A fresh start for UK-EU relations: My view

This week marks the beginning of a new chapter in the United Kingdom’s relationship with the European Union - one built on mutual respect, shared interests, and a renewed sense of purpose.

In our 2024 General Election manifesto, we were clear: a Labour Government would ensure Britain is confident in our status outside the EU, but a leading nation in Europe once again. We committed to resetting the relationship and deepening ties with our European friends, neighbours, and allies.

This agreement honours that promise, without reopening the divisions of the past. There will be no return to the single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement. Instead, we said we would tear down unnecessary barriers to trade - and this deal has begun to do just that.

I welcome the outcomes secured by the Prime Minister and Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations, at this week’s UK-EU Summit after months of challenging negotiations. I believe this new agreement is good for Britain. It lays the foundations for sustainable economic growth, drives job creation, and will help lower energy bills for families and businesses alike. Just as importantly, it strengthens our shared security in an increasingly uncertain world.

We must remember: the EU remains the UK’s largest customer. Since Brexit, exports have fallen by 21% and imports by 7%. This deal starts to turn that tide. For the first time since our departure, British producers - whether making burgers, sausages, or a host of other goods - can once again sell freely into European markets. That’s a vital boost for key UK industries, particularly in food and farming, a particularly important sector in Buckinghamshire.

British businesses will benefit from improved market access across multiple sectors. The new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement will cut red tape and support our supply chains. It also enhances our co-operation with the EU on climate and emissions, improving our energy security while protecting businesses from additional costs under the EU’s carbon tax regime.

Beyond this, the agreement includes essential provisions to protect our steel industry, strengthen law enforcement cooperation, and tackle irregular migration. It also opens the door for the UK defence industry to access the EU’s £150 billion defence fund - safeguarding thousands of highly-skilled British jobs and supporting our strategic capabilities.

Ending on a personal note, as someone who benefited from the Erasmus scheme in the early 2010s and lived abroad for a year, I know the power of these initiatives to broaden the horizons of young people - whatever their background. That is why I welcome the return of access to Erasmus+ through a controlled youth mobility scheme. Young people from all backgrounds in Buckinghamshire, Bletchley and Milton Keynes deserve to, once again, have the chance to study, learn and experience new things through international exchange.

Together, these measures are forecast to add nearly £9 billion to the UK economy by 2040. That is real progress. This deal delivers practical benefits for businesses, workers, and young people.

This should not be seen as a one-off moment, but rather a first step in recasting Britain’s place in Europe. The deal we have struck provides the foundation for a stronger, more ambitious partnership with our closest allies. I look forward to working with this Government to deliver it.