this post was submitted on 12 Apr 2025
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107
In the face of Trump’s mayhem, Europe is the direction to which the UK must turn – and Keir Starmer knows it (www.theguardian.com)
submitted 16 hours ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
16 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

This article says that the UK might be willing to sign up for a youth mobility scheme with the EU (for 18-30 year-olds) because it could boost economic growth: "by some estimates, it could do more for growth than planning reform and housebuilding combined".

However, the article also says that the UK government thinks it would be a mistake to get too close to the EU, because this could serve the narrative of right-wing populists:

Downing Street believes that part of the appeal of both Trump and our homegrown [British] strain of rightwing populism lies in how institutions like the EU became too detached from the people they were meant to serve. In short, [the UK government is] determined not to be seen defending the status quo.

Thoughts?

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[–] [email protected] 21 points 15 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago) (1 children)

Well if he knows, he is not showing it. Starmer has been cozying up to US tech giants and lawmakers a lot lately. He needs to do a complete 180 and start nationalizing more of UK infrastructure instead of less.

However, the article also says that the UK government thinks it would be a mistake to get too close to the EU, because this could serve the narrative of right-wing populists:

Serving the interests of right wingers is worse than serving their narrative. Stop giving in to nazis or you will get what the US has.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 14 hours ago (2 children)

I'm not saying I necessarily agree with the idea that getting too close to the EU would be a mistake. I think it makes a lot of sense for the UK to have strong ties with the EU.

Brexit was a massive headache for Britain so I think that's why the UK government doesn't want to open up that argument again immediately. I guess Starmer does want to build stronger ties with Europe, but he probably wants Brexit-voters (many of whom were from poorer parts of the UK) to feel like their vote is being honoured. If they feel they have been completely ignored then they might give their support to Reform UK, Britain's equivalent of AfD.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 14 hours ago (2 children)

Just vote on Brexit again, it will most likely turn out in favor of joining the EU and even if not then nothing changes. Then they cant say their vote was ignored.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 hours ago

People like Nigel Farage would probably say "they're trying to rig democracy by making you vote again and again until you choose the 'right' answer". And some Brexit voters would probably believe that narrative.

I think it's definitely possible that there will be a push from the British public to rejoin the EU, at some point. Maybe in 5 to 10 years though.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

Don’t think it’s as easy as that. They’d now need to ask to join, then for the EU open negotiations, then put the terms to the people.

Or they could ask the people if they should go ahead and negotiate to rejoin, then risk failing in the negotiations as the terms won’t be as favourable as they were when they were in their special position last time. (Though given current geopolitics maybe the EU would be a lot more accepting of previous terms, don’t know).

Either way there’s a lot of political risk there.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 12 hours ago) (1 children)

Joining the EU right now doesn't make sense politically. Far more useful and effective to work on getting a customs union in place. Most of the benefits without most of the headaches.

They could simultaneously work on regulation alignment, and then they're off to the races.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

You won't get single market AKA customs union without regulatory alignment and free movement. It's a package deal.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 hours ago

Customs union and single market aren't the same thing. Customs union means no tariffs, and a unified tariff policy on those outside the union. Nothing more, nothing less. There are active discussions about doing this.

Single market is joining the EU, with regulatory alignment and free movement, as you quite rightly say.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

I never understood why the torries thought implementing Brexit meant cutting all strings and burning each and every bridge though. They could've pursued a deal like Norway or Switzerland, if the vote was this narrow you could easily spin it as 'we want to find a solution that makes everybody happy'.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 hours ago

They wanted to have their cake, and eat it, too. Maintain full access to the all benefits while giving nothing back in return. This includes burning all bridges, because nobody, especially not an alliance of 27 countries, is especially fond of being taken advantage of.

A Norwegian or Swiss style arrangement wouldn't have worked with the Tories either, because access to the free market automatically signs you up to freedom of movement and acceptance of EU regulations, as well as mandatory contributions to the EU budget.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 13 hours ago

he does not behave like he knows it though

[–] [email protected] 6 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

Didn't they just start charging £14 for visiting the UK? They are certainly not coming across as very inviting to individuals.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

When you're visiting a circus, they typically also charge you an admission fee. Nothing unusual.

(I'll show myself out)

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

You're right, I forgot they have to pay the clowns. Happy cake day btw.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 hours ago

Happy cake day btw.

Thanks.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 14 hours ago

I think he is right to worry about defending the status quo in this moment. Trump returned to power in a large part because he offered an alternative and Kamala painted herself as a defender of the status quo. Now I don't think as many people in Europe are chomping at the bit for change as they were in November in the USA - but I also don't think people are exactly pleased either.

There are real concerning global changes occuring at a greater and greater pace and people want to hear that leadership is willing to act on it, and sometimes that means talking with passion and offering real change instead of just a limp-wristed defense of what we already have.