European Commission tells member states it will guard against British efforts to bend rules or alter red lines from original negotiations
Sir Keir Starmer will not be allowed to “cherry-pick” a new Brexit deal, Brussels has vowed ahead of the Prime Minister’s meeting with Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday.
European Commission officials told ambassadors of the 27 EU member states that the red lines of the original Brexit negotiations with the Tories would not change for a Labour government and that they would guard against British efforts to bend EU rules.
“It is important to protect the integrity of the internal market,” an EU diplomat told The Telegraph after the behind closed door meeting with envoys on Monday evening.
“The Commission promised to guard the balance of rights and obligations and acknowledged that the scope to start further cooperation is limited.”
Sir Keir is holding his first substantive talks with Mrs von der Leyen, the Commission president, in Brussels on Wednesday as he looks to cement his “reset” of relations with the EU and forge closer post-Brexit ties with the bloc.
Last week Sir Keir said he would not pretend that talks with Brussels were going to be “easy”.
The Government wants to strike a security and migration pact with the EU and overhaul the post-Brexit trade deal, which is up for review in 2026.
During the first Brexit negotiations from 2017 to 2021, the Commission’s inflexible approach was driven by the red line that London could not “cherry-pick” the benefits of single market membership without the obligations of EU membership.
The Prime Minister has ruled out any return to free movement or rejoining the single market, which the EU believes will limit the ambition of any revamped trade deal.
EU capitals are also reluctant to reopen talks over an agreement they see as weighted in their favour, sources in Brussels said.
The envoys also demanded Mrs von der Leyen get clarity from Sir Keir over Britain’s intentions ahead of fisheries negotiations before the UK-EU deal on access to British waters expires at the end of 2026.
The Commission will meet the Prime Minister’s call to revamp the UK-EU trade deal with its own demand for access to British waters.
An EU diplomat said there was “broad and explicit” support from some 16 member states for the meeting between Sir Keir and Mrs von der Leyen “now that positive momentum seems to be building with the Labour Government in office”.
“Though with the key and important caveat from member states that principles that applied during the Brexit negotiations still apply,” the diplomat told The Telegraph.
There was “broad support for strengthening foreign and defence cooperation” to shore up a united European front after Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, sources said.
But EU-27 ambassadors insisted that any new deals with Britain could only be agreed if the UK stuck to its existing Brexit agreements.
They also urged the Commission to ensure the UK fully implemented the Windsor Framework agreement on the Irish Sea border before strik ing new deals.
Despite the treaty on post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland being signed in February 2023, it has still not been fully implemented.
The ambassadors also wanted Mrs von der Leyen to grill Sir Keir on plans for better energy cooperation.
The Government also wants a UK-EU veterinary deal to reduce border checks on animals and animal products, an agreement on chemicals regulations, better terms for UK touring artists and improved recognition of UK professional qualifications.
Youth mobility deal
Mrs von der Leyen is likely to press the EU’s case for an improved youth mobility deal, making it easier for European students to come to the UK, during her meeting with the Prime Minister. Sir Keir rejected the initial call for the agreement.
Her officials have warned her against any quid pro quo on Sir Keir’s hopes of a better deal for UK bands.
Brussels is willing to agree on the chemicals and the veterinary deals, if the UK aligns with EU rules, which are governed by the European Court of Justice.
But sources said a UK-EU migration deal, which is supported by France and Germany and would allow the return of Channel migrants, is not currently “on the table”.
Dr Mike Galsworthy, Chair of European Movement UK, said the Government must “reconsider its apparent hostility to a youth mobility scheme with the EU”.
“After all, the UK has youth mobility schemes with 13 other countries – including Australia and Japan – so it makes sense to have one with our nearest neighbours and closest partners,” he said.
