Lack of Ambition and Vision Criticized, with Concerns over Economic Growth and Public Opinion

Sir Keir Starmer's EU Policy Under Fire

Sir Keir Starmer's approach to rebuilding relations with the European Union after Brexit has been criticized as lacking ambition and vision. A report by UK in a Changing Europe (UKICE) released on the fifth anniversary of Britain's departure from the EU paints a concerning picture.

The report, titled "The Brexit Files," highlights the negative impacts of Brexit on various sectors of the UK economy, including trade, immigration, and defense. It also examines Sir Keir's attempts to mend ties with Brussels.

Despite frequent overtures to the EU, UKICE researcher Jannike Wachowiak finds Labour's EU policy since July's election to be "vague" and lacking a clear vision for a substantially different relationship. She notes that the party has offered little detail on how it intends to deepen ties with Europe, while focusing more on red lines around freedom of movement, the customs union, and the single market.

Wachowiak expresses concern that EU policy appears peripheral to Starmer's government, particularly in the context of economic growth. She points to the absence of any mention of Brexit's impacts in Chancellor Rachel Reeves' autumn budget and her Mansion House speech, which acknowledged Brexit's "structural challenges" but vowed not to reverse its foundations.

With official forecasts predicting a 4% reduction in the size of Britain's economy due to Brexit in the long run, Wachowiak warns that lower economic growth appears to be "baked into Labour's strategy." She also cautions that the lack of pressure from pro-Europeans on Sir Keir could result in his EU policy remaining "anaemic" despite public opinion shifting decisively against Brexit.

The report also casts doubt on the likelihood of the EU agreeing to an overhaul of the existing Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) underpinning Britain's trade with the bloc. Experts believe there is no appetite on the EU side to reopen negotiations on the TCA.

However, the report does offer a glimmer of hope. The EU has expressed openness to closer ties with the UK, particularly in the field of defense. European Council president António Costa has indicated that the upcoming working dinner between Sir Keir and EU leaders will focus on this dimension of the relationship.

Overall, the UKICE report paints a concerning picture of the UK's post-Brexit relationship with the EU. It highlights the negative impacts of Brexit on the economy and criticizes Sir Keir Starmer's EU policy as lacking ambition and vision. However, the report also acknowledges the EU's openness to closer ties with the UK, particularly in the field of defense.