NEWS · 19 April 2024
The EU's offer of a new youth mobility deal is an important moment that we must grasp.
The European Commission's proposal would let 18-30 year olds travel, study and work freely between the UK and EU for up to four years.
This would be a great restoration of opportunity for young people. While it falls short of full freedom of movement, it is a step back towards that goal. The EU is set to open negotiations with the UK soon.
An offer that shows what's possible
The EU's offer also has a broader importance. For the last few years, many commentators have suggested that the EU is fed up of talking about Britain, considers the Brexit deal settled and "has bigger fish to fry".
This offer shows that is not true. This is not a response to a crisis like the Northern Ireland Protocol – it is the EU's own initiative to improve the UK-EU relationship. They didn't have to do anything, but they made this generous offer.
The truth is that there are no obstacles from the EU side to closer relationships – and ultimately rejoining. It is our own politics that we have to sort out.
Border delay
Meanwhile Brexit continues to fail, as import checks at the border are set to be delayed for (by our count) a sixth time.
The checks on plant and animal products – which are both pointless and necessary as part of Brexit – are due to begin on 30 April, but the government has indicated that it will initially set the number of checks to zero... because of the risk of disruption.
Brexit will never be 'done' until it is reversed.
