The political fights on Brexit: Loking Ahead

In a latest turn of events, the British Prime Minister Kier Starmer has said that it is time to move on from “political fights” about Brexit, as the UK and the European Union agreed to a major reset of relations. On May 19, Keir Starmer announced a comprehensive agreement with the European Union, focusing on. areas such as security, defense, energy, food standards, and youth mobility. The deal includes a 12-year extension of the European Union’s fishing rights in the UK waters and dynamic alignment with EU food regulations. These measures are intended to add £9 billion to the UK economy by 2040 through the removal of red tape and border checks. Starmer has emphasized that this reset does not signify a reversal of Brexit but rather a strategic effort to enhance cooperation with the EU. All while respecting the referendum’s outcome.

Brexit, short for “British exit,” refers to the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union. It is a political and economic union that it has been a part of since 1973. This decision followed a 2016 Brexit referendum, where a majority voted to leave. All of them were driven This decision by desires for greater sovereignty and control over laws and borders.

The UK officially exited on Jnauary 31, 2020 followed by a transition period and the implementation of a new Trade and Cooperation Ageeemnt on Jnaury 1, 2021 which governs the relationship between the UK and the EU ensuring tariff-free trade in goods but introducing new trade complexities and impacting various aspects of the UK economy and society. Ongoing issues such as the Northern Ireland Protocol and efforts to ease trade and enhance cooperation continue to shape the post-Brexit landscape.

Brexit Derangement Syndrome: The Backlash

Despite the economic rationale, the reset has been met with intense criticism from staunch Brexit supporters. Figures like Nigel Farage and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch have labeled the agreement a betrayal, arguing it compromises UK sovereignty and signals a return to EU dominance. This bitter opposition has been characterized as “Brexit derangement syndrome,” reflecting an inability among some Brexit proponents to accept any form of renewed cooperation with the EU.

Public opinion in the UK has evolved since the 2016 referendum, with a growing number of citizens expressing regret over Brexit. Starmer’s approach appears to align with this shift, aiming to address practical issues without reopening the divisive debate over EU membership. By focusing on tangible benefits such as job creation and trade facilitation, the government seeks to appeal to a broader constituency.

In the current scenario, Brexit continues to be a central theme in UK-EU relations, though the focus has shifted from the initial shock of withdrawal to managing the practicalities and impacts of the new relationship.

Brexit is making trade efforts to ease trade flows, particularly for food and agricultural products. This includes removing some routine border checks on animal and plant products and aligning with the European Union regulations, potentially allowing products like raw British burgers and sausages to be sold in the European Union again.

A formal UK-EU defense and security pact has been established, with both sides committing to greater cooperation, information sharing, and coordination on sanctions. The UK may also gain access to an EU defense loan program. A controversial 12-year extension until 2038 of an agreement allowing EU fishing vessels to operate in UK fishing communities. Discussions are ongoing for a”youth experience scheme” formerly “youth mobility”) that could allow young Britons and Europeans to live and work temporarily in each other ‘s territories, though details are still being ironed out. The emphasis remains on capped numbers and time limits.

British passport holders will be expected to be able to use e-gates at more European airports, and pet travel between the UK and the EU is set to become simpler. The UK and EU plan to link their carbon markets to avoid taxes on carbon-intensive goods, and discussions will begin on the UK buying and selling directly into the EU’s shared electricity market.

Beyond these recent agreements, the ongoing impact of Brexit on the UK economy is still being assessed. While the EU remains the UK’s largest trading partner, trade volumes, particularly for goods, have contracted since Brexit due to increased customs checks, paperwork, and other non-tariff barriers.¹⁰ The Office for Budget Responsibility continues to estimate a long-term reduction in the UK’s economic size due to Brexit.

The Northern Ireland Protocol (now largely encompassed by the Windsor Framework) remains a key focus. Implementations of its various stages are ongoing, with significant changes like the full introduction of the Red and UK Internal Market Lanes for goods movements between Great Britain and Northern Ireland coming into effect from May 1, 2025. This aims to simplify processes for businesses, though the unique position of Northern Ireland continues to require specific arrangements.

Overall, the present state of Brexit is characterized by a continued effort to manage the implications of the UK’s departure, with a recent shift towards seeking more pragmatic cooperation and “resetting” relations with the EU in specific areas, even as the economic effects continue to be felt and debated.¹¹

The Starmer’s visit to the EU reset represents a calculated effort to navigate the post-Brexit reality pragmatically. By seeking loser cooperation with the EU, it risks alienating voters who view any concession to Brussels as a step backward. The rise of parties like Reform UK, led by Farage, indicates that Brexit-related sentiments continue to influence UK politics significantly.

The agreement represents a calculated effort to navigate the post-Brexit reality pragmatically. By seeking closer cooperation with the European Union, the UK aims to address practical issues such as job creation and trade facilitation without reopening the divisive debate over European Union membership. However, the rise of parties like Reform UK indicates that Brexit-related sentiments continue to influence UK politics significantly.

As the UK and EU continue to negotiate the finer details of this agreement, including aspects like migration caps and financial contributions, the success of this reset will depend on balancing economic pragmatism with political sensitivities.

Keep reading Quest Euro for more news.

About The Author