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Those who thought that with Keir Starmer’s arrival at number 10 Downing Street the Brexit would be called into question have certainly got their analysis wrong. Indeed, it was the British Prime Minister himself, shortly after taking office, who claimed that the UK’s exit from the European Union would not be called into question except by the next generation of British politicians. It will therefore have to be a few decades before the political climate across the Channel is ready to reconsider its departure from Brussels, but in the meantime some small opening seems possible.
THE SUMMIT
Just as it will be the next British politicians’ job to review the Brexit, Starmer emphasised that at the moment there is a “once in a generation” opportunity to reset the relationship with the European Union. These were Starmer’s words on the eve of August 28, at the meeting in Berlin with Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The aim of the summit, in addition to the negotiation of a new cooperation treaty between the two countries, is surely to restart relations with the European Union. So much so that immediately afterwards the British Prime Minister flew to Paris for the opening of the Paralympics Games and to meet Emmanuel Macron. Indeed, the repercussions of the UK’s exit from the European Union following the 2016 referendum are undeniable. A situation that also transpires from the press conference after the Berlin summit, making it clear that there is still a long way to go. Of course, for Starmer it is an uphill path full of obstacles, especially related to the mood of the British voters. Starmer, in short, has no intention of pursuing divisive speeches, despite the fact that the polls would indicate a clear majority who consider leaving the European Union a mistake.
A DOUBLE OBJECTIVE
The difficulties for the country are clear: in addition to the friction with Ireland, the repercussions are mainly on the employment front. The labour force from EU countries, especially the younger one, has driven the British economy a great deal in the past decades. Now the less than positive economic phase has been made even more difficult by the lack of these resources. A mending, even if not quite the abandonment of Brexit, was therefore desirable and was even hinted at by the tenant of Downing Street in the early days of his inauguration. The Berlin summit, while officially serving to discuss the strengthening of relations between the two countries, is naturally also intended to lay the first steps towards rapprochement with Brussels.
RESTARTING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE
The strategy of rapprochement would seem to pass through the possibility for young people in the European Union to participate again in specific exchange programmes. Starmer’s desire not to join the European youth mobility plan (such as Erasmus or Leonardo) has not in fact precluded all avenues, and the PM stated that he sees the possibility of joining individual exchange programmes in the university sector. An interesting prospect even if not linked to those offered by the European institutions. In fact, the possible stipulation of these exchanges will have to take place bilaterally, with the individual member states and not with a view to European policies and programmes aimed at the mobility of young people and those linked to the academic world.
THE WORKFORCE
Of course, while the openings on the university and academic front are very interesting, those that would really have a major impact on the UK economy and the future of so many young people in the EU would be those relating to the world of work. Indeed, reporters have not failed to press Starmer on the possibility, one day, of resurrecting the opportunity of youth mobility to live, work or study in the UK for a limited period of time. The PM did not close to this possibility, emphasising that it would not be ruled out at all. Despite this, the UK will introduce a digital visa for entry in the autumn, together with a fee for European tourists (a system similar to that introduced by the EU or the USA), along with new border security checks. In any case, some form of mobility could resume in the future, and this would seem to be the idea that the Labour leader seems to have. If, therefore, we will have to wait for the new generation of British politicians to review Brexit, perhaps much less might be needed to reopen mobility for young people.