Brexit Tensions Resurface Amid Starmer's Push for Youth Mobility Scheme

[Social Media]

 

Keir Starmer is venturing into politically dangerous territory as he prepares to travel to Brussels. His mission includes the contentious possibility of reviving a youth mobility scheme between the United Kingdom and the European Union. This initiative would allow young citizens to live and work across borders for limited periods, an idea that has sharply divided opinion within the U.K.

 

For some, this represents a long-awaited reconciliation after years of strained relations under the previous Tory government. However, to others, particularly staunch Brexiteers, this deal would signify a betrayal of the hard-won Brexit.

 

Starmer is acutely aware of the potential backlash, not only from the Conservative Party and Euroskeptics like Nigel Farage but also from within his own government. His interior minister, Yvette Cooper, has expressed concerns that such a scheme could inflate migration figures, a point of contention for those looking to curb immigration. "The home secretary believes such a plan would 'not be compatible' with pledges to bring down net migration," an insider noted, casting doubt on the feasibility of pushing this forward.

 

Despite these internal divisions, there is also significant support for the youth mobility scheme. Many Labour ministers and EU officials argue that the temporary nature of the program should exempt it from migration statistics. In fact, similar schemes exist between the U.K. and countries like Australia and Japan, with minimal impact on net migration. Nonetheless, the Home Office remains firm in its stance. "They would still be part of the U.K. labor market," a source stated, indicating that even temporary participants would affect the overall numbers. Cooper, unwilling to engage in what some see as "fiddling the books," remains a formidable opponent.

 

Starmer's upcoming discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are part of a broader reset of relations between the U.K. and the EU. While the youth mobility scheme is a focal point, Brussels is also eager to address lingering trade barriers, including mutual recognition of professional qualifications. An EU diplomat emphasized the importance of the youth mobility scheme as part of a broader negotiation strategy: "Brussels sees youth mobility as a 'quid pro quo' for the U.K.'s 'aggressive interests.'"

 

As Starmer navigates these sensitive discussions, he has so far been non-committal on the issue. His usual response is that there are "no plans" to join such a scheme, yet the door remains open. Starmer has already ruled out a return to the customs union or single market, but the youth mobility proposal may offer more flexibility, particularly given the political and economic advantages it could bring.

 

Support for the scheme is also growing within Starmer’s own party. Labour backbenchers, regional mayors like Sadiq Khan and Andy Burnham, and the Labour Movement for Europe have all spoken out in favor. Burnham commented, "I think the public can see the way in which Brexit is closing down opportunities for young people." Many argue that reversing some of Brexit’s harsher consequences would benefit not only young people but also British businesses struggling with staff shortages.

 

Yet Starmer must weigh these potential benefits against the political risks. Nigel Farage’s Reform U.K. party is poised to capitalize on any perception that Starmer is undermining Brexit. Moreover, even within Labour, there are factions that remain cautious about reopening any discussions with the EU that might be interpreted as backtracking on the 2016 referendum results.

 

The European Union, for its part, is willing to compromise. A senior EU diplomat suggested that the bloc is considering ways to make the youth mobility scheme more palatable to the U.K., including caps on numbers or tighter eligibility criteria. “Once the talks are on I think everything can be discussed,” the diplomat said, signaling flexibility from Brussels. While Starmer’s upcoming meeting with von der Leyen is seen as the starting point for a reset in relations, real negotiations won’t begin until 2024 when the new European Commission takes office.

 

Ultimately, the political tightrope Starmer walks in these negotiations reflects the complexity of post-Brexit relations. Whether or not a youth mobility deal is struck, Starmer’s efforts to redefine the U.K.’s relationship with Europe will inevitably stir debate on all sides.

 

Based on a report from: Politico 2024-10-03

 

 

 

[JonnyF]

The guy is tone deaf. As if he hasn't upset enough people he now wants to start stoking the fires of Brexit all over again.

 

We've had the plethora of bribes from Lord Alli, the 20 Billion "black hole" that they cannot give details on, the removal of the pensioners fuel allowance, the hiking of school fees, and now he wants to prod the 52% that voted for Brexit.

 

All of this before what is sure to be a money grabbing, tax hiking budget. 

 

What a disaster. 

 

 

[Red Forever]

In the minds of Tories licking their wounds it's as if 14 years of sleaze, cronyism and thinly veiled racism didn't happen.

Anyone who denies that taxes must  rise in order to fill the gaps in public services left by the Tories smash and grab tactics ...well.... I've got a bridge to sell you.

