This week’s UK-EU summit in London was a long-overdue and hopeful step toward rebuilding a constructive, cooperative relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

On Monday, Keir Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen outlined a series of practical changes to how the UK works with the EU, alongside a commitment to shared values, and tackling global challenges together.

The agreements reached include trade alignment, youth mobility and security cooperation and joint defence initiatives.

But while we celebrate these steps, which are sensible and mutually beneficial, we are clear-eyed: this is not the destination. It is the beginning of a new chapter, a foundation upon which deeper and more meaningful cooperation can be built. We are building momentum, but we must not stop here.

We will only truly put the harm of Brexit behind us when the government steps outside its self-imposed ‘red lines’ and gives serious consideration to closer alignment, in particular a pathway towards rejoining the Single Market and Customs Union.

The European Movement has always believed that the UK belongs at the heart of Europe. This summit demonstrates what can be achieved through goodwill and pragmatism. Now is the time for courage, to ask bigger questions, challenge outdated assumptions, and work toward a future where the UK is not just cooperating with Europe, but truly connected to it.

Which of our 10 asks were included in the UK-EU reset?

Ahead of the May 19 summit, the European Movement campaigned for 10 practical steps for the government to take in order to meaningfully improve relations with the EU. Here’s how the new reset measures up to those asks:

• Youth Opportunity Scheme ✅
  • Talks are underway for a new “Youth Experience Scheme,” which would allow young people to live, work, and study across the UK and EU, a clear move toward restoring people-to-people ties.
• Defence Partnership ✅
  • The UK and EU agreed to deepen security and defence cooperation, with a view to participating in specific initiatives under the SAFE (Security Action for Europe) programme — a significant shift toward structured collaboration on shared security challenges, such as supporting Ukraine.
• Rejoining Erasmus+ ✅
  • Some very positive movement, with Erasmus+ mentioned in broader youth mobility discussions, but no firm commitment yet.
• UK–EU agreement on plant and animal health (veterinary/SPS agreement) ✅
  • The UK agreed to align with EU food and animal safety standards - a major win that will reduce border friction and red tape for exporters.
• Energy and Net Zero Cooperation ✅
  • There has been significant movement, with agreements emerging on electricity trading provisions - including recoupling of day-ahead markets — and early discussions on carbon pricing alignment. We have signalled the intention to link emissions trading schemes with the EU, negating the need for the UK to engage the costly carbon border adjustment mechanism. These are vital steps toward a more integrated, efficient energy system that benefits consumers and supports climate goals
• Deal for Musicians and Touring Artists ⚠️
  • Some discussion around easing restrictions, but concrete progress remains limited.
• Removing red tape for professionals ⚠️
  • Some recognition of the need for improved professional mobility and qualification frameworks, but no formal agreement yet.
• Rejoining Creative Europe ❌
  • No movement on restoring access to this essential cultural funding and collaboration programme.
• European Environment Agency ❌
  • The UK has not taken steps toward rejoining or cooperating with the EEA on environmental data and policy.
• Mutual Recognition of Conformity Assessments ❌
  • This key ask remains unaddressed. UK goods still face costly duplication of testing for EU markets.

As we can see, the summit is a welcome and meaningful start, but there remains much more to be done.

If this government is serious about repairing the damage of the past few years, it must now show the courage to go further and reconsider the red lines that continue to limit our potential.

Here at the European Movement, we will continue campaigning for progress across all 10 of these policy areas, while making the case for more ambitious changes to bring our country closer to Europe. You can support our campaign by becoming a member today.