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

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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