Sadiq Khan is set to tell European Union (EU) diplomats that “Brexit was a mistake” as he renews calls for closer alignment and a youth mobility scheme.
At a summit hosted by the London mayor and attended by the EU’s Heads of Mission in the UK, Khan will tell delegates that Britain’s withdrawal from the trading bloc “continues to have a negative impact”.
Khan, who campaigned prominently to remain in the EU during the 2016 referendum, will promise to make the case for “being bold” in efforts to seek closer alignment.
Prime minister Keir Starmer has made resetting relations with the EU a priority for his government, but has repeatedly ruled out returning to the single market, customs union or freedom of movement.
In a major speech earlier this month, Nick Thomas-Symonds, the minister for the constitution and European Union, called for an end to “ideologically driven division” between the EU and the UK and for a new “ruthless pragmatism”.
Speaking in Brussels at the UK-EU forum’s annual conference, Thomas-Symonds said: “It is through a new partnership between the UK and the EU that we will deliver for the people of the United Kingdom and for people across the continent.
“The future of the EU and the UK lies beyond the status quo, reaching forward to deliver benefits for all our people to share.”
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However, ministers have so far resisted proposals from Brussels for a new scheme allowing under-30s from the bloc to live, work and study in the UK and vice versa.
Khan is now set to repeat his call for a youth mobility scheme. “As mayor, I’m strongly in favour of a new youth mobility scheme”, he is expected to say on Tuesday.
“This would help to aid economic growth across Europe, but also give young Londoners and EU citizens important life experiences — like the opportunity to work abroad and learn more about our respective languages and cultures.
“As part of this, I’m keen for us to look at how we can make it easier for school children from the EU to visit the UK and learn more about our shared ties and history.”
The London mayor will also insist European allies must come together to tackle a series of “shared challenges” including “the rise of an intolerant and anti-democratic populism” and “tariffs posing a real threat to international affairs.”
Khan will say: “I’m a proud European and of the view that Brexit was a mistake that continues to have a negative impact — not just on my city and country, but on the European community as a whole.”
“I remain passionate about growing and improving our relationship across every area possible, and I believe this is essential if we’re to effectively tackle a host of shared challenges — relating to trade, our economies, security, the environment and the rise of an intolerant and anti-democratic populism.”
He is expected to add: “Indeed, at a moment when we see trade wars and tariffs posing a real threat to international affairs, I’m convinced that we should be looking at what more we can do to strengthen our relationship as a counterweight to these trends.”
Josh Self is Editor of Politics.co.uk, follow him on Bluesky here.
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Lib Dem MP urges government to back EU youth mobility scheme as part of Brexit reset
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