Keir Starmer’s Post-Brexit Brussels Visit: How Much Will he Give Away? How Little Will He Accept in Return?

This week may mark a pivotal moment in post-Brexit relations, as UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, making his first visit to Brussels as Prime Minister, prepares to engage in high-stakes talks with European Union leaders.

The central aim of Starmer’s visit is to negotiate a new post-Brexit deal that promises a “reset” in the strained relationship between the UK and the EU. However, this diplomatic mission comes with significant challenges. Brussels, in exchange for enhanced cooperation, is expected to demand concessions from the UK on key issues like migration, fishing, and youth mobility.

Starmer’s decision to initiate these talks signals a shift in approach from his predecessor. Where Boris Johnson championed a hard Brexit, emphasising complete sovereignty, Starmer’s vision appears more pragmatic.

He seeks to restore some of the economic and political ties that were weakened by the UK’s departure from the EU. But in order to achieve this reset, Starmer must walk a tightrope, balancing domestic political expectations with the demands of Brussels.

Migration at the Heart of Negotiations

One of the most contentious issues on the table is migration. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, is expected to press Starmer on opening talks for a new migrant returns deal. This agreement would require Britain to accept limited quotas of asylum seekers from Europe, while allowing the UK to return some small boat migrants to the continent—a significant move given that this capability ended with Brexit.

The migrant crisis has long been a thorn in the side of European politics, and since Brexit, the UK has struggled with its own issues related to illegal crossings, especially across the English Channel. Starmer’s government is keen to curtail these crossings, but it will need the cooperation of European nations to do so effectively.

For the EU, the return of a migrant returns deal represents an opportunity for greater burden-sharing. The continent has been grappling with large numbers of asylum seekers, and many countries—particularly in southern Europe—are seeking relief from the pressures of migration.

The EU wants Britain to shoulder some of the responsibility by accepting a set number of migrants. This proposed deal, which could see Britain accept tens of thousands of asylum seekers annually, would also include a legal route for families of asylum seekers to obtain residency in the UK.

From a political standpoint, this would be a delicate issue for Starmer. Brexit was heavily influenced by concerns over immigration, and the idea of accepting asylum seekers, even as part of a broader negotiation, could spark backlash among certain segments of the UK electorate.

However, failing to find a solution to the small boat crisis would leave Starmer vulnerable to criticism, especially from the opposition, which may accuse his government of lacking control over the nation’s borders.

Fishing: A Persistent Challenge

Fishing rights, a flashpoint during Brexit negotiations, remain unresolved and are likely to feature prominently in Starmer’s discussions with EU leaders. During the Brexit campaign, the fishing industry became a symbol of national sovereignty, with promises of “taking back control” over British waters. However, the reality of post-Brexit arrangements has proven more complicated, with British fishermen complaining of limited access to EU markets and disputes continuing over fishing quotas.

Brussels is expected to seek further access to British waters as part of any future deal. The EU’s fishing fleets, particularly from France, Spain, and Denmark, have long relied on access to UK waters, and any further restrictions could spark political tensions, particularly in coastal regions of these countries.

Conversely, Starmer will be under pressure to protect the interests of the UK’s fishing industry, which, despite its small size in economic terms, holds significant symbolic weight in the post-Brexit debate.

Youth Mobility: A Bridge to Future Relations

Another significant demand from Brussels is a youth mobility scheme. The EU is pushing for an agreement that would grant young Europeans the right to live and work in Britain, a proposal that echoes the pre-Brexit freedom of movement arrangements. For many young Europeans, Brexit represented the closing of doors to opportunities in the UK, particularly for education, work experience, and cultural exchange.

For Starmer, agreeing to such a scheme could offer several benefits. First, it would symbolize a thaw in relations with the EU, making Britain appear more open and cooperative after the perceived isolationism of Brexit. Second, it could help address the UK’s current labour shortages, particularly in sectors such as hospitality, agriculture, and healthcare, which have been hit hard by the end of free movement.

However, any youth mobility scheme would likely need to be balanced with clear restrictions. The idea of reopening Britain’s borders to a new influx of workers, even if on a limited basis, may not sit well with the electorate that backed Brexit. Yet, businesses and industries suffering from labour shortages could welcome such a move, providing Starmer with an argument that the scheme serves the national interest.

The Path Forward for UK-EU Relations

Starmer’s Brussels visit is more than just a negotiation over individual policies—it is a test of whether the UK and the EU can rebuild trust and establish a new, cooperative relationship post-Brexit. While both sides are eager to avoid the more acrimonious relations of the past, these negotiations are likely to be fraught with political challenges. Concessions on migration, fishing, and youth mobility may be necessary to secure a deal, but they will not come without domestic consequences.

Starmer’s ability to manage these demands will shape the future of his government and the UK’s relationship with Europe.

If he can strike a balance, offering enough to satisfy EU leaders without alienating key constituencies at home, it could mark the beginning of a more constructive post-Brexit era. However, any misstep could reignite tensions, both domestically and with Brussels, and hamper the prospects of a true reset.

In the end, much of the success will depend on Starmer’s diplomatic skill and his capacity to navigate the complex web of interests that define UK-EU relations in the post-Brexit world.

Main Image: Keir Starmer, via X