Foreign Affairs Committee: UK Gov’t lack of vision on UK-EU reset a barrier to progress
18 May 2025
In a letter to the Prime Minister, the Foreign Affairs Committee criticises the perceived absence of a strategic vision from the Government and a lack of “pitch” from the UK on the future of the UK-EU relationship.
The Committee has heard repeatedly from counterparts in Europe that they remain unclear about the Government’s policy for the overall relationship amid conflicting statements from Ministers. In today’s letter, the Committee calls for a more compelling UK political narrative and for the Government to be bold and ambitious.
There is support on the Committee for the Government entering into negotiations with the EU to explore the scope for a balanced mobility scheme for young people that would be mutually beneficial, while including protections against its abuse. The letter calls for any such scheme to be brought to the Commons to be debated and voted on.
Regarding trade, the Committee urges the Government to make rapid progress in dismantling trade barriers, and for it to be ambitious in its offer to the EU. Today’s letter calls for clarity when it comes to the possibility of UK alignment with EU rules and points to an apparent disparity between the two sides on the envisaged outcome of the reset when it comes to using the reset as a vehicle for economic growth.
The Committee voices concern that a piecemeal and secretive approach to the reset is complicating scrutiny. The letter states that while Ministers have repeatedly said they will not provide ‘a running commentary’ on the reset negotiations, there have been almost continuous, but unattributed, briefings to the press about developments in the UK’s position.
The letter calls on the Government to publish detailed information on the UK position and proposals in different areas of the reset, and to commit to allowing time for Parliament to have meaningful input into the ongoing negotiations.
On defence and security cooperation, the Committee calls on the Government to use the UK-EU reset to establish a relationship that reflects the importance of close cooperation in this area, particularly – but not exclusively – in aid of Ukraine given Russia’s continued attacks and the changes in policy in the United States.
The letter states that the UK is effectively locked out of the most significant EU defence investment programmes despite its large and sophisticated industry. The Committee hope that the EU will be persuaded by the needs of the moment to include the UK in them as part of the new Security and Defence Partnership.
Chair comment
Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Dame Emily Thornberry MP, said:
“We should be clear about what it is that we want and act with a little less caution and a lot more confidence. If we do this, there is every reason to believe the EU will respond positively.
“European nations are amongst the UK’s closest and most important allies. We are fellow liberal democracies with shared values and history, as well as common challenges. While it would be foolish not to acknowledge that the relationship between the UK and EU still bears the scars of the Brexit negotiations, we need to look to the future, not remain stuck in the past.
“Over the course of our inquiry so far, much of the evidence we have heard indicates that the UK public is ready to move on from the tensions of Brexit and embrace a wide-ranging reset in our relations with the EU. It now falls to the Government to reflect this shift and to be bolder and more ambitious.
“The trade deals recently struck with the USA and India provide new opportunities for the UK economy to thrive and grow. But these agreements are not substitutes for doing the hard of work of dismantling the trade barriers between the UK and EU.
“There have already been tentative steps in the right direction, and in today’s letter, our cross-party Committee supports the Government’s decision to consider a Youth Mobility Scheme, which could deliver opportunity for young people across Europe.
“The war in Ukraine teaches us that we must work with likeminded nations to defend democracy and the rules-based international order. Let’s hope that the summit on Monday is the beginning of a new chapter of closer cooperation on defence and security with our friends in Europe.”
Further information
Image: AdobeStock/lazyllama