If you have been keeping up to date with the recent antics of the new Labour Government, the European conferences and talks have been a key theme in recent weeks. At the end of August, Sir Keir Starmer travelled to Berlin to hold talks with the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, for the fifth time since he became elected Prime Minister in early July. Talks with the German government have what Starmer describes as the potential for a political ‘reset’ with the rest of Europe, and explicitly outlines his intentions not to reverse the deal of Brexit.  

Starmer aims to produce a bilateral treaty with Germany by the end of the year to improve trade relations, international security and defence. Inevitably the latter will have a strong focus on the Ukrainian war with Russia. The pact will endeavour to achieve better co-ordination between UK and European intelligence agencies to combat the illegal immigration problem. In response, Germany looks to propose the ‘Youth Mobility Scheme’, with the aim to facilitate the movement of young people and students more easily across Europe. If Starmer wants to ‘reset’ relations with the European Union, he must expect some form of compromise and has apparently not ruled out the scheme, which would orchestrate student exchanges with the UK and the EU.  

Starmer’s fundamental goal in these European talks is to strengthen ties, ensuring growth in the British economy. The Labour government have already warned the British people of the Autumn Budget which looks set to be a tough pill to swallow for most of the public, which could include students. If these talks between the UK and the EU continue positively, they could provide the political reassurance needed that will allow, or even provide, a way for Starmer to improve the economic climate.   

Starmer has also been seen attending the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games. The Prime Minister met with Emmanuel Macron on the 29^{th of} August in Paris where he initially congratulated the French government for their efforts in hosting the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The visit was accompanied by later talks and conferences with Macron and officials from his government, which, arguably, only confirmed Starmer’s intention to strengthen ties with the European Union in the coming months. The leaders agreed on matters including the precarious situation in the Middle East, stressing the importance of a necessity to reach a political solution to the escalating matter. The two leaders were like-minded when it came to tackling the challenge of the small boat crossings across the English Channel, which has the potential to quieten the far-right populists in both countries. Supporting the agreements made with Olaf Scholz, the UK and France agreed to do more to utilize and improve intelligence sharing, supporting international security.  

Starmer’s commitment to ‘reset’ relations with the EU is clear, but does this come with a level of ambiguity? During a visit to Scotland in July during his election campaign, Starmer was quick to blast Brexit, calling it a ‘botched’ deal made by Boris Johnson, which is juxtaposed by the Prime Minister’s promise not to reverse Brexit. Instead Starmer has said the plan is ‘to turn a corner’ with the EU, but the vagueness of this statement means this new governments’ plan for our relationship with our EU allies, is unknown. What we do know however, is that the economic landscape is at the forefront of the Labour’s intentions and these talks tell us that Starmer is doing what you’d expect from a new leader. It is important to note, however, that nothing has been set in stone and no promises have been made. 

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