Starmer Opens EU Reset Talks as 48% of Britons Say Brexit Is Going Worse
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 22
Starmer Opens EU Reset Talks as 48% of Britons Say Brexit Is Going Worse
3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 22
Summary
Keir Starmer has begun talks with the EU to rebuild closer ties, aiming to revive Britain’s stagnant economy as Brexit frustration deepens 10 years after the 2016 vote.
A May survey of 2,245 adults found 48% said Brexit was going worse than expected, up from 28% in March 2021, while only 9% said it was going better.
Economic studies cited in the report estimate Brexit has cut UK GDP by 6% to 8%, investment by 12% to 13% and productivity by 3% to 4%.
Businesses say new trade barriers and labor shortages have raised costs, with EU countries still taking 41% of British exports and supplying half of imports.
The talks mark Starmer’s effort to soften Brexit’s economic damage without reopening the 2016 decision, which 51.9% of voters backed.
With a majority of Britons now wanting closer EU ties, why do politicians fear discussing a single market return?
Is Brexit's economic damage irreversible, or have its true benefits simply not been unlocked yet?
As the UK seeks to rebuild bridges, what would the EU actually demand for a new partnership?
Starmer’s “EU Reset”: Can Incremental Deals Reverse Brexit’s 6–8% GDP Hit?
Overview
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has launched an initiative to reset the UK’s relationship with the European Union, as promised in the Labour Party’s June 2024 manifesto. This effort aims to deepen ties with the EU after Brexit, with new agreements announced at a recent UK-EU Summit suggesting a more ambitious revamp than expected, though major negotiations are still ahead. Despite these moves, Starmer has ruled out rejoining the single market or customs union. The reset is driven by economic pressures and public sentiment, reflecting a pragmatic approach focused on practical cooperation while navigating political constraints.