A softer Brexit – but we still have Brexit
Starmer’s new EU deal may be a “Brexit reset” – but Britain remains adrift, and the damage isn’t undone.
We’re still outside the Single Market, with lost rights, new barriers, and no real plan to go back in.
That said, the new agreement this week between the UK and EU is a welcome sign of thawing relations – a shift away from the confrontational politics of the past decade.
For that, the Labour government deserves some credit. The deal removes some Brexit barriers – including student exchanges, pet travel, food exports, security cooperation, and a proposed Youth Mobility Scheme for young people.
These are practical changes that will make life easier for businesses, students, and travellers alike. It also signals an intention to rebuild trust with our European neighbours.
Yes, this is a fresh attempt to improve UK–EU relations after years of damage and division. But we should be clear: this is still Brexit.
- The UK remains outside the EU Single Market and Customs Union.
- British citizens have lost freedom of movement.
- UK companies still face costly trade frictions.
- Musicians still struggle with touring.
- Brits still need extra paperwork to live, work, study or retire in the EU.
- And EU nationals here remain subject to the Hostile Environment – from renting a flat to crossing the border.
For sure, this new agreement is better than what came before. But it’s nowhere near as good as what we once had.
We left Erasmus+ – only now to seek partial re-entry.
Freedom of movement is gone – and the new “Youth Mobility Scheme” may only allow limited, temporary stays for young people. Even if finalised, it cannot replicate the full rights we lost.
And while this new deal softens the blow for some sectors, it does not undo the deep economic harm caused by Brexit.
According to the OBR, the UK economy is now forecast to be 4% smaller than it would have been had we remained in the EU – a lasting hit to wages, growth, and tax revenues.
Rejoining the Single Market would bring far greater benefits.
Full EU membership would go further still: giving us back a seat at the table, a voice in decisions, and rights we once took for granted.
The new deal shows that rebuilding our relationship with Europe is possible. But it also highlights the absurdity of what we threw away – and how hard it is to claw back even fragments of what we had.
Call it a reset if you like – but the only real reset is rejoining the EU.
