The UK-EU Tango: A New Rhythm Under Burnham?
There’s something almost poetic about the UK’s relationship with the EU—a complex dance of push and pull, of shared history and divergent paths. Now, under Andy Burnham’s leadership, the music seems to be changing. Hamish Falconer, the new chief post-Brexit negotiator, promises a ‘deeper relationship’ with the EU. But what does that really mean? And more importantly, can it work?
Personally, I think this shift in tone is long overdue. Falconer’s emphasis on ‘ambition’ and ‘renewed pace’ feels like a breath of fresh air after years of stalemate and missed opportunities. What makes this particularly fascinating is his background as a diplomat and negotiator, including his experience with the Taliban. If you take a step back and think about it, negotiating with the EU should be a walk in the park compared to that. Yet, as we’ve seen, even talks with ‘friends’ can be fraught with challenges.
Services: The Next Frontier?
Falconer has identified services as the next big area for progress, including visa-free travel and mutual recognition of qualifications. In my opinion, this is where the rubber meets the road. Services account for a massive chunk of both the UK and EU economies, yet they’ve been largely overlooked in post-Brexit negotiations. What many people don’t realize is that the EU itself is still grappling with how to integrate services more effectively. This shared challenge could be a golden opportunity for collaboration.
But here’s the catch: the UK’s red lines on the single market and customs union remain firmly in place. From my perspective, this is both a strength and a limitation. It ensures that the UK doesn’t backtrack on Brexit promises, but it also narrows the scope for truly transformative deals. This raises a deeper question: can the UK and EU achieve a ‘deeper relationship’ without fundamentally rethinking their post-Brexit framework?
The Youth Mobility Scheme: A Litmus Test
One thing that immediately stands out is the ongoing deadlock over the youth mobility scheme. The UK’s reluctance to allow EU students to pay lower tuition fees has become a sticking point. What this really suggests is that even seemingly small issues can derail progress when they touch on sensitive domestic politics. Universities, already under financial strain, are wary of losing revenue, while the EU sees this as a matter of fairness.
A detail that I find especially interesting is Falconer’s commitment to applying Burnham’s ‘Makerfield test’—ensuring that any deal delivers tangible benefits to ordinary people, particularly in Leave-voting constituencies. This is a smart move politically, but it also highlights the broader challenge of balancing national interests with European solidarity.
European Solidarity: Beyond Trade
Falconer’s emphasis on ‘European solidarity’ is another intriguing aspect of his approach. He’s not just talking about trade; he’s framing the relationship in terms of shared values, defense, and climate challenges. Personally, I think this is where the UK could make its most compelling case for closer ties. After all, wildfires and Russian aggression don’t respect borders.
But let’s be honest: solidarity is easy to talk about but hard to translate into concrete policies. The failed attempt to join the EU’s €150bn Safe fund for defense investment is a case in point. What this episode reveals is that even when there’s goodwill, technical and political hurdles can derail progress.
The Human Factor in Negotiations
What makes Falconer’s appointment particularly interesting is his belief in the ‘art of the possible’ and the importance of personal relationships in negotiations. He’s right—negotiations are as much about people as they are about policies. His predecessor, Nick Thomas-Symonds, was well-liked but struggled to create the political space needed for a deal. Falconer’s experience and Downing Street’s support could change that dynamic.
If you take a step back and think about it, the UK-EU relationship has always been as much about emotion as it is about economics. Brexit was never just about trade; it was about identity, sovereignty, and control. Falconer’s challenge is to navigate these emotional undercurrents while delivering practical results.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
The next UK-EU summit, likely in October, will be a key test of Falconer’s approach. Can he break the deadlock on the youth mobility scheme? Will there be meaningful progress on services? And perhaps most importantly, can he rebuild trust and momentum in a relationship that has often felt like a series of missed opportunities?
In my opinion, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The UK and EU are facing shared challenges—from economic stagnation to climate change—that demand cooperation. But cooperation requires more than just good intentions; it requires a willingness to compromise and a shared vision for the future.
As Falconer himself puts it, ‘We are part of Europe.’ The question now is whether the UK can truly act like it. Personally, I’m cautiously optimistic. The music may be changing, but the dance is far from over.
