When the UK left the European Union (EU), we fundamentally changed our processes with our biggest trading partner, lost guarantees on workers’ rights, and vital environmental protections.
But one of the biggest losses, particularly for young people, was waving goodbye to the right to live, travel, study and work across the 27 other member states.
In the years since, the consequences of Brexit have come home to us: pensioners who have lived abroad for decades facing deportation to the UK; endless red tape for people who want to start a job in another country; and students missing out on the Erasmus scheme, which gave hundreds of thousands of young people the opportunity to experience life and study across Europe.
This in particular feels like a kick in the teeth for young people, who overwhelmingly voted to remain in the EU – but have been saddled with the worst consequences of leaving.
And so it’s frustrating to see Keir Starmer appear to rule out Britain’s participation in an EU youth mobility scheme as part of his talks to improve relations with the EU.
In April, the EU formally offered to negotiate a youth mobility programme with the UK, but it was shot down by both major parties at the time.
Now, speaking in Germany this week, Starmer said: ‘We do not have plans for a youth mobility scheme but do have plans for closer relationship between us and the EU.’
I was deeply disappointed when I heard this – the Prime Minister turning down a world of opportunities on behalf of young people who won’t get a say in the decision.
When I speak to young people in my constituency, they feel deeply let down by politicians who have used their future as a bargaining chip – stripping away the benefits that previous generations have enjoyed, from free university education to affordable housing and freedom of movement in the EU.
But this isn’t just an issue for British-born young people wanting the freedom to explore other parts of the world – it makes a difference to the lives of the almost one in five Bristolians who weren’t born in the UK, many of whom have family across Europe.
Turning his back on the chance to give back young people the freedom that his generation once enjoyed would be a huge missed opportunity for Starmer.
For starters, signing the UK up to a youth mobility scheme would help his trailing popularity with younger voters, who feel that successive governments have ignored the issues that matter to them.
It would help to build trust with other EU countries, who were alienated by the previous government in order to score political points.
I’m proud that the Green Party campaigned wholeheartedly to remain in the EU – and we’ve been unapologetic about wanting closer ties with our European neighbours since the referendum.
In the short term, we want to see the Government put policies in place to undo some of the worst harms of Brexit – like joining the customs union, bringing back freedom of movement, and rejoining the Erasmus programme. And in the long term, we think Britain’s place is in the EU.
Now Starmer has the chance to show that he won’t be the kind of prime minister to cut off his nose to spite his face.
And it would provide a much-needed boost to the economy, helping businesses particularly in hospitality who have struggled with recruitment since Brexit, and bolstering the tourism and events sectors.
For too long, the lives of young people in this country have been used as a political football by those in power and those seeking power, with little attention paid to their needs or their interests.
It’s time for Starmer to draw a line in the sand and show that – unlike those before him – he is committed to making life better for the younger generation.
Giving young people back a little more freedom to make their lives how and where they choose would be a great place to start.
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