Is Britain actually inching again in direction of the EU?

[ad_1] <img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/e236/live/9b1d0910-3188-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/e236/live/9b1d0910-3188-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/e236/live/9b1d0910-3188-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/e236/live/9b1d0910-3188-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/e236/live/9b1d0910-3188-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/e236/live/9b1d0910-3188-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/e236/live/9b1d0910-3188-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/e236/live/9b1d0910-3188-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp" loading="eager" alt="BBC A treated image of jigsaw puzzle where one piece with the UK flag is separated from the puzzle, and the rest of the pieces show the EU flag" class="sc-4abb68ca-0 ldLcJe"/> BBC Damian Grammaticas and Luke Mintz BBC Information

On a heat morning earlier this month, a gaggle of Metropolitan Police diplomatic safety officers sat in an anteroom off the ornate entrance corridor in London's Lancaster Home, sipping tea and nibbling chocolate biscuits, whereas upstairs a core group of European politicians mentioned the way forward for European cooperation.

It was an apt setting: in every single place you look in Lancaster Home, there may be proof of the lengthy, entangled histories of the UK and Europe. The double sweep of its grand staircase intentionally echoes the Palace of Versailles. Queen Victoria sat in these rooms listening to Frederic Chopin play the piano in 1848. Tony Blair hosted Russian President Putin right here for an power summit in 2003.

The vital points on the agenda on the Lancaster Home assembly, which was hosted by the International Secretary David Lammy, included the most recent developments within the struggle in Ukraine, Europe's response to make sure the continent's safety, and – for the primary time since Brexit – a summit between the UK and the European Union, which is able to happen on 19 Might.

The British authorities believes it is a important second.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/6a81/live/a0adc930-3194-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/6a81/live/a0adc930-3194-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/6a81/live/a0adc930-3194-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/6a81/live/a0adc930-3194-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/6a81/live/a0adc930-3194-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/6a81/live/a0adc930-3194-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/6a81/live/a0adc930-3194-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/6a81/live/a0adc930-3194-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Reuters Former European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker walks with former British Prime Minister Theresa May at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels" class="sc-4abb68ca-0 ldLcJe"/> Reuters Earlier than Brexit, UK prime ministers frequently visited Brussels for EU conferences

Earlier than Brexit, British prime ministers would journey to Brussels 4 occasions a yr or extra for summits with the heads of the EU's establishments and its 27 member states. The haggling would go on late into the evening. After Brexit these massive summits stopped.

Now, the Labour authorities, elected final yr on a manifesto that promised "an improved and impressive relationship with our European companions", envisages new and common interactions with the EU. Monday's marks the primary.

Sir Keir Starmer will host essentially the most senior EU leaders to launch a brand new "partnership".

Pedro Serrano, the EU ambassador to London, has described it because the "fruits of enhanced contacts on the highest ranges for the reason that July 2024 [UK] elections". However what's going to it quantity to?

Is what's coming a "give up summit" because the Conservatives warn; "the nice British sellout" undoing bits of Brexit that Reform UK concern; or "an enormous alternative" the UK could also be about to squander, as Liberal Democrats say? Or might it's an instance of how, in Sir Keir Starmer's phrases, "severe pragmatism defeats performative politics" by delivering sensible issues that may enhance individuals's lives?

Questions round a safety pact

In these lengthy, drama-filled nights of 2020, when the then-prime minister Boris Johnson was negotiating Brexit, the potential for a Safety and Defence Partnership was mentioned. However the UK's important precedence was diverging from Brussels. So nothing was agreed – a notable omission, some suppose.

Now a brand new UK-EU safety pact has been labored on for months, the plan is for it to be the centrepiece of what is agreed.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/abee/live/97332e40-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/abee/live/97332e40-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/abee/live/97332e40-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/abee/live/97332e40-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/abee/live/97332e40-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/abee/live/97332e40-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/abee/live/97332e40-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/abee/live/97332e40-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Kaja Kallas speaks to the media ahead of a meeting on Ukraine" class="sc-4abb68ca-0 ldLcJe"/> EPA-EFE/Shutterstock EU international coverage chief Kaja Kallas mentioned regardless of previous tensions, 'we have to transfer ahead with this partnership'

Kaja Kallas, the EU's international coverage chief, who's overseeing negotiations, was on the early talks at Lancaster Home. "Our relationship has had some difficulties," she advised me, however "contemplating what's going on on the earth […] we have to transfer ahead with this partnership."

