Starmer pushes for his Brexit ‘reset’… but at what price? PM meeting EU’s von der Leyen in No10 TODAY amid fears he will cave on ‘youth free movement’, fishing rights and Brussels rules

By JAMES TAPSFIELD, POLITICAL EDITOR FOR MAILONLINE

Published: 11:05 BST, 24 April 2025 | Updated: 11:06 BST, 24 April 2025

Keir Starmer will hold talks with the EU commission president today as he pushes for his Brexit ‘reset’.

The PM is meeting Ursula von der Leyen in Downing Street later amid intense negotiations over a new package.

Sir Keir has made closer relations with the bloc a top priority for the government, arguing that the Russian threat underline the need to enhance ties.  

He is hoping to unveil the arrangements at a summit on May 19 – with ministers racing to seal a US trade deal before then. Donald Trump has claimed the EU was created to ‘screw’ America and praised Britain for cutting ties. 

However, there are concerns about what concessions Sir Keir is making to get the agreement over the line. 

Brussels has been heaping pressure on the UK to accept ‘youth free movement’, allowing 18-30 year-olds to travel and work freely. 

That is thought to be the subject of Cabinet tensions with Rachel Reeves suggesting it could boost the economy, while Yvette Cooper is worried about fuelling immigration. 

Meanwhile, France is said to have been demanding compromises on fishing rights to strike a security and defence pact that would allow UK firms to bid for contracts under the EU’s €150billion defence fund.

Keir Starmer will hold talks with the EU commission president today as he pushes for his Brexit ‘reset’ 

The PM is meeting Ursula von der Leyen in Downing Street later amid intense negotiations over a new package

Sir Keir is also said to be poised to sign off ‘dynamic’ alignment with key Brussels food and veterinary standards, in bid to ease friction at borders. 

Unveiled by the bloc last month, it allows EU capitals to borrow cash to invest more in defence and is aimed at enabling countries to re-arm quicker.

At present, British arms manufacturers such as BAE Systems and Babcock are locked out of participating in contracts until a pact has been struck, potentially delaying UK-EU military co-operation and the response to the invasion of Ukraine.

France, along with a few other EU fishing nations, have been hoping to use this as leverage in post-Brexit ‘reset’ talks to get a better deal on catching rights for EU trawlers in UK waters.

There have been reports that Sir Keir is poised to agree to continue multi-year fishing deals after the current terms expire, and say that quotas for EU boats will not be reduced. 

Negotiators expect that, alongside the ‘reset’ package next month, there will be a form of ‘political declaration’ spelling out how negotiations over fishing rights, closer trading ties, touring musicians and greater freedom of movement for young people will be taken forward.

It means that, in theory, nothing would be finalised in these areas and they would still be subject to further negotiation, although a concession on fishing could be written into this.

Donald Trump has claimed the EU was created to ‘screw’ America and praised Britain for cutting ties

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Starmer pushes for his Brexit ‘reset’… but at what price? PM meeting EU’s von der Leyen in No10 TODAY amid fears he will cave on ‘youth free movement’, fishing rights and Brussels rules

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