Earlier this month Keir Starmer went to Brussels to meet the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in a much — heralded start of a “reset” of the United Kingdom’s relationship with the European Union (EU). A genuine re-set of relations was always going to be a challenge given the red lines established by the Labour Party in the UK General Election. Labour’s manifesto said that:
“There will be no return to the single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement. Instead, Labour will work to improve the UK’s trade and investment relationship with the EU, by tearing down unnecessary barriers to trade. We will seek to negotiate a veterinary agreement to prevent unnecessary border checks and help tackle the cost of food; help our touring artists; and secure a mutual recognition agreement for professional qualifications to help open up markets for UK service exporters.”
The manifesto also contained no explicit demand for financial service equivalence and data adequacy, nor help for hauliers, and all mention of the Horizon research programme had been dropped because the Tories had already agreed to rejoin it anyway. The road to this commitment evolved from a five point plan which included opposition to the all-EU free movement of people.