But some suppose the UK shouldn't seize this outstretched hand.

"The cornerstone of our defence is Nato," Alex Burghart, a Conservative frontbencher, advised the Commons this week. "We all know of no motive why Nato is inadequate."

Reform UK's deputy chief Richard Tice has his personal view. "There is no worth in any respect," he argues. "We don't wish to be constrained by a bungling top-down bureaucratic navy construction. Our defence is assured by Nato."

The federal government fires again on that time, arguing {that a} partnership will under no circumstances undermine Nato; fairly it would complement it, they are saying, as a result of it would stretch to areas past defence, just like the safety of our economies, infrastructure, power provides, even migration and transnational crime.

Some business specialists additionally consider {that a} safety pact might increase the UK financial system. Kevin Craven, chief government of ADS Group, a UK commerce affiliation that represents aerospace, defence and safety corporations, is amongst them.

Take, for instance, the SAFE (Safety Motion For Europe) programme that's being arrange by the EU, aiming to offer as much as €150bn (£126bn) in loans for brand spanking new initiatives. If the UK strikes a safety partnership with the EU, then British weapons producers might doubtlessly entry a few of that money.

"There's a large quantity of curiosity from European companions," says Mr Craven. "One of many challenges for defence firms within the final couple of years, for the reason that creation of Ukraine, is having the ability to scale up their very own capability to satisfy demand." He estimates the UK might increase the EU's defence output by a fifth.

The Liberal Democrat's International Affairs spokesperson, Calum Miller, equally believes {that a} safety pact is a large alternative for the British defence business - however, he provides, "as importantly, it is a new strategic alternative for the UK to be a part of that ongoing dialog about how we arm as a continent".

Others level out that the UK has already been working with the EU on defence ever since Russia's invasion of Ukraine – at Nato, and most just lately through the so-called Coalition of the Keen.

So, in observe, does it make large quantities of distinction to the UK's place in Europe?

No, argues Jill Rutter, a former senior civil servant who's now a senior fellow on the UK in a Altering Europe suppose tank. "As a result of relations [on defence] have already been enhancing fairly a great distance."

A few of these engaged on the partnership, nonetheless, argue that it'll set in prepare new methods for the UK to have interaction and cooperate with its neighbours.

Delays on the border

Extra contentious is the UK's need to signal what's referred to as a 'veterinary' deal to take away some border checks on food and drinks. Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Cupboard Workplace minister main these negotiations, advised the Commons this week that the target to decrease food and drinks prices is within the manifesto, so there's a mandate for it.

Contained in the meals business, requires reform have been rising. Julianne Ponan, whose agency Inventive Nature makes vegan snack bars, exports to 18 nations however solely a small proportion goes to the EU. She says that is due to the paperwork and inspections since Brexit.

Considered one of her staff needed to carry samples in her baggage on a passenger flight to Spain for a gathering to ensure the meals wasn't held up on the border, she says.

"I believe it will open up large alternatives for companies like mine."

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/1140/live/9a749da0-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/1140/live/9a749da0-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/1140/live/9a749da0-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/1140/live/9a749da0-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/1140/live/9a749da0-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/1140/live/9a749da0-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/1140/live/9a749da0-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/1140/live/9a749da0-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="European Photopress Agency A Union Jack flag flutters next to European Union flags" class="sc-4abb68ca-0 ldLcJe"/> European Photopress Company A 'veterinary' deal to take away some border checks on food and drinks has divided

However a veterinary deal might carry political hazard. It might require the UK to align a few of its guidelines on food and drinks with EU ones, and transfer in-step with Brussels over time. And people guidelines are topic to oversight by EU courts.

"I name it the give up summit," says Andrew Griffith, the Conservative Shadow Enterprise and Commerce Secretary. Below this deal the UK would lose "our freedom to set our personal guidelines", he provides.

