Sir Keir Starmer chose the grandeur of Lancaster House in central London to stage the first post-Brexit EU-UK summit on May 19th.
In fact what was agreed were various small changes to eliminate the worst trade frictions, plus a new defence deal.
Both sides recognised that rebuilding European defence without British participation would not be a sensible idea.
Sir Keir agreed to extend the current fisheries agreement for 12 more years, to 2038.
More than four years on, Sir Keir has managed to soften some of its more egregious features.
Sir Keir Starmer decided to hold the first post-Brexit EU-UK summit on May 19 at the opulent Lancaster House in central London. He duly touted a historic “reset” of relations, as did António Costa, the president of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission. In actuality, a new defense agreement and a number of minor adjustments to remove the worst trade frictions were agreed upon. However, this could signal the beginning of more extensive talks that eventually bring the parties closer together.
The defense-and-security deal is the most important one, especially in light of Russia’s conflict in Ukraine and Donald Trump’s insistence that Europe increase its defense budget. Now, Britain will contribute to the EU’s proposed defense budget of €150 billion ($169 billion), but it will have to pay its fair share. It was acknowledged by both parties that it would not make sense to rebuild European defense without British involvement. Attempts by certain nations to limit this spending to only EU members were duly abandoned.
Aligning the majority of food standards was the most significant agreement on trade frictions. Food and fish product trade will be facilitated as a result. Additionally, as part of the 2023 Windsor Framework, it will lessen invasive border checks between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, which were already connected to EU standards. The current fisheries agreement will be extended by Sir Keir for an additional 12 years, until 2038. Additionally, the two parties are expected to connect their carbon-adjustment systems and contribute to a shared electricity market.
A youth-mobility (now known as “youth-experience”) agreement was the third element of the agreement. Young people will find it simpler to travel, study, and work internationally as a result. Britain will investigate when and how it could re-enter the Erasmus+ student exchange program. Additionally, in an effort to appease tourists, British citizens will be permitted to use border e-gates at the majority of EU airports, which will cut down on irksome lines at passport controls.
A “betrayal” of Brexit was swiftly condemned by Conservative Party and Reform UK critics, who were bolstered by indignation in the tabloid media. The fisheries agreement was the source of their main complaints, as they claimed it would give French and other fishermen control over Britain’s fishing grounds for ten more years. Concerns were also raised about Britain’s decision to submit to the European Court of Justice’s jurisdiction by aligning with EU regulations without having any say in their drafting. Additionally, it was argued that the youth-experience agreement foreshadowed increased immigration. If the Conservatives were re-elected, they promised to undo all of these changes.
The story of Brexit betrayal is a ridiculous exaggeration. Sir Keir has steadfastly upheld his red lines, which include opposing free movement of people and joining the single market or customs union. This is still what was referred to as a hard (as opposed to a soft) Brexit, even after his “reset.”. He has given up more fisheries control than he would have liked, but regaining complete control of British waters was never likely, in part because British fishermen export more than 70% of their catch to the EU. Regarding being a rule-taker, that is just the cost that nations who want to sell to the EU market must bear. Over 40% of British exports go to the EU, which is twice as much as America and 20 times more than India (the two other nations with which Sir Keir has recently signed trade or tariff agreements). A restricted youth experience program is also very different from the previous system of free movement of people throughout Europe.
To conclude that Sir Keir has gotten about as good a deal with the EU as he could have given the limitations of his red lines would be more reasonable. Even though it might not have a significant economic impact, it should help struggling Britons financially. Some of the annoyances brought on by Brexit will be eliminated. The European Union has steadfastly adhered to its principle of denying non-members of its single market the same level of access as members. Additionally, both parties have decided to start a negotiation process that will be supervised by yearly summits.
The most important finding may be that the reset is the beginning of a process rather than a singular occurrence. Boris Johnson was finally able to sign the trade and cooperation agreement in December 2020 after nearly four years of negotiations. Sir Keir has succeeded in reducing some of its more egregious aspects after more than four years. He is currently charting a course for more drawn-out future negotiations.
Living with the EU elephant as a much smaller party always means doing that. Ask Switzerland. . For nearly three decades, the Swiss have been negotiating agreements with the EU, and they recently reached an agreement on yet another that still needs to be ratified. “■.”.
