands on what a youth mobility plan could look like.
He told Instances Radio: “If we have a mechanism that allows young British citizens to go out for a gap year, for example, to anyone (they can choose from 27 states within the European Union) to learn a little bit and pay there for Learn while you’re there, why not?
“If people want to stay later to work, it’s a totally different process. “This would be limited in time.”
Starmer will likely proceed cautiously on the issue of youth mobility, as some Brexiteers would see it as a partial return to free movement without fully subscribing to the single market.
Likewise, any effort to reduce friction in trade at the border would likely have to be done without a formal return to the acceptance of general rules and regulations from Brussels under the customs union and single market.
Starmer, who supported remaining in the EU, has promised that Labor will not reverse Brexit and has spoken only in general terms about restoring the United Kingdom’s relationship with Brussels.
However, Brussels has made it clear that a new negotiation with the EU and not with individual countries would be necessary if any part of Johnson’s Brexit deal is to be reworked.