The Conservatives say they "fought lengthy and laborious" to "take again management of our legal guidelines, our borders, our cash" – and that this could not now be reversed.

Step change or 'promote out'?

Reform UK has not held again in its language: "We predict put together for the Nice British promote out. That is the underside line, and will probably be dressed up as a reset," Richard Tice says.

"Why would you wish to reset and get nearer to a patently failing financial mannequin? The EU is struggling much more than we're. We must be diverging as quick as we will away from that."

However Labour's Thomas-Symonds dismisses these views as a "rehash of the arguments of the previous".

On the opposite finish of the spectrum is the accusation that Sir Keir is way too cautious. Calum Miller of the Liberal Democrats says he is aware of of companies "gnashing their enamel in frustration that they simply cannot exploit alternatives to work with and commerce with Europe".

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/fcea/live/5aeb2f20-31a6-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/fcea/live/5aeb2f20-31a6-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/fcea/live/5aeb2f20-31a6-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/fcea/live/5aeb2f20-31a6-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/fcea/live/5aeb2f20-31a6-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/fcea/live/5aeb2f20-31a6-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/fcea/live/5aeb2f20-31a6-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/fcea/live/5aeb2f20-31a6-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="PA Media Sir Keir Starmer" class="sc-4abb68ca-0 ldLcJe"/> PA Media Some have accused Sir Keir Starmer of being too cautious

His celebration desires the UK to discover a Customs Union with the EU. It might make transferring items simpler, however imply we could not signal our personal commerce offers.

David Henig, a former senior commerce negotiator, has been speaking to each side "hoping to assist, to kind of navigate them in".

"The summit is a step ahead, not a step change," he says, "A slight deepening of the commerce ties, fairly than one thing dramatically new."

A deal on food and drinks checks would ship little or no, he believes, as a result of food and drinks is such a restricted a part of commerce. "In the event you have been, for instance, aligning UK and EU guidelines on industrial merchandise, you'd get a a lot greater financial impression".

Jill Rutter thinks {that a} veterinary deal wouldn't show "economically earth shattering" – but when it goes effectively, she argues that it might present "early proof of idea" for additional UK-EU cooperation.

'Powerful it out' on fishing?

After Brexit, many British fishermen have been upset when Boris Johnson's authorities agreed to let EU boats proceed a lot as earlier than, taking important catches from UK waters. These preparations expire subsequent yr. The EU desires them prolonged.

David Davis who, as Brexit minister, led among the unique negotiations for the UK, advised me fishing was "totemic" for Brussels. London conceded too simply, he thinks.

"Europeans received what they wished first, after which we had a haggle from a weak place."

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/8e26/live/aa2a3080-31a2-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/8e26/live/aa2a3080-31a2-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/8e26/live/aa2a3080-31a2-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/8e26/live/aa2a3080-31a2-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/8e26/live/aa2a3080-31a2-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/8e26/live/aa2a3080-31a2-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/8e26/live/aa2a3080-31a2-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/8e26/live/aa2a3080-31a2-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Getty Images Prime Minister, Boris Johnson poses for photographs after signing the Brexit trade deal " class="sc-4abb68ca-0 ldLcJe"/> Getty Photographs Many British fishermen have been upset when Johnson's authorities agreed to let EU boats proceed a lot as earlier than

So he provides, "If I used to be giving recommendation to the federal government, I might say, robust it out" and use fishing as a lever to hunt concessions.

However, because the UK discovered earlier than, Brussels has playing cards to play. A lot of the fish caught by British fishermen is offered to patrons on the Continent and the UK wants entry to that market.

Some EU coastal states, like France and Denmark, are ready to drive a tough discount, demanding that London concedes on fishing rights in return for issues it desires. Early on, even signing the Safety Partnership was being linked to settlement on a fishing deal. The haggling will probably be robust.

Immigration and youth mobility

And at last, there's an concept that has prompted a lot curiosity in latest months: a youth mobility deal, by which under-30s from the UK and EU might stay and work in one another's nations.

