UK's Starmer pursues his pledge of governing by acting like "grown-up dealing with other grown-ups" Tangible wins through EU-UK “reset” deal

The UK and EU have unveiled a historic set of new agreements covering trade, defence, and borders, signaling a pragmatic reset in post-Brexit relations.

This shift, spearheaded by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, aims to improve consumer outcomes, such as easing food import bureaucracy and reducing supermarket prices. It also opens opportunities in defence cooperation, energy cost reductions, and mobility—such as rejoining Erasmus+ and streamlined travel through EU e-gates.

“Britain is back on the world stage,” the prime minister said after shaking hands on the deal with the EU’s Ursula von der Leyen in London on May 19. “It gives us unprecedented access to the EU market, the best of any country … all while sticking to the red lines in our manifesto.” Von der Leyen described it as “a historic moment … opening a new chapter in our unique relationship”.

For the first time, Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged the economic harm caused by Brexit to UK trade, as an article by The Independent points out, highlighting that the new deal removing barriers to agrifood trade is expected to deliver a £9 billion boost to the British economy. According to a government briefing from No 10, the agreement aims to offset the 21% fall in exports and 7% decline in imports that have occurred since the UK’s departure from the EU.

Starmer’s diplomatic success, achieved without internal party strife, marks a mature contrast to previous UK leaders. The article does note, however, that opposition and industry leaders alike were furious over the agreed fishery terms which do favour the EU, as the UK has agreed to extend access for EU fishers to British waters for an additional 12 years—an unexpected last-minute concession that triples the original offer. 

The move sparked accusations of betrayal from Conservative MPs and fishing industry representatives. Among the critics was former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who originally brokered the Brexit deal. Nevertheless, supporters of the agreement point to greater gains that will lie in food production, defence industry access to the EU’s Defence Investment Programme, and broader security collaboration. This includes groundwork laid by previous leaders and adaptation to changing global dynamics, particularly amid uncertain US commitment to NATO. Politically, the publication believes that the reset aligns with British public sentiment, which favors a practical, cooperative relationship with Europe rather than deeper Brexit isolation. 

With no immediate plans to reverse Brexit, Starmer’s approach—“making Brexit work”—delivers many benefits once promised by Leave advocates, now realized through renewed EU engagement. This marks the third major agreement secured by Britain this month, following recent trade deals with India and the United States. "Brexit was never a particularly popular project – the infamous 52-48 per cent split showed that, even at the time of the 2016 vote – and that expression of the “will of the people” was a long while ago, and certainly not as fresh as Sir Keir’s mandate for the Brexit reset.

The electorate has no wish to reopen the traumatic wounds suffered in the Brexit wars, but they would like to be friends with the neighbours, to trade more freely without fussing over the European Court of Justice, and to allow young people to travel, work, and study more easily. Sir Keir has made that possible. He deserves the credit for his personal diplomacy," the article argues. 

By Nazrin Sadigova