Key Takeaways:
- Sir Keir Starmer will deliver a major speech linking closer EU ties to tackling the cost-of-living crisis.
- A new EU bill aims to ease UK firms' access to the single market, focusing on chemicals, cars, and pharmaceuticals.
- Critics from Reform and within Labour warn the strategy could revive Brexit divisions and cost Labour votes.
- Poland’s foreign minister cautions the UK cannot expect “à la carte membership” if it rejoins the EU.
Starmer’s Brexit Reset: A Political Gamble
In the wake of dismal local election results, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is placing his Brexit reset at the heart of a political fightback. The strategy aims to frame closer ties with the European Union as essential for economic growth and lowering the cost of living. But this move risks handing more votes to the Reform Party, which has already warned it will capitalize on any perceived backtracking on Brexit.
“Building a closer relationship with the EU is crucial not just for economic growth, but also cutting the cost of living. We cannot afford to ignore this,” a No 10 source said. The speech, expected soon, will also reference the Iran conflict as evidence that Britain cannot afford to isolate itself from Brussels.
What the EU Bill Proposes
Starmer’s government plans to unveil a new EU bill in the King’s Speech on Wednesday. The legislation will aim to improve British firms’ access to the single market by allowing sectors like chemicals, cars, and pharmaceuticals to align more easily with EU regulations. However, this comes with a price: Britain is expected to pay around £1 billion annually to Brussels for improved market access.
Additionally, Starmer is planning another summit with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for early summer, following last year’s fishing rights deal. A key goal is securing a youth mobility scheme for thousands of under-30s to live and work in the UK, despite EU demands for lower tuition fees for Europeans.
Political Fallout: Reform and Labour Critics
Reform sources have already labeled the reset a gift to their campaign. “We’re confident that this would drain what’s left of the Labour vote in the Red Wall to us,” a Reform insider told the Daily Mail. Reform’s pick for Chancellor, Robert Jenrick, added: “Keir Starmer is out of ideas and out of time... If that’s all he’s got left to offer, he might as well pack up and call a general election.”
Even pro-EU Labour figures are cautious. Former Cabinet minister Ed Balls warned Starmer against creating the impression of reversing Brexit. “If people see this as being a backward step… I just think that ends up being a politically losing argument for Keir Starmer and for Labour,” Balls said on his podcast.
The Red Lines Remain
Despite the push for closer ties, Starmer insists his red lines are absolute. He will maintain Labour’s manifesto pledges not to rejoin the single market, customs union, or freedom of movement. Yet senior figures like London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan are urging him to go further and commit to campaigning for rejoining the EU at the next election.
“Every item on the menu has a price in terms of sovereignty,” warned Poland’s foreign minister Radosław Sikorski, cautioning that the UK cannot expect the same opt-outs it previously enjoyed, including from the Schengen zone and the euro.
What This Means for Travel and Borders
For travelers and EU citizens, the youth mobility scheme could offer new opportunities, but the political turmoil risks delaying any agreements. The Schengen area remains off-limits for the UK, and freedom of movement is not returning. However, closer regulatory alignment may ease trade and travel for businesses and professionals.
Key Scenarios to Watch:
- If Starmer secures the youth mobility deal, under-30s from the EU could live and work in the UK.
- A failure to manage Brexit expectations could trigger a new political crisis, potentially leading to early elections.
- Reform’s rise may harden the government’s stance on immigration, impacting future travel policies.
Bottom Line
Starmer’s Brexit reset is a high-risk strategy. It aims to deliver economic relief but may ignite old divisions. For now, the EU holds the cards, and the UK’s path forward remains uncertain — with significant implications for travel, trade, and the European project.