Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met in Brussels to discuss strengthening UK-EU ties.
The UK government is searching for a senior negotiator to oversee efforts to "reset" its relationship with the European Union. This initiative aims to improve cooperation on trade, security, and border policies.
The job advertisement, published by the Cabinet Office, highlights the negotiator's responsibility for managing UK-EU relations and negotiating on critical issues. These include the Windsor Framework, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, and the Entry and Exit Scheme, a forthcoming digital EU border system. The position, described as “high-profile” and politically sensitive, offers a salary of £153,000–£200,000.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to strengthen ties with the EU while maintaining Brexit. He seeks a more advantageous trade agreement than the one brokered by Boris Johnson in 2020, emphasizing cooperation on trade, security, and investment without rejoining the EU.
The negotiator will serve as the UK’s "sherpa," a high-level representative for the prime minister at international engagements. Reporting to the minister for European Union relations, the role involves leading discussions with EU officials to promote economic growth and closer ties.
In October, Starmer met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels, marking his first visit as prime minister. Discussions focused on defense, security, climate change, and addressing irregular migration. Starmer also reiterated his goal to make Brexit work for the UK’s economic interests.
A Cabinet Office spokesperson stated: “As we reset our relationship with the EU, building closer trade and security links and encouraging more investment from around the world, this new role will oversee that work.”
Meanwhile, debates over the UK's economic direction persist. Former senior economic advisor to US President Donald Trump, Stephen Moore, recently commented on the UK’s position. Speaking on BBC Radio 4, Moore suggested the UK is “caught in the middle” between the EU's social-economic model and the US’s free-enterprise approach. He argued that adopting a more American-style economic framework could encourage stronger US-UK trade agreements.
As the UK moves forward with its "reset," the negotiator’s appointment will be key to shaping the nation’s evolving relationship with Europe. Photo by Ilovetheeu, Wikimedia commons.