Social care, cost of living, and the Middle East have been part of the Prime Minister and his team's early communications blitz. But what about Europe?
There is a new EU team in the Foreign Office with Ed Miliband, Lord Wood of Anfield and Hamish Falconer, now taking responsibility for the EU brief. But there is yet to be a new date set for the postponed, and second, UK-EU Summit, and no word on whether the new PM will stick to Labour's red lines on the customs union, single market and freedom of movement. This leaves us with questions that need answers.
Firstly, who now leads the Summit talks? Maroš Šefčovič has spoken to Hamish Falconer, referred to Jonathan Reynolds as his counterpart, and Ed Miliband is venturing to France and Spain to meet European leaders. Clarity on this is essential.
Next, what is the new administration's wider strategy on UK-EU relations? Beyond small deals and good vibes, the EU summit talks have stagnated. Partly to do with the previous government's lack of ability to address the big problems, such as defence spending, regulatory divergence from our largest trading partner and persistent red tape.
We need to know when Andy Burnham will lead diplomatic efforts to Europe, either through Ursula von der Leyen or other national leaders of EU member states. We also need to know where we stand in regards to the advanced talks that were due to be coming to a close, and announced, by the date of the delayed summit. Namely, the talks on:
A food deal
The government has already said it is forming a new strategic partnership with the EU on the trade and movement of plants, plant products, animals, animal products, feed and food. This is called a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement. Will this still happen by their target date of mid-2027? UK businesses need clarity.
A youth mobility deal
This is yet to be fully agreed. No operational post-Brexit youth mobility visa route or final treaty text has been finalised. Will young people in the UK finally be able to study and work freely in Europe?
Emissions trading
The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) is already linked to the EU ETS via the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. This link is not an unlimited carbon market merger. A full and permanent link between the two schemes would deliver profound benefits to both sides.
Sir Nick Harvey, CEO of European Movement UK, said:
"The first weeks of any new government matter. They establish its priorities, define its political direction and reveal which problems it is prepared to confront. Andy Burnham’s administration has begun with a rapid series of announcements focused on living costs and public services. But amid that activity, one major question remains unanswered: what is the government’s plan for Europe?
"Issues which are not established as priorities at the beginning of an administration can quickly become secondary as budgets, crises and political pressures soon crowd out longer-term reform.
“Unless Europe is placed firmly within the government’s economic programme now, there is a danger it will once again be reduced to occasional summits, technical negotiations and modest adjustments."
See our Five Asks for Andy here.