Starmer is doing all the bad stuff early in his premiership. A wise move. Further down the road it will be the water companies, oil giants and tax avoiders who will be told "ok you lot, the poorer in society have done their bit, now it's your turn to divvy up".

I think 3 years is a fair time for an objective assessment of Starmer's government. Closer ties with the EU such as this exchange deal is a step in the right direction.

Meanwhile, as long as he has the far right frothing, he must be doing something right.

[Nick Carter icp]

3 minutes ago, Red Forever said:

Further down the road it will be the water companies, oil giants and tax avoiders who will be told "ok you lot, the poorer in society have done their bit, now it's your turn to divvy up".

 

  Why doesn't Starmer tax those companies now ?

[proton]

Why just for the young? looks like age discrimination

[JonnyF]

7 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

  Why doesn't Starmer tax those companies now ?

 

Maybe too busy rounding up all the prisoners that re-offended after he released them early?

 

https://www.gbnews.com/news/prison-early-release-criminals-reoffending-return-to-jail-scotland

 

 

Who could have predicted such a thing? 😄

[JonnyF]

16 minutes ago, proton said:

Why just for the young? looks like age discrimination

 

Won't be many old people left to travel after a winter with no heating.  

[JonnyF]

6 hours ago, Social Media said:

Keir Starmer is venturing into politically dangerous territory as he prepares to travel to Brussels. His mission includes the contentious possibility of reviving a youth mobility scheme between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

 

I do hope he takes Lammy to visit the EU with him, for clout. A real political heavyweight. 

 

Lammy is all for freedom to travel. He even wants the Lebanese to return to their homes, in Southern Israel. 

 

https://order-order.com/2024/10/02/lammy-lebanese-should-go-home-to-southern-israel/

 

 

😂

[John Drake]

Youth Mobility Scheme sounds like a way for France and Germany to unload their migrants on to the UK

[nauseus]

3 hours ago, Red Forever said:

In the minds of Tories licking their wounds it's as if 14 years of sleaze, cronyism and thinly veiled racism didn't happen.

Anyone who denies that taxes must  rise in order to fill the gaps in public services left by the Tories smash and grab tactics ...well.... I've got a bridge to sell you.

Starmer is doing all the bad stuff early in his premiership. A wise move. Further down the road it will be the water companies, oil giants and tax avoiders who will be told "ok you lot, the poorer in society have done their bit, now it's your turn to divvy up".

I think 3 years is a fair time for an objective assessment of Starmer's government. Closer ties with the EU such as this exchange deal is a step in the right direction.

Meanwhile, as long as he has the far right frothing, he must be doing something right.

 

I think 3 months is enough time to see where he wants to go!

[Chomper Higgot]

7 hours ago, JonnyF said:

The guy is tone deaf. As if he hasn't upset enough people he now wants to start stoking the fires of Brexit all over again.

 

We've had the plethora of bribes from Lord Alli, the 20 Billion "black hole" that they cannot give details on, the removal of the pensioners fuel allowance, the hiking of school fees, and now he wants to prod the 52% that voted for Brexit.

 

All of this before what is sure to be a money grabbing, tax hiking budget. 

 

What a disaster. 

 

 

Many of the people who voted for Brexit have changed their minds.

 

A whole bunch of others have since died.

 

 

[Nick Carter icp]

13 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Many of the people who voted for Brexit have changed their minds.

 

A whole bunch of others have since died.

 

 

 

Have all the Remain voters stayed alive ?

Didn't any Remain voters die in the last 8 years ?

[nauseus]

18 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Many of the people who voted for Brexit have changed their minds.

 

A whole bunch of others have since died.

 

 

 

 

Ah. The Morbid Report returns.

 

[JonnyF]

29 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Many of the people who voted for Brexit have changed their minds.

 

A whole bunch of others have since died.

 

 

 

Lamest argument ever. 😄

[Chomper Higgot]

56 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

Have all the Remain voters stayed alive ?

Didn't any Remain voters die in the last 8 years ?

“

Younger people voted Remain

According to polling by Lord Ashcroft, younger voters were much more likely to vote Remain than older voters.”

 

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-36616028

[Chomper Higgot]

42 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Lamest argument ever. 😄

Clearly one you can’t deal with.

[Chomper Higgot]

53 minutes ago, nauseus said:

 

 

Ah. The Morbid Report returns.

 

Death takes older people more frequently than young people shocker.

[Nick Carter icp]

19 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

“

Younger people voted Remain

According to polling by Lord Ashcroft, younger voters were much more likely to vote Remain than older voters.”

 

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-36616028

 

  As people get older they often change their opinion .

