Starmer-VdL Look To Meet Late Aug-Early Sep In 'Relations Reset'

EU officials have told the FTthat European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UK PM Sir Keir Starmer will look to hold a meeting to 'reset relations' either in late August or early September. According to the report, VdL had been seeking a meeting this week, but this proved unworkable. While cross-Channel relations have improved since the nadir of the Johnson and Truss premierships, the new Labour gov't is seen as keen to encourage a more positive dialogue with the EU that could see the UK re-join some EU programmes.

• The FT notes former PM Rishi Sunak, "...preferred to deal directly with EU member states, notably Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, rather than with Brussels institutions. Starmer’s meeting with von der Leyen will seek to change that dynamic."
• It should be noted that while an improved dialogue could see some small movements in areas such as acedemia and R&D, Starmer has reiterated that the UK will not rejoin the Single Market, customs union or allow freedom of movement under his gov't.
• With the EU wholly against the UK being able to select the benefits of EU membership without the attached conditions, there is little prospect of a significantly closer working relationship between Brussels and Westminster, at least in the medium-term.