Keir Starmer’s recent discussions with Spain about a potential free movement deal for young people have triggered a backlash from Brexit supporters who accuse him of betraying the leave vote

Sir Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, has ignited controversy by discussing a free movement agreement with Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez. The talks, which took place ten days ago, centred around a proposal that would allow young people from Spain to move more freely to the UK.

Sánchez’s proposal, made during a private meeting with Starmer, suggested a scheme that would facilitate the movement of young people between the two countries. The initiative aims to foster greater cultural and educational exchange but has been met with fierce opposition from Brexit supporters.

Starmer, who had previously rejected any changes to the UK’s immigration policies in the lead-up to the general election, is now under fire for seemingly shifting his stance. Brexiteers have accused him of initiating what they term as the “great Brexit betrayal,” asserting that such a move contradicts the promises made during the Brexit referendum.

Reform MP Lee Anderson condemned Starmer’s consideration of the deal, stating, “We voted against free movement in 2016. Starmer has no respect for democracy or our borders and in five years’ time, our country will be unrecognizable. God help us.” His remarks reflect a broader sentiment among Brexit supporters who view any form of free movement as a reversal of the referendum’s outcome.

Tory leadership hopeful James Cleverly echoed these concerns, accusing Starmer of attempting to unravel Brexit. “Labour said they wanted to bring migration down and ruled out a Youth Mobility Scheme with the EU during the election. Surprise surprise, the U-turn has started already,” Cleverly told the Telegraph. He criticized the Labour leader for allegedly betraying the public’s trust and claimed that the move was part of a broader pattern of policy reversals.

The discussions between Starmer and Sánchez occurred during a summit at Blenheim Palace on July 18. This meeting followed Starmer’s commitment, during his campaign, to reset the UK’s relations with the European Union and revisit the Brexit deal negotiated by Boris Johnson.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy and London Mayor Sadiq Khan have long supported the idea of an EU-wide free movement agreement for young people. Their advocacy aligns with a European Commission plan unveiled in April to simplify travel and work arrangements for those under 30 between the UK and EU.

The proposed agreement with Spain, while still in early stages and subject to further negotiation, has intensified scrutiny of Starmer’s Brexit strategy. Critics argue that this proposal is indicative of a broader tendency to dilute the UK’s exit from the EU, a concern that resonates strongly with Brexit proponents.

As the debate unfolds, the Labour government faces the challenge of balancing its commitment to strengthening EU relations with the need to address concerns about national sovereignty and immigration. The outcome of these discussions will likely have significant implications for both domestic politics and the UK’s future relationship with Europe.

LBC

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez recently discussed the possibility of establishing a youth mobility scheme. During a private meeting at the European Political Community summit held at Blenheim Palace earlier this month, Sánchez proposed a scheme allowing young people to live, study, or work in the UK for a limited period.

Starmer did not outright reject the proposal, indicating he would consider it, despite earlier Labour promises to avoid any return to free movement. This discussion contrasts with previous stances, such as Rishi Sunak’s rejection in April of a similar European Commission offer allowing free movement for those aged 18 to 30 for up to four years.

Labour’s general election manifesto had promised no return to freedom of movement, but a bilateral agreement with Spain could potentially align with this pledge, as it would not involve rejoining the single market or customs union. Current youth mobility schemes with non-EU countries, such as Australia and Canada, involve visa requirements and other conditions, distinguishing them from free movement.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has previously advocated for a deal to mitigate the cultural and economic impact of Brexit on young people. A government spokesperson has confirmed that the UK will not consider reintroducing freedom of movement, and the official stance remains against rejoining the single market or customs union.

The Telegraph

Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently entertained the idea of a youth mobility scheme during private discussions with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The meeting, which took place at Blenheim Palace on July 18, saw Sánchez propose a bilateral agreement allowing young Spaniards to live, study, or work in the UK. Starmer did not dismiss the idea, suggesting he would contemplate it further, which contrasts with his earlier public stance.

In April, both Labour and the Conservative governments rejected a broader EU offer to facilitate youth mobility across member states and the UK. Labour’s manifesto had promised no return to free movement, yet a deal with Spain would not necessarily violate this commitment. Instead, it could offer a limited, targeted approach to mobility that might align with Labour’s goals of boosting economic growth and improving relations with Europe.

Currently, the UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme includes countries such as Australia and Canada, but excludes EU nations. Discussions on a similar scheme with Spain have sparked concern among Brexiteers, who accuse Starmer of reversing his position on Brexit-related issues. Conservative leadership hopeful James Cleverly criticized Starmer for what he sees as a betrayal of Brexit principles.

Germany’s ambassador to the UK suggested that a youth mobility scheme could be part of broader negotiations to update the post-Brexit agreement. However, any potential deal would need to navigate significant political backlash and scepticism about re-engagement with the EU. While Starmer’s openness to Sánchez’s proposal might signal a willingness to explore new bilateral agreements, government sources have downplayed the likelihood of significant policy shifts.

The Guardian

In a recent private meeting at the European Political Community summit, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez proposed a youth mobility scheme to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The scheme would allow young people to live, study, or work in each other’s countries for a limited time. Starmer reportedly did not dismiss the idea and agreed to consider it further.

The proposal comes amidst growing calls for such a scheme, which would facilitate temporary movement for those aged 18 to 30. This follows an earlier rejection by Rishi Sunak and the European Commission’s offer of a similar scheme in April, which both the Conservative and Labour parties had declined.

Labour’s recent manifesto pledged no return to freedom of movement, but a bilateral deal with Spain might not breach this promise. The UK currently has youth mobility agreements with several non-EU countries, requiring visas, proof of financial support, and health service surcharges.

A government spokesperson emphasized that the UK would not rejoin the single market or customs union, nor reintroduce freedom of movement, and currently has no plans for a youth mobility scheme.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has previously advocated for such a scheme to address the cultural and economic impacts of Brexit, particularly on young people. The potential for a UK-Spain agreement reflects ongoing discussions about how to navigate post-Brexit relationships with the EU.