Keir Starmer might have to eat humble pie (Image: PA)
Should we give Sir the benefit of the doubt? On Wednesday the PM travelled to Brussels looking for a reset with the EU. Top of the agenda with European Commission President was expected to be a proposed youth mobility scheme between the bloc and the UK.
Prior to his trip, the Labour leader played down any notion of signing up to EU-wide policies, such as youth mobility, preferring instead the concept of country-by-country deals.
Yet, of late, the mood music has changed. At issue is the refusal of the EU to let Sir Keir have his cake and eat it, to get into bed with Brussels with a security pact, and maybe ease tensions over trade, but refuse to sign up to schemes like youth mobility.
With cherry-picking off the table, what options does the PM have?
Frankly, signing up to an EU wide youth mobility scheme may be the pragmatic choice for the Government, especially since the EU has signalled that what was initially touted as a multi-year programme could become essentially a glorified gap year.
After all, such a scheme could not only help plug gaps in the labour market and satisfy the needs of business but, in still establishing controls over migration, guard against any claim of a return to freedom of movement. Crucially this could also reduce the need for migration from outside Europe – an increase in which, essentially, bled Tory votes to on July 4.
Sir Keir is no fool. He knows Reform UK is also breathing down Labour’s necks in nearly 100 seats, the loss of which would swing the balance of power in the House of Commons. This will be very much on his mind while he’s on the Continent.
Nigel Farage will be very much on Keir Starmer’s mind (Image: PA)
‘s party capitalised on the fact the not only failed on the promise to bring immigration down but actually managed to increase immigration from outside Europe, something which proved highly unpopular with the party’s base.
Sir Keir appreciates while voters in the Red Wall don’t want to head back into the EU, they may be open to anything which brings immigration from outside Europe down on a sustainable and permanent basis.
More to the point, Britain already has youth mobility schemes in place with several countries, notably the Commonwealth Realms of Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
I would favour Britain getting back into bed with the “CANZUK” states over anything else, but – since I am in a minority on this, or so it seems – a deal with Brussels may well be seen as the practical solution to grease the wheels of EU-UK ties.
Don’t think this will be a cakewalk for the PM however, even if von der Leyen and co will be happier dealing with the Remainer-sympathising Labour government than the previous Conservative one.
For starters, Brussels ideally wants any youth scheme to include EU students paying UK higher education fees, something British universities are likely to chafe at. This will be a red line for the government.
Still, if Sir Keir really wants a veterinary agreement to reduce border checks or mutual recognition of professional qualifications, he knows he’ll have to bend a little.
Ruling out a return to the single market, customs union or freedom of movement is one thing, but refusing any deal – such as youth mobility – especially one which could help reduce other unpopular migration patterns, is quite another.
Sir needs to pick some low hanging fruit and to score a win in Brussels after the omnishambles of the last few weeks. He will never win over the hard crowd but there are enough voters out there who would be open to freedom of movement-lite, provided it was measured and helped put a lid on immigration from Africa and Asia.
Should Sir Keir be given the benefit of the doubt? There isn’t much goodwill towards the PM from any side right now. But nor can he afford to alienate his natural bedfellows in Brussels. He needs a win even if it means eating some humble pie.