UK and EU, struggling situationship or final breakup?

From the perspective of an EU student, what does a future relationship between the EU and the UK look like?

Margaux Martinez
13th May 2024
Image: Pixabay, succo
Recently, another bad news arose from the consequences of Brexit with Rishi Sunak refusing the youth mobility plan proposed by the EU for a better coordination between the two areas. Are we surprised? Not really, but most definitely still disappointed. The scheme would have allowed young British people to work, study and live in the EU without requiring a Visa, almost as if the haunting 2016 referendum had never happened. However, for the UK, it was outside of their red lines and thus, impossible to accept. 

With the next general elections due to happen before January 2025, it seems highly unlikely that any compromise will be reached on anything with the Conservatives at the head of the country. But, would a Labour government change everything? I am not too sure. In the scope of the Brexit breakup, the EU was most definitely the winner. Undoubtedly, the bloc suffered economic impacts, but they are seen to be marginal compared to the situation in the UK. On their side, the British have now heightened tensions between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, renewed calls for Scottish independence as well as an amount of economic damage that is almost impossible to be solved rapidly through trade deals. Overall, they are a bit of a mess. 

"Although Keir Starmer put rejoining the EU back on the table should he be elected, it is not likely to happen right away."

Unfortunately, with the cost of living crisis, the housing crisis and other mess this country has been going through in the past few years, Brexit is not high on people’s list of concerns. Although Keir Starmer put rejoining the EU back on the table should he be elected, it is not likely to happen right away.

Besides, the EU will not take them back without putting down terms and conditions of this new relationship. When joining in 1973 after two failed attempts, the UK had a lot of opt-outs from EU policies such as not adhering to the Euro or not following some immigration rules. Being a rather influential country, they were allowed to do so. Now that they are out, it is extremely unlikely that, should they rejoin the EU, they would benefit from the same preferential treatment. Although the EU has left open the possibility of future foreign and security cooperation deals, they will not let themselves be walked over by the UK. 

"And maybe, we can even dream of a close friendship in the near future, exes can stay friends right?"

As an EU student studying in the UK, I can only hope that they have a future that involves reaching compromises. And maybe, we can even dream of a close friendship in the near future, exes can stay friends right?

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