Britain and the EU delayed a planned economic summit after Keir Starmer resigned this week, interrupting talks meant to bring the UK closer to the bloc a decade after the Brexit vote.
Three areas were on the agenda—agrobusiness, emissions trading and youth work visas—showing the meeting was aimed at practical economic re-engagement rather than reopening membership.
The postponement lands as Brexit’s record looks weaker: one recent academic estimate put the hit to UK growth at 6% to 8%, while only about a third of Britons now say leaving the EU was a good idea.
Andy Burnham, expected to succeed Starmer, will face pressure to revive sluggish growth and manage a toxic immigration debate, making renewed engagement with Brussels a likely early test.