For a very long time the federal government mentioned there have been "no plans" for such a deal – however earlier this month they modified course, with Labour's Thomas-Symonds saying that "A sensible, managed youth mobility scheme would in fact have advantages for our younger individuals".

It is doubtless that might imply very restricted numbers allowed to enter the UK, and solely with a visa, for a restricted time.

Below these situations, ministers hope it might not inflate internet migration numbers. It is from what the EU would really like.

The UK already has comparable schemes with 13 nations, together with Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

"After we are comfy having these relationships, why are we so averse to having it with our nearest neighbours?" Calum Miller asks, "It simply would not actually make sense".

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/9c58/live/9da4cef0-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/9c58/live/9da4cef0-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/9c58/live/9da4cef0-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/9c58/live/9da4cef0-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/9c58/live/9da4cef0-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/9c58/live/9da4cef0-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/9c58/live/9da4cef0-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/9c58/live/9da4cef0-3194-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Reuters In this drone view an inflatable dinghy carrying migrants makes its way towards England in the English Channel" class="sc-4abb68ca-0 ldLcJe"/> Reuters Voters care most about what they understand as unlawful migration and folks coming right here to check or to work will not be a specific trigger for concern, says one professional

Paula Surridge, a professor of political sociology at Bristol College, argues that public views on immigration are extra nuanced than many individuals suppose. "Voters care most about what they understand as unlawful migration – small boat crossings and so forth," she says, "Individuals coming right here to check or to work, notably younger individuals, will not be a specific trigger for concern" for many.

"There will certainly be a gaggle of voters which can be upset [about potential deals], however they have been by no means going to vote Labour."

Of those that backed Labour in 2024, she provides, about three quarters beforehand voted Stay within the Brexit referendum. The political threat to the federal government of signing pacts with the EU is "smaller than it seems", she provides.

Conservative pollster Lord Hayward is extra cautious – and is anxious {that a} deal might pose a "bear lure" for the federal government if it is seen as offering free motion to younger Europeans. "It is going to present severe difficulties for them to return to an settlement on one thing which might simply be portrayed as EU membership 2.0."

'Making Brexit work'

Even earlier than Sir Keir's upcoming summit on Monday, his opponents are elevating that spectre.

"All of his muscle reminiscence has been to get nearer to the European political union," says Mr Griffith. "I'm anxious about our prime minister, with that baggage, with these preconceived concepts, […] making an attempt to barter a greater take care of the EU."

Richard Tice says his celebration might merely undo any offers with the EU. "If I am proper about our fears, and we win the subsequent normal election, we'll simply reverse the lot. The whole thing."

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/58e4/live/a6eb5930-31a2-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/58e4/live/a6eb5930-31a2-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/58e4/live/a6eb5930-31a2-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/58e4/live/a6eb5930-31a2-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/58e4/live/a6eb5930-31a2-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/58e4/live/a6eb5930-31a2-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/58e4/live/a6eb5930-31a2-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/58e4/live/a6eb5930-31a2-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Getty Images Ulf Kristersson, Sweden's prime minister, left, and Keir Starmer, UK prime minister, during a meeting at 10 Downing Street in London" class="sc-4abb68ca-0 ldLcJe"/> Getty Photographs "All of [the prime minister's] muscle reminiscence has been to get nearer to the European political union," argues one commentator

However Mr Thomas-Symonds is of the view that Monday will present the federal government is "not returning to the Customs Union, Single Market, or Freedom of Motion", all pink traces it has pledged to not cross.

As a substitute will probably be about "making Brexit work within the pursuits of the British individuals".

Again at Lancaster Home, the politicians have moved on, heading to extra conferences in Albania and Turkey to grapple with the problems going through the continent. However in a quiet hallway in the home is a portray from the 1850s of the Duke of Wellington inspecting troops in London's Hyde Park.

In it, he sits on a black stallion, elevating his white-feathered hat to salute the cavalry - a tribute to the prime minister and navy hero who defeated Napoleon on the Battle of Waterloo.

The upcoming summit will not be as momentous an occasion within the UK's sophisticated historical past with Europe. However a contemporary British chief about to plunge into the fray of European politics would possibly pause for thought right here – maybe, for only a second.

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