Sir Keir Starmer's post-Brexit reset of relations with Brussels has been criticised as 'anaemic', with a leading think tank warning that the Prime Minister's EU policy is vague and unambitious. In a report marking the fifth anniversary of Britain's departure from the European Union, UK in a Changing Europe (UKICE) said EU policy appears 'peripheral to Starmer's government'.
The report, 'The Brexit Files', highlights that despite the Prime Minister and Chancellor Rachel Reeves focusing on economic growth, the October Budget failed to mention the impacts of Brexit once. UKICE researcher Jannike Wachowiak noted that Labour's policy on the EU since being elected in July has been 'vague', with proposals described as 'small in scale and technical' rather than offering a vision for a substantially different relationship.
The report also warns that there is 'no appetite on the EU side to reopen negotiations' on the existing Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). However, EU leaders have expressed openness to closer ties, particularly on defence, ahead of a working dinner between Starmer and EU leaders next week. European Council President António Costa stated that the UK is a key partner for the EU, especially in defence.
Damning statistics in the report reveal that financial services exports have fallen to levels 33 per cent below their 2007 peak, while investment into the UK may have been 10 per cent lower than expected due to Brexit. A government spokesman defended the reset efforts, citing over 60 direct meetings with EU counterparts and positive engagement.