They start off left wing students and expect the Government to pay for everything , then shift over to the right wing  when the Government takes all their money and they cannot afford a mortgage 

[nauseus]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Death takes older people more frequently than young people shocker.

 

And you talk about it more frequently than anyone else. 

 

 

[nauseus]

1 hour ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

  As people get older they often change their opinion .

They start off left wing students and expect the Government to pay for everything , then shift over to the right wing  when the Government takes all their money and they cannot afford a mortgage 

 

Maybe they blame the aged, just like Chomper?

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

  As people get older they often change their opinion .

They start off left wing students and expect the Government to pay for everything , then shift over to the right wing  when the Government takes all their money and they cannot afford a mortgage 

That was the case for many years as people became much better off as they aged, the affordable home they bought when young went up in value, their incomes rose, their company pensions grew and the day of the payout grew closer.

 

All stuff that is increasingly out of reach or simply no longer available to you g people today.

 

 

Edited October 3 by Chomper Higgot

[Chomper Higgot]

6 minutes ago, nauseus said:

 

Maybe they blame the aged, just like Chomper?

When did I blame the aged? 

[Chomper Higgot]

10 minutes ago, nauseus said:

 

And you talk about it more frequently than anyone else. 

 

 

Sorry is it a subject that troubles you?

 

It’s not something I mention often so maybe a bit of sensitivity on your part.

[nauseus]

31 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Sorry is it a subject that troubles you?

 

It’s not something I mention often so maybe a bit of sensitivity on your part.

 

Come off it, you used to mention it frequently. Sensitive? Well yes. Who the hell likes getting older and being reminded of it, as well as being vilified for supporting leave?

 

I was just old enough to vote out the first time around and my decision hardened for  the next 41 years. Recent problems have exposed Europe and the world can see and realize what a useless mess this EU is. That said, I'm sure Starmer would love to rejoin. - like he needs some help to "govern"  - and screw the country up even more (if that's possible).

[Chomper Higgot]

1 minute ago, nauseus said:

Come off it, you used to mention it frequently.

Used to mention it frequently.

 

So used to. 
 

Getting old sucks, but it beats the alternative.

 

Do you agree that if a majority of citizens wish to rejoin the EU then the Government should act in that and negotiate the UK’s return to the EU?

[nauseus]

9 hours ago, proton said:

Why just for the young? looks like age discrimination

 

Just a waft of smoke amongst the mirrors.

 

As PM in a world falling apart at the seams there are several far higher priorities that he should be worrying about!

Edited October 3 by nauseus

[nauseus]

3 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Used to mention it frequently.

 

So used to. 
 

Getting old sucks, but it beats the alternative.

 

Do you agree that if a majority of citizens wish to rejoin the EU then the Government should act in that and negotiate the UK’s return to the EU?

 

Of course not. 😁

 

The price would be to high and it's falling to bits anyway. If they want to drop all this centralized political control and superstate nonsense and just form the general alliance and trading bloc that it should always have been, then fine. 

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

14 minutes ago, nauseus said:

 

Of course not. 😁

 

The price would be to high and it's falling to bits anyway. If they want to drop all this centralized political control and superstate nonsense and just form the general alliance and trading bloc that it should always have been, then fine. 

 

 

So not a will of the people type after all.

[Chomper Higgot]

20 minutes ago, nauseus said:

 

Just a waft of smoke amongst the mirrors.

 

As PM in a world falling apart at the seams there are several far higher priorities that he should be worrying about!

More important than fixing the UK’s relationship with its closest and most important trading partner?

[3STTW]

Back when I were a lad (groan), you could get an Interail ticket and travel free around Europe for a month for ~110 quid. I did it four times from age 15 - 18 and I leaned more in those 4 months than my entire school career. Travel broadens the mind isn't just a cliché. And this all happened before the Treaties for Maastricht, Lisbon, open borders and the introduction of the Euro. The EEC was just a price fixing coal and steel cartel.

In terms of mobility, my youth was diametrically opposite to the youth of today who have suffered years in lockdown, resulting in a generation of meek, fragile daisies whose only salvation in life is government benefits.

So, yes, youth mobility is important.

As far as the UK rejoining the EU, it's not going to happen. The EU economic model has collapsed - in exactly the same way that economists were predicting 15 years ago. Germany's manufacturing core has imploded and the French are on an express train to bankruptcy.

The only reason why the EU would accept the UK back into the fold would be it's deep pockets and, thanks to Covid, those days are gone. Any hope that the UK economy is going to regain it's foothold is being rapidly deconstructed by Starmer, Reeves and Milliband with their boneheaded Marxist whims and their penchant for ideological policy over fact-based economic sense.