A planned EU-U.K. summit originally scheduled for July 22 was postponed following Starmer’s resignation earlier this month. The embattled Labour Party leader had hoped to announce a major “reset” in relations. However, one of the officials said, the EU intends to get it back on the agenda “as soon as possible” after a new administration is in place so as not to lose momentum. No date has yet been identified, but mid-October is seen as the most likely.
The speed reflects an awareness in Brussels that, with Nigel Farage’s Reform party riding high in the polls, locking in mutually beneficial agreements is worth doing sooner rather than later, a second official said.
The British government has also expressed interest in taking part in a defense scheme for Ukraine, by which purchases from the U.K. defense sector would be eligible for funding with a €90 billion loan issued by the EU. Separately, talks are also being held on the country’s integration into the EU’s internal electricity market. While neither issue was expected to be settled in time for the July summit, an additional three months could make it possible to announce a deal in time for a rescheduled meeting.
Former Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham is the clear frontrunner to take over from Starmer, and British negotiators have indicated that they do not expect a significant change in policy that would undermine the talks. However, officials on both sides of the talks have cautioned that significant work is still to be done to ensure planned pacts get the green light.
As part of that effort, British EU Relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds traveled to Brussels Wednesday to discuss the joint agenda, designed to streamline trade ties and link up the two economies in the face of an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment.
“My meetings in Brussels today are focussed on delivering the deals we announced at last year’s Summit to lower household bills, provide opportunities for young people and strengthen our nation’s security,” Thomas-Symonds said ahead of the talks with EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič.
EU ambassadors were also briefed on the status of the negotiations on Wednesday in a closed-door meeting with the Commission, two diplomats confirmed.
Gabriel Gavin reported from Brussels. Jon Stone reported from London.