Britain’s relationship with the European Union could look similar to the bloc’s deal with Switzerland, seeing special access to the single market. Next week will see the beginnings of Sir Keir Starmer’s attempt to “reset” relations with the EU as he hosts a Brexit summit in the UK. However, diplomatic sources have referenced the recent Swiss deal, which could see money handed back over to the EU.
The Prime Minister and European leaders will initially agree a new defence and security pact on May 19, as well as other deals which include energy and a youth mobility scheme. Britain’s approach to negotiating sector-specific deals is similar to Switzerland’s, which Brexit-Brits fear edges towards a reversal.
Switzerland’s deal allows for partial membership of the single market for goods alone after agreeing to a “dynamic alignment”, which means accepting rules of the EU. The pact also involves signing up to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, as well as making payments to the bloc’s budget.
The EU has emphasised the importance of the youth mobility scheme for striking a deal with the UK, which would mean freedom of movement for young adults.
This would be modelled on Britain’s current arrangement with Canada, where 18-35 year-olds can apply for a three-year visa for the UK, allowing them to live and work in Britain.
However, this has previously been criticised by Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice, who said a youth mobility scheme would be a “backdoor to free movement of people from the EU”.
“This is not a Government that can be trusted on Brexit. We cannot forget that this Cabinet actively opposed Brexit and, in the case of Keir Starmer, actively campaigned to overturn the democratic decision of more than 17 million people,” he said.
Ahead of the summit, Sir Keir has said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve committed to a reset of our relationship, a really important relationship, which I think will be of huge benefit to both of us.”